BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Curious Iguana - ECPv6.15.20//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:Curious Iguana
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://curiousiguana.com
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Curious Iguana
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/New_York
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20250309T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20251102T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20260308T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20261101T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20270314T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20271107T060000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260613T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260613T150000
DTSTAMP:20260504T230313
CREATED:20260413T143655Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260413T143707Z
UID:10000727-1781359200-1781362800@curiousiguana.com
SUMMARY:Celeste Dador: Stars\, Stripes\, & Summer Nights
DESCRIPTION:Join Curious Iguana on Saturday\, June 13 at C. Burr Artz Public Library from 2:00-3:00 pm to celebrate YA author Celeste Dador’s debut romance\, Stars\, Stripes\, & Summer Nights. A summer romance is on the horizon for First Daughter Abby Alzona\, who (along with her little sister) has been sent to a countryside inn after unintentionally catching the media’s spotlight. Celeste will be joined in conversation by local YA author Charlene Thomas. After their discussion\, Celeste will answer questions and sign books. Copies of Stars\, Stripes\, & Summer Nights will be available for purchase at the event.\n\n\nThis free\, public event is presented in partnership with Frederick County Public Libraries. For accessibility requests\, email info@curiousiguana.com at least two (2) weeks prior to the event. \nAbout the book: A swoony\, patriotic romance with Gilmore Girls charm—follow First Daughter Abby as she dives into a summer of surprises\, small-town magic\, and sparks with the boy who shakes up her world. \nWhat if the person who turns your world upside down is exactly who you’re meant to find? \nAll First Daughter Abby Alzona wanted was one normal night. But one impulsive pizza order later\, she’s front-page news—and officially exiled to a Wi-Fi-free country inn for the summer\, along with her little sister Elle. \nThe inn belongs to Gabriel Calabrese’s family: he’s sarcastic\, camera-obsessed\, and definitely not dazzled by presidential perks (also\, kind of the reason for the whole pizza fiasco). But Abby’s determined to make the most of her time away from the White House—with a summer bucket list full of things real teens get to do. Pool parties. Picnics. Maybe even a first kiss. \nAs she and Elle dive into small-town life\, Abby starts to see what makes Gabriel tick. And maybe\, just maybe\, she’s falling for him. . . . \nAbout the author: Celeste Dador writes cozy rom-coms with festive flair. A former reality TV show finalist on America’s Next Great Author\, Celeste lives in the D.C.-area\, where she blends her love of romance and public service into her stories. Stars\, Stripes & Summer Nights is her Young Adult debut. Celeste also serves as an advisor with SCBWI\, a children’s literature community dedicated to helping writers and illustrators bring their stories to the young readers who need them. Like many of her characters\, she’s proudly Filipino American and passionate about inclusive\, joy-filled love stories. When writing adult romance\, which includes a dash of spice\, she uses the pen name C.C. Dador\, including her New Adult romance debut Merry Ex-mas (Requited\, 09/29/26). She can be found in coffee shops and Instagram: @‌celestedador \nAbout the moderator: Charlene Thomas is a critically acclaimed author and writing coach with a passion for helping writers find their voice and create the stories they were meant to tell. Her books have been published by Penguin Random House and Scholastic Press (with more novels forthcoming)\, and have been featured in Parade Magazine\, Book Riot\, Buzz Feed\, Pop Sugar\, Bustle\, The Root\, Kirkus Reviews\, and more. Her work has also received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly. She frequently leads writing workshops\, offers author-talks\, and provides mentorship for aspiring authors. She’s an advocate for democratizing publishing knowledge and is passionate about helping underrepresented perspectives see themselves on bookshelves. IT’S YOU EVERY TIME\, a young adult romance\, is her latest novel.
URL:https://curiousiguana.com/event/celeste-dador/
LOCATION:C. Burr Artz Public Library\, 110 E Patrick St\, Frederick\, MD\, United States
CATEGORIES:Author Talk / Signing,Author Talk / Signing|Join Us!
