Maria van Lieshout's SONG OF A BLACKBIRD In-Store Presentation And Signing

Join us at Mrs. Dalloway's Bookstore Tuesday, January 28th at 7:00 PM when Bay Area author and illustrator Maria van Lieshout comes to the store to share her stunning debut graphic novel for young adults, Song of a Blackbird. Maria will sign copies of her book after the presentation.

Fictionalized but based on actual events, Song of a Blackbird (ages 14 & up) is a graphic novel with two intertwined timelines: one is a modern-day family drama, the other a courageous tale of art and resistance under Nazi occupation.

In 1943 Amsterdam, Emma Bergsma’s world changes when she witnesses Jewish families being forcibly deported to concentration camps. In that moment, she decides to joins the Dutch Resistance.
In 2011 Amsterdam, Annick’s world has changed as well. A search for a bone marrow donor for her beloved Oma leads to a shocking revelation: her grandmother was secretly adopted as a child. The only clues to finding their lost family are a series of art prints hanging on the wall—each signed by a mysterious “Emma B.”
In Song of a Blackbird, these two intertwining timelines reveal how art, in the face of nearly insurmountable adversity, can become our greatest lifeline.

MARIA VAN LIESHOUT was born and raised near Amsterdam, where she spent many weekends in the Museum Quarter row house with her artist aunt and metalsmith uncle. Drawing while her aunt painted, and pecking stories on a typewriter while her uncle soldered metals inspired her love for creating. After high school in Leiden, Maria studied Visual Communications at GWU in DC. In 2000, Maria became an illustrator full-time. She has illustrated/written 15 picture books. Song of a Blackbird is Maria’s first graphic novel.

THIS EVENT is free but registration is requested. Registration ends at 5:30 pm on January 28th, 2025.

BECAUSE SEATING is limited, please register only if you plan to attend.

DUE TO SPACE limitations, we may not be able to accommodate every person at an event, so early registration is encouraged.

WALK-INS will be accommodated only if space allows.

WE ASK that attendees arrive between 6:45 and 7:00 PM for the event.

PLEASE leave your non-support companion animals at home.

OUR shared restrooms are not accessible after 6:30 PM, please plan accordingly.

Host or Publisher Mrs. Dalloway's Bookstore