Norton Juster's book signing. Photo: Cynthia K. Ritter.

Last night I attended the Boston Public Library’s Lowell Lecture Series in the Rabb Lecture Hall of the Central Library in Copley Square to hear Norton Juster talk with Simmons professor Megan Lambert. I enjoyed listening to this renowned author tell stories for an hour about how his life, his family, and spoonerisms have inspired his writing for children.

He began by reading three entertaining excerpts from his most famous book The Phantom Tollbooth, and then discussed a few topics related to that book and his others with Lambert, before answering audience members’ questions.

This year’s “Gateway to Reading” lecture series (which is free to the public) seeks to explore “the fundamental importance of childhood literacy and addresses the joys, discoveries, questions, and challenges facing today’s generation of young readers.” Upcoming speakers include Jeff Kinney, Grace Lin, and Jack Gantos, and I highly recommend attending if you get the chance. For more information visit http://www.bpl.org/programs/lowell/.