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://curiousiguana.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/CI-Facebook-Event-Cover-90.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Curious Iguana":MAILTO:info@curiousiguana.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260616T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260616T190000
DTSTAMP:20260504T230313
CREATED:20260427T180048Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260427T180048Z
UID:10000731-1781632800-1781636400@curiousiguana.com
SUMMARY:David O. Stewart: The Democracy We Must Keep
DESCRIPTION:In light of America’s 250th birthday this year\, Curious Iguana is eager to welcome historian and author David O. Stewart to Frederick at C. Burr Artz Public Library on Tuesday\, June 16 from 6:00-7:00 pm. David will discuss his latest book\, The Democracy We Must Keep with Holly Smith\, editor-in-chief of the Washington Independent Review of Books. Following their discussion\, David will answer questions and sign books. Copies of The Democracy We Must Keep will be available for purchase at the event.  \nLocation: C. Burr Artz Public Library\, 110 E. Patrick Street\, Frederick\, MD 21701 \nThis event is free and open to the public\, hosted in partnership with the Frederick County Public Library. For accessibility requests\, email info@curiousiguana.com at least two (2) weeks prior to the event. \nAbout the book: “A great scholar of the American past\, David O. Stewart has brilliantly mined what has come before to guide us in our own\, all-too-urgent American present. An important and timely volume.” ~ Jon Meacham\, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The American Struggle \nWhat did America’s founders say about democracy—and can we remain true to their vision for America? \nTwo hundred fifty years ago\, passionate men attempted to create something the world had never seen before: a nation built not on kings or armies\, but on ideas where the people ruled. \nIn The Democracy We Must Keep\, historian David O. Stewart takes readers inside the nine key documents that shaped the formation of the United States—from Patrick Henry’s thunderous cry for liberty to the carefully crafted design of a government chosen by the people\, with limits on all officials holding power under the Constitution. \nThrough the words of seven visionary founders—Washington\, Jefferson\, Madison\, Hamilton\, Gouverneur Morris\, and others—Stewart shows how a fragile experiment in self-government took shape. \nThese men were not saints. They argued passionately. They worried that the new nation might fall apart. Yet together\, they forged the principles that must still define American democracy. \n\nThat power must be limited.\nThat leaders must answer to the people.\nThat individual rights must be protected by law.\n\nAs the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary\, The Democracy We Must Keep urges readers to rediscover core ideas that built the nation—and to consider what it will take to protect them. \nAbout the author: A trial and appellate lawyer for many years\, David O. Stewart now writes history and historical novels. His five narrative histories have won seven awards from literary organizations\, and his five historical novels include best-sellers. In 2023\, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Washington Independent Review of Books\, of which he is the founding president. \nAbout the moderator: Holly Smith is editor-in-chief of the Washington Independent Review of Books\, as well as a college lecturer\, longtime freelance writer\, and proud “Jeopardy!” bronze medalist. Prior to joining the Independent\, she was managing editor of Maryland Life magazine. Her work has appeared in the Washington Post\, CNBC.com \, Salon\, and elsewhere. She also co-authored the travel guide Seafood Lover’s Chesapeake Bay\, which is ironic since she doesn’t eat fish. Find her on Bluesky at @‌HSmithWrites.
URL:https://curiousiguana.com/event/david-o-stewart/
LOCATION:C. Burr Artz Public Library\, 110 E Patrick St\, Frederick\, MD\, United States
CATEGORIES:Author Talk / Signing,Author Talk / Signing|Join Us!
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://curiousiguana.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/CI-Facebook-Event-Cover-97.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Curious Iguana":MAILTO:info@curiousiguana.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260722T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260722T190000
DTSTAMP:20260504T230313
CREATED:20260504T153047Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260504T153101Z
UID:10000735-1784743200-1784746800@curiousiguana.com
SUMMARY:Derek Baxter: The Forgotten World War
DESCRIPTION:In light of America’s 250th anniversary\, Curious Iguana is excited to welcome historian and author Derek Baxter to Frederick on Wednesday\, July 22 from 6:00-7:00 pm to speak about his new book\, The Forgotten World War. Focusing on the broader impacts of the American Revolution\, Derek invites readers to consider how this infamous war spanned beyond American soil across the globe. Following his talk\, Derek will answer questions and sign books. Copies of The Forgotten World War will be available for purchase at the event.  \nLocation: C. Burr Artz Public Library\, 110 E. Patrick Street\, Frederick\, MD 21701 \nThis event is free and open to the public. We are proud to partner with Frederick County Public Libraries for this event. \nFor accessibility requests\, email events@curiousiguana.com at least two (2) weeks prior to the event. \nAbout the book: How well do you truly know the American Revolution? On the 250th anniversary of the establishment of the United States\, author Derek Baxter reveals just how global an effort it was to create a new country. \nForget the Liberty Bell: if you want to truly understand the American Revolution\, get a passport and visit the hills of Andalucia\, the lagoons of the Yucatan\, and the palaces of south India. In The Forgotten World War\, Derek Baxter embarks on an adventure-filled quest across four continents to uncover the story of how Americans really won our independence. He discovers how the fighting in the U.S. was only one theater of a much broader conflict\, in which an unlikely group of nations banded together to take on the mighty British Empire. \nOn the windswept island of Jersey in the English Channel\, he finds out how France attempted a full-scale invasion. At an unlikely Fourth of July party in Spain\, he helps the descendent of a renowned Spanish general make a giant paella. In India\, he investigates one of the greatest victories of the Revolutionary War\, when an army five times as large as any that Washington ever put in the field (and with considerably more elephants) annihilated the Redcoats. Baxter finds the human stories behind this long-ago conflict—sometimes with surprising results.  \nThe Forgotten World War delivers a powerful message\, right in time for our nation’s 250th anniversary. America began only when peoples of different races\, languages\, and religions overcame mistrust and came together.   \nAbout the author: Derek Baxter is a historian\, writer\, and travel storyteller whose work explores the intersection of place\, history\, and personal journey. He is the author of The Forgotten World War: Exploring the Secret History of the American Revolution\, from Spain to India and Back Again and In Pursuit of Jefferson: Traveling through Europe with the Most Perplexing Founding Father\, in which he recounts his journeys through six countries\, armed with a guide written by Jefferson in 1788. He lives with his family in northern Virginia. \n 
URL:https://curiousiguana.com/event/derek-baxter/
LOCATION:C. Burr Artz Public Library\, 110 E Patrick St\, Frederick\, MD\, United States
CATEGORIES:Author Talk / Signing,Author Talk / Signing|Join Us!
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://curiousiguana.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/CI-Facebook-Event-Cover-2026-05-04T112745.242.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Curious Iguana":MAILTO:info@curiousiguana.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260901T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260901T190000
DTSTAMP:20260504T230313
CREATED:20260320T214910Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260427T181153Z
UID:10000723-1788285600-1788289200@curiousiguana.com
SUMMARY:Irene W. Leigh: Hiding the Holocaust
DESCRIPTION:We are delighted to celebrate local author Irene W. Leigh and her new memoir\, Hiding the Holocaust. Join us at C. Burr Artz Library on Tuesday\, September 1 from 6 pm-7 pm to learn the astounding story of her Jewish parents’ experiences escaping Nazi Germany and the Holocaust. Irene will be in conversation with Sofia Seitchik. Following their talk\, Irene will answer questions and sign books. Copies of Hiding the Holocaust will be available for purchase at the event. \nPlease note: An ASL interpreter will be on hand to provide services as needed. \nThis event is free and open to the public\, presented in partnership with the Frederick County Public Library. For additional accessibility requests\, email info@curiousiguana.com at least two (2) weeks prior to the event. \nAbout the book: From her parents\, deaf psychologist Irene W. Leigh learned how quickly safety could be yanked away. Her parents\, Jews who barely escaped Nazi Germany on the eve of World War II\, tried to shield Leigh from harm\, never talking about the horrors they endured\, and it was not until recently that she began to discover the truth by uncovering a shocking document. Having rebuilt their lives from scratch\, first in England and then in America\, Leigh’s parents passed down a legacy of ambition\, persistence\, and achievement\, shaping her resilience in response to bias and discrimination. In this deeply personal memoir\, Hiding the Holocaust\, Leigh explores how this unspoken history and inherited trauma has informed her personal\, familial\, academic\, and career experiences. Using a lifespan narrative structure focusing on memories\, reflections\, and recreated dialogue\, Leigh narrates the subtle ways in which Holocaust trauma and loss affected not only her parents but also herself as a deaf child\, teen\, adult\, and parent. \nAbout the author: Irene W. Leigh is a clinical psychologist with a distinguished career in research and teaching\, focusing on deaf identity\, parenting\, attachment\, cochlear implants\, assessment\, psychotherapy and counseling.  Leigh is a fellow of the American Psychological Association. She taught in the clinical psychology doctoral program and chaired the Department of Psychology at Gallaudet University\, where she holds the title of Professor Emerita and was selected as a distinguished faculty member. \nAbout the moderator: Sofia Seitchik is a Jewish Deaf entrepreneur\, transformational coach\, and community leader dedicated to creating spaces where people feel seen and connected. She founded Global Deaf Women and is the author of the award-winning book The Light of Deaf Women\, which amplifies the success stories of Deaf women. Sofia serves as Program Director for Hillel at Gallaudet University\, where she strengthens Jewish life and belonging through collaborations and signature events. She is also co-founder of Matanah\, where she guides strategy and relationships to ensure every experience feels intentional\, welcoming\, and culturally grounded.
