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1. Librarian Preview: Sourcebooks, National Geographic Kids, Quirk Books, Sterling, NorthSouth, and Running Press Kids (Spring 2015)

BookBuzz 300x271 Librarian Preview: Sourcebooks, National Geographic Kids, Quirk Books, Sterling, NorthSouth, and Running Press Kids (Spring 2015)Recently I had the pleasure of attending the AAP Tri-State Book Buzz for Children’s and Teen Librarians here in NYC.  This is an event where a whole heaping helpful of publishers gather together to do a kind of massive librarian preview for folks like myself.  It’s a mix of big folks (Macmillan, Random House, etc.) and smaller houses you might not hear from otherwise.  With that in mind, I’ve either already attended or am about to attend some of the big guys, so I’ll leave them off of this particular preview.  Additionally, I had a meeting in the morning of the Book Buzz day so those publishers who just happened to present anything prior to 1 p.m. pretty much fell off of my radar.  Sorry, guys!

Even though I only spent a small portion of my time at the Book Buzz I’m just going to highlight the books that caught my particular attention.  Because honestly there were some truly interesting titles on display.  Here’s just a small sampling of what I happened to see. First up:

Sourcebooks 

 Changes: A Child’s First Poetry Collection by Charlotte Zolotow, ill. Tiphanie Beeke (9781492601685)

Changes Librarian Preview: Sourcebooks, National Geographic Kids, Quirk Books, Sterling, NorthSouth, and Running Press Kids (Spring 2015)

This year (2014) I had a great deal of difficulty finding good poetry books.  Honestly, at times it felt like I was pulling teeth to find anything halfway decent.  This shouldn’t be so hard!  So I was keeping a very sharp eye out for anything verse-like.  I was quickly rewarded by this, the first collection of ALL of Zolotow’s seasonal poetry.  You remember Ms. Zolotow, yes?  Worked under Ursula Nordstrom?  Mother of Crescent Dragonwagon?  Yep, well I’ve always been a fan of her book Seasons as illustrated by Erik Blegvad so this is just a natural follow-up.  It’s coming out in the same year when she would have celebrated her 100th birthday. If the illustrator (Tiphanie Beeke) looks somewhat familiar that may be because she was behind that rather lovely little book Fletcher and the Falling Leaves which came out a couple years ago.

Fairy Tale Reform School: Flunked by Jen Calonita (9781492601562)

Flunked Librarian Preview: Sourcebooks, National Geographic Kids, Quirk Books, Sterling, NorthSouth, and Running Press Kids (Spring 2015)

On the middle grade side of things we have Fairy Tale Reform School: Flunked by Jen Calonita.  Written by the author of  the YA novel Secrets of my Hollywood Life the premise behind this one is that when a villain is vanquished in a tale it’s time for them to go to reform school.  Our heroine is a normal girl who lives in a shoe with her siblings and is so poor that she’s forced to steal.  One thing leads to another and the next thing she knows she’s in a reform school where all the teachers are former villains.  Kinda writes itself, right?

This Book is Gay by James Dawson (9781492617822)

ThisBookIsGay Librarian Preview: Sourcebooks, National Geographic Kids, Quirk Books, Sterling, NorthSouth, and Running Press Kids (Spring 2015)

I don’t cover YA usually but for this book I shall make an exception. It was a little bit difficult to parse but insofar as I could tell this appears to be a handbook for dealing with sexual identity.  It’s a YA nonfiction title with a forward is by David Levithan and it’s full of sketches, illustrations, and jokes.  As they say, it’s for anyone exploring their own identity.

 

National Geographic Kids

Why’d They Wear That? by Sarah Albee (forward by Tim Gunn) (9781426319204)

WhydTheyWearThat Librarian Preview: Sourcebooks, National Geographic Kids, Quirk Books, Sterling, NorthSouth, and Running Press Kids (Spring 2015)

Now see, the reason I like National Geographic Kids is that they’re reliable.  Take Why’d They Wear That?, for example.  You know what you’re getting here, even if you don’t know the details.  Mind you, the details are where all the good stuff is.  Chronicling the history of the world through the lens of fashion, the book covers everything from the Syrian warriors who rode into battle in fishnets to an Archbishop of Canterbury who wore a hair shirt so full of bugs that they left his body and flew into the cold when he was assassinated.  From togas to mini skirts, this book talks about clothing and explains why folks wore one thing or another with plenty of historical context.

Untamed: The Wild Life of Jane Goodall by Anita Silvey (9781426315190)

Untamed Librarian Preview: Sourcebooks, National Geographic Kids, Quirk Books, Sterling, NorthSouth, and Running Press Kids (Spring 2015)

I think I heard about this book a little while ago and got very excited . . . until I realized that it wasn’t coming out until 2015.  Fortunately that year is breathing down our neck and so tis nigh! Nigh, I say, nigh!  From her childhood in WWII England to the jungles of Gombe this book covers everything Jane related.  Riveting and full of images (including the photography of Michael Neugebauer) this has lots of great content from the field.  It’s the most up-to-date title out there for kids.  At least for an older readership.

Dirtmeister’s Nitty Gritty: Planet Earth by Steve Tomecek (9781426319037)

DirtMeister Librarian Preview: Sourcebooks, National Geographic Kids, Quirk Books, Sterling, NorthSouth, and Running Press Kids (Spring 2015)

Steve Tomecek, the Executive Director and founder of Science Plus, Inc., and Digger his prairie dog sidekick talk all about dirt.  Or, put another cuter way, dish the dirt on dirt.  Tomecek had a New York Kids show on WNYC radio in New York City for eight years so he’s old school.  In his book, Fred Harper from Marvel illustrates multiple peppy comic book sections that start off each chapter.  Inside you’ll find DIY experiments, facts, and science bios along with lots of STEM connections.  Happy science stuff.

How to Speak Cat by Aline Alexander Newman and NPR’s Dr. Gary Weitzman (President of the San Diego Animal Humane Society) (9781426318634)

HowToSpeakCat Librarian Preview: Sourcebooks, National Geographic Kids, Quirk Books, Sterling, NorthSouth, and Running Press Kids (Spring 2015)

This would be a companion to the previously published How to Speak Dog.  The dog vs. cat voice in my head wonders which of the two books will sell better.  In any case in this tome you get, amongst other things, an explanation of what the 30 different cat poses mean.  Lots of expert cat training advice is in this one as well.

1000 Facts About the Bible (9781426318665)

1000FactsBible Librarian Preview: Sourcebooks, National Geographic Kids, Quirk Books, Sterling, NorthSouth, and Running Press Kids (Spring 2015)

You don’t have to be a library in a religious community to appreciate what National Geographic is going for here.  Big and small pieces of information give some great background.  Little facts include the tidbit that David was crowned with a 75-pound crown and, elsewhere, that the blue of the robes mentioned in the text came from sea snails.  Easy to understand words are helped in no small part by the Biblical scholars who were consulted.  Naturally this makes me wonder how long it took them to write the darn thing.  My suspicion: quite a while.

Maddeningly they also teased us with Fall 2015 titles as well.  With that in mind look for . . .

