In honor of the first ever Paper Bag Princess Day , Red Balloon is hosting a storytime celebration featuring one of our long-time favorite picture books: The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch. Join Storyteller Angela for an interactive storytime followed by a scavenger hunt and kid-friendly crafts!
Tuesday, March 3, 6:30 pm
Pajama Storytime with Cori Doerrfeld and THE WELCOME WAGON!
Saturday, March 7, 2:00 pm
Aimée Bissonette, DO NOT RAKE YOUR GARDEN IN A PARTY DRESS Launch Party!
Saturday, March 14, 2:00 pm
John Coy, IF WE WERE GONE Launch Party!
Saturday, March 28, 3:00 pm
Margi Preus, VILLAGE OF SCOUNDRELS and THE LITTLEST VOYAGEUR Double Launch Party!
Club Book | Gish Jen
Wednesday, March 4 at 6:30 PM
Ramsey County Library – New Brighton

Gish Jen is a second generation Chinese American, and a thoughtful chronicler of emigration, assimilation, and multiculturalism as they relate to the modern American experience.  

Central Speaker Series | Nate Cannon
Monday, March 9 at 7:00 PM
Saint Paul Central High School Library

Nate Cannon, BA, MFA, is a nationally recognized speaker and author. He trains in the areas of diversity and inclusion, as well as crisis intervention, enlightening consumers and professionals through his experiences being a transgender man living with both mental illness and an unseen physical disability.

Club Book | Brad Taylor
Tuesday, March 10 at 7:00 PM
Scott County Library – Prior Lake

Brad Taylor is the pen behind The New York Times  bestselling Pike Logan series. Now spanning fourteen installments, Taylor’s high-octane thrillers center around “the Taskforce”—a highly trained covert ops team answerable only to a select few at the highest rungs of government. 

PICTURE BOOK
Up on Bob
By Mary Sullivan

What a sweet, funny story full of hilariously wonderful illustrations! Up on Bob is a fantastic read-aloud for the youngest book lovers and a great picture book for any emerging reader to try on their own. (Or, do what I do and read it with the dogs and cats in your home — they'll find plenty to relate to!)  — Angela (RBB Staff)
MIDDLE GRADE
Prairie Lotus
By Linda Sue Park

This is a new view of pioneer life told through the eyes of a young adult woman who is of mixed race. Written by renowned author Linda Sue Park, the story is painful to read at times as we watch Hanna work as hard as she can to be accepted by the residents of the new Dakota town she and her father have left California for. At the same time, she is trying to please and connect with her father. Though her Chinese mother is no longer living, Hanna relies on memories of her Mama's presence and words of wisdom to shape the life she aspires to. A wonderful and much needed story that highlights what it means to be different on the outside despite being just the same as everyone else on the inside. And all while trying to create a life on the new, not-yet-fully settled Dakota prairie.  — Susan (RBB Staff)
MIDDLE GRADE
A Home for Goddesses and Dogs
By Leslie Connor

I cried such happy tears at the end. The women and dogs in this story are so wonderful, I want to live in their home, spend time with them, love them. This is a story of a young girl living with her aunt and her aunt's wife on a farm in Vermont. During the winter, with dogs and so much love. Perfect. — Julie (RBB Staff)
YOUNG ADULT
Havenfall
By Sara Holland

Maddie knows there is magic everywhere. There are different magical realms, and delegates from all meet during the summer at an inn called Havenfall. That is the only place Maddie wants to be. Some day she hopes to be the Innkeeper, in charge of peace among the realms. Her dream comes sooner than expected, and she must step up, because not everyone wants peace. There is action, romance,heartache, and mystery. I had a lot of fun reading this, and know that there are readers out there who will gobble this up, and ask for more! Perfect for 13 and up.    — Julie (RBB Staff)
Find more great books!
Read Brave Saint Paul | 2020

Read Brave Saint Paul is a new twist on the traditional city one-book program. Rather than a single book, the program revolves around a common theme relevant to our city. All readers — from our youngest children to our elders — are encouraged to engage in the program through reading, discussion, programming, and action. The 2020 Read Brave theme is “ Our Climate Crisis .”

*Use code READBRAVE at checkout to get 20% off select 2020 Read Brave titles!
Get to Know a Bookseller | Dawn
Bookseller at RBB since 1998

1.) What do you do when you're not bookselling?
Teach first grade at Faithful Shepherd Catholic School.

2.) Did you play a sport in school?
Power tumbling!

3.) What did you want to be when you were growing up?
A nurse until I discovered I didn't like shots! 
Learn about more happenings at Red Balloon