kimberly lynn

April Picture Book Releases

2012-01-27T05:05:00.000-08:00

Blue Apple Books has two hysterical titles that I can’t wait to get my greedy little hands on:

Pass It On! by Marylyn Sadler
Illustrations by Michael Slack

Bee's friend Cow is stuck in a fence and asks for his help. Bee cannot help Cow by himself, so he decides to get the word out to as many farmyard friends as possible. But when he tells Frog about Cow's predicament and asks him to "Pass it on!", the message that gets passed to Pig is: "Cow put duck in a tent!" From there, the message morphs into the tent falling on a woodchuck, Cow having good luck, a penny, some money, some honey, etc. In the end, understanding dawns, Cow is dis-lodged, and he and Bee thank their friends with fresh milk and honey.

(April 24, 2012)

Scribbles and Ink by Ethan Long

Two artists, two styles, and one book that may not be big enough for the both of them. See, Ink (the mouse) likes things to be clean and precise. Scribbles (the cat) is the opposite. But while there should be plenty of room for each of them to make their art without getting in each other's way, or on each other's nerves, THEY CAN'T MANAGE THAT! And from there paint splatters, ink goops, pencils get broken, and brushes go wild until...it's not a work of art, IT'S A MESS! Discovering that they are no longer having any fun, the duo tentatively tries to collaborate instead of clobber, and, thus, a disasterpiece becomes a masterpiece. Includes a giant fold-out and a detachable sketchpad.

(April 24, 2012)

The covers of these picture books are an absolute riot!

And now I feel inspired to doodle all weekend.

Have a good one!

2012 Caldecott Medal

2012-01-19T12:37:00.000-08:00

Who will win?

Before I go into which books I'd vote for, let's take a look at the criteria for this award. This partial list comes straight from the official Caldecott Medal Home Page:

In identifying a “distinguished American picture book for children,” defined as illustration, committee members need to consider:

a. Excellence of execution in the artistic technique employed;
b. Excellence of pictorial interpretation of story, theme, or concept;
c. Appropriateness of style of illustration to the story, theme or concept;
d. Delineation of plot, theme, characters, setting, mood or information through the pictures;
e. Excellence of presentation in recognition of a child audience.

The only limitation to graphic form is that the form must be one which may be used in a picture book. The book must be a self-contained entity, not dependent on other media (i.e., sound, film or computer program) for its enjoyment.
Each book is to be considered as a picture book. The committee is to make its decision primarily on the illustration, but other components of a book are to be considered especially when they make a book less effective as a children’s picture book. Such other components might include the written text, the overall design of the book, etc.

Note: The committee should keep in mind that the award is for distinguished illustrations in a picture book and for excellence of pictorial presentation for children. The award is not for didactic intent or for popularity.

(Click here for more details.)

And without further ado...

Here are the picture books that I'd vote for:

Blackout by John Rocco
Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet
The Man in the Moon by William Joyce

The Princess and the Pig by Jonathan Emmett
Illustrations by Poly Bernatene

The Gingerbread Man, Loose in the School by Laura Murray
Illustrations by Mike Lowery

Swirl by Swirl: Spirals in Nature by Joyce Sidman
Illustrations by Beth Krommes

(Click on Holiday Highlights and Coming Soon! for links, etc.)

Here’s a peek inside each one:

Blackout by John Rocco

LOL!

Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet

I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Tony Sarg's step-by-step creative process. This is nonfiction at its absolute best!

Everyone loves a parade!

The Man in the Moon by William Joyce

Check out the perspective in this spread:

(A diagram of The Moon Clipper!)

The most beautiful craft of the Golden Age.

The Princess and the Pig by Jonathan Emmett

Illustrations by Poly Bernatene

(An original fairytale for this generation of young readers.)

(What a wonderful way of showing loneliness in the castle.)

The Gingerbread Man, Loose in the School by Laura Murray

Illustrations by Mike Lowery

(A fresh-baked approach to a familiar character!)

( The students hang posters of the missing Gingerbread Man.)

(And you get a free one at the end of the story!)

Swirl by Swirl: Spirals in Nature by Joyce Sidman
Illustrations by Beth Krommes

The cover is bold, moving, and colorful—even the text!

(Glossary of shapes that curl around a center point.)

This concludes my list of Caldecott contenders, although there were lots of lovely books to choose from this year. I’ve gone back and forth between Balloons Over Broadway and Blackout, but I think Blackout will win. I was thoroughly entertained by the child’s point of view during a crisis. Also, Rocco’s palette of colors and images illuminate the city during its darkest hour.

Let’s hope there will be a long list of honor books too. The Caldecott Committee doesn't have an easy job!

2012 SCBWI Florida Regional Conference

2012-01-02T04:27:00.000-08:00

Mad About Children’s Publishing!

Register online at:
http://www.scbwiflorida.com/

When: January 13-15, 2012 (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday)
Location: Sheraton Miami Airport Hotel

Here's a peek at the schedule:

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012
8:00 – 9:00 AM Intensive Registration (choose one)

Picture Book: Presented by Janeen Mason and Diane Muldrow

Leveled Readers/Early Chapter Books: Presented by Bonnie Bader and Natalie Lescroart

Novel: Presented by Marietta Zacker and Dorian Cirrone

8:00 – 9:00 AM Intensive Registration

9:00 – 4:00 PM Intensives

3:30 – 4:30 PM Conference Registration/Drop off First Page Critiques

4:30 – 5:00 PM Meet Your SCBWI Florida Team

5:00 – 5:45 PM First Books Panel

(Jessica Martinez, Laura Murray, Augusta Scattergood, and Medeia Sharif)

Laura Murray is a member of my critique group, and the author of this adorable picture book:

The Gingerbread Man Loose in the School
Written by Laura Murray
Illustrations by Mike Lowery

(I blogged about it here.)

Note: Our group of five members has sold three picture books so far. YAY!

5:45 PM Go to the buses for trip to Books & Books

6:30 PM Reception at Books & Books

6:45 PM Guest Speaker TBA

7:30 – 9:00 PM Dinner on your own.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 2012
7:00AM – 8:30 AM Conference Registration

8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Art Exhibit

8:30 AM – 8:45 AM Regional Advisor Linda Rodriguez Bernfeld

(Welcome and Announcements)

8:45 AM – 9:30 AM Donna Jo Napoli:

“The Writer’s Most Important Job And How To Do It!”

9:30 AM – 10:00 AM E. B. Lewis:

“Process-vs-Product: The Journey”

10:00 AM – 10:15 AM Break

10:15 AM – 11:00 AM Editor Panel

11:00 AM – 11:30 AM First-Page Critiques, First Impressions

11:30 AM – Noon Market Update (Skype)

Noon – 1:00 PM Lunch

1:00 PM – 1:45 PM Lin Oliver:

“Ten Lessons Learned From SCBWI Stories”

1:45 PM – 2:00 PM Break

2:00 PM – 2:45 PM Agent Panel

2:45 PM – 3:00 PM Break

3:00 PM – 3:30 PM Greg Neri:

“Stranger Than Fiction: Ghetto Cowboys, Little Killers and Black Confederate Rebels.”

3:30 PM – 4:15 PM Cheryl Klein:

“Eight Ways To Hook Readers On Your Characters”

4:15 PM – 6:30 PM Critiques

7:30 PM – 11:00 PM “The Mad Hatter’s Ball!”

(Wear your most curious costume or it’s off with your head!)

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2012
7:00 AM – 8:45 AM Critique Group Leaders’ Meeting

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM Workshop 1 (attend one)

Donna Jo Napoli: “How to Make Your Readers Feel They Are Inside the Scene”

Natalie Lescroart: “The Elements of Voice”

Bonnie Bader and Lin Oliver: “Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Series”

Laurie Calkhoven: “Quitting Your Day Job: Making a Living as a Freelance Writer”

Cheryl Klein: “The Principles of Plot”

Tamar Brazis: “The Art of Friendship in Children’s Picture Books”

10:30 AM – 10:45 AM Break

10:45 AM – 12:15 Workshop 2 (attend one)

Greg Neri: “Freeing Your Prose Through Verse: How Writing Free-Verse Poetry Can Make You a Better Writer”

Janeen Mason and Curtis Sponsler: “Book Trailer Magic”

Diane Muldrow: What Makes A Golden Book? What I Acquire and Why”

Jill Corcoran: “How to Improve Your Writing Voice and Characters’ Voices”

Marietta Zacker and Laura Murray: “Client and Agent: Working Together on Business and Craft”

Barry Furrow: “From Paper Books to eBooks: How to Protect the Author’s interests”

E. B. Lewis: “So You Want to be an Illustrator? The Things One Needs to Do to Survive as Illustrator in this Ever Changing Market”

12:15 PM – 1:00 PM Wrap-Up: Main Meeting Room

I have to miss the conference this year, but I sure hope you don't. There are so many opportunities for writers and illustrators at this SCBWI Florida event.

Cheers!

Holiday Highlights

2011-12-31T05:11:00.000-08:00

There has been a flurry of activity on the home front this month, but I want to take a moment to share a few holiday highlights before we roll into 2012.

Here's a picture of my grandbaby building a gingerbread house:

(He was at home with his mommy.)

(A precious gift for Mimi and Grandpa.)

And check out these holiday goodies:

I'll be blogging about them in future posts:

The Pet Shop Revolution
Written and Illustrated by Ana Juan

Balloons over Broadway by Melissa Sweet

Swirl by Swirl: Spirals in Nature by Joyce Sidman
Illustrations by Beth Krommes

Scrawny Cat by Phyllis Root
Illustrations by Alison Friend

The Pied Piper of Hamelin by Michael Morpurgo
Illustrations by Emma Chichester Clark

The Man in the Moon by William Joyce

Blackout by John Rocco

Little Goblins Ten by Pamela Jane
Illustrations by Jane Manning

Tuck Me In! by Dean Hacohen
Illustrations by Sherry Scharschmidt

Earth to Clunk by Pam Smallcomb
Illustrations by Joe Berger

The Princess and the Pig by Jonathan Emmett
Illustrations by Poly Bernatene

How Do You Wokka-Wokka? by Elizabeth Bluemle
Illustrations by Randy Cecil

Holler Loudly by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Illustrations by Barry Gott

Froggy Goes to Hawaii by Jonathan London
Illustrations by Frank Remkiewicz

The Three Little Aliens and the Big Bad Robot
Written by Margaret McNamara
Illustrations by Mark Fearing

And here's the list of middle grade novels:

Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos
Written by Robin LaFevers
Illustrations by Yoko Tanaka

Theodosia and the Staff of Osiris
Written by Robin LaFevers
Illustrations by Yoko Tanaka

As you'll recall, I won Theodosia and the Eyes of Horus and Theodosia and the Last Pharaoh in an online auction back in July, so now I have the entire series. This is a fabulous set of books for readers who enjoy a good mystery!

One last holiday highlight to share:

I started following MerryMakers on Twitter and look at the adorable Froggy doll I won in their Cyber Monday Contest:

Tis’ the season to be jolly...

And have a Happy New Year!

The Galloping Gimmes

2011-12-22T06:21:00.000-08:00

Gummy Gumballs and Chewy Chompers…

There’s temptation around every corner this holiday season, so you might want to read a family favorite before taking little ones to the mall for those last minute Christmas gifts. Remember this quote:

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” ~Benjamin Franklin

The Berenstain Bears Get the Gimmies
By Stan and Jan Berenstain

Brother and Sister Bear want everything in sight, and they throw tantrums when they don't get what they want. Wisely Mama and Papa deal with this childhood malady by teaching the cubs about the family budget and the importance of appreciating all that they have already.

Happy Holidays!

Special Delivery

2011-12-15T03:20:00.000-08:00

Good things come in small packages...

My Light Up the Library Auction item arrived last week:

WOOT!

The Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood
Illustrations by Renata Liwska

There are many kinds of quiet:

Quiet can be delicate.
Quiet can be thundering!
Quiet can be sweet,
and cozy,
and can most definitely help you fall asleep.

With kid-centric descriptions and irresistible artwork, this gentle picture book explores all the different quiets that can fill a child’s days from morning to night.

My grandbaby loved it, so I picked up the sequel too:

The Loud Book! by Deborah Underwood
Illustrations by Renata Liwska

BANG!
CRACKLE!
BOO!

Just like there are lots of quiets, there are also lots of louds:

Good louds
(HOORAY!)

and bad louds
(CRASH!)

And louds that make you feel like you are the center of attention (BURP!).

The Loud Book compiles all these kid-friendly noises from morning to night, in a way that is sure to make readers CHEER!

(Click here to learn more about the adorable plush toys.)

Stay tuned for more goodies in my next post!

Let's Get Silly!

2011-11-25T04:56:00.000-08:00

On my last few trips to the bookstore…

I’ve noticed less picture book shelves in the children’s department and older titles making a comeback:

On Top of Spaghetti by Paul Brett Johnson
Lyrics by Tom Glazer

On top of spaghetti
All covered with cheese
I lost my poor meatball
When somebody sneezed...

This well-known song is a hilarious reminder that when events don't go quite as planned, they can get awfully silly.

(Click here to listen to the original song.)

I wasn’t leaving without this one!

Note: I’m thrilled to see these books on the stand again, but it does make me worry about the market for unpublished writers. What are your thoughts on this? Have you noticed this in your area?

Ben’s Book Basket

2011-11-20T03:39:00.000-08:00

In addition to my growing collection of picture books…

I keep a separate board book basket in my grandbaby’s playroom. This basket is filled with stories geared toward his age and whatever theme I’ve planned for the week. It's so much fun to see his eyes light up when Monday rolls around:

Here’s the breakdown of our current favorites:

Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle
Illustrations by Jill McElmurry

Beep! Beep! Beep! Meet Blue. A muddy country road is no match for this little pick up--that is, until he gets stuck while pushing a dump truck out of the muck. Luckily, Blue has made a pack of farm animal friends along his route. And they're willing to whatever it takes to get their pal back on the road.

It's a Little Book by Lane Smith

It's a Little Book asks what a book is for--Is it for chewing? Is it for wearing?--and answers the question in a warm and charming way.

And check out the book trailer:

Barnyard Dance! by Sandra Boynton

Everybody sing along—because it's time to do-si-do in the barnyard with a high-spirited animal crew!

Jamberry by Bruce Degen

Hatberry
Shoeberry
In my canoeberry
Under the bridge
And over the dam
Looking for berries Berries for jam

They're off...a boy and an endearing, rhyme-spouting bear, who squires him through a fantastic world of berries. And their adventure comes to a razzamatazz finale under a starberry sky.

Adorable!

November News & Events

2011-11-18T00:39:00.000-08:00

It’s Picture Book Month!

