4/4/2026    Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve SNR

Step Into a Story: Walk the Trail That Inspired A Book

The Poppy Reserve Mojave Desert Interpretive Association and California State Parks invites you to attend a book reading and signing of "Wake Sleepy One, California Poppies and the Super Bloom" by author Lisa Kerr on Saturday, April 4, 2026 from 10am to 12pm in the Jane S. Pinheiro Interpretive Center at the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve. The Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve was dedicated on April 24, 1976. Enjoy browsing a special exhibition of Jane S. Pinheiro's paintings, buy a raffle ticket to win an original Jane Pinheiro watercolor painting of a poppy, and purchase a commemorative 50th anniversary pin in the Jane S. Pinheiro Interpretive Center. Day-use fees apply.

Saturday, April 4, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

10:00 – 10:10 a.m. | Welcome & Opening Remarks

  • Event welcome and overview
  • Brief introduction to the Reserve’s 50th anniversary celebration

10:10 – 10:30 a.m. | Author Reading

  • Live reading from Wake, Sleepy One: California Poppies and the Super Bloom
  • Guided storytelling highlighting the poppy lifecycle and “super bloom”

10:30 – 10:45 a.m. | Q&A with Author Lisa Kerr

  • Audience questions (children and families encouraged)
  • Discussion on writing, nature inspiration, and California’s landscapes

10:45 – 11:00 a.m. | Park Ranger Talk (If Available)

  • Overview of the Mojave Desert ecosystem
  • How and why poppies bloom
  • Wildlife and conservation at the Reserve

11:00 – 11:40 a.m. | Guided Nature Activity (Self-Paced Trail Experience)

  • Families walk the trail at their own pace
  • Activity guide prompts may include:
    • Spot and identify California poppies and other wildflowers
    • Observe colors, shapes, and patterns in nature
    • Look for signs of wildlife (birds, tracks, insects)
    • Reflect on how the landscape connects to the story
  • Encourages literacy through observation, discussion, and exploration

11:40 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Book Signing & Meet the Author

  • Book signing with Lisa Kerr
  • Photos and informal conversation