Author Storytime with Madeleine Odendahl for Augusta's Hands Loyalty Bookstore Join us for a storytime with our friends from Merry Pin to celebrate the first book from their new publishing imprint Merry Pin Press! We'll have a reading of their first book, Augusta's Hands, about the pioneering Harlem Renaissance sculptor Augusta Savage, light refreshments for young and old, and coloring pages for kiddos. There is no ticket for entry, but is limited so please RSVP to help your bookseller out! Books will be available on site for purchase or you may preorder below.Please note Loyalty has a zero tolerance policy for haterade towards staff, authors, or fellow patrons of any kind. ABOUT THE BOOKAugusta's Hands is the inspiring true story of Augusta Savage, an African-American sculptor and arts educator who shaped the Harlem Renaissance. Born in Florida, Augusta had hands that loved to make things, finding her first tools in red clay despite her father's disapproval. Her talent took her from the county fair to New York City, where she excelled at Cooper Union and began sculpting powerful, empathetic portraits of her community. She believed in lifting every voice and dedicated her life not just to her own art, but to teaching and inspiring a generation of young Black artists in her Harlem studio. Though much of her physical work was lost, her true masterpiece lives on in the students she taught, the artists she inspired, and the future she shaped.ABOUT THE AUTHOR Madeleine Odendahl is a writer, maker, business owner, and community builder who believes in the power of handicrafts to bring connection and beauty to our lives. As a stitch witch and ritual artist, she views crafting as a transformative practice of intention.Madeleine is the co-founder of Merry Pin, a one-of-a-kind cafe, craft store, and community hub designed to make creativity accessible to everyone. Since its opening in 2024, she has led the weekly Crafty Tales, a beloved program of storytime and hands-on making. The series served as the spark for Merry Pin Press, an indie publishing house dedicated to nurturing curiosity, empathy, and a sense of belonging—one artistic story at a time. She lives in Washington, DC with her son Rhodes. Augusta’s Hands is her debut children’s book.
