Author appearances: Mitch Albom discusses 'Magic Strings' Monday in Naperville

• English author and landscape/gardening expert Kathryn Aalto signs copies of her book “The Natural World of Winnie-the-Pooh: A Walk Through the Forest That Inspired the Hundred Acre Wood” at 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, at Anderson's Bookshop, 26 S. La Grange Road, La Grange. For a place in the book-signing line, purchase a copy of “The Natural World of Winnie-the-Pooh” from Anderson's. (708) 582-6353 or andersonsbookshop.com.

• Authors Susan L. Kelsey and Arthur H. Miller sign copies of their book “Legendary Locals of Lake Forest” at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, at the Lake Forest Bookstore, 680 N. Western Ave., Lake Forest. (847) 234-4420 or lakeforestbookstore.com.

• Trailside Museum of Natural History, 738 Thatcher Ave., River Forest, will host Gavin Van Horn, co-editor of “City Creatures: Animal Encounters in the Chicago Wilderness,” a new book containing works by various contributing authors, at 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6. Free; books will be available for purchase and signing. (708) 366-6530 or fpdcc.com/events.

• Best-selling author Mitch Albom discusses his latest novel, “The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto,” at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7, at Community Christian Church, 1635 Emerson Lane, Naperville. The event is sponsored by Anderson's Bookshop of Naperville. Tickets are required and are available from Anderson's at 123 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville. A $29 ticket admits one person to the event and includes a copy of Albom's book. A $10 ticket admits one person to the event, but does not include the book. Books can be purchased at the event. (630) 355-2665 or andersonsbookshop.com.

• Author Dana Buffone, widow of Chicago Bears great Doug Buffone, and co-author Chicago sportscaster Chet Coppock discuss and sign copies of their book, “Doug Buffone: Monster of the Midway,” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8, at Anderson's Bookshop, 123 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville. For a place in the book-signing line, purchase a copy of the book from Anderson's. (630) 355-2665 or andersonsbookshop.com.

• Jim Kokoris discusses his new novel, “It's. Nice. Outside.,” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8, at The Book Stall at Chestnut Court, 811 Elm St., Winnetka. (847) 446-8880 or thebookstall.com.

• Children's author Jory John and illustrator Bob Shea sign copies of their new picture book, “I Will Chomp You,” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, at Anderson's Bookshop, 123 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville. For a place in the signing line, purchase the book from Anderson's. (630) 355-2665 or andersonsbookshop.com.

• The nine authors of the book “Nine Journeys: Stories of Women Who Found Their Own Paths to Success” will take part in a book launch and book-signing event at 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at Lauretta's Cafe and Italian Bake Shop, 709 S. Lake St., Mundelein. Meet local authors Dorothy Deemer, Kathy Eber, Paula Fortini, Pam Labellarte, Ashlee Niethammer, Linda Polhemus, Michelle Prima, Bonnie Richtman and Kari Skloot. Books will be available for purchase. Free. For details, call Lauretta's Cafe and Italian Bake Shop at (847) 566-0883.

• Local author Stacey Jones signs copies of her book “The Sacred Cow Syndrome” at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at Half Price Books, 151 Skokie Valley Road, Highland Park. (847) 831-2820 or hpb.com.

• J. Ferdinand Rizza signs copies of his novel “Children of the Swamp: An Urban Fisherman's Story” at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at Half Price Books, 366 W. Army Trail Road, Bloomingdale. (630) 893-8907 or hpb.com.

• Author Lance Erlick signs copies of sci-fi books from “The Rebel Series” at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at Half Price Books, 1319 N. Rand Road, Palatine. (847) 359-8250 or hpb.com.

• Actress and author Amanda Peet and co-author Andrea Troyer discuss their new holiday book for children, “Dear Santa, Love, Rachel Rosenstein,” at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at Community Christian Church, 1635 Emerson Lane, Naperville. Tickets (required) cost $22 each and include a copy of “Dear Santa, Love, Rachel Rosenstein.” Guests can purchase a $5 companion ticket to attend the event with someone who already purchased a copy of the book. Sponsored by Anderson's Bookshop of Naperville. For other ticket options, call (630) 355-2665 or see andersonsbookshop.com.

• Meet best-selling “White Collar Girl” author Renee Rosen as she discusses her book at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Warren-Newport Public Library, 224 N. O'Plaine Road, Gurnee. A book signing follows the author's program. Books will be provided by the Lake Forest Bookstore. To register, call (847) 244-5150 or see wnpl.info.