Fancy Nancy, Christmas knights: Quail Ridge lines up four big children's authors this week

Wow! Quail Ridge Books & Music in Raleigh has a packed September full of some pretty amazing children's book authors! These are so much fun for younger readers and their parents. I love taking my girls to these.

Kevin Henkes, the Newbery Honor and Caldecott Medal-winning author, returns with his new picture book, "Waiting." It's best for ages four and up. Henkes wrote books like "Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse," "Owen," and "Kitten's First Full Moon." He'll be at Quail Ridge at 7 p.m., Tuesday. You'll need to buy the book from Quail Ridge to get a ticket for the signing line.

Steve Sheinkin, award-winning author of "BOMB," "The Port Chicago 50" and other non-fiction books for kids will be at Quail Ridge at 7 p.m., Wednesday. These are best for ages 10 and up. He'll visit with his new book "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War." A friend's middle school son has loved Sheinkin's books. You'll need to buy the book from Quail Ridge to get a ticket for the signing line.

Jane O'Connor, the author behind the very popular Fancy Nancy series, will be at Quail Ridge at 5 p.m., Thursday, with "Fancy Nancy: Nancy Clancy, Soccer Mania." This is the sixth Nancy Clancy chapter book. For ages 6 and up. Kids are encouraged to come in their sports uniforms (minus the cleats!). O'Connor has some surprises, according to Quail Ridge. You'll need to buy the book from Quail Ridge to get a ticket for the signing line. She'll also be signing her picture books as well.

And Joan Holub, the author of more than 130 picture books and novels for children, including the Goddess Girl series and picture books such as "Zero the Hero," "Mighty Dads" and "Little Red Writing," will share her new book "The Knights Before Christmas," at 2 p.m., Saturday. It's best for ages 5 and up. I had the pleasure of meeting Joan over the weekend at Triangle Reads where I moderated the picture book panel. My six-year-old has either been read this book or read this book herself about a dozen times in the last 24 hours. It's a fun spin on "The Night Before Christmas!"