All for Kids was one of those great stores that had nearly any book a child could want, a few for their parents, and a staff that new everything—absolutely everything—about children’s books. Want a book about a squirrel? Here it is. Or a fantasy about snake charmers and evil wizards? Right there. It was a pleasure to shop there and, for us writers, to speak and sign there. Sigh. The store is no more. The owner, the gracious and generous Chauni Haslet, retired last year. Now she and her husband Bill travel and give great parties, like the one we went to last weekend. I had not only the pleasure of seeing Chauni and Bill again but Laura Kvasnosky was there. And Gloria Rand. And George Shannon. I love to meet and talk with other writers. We’re all in this lovely and somewhat leaky boat together. If you have a children’s bookstore in your town, go and buy a book there. Support it in every way you can. You will absolutely miss it if it goes away. Thank you, Chauni, for being there. You are sorely missed.
