We welcome Simmons University's biannual Children's Literature Institute to campus today. This year's theme being "Make Way," the Institute begins tonight with Grace Lin and Alvina Ling in dialogue with and at Make Way for Dumplings: Twenty Years of the Art of Grace Lin exhibiting in the Trustman Gallery, fourth floor of the Main College Building. (Tomorrow is the last day of the exhibition so get over there now if you want to see it.)

Yesterday I went to the Museum of Fine Arts with Eric Tribunella, professor of English at the University of Southern Mississippi and the visiting instructor charged with examining the Institute's theme with the Simmons grad students. We saw two shows at the MFA of definite interest to children's book people, one of illustrator Kay Nielsen's work and the other Make Believe, a group show of contemporary photographers working with fairy tale themes. Both shows definitely worth a visit.

Maybe I'll see you around campus this weekend; say hi.

P.S. After the Institute wraps on Sunday morning, and if you're new to Boston, you should totally take a Duck Tour.