Casey and Kristi

I had a book signing at Barnes & Noble for the picture book I illustrated called Cora Cooks Pancit, and it was a blast!!!
Barnes & Noble sold out of the books they ordered for the signing, and then they sold 12 of my own copies that I brought in as backup. There was a line when I began the book signing and different people there the whole two hours. How fun is that!

We brought a big pot of pancit and Casey handed out samples while I signed. The recipe for pancit is in the book. It’s a Filipino noodle dish with chicken, veggies, shiitake mushrooms, garlic, soy sauce, and ginger – quite yummy.

The story is about a lil’ girl named Cora who wants to help her mom cook but is always given the little kid jobs like licking the spoon. One day when her older brother and sisters are out, she gets to be Mama’s assistant chef and help with all the important cooking jobs. She wears her grandpa’s red apron and uses his pancit recipe. At dinner that night, she anxiously waits to see if her family likes her cooking. It’s a warm and family-oriented picture book. It’s available at bookstores and on Amazon. Hope you check it out!

Amiah, our friend’s daughter, wanted to spell her name for me. What a cutie.

Saturday, July 25, 2009
Barnes & Noble, Evansville, Indiana
2 pm

The book: Cora Cooks Pancit (multicultural hardcover picture book for ages 4-8)
Written by Dorina Lazo Gilmore, Illustrated by Kristi Valiant

I have my first book signing at a store coming up for a picture book that I’ve illustrated. I’ve done book signings at schools and conferences before, but a store seems a bit more scary because I don’t know if anyone will come. I’ll be bringing a pot of pancit to give out samples. Pancit is a Filipino noodle dish with chicken and veggies – the recipe is in the book and it’s delicious! I’ll also be wearing my red apron just like Cora does in the book.
I hope to see you there!

See more of my illustrations from Cora Cooks Pancit on my illustration website: www.kristivaliant.com
The book is available at bookstores or from Amazon.com (it’s gotten great reviews on Amazon and some other sites).