Here’s a snippet from the official website:

Picture Book Month is an international initiative to designate November as Picture Book Month, encouraging everyone to celebrate literacy with picture books. Founder, Dianne de Las Casas (author & storyteller) storyconnection.net, and Co-Founders, Katie Davis (author/illustrator) katiedavis.com, Elizabeth O. Dulemba (author/illustrator) http://www.dulemba.com/, Tara Lazar (author) taralazar.wordpress.com, and Wendy Martin (author/illustrator) wendymartinillustration.com, are putting together their worldwide connections to make this happen.

(Click here to view the calendar.)

These ladies have put together a treasure trove of information for picture book lovers, so please share their link. Also, don't forget about PiBoIdMo. I'm up to twenty-six ideas!

And in related news...

I went shopping yesterday:

One Little, Two Little, Three Little Pilgrims
Written by B. G. Hennessy
Illustrations by Lynne Avril Cravath

One little, two little, three little Pilgrims
hunt for ducks, rabbits, and geese.

One little, two little, three little Wampanoag
gather nuts, berries, and squash.

Everybody has a job to do;
then it's time to celebrate!

10 Fat Turkeys by Tony Johnston
Illustrations by Rich Deas

GOBBLE GOBBLE WIBBLE WOBBLE

Count along with this funny rhyming
story about 10 silly turkey friends!

The First Thanksgiving by Kathryn Lynn Davis
A Lift-the-Flap Book

Nancy Davis recreates the excitement and wonder of the first Thanksgiving--how the pilgrims came to America and how the Native Americans taught them to plant and then joined them in a Thanksgiving feast. Parents can use the simple text and the bright, graphic illustrations of this lift-the-flap book to introduce a very young child to this holiday.

(This one is perfect for toddlers.)

Have a great weekend!

A Monstrous Parody

2011-11-12T03:34:00.000-08:00

“Look! It's moving. It's sha--it's... it's alive. It's alive... It's alive, it's moving, it's alive! It's alive, it's alive, it's alive! It's ALIVE!” Henry, Frankenstein (1931 film)

I’ve discovered another giggly-ghoulish creeper stirring in the crypt:

Frankenstein by Rick Walton
Illustrations by Nathan Hale

A monstrous parody of children's picture books?

(July 17, 2012)

This one could be quite funny, but there’s no description yet. The cover reference to Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans is a complete riot:

LOL!

I posted a link about Frankenstein on Facebook yesterday, and I haven’t stopped laughing since.

This weekend is off to a great start!

Note: If you're a Madeline fan, I blogged about the books here and here.

Turn Up the Volume!

2011-11-06T13:03:00.000-08:00

PUFF THE MAGIC DRAGON, lived by the sea,
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honalee.

Ahem…

My vocals are a little rusty, but how would you like to meet Peter Yarrow and pick up a copy of the new pop-up version of Puff the Magic Dragon?

(Multiple sets of hands go up and wave madly!)

Event: Peter Yarrow (Peter, Paul & Mary)
Where: FAIRHOPE PUBLIC LIBRARY
When: November 17, 2011

Learn more about this fun event on the Page & Palette website. I hope Peter Yarrow will sign my picture book too:

Puff the Magic Dragon
Written by Peter Yarrow and Lenny Lipton
Paintings by Eric Puybaret

In richly-hued paintings of the deepest sea blues and greens, Puff and his friend Jackie Paper frolic in the land of Honalee—traveling in a fantastic boat with billowed sails, climbing red castle stairs onto a balcony to meet with noble kings and princes, and watching pirate ships lower their flags for the roaring dragon.

Cross your fingers!

The illustrations are truly magic, and I just realized that I have another picture book illustrated by Eric Pubaret:

The Nutcracker
Retold by John Cech
Illustrations by Eric Puybaret

Cech bases his version on E.T.A. Hoffman’s original, which features not only the story familiar to all ballet lovers, but other wondrous adventures—including the tale of Princess Pirlipat and an explanation of the origins of the Nutcracker himself.

Excellent!

Light Up the Night

2011-10-28T06:16:00.000-07:00

Children’s author Jean Reidy has a new picture book, and it's getting rave reviews:

Light Up the Night by Jean Reidy
Illustrations by Margaret Chodos-Irvine

When it’s time to sleep, it’s nice to know there’s a place that’s safe. In a cozy house, in a comfy bed, under a blanket that’s white and red under stars so bright they light up the night in your own little piece of the universe.

(My grandbaby will love it!)

To celebrate the release of Light Up the Night, Jean is holding an online auction November 7-18 to benefit literacy in Africa and a library at Musana Children's Home in Iganga. Check out the list of items going on the block:

Pick a Peck o' Picture Book Critiques

Autographed Cap and Suit from Olympic Hopeful Missy Franklin

50 Pages or 5 Picture Books Critique from Agent Erin Murphy!

Signed copy of WE'VE GOT A JOB: THE 1963 BIRMINGHAM CHILDREN'S MARCH

Critique of the Month Club

Handmade Ugandan Beads and Bags from Musana

Manuscript Consideration from Bloomsbury USA

There will be lots more to choose from, so follow Jean’s blog for updates. Also, click here for the Light Up the Night Mini Blog Tour Schedule. This event took place earlier this month, but the posts are still there for you to enjoy.

See you at the auction!

Note: Click here to learn more about Jean Reidy and her fun list of picture books.

PiBoIdMo 2011

2011-10-26T04:14:00.000-07:00

Picture Book Idea Month!

Children’s author Tara Lazar is hosting a 30-day challenge for picture book writers again this year. Here’s the scoop:

The concept is to create 30 picture book ideas in 30 days. You don’t have to write a manuscript. You don’t need potential best-seller ideas.

Sounds like fun, eh?

Participants will have the opportunity to win signed books, picture book critiques, book jewelry, hand-made journals, vintage children’s books, and feedback from one of three literary agents. WOW!

Click here to sign up, and don’t forget to pick up the official badge created by Bonnie Adamson:

Now repeat this pledge 10 times fast:

I do solemnly swear
that I will faithfully execute
the PiBoIdMo 30-ideas-in-30-days challenge,
and will, to the best of my ability,
parlay my ideas into
picture book manuscripts
throughout the year.

Note: Tara’s first picture book, The Monstore, will be published by Aladdin/Simon & Schuster in Summer 2013.

(Tara Lazar is represented by Ammi-Joan Paquette of the Erin Murphy Literary Agency.)

See you there!

Indie Book Basket Winner!

2011-10-20T23:31:00.000-07:00

First, I want to thank everyone who participated in the Indie Book Basket Giveaway. The Page & Palette is a charming independent bookstore in the heart of Fairhope, Alabama. They bring talented authors and illustrators into our community, and this giveaway was my way of showing support. I also had a blast sharing highlights from The Grand Festival of Arts & Books. I’m looking forward to attending this event again next year.

And without further ado…

The winner of the Indie Book Basket is:

Congratulations, Audrey Vernick!

(Please contact me, so I can ship your basket.)

Enjoy!

Indie Book Basket Giveaway

2011-10-14T06:01:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, I attended the Grand Festival of Arts & Books in Fairhope, Alabama. It was an exciting event, and I’m putting together an Indie Book Basket Giveaway to celebrate the Page & Palette bookstore. The details on how to enter this giveaway are listed at the end of this post, but first things first, here are a few highlights from the festival on Saturday. It was exclusive to children's and young adult authors.

Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr. created the commemorative poster, and I was thrilled to get a signed copy and photo:

http://www.kennedyprints.com/
(Read his amazing story here!)

The Grand Festival of the Arts & Books Program!

The Page & Palette bookstore on Saturday.

I went directly to the children's department...

And spied several books I've been watching for:

These are totally adorable!

I blogged about The Man in the Moon here.

Check out the new book trailer:

I picked up several copies of the next two picture books, and children's author Laura Numeroff was at the Page & Palette to do a book signing:

If You Give a Dog a Donut by Laura Numeroff
Illustrations by Felicia Bond

If you give a dog a donut, he'll ask for some apple juice to go with it.

When you give him the juice, he'll drink it all up.

Then, before you can say "Woof" ... Dog is off on a backyard adventure.

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff
Illustrations by Felicia Bond

If a hungry little traveler shows up at your house, you might want to give him a cookie. If you give him a cookie, he's going to ask for a glass of milk. He'll want to look in a mirror to make sure he doesn't have a milk mustache, and then he'll ask for a pair of scissors to give himself a trim....

(I blogged about Substitute Creature here.)

The cover is A-M-A-ZING!

Zombie in Love by Kelly DiPucchio
Illustrations by Scott Campbell

Mortimer is looking for love. And he's looking everywhere! He's worked out at the gym (if only his arm wouldn't keep falling off). He's tried ballroom dancing lessons (but the ladies found him to be a bit stiff). He's even been on stalemate.com. How's a guy supposed to find a ghoul? When it seems all hope has died, could the girl of Mortimer's dreams be just one horrifying shriek away?

You know I can't resist giggly-ghoulish creepers .

Mwah-hah!

And now for the Indie Book Basket Giveaway. The items in this basket include two signed books by children’s author Laura Numeroff, a plush mouse, and sweet treats for you to enjoy at storytime:

(The finished product will be a surprise!)

It's simple to enter. Type your legal name in the comments section of this post, and become a follower of this blog. I’ve added the follower gadget in the sidebar. Spread the news about this contest via blogs, online forums, Twitter, or Facebook. Also, please number yourselves consecutively. If you blog about picture books, feel free to share a link. Here’s an example:

1) Kimberly Thompson Strickler

http://kimberlylynn1020.blogspot.com/

Simple, right? And that’s all you have to do. I’ll announce one lucky winner of the completed basket on my birthday, October 20, 2011.

Note: You may enter once.

Due to the cost of shipping, all entries must reside in the continental United States.

This contest opens now and closes at midnight on Wednesday, October 19, 2011 (Central Time Zone). Late entries will be deleted. Random Number Generator will select the winner.

Have a great weekend and good luck!

Janeen Mason: Drawn to the Story

2011-10-01T04:33:00.000-07:00

The Pensacola Museum of Art is hosting a solo exhibit of Janeen Mason’s original children’s picture book illustrations. I'll be going back for a second visit soon!

Where: PENSACOLA, FLORIDA (407 S. Jefferson Street)
When: September 16 - November 6, 2011

Here's an excerpt from the museum website:

Janeen Mason writes and illustrates award-winning children's picture books using her brilliant sense of color and delicate detail to inspire imagination and a love of reading.

This exhibition of 100 original picture book illustrations transports viewers into the many worlds Mason has created and shared with children all over the world.

"Children's picture books are a primary source of inspiration which have enormous consequence in our culture," says Mason. "They provide the introduction to a lifetime of creative imagination and appreciation for the arts. This is powerful juju in a landscape of ever accelerating technology."

(Janeen blogged about it here.)

I’ve known Janeen Mason for years through SCBWI Florida. She’s an amazing person and always willing to help fellow authors and illustrators. You can read an article I wrote about one of her illustrator intensives here.

Gallery Night and Janeen’s opening was a blast!

This was my grandbaby's first literary event, so I was thrilled to get him a signed copy of Ocean Commotion: Sea Turtles. We took a snapshot in front of the original artwork:

(I have a signed copy too!)

This is an illustration from Janeen's picture book Gift of the Magpie. I picked it up last year at the SCBWI Florida Regional Conference in Miami:

(Click here to learn more about it.)

And here's what I've added to my collection:

Pirate Pink and Treasures of the Reef
Written by Jan Day
Illustrations by Janeen Mason

Rambunctious Pirate Pink, daughter of the notorious Captain Redbeard, is on the hunt for treasure: underwater treasure, that is! When Pink and her friend Juan venture down to Sea Turtle Bay to see what damage the recent storm has done, they discover nasty Captain Snagg’s ship wrecked upon the rocks. The daring pair board the ship to look for coins, goblets, and glistening jewels, but when Snagg and his crew suddenly return, Pink and Juan must dive under water in a crazy escape filled with sharks, sea turtles, and treasure galore.

Ocean Commotion: Life on the Reef
Written and Illustrated by Janeen Mason

Through roiling waves and a swirling light show, a brave hermit crab crosses a brilliant living reef as she tackles the ocean’s obstacles on a quest to find a shell that fits. During her mission, she encounters such aquatic creatures as conch shells and shimmering jellyfish.

The World's Greatest Explorer by Jan Day
Illustrations by Janeen Mason

When a storm blows in, Jimmy dreads spending the afternoon indoors, but his grandfather knows exactly how to pass the time. He ventures into the cupboard and pulls out a dusty, old book—the journal of Jimmy’s seafaring great-great-grandfather, James Earl Silas Tuckingham, who once traveled the world with a botanist.

As the storm rages outside, Grandfather and Jimmy journey into the past and relive James’ adventures as he roamed the untamed oceans. On his travels, James discovers new species of plants, explores the Amazon, and defeats vicious pirates. At first, Jimmy is bored with the book, but as his ancestor James sails to exotic New Guinea and Guam, he and Grandfather share the thrill of James’ voyages...

(I caught up with Janeen and snagged a photo.)

(My daughter Crissy, grandbaby and me.)

Good times!

Shiver Me Letters!

2011-09-24T07:11:00.000-07:00

Are you looking for an alphabet activity to share with your little ones? Here’s an art project that I came up with last week. My grandbaby and I had lots of fun talking like pirates too:

The directions are simple!

Read this story:

Shiver Me Letters
A Pirate ABC

Written by June Sobel
Illustrations by Henry Cole

The captain of this brave and bumbling pirate crew has ordered them to capture the entire alphabet--and they'll walk the plank if they're missing a single letter! Now these swashbuckling mateys are embarking on an alphabet adventure unlike any other, and they won't (ahem, can't) rest until they've found an A, a Z, and everything in between.

June Sobel's hilarious text and Henry Cole's adventurous animal pirates harmonize in an irresistible book for alphabet-learning, pirate-loving kids everywhere.

Make a pirate hat out of construction paper and glue. It doesn't have to be perfect! Print the ABC letters from WordArt, and paint or cut out the yellow trim.

Note: Allow fifteen to twenty minutes for the glue to dry.

(We also learned about parrots and did a color sheet.)

“R!”

The Grand Festival of Arts & Books

2011-09-13T14:31:00.000-07:00

WHERE: FAIRHOPE, AL
WHEN: October 8-9, 2011

Page & Palette presents a new addition to the 2011 Grand Festival of Arts & Books in downtown Fairhope from 9am-5pm.

The first annual Grand Festival of Books will be Friday, October 8 and Saturday, October 9, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., on De La Mare Street in Downtown Fairhope. This inaugural event will be held in conjunction with the 29th annual Grand Festival of Art, lining the streets of Fairhope with beautiful works of art AND literature.