Book of Nature Poetry edited by J. Patrick Lewis

NaturePoetry Librarian Preview: Sourcebooks, National Geographic Kids, Quirk Books, Sterling, NorthSouth, and Running Press Kids (Spring 2015)

Treasury of Norse Mythology by Donna Jo Napoli

NorseMyths Librarian Preview: Sourcebooks, National Geographic Kids, Quirk Books, Sterling, NorthSouth, and Running Press Kids (Spring 2015)

Welcome to Mars by Buzz Aldrin

MissionMars Librarian Preview: Sourcebooks, National Geographic Kids, Quirk Books, Sterling, NorthSouth, and Running Press Kids (Spring 2015)

At this point in the proceedings, mention was made of a magazine I’d not heard of before.  It’s not like I’ve been following the periodical trends for teens and pre-teens since I was one myself.  So to hear that there’s a publication out there called Justine that contains “more teen book reviews than any other magazine” . . . well that’s just downright cool it is. Voila:

Justine 381x500 Librarian Preview: Sourcebooks, National Geographic Kids, Quirk Books, Sterling, NorthSouth, and Running Press Kids (Spring 2015)

Quirk Books

Based out of Philly. A quarter of this little publisher’s output consists of books for kids.  I often say that small publishers just need one book to sustain them for life.  Well Quirk produced Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children so I’d say they’re pretty much good to go.  For, like, ever.  Most of their children’s books coming out in 2015 are just sequels, but there was one adult title that actually caught my eye.

Horrorstor by Grady Hendrix (9781322126760)

Horrorstor Librarian Preview: Sourcebooks, National Geographic Kids, Quirk Books, Sterling, NorthSouth, and Running Press Kids (Spring 2015)

A classic horror novel set in a Swedish furniture store, written like an IKEA catalog.

Sterling

Next up, Chris Vaccari, a man clever enough to name drop his local library branch (Kips Bay).  Chris thrives in a BookBuzz atmosphere.  He is calm.  He is at ease.  And yet, all at the same time, he is capable of packing in loads of information about the books Sterling is producing soon.  Case in point:

Good Question: History Series: Did Christopher Columbus Really Discover America? by Emma Carlson Berne (9781454912590)

ChristopherColumbus Librarian Preview: Sourcebooks, National Geographic Kids, Quirk Books, Sterling, NorthSouth, and Running Press Kids (Spring 2015)

This is a series that dare to question history.  Particularly useful when we’re talking about that ever so controversial Italian Columbus.

Little Traveler series – How Tiger Says Thank You (9781454914976), How Penguin Says Please (9781454914969) by Abigail Samoun, illustrated by Sarah Watts

HowTigerSays Librarian Preview: Sourcebooks, National Geographic Kids, Quirk Books, Sterling, NorthSouth, and Running Press Kids (Spring 2015)

HowPenguinSays Librarian Preview: Sourcebooks, National Geographic Kids, Quirk Books, Sterling, NorthSouth, and Running Press Kids (Spring 2015)

These are the latest two books in this series to come out.  I should note though that my librarians are BIG fans of these books.  They’re finding them easy to hand sell and really filling a need for those parents that wish to get their small children interested in other languages.

ABC Universe – done in conjunction with the American Museum of Natural History (9781454914099)

ABCUniverse Librarian Preview: Sourcebooks, National Geographic Kids, Quirk Books, Sterling, NorthSouth, and Running Press Kids (Spring 2015)

Just consider it an oversized board book for the budding little astronomers in your life.

I’m Not Reading by Jonathan Allen(978-1910126240)

ImNotReading Librarian Preview: Sourcebooks, National Geographic Kids, Quirk Books, Sterling, NorthSouth, and Running Press Kids (Spring 2015)

Man. Way back at the beginning of my blogging career, around 2006 I reviewed the Jonathan Allen baby owl book I’m Not Cute.  It’s nice to see the series not only still kicking around but upgrading to a whole new board book form.

Ally-Saurus by Richard Torrey (9781454911791)

AllySaurus Librarian Preview: Sourcebooks, National Geographic Kids, Quirk Books, Sterling, NorthSouth, and Running Press Kids (Spring 2015)

Who says only boys get to love dinosaurs?  Yet when Ally starts school she finds she’s the only girl there who’s into dinosaurs.  She is subsequently snubbed by princess lovers (and on this, the 10th anniversary of Mean Girls).  I know I’ll be looking forward to this.

A Dozen Cousins by Lori Houran, ill. Sam Usher (9781454910626)

DozenCousins Librarian Preview: Sourcebooks, National Geographic Kids, Quirk Books, Sterling, NorthSouth, and Running Press Kids (Spring 2015)

The plot is simple: one girl has a dozen boy cousins.  She loves them but they sure do bug the heck out of her.  Nice and multicultural, this is utterly pleasant (and more interesting than a lot of the other “big family” tales out there).

North/South

The Birthday Cake: The Adventures of Pettson and Findus by Sven Nordquist (978-0735842038)

BirthdayCake Librarian Preview: Sourcebooks, National Geographic Kids, Quirk Books, Sterling, NorthSouth, and Running Press Kids (Spring 2015)

I believe this is a reprint of an older title.  In it, Pettson is a forgetful farmer and his neighbor gives him a kitten named Findus.  So he reads the kitten so much that the cat starts to talk.  In this book it’s Findus’s birthday (which somehow happens more than once in a year).  The dilemma?  Our intrepid heroes need flour for a cake.  To get the flour they need a bike, to fix a tower they need to get into the shed, to get into the shed they need a ladder to get to the sunroof, and so on and such.  Phil Pullman did the blurb for the books and said that it has a folktale feel.  Noted.

Mr. Squirrel and the Moon by Sebastian Meschenmoser (978-0735841567)

MrSquirrelMoon Librarian Preview: Sourcebooks, National Geographic Kids, Quirk Books, Sterling, NorthSouth, and Running Press Kids (Spring 2015)

If you buy nothing else I mention to you today, buy this.  Show some of the art.  On the endpages you see a boy with his father and one of the man’s wheels of cheese is rolling down the hill and flies into the sky.  Later, a squirrel wonders how the moon got into his tree.  Worried that someone will think he’s the thief he tries to roll it off the tree.  The cheese next gets stuck on a hedgehog and a goat gets stuck in it.  The art is the real lure here.  A-maze-ing.

The Bernadette Watts Collection: Stories and Fairy Tales by Bernadette Watts (978-0735842120)

BernadetteWatts Librarian Preview: Sourcebooks, National Geographic Kids, Quirk Books, Sterling, NorthSouth, and Running Press Kids (Spring 2015)

Turns out, Ms. Watts is beloved in Europe.  They just call her Bernadette there.  In this book you will find thirty-eight timeless tales with an Eric Carle forward.  The result is a book containing pitch perfect, sumptuous backgrounds.

 

Perseus Books Groups (Running Press Kids)

Go, Pea, Go! by Joe Moshier and Chris Sonnenburg (978-0762456789)

GoPeaGo Librarian Preview: Sourcebooks, National Geographic Kids, Quirk Books, Sterling, NorthSouth, and Running Press Kids (Spring 2015)

I’ll give ‘em this.  I have never seen a potty book that used peas in some manner.  This book features one such rhyming pea.  He is told by his family to go.  See the world.  A potty chart and stickers are part of the ensemble.

Butterfly Park by Elly Mackay (978-0762453399)

ButterflyPark Librarian Preview: Sourcebooks, National Geographic Kids, Quirk Books, Sterling, NorthSouth, and Running Press Kids (Spring 2015)

A paper cut artist takes it to the next level.  In this story a girl moves next to a butterfly park and then goes and sees that there aren’t any there.  She then gets the community together to plant the plants that attract butterflies.

