Book Launch with Faith Erin Hicks
In conversation with Gene Luen Yang
Wednesday, April 1 at 6pm

We’re excited to welcome New York Times bestselling author-illustrator Faith Erin Hicks as she shares her excellent new graphic novel, Inbetweens. Faith will be in conversation with bestselling author Gene Luen Yang.

Twin sisters Sloane and Ash are two peas in a pod, and they do everything together: watch movies, attend classes, and most importantly, draw! So when the summer animation classes of their dreams are about to start, they can barely contain their excitement!

Well… Ash is excited but Sloane is surprised to find she isn’t as jubilant about it, which makes no sense, since she loves art. Meanwhile, Ash discovers that just because you love something, doesn’t mean you’ll automatically be good at it, and she struggles under the weight of her own expectations and those of her teacher’s. As the summer drags on, the trials of learning, new relationships, and a tough schedule drives a wedge between the twins. Can their bond survive the summer?

With her signature humor, sincerity, and ability to weave nuanced stories of friendship, Faith Erin Hicks delivers a tale of protecting your creative heart, and the importance of people who support you.

Storytime with Kam Redlawsk
Sunday, April 5 at 10:30am

Join us for a special storytime as author-illustrator Kam Redlawsk shares her inspirational picture book debut, Yumi and Monster.

Little Yumi loves to run, jump, and play. But all this changes when a mysterious monster quietly appears, just as Yumi's body begins to feel slow and weak. Afraid and unsure, Yumi does her best to avoid Monster. It takes an unforgettable journey through the snowy woods for Yumi to understand what Monster wants...and for Yumi to learn to embrace a new kind of life.

Yumi and Monster is inspired by disability advocate, artist, writer, and Asian American adoptee Kam Redlawsk's own experience living with a rare degenerative muscle-wasting disease that has been gradually making her immobile. With stunning original art, this modern fairy tale will inspire everyone who has faced illness, loss, or any life situation that seems insurmountable. 

Come take a journey into the emotions we feel when faced with unexpected challenges—and discover the beauty magic, and adventure that lie beyond fear, in ourselves.

Book Launch with Marissa Meyer & Tamara Moss
Tuesday, April 7 at 6pm

Linden Tree is excited to welcome Marissa Meyer, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Lunar Chronicles, and Tamara Moss, rising star and acclaimed author of the Lintang series, to discuss The Escape Game, their highly anticipated new YA murder mystery set in an escape room-themed game show.

It’s all fun and games until someone ends up dead.

Six months ago, season four of The Escape Game ended in horror when contestant Alicia Angelos was found murdered on set.

Now season five is underway, and new contestants are ready to put their skills to the test solving the show's trickiest escape rooms. There's Adi, the cryptographer; Carter, the math whiz; Beck, the wannabe game master, and... Sierra Angelos, the girl who got away with her sister’s murder. Or so everyone believes.

But Sierra’s not just here to win. She’s here for justice.

When the contestants begin uncovering clues that hint at the identity of Alicia’s true killer, it becomes clear that the stakes aren’t high in this competition, they’re deadly. If these teens want to win—and survive—the game, they must solve the biggest mystery of all: who killed Alicia Angelos?

Storytime with Marcella White Campbell
Sunday, April 12 at 10:30am

Join us for a special storytime as author Marcella White Campbell shares her inspirational picture book debut, Maya’s Journey: A Story of Two Great-Grandmothers.

Maya loves to make up stories—big, bright, and full of imagination. But when her teacher asks for a true family story, Maya is stumped. What story could she tell?

Her parents introduce her to two remarkable women from their past: Great-Grandma Essie, who crossed an ocean alone to escape danger in Romania, and Great-Grandma Martha, who rode across the American South in a Jim Crow train car to seek fairness and freedom. As Maya listens to their journeys, full of bravery, laughter, and hope, she discovers a powerful truth: her family’s story is also her own.

Illustrator Workshop: Bo Lu
Sunday, April 12 at 4pm
RSVP Now »

Calling all young artists ages 10-13! Join us this spring for a series of hands-on art workshops led by a quartet of talented, published illustrators:

• Steph Lau, author-illustrator of The Abominable Snow Dancer
• Julie Downing, author-illustrator of Night in the City, Hello Sun, and more
• Bo Lu, author-illustrator of Bao’s Doll and Ren’s Pencil
• Jen de Oliveira, author-illustrator of the Reggie: Kid Penguin series

Each workshop lasts 90 minutes and costs $50. Materials (paper, pens, etc) will be provided and, at the end of each workshop, students will receive a signed copy of one of the featured illustrator’s books. Space for each workshop is limited, so sign up now!