Admission is FREE! Booklovers of all ages will have the opportunity to interact with exceptional writers, poets and storytellers and enjoy an inspiring variety of book-related activities, exhibitions and demonstrations.

(Click here to learn more.)

Check out Saturday’s lineup of children’s authors:

Emily Wheeler-Cantin: author of Tom Turkey the Truthful Storyteller
Wayne Flynt: For the Love of Alabama
Erin Morgenstern: The Night Circus
Laura Numeroff: If You Give a Cat a Cupcake, etc.
Patti Callahan Henry: Coming Up for Air, Between the Tides

I'm looking forward to getting this picture book signed:

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff

Illustrations by Felicia Bond

See you there!

Fall Catalogue Picks Part III

2011-09-10T15:14:00.000-07:00

(Click on links for Part I and Part II.)

We are in the midst of major renovations and dealing with a few minor catastrophes at home, so please forgive my lapse in blogging. Here's a favorite quote to get us back on track:

“Good as it is to inherit a library, it is better to collect one.” ~Augustine Birrell, Obiter Dicta, "Book Buying"

And now let's check out what's new at Arthur A. Levine Books! Here's my first fall catalogue pick:

The Sleepless Little Vampire by Richard Egielski

Even creatures of the night can find it hard to sleep!

What could possibly be keeping a little vampire up tonight? Is it the growling of werewolves? Is it the cackling of witches? Is it the rattling of skeletons? No! It's that all the scary creatures sleep during the DAY, silly!

Richard Egielski's artwork brings back fond memories of the fairytales I read as a child. I also enjoyed reading The End by David LaRochelle. Egielski did the illustrations for this picture book too:

(It's one of my favorites!)

Next up:

The Pet Shop Revolution
Written & Illustrated by Ana Juan

A fearless fur and feather escape. Viva la revolution!

Mina felt sorry for the animals in Mr. Walnut's pet shop. Their faces looked sad. Their cages were so small. And Mr. Walnut? Well, he was probably the meanest pet shop owner ever.

Then one day Mina’s pet rabbit disappears, and she’s sure Mr. Walnut has her. So she springs into action, ready to brave danger to free her friend.

What happens next is a surprise bigger than just one small rabbit: an ending that will change Mina, the animals, and even Mr. Walnut forever.

(I’ve been watching for this one!)

Here’s another great title that I recently picked up from Arthur A. Levine Books. This one isn’t a picture book, but you absolutely must read it. There are spectacular illustrations on every single page, and it’s totally hilarious:

Sidekicks by Dan Santat

Look up in the sky! It's a BOLD new graphic novel about SUPERHERO PETS!

Captain Amazing, superhero and savior of Metro City, is getting old. He's out all hours battling arch-villains, catching thieves, and helping little old ladies cross the street. He doesn't even have time for his house full of pets. He needs… a sidekick!

Captain Amazing's pets agree. But each one of them thinks he should get the sidekick spot -- and a chance for one-on-one time with the Captain. Get ready for sibling rivalry royale as pets with superpowers duke it out for the one thing they all want -- a super family.

Check out the book trailer:

And this one too:

Did you know that Dan Santat hired me to design and make a plush toy for Sidekicks? This is a Nummers cat:

I made ten of them:

It was a huge honor to be a part of Dan's celebration.

O-M-G!

I have a smile from ear to ear. =)

Fall Catalogue Picks Part II

2011-08-09T06:56:00.000-07:00

(Click here to view Part I.)

I've been going through fall catalogues and highlighting picture books that I absolutely can not live without. By the way, I'm seeing lots of Caldecott contenders this year. I'll share my thoughts on those in a future post. Cheers!

And without further ado, Albert Whitman & Company!

They publish books that entertain, educate, and encourage children for generations:

The Boy from the Dragon Palace
Written by Margaret Read MacDonald
Illustrations by Sachiko Yoshikawa

One day, a poor flower seller drops his leftover flowers into the sea as a gift for the Dragon King. What does he get in return? A little snot-nosed boy--with the power to grant wishes! Soon the flower seller is rich, but when he forgets the meaning of "thank you," he loses everything once again. "You just can't help some humans," say the snot-nosed little boy and the Dragon King.

(A lively retelling of an old Japanese folktale. I can't wait!)

Next up, Houghton Mifflin Books for Children!

Houghton Mifflin is home to some of the best-loved children's book characters: Curious George, Lyle the Crocodile, George and Martha, Martha of Martha Speaks, and Tacky the Penguin. I have tons of their books in my collection. Here are just a few:

And here's what I plan to order from them this season. There’s quite the buzz about this first one on Facebook:

Balloons over Broadway by Melissa Sweet
The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade

Who invented the first balloons for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade? Meet Tony Sarg, puppeteer extraordinaire! Everyone’s a New Yorker on Thanksgiving Day, when young and old rise early to see what giant new balloons will fill the skies for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Who first invented these “upside-down puppets”? In brilliant collage illustrations, the award-winning artist Melissa Sweet tells the story of the puppeteer Tony Sarg, capturing his genius, his dedication, his zest for play, and his long-lasting gift to America—the inspired helium balloons that would become the trademark of Macy’s Parade.

(I used to be a vendor at parades, so this one is especially exciting for me.)

Note: Melissa Sweet has an adorable website.

Swirl by Swirl: Spirals in Nature
Written by Joyce Sidman
Illustrations by Beth Krommes

A Caldecott medalist and a Newbery Honor-winning poet celebrate the beauty and value of spirals. What makes the tiny snail shell so beautiful? Why does that shape occur in nature over and over again—in rushing rivers, in a flower bud, even inside your ear?

With simplicity and grace, Krommes and Sidman not only reveal the many spirals in nature—from fiddleheads to elephant tusks, from crashing waves to spiraling galaxies—but also celebrate the beauty and usefulness of this fascinating shape.

(I blogged about Swirl by Swirl here.)

Stay tuned for more fall catalogue picks in Part III of this series. I’ll be highlighting Marshall Cavendish, Arthur A. Levine Books, Bloomsbury and Walker Books for Young Readers .

WOOT!

Fall Catalogue Picks

2011-08-03T07:25:00.000-07:00

"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns."~George Eliot

The next few posts will be highlighting picture books that I hope to order this fall. These are my top picks from children’s publishers and their current catalogues.

First up, Candlewick Press!

Lively stories, superior art, and revisited classics:

(I have quite a few.)

(I gave this one to my grandson.)

And here's what I plan to order this fall:

Scrawny Cat by Phyllis Root
Illustrations by Alison Friend

The scrawny cat used to belong to someone, someone who scratched his ears and let him lick her chin and knew his name. Now the only thing anyone ever calls him is "get out of here!" But when a snarling dog and a blowing rain turn the scrawny cat into a sailor cat, he learns that even a scared and shivery stray can find a kindred soul at the end of a storm-tossed night. Phyllis Root’s lyrical narrative joins with charming illustrations by Alison Friend in a classic, comforting tale about a lost creature that cat lovers (and story hounds) will cozy up to.

(Poor kitty needs a big hug!)

The Pied Piper of Hamelin by Michael Morpurgo
Illustrations by Emma Chichester Clark

In the town of Hamelin, the rich folk live high off the hog, while the poor and sick must scavenge in the trash that’s left behind. And that trash keeps building up and up until a horde of rats overruns the town. In this lively retelling, a spunky street kid narrates the age-old tale of a piper who offers to rid a town of its rats for a single gold coin, then lures away the town’s children when the greedy mayor reneges on the deal. With a nod to contemporary social and environmental themes, former British Children’s Laureate Michael Morpurgo and illustrator Emma Chichester Clark team up to charm readers with a compelling--and ultimately hopeful--new take on a timeless story.

(Right up my alley!)

King Hugo's Huge Ego by Chris Van Dusen

Hugo is a tiny king with a very large ego. But when he mistreats a villager who also happens to be a sorceress, the spell she casts causes his head to literally swell. The more he boasts, the bigger it gets, until it finally topples the mini monarch right off his castle! Who will cut this royal pain down to size? And, more important, will anyone live happily ever after? Chris Van Dusen’s hilarious story is matched only by his outrageous illustrations. Together, they make for a picture book that is sometimes fairy tale, sometimes cautionary tale, and always laugh-outloud funny.

(Love that royal pooch. LOL!)

Click here to download the entire catalogue. What are your top picks?

Substitute Creature

2011-07-29T03:36:00.000-07:00

I was haunting the new releases and discovered another giggly-ghoulish creeper. This one’s sure to tickle your funny bone:

Substitute Creature by Chris Gail

The troublemaking students of Ms. Jenkins' class arrive at school one day to discover a substitute creacher has come to put a stop to their monkey business! He regales them with mind-boggling stories about his former students who didn't follow the rules: Keith the glue-eater, Zach the daydreamer, and Hank the prankster, to name a few. But even this multi-tentacled, yellow-spotted, one-eyed monster's cautionary tales about the consequences of mischief-making can't seem to change the students' wicked ways until he reveals the spookiest and most surprising story of all: his own.

And here's the book trailer:

LOL!

Chris Gail is also the author and illustrator of There's Nothing to Do on Mars. Click here to learn more about it. Both of these books go on my wish list for August.

This Week’s Wrap-Up

2011-07-28T04:22:00.000-07:00

First, Flashlight Press has another adorable picture book coming out this fall. I heard about it several months ago, but now there's a book trailer to share:

The Busy Life of Ernestine Buckmeister
Written by Linda Ravin Lodding
Illustrated by Suzanne Beaky

If you think YOU have a busy schedule, take a look at Ernestine Buckmeister's weekly calendar:

On Mondays she sculpts with Clay Lumpkin.
On Tuesdays she does water ballet with Miss Goldfisher.
On Wednesdays she knits with Mrs. Pearl Stitchem.
On Thursdays she takes tuba lessons with Mr. Oompah.
On Fridays she yodels with Little Old Lady Hoo.
On Saturdays she studies karate with Grand Master HiYa!
And on Sundays she practices yoga with Guru Prakash Pretzel

Her well-meaning, busy parents have packed her after-school hours, turning Ernestine into the over-scheduled poster child of today.

But Ernestine is about to opt out and do what no Buckmeister has ever done before: just PLAY.

(October 1, 2011)

Next up...

I participated in my very first online auction hosted by Carrie Harris. She's the author of this spine-tingling book:

Bad Taste in Boys by Carrie Harris

Someone's been a very bad zombie.

Kate Grable is horrified to find out that the football coach has given the team steroids. Worse yet, the steriods are having an unexpected effect, turning hot gridiron hunks into mindless flesh-eating zombies. No one is safe--not her cute crush Aaron, not her dorky brother, Jonah . . . not even Kate! She's got to find an antidote--before her entire high school ends up eating each other. So Kate, her best girlfriend, Rocky, and Aaron stage a frantic battle to save their town . . . and stay hormonally human.

(Carrie's website and blog are to die for!)

And guess what? I won two signed books by one of my favorite online personalities:

Theodosia and the Last Pharaoh by Robin LaFevers

In this fourth book in the series, Theodosia sets off to Egypt to return the Emerald Tablet—embedded with the knowledge of some of the ancient world’s most guarded secrets. Accompanied by her cat, Isis (smuggled along in a basket), Theo plans to return the artifact, then explore the mysteries surrounding her own birth and oh, yes— help her mother dig up treasures on her archeological expedition.

But nothing ever works out as planned, especially when a precious treasure appears suddenly, and then just as suddenly disappears . . .

Theodosia and the Eyes of Horus by Robin LaFevers

Being able to detect black magic isn’t all tea and crumpets—and for Theodosia Throckmorton, it can be a decidedly tricky business! When Sticky Will drags Theo to a magic show featuring the Great Awi Bubu, she quickly senses there is more to the magician than he lets on, setting in motion a chain of events she never could have bargained for.

Meanwhile, back at the Museum of Legends and Antiquities, Henry is home for the spring holidays and makes an accidental discovery of an artifact that alchemists have been hunting for centuries. Soon, every black-cloaked occultist in London is trying to get their hands on it . . .

(Learn more about Theodosia here.)

I'm a happy camper, folks!

Get Outside for Parks and Recreation Month!

2011-07-22T07:21:00.000-07:00

Looking for outdoor fun this weekend?

Reading Rockets has posted some great ways to celebrate literature and nature with your children. Here are a few quick links to get you going:

Outdoor Explorations

Recording Observations: Journals and Field Notes

Use Summer Fun to Build Background Knowledge

Books About Our National Parks

Reading Maps (from BrainPOP Jr.)

And don't forget to pack those coolers!

Poetry in Motion

2011-07-19T07:33:00.000-07:00

Joyce Sidman is one of my favorite authors, and I’m always excited to see what fabulous illustrator gets paired with her elegant prose. Here’s another great match that’s on my wish list for this fall:

Swirl by Swirl: Spirals in Nature
Written by Joyce Sidman
Illustrations by Beth Krommes

A Caldecott medalist and a Newbery Honor-winning poet celebrate the beauty and value of spirals.What makes the tiny snail shell so beautiful? Why does that shape occur in nature over and over again—in rushing rivers, in a flower bud, even inside your ear?

With simplicity and grace, Krommes and Sidman not only reveal the many spirals in nature—from fiddleheads to elephant tusks, from crashing waves to spiraling galaxies—but also celebrate the beauty and usefulness of this fascinating shape.

Can’t you feel the energy? The cover is poetry in motion!

Beth Krommes also illustrated The House in the Night by Susan Marie Swanson. It won the Randolph Caldecott Medal in 2009, and I recognized her style right away:

Here are two more books by Joyce Sidman that I highly recommend:

I blogged about Dark Emperor & Other Poems of the Night here, and you can learn more about Red Sings from Treetops here.

Happy Reading!

The Man in the Moon by William Joyce

2011-07-10T06:08:00.000-07:00

"A fabulous recapturing of an old, real fairytale world. Dark. Mysterious. Stunning!"~MAURICE SENDAK, Caldecott-winning creator of Where the Wild Things Are

And check out this fantastic cover:

The Man in the Moon by William Joyce

(September 6, 2011)

Up there in the sky.
Don't you see him?
No, not the moon.
The Man in the Moon.

He wasn't always a man.
Nor was he always on the moon.

He was once a child.
Like you.

Until a battle,
a shooting star,
and a lost balloon
sent him on a quest.

Meet the very first guardian of childhood.
MiM, the Man in the Moon.

Remember how much I enjoyed Leon and the Place Between by Angela McAllister? I’ve been searching for more dark and mysterious picture books, and I bet The Man in the Moon will be equally as thrilling.

(Learn more about it here.)

If You Need More Ideas...