URL:https://curiousiguana.com/event/irene-w-leigh/
LOCATION:C. Burr Artz Public Library\, 110 E Patrick St\, Frederick\, MD\, United States
CATEGORIES:Author Talk / Signing,Author Talk / Signing|Join Us!
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://curiousiguana.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/CI-Facebook-Event-Cover-87.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Curious Iguana":MAILTO:info@curiousiguana.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260915T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260915T190000
DTSTAMP:20260504T230313
CREATED:20260427T183151Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260427T183151Z
UID:10000732-1789495200-1789498800@curiousiguana.com
SUMMARY:Shannon Hale and Marcela Cespedes: Dream Big
DESCRIPTION:Calling all our young dreamers! Curious Iguana is excited to welcome bestselling author Shannon Hale and illustrator Marcela Cespedes to Frederick on Tuesday\, September 15 from 6:00-7:00 pm at C. Burr Artz Public Library. Shannon and Mace will be discussing their latest middle-grade graphic novel Dream Big\, the sequel to Dream On. The story focuses on Cassie\, who’s been cast as an extra in a scary movie being filmed in her neighborhood; will she overcome her fears to nail her role and achieve her dream? Following their talk\, Shannon and Mace will answer questions and sign books. Copies of Dream Big will be available for purchase at the event.  \nLocation: C. Burr Artz Public Library\, 110 E. Patrick St. Frederick\, MD 21701 \nThis free\, public event is presented in partnership with Frederick County Public Libraries. For accessibility requests\, email info@curiousiguana.com at least two (2) weeks prior to the event. \nAbout the book: A movie is being filmed right in Cassie’s neighborhood! Is this her chance to be a star? Dreams come true when she and her best friend Vali get hired as extras. Plus\, she’ll get paid\, which will help her parents with their money troubles. But when Vali drops out of the movie\, Cassie is stuck with the mean kid actors. Even worse\, it turns out she’s in a horror movie\, and the monster in it scares her. Will she get called a “baby” or “scaredy-cat”? Can Cassie make it through the movie without her fears driving her away? \nJoin Cassie as she finds the courage to face her fears and dream big! \nWith bright and charming illustrations by Marcela Cespedes\, Dream Big is a joyful story filled with imagination\, fun dreams\, and wonder. This book is perfect for readers who want to enjoy a gentle and accessible friendship story\, as well as anyone looking for SEL themes about empathy\, kindness\, compassion\, and forgiveness. \nAbout the author: Shannon Hale is the New York Times best-selling author of fifty books for preschoolers\, kids\, teens\, and adults\, including multiple award winners The Goose Girl\, Book of a Thousand Days\, and Newbery Honor recipient Princess Academy. One of her novels for the adult crowd\, Austenland\, was made into movie starring Keri Russell and Jennifer Coolidge. With LeUyen Pham\, she created her best-selling graphic novel memoirs Real Friends\, Best Friends\, and Friends Forever\, and the Itty-Bitty Kitty-Corn picture books. She co-writes books with her husband Dean Hale\, like the Eisner-nominated graphic novel Rapunzel’s Revenge (with Nathan Hale)\, books for DC Comics about young Wonder Woman (with Victoria Ying)\, and best-selling chapter book series The Princess in Black (with LeUyen Pham). She lives in Utah with their four children and two ridiculous cats. \nAbout the illustrator: Marcela Cespedes\, or Mace\, as her friends call her\, began stapling together sheets of paper to draw stories on them\, from a very early age. Growing up\, her love for comics never ceased to exist even when reading on road trips with her family would make her carsick. Her degree in Graphic Design and a subsequent Masters in Illustration have taken her to work in many creative industries such as advertising\, animation\, film\, and most recently\, publishing\, where she finally brought together all her professional experiences with her love for books and graphic novels. Originally from Cali\, Colombia\, she currently resides between California and Wellington\, New Zealand\, getting the best of both hemispheres. marcelacespedes.com
URL:https://curiousiguana.com/event/dream-big/
LOCATION:C. Burr Artz Public Library\, 110 E Patrick St\, Frederick\, MD\, United States
CATEGORIES:Author Talk / Signing,Author Talk / Signing|Join Us!
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://curiousiguana.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/CI-Facebook-Event-Cover-98.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Curious Iguana":MAILTO:info@curiousiguana.com
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR