Pulitzer Prize-Winning Journalist Connie Schultz in Conversation with New York Times Bestselling Author & Poet Maggie Smith
WEDNESDAY, JUly 10 ON THE THURBER HOUSE LAWN
6:00 pm Picnic Social & Family-Friendly Activities (Optional) | 6:30 pm Main Event
You will have the opportunity to ask the Connie and Maggie questions after the event, purchase books, and get your books signed by both authors. Please bring a lawn chair or blanket with you.
Special for this picnic:
Family-friendly activities will take place on the lawn during the picnic social. Kids Club’ will not be held during this event because this program is geared toward all ages.
We encourage you to bring your own picnic dinner. Graeter’s Ice Cream truck will also be on-site serving delicious treats!
ABOUT
LOLA AND THE TROLL
Lola and the Troll is a debut picture book by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and New York Times bestselling author Connie Schultz about a young girl named Lola who decides to be brave and stand up to a bully.
Lola is a happy kid who loves recess and her imaginary dog, Tank. There’s just one problem: the neighborhood bully. He hides behind a troll costume and says mean things to everyone who walks by, including Lola. Soon she starts wearing her hair differently, walking on her tippy toes to add a few extra inches to her height, and even putting cornstarch in her shoes because he said her feet stink! But when Lola’s mom takes her to her favorite place, The Bee’s Sneeze bookstore, the owner, Ms. Sneesby, reminds Lola that she LOVES her curly hair, her bright smile, and her big eyes. And most importantly, Ms. Sneesby reminds Lola that she is brave.
Lola and the Troll is about remembering how to be brave, even when it’s hard, and realizing that sometimes all a bully really needs is a little kindness.
AUTHOR CONNIE SCHULTZ
Connie Schultz is a Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist and author of The New York Times bestselling novel, The Daughters of Erietown, as well as her children’s book, Lola and the Troll. Connie is Professor of Practice at Denison University and a public speaker on a wide range of issues, from journalism and politics to women’s rights and social justice. She has received six honorary degrees and has served twice as a Pulitzer Prize juror. Connie and her husband have four grown children and eight grandchildren. They live in Cleveland, Ohio with their rescue dogs Franklin and Walter. You can find her on Substack at Hopefully Yours.
MODERATOR MAGGIE SMITH
Maggie Smith is the New York Times bestselling author of seven books of poetry and prose, including You Could Make This Place Beautiful, Good Bones, Goldenrod, Lamp of the Body, The Well Speaks of Its Own Poison, and Keep Moving: Notes on Loss, Creativity, and Change. Her newest book is My Thoughts Have Wings, a picture book for children, illustrated by Leanne Hatch. Smith’s poems and essays have appeared in The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Paris Review, TIME, The Nation, The Atlantic, and The Best American Poetry.
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‣ Picnic Social & Family-Friendly Activities | 6:00-6:30 pm (Optional)
Bring your own dinner to enjoy, hang out on the lawn, and participate in family-friendly activities. Graeter’s Ice Cream truck will be on-site serving delicious treats!
‣ Main Program | 6:30-7:30 pm
Sit back, relax, and enjoy the program! You will have the opportunity to ask the author questions after the event.
‣ Book Signing | 7:30 pm
Purchase books and get them signed by both authors!
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‣ Full Summer Subscription for 2 (Event Only) | $210
($200 subscription, $10 Columbus ticket fee)
Perfect for couples and friends, this series subscription admits up to two (2) attendees to each of the six (6) Summer Literary Picnics (a $252 value!). *Does not include dinner, but you can add à la carte dinners using the “Dinner Upgrade” option. Note: there is no boxed dinner for the July 10 event.*
‣ Adult Admission (Event Only) | $21
($20 ticket, $1 Columbus ticket fee)
This ticket includes individual admission to the event.
‣ 18 and Under Admission (Event Only) | $5.25
($5 ticket, $0.25 Columbus ticket fee)
This ticket includes individual admission to the event for attendees 18 and under.
Note: Some walk-in Event Only tickets will be available at the event (space permitting). However, we strongly encourage you to register in advance.
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Our friends at Graeter’s Ice Cream will be on-site serving delicious treats! All major credit cards are accepted.
If you’d like to eat dinner during the event, we encourage you to pack and bring your own picnic dinner.
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‣ Location: All Summer Literary Picnics take place on the Thurber House lawn (77 Jefferson Avenue, Columbus, OH 43215).
‣ Rain site: In the event of rain, Summer Literary Picnics are held at Thurber Center (91 Jefferson Avenue, Columbus, OH 43215), the building directly north of Thurber House.
‣ Free parking on Jefferson Avenue: Free street parking is available all along the Jefferson Avenue oval. Note: Only the spots along the one-way oval are free; the spots along the two-way ends of Jefferson Avenue (near Broad Street and Long Street) are not free.
‣ Free parking off N. 11th Street (behind Thurber House): Free visitor parking is also available in the small lot directly behind Thurber House, accessible off N. 11th Street and located here.
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For any questions that are not answered here, please contact Jess at jcox@thurberhouse.org or 614-412-5955.
‣ How will I receive my tickets? You will receive an email order confirmation containing your ticket(s). You can print or show your ticket(s) on your phone. If you are unable to do so, we will manually check you in.
‣ Can I order tickets by phone? Yes, although online orders are encouraged. To order by phone, call 614-412-5955.
‣ Can I purchase books and get them signed at the event? Yes, books will be available for purchase and signing at the event.
‣ Is outside food/drink permitted? Yes! You have the option of bringing your own picnic dinner.
‣ Do I need to bring a chair with me? Please plan to bring your own lawn chair or blanket. A limited number of extra chairs will be available.
‣ Is there a bathroom? Yes, bathrooms will be available.
‣ What is your refund policy? All ticket sales are final and non-refundable.
‣ What is the Columbus ticket fee? The total ticket price includes the Columbus Arts and Culture Fee as required by the City of Columbus. The Arts and Culture Fee provides public funds to support artists and arts/cultural organizations like Thurber House that educate and engage audiences of all ages. Click here for more information.
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Disclaimer: Views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by event and program speakers in all mediums are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Thurber House, its affiliates, or its staff/board.
