When DCist met Jessica Cutler a few weeks ago, we were charmed. She e-mailed us after we invited her out to drinks and turned out to be a very nice, down to earth person — surprising, given the stereotype that Washingtonians are obsessed with their own stature. Maybe it was careful media coaching from her Disney-owned publisher, but we got the feeling that she was a genuine person, caught unexpectedly last year in a media tornado and now trying to make the best of it. Don’t believe us? Stop by Olsson’s Penn Quarter tonight to see for yourself. Cutler will be reading from The Washingtonienne tonight at 7, and given her candid attitude when we met her, we suspect she’ll be willing to field any questions.

Over the whole Jessica Cutler thing, or looking for something a little more family oriented? Eric Carle, author of children’s book classic The Very Hungry Caterpillar, comes to Olsson’s Arlington Courthouse location Saturday at 1 p.m. to sign copies of his new book 10 Little Rubber Ducks. We can’t say we’ve read it, but the reviews seem pretty positive — and we’re sure it’s safe for all ages.