2011-07-03T04:01:00.000-07:00

Here's another back to school book that I'll be adding to my collection. I can't believe I forgot about this one:

If You Take a Mouse to School
Written by Laura Numeroff,
Illustrated by Felicia Bond

If you take a mouse to school, he'll ask you for your lunch box. When you give him your lunch box, he'll want a sandwich to go in it. Then he'll need a notebook and some pencils. He'll probably want to share your backpack, too . . .

(Wouldn't it be fun if there was a little mouse lunch box?)

He's a seriously cute little guy!

Back to School in July

2011-06-28T05:30:00.000-07:00

Remember my post about this year's back to school picture books? Here are three more to check out:

Peanut Butter and Homework Sandwiches
Written by Lisa Broadie Cook
Illustrations by Jack E. Davis

Martin MacGregor is having one rotten week! First, his substitute teacher, Mrs. Payne, gives out mountains of homework. And when Martin's dog literally eats his homework, little does he know it's only the beginning of his troubles. Martin's homework ends up in the washing machine, goes to kindergarten with his little sister, and blows onto the roof of the school. Martin just can't catch a break!

But with some creativity and a positive attitude, Martin finds his own way to turn homework into fun-and turn it in on time!

Next up...

Math is a weak area in today’s education, so this new title from Charlesbridge looks like a fun way to help students improve on a variety of concepts:

Eat Your Math Homework by Ann McCallum
Illustrations by Leeza Hernandez

This collection of yummy recipes and fun math facts is sure to tempt taste buds and make you hungry for more. Explore patterns in nature while you chomp on Fibonacci Stack Sticks. Amaze your friends with delicious Variable Pizza Pi! Wash down your geometry assignment with some Milk and Tangram Cookies.

And one more for your back to school needs...

Skippyjon Jones, Class Action
Written and Illustrated by Judy Schachner

Skippyjon Jones really wants to go to school. School is for dogs, his mama tells him. It's where they go to get trained. But nothing can stop Skippy-once inside his closet, he finds himself on the playground of his imagination, surrounded by dogs of all kinds. He bays with the beagles, learns French with the poodles, and checks out a Chihuahua book from the library. And when a bully starts sending shiver-itos down the spines of the little yippers, Skippy saves the day and earns the biggest gold star.

(Click here to view the book trailer.)

Chau for now!

Interstellar Tall Tale

2011-06-25T19:33:00.000-07:00

Transmitting new data via the communications subsystem.

5 ... 4 ... 3 ... 2 ... 1

The Boy Who Cried Alien by Marilyn Singer
Illustrations by Brian Biggs

A “silent movie” in poems about Larry the Liar, a spaceship, and a town.

I'm so on board for this ride!

(Hyperion, 2012)

SCBWI FL Mid-Year Workshop and Intensives

2011-06-23T05:17:00.000-07:00

When: June 24-25, 2011 (Friday and Saturday)
Location: Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

The online registration for this amazing event is posted on the SCBWI Florida website. Check out the schedule:

Three Intensives on Friday, June 24, 2011

Picture Book: with Alexandra Penfold, editor with Paula Wiseman Books at Simon & Schuster BFYR, and children's author, Lisa Wheeler for a one-day picture book writing extravaganza.

Novel: with Michele Burke, editor at Knopf BFYR, authors: Kathleen Duey and Marjetta Geerling for an intense novel writing experience.

Illustrator’s Intensive: with Lucy Cummins, associate art director with Simon & Schuster BFYR, Priscilla Burris, SCBWI National Illustrator Coordinator, and author/illustrator, Linda Shute for a one-day event for committed illustrators who wish to hone their craft through hands-on activities and discussion.

Five Workshop Tracks on Saturday, June 25, 2011

Picture Books: with Priscilla Burris, SCBWI National Illustrator Coordinator, Emma Dryden of drydenbks consulting, Alan Katz, children's book author, and Alexandra Penfold, editor with Paula Wiseman Books at Simon & Schuster BFYR,

Middle Grade: with Gordon Korman, author, and Joanna Stampfel-Volpe, agent with Nancy Coffey Literary & Media Representation.

Young Adult: with Michelle Burke, editor at Knopf BFYR, and Kathleen Duey, author.

Poetry: with Award winning author and editor, Lee Bennett Hopkins, and Kristin Daly Rens, editor at Balzer + Bray an imprint of HarperCollins.

Digital Media: with Emma Dryden, 25 year veteran in children's publishing, drydenbks consulting, Rubin Pfeffer, agent with East West Literary Agency, Curtis Sponsler, mad scientist and animator of AniMill, and author/mentor Joyce Sweeney, as Moderator. Stay in front of the rapidly advancing digitalization in children's publishing with this workshop covering: eBooks, book trailers, picture book apps, electronic rights, and more.

Starts tomorrow!

Breaking News!

2011-06-11T03:05:00.000-07:00

Ladies and gentlemen, we interrupt our regularly scheduled program to make an important announcement. The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch:

Otis and the Tornado by Loren Long
(Sep 6, 2011)

Otis and his farm friends are enjoying a summer's day playing their favorite game, follow-the-leader. The bull, however, has no interest in playing and stays in his pen, where he delights in intimidating the other animals.

Suddenly the day turns frightening: the birds stop chirping, the wind picks up, and the sky turns dark and stormy. It's a tornado Otis rouses a game of follow-the-leader to get all of the farm animals safe and sound in the dried-up riverbanks of Mud Creek. But Otis hears a cry in the distance— it's the bull, still locked in his pen Quick as his tires will take him, Otis putt puff puttedy chuffs back to the farm to save the day.

Make room in the shelter, darlings!

Summer Reading Part II

2011-06-09T04:17:00.000-07:00

(Read Part I here.)

Picture books are a staple in my personal library, but I also enjoy reading the occasional middle grade novel. You’ll note quite a few of them on this summer's book order:

The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo
Illustrations by Yoko Tanaka

What if? Why not? Could it be?

When a fortuneteller's tent appears in the market square of the city of Baltese, orphan Peter Augustus Duchene knows the questions that he needs to ask: Does his sister still live? And if so, how can he find her?

(Read the full description here.)

Kate DiCamillo is such a talented author. I have several of her books in my collection:

The Tale of Despereaux is one of my favorites!

I blogged about Mercy Watson here.

Note: I’ll eventually pick up The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane too. Cheers!

Next up...

Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears
A West African Tale

Written by Verna Aardema
Illustrations by Diane Dillon

A retelling of a traditional West African tale that reveals how the mosquito developed its annoying habit.

(1976 Caldecott Medal Winner)

I've wanted this picture book for a long time!

And lastly...

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

Orphan, Clock keeper, and thief, Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity. But when his world suddenly interlocks with an eccentric, bookish girl and a bitter old man who runs a toy booth in the station, Hugo's undercover life, and his most precious secret, are put in jeopardy.

(2008 Caldecott Medal Winner)

Note: Brian Selznick's illustrations for The Meanest Doll in the World were fun too. Read what I wrote about it here.

Funny, I didn’t realize how eclectic my literary tastes were until putting together this post. I wonder what these books say about me? Heh.

Summer Reading

2011-06-06T09:10:00.000-07:00

What's on your list? Mine is quite long, so there will be several installments to this post. First up, I can't wait to get my trembling hands on Dan Santat's new graphic novel:

Sidekicks by Dan Santat

Look up in the sky! It's a BOLD new graphic novel about SUPERHERO PETS!

Captain Amazing, superhero and savior of Metro City, is getting old. He's out all hours battling arch-villains, catching thieves, and helping little old ladies cross the street. He doesn't even have time for his house full of pets. He needs… a sidekick!

Holy Tender Vittles, Captain Amazing!

Lost & Found: Three by Shaun Tan

A collection of three jaw-dropping stories from New York Times bestselling author and illustrator Shaun Tan

A girl finds a bright spot in a dark world. A boy leads a strange, lost creature home. And a group of peaceful creatures cedes their home to cruel invaders. Shaun Tan, with his understated voice and brilliant draftsmanship proved that he has a unique imaginative window to our souls, and an unparalleled ability to share that opening with pictures and narratives that are as unexpected as they are deeply true.

Blackout by John Rocco

After a neighborhood blackout, a family feels what it’s like to not be so busy for once. But when the electricity is restored, everything can go back to normal...but not everyone likes normal.

Talk about a hot summer. Gzzzk!

Von, Two, Three, Four!

2011-05-24T06:49:00.000-07:00

Ah, that’s FOUR. Four giggly-ghoulish counting books:

Little Goblins Ten by Pamela Jane
Illustrations by Jane Manning

Over in the forest
Where the trees hide the sun
Lived a big mommy monster
And her little monster one.
"Scare!" said the mommy;
"I scare," said the one.
So he scared and he scampered
Where the trees hide the sun.

From monsters to ghosties to goblins, everyone's favorite beasties haunt and howl and rattle their way through their forest home in this silly, spooky twist on the beloved nursery rhyme "Over in the Meadow."

Pamela Jane is the author of this fabulous book too:

(I have a signed copy.)

The 13 Nights of Halloween by Guy Vasilovich

On the first night of Halloween, what does your mummy give you? A bright, shiny Skeleton Key, of course!

In fact, for each of the thirteen nights leading up to the big night, your mummy is ready with gifts that include everything from singing skulls to demons dancing to icky eyeballs. The spookier and slimier, the better!

Ten Little Beasties By Ed Emberley and Rebecca Emberley

If there's one thing beasties love to do, it's dance! When one little beastie is joined by two little, three little, and more little beasties, we count UP until there's a party on the page. But when one of the little beastie starts trouble, it's time to start counting DOWN.

Count, Dagmar! by J.otto Seibold

Enables you to help Dagmar get ready for his party by helping him count friendly skeletons, silly monsters, and playful ghosts.

And we know how much I love little Dagmar:

And COUNTING:

"AH AH AH!"

Coming Soon!

2011-05-22T05:23:00.000-07:00

July will be a hot month for back to school picture books, and here are two that I plan to purchase:

The Gingerbread Man Loose in the School
Written by Laura Murray
Illustrations by Mike Lowery

When a class leaves for recess, their just-baked Gingerbread Man is left behind. But he's a smart cookie and heads out to find them. He'll run, slide, skip, and (after a mishap with a soccer ball) limp as fast as he can because: "I can catch them! I'm their Gingerbread Man!"

(Includes a poster with fun activities!)

Laura Murray is a member of my critique group, Sunshine State Critiques. Here’s a photo of us at the 2011 SCBWI Florida Regional Conference in Miami:

She’s an incredibly talented author, and you are going to thoroughly enjoy her book. I’ll be having a giveaway this summer, so stay tuned!

Next up...

A new Pete the Cat book:

Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes
Written by Eric Litwin
Illustrations by James Dean

(No description yet.)

And check out thier new video:

My grandbaby loves it!

May's Epic Book Order

2011-05-15T05:59:00.000-07:00

Children’s Book Week ended with a huge BANG! Here’s what I ordered:

The Boy Who Cried Wolf by B. G. Hennessy
Illustrations by Boris Kulikov

"Nothing ever happens here," the shepherd thinks. But the bored boy knows what would be exciting: He cries that a wolf is after his sheep, and the town's people come running. How often can that trick work, though?

Tuck Me In! by Dean Hacohen
Illustrations by Sherry Scharschmidt

The stars are out. The moon is rising. All the baby animals, from peacocks to pigs to zebras, are ready for bed. Will you tuck them in and say good night? Just turn the pages and the big inviting flaps that serve as blankets cover each little creature up to its chin.

A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead
Illustrations by Erin Stead

Friends come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. In Amos McGee’s case, all sorts of species, too! Every day he spends a little bit of time with each of his friends at the zoo, running races with the tortoise, keeping the shy penguin company, and even reading bedtime stories to the owl. But when Amos is too sick to make it to the zoo, his animal friends decide it’s time they returned the favor.

Three Little Kittens by Jerry Pinkney

Young children all know the Mother Goose rhyme of the kittens who have lost their mittens, but they've never seen it illustrated with so much energy, beauty, and flair. Preschoolers will delight in these cuddly kittens as they frolic outside in the falling leaves, get their whiskers sticky while eating a just-baked apple pie, and do the washing-up under Mama Cat's watchful gaze.

(Pinkney talks about the Three Little Kittens here.)

The Lion & the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney

In award-winning artist Jerry Pinkney's wordless adaptation of one of Aesop's most beloved fables, an unlikely pair learn that no act of kindness is ever wasted. After a ferocious lion spares a cowering mouse that he'd planned to eat, the mouse later comes to his rescue, freeing him from a poacher's trap.

(Pinkney talks about The Lion & the Mouse here.)

Clink by Kelly Dipucchio
Illustrations by Matthew Myers

Clink was a state-of-the-art robot with the dazzling ability to make toast and play music at the same time. But that was many years ago.

(I blogged about Clink here.)

Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night
Written by Joyce Sidman
Illustrations by Rick Allen

Come feel the cool and shadowed breeze,
come smell your way among the trees,
come touch rough bark and leathered leaves:
Welcome to the night.

(I blogged about this one here.)

The Real Story of Stone Soup
Written and Illustrated by Ying Chang Compestine

A stingy fisherman always makes his three young helpers do all his work. One day he scolds the “lazy boys” for forgetting to provide lunch. “Don’t worry,” they say. “We can make stone soup.”

The Spider and the Fly by Mary Howitt
Illustrations by Tony DiTerlizzi

"'Will you walk into my parlor,'
said the Spider to the Fly..."

(Listen to the story here.)

Cloud Tea Monkeys by Mal Peet
Illustrator: Juan Wijngaard
Co-author: Elspeth Graham

Tashi lives in a tiny village at the foot of the mountains, below the tea plantations where her mother works. When her mother falls ill, Tashi goes alone to the plantation, hoping to earn money for the doctor. But she is far too small to harvest the tender shoots, and her clumsy efforts anger the cruel Overseer. She is desolate, until -- chack-chack-chack! -- something extraordinary happens.

Jacques and de Beanstalk by Mike Artell
Illustrations by Jim Harris

I don’ know fo’ sure if dat story is true,
But down where de Cajuns live on de bayou,
When dey tell dem stories, dey shore like to talk
About dat boy Jacques and his magic beanstalk.

You know the classic story of Jack and the Beanstalk, but you’ve never heard it like this before. Told in Cajun dialect with a distinct bayou flair, this book is perfect for reading aloud.

Fu Finds The Way by John Rocco

When the warrior Chang challenges young Fu to a duel, Fu panics. His only hope is that the Master will train him, just as he's trained all the young warriors of the village. But instead of teaching Fu to fight, the Master teaches him to pour tea.

(View the book trailer here.)

