Celebrated for her emotional clarity as well as her impressive range—from soap opera to Chekhov to The Kids are All Right—Julianne Moore is also the author of four children’s books, including My Mom is a Foreigner, But Not to Me, her latest. Not all actors or novelists, athletes or surgeons can speak with insight about their work. Doing it and talking about it are different skills. Ms. Moore possesses both abilities—big fun for the audience at the 92nd Street Y and for you.

• PERSON: Robert Altman
• PLACE: Juneau, Alaska
• THING: a decoupage egg