My Life in Dioramas by Tara Altebrando (978-0762456819)

MyLifeDioramas Librarian Preview: Sourcebooks, National Geographic Kids, Quirk Books, Sterling, NorthSouth, and Running Press Kids (Spring 2015)

In this tale a 12-year-old girl’s family is selling their red barn home.  She’s against this move so she creates dioramas of each room to best preserve her memories.  She also tries to throw a wrench in the works to prevent the sales.  One color illustrated dioramas for each chapter.  Essentially, it’s all about moving forward.

And that was that.  Phew!  I can’t imagine how tricky it would be to organize such a thing.  Many thanks to the folks who presented.  I’ve high hopes for these books.

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1 Comments on Librarian Preview: Sourcebooks, National Geographic Kids, Quirk Books, Sterling, NorthSouth, and Running Press Kids (Spring 2015), last added: 11/26/2014
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2. Banning Sterling makes a lot of cents for the NBA

By Adam Grossman


Donald Sterling’s lifetime National Basketball Association (NBA) ban, $2.5 million dollar fine, and potentially forced sale of the Clippers may seem to fit in the category of previous owners who received a comparable punishment. Marge Schott was forced to sell the Cincinnati Reds for her anti-Semitic and racist comments while owner of the team. George Steinbrenner was suspended twice as owner of the New York Yankees, with the last occurrence spurred by his allegedly hiring a private investigator to examine the history of his team’s star slugger Dave Winfield.

However, Sterling’s comments and the reaction they provoked is an example of the evolution of the modern crisis. This includes:

  • Convergence of Sports and Entertainment — Sterling’s comments were first reported on TMZ.com, a site known for celebrity gossip more than sports coverage. This made sense, as TMZ created TMZ Sports because of the convergence of sports and entertainment. More specifically, players, coaches, and even owners are some of the most well-known celebrities in entertainment.
  • Influence of Technology on Sports Crisis — Ten or even five years ago, there would have been less of a chance that a crisis would have emerged because of Sterling’s comments. The only reason the Clippers’ owner’s statements were made public is that someone recorded a private conversation on a mobile phone. The comments were then posted on TMZ.com and quickly spread throughout social media. While Sterling’s comments were abhorrent, it was unlikely he thought they would ever be made public. Rather than relying on hearsay of a fan sitting near the Clippers owner at the game, the league, media, and public could directly hear what Sterling had to say in his own words. This is a reminder that every sports fan can become a citizen journalist by turning on their smart phone.
  • Pre-crisis Preparation — Sterling’s racial views have been well known and well documented. On his ESPN 980 radio show in Washington D.C., Tony Kornheiser and his Pardon The Interruption co-host Michael Wilbon recently discussed that they had conversations about Sterling’s views ten years ago. In addition, the Department of Justice had filed suit against Sterling alleging that his housing practices violated anti-racial discrimination laws. The NBA could have recognized this as a potential crisis and moved earlier to oust him before these events forced the league’s hand.
Los Angeles Clippers players stand up for the national anthem before the December 31, 2007 game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Staples Center. Photo by Paul de los Reyes. CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

Los Angeles Clippers players stand up for the national anthem before the 31 December 2007 game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Staples Center. Photo by Paul de los Reyes. CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

Virtually every one from players, coaches, and owners to media critics, pundits, and morning newscasters have analyzed the impact that Sterling’s comments had on his team’s and the NBA’s brand. What has received less coverage is why the NBA needed to take this type of action to try to resolve this crisis from an economic perspective. Sterling’s crisis potentially impacts three key revenue streams that demonstrate why his immediate ban makes sense for the NBA.

  • Subsidy / Revenue Sharing — Like most major professional sports leagues, the NBA shares revenue among all 30 teams. In fact, the NBA rules dictate that teams keep 50% of their revenue with teams sharing the remaining 50% with the entire league minus expenses for items such as arena operating costs. Therefore, any revenue lost by the Clippers impacts every NBA team. Sterling has taken steps in the past to ensure that the Clippers have remained profitable even when the team is losing. His team’s recent success combined with the Lakers relative decline has made the Clippers a more important franchise for the NBA in the large Los Angeles market.
  • Sponsorship – Corporate partners spend millions of dollars with the league and its teams to increase their brand awareness and enhance their brand perception. In particular, the NBA can help companies target young, male, and often African-American audiences. It would be extremely difficult to sell or with current corporate partnerships and sign future corporate partners when their brands could be associated with Sterling. The immediate exit of State Farm and Kia illustrates the possible crisis consequences. While some sponsors have already returned, Sterling’s comments and the uncertainty of whether he will sell the team still threatens their brand.
  • In Game – In Game revenue consists of money a sports organization generates through competition. Most in game revenue comes from tickets, concessions, and parking that occurs on game days. The question here is whether fans would stop attending Clippers’ games because of Sterling’s comments. Unfortunately for Los Angeles sports fans, there is an example of another owner who had a similar impact on his organization. When Frank McCourt owned the Dodgers, he was embroiled in a bitter divorce and also took steps that forced the team into bankruptcy. During McCourt’s final year owning the team in 2011, average game attendance declined to 36,173 as compared to 46,172 in 2013. One could have expected a similar 22% decline for the Clippers with Sterling continuing to be the team’s owner.

Sterling’s past actions and recent comments deserved the harsh punishment. Understanding the relationship between crisis and revenue, however, can outline and forecast the possible financial questions of crisis responses. If Sterling fights the ban or refuses to sell the team, the above analysis will play an important role in the future of the club and revenue for the league.

Adam Grossman is the Founder and President of Block Six Analytics (B6A). He has worked with a number of sports organizations, including the Minnesota Timberwolves, Washington Capitals, and SMG @ Solider Field, to enhance their corporate sponsorship and enterprise marketing capabilities. He is the co-author of The Sports Strategist: Developing Leaders for a High-Performance Industry with Irving Rein and Ben Shields.

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3. Book Review: Goodnight Songs


As soon as I heard about Goodnight Songs by Margaret Wise Brown I knew it needed to be in my home. A collection of 12 lullabies illustrated by some of the finest illustrators in the field, it also includes a beautiful CD of all the songs. The cover is by Isabel Roxas (and it's our favorite song of the CD!) I'm sharing a few of my favorite spreads below (so hard to pick!):








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4. Book Signing at Costco


I'm heading home to the Midwest this week. I'll be signing copies of TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS IN WISCONSIN this next Saturday, Dec. 3 at the Middleton, WI Costco from 11am-2pm. (outside Madison) Stop by if you're in the area, I'll be the one shivering in the corner. :)

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5. The 12 Days of Christmas Book Blog


My new book blog is finally ready... after waiting for the appropriate holiday shopping weather to arrive. The book is titled 'The 12 Days of Christmas in Washington' and it's from Sterling Books.

Residents of Washington state will recognize many of the local landmarks right off. This colorful book is full of fun scenes in Pike Place Market, Mt. Rainier, Downtown Seattle, Puget Sound, Leavenworth and Spokane.


Although I myself have never been to the Space Needle, I understand it's quite a popular destination. I have often looked up at it from Seattle Center to marvel at it's modern character, alongside the EMP.  These Seattle landmarks are richly featured on several spreads of this new book. I did learn in making this book that the Space Needle is way more difficult to draw than the Eiffel Tower. (I haven't been there either.)