My Friend Rabbit by Eric Rohmann

When Mouse lets his best friend, Rabbit, play with his brand-new airplane, trouble isn't far behind. From Caldecott Honor award winner Eric Rohmann comes a brand-new picture book about friends and toys and trouble, illustrated in robust, expressive prints.

(Grandbaby is going to love this one!)

Did you happen to notice how many books I ordered? Thirteen, to be exact. And I received the shipping notification on Friday the 13th. Coincidence? Cheers!

Children’s Book Week Wrap-Up

2011-05-14T10:59:00.000-07:00

(Apologies for the delay, but Blogger was down for maintenance.)

I hope you took full advantage of Children's Book Week. My grandbaby and I read stacks of picture books each day. Here were two of his favorites:

Can you guess what they are?

(I blogged about them here and here.)

Happy Reading!

Children's Book Week Continued...

2011-05-06T01:22:00.000-07:00

(Click here for the official website.)

I had an activity planned for today's post, but then I discovered a beautiful poem on the Children's Authors Network:

BOOKS

If I could use
the books I've read,
like building blocks,
they'd stretch ahead--

a road to travel,
river of rhyme,
flight of fancy,
bridge over time.

No feet or boat,
no plane or car
could ever take me
quite so far.

Books stay by me
in joy, in strife,
and one by one,
books change my life.

© 2002 Joan Bransfield Graham

Have a lovely weekend!

Read, Write, and Celebrate!

2011-05-02T16:31:00.000-07:00

Children’s Book Week
May 2-8, 2011

Here’s an excerpt from the official website:

Children's Book Week is the national celebration of books and reading for youth.

Since 1919, Children's Book Week has been celebrated countrywide with author & illustrator appearances, parties, storytelling, and other book-related events in schools, libraries, bookstores, clubs -- anywhere where kids and books connect.

They have fun activities and free goodies for those of us who plan to celebrate.

(Click here to learn more.)

And in other book related news…

Children’s author Paula Yoo is hosting National Picture Book Writing Week!

This exciting event began at midnight on Sunday May 1, 2011 and it will end at 11:59 p.m. on Saturday May 7, 2011.

Here’s your challenge:

Write 7 complete and separate picture books in one week. Each picture book must have a clear beginning, middle, and end. There is no required minimum word count because picture book lengths can vary from 50 words to 2000 words, depending on the genre.

(Click here to learn more.)

Don't forget to visit Paula’s NaPiBoWriWee-centric blog each day for writing advice, encouragement, and author interviews, etc.

And check out Paula's gorgeous books: Good Enough, Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds: The Sammy Lee Story, and Shining Star: The Anna May Wong Story.

WOOT!

Picture Book Peek Week #11

2011-04-25T04:59:00.000-07:00

It's a Petunia Popping Picture Book Peek Week!

Win a FREE critique of a selected picture book manuscript from children's author Jean Reidy. Here’s a snippet from her blog:

Sign up for a critique by entering your picture book WORKING TITLE in the comment section of Jean’s blog post anytime (midnight to midnight Mountain Time) on April 25th. Titles submitted before or after April 25th will not be considered.

Click here for more details.

Also, check out Jean’s new picture book. The cover is magic:

Light Up the Night Written by Jean Reidy
Illustrations by Margaret Chodos-Irvine

As he’s settling down for bed, a young boy embarks on an adventure—to the stars, around his planet, across the country, down his street and right back to bed—all in his imagination, without ever leaving the comfort and security of his room.

And be on the lookout for these fun titles:

There's a Corner in My House
(Hyperion)

Too Princessy!
(Bloomsbury)

All Through the Town
(Bloomsbury)

Jean's first two books are a blast too:

Too Purpley! by Jean Reidy
Illustrations by Geneviève Leloup

Too purpley, too tickly, too puckery, too prickly!

There is not a single outfit in the closet that our little fashion plate wants to wear. She tries on everything, but nothing is quite right. And the outfits are getting wilder by the minute!

Too Pickley! by Jean Reidy
Illustrations by Geneviève Leloup

Too wrinkly, too squishy, too fruity, too fishy!

It's lunchtime, but our fussy little boy does not like a single item on his plate. What is a boy to eat?

Too cute!

Note: The contest deadline is today. Good luck!

Happy Easter!

2011-04-24T04:51:00.000-07:00

I said a hip hop the hippie the hippie to the hip hip hop…

Looking for something different for Easter? I put together a book basket for my grandbaby. Here’s a snapshot:

You will need these craft items:

White or Cream Basket
A large, clear Plastic Bag
Pink or Pastel Grass
White or Pink Tissue Paper
Green Ribbon—1 ½” wide
Pink Ribbon—1” wide
Twist Tie

I purchased the books and plush dolls at Barnes & Noble:

The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
Illustrations by Robyn Officer

Guess How Much I Love you by Sam McBratney
Illustrations by Anita Jeram

Instructions:

Stuff the basket with tissue paper, and then cover the tissue with pink grass. Place the books toward the back of the basket and tuck the plush dolls in front. Add more grass after the arrangement is in place. Slip the plastic bag over the basket and use a garbage twist tie to seal. Tie with pink and green ribbon.

(Note: I cut the ribbon after tying the bow, so there’s no waste.)

Also, make sure you snip the ribbon as pictured for a professional appearance.

This type of gift could be for any occasion or age group. Just swap out the books and trinkets accordingly. Next month, I’ll be making something for my dad’s birthday and Mother’s Day, so stay tuned for more ideas.

Happy Earth Weekend!

2011-04-22T08:16:00.000-07:00

Because one day isn’t enough…

Are you looking for ways to celebrate? Why not meet with family and friends at your local National Park? Or you can show your support for America’s treasures by joining the National Parks Conservation Society.

And let’s not forget about books, and other fun activities:

The Children’s Book Council has a list of picture books posted on their website. Click here for the link.

Kaboose™ has Earth Day coloring pages, ideas for recycled crafts, articles on green & organic food, quizzes, games, and more. How cool is that?

I'm thinking about making those Tin Can Herb Pots. Cheers!

Are We Alone?

2011-04-19T15:02:00.000-07:00

“If, in fact, we are able to find life or to answer the question 'Are we alone?' then that certainly is grand enough and noble enough to be the enduring legacy of our civilization.”~ NASA, October 1999

Flash forward to April 19, 2011...

I have discovered hard evidence that suggests we are not alone. Check out these new picture books:

Earth to Clunk by Pam Smallcomb
Illustrations by Joe Berger

What do you send your alien pen pal Clunk to make it clear you do not want an alien pen pal? You send him your big sister.

(Read the full description here.)

The Three Little Aliens and the Big Bad Robot
Written by Margaret McNamara

Illustrations by Mark Fearing

GREEP BOINK MEEP!

The three little aliens are happily settling into their new homes when the Big Bad Robot flies in to crack and smack and whack their houses down! A chase across the solar system follows in this out-of-this-world version of the classic Three Little Pigs tale.

Aliens Love Underpants by Claire Freedman

Illustrations by Ben Cort

When little aliens fly down to Earth, they don’t come to visit because they want to meet the Earthlings. They simply want to steal everybody’s underpants!

Their spaceship’s radar bleeps and blinks

The moment that it sees

A washing line of underpants
All flapping in the breeze.

(And there's a 7" Aliens Love Underpants Doll too!)

Case closed.

Could it Be?

2011-04-15T15:59:00.000-07:00

Four failed attempts to post last night. What is up with Blogger? Let's try this one more time...

Remember my post about Harry and Horsie by Katie Van Camp? Well, now there’s a second adventure for you and me to enjoy. This latest installment looks equally delicious:

CookieBot!: A Harry and Horsie Adventure

Written by Katie Van Camp

Illustrations by Lincoln Agnew

The Problem: Harry and Horsie want cookies, but the jar is way out of reach.

The Solution: Build CookieBot—the most amazing cookie-grabbing robot ever!

What could go wrong?

(A seriously fantastic cover, people!)

On sale 5/31/2011

Cheers!

April is National Poetry Month

2011-04-10T07:28:00.000-07:00

Come feel the cool and shadowed breeze,
come smell your way among the trees,
come touch rough bark and leathered leaves:
Welcome to the night.

I’m celebrating National Poetry Month by ordering Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night by Joyce Sidman. Who could resist the charming invitation of Sidman’s prose, and Rick Allen’s distinctive illustrations:

Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night by Joyce Sidman
Illustrations by Rick Allen

I have one word for this picture book—timeless.

Note: I have a manuscript that would be perfect for Rick Allen! Hey, I can dream. It's allowed. LOL!

Clink

2011-04-08T10:34:00.000-07:00

by Kelly DiPucchio, illustrated by Matthew Myers

Clink was a state-of-the-art robot with the dazzling ability to make toast and play music at the same time. But that was many years ago. (Read the full description here.)

I saw this book trailer posted on Facebook and it blew me away:

Matthew Myers' ability to make inanimate objects look human reminds me of Loren Long’s depiction of Otis. Remember that poor little tractor being parked behind the barn? Putt puff puttedy chuff. Oh, how we sympathized with his plight:

And now I’m very worried about Clink. What will become of his rusty dusty parts? I must pick up this title and see how he fares:

Kelly DiPucchio is the author of Dinosnores, What’s the Magic Word?, and Alfred Zector, Book Collector.

Matthew Myers has two more books coming out soon: Tyrannosaurus Dad and A is for Muskox.

When a Dragon Moves In

2011-04-07T06:52:00.000-07:00

Jodi Moore's debut picture book is out now! Here’s a portion of one review on Publishers Weekly:

Fans of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie and its sequels should enjoy how debut author Moore, channeling an imaginative boy at the beach with his family, muses upon the consequences of having a bright red dragon take up lodging in his sand castle. At first it's all fun and games ("...you'll have a built-in marshmallow toaster"), with a little subterfuge thrown in (since there's no smoking on the beach, "you'll have to hide his smoke from the lifeguard"). But as the day wears on, the fantasy begins to impinge on others. (Read more here.)

I picked up my copy last month:

When a Dragon Moves In by Jodi Moore

Illustrations by Howard McWilliam

If you build a perfect sandcastle, a dragon will move in.

(Read an interview with Jodi Moore here.)

Getting back to the review, I also have If You Give a Mouse a Cookie in my picture book library, but it wasn’t my first thought after reading When a Dragon Moves In. I do see the comparison, though:

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Joffe Numeroff

Illustrations by Felicia Bond

(Read the full description here.)

It’s interesting how reading experiences affect each of us differently. I focused more on the imaginary scapegoat theme, and it reminded me of another favorite:

The Django by Levi Pinfold

In this fictional story inspired by the famous jazz musician Jean "Django" Reinhardt, a young boy named Jean meets a special character called the Django. He’s fun and exciting, but he always gets Jean into trouble.

Have you read this one yet? It's a bit darker than When a Dragon Moves In, but I think both of these books are a super fun read—especially for boys. Pinfold and McWilliam are two of my favorite illustrators, and they did an outstanding job capturing the mood of each story. Cheers!

Fancy Nancy

2011-03-26T09:42:00.000-07:00

Companion Books Part VI

(Here are the links to Part I, II, III, IV, and V.)

I’ll be highlighting my March book over the next few days, but Fancy Nancy also fits nicely into a series of posts I’ve been writing about companion books. I haven’t even scratched the surface of this subject matter. There are so many successful characters in this aspect of children's books: Skippy jon Jones, Olivia, The Berenstain Bears, Splat the Cat, Pinkalicious, Curious George, Bad Kitty, Little Wombat, and the list goes on. And yes, I have all of these. LOL!

Here’s my latest investment:

Fancy Nancy by Jane O'Connor
Illustrations by Robin Preiss Glasser

Meet Nancy, who believes that more is ALWAYS better when it comes to being fancy. From the top of her tiara down to her sparkly studded shoes, Nancy is determined to teach her family a thing or two about being fancy.

Note: I put Fancy Nancy next to Too Purpley! since "fuchsia" is her favorite colour. This is a fun picture book for big girls too.

Fancy Nancy: Bonjour Butterfly by Jane O'Connor
Illustrations by Robin Preiss Glasser

Nancy thinks butterflies are simply exquisite. And that is why she can't wait for her friend Bree's Butterfly Birthday. It's going to be the fanciest birthday party ever! But when Nancy finds out she can't go because her grandparents' fiftieth anniversary party is the same day, she is furious. (Mad is way too plain for how she feels.) Will Nancy be able to overcome her disappointment?

This is my favorite Fancy Nancy book out of the series. The body language in this story is hilarious—and so true to how children behave. OMG, it’s so darn funny! Well, not to Fancy Nancy, though.

I also picked up a Fancy Nancy doll. There were several to choose from, but this one looks most like the character. The Madame Alexander packaging is a collector’s dream come true.

Note: Illustrators should check out this book!

Fancy Nancy: Aspiring Artist by Jane O'Connor
Illustrations by Robin Preiss Glasser

It's spring vacation, and Nancy is feeling glum because her best friend, Bree, is out of town. Luckily, it's Nancy's mom to the rescue! When she brings home a brand-new set of glitter markers, Nancy puts her trademark flair to très creative use and devotes herself to becoming a serious artist (or artiste, as the French say). After all, everything about being an artist is fancy, fancy, fancy—especially when inspiration strikes!

I enjoyed seeing artists like Edgar Degas and Claude Monet included in this picture book. This story would be such a clever way for parents and teachers to include a little art history before handing out the sketch pads. I also think it will boost the confidence of many children who find art intimidating. I've actually had students that were deathly afraid of blank paper and crayons.

A personal note on this series...

I always worry about successful characters becoming too commercialized, but the Fancy Nancy books are absolutely charming. Each edition makes me yearn to read the next. The dust will never settle on her shelf. Cheers!

(See a complete list of titles here.)

March Book Order

2011-03-23T08:49:00.000-07:00

Here's the breakdown of this month's favorites:

Where’s Walrus? by Stephen Savage
When a Dragon Moves In by Jodi Moore
Illustrations by Howard McWilliam
Fancy Nancy by Jane O’Connor
Illustrations by Robin Preiss Glasser
Fancy Nancy: Aspiring Artist by Jane O'Connor
Illustrations by Robin Preiss Glasser
Fancy Nancy: Bonjour, Butterfly by Jane O'Connor
Illustrations by Robin Preiss Glasser

Picked up a Fancy Nancy doll too.

I am delighted! That’s a fancy word for pleased.

(More about these fun titles in a future post.)

The New York Times® Best Seller List

2011-03-20T10:41:00.000-07:00

I’ve added this link to the sidebar of my blog. Have you checked out the current list of best-selling picture books? Here it is:

Silverlicious by Victoria Kann
A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead
Illustrations by Erin E. Stead
Lego Star Wars by Simon Beecroft
Of Thee I Sing by Barack Obama
Illustrations by Loren Long
Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein
When I Grow Up by Al Yankovic
Illustrations by Wes Hargis
Aspiring Artist by Jane O'Connor
Illustrations by Robin Preiss Glasser
I Broke My Trunk! by Mo Willems
Art and Max by David Wiesner
It’s a Book by Lane Smith

I ordered Aspiring Artist last week, and I'm dying to get my hands on A Sick Day for Amos McGee. Which titles strike a chord with you?

