MASSENA – NCPR’s Todd Moe and Monica Sandreczki, hosts of the morning news program Northern Light, are hosting a special community gathering called “Time for Tales” at the Massena Public Library on Saturday, April 27th from 10am - noon. 

Jessica Laurel Kane, Rebecca Donnelly, and Maxwell Eaton III, three regional children’s authors based in the North Country, will be reading from their works, signing books and answering questions from kids and parents. Librarian Krista Briggs will offer a family-friendly craft and a tour of the children’s section of the library.

Jessica Laurel Kane of Brant Lake is the author and illustrator of “The Boy with the Heavy Suitcase” and “Once Upon an Upset,” an illustrated collection of stories to help parents teach their children while meeting their own emotional needs. She is also a podcast host, sharing stories of her life on “A Woman Called Mother,” and “Once Upon a Podcast,” which served as the basis for her illustrated book.

Rebecca Donnelly of Potsdam has written over 30 books for young readers in the trade and education markets, including the picture book “Cats Are a Liquid” and several series for beginning readers. “Total Garbage: A Messy Dive into Trash, Waste, and Our World” was a School Library Journal Best Book of 2023.

Maxwell Eaton III of Saranac Lake is the author and illustrator of more than twenty books, including The Truth About Your Favorite Animals series. Most recently he has published “Bear Builds a House.” Many of his books are official selections of the Junior Library Guild.

“What a gift it is to have such thoughtful children’s authors right in our backyard,” said Sandreczki. “Todd and I are so excited for our North Country kiddos to get a chance to connect with them! It’s shaping up to be a really joyful and warm-hearted time.”

“Time for Tales” will be one of Todd Moe’s final public events with NCPR. Last month, Moe announced that he would be leaving the station after nearly 25 years on the air. Moe will retire after the Friday, June 7th airing of Northern Light finishes at 9:00 a.m.. “Twenty-five years is a remarkable amount of time to have spent working at this remarkable station,” said Moe. “Forty years in radio - as a student and a professional - is also pretty amazing.  I’m proud of the work I’ve done at NCPR.”

Moe’s Northern Light co-host, Sandreczki, will take over local hosting duties for NPR’s flagship morning program, Morning Edition. The station will conduct a national search for a new Northern Light co-host and arts reporter/producer.

“Time for Tales” is free and open to all members of the community. It provides an opportunity for people to get to know local authors and the many services that are offered by the library. In addition to their book lending services, the library is also a vital community resource that provides internet access and after-school programs. Massena Public Library, located at 41 Glenn Street, regularly hosts events for adults and children, including art classes and story-time for different age groups.

To find out more about this experience and upcoming events from NCPR, visit the station’s website. To learn more about the Massena Public Library, visit their website.