Other familiar sights are listed in the 'The places visited' tab of my new book blog. I have been to ALL the above mentioned locations and happily can testify to the authenticity and delights that they hold.


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6. Quiet Bunny's Many Colors by Lisa McCue - Book Review

Lisa McCue's fluffy, brown and white "Quiet Bunny" character is one of the cutest little bunnies depicted in children's books today. The adorable character made his first appearance a few years ago in the picture book, Quiet Bunny. This spring he's back, ready for a new, colorful adventure in the forest.

"Quiet Bunny loves springtime in the forest. He loves the warm sun on his soft little nose. He loves the tickly new grass between his toes. Most of all, he loves the beautiful colors."

Quiet Bunny's Many Colors by Lisa McCue. Sterling (March 2011); ISBN 9781402772092; 32 pages
Book Source: Review copy provided by publisher

As he observes the glorious colors of spring, poor Quiet Bunny wishes his own drab fur displayed such beauty and color. He hops through the forest, and, through a series of humorous events along the way, manages to add a little color to his fur. A few dandelions turn him yellow, with a lily pad covering he's green, a romp in a blueberry patch results in beautiful blue fur, and a clay mud bath turns his coat red. Sadly, the splendid colors don't last. When Quiet Bunny peers into a crystal blue pond all he sees is a plain brown and white bunny. Luckily, Wise Owl steps up and kindly explains to Quiet Bunny that he is beautiful in his own way -- each and every animal contributes to the natural beauty of spring.

Very few artists can capture the glorious colors and sights of nature with such vivid cuteness while bordering on realism. Lisa McCue's color infused illustrations are perfect for children. Nature's colors spring to life! My kids' eyes practically swim in the gorgeous pictures full of tiny details...the hollows in the trees, little bugs on the leaves. Even the text occasionally drips with color. McCue uses several colored onomatopoeic words like "KeRR-SpLashhh" to add expression to her story. Parents and teachers will appreciate that the book quietly and colorfully reinforces the message that every single person, every single animal is beautiful in their own special way. And, make sure to play a little "what is different, what is the same" game with the end pages...such a clever touch by Lisa McCue!

Springtime is full of smells, sounds and vibrant COLORS. Use this book as a springboard to practice color recognition and take time to observe the colors of nature with kids. Pair it with Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin and James Dean for a splashy, colorful preschool storytime.

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7. The Night Before Christmas illustrated by Robert Ingpen - Book Giveaway + Cotton Ball Santa Beard Countdown Calendar

Did you find your shoes filled with treats yesterday? December 6th marked St. Nicholas Day. While many of us leave stockings out on Christmas Eve, the origins of Santa Claus can be traced back to the real Saint Nicholas, a bishop that lived from 270 to 343 A.D. in what is now Turkey. Bishop Nicholas helped the poor through giving generous gifts and was a miracle worker. Later on, around 1820, the legend of Santa Claus started to become popular. Clement C. Moore's poem, "The Night Before Christmas" helped popularize this familiar figure and the gift giving on Christmas Eve. Time Magazine published an informative two-minute bio of Santa Claus, if you're interested in reading more about St. Nick and Santa. Also, the VeggieTales movie, Saint Nicholas: A Story of Joyful Giving, is a great way to introduce children to the story of the real Saint Nicholas.

While we don't own a book about the real St. Nicholas, we do own several copies of The Night Before Christmas. Thanks to Sterling Children's Books, we had the chance to read a newly illustrated version of Clement C. Moore's beloved poem.


The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore; illustrated by Robert Ingpen; Sterling (October 2010); ISBN 9781402781827; 48 pages
Book Source: Review copy provided by publisher

For those that celebrate Christmas, owning a copy of The Night Before Christmas is almost a requirement. On Christmas Eve, many people read the poem, in addition to the Biblical story of Jesus' birth. Robert Ingpen's gorgeously illustrated picture book is an excellent interpretation of this familiar poem and makes a wonderful addition to any Christmas book collection.

The incredible paintings in this version balance the fantasy of the story with realism. Ingpen creates a warm, idealized Christmas with highly textured illustrations full of feathery brush strokes and depth. A traditional, classic Santa Claus with a wrinkled, weathered face, full beard, rosy cheeks and fabulous red suit takes center stage in the book. He visits a simple manor house adorned with a tower and several chimneys, a house that could have very well existed at the time the poem was first written. Ingpen's interpretation does not include whimsical touches, like showing sugarplums dancing, but instead the images display the magic of the night in a subdued way.

The book works well as a read-aloud, and is set with an easy-to-read, large font, perfect for low-light environments on Christmas Eve. A short biography of Clement Clarke Moore in the beginning of the book explains the origins of his poem, a story originally intended as a Christmas present for his children. I especially love the well-crafted design and detail displayed in this book. Underneath the dustcover is a bright-red, fabric cov

38 Comments on The Night Before Christmas illustrated by Robert Ingpen - Book Giveaway + Cotton Ball Santa Beard Countdown Calendar, last added: 12/10/2010
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8. The Monsterologist

A Memoir in Rhyme  Ghostwritten by Bobbi Katz  Illustrated by Adam McCauley  Sterling  2010   A picture book collection of monster poems in the guise of a memoir of a monster hunter.  What's not to like?  Every couple of years is seems we get a collection of ghoulish rhymes and monster-themed picture books, with one that stands out.  Off the top of my head the only recent one I can think of is

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9. A Place For Frogs & Little Critter: Where Is My Frog? - Book Reviews and Frog Camouflage Craft

A toad lives in my daughter's flower garden. We noticed it one day while we were out weeding the garden and have seen it several times since. The toad has an amazing ability to camouflage itself and manages to find several places to hide among the plants in the garden. In fact, it blends in so well with the surroundings that my camera refused to focus on it. Can you find it in this picture?



This week we read two different children's books about frogs and toads. And, we learned the differences between frogs and toads. One of the books (A Place For Frogs) explained that, "About five hundred kinds of frogs belong to the family called the "true toads." They have dry, scaly skin and spend more time on land than other frogs. That means all toads are frogs, but not all frogs are toads."

A Place for Frogs by Melissa Stewart, illustrated by Higgins Bond; Peachtree Publishing (April 2010); ISBN 9781561455218; 32 pages;
Book Source: Review copy provided by publisher

A Place for Frogs concentrates primarily on environmental concerns involving frogs and also discusses various types of frogs and their habitats. Application of pesticides and chemicals and the destruction of the frog's habitat adversely affect the frog population. The author suggests ways people can alter their actions and protect frogs and the places where they live. The book also includes basic information about frogs, including life stages and fascinating frog facts. Simple text across the top of the page is appropriate for kindergarten age on up and older children will enjoy reading the more detailed insets about various species of frogs like the Northern Leopard Frog and Western Toad. My daughter particularly enjoyed looking at Bond's detailed paintings and we had fun pointing out the differences between the frogs featured in the book as well as discussing things we can do to help out frogs that live nearby. The book is laid out in a clear manner and is perfect for educational studies. A variety of related activities are available online.