SECOND SIGHT by Cheryl Klein

2011-03-16T04:38:00.000-07:00

An Editor’s Talks on Writing, Revising, and Publishing
Books for Children and Young Adults

I read lots of posts online from new writers who want to learn more about the craft, and this is the perfect book for you. Here’s a clip from Cheryl Klein’s website:

Whether you dream of writing a book for children or young adults, or you want to take a finished manuscript to the next level, it always helps to get a fresh point of view. Try a little Second Sight.

Click here to learn more. I'll be placing my order this week. Cheers!

Note: Cheryl Klein has a fantastic blog too: http://chavelaque.blogspot.com/

80th Annual Writers Digest WRITING COMPETITION

2011-03-16T04:35:00.000-07:00

They are giving away more than $30,000 in cash and prizes!

Here's a snippet from their website:

GRAND PRIZE: $3,000 cash and a trip to New York City to meet with editors or agents. Writer's Digest will fly you and a guest to The Big Apple for the conference. While you're there, a Writer's Digest editor will arrange for you to meet and share your work with four editors or agents!

Deadline: May 2, 2011.

Click here to view the categories and details. Good luck!

Mo Willems on Writing Picture Books and Early Readers

2011-03-09T05:16:00.000-08:00

Companion Books Part V

(Here are links to Part I, II, III, and IV.)

Mo Willems is the highly successful author and illustrator of several picture book and early reader series. Check out a portion of his impressive list:

Pigeon Series:

Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! (Caldecott Honor, 2004)
Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late!
The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog!
The Pigeon Has Feelings, Too!
The Pigeon Loves Things That Go!
The Pigeon Wants a Puppy

Knuffle Bunny Series:

Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale (Caldecott Honor 2005)
Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity (Caldecott Honor 2008)
Knuffle Bunny Free: an Unexpected Diversion

Elephant and Piggie Series:

Today I Will Fly!
My Friend is Sad
There is Bird on Your Head!
I Am Invited to a Party!
I Will Surprise my Friend!
I Love My New Toy!
Are You Ready to Play Outside?
Watch Me Throw the Ball!
Pigs Make Me Sneeze!
Elephants Cannot Dance!
I Am Going!
Can I Play Too?
We Are In a Book!
I Broke My Trunk!
Should I Share My Ice Cream?

Cat the Cat Series:

Cat the Cat, Who Is That?
Let's Say Hi to Friends Who Fly
What's Your Sound, Hound the Hound?
Time to Sleep, Sheep the Sheep!

(I haven't read this one yet, but here's a fun video: Meet Mo Willems and Cat the Cat.)

Note: The Elephant & Piggie series is my grandson's favorite, though I wonder if it's because we play "This Little Piggie" on his toes. LOL! Here's a snapshot from my library:

I also have these titles in my collection:

So why is Mo Willems such a successful children's book author and illustrator? Here are a few pointers from the man himself. Click here.

Contest Winner Announced!

2011-03-05T05:33:00.000-08:00

First, I want to thank everyone who entered the Contest for Madeline Fans. I had a wonderful time sharing the highlights of John Bemelmans Marciano’s recent book signing at the Page & Palette in Fairhope, Alabama. You can see a list of his tour dates here, and he also has a Facebook page for upcoming events here.

Note: Did you know that Madeline has a website too? There are lots of fascinating facts and a fan club for little ones! Click here for the link.

And now, let's see who the winner of the contest is...

Congratulations, Melanie Hope Greenberg. You are the winner! Please contact me, so I can mail you a signed copy of Madeline at the White House by John Bemelmans Marciano. I'm sure it will be a treasure for years to come.

Happy Reading, Everyone!

Contest for Madeline Fans!

2011-02-26T07:45:00.000-08:00

How would you like to win a signed copy of Madeline at the White House?

I went to Fairhope, Alabama last week and attended a book signing for the multi-talented author and illustrator John Bemelmans Marciano. (You can learn more about him here.) And yes, I picked up an extra copy that he signed for one lucky winner—and it could be you!

First things first, though...

The Page & Palette is my favorite independent bookstore, and I want to commend them for doing such an outstanding job hosting this author event. I also want to add that John Bemelmans Marciano was an absolute pleasure to meet. He was very accommodating to all of his adoring fans, young and old. I do hope you will have the opportunity to meet him in the near future. I know he is on tour right now, so check your local listings.

Here are a few snapshots from last Saturday:

Totally cool sign in the store window!

And here's the new Madeline book:

Madeline at the White House

By John Bemelmans Marciano

Madeline and friends are off to enjoy a wonderful American adventure. The White House in Washington, D.C., is their destination, where they are the guests of the president's lonely only daughter for the annual Easter Egg Roll.

This book is based on an idea that Ludwig Bemelmans was working on when he died in 1962. I like how John Bemelmans Marciano included a secret service agent for Miss Penelope Randall. LOL! Details are so important. (View the book trailer here.)

And on a funny note...

The political climate has been less than optimistic lately, so it’s about time there was something positive about the White House. Now if we can just get the Democrats and Republicans to lighten up. Maybe they could roll Easter eggs with spoons versus casting votes? I'd buy a ticket!

I also purchased these fun titles:

Madeline Loves Animals
Written and Illustrated by John Bemelmans Marciano

Come along with Madeline as she feeds breadcrumbs to the birds, shares a pot of tea with the elephant, and shows the tiger that she is not afraid.

Note: I’m thoroughly impressed that a Madeline story could be made into this type of format. It's bright and entertaining for little boys and girls. Cheers! I was originally going to buy this for my grandson, but ended up getting it signed for me. I feel so guilty—NOT. Hahahaha!

Madeline and the Cats of Rome
Written and Illustrated by John Bemelmans Marciano

The Paris skies are gray and gloomy, so Miss Clavel and the twelve little girls set out to find the sun. The time has come for spring in Rome! There are glorious sights to see and delicious pasta to eat, and of course the intrepid Madeline finds herself in the midst of an adventure, one involving a thief, a chase, and many, many cats.

I know two secrets about this book, but you'll have to catch the author on tour to learn what they are. LOL! This is my favorite picture book out of the entire series. I enjoyed seeing the sites of Rome, and who doesn't crave a little mystery and adventure?

Here's a photo of John Bemelmans Marciano reading from one of his Madeline books. Wish I had jotted down some of the children's observations. They were an incredibly smart bunch! It was also quite fascinating listening to the history of each story, and learning why certain details were included in the illustrations. Good times!

And check out the goodies everyone enjoyed after the reading:

(I thought this was a delicious surprise for patrons.)

I was third or fourth in line to get my books signed, and here's the lovely lady behind me. She brought an original painting by Ludwig Bemelmans to share with his grandson, John Bemelmans Marciano. I appreciate her allowing these photos:

Small world, eh?

Here's a close-up!

(And she had this rare edition book to boot.)

As you can see, it was a very exciting day for everyone in attendance, but most of all me. I collect picture books, and these treasures have their very own shelf in my office.

And now let's move on to the contest:

It's simple to enter. Type your legal name in the comments section of this post, and tell me what your favorite Madeline book is—and why. Spread the news about this contest via blogs, online forums, Twitter, or Facebook. Also, please number yourselves consecutively, so I don't go blind counting the entries. LOL!

Note: You may enter once.

This contest opens now and closes at midnight on Friday, March 4, 2011 (Central Time Zone). Random Number Generator will select the lucky winner of Madeline at the White House on Saturday, March 5, 2011.

Have a great weekend and good luck!

Suprise Package!

2011-02-12T08:54:00.000-08:00

First, I’m sending a huge thank you to David Franklin for helping me troubleshoot the YouTube video situation. The screen was getting cut off on the right side of this blog for the past several months, but now I’m able to successfully load book trailers again. David Franklin is the talented artist who made the Where’s Walrus? video for author and illustrator Stephen Savage—they are two very nice fellows. Cheers!

And speaking of generous and talented people…

I also want to thank children’s book author Tara Lazar and Simon & Schuster editor Alyson Heller. My PiBoIdMo prize arrived the other day:

WOOT!

Louise the Big Cheese by Elise Primavera
Illustrations by Diane Goode

"Dream big" is Louise the Big Cheese's motto. But try though she might, she's just plain old Louise, no Cheese. (Read the full description here.)

Every little girl should own a copy of this book. There is so much to explore on each page. The artwork is absolutely amazing, and I actually love this character more than Eloise! (Maybe I should be whispering that.) View the interior spreads and listen to an interview with Elise Primavera and Diane Goode on the Simon & Schuster website. Click here.

Now, I've got to pick up a copy of Louise the Big Cheese and the La-di-da Shoes. Happy reading!

Valentine's Day Picture Book Peek Week

2011-02-08T05:15:00.000-08:00

Win a FREE critique of a selected picture book manuscript from children's author Jean Reidy. The contest begins February 14th!

Sign up for a critique by entering your picture book WORKING TITLE in the comment section of Jean’s blog post anytime (midnight to midnight Mountain Time) on February 14th. Titles submitted before or after February 14th will not be considered.

Click here for more details.

Good luck!!

More Spring Titles!

2011-02-03T04:42:00.001-08:00

Kevin Henkes is the author and illustrator of a long list of successful children’s books. Click on these links to view them: picture books, mouse books, and novels.

I’m most fond of his picture books for the very young. Remember Kitten's First Full Moon? It won a Caldecott medal back in 2005. I love the striking simple images, and little ones really respond to them too. Here’s a snapshot from my bookshelf:

Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes

What a night!
The moon is full.
Kitten is hungry
and inquisitive
and brave
and fast
and persistent
and unlucky . . .
then lucky!
What a night!

(Click here to learn more.)

And here's a brand new title from this talented author and illustrator. It’s fresh off the press:

Little White Rabbit by Kevin Henkes

One bright spring day a little white rabbit sets out from home on an adventure. What does he find? Look! Everything is new. Anything is possible…

(Click here to read the full description.)

Check out the book trailer:

Cute!

Spring Catalogues

2011-02-02T05:19:00.000-08:00

Wipe the frost off your nose and mosey on over to the sidebar of this blog. You’ll discover a list of children’s book publishers, and many of them are posting their spring catalogues. I can't think of a better way to ditch the winter blues, eh. There's an impressive list of titles to choose from this season, and here is one that I plan to order:

In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb by Marion Dane Bauer
Illustrations by Emily Arnold McCully

March comes in with a roar.
He rattles your windows
and scratches at your door.

(Read the full description here.)

Now let's see what's happening over at Candlewick Press.

Later!

Where's Walrus?

2011-01-30T15:36:00.000-08:00

I’m so excited that Stephen Savage has a new picture book! I haven't read Where's Walrus? yet, but it’s definitely going on my next book order. Check out the fun book trailer:

Where's Walrus? by Stephen Savage

A happy-go-lucky Walrus escapes the zoo in search of adventure in this wordless instant classic. (Read the full description here.)

My grandson is only fourteen months-old, but he’s incredibly smart and loves books. I think he’ll have a blast searching for Walrus—and me too. Cheers!

2011 SCBWI Florida Regional Conference Part III

2011-01-30T05:46:00.000-08:00

(Part I and Part II)

I attended two workshops on the last day of the conference:

9:00 – 10:30 AM Workshop 1

Erin Murphy and Audrey Vernick – Quiet Books: “Shhh!”

Erin Murphy founded the Erin Murphy Literary Agency in Flagstaff, Arizona in 1999. She works with publishers of all sizes all over the U.S., and has placed clients' books with every major children's house in New York and Boston, but she cut her teeth in regional publishing. She began her career at Northland Publishing/Rising Moon Books for Young Readers (a beloved decades-old Flagstaff company that was bought out in 2007), eventually becoming editor-in-chief, and was a member of the board of directors of PubWest, a professional development organization for small and mid-sized publishers in the West. (Click here to learn more.)

Note: Erin Murphy represents several of my favorite authors and bloggers: Robin LaFevers, Mary Hershey, Jean Reidy, and Audrey Vernick. Woot!

Audrey Vernick is the author of Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten?, Bark & Tim: A True Story of Friendship, Water Balloon (September 5, 2011), Teach Your Buffalo to Play Drums (June 20, 2011), and She Loved Baseball: The Effa Manley Story.

Check out the trailer for one of her picture books:

The illustrations are by Don Tate!

And now let's press on to the workshop...

Erin Murphy said that quiet books are often literary, but there are many ways to make them stand out in the current market. Here are a few examples that I managed to jot down. This is not a complete list, nor is it in any particular order:

Noticeable voice: Clementine by Sara Pennypacker, and The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson (Erin's favorite book!)
Look at the world that supports your character.
Up the stakes in quiet books: Story of a Girl by Sara Zarr and The Perks of being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Put your characters in unfamiliar or unusual surroundings: It's Raining Cupcakes by Lisa Schroeder, Penny Dreadful by Laurel Snyder, and Red Glass by Laura Resau
Play on your character's worst fears and/or flaws: Amazing Morning on Orange Street by Joanne Rocklin
What conflict threatens them most?
Glamorize the setting or situation: The President's Daughter by Ellen Emerson White

Excellent advice and so many fascinating books to check out. Kudos!

10:45 AM – 12:15 PM Workshop 2

Rubin Pfeffer – The Art (or Science) of Picture Book Submission

Rubin Pfeffer joined the East/West Literary Agency in December, 2009, as a partner and established the Boston base of the agency. He works with such luminary talents as David Diaz, Patricia MacLachlan, Richard Jesse Watson, Jesse Joshua Watson, Jeff Mack, and a host of other published and new talents. He serves as a judge of NAPPA’s (National Parenting Publications Awards) annual round-up of best children’s books of the year. (Click here to learn more.)

Note: I just realized two days ago that Rubin Pfeffer also represents Marion Dane Bauer. She’s one of my favorite picture book authors. Woot! I also have one of her picture books and it’s gorgeous:

The Longest Night by Marion Dane Bauer
Illustrations by Ted Lewin

The snow lies deep. All through the forest, animals long for dawn’s warmth on the longest night of the year. Strong and clever creatures boast that only they can bring back the sun. But the wind knows better.

(Ironic twist of fate that this particular book fits so nicely into the theme of this blog post. LOL!)

And now back to my notes...

