This last weekend, on October 12, Scholastic author and illustrator Christy Mandin visited The Met Cloisters to share a special read-aloud of her title Millie Fleur’s Poison Garden with children and families.
Surrounded by centuries of European artwork – including a period garden with Scarlet Pimpernels, Quince, and Deadly Nightshade – the Cloisters offered the perfect backdrop for Millie Fleur’s story to come to life. After the reading, visitors were able to ask questions, purchase their own copy of the book, and even get Mandin’s signature. 
Reading aloud with friends and family provides meaningful opportunities to increase engagement, curiosity, and wonder, and 80% of children agree that reading aloud is a special time, according to the Scholastic Kids & Family Reading Report™.
Millie Fleur's Poison Garden is a reminder to embrace everything that makes us wonderfully weird. It was recently listed as a New York Times and Indie bestseller and was selected as the July/August 2024 pick for Kids Indie Next List. There is also a new book in the works, which will debut next summer, and continues Millie Fleur’s adventures in Garden Glen!
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Photos courtesy of Jack Jewell.