Related Educational Printables [pdf]:
A Place for Frogs Curriculum Guide; A Place for Frogs Storytime Guide
Activity Printables [pdf]:
17 Comments on A Place For Frogs & Little Critter: Where Is My Frog? - Book Reviews and Frog Camouflage Craft, last added: 9/11/2010
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10. Potty Animals by Hope Vestergaard - Book Review and stART project

Germs lurk and bad habits are hard to break. When it comes to teaching proper bathroom etiquette, it's best to start early and remind, remind, remind. This week we're headed to kindergarten orientation with my daughter. One of the only reasons that I'm not really looking forward to the school year is the increased risk of colds and illnesses. This year I'm planning to make a side trip to the bathroom with my daughter on orientation day to familiarize her with the restroom and remind her of the importance of hand washing and other bathroom protocol. And, we've found the perfect book to help us remember all the rules of the bathroom.

"They don't mean to be messy. They haven't got a clue. Let's meet some potty animals and tell them what to do."

Potty Animals: What to Know When You've Gotta Go! by Hope Vestergaard, illustrated by Valeria Petrone; Sterling Publishing (June 2010); ISBN 9781402759963; 32 pages;
Book Source: Review copy provided by publisher

Potty animals. Every daycare, preschool and kindergarten teacher has seen their fair share of them. I'm sure you've even seen them yourself. Maybe even in your home. What kind of animals am I talking about? Those kids that refuse to wash their hands, flush the toilet and, time after time, display poor bathroom hygiene. Hope Vestergaard provides a humorous yet instructive book for all those little potty animals. Sycamore Preschool is full of animals that forget their bathroom manners. Wilber doesn't wash his hands, Wilma waits too long, Freddie forgets to flush and Georgie doesn't wipe. In rhyming verses, Vestergaard writes of all sorts of bathroom woes and gently provides tips on the right way to handle bathroom visits. An easy and fun read aloud, the verses even prompt kids to help remind the characters of the potty rules. Hopefully when kids use the bathroom, they'll remember and try to avoid the bad behaviors of the potty animals.

This is not a potty training book, but a book for kids on bathroom manners. Somehow Vestergaard manages to cover this important topic in a fun and tasteful way without sounding preachy. She's a veteran early childhood teacher so she's had plenty of experience with the subject matter. And it's pretty hard not to laugh at Petrone's bold illustrations of the cartoon animal characters as they break the rules. The poor male elephant teacher has his hands full in this zoo of a preschool! The toilet paper letters in the title on the cover are a cute, eye catching touch. My daughter just loves to look at the pictures (she likes the girl raccoon in the pink dress), and I've noticed that she doesn't rush around quite as much in the bathroom and thinks about the rules covered. Read the book to remind kids of proper bathroom etiquette and maybe they won't end up looking like they were raised in a barn. It's a perfect back-to-school read for all young children, and I highly recommend this helpful, humorous bathroom basics book. Teachers of young children will especially appreciate the book.

Related links:
12 Comments on Potty Animals by Hope Vestergaard - Book Review and stART project, last added: 8/28/2010
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11. Nonfiction Monday: 1+1=5 by David LaRochelle

1+1=5 and Other Unlikely Additions
By David LaRochelle
Illustrated by Brenda Sexton
Sterling
ISBN: 9781402759956
$14.95
Grades K-2
In Stores September 7, 2010

Teachers will tell you the truth. When faced with introducing a new concept, teachers know that their skills as educators are no match for a good book. Wanna teach proper apostrophe use? Alfie the Apostrophe will beat out teacher lecture every time. With a sense of humor that will entertain while enlightening, 1+1=5 and Other Unlikely Additions shows that there is more than one way to look at a seemingly simple problem. Lower elementary students, rejoice – this book just saved you from another teacher talk-a-thon.

1 + 1 = 3?

1 unicorn + 1 goat = 3 horns!

Such is the way 1+1=5 kicks off. The mood, as you can probably tell, is goofy. Kids will be pleased. As the subsequent pages demonstrate, 1+1 can equal just about anything, from 0 (the number of feet on 1 snake and 1 worm) to hundreds (the number of seeds in 1 watermelon and 1 pumpkin). Each problem has a delightfully unexpected solution. The book concludes with the “correct” answer to the question.

The bright digital illustrations, while not doing much to set this book apart from the crowd visually, capably illustrate each equation. Each addition problem is presented centered on the page, with an illustration that hints at the solution. When the page is flipped, the answer is given, alongside artwork to match. This layout encourages students to form their own solutions, which fits perfectly with the theme.

Be sure to add this to your collection and, if you work at a school, tell your teachers about it. They know books like 1+1=5 are worth having around.

Review copy from publisher.

Click here to check out the Nonfiction Monday roundup at In Need of Chocolate.

Find this book at your local library with WorldCat.



0 Comments on Nonfiction Monday: 1+1=5 by David LaRochelle as of 1/1/1900
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12. Birthday Bash and Armchair BEA Book Giveaway - Otto Grows Down by Michael Sussman

What do Margaret Wise Brown, Arnold Lobel, Ian Fleming, Diane deGroat, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Mary Pope Osborne, Lillian Hoban, Margret Rey, Eoin Colfer, L. Frank Baum, Edward Lear, James M. Barrie, Leo Lionni, Charles Shaw, and Don Wood all have in common? They were all born in the month of May!

My birthday is in May, too, so I thought I'd have a special birthday bash book giveaway to celebrate. Plus, today also happens to be Armchair BEA Giveaway Day! One of our favorite picture books about birthdays is Otto Grows Down by Michael Sussman. I reviewed Otto Grows Down last year on Brimful Curiosities and here's a snippet of my summary (make sure to click on over to my whole review if you want to learn more about the book):

The birthday. The candles and cake. The WISH! Otto, on his sixth birthday, feels rather neglected. You see, one week earlier, he became a big brother. No longer the center of attention, Otto takes his birthday wish to heart and wishes his baby sister Anna was never born. In theory, you'd think a wish like that would set things like they were before. Not quite so, as Otto quickly learns. The wish makes time go backwards. Yes, Otto's parents take his sister back to the hospital. But backwards time doesn't stop there. Time continues to go in reverse. Otto, to his dismay, grows younger, smaller and more frantic as each former birthday passes and he desperately tries to set things right.
Believe me, Sussman's humorous and unusual book is definitely memorable. My daughter frequently requests to read "the birthday book" because the premise of growing down and time going backwards is so very interesting and unique. As I near my mid 30's, the thought of time going backwards does sound kind of appealing. But even though I sometimes dread growing another year older, I'm going to think on the positive side and take each day as it comes, enjoy my life and count my blessings. No, I won't be wishing to for time to go in reverse. But it's still fun to take a trip down memory lane. Today I'm posting pictures and taking you on a journey as "Janelle Grows Down," from age 6 to age 1. Enjoy and don't forget to enter the giveaway at the end!



26 Comments on Birthday Bash and Armchair BEA Book Giveaway - Otto Grows Down by Michael Sussman, last added: 5/30/2010
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13. Reach for the Stars and Other Advice for Life's Journey by Serge Bloch - Book Review and Giveaway


One May afternoon not so long ago, I stood on a stage at my high school and gave my valedictory speech. I honestly don't remember what I said, and it probably wasn't all that humorous, but I imagine I reflected on the past, talked about the future and tried to impart some sort of valuable advice to my fellow classmates. Most likely I was more concerned about not fainting while on stage in front of the entire community than anything else.


"You've got your whole life ahead of you! Sometimes it'll be smooth sailing, but other times it'll be a bumpy ride, with many forks in the road."