Books to Blooms: A Garden Lover’s Party
Friday, April 17 at 6pm
at Turbow Farms (23263 Mora Glen Dr, Los Altos)
Buy Tickets »

Gather with fellow flower lovers at the peak of golden hour to get your fill of lush blooms, garden wisdom, and slow beauty. You’ll eat, sip, learn, and create—leaving with your own curated bouquet, a beautiful book, and a little more inspiration than you came with.

This evening was created just for you, or to celebrate someone you love ahead of Mother’s Day—it’s perfect for moms, daughters, friends, and anyone who enjoys an evening talking about and creating beauty in the garden. 

In the magical setting of Turbow Farms, you'll meet with celebrated garden experts Julie Chai (co-author of Garden Wonderland and Floret Farm's A Year in Flowers) and Leslie Bennett (garden designer and owner of Pine House Edible Gardens, and co-author of Garden Wonderland) who will share insights on how to grow stunning, cut-worthy flowers at home. There will be time to ask questions, connect, and learn directly from both speakers in an intimate, relaxed setting.

You'll also enjoy small bites, a glass of bubbles and curated wines from Calligraphy Wines, treats from Sweet Diplomacy, and the gift of slowing down and taking a moment for yourself.

As the evening unfolds, you'll step into the fields where farmer-florist Charmaine Turbow will guide you through a hands-on experience of designing and creating your own bouquet to take home and enjoy.

Book Launch with Randy Ribay
Saturday, April 18 at 11am

We’re excited to welcome back award-winning author Randy Ribay to celebrate the release of his first picture book, Hold.

It's time to leave the house, but...where are the keys?? As Daddy rummages through the mess, he hands a water bottle to his toddler and says, "Hold, please." This accidental request turns into an adventure when the child decides holding is fun and wants to hold EVERYTHING!

Before long, the toddler has their arms full with their favorite stuffie, toy plane, even the family pet, and has set their sights on more ambitious items—the rain, a tree, and more—until it becomes too much to hold. Luckily, Daddy's always there to hold them.

Storytime with Helen Taylor
Saturday, April 19 at 10:30am

Join us as we welcome back author Helen Taylor for a special storytime featuring her new picture book, Sloth & Moth: A Better-Together Friendship.

Sloth and Moth live together in a tree. They are close—very close. Moth lives on Sloth's back. They do everything together. They take naps, eat treats, and play games. They even take Sloth's weekly "business trips" together. They are together all the time. And that's okay . . . for a while. But as Sloth grows older, he feels he'd like a little alone time. Time to groom his fur, alone. Time to stare out into the distance, alone. Time to just enjoy some quiet without Moth's lively chatter.

So when the opportunity presents itself, Sloth heads out for a solitary life. Now there are extra-long naps, alone. And more staring out into the distance, alone. And it's nice . . . for a while. But then Sloth starts to wonder, and maybe even worry a bit, about what Moth might be up to. Is she thinking of Sloth just as Sloth is thinking of her? Could they be better together?

Story Writing Workshops for Kids & Teens
Sunday, April 19 at 2:30pm (ages 7-11)
Sunday, April 19 at 3:30pm (ages 12+)

Story writing workshops are back! We’ll provide a story game to jump start our imaginations, tips for creating unique characters and plot twists, two writingcoaches for brainstorming and feedback, and a welcoming, creative space.

These free meetups are led by Shu-Hsien Ho and Royd Hatta of Beyond the Box Learning (both are former Linden Tree booksellers!). We’ll meet in the back of the store where there will be comfortable seating and tables. Please bring your imagination, enthusiasm, notebook, pencils/pens, erasers, and a water bottle.

Space is limited! To RSVP, please email [email protected].

Book Launch with David Levithan and Gabriel Duckels
Thursday, April 23 at 6pm

Join us for a special event with award-winning author David Levithan and scholar Gabriel Duckels as they discuss their gripping new book, The Fight of Our Lives: AIDS in America.

