Two-time Caldecott winner Chris Van Allsburg, creator of Jumanji and The Polar Express, has just released his newest illustrated children’s book, The Misadventures of Sweetie Pie (Harcourt, Brace). It is the poignant story of one hamster’s struggle with destiny and freedom. Allsburg’s expressive, soft-hued illustrations artfully capture a hamster’s eye-view of the world. He has illustrated or written some 20 books. Allsburg lives in Providence, Rhode Island.

Nobody Is Ever Missing (Farrar, Straus & Giroux) is the debut novel by Catherine Lacey. It is the story of a distraught woman who is haunted by her sister’s death and flees her marriage, her life, and country, winding up in New Zealand. While there, she tests fate by hitchhiking and sleeping in fields, forests, and public parks all while dealing with her growing inner rage. Lacey’s stories have appeared in McSweeney’s Quarterly, The Believer, The Atlantic, and The Paris Review Daily. She lives in Brooklyn, N.Y.

The New Agrarians brings together a trio of Nashville’s most respected singer-songwriters, Pierce Pettis, Kate Campbell, and Tom Kimmel. Their touring show, entitled, “Songs and Stories of the Southland” highlights the trio’s love of southern literature and storytelling. Their latest release is Introducing the New Agrarians. Following their Thacker appearance, the band will perform a 9 pm show at Yokna Bottoms Farm.