Reach for the Stars: and Other Advice for Life's Journey by Serge Bloch. Sterling (April 2010); ISBN 9781402771293; 32 pages
(Book Source: Review copy provided by publisher)

I doubt I told my classmates to "reach for the stars" but such sayings are often used occasions like graduations and other milestones. Author/Illustrator Serge Bloch recently released a humorous and inspirational little picture book that playful expands upon some familiar idioms and offers some lighthearted advice. His line style drawings coupled with photographed objects depict a small boy and a dog as they depart on a life journey. They make a splash, end up in the doghouse, and even have a change of heart but still manage to spread their wings and soar into the star-filled sky with smiles on their faces.

It's a cute book and makes a perfect gift for graduates or anyone starting life anew. There's plenty of white space on the pages, so I also think the book would work wonderfully as a guest book journal where party guests could sign-in with their own messages and words of wisdom for the new graduate. Wouldn't that make a great and memorable keepsake? Now I just wish I knew someone graduating this year. Guess I'll just have to use the picture book to teach my preschooler about idioms and maybe someday she'll be the one on stage delivering a speech!



Thanks to Sterling Children's Books, I have an extra copy of Reach

12 Comments on Reach for the Stars and Other Advice for Life's Journey by Serge Bloch - Book Review and Giveaway, last added: 5/20/2010
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14. Mazeways and EcoMazes by Roxie Munro - Book Review & Giveaway

We read some exciting, interactive, and a-MAZE-ing books this week by author Roxie Munro. Her search & find maze books kept my daughter and I plenty occupied for several hours and have been, by far, her favorite choice this week from the bookshelves. My toddler son also enjoyed browsing the collections of mazes and trying to find various animals and objects hidden in the pages, at least for a short while. We were so inspired by the books that we made our own full size maze in our driveway using sidewalk chalk!

Mazeways: A to Z by Roxie Munro. Sterling (August 2007); ISBN 9781402737749; 48 pages
(Book Source: Copy from local library)

Munroe's mazes for each letter of the alphabet are highly detailed and visually interesting. Each maze takes the reader to a different location -- from an Airport or Garden to a Ranch or Waterfalls. The author provides directions on how to navigate through each letter maze. My daughter used her finger to follow the paths and enjoyed completing the tasks described. For instance, the letter L maze directions reads: "Enter through the LIBRARY door. Find the red Italian language book hidden on a shelf. Look up flights to Rome on the computer..." Several objects are also hidden in the pictures for children to find. The end pages give the correct solutions. This book would be perfect to use in conjunction with teaching the letters of the alphabet and older kids will enjoy trying to complete the maze puzzles on their own. Besides navigating the mazes, it's also fun to trace the large maze letters with your finger and use it like a tracer page for writing practice.

EcoMazes: 12 Earth Adventures by Roxie Munro. Sterling (April 2010); ISBN 9781402763939; 40 pages
(Book Source: Review copy from publisher)

What's it like where you live? In EcoMazes kids can explore many different places on the earth by following the nature mazes and learn about the different types of creatures and plants living the

31 Comments on Mazeways and EcoMazes by Roxie Munro - Book Review & Giveaway, last added: 4/17/2010
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15. Spotlight on Peter Yarrow

Cold weather makes for stir crazy kids. We've been listening to lots of music and Peter Yarrow has been on rotation in the CD player (yes, we have an iPod but downloading is a lot of work so for the kid's music, we still use CDs). His folk music doesn't get them too riled up, and, better yet, they're learning some of the classic melodies I grew up singing. Today, it's all Peter Yarrow on Brimful Curiosities because that's what we've been listening to and reading!

Peter Yarrow, the folk singer/songwriter from the musical trio Peter, Paul & Mary, has been making some waves in the children's book world for the past couple of years. In 2007, he published a picture book version of one of his most famous songs (co-composed with Lenny Lipton), Puff, the Magic Dragon. At the time of the book's publication, I was working as a children's librarian at a small rural library. I pre-ordered a copy thinking that it would be fun to read or sing aloud during storytime. As soon as I saw the actual book, I knew I also wanted a copy for my own home library. The clothbound book came with this beautiful, shimmery foil-enhanced dust jacket and inside gorgeous, full page bleed illustrations by the talented Eric Puybaret.

The land of Honalee, as imagined by Puybaret, is a colorful, magical one. Puff looks very friendly and approachable, the perfect companion for a little boy named Jackie Paper. The song really comes to life in the illustrations and, thankfully, there's even a happy ending. Sad Puff isn't abandoned forever in his cave. Both my kids really like the book and, for the past couple months, my toddler son has requested "Puff" frequently. First he wants to sit and look at the pictures while I sing the song and then he asks for the CD so he can dance to the music. The book comes with a CD recording of Yarrow singing "Puff, the Magic Dragon" with his daughter, Bethany (plus a couple of bonus songs). The beautiful book could easily become a collectible, but I'm afraid ours has already experienced some wear and tear. That's OK though...after all, I'd rather see the book in my children's hands than sitting on the shelf. A worn book signals a good book.

More of Yarrow's folk songs for kids can be found in his Story Songbook series. I reviewed The Peter Yarrow Songbook: Sleepytime Songs in 2008, here on Brimful Curiosities. Since then we've had the opportunity to read and listen to The Peter Yarrow Songbook: Let's Sing Together!

18 Comments on Spotlight on Peter Yarrow, last added: 1/11/2010
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16. Twelve Days of Christmas in Wisconsin and a White Elephant Party Experience

My husband's boss hosts a holiday party each year for his employees. Guests attending must each bring a white elephant gift to exchange. This year we arrived at the party without high expectations for the gifts. After all, the purpose of the exchange is more for entertainment purposes than gain. Last year we took home a signed and framed photo of one of the attendees in a karate position and a container of homemade meat rub. Funny gifts, but not exactly something to keep or treasure.

Guess what? I found a gift to fight over and steal this year! Someone brought a children's picture book to give away at the party titled The Twelve Days of Christmas in Wisconsin. OK, maybe I didn't have to fight too hard considering I probably the only one there with a huge passion for children's books, but I did make a point to steal it! And, I won't be regifting it next year.

Since today, January 5th is technically the last of of the Twelve Days of Christmas, I thought now would be the perfect time for a little mini review of my white elephant find. Sterling Children's Books has published a whole series of "Twelve Days of Christmas" books specific to several states, Wisconsin included. Each of the books in the series are written or illustrated by different individuals.

Erin Eitter Kono authored and illustrated The Twelve Days of Christmas in Wisconsin. Born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin she knows all about the Badger State and mentions several facts and area destinations in her book using a series of written letters. Jake excitedly awaits a winter visit from his cousin Emma and sends her letters each of the twelve days before she arrives accompanied by twelve unusual gifts to familiarize her with Wisconsin. For instance, on the first day he sends a robin (Wisconsin's state bird) in a sugar maple (Wisconsin's state tree). Some other fun pieces of Wisconsin mentioned include the Ducks (amphibious vehicles) tours in Wisconsin Dells, Circus World Museum, the EAA, Whooping Cranes, and of course, cheese, badgers and snow. And, Even though I'm a lifelong resident and thought I knew everything about Wisconsin, I learned something new - apparently the American Water Spaniel is native to Wisconsin and is our official state dog! A fun book with cute illustrations by Kono, both kids and adults will enjoy pursuing through the pages and spotting all things Wisconsin.