The AIDS crisis in America is complex and composed of countless individual stories of grief, love, and advocacy. Its history shows the power of youth activism, how creativity and community can be vehicles for social change, and how bigotry and misinformation led to inequality in care.

The early days of the AIDS crisis saw LGBTQ+ and other marginalized communities making strides in the fight for equality. As many people in positions of power were slow to act or actively didn’t pay attention until their own communities were affected, the fight for equality turned into a fight for their lives. Grassroots efforts filled in gaps where mainstream medicine and politics failed, and over time, a cultural shift of awareness emerged, which led to more research and more treatments. And while the disease has transitioned from a death sentence to one that people can live full lives with, there are still people dying of HIV/AIDS today because they can’t access the care they need. The fight may have begun decades ago, but is not yet over.

Award-winning author David Levithan and University of Cambridge PhD Gabriel Duckels detail a brief history of the epidemic, touching on key moments and figures, such as Ryan White, ACT UP, Larry Kramer and Anthony Fauci, Pedro Zamora from MTV’s The Real World, and the Names Quilt. Threaded throughout are poems, essays, and other creative works, in addition to first-person interviews and narratives. The most important takeaway is that we must remember. We need to know what happened and why. Our voices are powerful, and they can make a difference.

Storytime (and Stuffy Sleepover) with Dashka Slater
Saturday, April 25 at 11am

Come celebrate Independent Bookstore Day with author Dashka Slater and everyone's favorite French snail, Escargot!

Escargot is throwing a pajama party and you are invited! Put on your coziest jammies, grab a stuffed friend, and join us for a special storytime as Dashka Slater reads from Good Night, Escargot, the laugh-out-loud fifth book in the beloved bestselling series. After the reading, make a fun craft for your stuffy. Dashka’s visit and the craft activity are open to all.

Optional Stuffy Sleepover ($25) 

Does your stuffy want some more fun?  Then tell them goodnight - they’ll be spending the night at Linden Tree! We promise their night will be filled with fun and we’ll send you pictures to prove it.   On Sunday morning, come back to reunite with your tired but happy friend.

Price includes a personalized copy of Good Night, Escargot; a sleepover for your stuffy; and access to a digital album showcasing all the fun. 

RSVP Now for the Stuffy Sleepover »

Middle Grade Book Club: Space for Saffron with author Rie Neal
Sunday, April 26 at 4pm

It’s the next meeting of our middle grade book club for ages 9+! Led by bookseller extraordinaire Lorilee, we hope to introduce interested readers to amazing new books and the opportunity to talk about them in a fun, relaxed group setting.

This month’s book is Space for Saffron by Rie Neal, about a budding scientist who must figure out how to help save her family’s cafe and impress at her new school’s science fair. And author Rie Neal will be here to discuss the book! Please email [email protected] to RSVP. 

Curious ten-year-old Saffron Speiser-Green loves science—unfortunately, her “experiments” tend to end in more messes than actual answers. (Just ask the broken alarm clock that’s still at the bottom of her backpack.) Saffron has a plan, though—a blue ribbon in her school’s Project Showcase will show the world she means business.

But when Saffron’s beloved volcano project ruins the walls at Mama’s job and gets her fired, Saffron will do anything to make things right—including helping Mama convince her other mom, Mimi, that they should move to the Silicon Valley to run Gran’s coffee shop. Mama’s dream job is worth giving up the blue ribbon. Right?

Luckily for Saffron, her new friends in the Silicon Valley are busy preparing for a STEM Expo, and Saffron is determined to find a project “smart” enough to show everyone she belongs there. But the coffee shop? No customers, no vision, and…tons of debt. And if it closes, Saffron’s family will have to move again. After a class trip to the STEAMology Museum in San Francisco, though, Saffron knows how to save the café—and what to do for her STEM Expo project. But she’s going to need a lot of help.

Can Saffron prove she’s more than a mess-maker and rescue the family business?

Upcoming book club meetings: 

• Sunday, May 31: A Tale of Plagues & Perfumes (celebrating the club’s 4-year anniversary!)

Outdoor Storytimes
Sundays at 10:30am

Join us every Sunday morning at 10:30am in front of the store as one of our booksellers (or perhaps a local author) shares some of their favorite read-alouds. (Grab a tasty treat from our neighbors at Manresa Bread while your kids enjoy the stories!) All storytimes feature picture books and are appropriate for all ages.