Rubin Pfeffer’s editorial background and passion for picture books is what made this workshop so informative. The highlight was a list of questions that writers should ask themselves before submitting a picture book manuscript:

Who is the manuscript for?
Is it emotionally engaging?
Does it meet a child’s needs?
Does it have a highly creative concept?
Does it use clever evocative language?
Does it have a compelling narrative arc?
Does your manuscript have strong pacing? Is it fun to turn the page?
Does the word count leave room for visuals?
Are the characters memorable?
Is this a story children will want to hear over and over again?

What a wonderful guide to publication, eh. Cheers!

Note: You can read two fabulous blog posts about these workshops over at Shannon Hitchcock's blog. She's an awesome Florida writer and fellow blue boarder! Click here and here.

12:15 – 1:00 PM Main Meeting for Wrap-Up and Door Prizes

I dropped off the remaining door prizes, but skipped the wrap-up. It's a twelve-hour drive home, and I still had to pack up conference decorations. What a fabulous event, and I wish everyone could have been there.

See you next year!

2011 SCBWI Florida Regional Conference Part II

2011-01-21T05:04:00.000-08:00

(Read Part I here.)

Saturday’s session was filled with inspiring speeches by brilliant writers, illustrators, and an esteemed list of publishing professionals. Here are a few talents that I managed to catch: Cinda Williams Chima, Paul O. Zelinsky, and Robin Wasserman.

Cinda Williams Chima shared some of her fan mail, and I laughed until tears streamed down my cheeks. Young readers take the fate of their favorite characters quite seriously. I’m making a mental note of this for the future. LOL!

I missed the majority of other presentations because I wasn’t feeling up to par on this trip. I’ve had a super busy year and I was getting over the flu. There are lots of notes and videos floating around the internet, though. I’ll track down a few links later.

I picked up several gorgeous picture books during one of the breaks:

Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten?

Written by Audrey Vernick
Illustrations by Daniel Jennewein

Your buffalo is growing up. He plays with friends. He shares his toys. He's smart! But is he ready for kindergarten? (And is kindergarten ready for him?)

GIFT OF THE MAGPIE by Janeen Mason

When Max falls in love with Regina—a magpie with a fetish for shoes—he thinks of the many ways to make her smile. The two spend the summer together, searching for food and footwear, while laughing until their feathers shake.

Shiver Me Letters
A Pirate ABC

Written by June Sobel
Illustrations by Henry Cole

The captain of this brave and bumbling pirate crew has ordered them to capture the entire alphabet--and they'll walk the plank if they're missing a single letter!

Chicken Butt! by Erica S. Perl
Illustrations by Henry Cole

You know what?
What?
Chicken butt!

Check out the book trailer below:

And the sequel Chicken Butts Back! will be released soon.

Snoring Beauty by Bruce Hale
Illustrations by Howard Fine

A furious fairy.
A cruel curse.
A princess enchanted by a spell.

Think you know the story of Sleeping Beauty?
Better think again…

(Read the full description here.)

Bruce Hale has a terrific newsletter for writers!

The Wheels on the Bus by Paul O. Zelinsky
A Book with Parts That Move

(Read the full description here.)

This is my grandson’s favorite book.

Note: There were so many great books that I had to take a different route home in order to avoid toll booths and the Florida Turnpike. LOL! I'll never learn to watch my cash.

I had a manuscript critique in the late afternoon, and then it was off to the Dragonslayers’ Ball to set up the decorations. This year we added bundles of white balloons to celebrate SCBWI Florida’s 10th Anniversary. WOOT! Can you believe that many years have gone by?

Here’s what I made for the table centerpieces:

Sadly, no one got a snapshot of the big prop and sign that was displayed in the foyer. I made a faux theater stage that was pretty cool, but the stage lights and giant wizard backdrop disappeared somewhere in the hotel. Ack! That’s the first time something like this has happened to me.

The highlight of Saturday night’s dinner was listening to family and friends salute our fantastic SCBWI Florida Regional Advisor Linda Rodriguez Bernfeld for ten fantastic years. She’s been there through thick and thin for all of us, and we are so lucky to have her.

Congrats again, Linda!

More conference highlights in a future post...

2011 SCBWI Florida Regional Conference Part I

2011-01-19T08:48:00.000-08:00

I’m back from the SCBWI Florida Regional Conference and it was a total blast!

(You can view the schedule and see a list of faculty members here.)

For the sake of time, I’ll skip sharing the drama behind making the decorations for this event, and my crazy twenty-four hour round-trip drive to Miami. I’m too exhausted to relive it. LOL! I promise to post photos next week, though. Let’s go straight to the first day of this fabulous event and talk about craft and gorgeous books!

I registered for the Picture Book Intensive on Friday with authors Gloria Rothstein and Laurie Friedman, and editor Katherine Jacobs. These ladies conduct workshops throughout the year, so I don’t want to give away too much of their labor on the internet. Here are a few interesting highlights:

Editor Katherine Jacobs used the picture book My Friend Rabbit by Eric Rohmann to illustrate a 3 Act Structure. The pacing in this particular book is an ideal case study:

My Friend Rabbit by Eric Rohmann

When Mouse lets his best friend, Rabbit, play with his brand-new airplane, trouble isn't far behind. (Read the full description here.)

Next tidbit...

Author Laurie Friedman defined the term high concept:

High Concept = Define clearly what your main idea is in one sentence.

Note: Did you know that Laurie writes her stories first, and then puts the text into rhyme? I think that’s a totally brilliant idea!

One more highlight from the Picture Book Intensive...

Author Gloria Rothstein shared several fun picture books, and here’s one that I plan to order very soon:

Tuck Me In!

Written and Illustrated by Dean Hacohen
Co-author: Sherry Scharschmidt

Just turn the pages and the big inviting flaps that serve as blankets cover each little creature up to its chin. (Read the full description here.)

You really must see the interior spreads to appreciate this one. It is so adorable!

Stay tuned for Part II later this week.

A Pinkalicious Christmas

2010-12-25T08:28:00.000-08:00

"Almost all words do have color and nothing is more pleasant than to utter a pink word and see someone's eyes light up and know it is a pink word for him or her too." ~Gladys Taber

LOL!

Pink isn’t exactly a traditional color for Christmas, but it looks quite dramatic sitting on a shelf in my library. This was a present from my daughter:

Pinkalicious
By Victoria Kann and Elizabeth Kann

Pink, pink, pink. More than anything, Pinkalicious loves pink, especially pink cupcakes. Her parents warn her not to eat too many of them, but when Pinkalicious does . . . she turns pink! What to do?

She also gave me this Junie B. Jones doll:

Junie B., First Grader One-Man Band

Written by Barbara Park
Illustrations by Denise Brunkus

Note: Did you know that Denise Brunkus also illustrated Sloppy Joe by Dave Keane?

SLOPPY JOE by Dave Keane
Illustrations by Denise Brunkus

When it comes to being messy, Sloppy Joe is a pro!

(Read the full description here.)

And one last gift I'd like to share...

My son gave me a Sesame Street cookbook and an adorable snowman made out of yarn:

(They know me well.)

Here's hoping you had a Pinkalicious Christmas too!

Companion Books and the Holidays

2010-12-20T06:29:00.000-08:00

There are many holidays highlighted in picture book series, but Christmas seems to be the most popular. Here’s one familiar character you'll want to smooch under the mistletoe this season:

(And yes, I love my picture books that much!)

It's Christmas, David! by David Shannon

Always in the background, we know Santa Claus is watching, soon to decide if David deserves a shiny new fire truck or a lump of coal under the tree.

(Read the full description here.)

Merry Christmas, David!

Icing on the Cake

2010-12-05T05:58:00.000-08:00

Author Tara Lazar challenged writers to jot down one new picture book concept each day during the month of November...

PiBoIdMo was a blast and now I have fifty-eight ideas and two new drafts to work with. Woo Hoo! And to add icing on the cake, I’m also a PiBoIdMo Simon & Schuster Picture Book Winner:

Louise the Big Cheese: Divine Diva

Written by Elise Primavera
Illustrations by Diane Goode

Let's face it. Every girl has a little big cheese in her.

Louise Cheese is no different. Night and day, Louise dreams of the limelight, lots of fuss, the red carpet, and more than anything to be the one and only "Big Cheese."

Check out the book trailer:

And here's a fun chat with Elise Primavera and Diane Goode:

Note: This title was donated by editor Alyson Heller and her colleagues at Simon & Schuster.

Thank You!

Carrying on a Legacy

2010-12-03T05:07:00.000-08:00

Companion Books Part III

I’ve been highlighting picture book series over the last week, so let’s take a look at another one of my favorites. Remember Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans? Each book begins with this familiar line:

"In an old house in Paris that was covered in vines, lived twelve little girls in two straight lines ..."

(Brings back fond memories of my childhood!)

Ludwig Bemelmans passed away in 1962, but the legacy of that brave little French girl lives on thanks to his talented grandson John Bemelmans-Marciano. Check out the latest title in this popular series. It's due to be released this January:

Madeline at the White House
Written and Illustrated by John Bemelmans-Marciano

It looks like John Bemelmans-Marciano might be at the Page & Pallette, Inc. on February 19, 2011. I'm hoping that's what the event post means. I'll try calling them later today to verify. It would be awesome to meet him in person and get my books signed.

(Remember the last time I went to an author signing at this indie?)

I wonder if he’ll sign this one too:

Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans

Have a great weekend!

Companion Books Part II

2010-11-28T04:28:00.000-08:00

(Read Part I here.)

We hear a lot about branding in the publishing business these days, and it’s especially important when an author is writing a series of books based on one character. Do you remember when Disney created a song for Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree? Although it was an animated featurette, the lyrics cleverly branded the Winnie-the-Pooh franchise:

Deep in the hundred acre wood,
Where Christopher Robin plays,
You'll find the enchanted neighborhood,
Of Christopher's childhood days.
A donkey named Eeyore is his friend,
And Kanga, and little Roo.
There's Rabbit, and Piglet, and there's Owl,
But most of all Winnie-the-Pooh.

Winnie-the-Pooh,
Winnie-the-Pooh,
Tubby little cubby all stuffed with fluff.
He's Winnie-the-Pooh.
Winnie-the-Pooh.
Willy, nilly, silly, old bear

Written by: Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman © 1963

(An author should be so lucky!!)

Winnie the Pooh was a groundbreaker in children's literature, but the tubby little cubby also started my lifelong passion for critter characters. I love, love critters! Here's one of my current favorites. Note how each book cover in the series concentrates on Llama Llama's expressions. His moods make me giggle:

Llama Llama Holiday Drama
Written and Illustrated by Anna Dewdney

Llama Llama holidays.

Jingle music. Lights ablaze.

How long till that special date?

Llama Llama has to wait.

Llama Llama Misses Mama
Written and Illustrated by Anna Dewdney

Strange new teacher.

Strange new toys.

Lots of kids and lots of noise!

What would Llama like to do?

Llama Llama feels so new . . .

Llama Llama Mad at Mama
Written and Illustrated by Anna Dewdney

Yucky music, great big feet.

Ladies smelling way too sweet.

Look at knees and stand in line.

Llama Llama starts to whine.

And my personal favorite:

Llama, Llama Red Pajama
Written and Illustrated by Anna Dewdney

Llama, Llama red pajama

waiting, waiting for his mama.

Mama isn't coming yet.

Baby Llama starts to fret.

(The Llama Llama doll is available at MerryMakers, Inc.)

Enjoy!

Gobble Gobble!

2010-11-25T03:08:00.000-08:00

Have you read Thanksgiving Rules by Laurie Friedman?

Here's the author's description:

Percy Isaac Gifford’s Official Thanksgiving Decree: I officially command you to eat EVERYTHING you see!

Percy knows just what to do to get the most out of this delicious holiday. And so will you if you follow his ten simple rules. From "the early bird gets the turkey" to "life is sweeter when you eat sweets," his rules will help you eat your way through the big meal. But is there more to Thanksgiving than stuffed turkey and sweet potatoes with marshmallows? See how Percy discovers the true recipe for a perfect Thanksgiving holiday.

Thanksgiving Rules by Laurie Friedman
Illustrations by Teresa Murfin

Note: Laurie Friedman, Gloria Rothstein, and editor Katherine Jacobs will be leading a Picture Book Intensive at the next SCBWI Florida Regional Conference.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Companion Books

2010-11-21T04:34:00.000-08:00

Fans of popular characters in children's literature wait on pins and needles for companion books...

I collect all types of picture books, but I’m especially drawn to series. I remember how excited my Pre-K students would get whenever there was a new adventure for Clifford the Big Red Dog. He was a familiar character and classroom friend.

Note: Have you noticed how many of these types of books have plush toys? Wink.

Check out one of my personal favorites:

A Visitor for Bear by Bonnie Becker
Illustrations by Kady MacDonald Denton

Cheery persistence wears down a curmudgeonly bear in a wry comedy of manners that ends in a most unlikely friendship.

And here's the companion to this NEW YORK TIMES bestseller:

A Bedtime for Bear by Bonny Becker
Illustrations by Kady MacDonald Denton

When the impish Mouse comes to spend the night, Bear is in for a rude--and very funny--awakening in this irresistible new story starring the unlikely pair.

And yet another fun story featuring the same entertaining duo:

A Birthday for Bear by Bonnie Becker
Illustrations by Kady MacDonald Denton

Can a relentlessly cheery Mouse wear down a party-pooping Bear? The unlikely pair are back in a droll, utterly charming tale that early readers will celebrate.

(Read an interview with Kady MacDonald Denton here.)

I love the fact that bear and mouse are so different from each other. There’s a subtle lesson for children and it illustrates the unique facets of friendship and tolerance. We don’t have to mirror each other mentally and physically to share the same space in this world.

What are some of your favorite characters? I'll be sharing more of mine over the next couple of weeks. Stay tuned!

Illustration Notes in Picture Book Manuscripts

2010-11-17T08:26:00.000-08:00

Mary Kole is an associate agent at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency. Here’s what she has to say about illustration notes:

http://kidlit.com/2010/11/17/should-you-include-illustration-notes-in-your-picture-book/

She also mentions how to format page breaks in picture books.

Enjoy!

Note: This discussion has come up in my critique group on several occasions. For the record, illustration notes annoy me. LOL! There are a few exceptions, though.

PiBoIdMo Update

2010-11-14T05:02:00.000-08:00

Picture Book Idea Month...

30 days of inspiration and motivation created just for picture book writers.