Wondering what my husband brought home from the party? A true white elephant gift. We are guessing it is a cross between E.T. and and dinosaur. Any help in identifying it would be appreciated.

17. Chicken Dance by Tammi Sauer - Book Review

The chickens shuffled onstage. They blinked at the crowd. And gulped. "What's the matter?" yelled a duck. "Are you chicken?" - Chicken Dance by Tammi Sauer, illustrated by Dan Santat

I remember the days when my grandparents raised chickens. I remember walking into their bright red chicken house as a child and scattering the oats and watching those chickens scatter and flap their wings, feathers flying, all the while bawk, bawk BAWWWWWWWWWWWWWKKKing! Then we would gather eggs from the straw nests, sometimes coming across the stubborn hen that wouldn't get off her nest.

Yes, a visit to the hen house is a regular barnyard romp -- those chickens move about in their own sort of chicken dance rhythm. No, this dance has nothing to do with that silly dance people perform at weddings and such. It's just bawking and flapping and shaking to the ordinary chicken beat. Now just imagine what kind of ruckus there would be if the poultry equivalent to Elvis happened to enter the hen house. Well, you don't to imagine. Tammi Sauer pretty much covers it all in her newest book, Chicken Dance, featuring that famed Elvis Poultry and a couple of infatuated hens, Marge and Lola.

It all starts with a poster announcing a talent show. The grand prize: tickets to Elvis Poultry in concert (the final Doodle Doo). Marge and Lola, the desperate hens, want those tickets. In order to beat the cocky ducks and other rivals, they need a talent. Finding a talent is easier said than done, and they quickly discover tightrope walking really isn't their thing. Marge and Lola end up "winging it," and compete against some stiff competition including tractor eating goats and leaping cows. Will they rock the house and get their chance to meet the crooner, Elvis Poultry? Or will they "fowl"-up?

This barnyard frolic made us laugh and laugh and laugh. The creative and humorous play on words makes it especially fun for adults. My daughter loves the depictions of the chickens trying to find a talent - bowling, swimming - it all makes her giggle. Dan Santat perfectly illustrates Elvis Poultry, resplendent in a white, rhinestone studded Elvis suit, and the action packed images of the performing chickens steal the visual show. The book jacket is hilarious, and the back cover looks like an LP record cover featuring songs like "Jailhouse Bawk." There's even a moral to this children's story. The "don't be a chicken" and "be yourself" messages ring out loud and clear. Chicken Dance is an all around, blue-ribbon winner of a picture book!

Chicken Dance by Tammi Sauer, illustrated by Dan Santat. Sterling (August 2009); 36 pages; ISBN 9781402753664;
Book Source: Review copy provided for free by Sterling Publishing (View my full disclosure statement for more information about my reviews.)


Related Links:
Tammi Sauer - Author Website
Dan Santat - Illustrator Website
Sterling Children's Books - Chicken Dance

Chicken Dance YouTube Video contest: Post a "Chicken Dance" related video and win big. Grand Prize: Original Art from Dan Santat; 1st Place: $50 gift certificate to Barnes & Noble; 2 runners up: $25 gift certificate to Barnes & Noble each. Details at http://www.elvispoultrybooks.com Ends 10/31/09

2 Comments on Chicken Dance by Tammi Sauer - Book Review, last added: 10/13/2009
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18. Where’d You Get Those Shoes? At the Thrift Store!

 If you went through my closet you would find name brands like Kenneth Cole, Cole Haan, Coach, Michael Cors, Prada, Bianca Nero, etc… The list goes on and on of name brands found all over my bedroom. It reads like a who’s who fashion magazine. One would probably think that I have a very good job making loads of money, or that I am a superficial clothes whore…But, I’m Not. I just know how to shop and shop well.

 The truth of the matter is that I everything I own, practically, comes from the thrift store. What? Yes, you heard me right. Every brand I mentioned came from the thrift store. Now if you are a reality television hound and have seen the show Southern Belles: Louisville, there was an episode with one of the “Rich” women going to the thrift store with her other “Belle” friend. The “Rich” woman was so put off by the place it was almost snobbish. The friend, who is considered a “Belle” on the show was just so down to earth and lovable. When her “Rich” friend went shopping, she bought four things from a boutique and spent $1000. You heard me right folks. She didn’t even bat and eye. The “Belle” was in disbelief. So that is when she took her “rich” friend shopping…thrift store style. And would you figure, the “Rich” lady didn’t buy a thing. She didn’t even really touch anything either. Oh my, I think I’ve got the vapors, is probably what she was thinking.

 A thousand dollars could get you a whole lot of stuff anywhere if you use it right. If you gave me a thousand dollars to spend at a thrift store, I could fully furnish a a home for a family of four, including clothing and food. No, I so am not kidding. And if there is anyone out there reading this who would like to see this happen, give me a thousand dollars and observe. You would be very impressed. Oh, and I would give you your change back too.

 If you are on a really tight budget, but enjoy having name brand things, this is the way to go. You have to have an open mind and patience though. People who are easily irritated should not shop a thrift store alone. Trust me I have seen women at thrift stores by themselves for the first time. It is not a pretty sight. They look lost and confused and you just want to give them a candy bar or something to distract their feelings of blah. It is so sad.

 I personally am the cheapest of the cheap. I am not cheap on quality. I do hold out for the better quality items, but even still, if I find the price a bit much. I will decline. The whole thing about thrifts stores is that you’ve got a good chance of finding the same thing over again somewhere else if you pass it up. Some things I do know are a once in a lifetime deal though. My most fabulous find yet is a pair of Michael Cors Bamboo Platform Wedge Heels for $4.00. They were probably worn once. Those shoes new were probably upwards of $100. or more. I usually won’t spend $4. on shoes, but these were a true find. A lot of times the higher end designer items are considered unknowns in the thrift store world. It takes a fashion worldly pricer/sorter to know what they’ve got. In this case, they just didn’t know. All of my Coach purses are from the thrift store. I don’t just buy any Coach purse either. Just because I see Coach in a thrift store, I don’t go crazy. Nine times out of ten the purses are in fabulous condition and depending on my mood, I will spend the money. Since Coach is a well known name, people know what they have and price it accordingly. The most I have ever spent on Coach is maybe $3.00. Trust me, there is a lot of Coach out there in thrift store land and you will see the prices range from $20-$60. Even at those prices, you are getting a deal.

 When you go to a thrift store it is best to have a plan. If you are going there for the first time, you should bring a friend. It helps if your friend is already into thrift stores, but if not, it is okay. Even two first timers would be able to be supportive of each other in this venture. If you go into a thrift store “blindly” you are just going to be too overwhelmed. You would probaly walk in then walk right out. Just like with anything new, it can be scary.

 Sometimes the word thrift store brings up images of well worn clothing, uncleanliness, and filth. Some thrift stores look more like boutiques or department stores. They are organized, clean, and some even have free coffee and donuts. Clothes are separated by category, size, and even color. But thrift stores are more than just clothing and shoes. You can find furniture, books, appliances, household goods, electronics, computers, jewelry, and even cars. Yes, even cars. The majority of thrift store items come via donation. People who donate are given a tax deductible form. This way they can claim it on their taxes as a write off. So the items that they want to make big claims on are high dollar items. Cars and boats bring in a good chunk of change. Sometimes you may get a fixer upper, but most of the time you get a good used car for much less than some private owners would sell.

