FOR KIDS: Michael Muller is a photographer, collage artist, and proprietor of the Mirabelle line of greeting cards. He and Mirabelle, a real Boston terrier, began their lives together in 2006. They live in Washington, D.C., and online at adventuresofmirabelle.com. The smart look of the Mirabelle books is as original and iconic as Mirabelle herself, combining strong black lines, bright spots of color, and bits of photography to create seamless collages. The text of each story is a dialogue between Mr. Muller, who asks questions, and Mirabelle, who replies with her actions—perfect prompts for parents to take the Mr. Muller part and the child to answer in the role of Mirabelle. Muller and Mirabelle will be at Books & Books this afternoon to read from: Mirabelle Goes For a Walk and Mirabelle and the Bouncy Red Ball and Mirabelle and the Butterfly (Workman, $6.95). Mirabelle and Mr. Muller know what every little kid knows— the simplest thing can be endlessly fascinating and fun. 

Sam Savage attended VCU in Richmond, VA as a Jazz Studies Major and has been playing professionally for about 13 years. While in Richmond, Sam spent time playing in bands like: The Devil's Workshop Big Band, Oregon Hill Funk All-Stars, Sambaosis, NoBS Brass Band, Gray-V, and his own group SavageJazz. Sam is also a Composer and his writng has been featured with his own band, NoBS brass Band, and the Jazz Composers Alliance. Some of the Virginia-based musicians Sam has worked with include: Mark Ingraham, Taylor Barnett, Ashby Anderson Rex Richardson, Doug Richards, Antonio Garcia, Dusty Simmons, Jeremy Simmons, D.J. Williams, Gordon Jones, Matt Hall, and many others. Sam has also worked or shared the stage with John Dearth, Nate Smith, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Ray Anderson, Bryan Lynch, Scott Colley, Sharon Jones, and Seamus Blake .