Author Tara Lazar challenges writers to jot down one new picture book concept each day during the month of November. If you’re late tuning in to this fantastic event, here’s a list of quick links to catch you up:

PiBoIdMo Day 1: Your Stories are Depending on You, says Brenda Reeves Sturgis

PiBoIdMo Day 2: Be a Rule-Breaking Outlaw like David LaRochelle

PiBoIdMo Day 3: Brandi Dougherty Has the Littlest Ideas

PiBoIdMo Day 4: Joey Fly’s Sequel of Success

PiBoIdMo Day #5: Go on a Road Trip with Jennifer Nielsen

PiBoIdMo Day 6: Keep it Punny Like Lori Degman

PiBoIdMo Day 7: Shape Up with Kat Apel

PiBoIdMo Day 8: Sarah Frances Hardy Draws Out Her Characters

PiBoIdMo Day 9: Bonnie Adamson’s Childhood Misunderstandings

PiBoIdMo Day 10: Corey Rosen Schwartz Never Dismisses an Idea (well, not anymore)

PiBoIdMo Day 11: Lori Calabrese Finds Inspiration From Her Readers

Note: Check out Lori Calabrese's virtual book launch party for The Bug That Plagued the Entire Third Grade. Debut authors might want to use it as a guide.

(Visit Lori's website to learn more: http://www.loricalabrese.com/.)

PiBoIdMo Day 12: Embrace Your Weirdness Like Anna Staniszewski

PiBoIdMo Day 13: It’s Not Always About the Cute Bunnies, Says Sarah Dillard

We’re nearing the halfway mark and I have fifty ideas, and one first draft.

Thank you, Tara!

PiBoIdMo Day 14: The StoryQueen’s One and Only Rule for Writing a Picture Book

PiBoIdMo Day 15: Adam F. Watkins Illustrates November

PiBoIdMo Day 16: Salina Yoon Loves Toys

PiBoIdMo Day 17: Alter Your Rhythm Like Mark Ury

PiBoIdMo Day 18: Solve Story Puzzles Like James Burks

PiBoIdMo Day 19: One Book, One Choice, One Child at a Time

Working on another picture book draft. Toot toot! I'm also kicking myself for not crawling out of bed the other night. I had a fun idea for a story, but now I can't remember what it was. Drat!

PiBoIdMo Day 20: A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words to Jo Swartz

PiBoIdMo Day 21: Listen Like Brianna Caplan Sayres

PiBoIdMo Day 22: Laurel Snyder Lets You in on a Secret

PiBoIdMo Day 23: Tammi Sauer Puts a Twist on the Familiar

PiBoIdMo Day 24: Jannie Ho Finishes Things

PiBoIdMo Day 25: Go Shopping Like Pam Calvert

I can't believe how fast this month is slipping by.

(I'll be posting new links each day, so stay tuned!)

PiBoIdMo Day 26: Ame Dyckman Says “To Write for Kids, Be a Kid!”

PiBoIdMo Day 27: Fuel Before the Finish Line with Tiffany Strelitz Haber

PiBoIdMo Day 28: Two New Idea-Generating Inventions from Michael Sussman

PiBoIdMo Day 29: Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen Has Nothing to Write About

PiBoIdMo Day 30: Pitch like Paula Yoo

Take the PiBoIdMo 2010 Pledge

I do solemnly swear that I have faithfully executed the PiBoIdMo 30-ideas-in-30-days challenge, and will, to the best of my ability, parlay my ideas into picture book manuscripts.

(I have a total of fifty-eight picture book ideas and two new drafts. Woo Hoo!)

What a fantastic month and thank you to Tara Lazar and everyone who posted on her blog this month. All of you inspired a notebook of ideas to work with for months to come.

Cheers!

SCBWI Florida Regional Conference

2010-10-30T06:33:00.000-07:00

When: January 14-16, 2011 (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday)
Location: Wyndham Miami Airport Hotel

The online registration for this exciting event is now posted on the SCBWI Florida website. Here's a peek at the schedule:

FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 2011
8:00 – 9:00 AM Intensive Registration (choose one)

Picture Book: Presented by authors Gloria Rothstein and Laurie Friedman, and editor Katherine Jacobs. (I signed up for this one!)

Novel: Presented by author Joyce Sweeney, agent Erin Murphy, and editor Krista Marino.

Writing Fantasy: Presented by authors Cinda Williams Chima and Alexandra Flinn, and editor Arianne Lewin.

(The agenda and homework assignments are posted here.)

3:30 – 4:30 PM Registration/Drop off First-Page Critique

4:30 – 5:00 PM Meet Your SCBWI Florida Team

5:00 – 5:45 PM First Books Panel

(Adrienne Sylver, Christina Gonzalez, Patti Zelch, and Stacy Davids)

5:45 PM Go to the buses for trip to Books & Books

6:30 PM Reception at Books & Books

6:45 PM Guest Speaker TBA

7:30 – 9:00 PM Dinner on your own.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 15, 2011

7:00AM – 8:30 AM Registration

8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Art Exhibit

8:30 AM – 8:45 AM Regional Advisor Linda Rodriguez Bernfeld

Welcome and Announcements!

(This is the 10th Anniversary for SCBWI Florida. YAY!)

8:45 AM – 9:30 AM Bruce Hale

Writer’s Mind, Warrior’s Mind—Toughing it out and getting published.

I ordered Bruce's picture book the other day. Check it out:

Snoring Beauty by Bruce Hale
Illustrated by Howard Fine

9:30 AM – 10:00 AM Rubin Pfeffer

The Art (or Science) of Picture Book Submissions

10:00 AM – 10:15 AM Break

10:15 AM – 11:15 AM “Psst! Wanna Know a Secret?” Agent Panel

11:15 AM – 12:00 PM First Page Critiques

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Lunch

1:00 PM – 1:30 PM Cinda Williams Chima

Magic on the Page: An Author’s Notebook

1:30 PM – 2:00 PM Paul O. Zelinsky

“Swamp Angel to Dust Devil: an Equal Sequel?”

2:00 PM – 2:15 PM Break

2:15 PM – 3:15 PM Editor Panel: Fantasy Isn’t Just for Wizards

3:15 PM – 3:30 PM Break

3:30 PM – 4:15 PM Lauren Myracle (TBA)

4:30 PM – 6:30 PM Critiques

7:30 PM – 11:00 PM Dragonslayers’ Ball

SUNDAY, JANUARY 16, 2011

7:00 AM – 8:45 AM Critique Group Leaders’ Meeting

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM Workshop 1 (choose one)

A. Paul O. Zelinsky: The Bad Example

B. Erin Murphy and Audrey Vernick: Quiet Books: “Shhh!”

(I signed up for this workshop!)

I also ordered one of Audrey's books:

Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten?

Written by Audrey Vernick

Illustrations by Daniel Jennewein

C. Donna Gephart: Creating Quirky Characters from the outside in

D. Sarah Davies: From Ordinary to Extraordinary

The art of creating a great saleable story and the craft of teasing out its full potential.

E. Arienne Lewin (TBA)

F. Bruce Hale: Going Virtual

Skyping School Visits

10:45 AM – 12:15 Workshop 2 (choose one)

G. Michael Bourret: “I’m Mad as Hell, and I’m Not Going to Tweet Anymore!”

Sane Social Networking for Authors New and Old

F. Cristina Kessler: Writing Cross-Cultural Books for Kids

(I signed up for this one!)

G. Kate Jacobs: Opening Paragraphs That Pack a Punch

H. Krista Marino: Finding Your Teen Protagonist’s Voice

I. Cinda Williams Chima: Release Your Inner Teen

Fiction for the YA Audience

J. Rubin Pfeffer: Fanning the Flames of the Digital Revolution

12:15 PM – 1:00 PM Main Meeting Room for Wrap-Up and Door Prizes

I'll be highlighting more faculty members in future blog posts. It's going to be a wonderful conference, and I hope to see you there!

(I better hurry and finish those decorations and door prizes. Eek!)

PiBoIdMo

2010-10-25T04:36:00.000-07:00

Picture Book Idea Month!

Children’s author Tara Lazar is hosting a 30-day challenge for picture book writers again this year. Here are a few details to whet your appetite:

The concept is to create 30 picture book ideas in 30 days. You don’t have to write a manuscript. You don’t need potential best-seller ideas.

Writers who complete the 30-ideas-in-30-days challenge will be eligible for prizes too! And every day in November, Tara’s blog will also feature a post on inspiration and creativity. Check out the list of bloggers she has scheduled:

Bonnie Adamson, author-illustrator
Kathryn Apel, Australian author
Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen, author
James Burks, author-illustrator
Lori Calabrese, author
Pam Calvert, author
Lori Degman, author
Sarah Dillard, author-illustrator
Brandi Dougherty, author
Ame Dyckman, author
Sarah Frances Hardy, author-illustrator
Jannie Ho, author-illustrator
David LaRochelle, author
Jennifer Nielsen, author
Neil Numberman, author-illustrator
Carol Hampton Rasco, CEO, Reading Is Fundamental (RIF)
Aaron Reynolds, author
Tammi Sauer, author
Brianna Caplan Sayres, author
Corey Rosen Schwartz, author
Laurel Snyder, author
Anna Staniszewski, author
Tiffany Strelitz-Haber, author
Brenda Reeves Sturgis, author
Michael Sussman, author
Jo Swartz, author-illustrator
Shelley Moore Thomas, author
Mark Ury, CEO, Storybird
Adam F. Watkins, author-illustrator
Paula Yoo, author & screenwriter
Salina Yoon, author-illustrator

Participating Literary Agents:
Ammi-Joan Paquette, Erin Murphy Literary Agency
Kelly Sonnack, Andrea Brown Literary Agency, Inc.
Joanna Volpe, Nancy Coffey Literary & Media Representation

(Visit Tara's blog to learn more about PiBoIdMo.)

Tara’s first picture book, The Monstore, will be published by Aladdin/Simon & Schuster in Summer 2013. That title sounds like a possible giggly-ghoulish creeper, and we know how much I love those!

(Tara Lazar is represented by Ammi-Joan Paquette of the Erin Murphy Literary Agency.)

NaNoWriMo

2010-10-22T05:50:00.000-07:00

National Novel Writing Month: November 1st-30th

Here’s an excerpt from the official NaNoWriMo website:

National Novel Writing Month is a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to novel writing. Participants begin writing November 1. The goal is to write a 175-page (50,000-word) novel by midnight, November 30.

(Click here to learn more about this exciting event!)

Conversational Dialogue

2010-10-13T08:20:00.000-07:00

Participate in Writer’s Digest Weekly Exercises:

http://www.writersonlineworkshops.com/conversational-dialogue/

Great tips for FREE!

How do you market yourself online?

2010-10-06T03:39:00.000-07:00

Take part in a series of workshops that explore your online persona. Here’s an excerpt from the Shrinking Violet Promotions blog:

The Shrinking Violet Online Persona Workshop!

The demand on authors to get out there and create a name for themselves is huge. Publishers, editors, agents, and marketing professionals all exhort authors to market themselves using social media. But clearly there are wildly different sets of expectations as to what being online means.

And that’s the goal of this workshop; helping you create an internet presence that you are comfortable with, that makes you accessible, and doesn’t feel like shilling. The workshop isn’t only about creating a new presence, but can also be used to refine, tweak, or revamp an existing one.

Note: This workshop is absolutely free!

And in the event you didn't know...

The Shrinking Violet Promotions blog is hosted by authors Robin LaFevers and Mary Hershey. Check out their amazing list of children's books:

Written by Robin LaFevers
(View more titles here.)

Written by Mary Hershey
(View more titles here.)

More Halloween Fun!

2010-09-24T04:58:00.000-07:00

Tammi Sauer is the author of Cowboy Camp, Chicken Dance, Princess-in-Training (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Forthcoming), Mr. Duck Means Business, Oh, Nuts! (Bloomsbury, Forthcoming), and Bawk and Roll (Sterling, Fall 2011).

BAWK! BAWK!

I purchased Chicken Dance last year, so I’m anxious to read more of Tammi's work. I'd also pay big bucks to attend one of her school visits. She sure knows how to have fun! (See proof here.)

Now take a peek at her new picture book Mostly Monsterly. It definitely qualifies as a giggly-ghoulish creeper:

Mostly Monsterly

Written by Tammi Sauer
Illustrations by Scott Magoon

Scott Magoon did a superb job on the illustrations!

(Check out his fine list of titles here.)

Scared Silly

2010-09-18T02:54:00.000-07:00

Scarecrows and pumpkins are always fun on Halloween, but this year I want to be scared silly...

Thankfully, children's book publishers are currently offering a variety of treats guaranteed to satisfy every craving. What about monsters, ghosts, and cowboys? Cowboys?

Here are four titles that tickle my funny bone:

BOO! by Joe Fenton

Being a scary ghost is harder than it looks!

(View interior spreads here.)

What's Under the Bed?

Also written and illustrated by Joe Fenton

(September 2, 2008)

The Halloween Kid by Rhode Montijo

The Halloween Kid is capable of wranglin' all manner of halloween hoodlums to keep the night safe for trick-or-treaters...

(View interior spreads here.)

YEE-HA-LLOWEEN!

Even Monsters Need Haircuts
By Matthew McElligott

Working the night shift will be a hairy experience in a new picture book from Matthew McElligott:

Have a spectacular weekend!

Frogs and Snails and Puppy-dogs' Tails

2010-09-12T08:47:00.000-07:00

Do you enjoy reading picture books that capture the adventurous spirit of little boys? I do!

Flashlight Press has two fun titles that you’ll want to check out. Howard McWilliam illustrated both of them and what a terrific match of art and text:

I Need My Monster

Written by Amanda Noll
Illustrated by Howard McWilliam

And look for this new title in April of 2011:

When a Dragon Moves In

Written by Jodi Moore
Illustrated by Howard McWilliam

If you build a perfect sandcastle, a dragon will move in.

(Looks like fun, eh!)

Rise and Shine!

2010-09-05T18:59:00.000-07:00

Preschool teachers use books and music to transition almost every activity of the day, so why not utilize these same techniques at home?

Mornings were always hectic for me. There was nothing more stressful than dragging four limp bodies out of bed at 6:00 AM. Inevitably, one or two of my children would slither back under the covers and it would be back to square one.

There's hope for this generation, though. Charlesbridge has a new title out this month and I can't wait to read it:

Waking Up Is Hard to Do

Performer: Neil Sedaka
Lyrics/Composer: Howard Greenfield
Illustrator: Daniel Miyares

Doo WOP!

It's Here!

2010-08-29T05:00:00.000-07:00

My signed copy of A Vampire is Coming to Dinner! 10 Rules to Follow by Pamela Jane .

I won it on the Clara Gillow Clark’s blog. Thank you, Pamela and Clara! You ladies rock and so does this hilarious picture book. I highly recommend it for little ones this fall season:

A Vampire Is Coming to Dinner!
10 Rules to Follow

Written by Pamela Jane
Illustrations by Pedro Rodriguez

Read along as the narrator of this story comes up with some very practical rules for dealing with a vampire. But rules are meant to be broken, aren’t they?

(Order now!)