Image via Wikipedia

 Some of the other items I mentioned like jewelry and computers are also great finds for shallow pockets. I love real silver jewelry. I can not get enough of the stuff. A lot of times the sorters and pricers are unaware of the jewelry they have and mark it according to whether they feel it will sell or not. In doing this they do not look closely enough at the marks on a piece. A lot of times, they don’t know what they are looking at anyway. When it comes to silver, real silver, they have a several different stampings to signify that it is real. If the sorters and pricers don’t know, they just don’t know. I have gotten a lot of beautiful pieces for under a dollar. They even have some jewelry that they sell in bulk just because they can not untangle it or whatever. Now a day you can sell scrap and broken gold or silver jewelry and make some money from your thrift store finds. I know I have.

 Computers. A lot of thrift stores now have people who are know how to work on computers. Most computers donated to thrift stores are just “older” versions. And just because they are “older” doesn’t mean that they don’t work. If you see a computer at the thrift store, they usually have them set up so that you can see they work. A lot of times you can buy a complete set up for under $200. That’s a great. I mean unless you are going to do some crazy high tech stuff. These computers will do the job. They are usually internet ready, have dvd/cd rom, have a version of Windows installed that might not be the newest, but just a step down, and are just the right thing if you want good basic capabilities.

 Did I mention discounts? Yes, even thrift stores have discounts. The volume of items donated can far surpass the amount sold. In this case thrift stores will have sales, clearances, and even sometimes free offers. Most thrift stores have a color tag, or day discount system. Depending on the color tag, or day is what your discount  will be. You may get 50% off the tag price, or maybe buy one get on free on Wednesday. Some places offer “bag sales”. This is where you are able to fill a bag up with anything in the store for a set price. Seasonal clearances are always happening and is the best way to save and get ready for the next year. Even better still is the “free table”. One of my favorite thrift stores has a free table. Yes, you can take whatever you want from that table. And boy, do they have some great stuff too. You just never know what you may find.

 So, if you have read this entire article, I suggest that you look up some of your local thrift stores and check them out. Not only will you find some great items, but you will be saving money. In the long run it will help out yourself and support your local thrift store. By doing this who knows what it will do for the economy

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19. Where’d You Get Those Shoes? At the Thrift Store!

 If you went through my closet you would find name brands like Kenneth Cole, Cole Haan, Coach, Michael Cors, Prada, Bianca Nero, etc… The list goes on and on of name brands found all over my bedroom. It reads like a who’s who fashion magazine. One would probably think that I have a very good job making loads of money, or that I am a superficial clothes whore…But, I’m Not. I just know how to shop and shop well.

 The truth of the matter is that I everything I own, practically, comes from the thrift store. What? Yes, you heard me right. Every brand I mentioned came from the thrift store. Now if you are a reality television hound and have seen the show Southern Belles: Louisville, there was an episode with one of the “Rich” women going to the thrift store with her other “Belle” friend. The “Rich” woman was so put off by the place it was almost snobbish. The friend, who is considered a “Belle” on the show was just so down to earth and lovable. When her “Rich” friend went shopping, she bought four things from a boutique and spent $1000. You heard me right folks. She didn’t even bat and eye. The “Belle” was in disbelief. So that is when she took her “rich” friend shopping…thrift store style. And would you figure, the “Rich” lady didn’t buy a thing. She didn’t even really touch anything either. Oh my, I think I’ve got the vapors, is probably what she was thinking.

 A thousand dollars could get you a whole lot of stuff anywhere if you use it right. If you gave me a thousand dollars to spend at a thrift store, I could fully furnish a a home for a family of four, including clothing and food. No, I so am not kidding. And if there is anyone out there reading this who would like to see this happen, give me a thousand dollars and observe. You would be very impressed. Oh, and I would give you your change back too.

 If you are on a really tight budget, but enjoy having name brand things, this is the way to go. You have to have an open mind and patience though. People who are easily irritated should not shop a thrift store alone. Trust me I have seen women at thrift stores by themselves for the first time. It is not a pretty sight. They look lost and confused and you just want to give them a candy bar or something to distract their feelings of blah. It is so sad.

 I personally am the cheapest of the cheap. I am not cheap on quality. I do hold out for the better quality items, but even still, if I find the price a bit much. I will decline. The whole thing about thrifts stores is that you’ve got a good chance of finding the same thing over again somewhere else if you pass it up. Some things I do know are a once in a lifetime deal though. My most fabulous find yet is a pair of Michael Cors Bamboo Platform Wedge Heels for $4.00. They were probably worn once. Those shoes new were probably upwards of $100. or more. I usually won’t spend $4. on shoes, but these were a true find. A lot of times the higher end designer items are considered unknowns in the thrift store world. It takes a fashion worldly pricer/sorter to know what they’ve got. In this case, they just didn’t know. All of my Coach purses are from the thrift store. I don’t just buy any Coach purse either. Just because I see Coach in a thrift store, I don’t go crazy. Nine times out of ten the purses are in fabulous condition and depending on my mood, I will spend the money. Since Coach is a well known name, people know what they have and price it accordingly. The most I have ever spent on Coach is maybe $3.00. Trust me, there is a lot of Coach out there in thrift store land and you will see the prices range from $20-$60. Even at those prices, you are getting a deal.

 When you go to a thrift store it is best to have a plan. If you are going there for the first time, you should bring a friend. It helps if your friend is already into thrift stores, but if not, it is okay. Even two first timers would be able to be supportive of each other in this venture. If you go into a thrift store “blindly” you are just going to be too overwhelmed. You would probaly walk in then walk right out. Just like with anything new, it can be scary.

 Sometimes the word thrift store brings up images of well worn clothing, uncleanliness, and filth. Some thrift stores look more like boutiques or department stores. They are organized, clean, and some even have free coffee and donuts. Clothes are separated by category, size, and even color. But thrift stores are more than just clothing and shoes. You can find furniture, books, appliances, household goods, electronics, computers, jewelry, and even cars. Yes, even cars. The majority of thrift store items come via donation. People who donate are given a tax deductible form. This way they can claim it on their taxes as a write off. So the items that they want to make big claims on are high dollar items. Cars and boats bring in a good chunk of change. Sometimes you may get a fixer upper, but most of the time you get a good used car for much less than some private owners would sell.

Image via Wikipedia

 Some of the other items I mentioned like jewelry and computers are also great finds for shallow pockets. I love real silver jewelry. I can not get enough of the stuff. A lot of times the sorters and pricers are unaware of the jewelry they have and mark it according to whether they feel it will sell or not. In doing this they do not look closely enough at the marks on a piece. A lot of times, they don’t know what they are looking at anyway. When it comes to silver, real silver, they have a several different stampings to signify that it is real. If the sorters and pricers don’t know, they just don’t know. I have gotten a lot of beautiful pieces for under a dollar. They even have some jewelry that they sell in bulk just because they can not untangle it or whatever. Now a day you can sell scrap and broken gold or silver jewelry and make some money from your thrift store finds. I know I have.

 Computers. A lot of thrift stores now have people who are know how to work on computers. Most computers donated to thrift stores are just “older” versions. And just because they are “older” doesn’t mean that they don’t work. If you see a computer at the thrift store, they usually have them set up so that you can see they work. A lot of times you can buy a complete set up for under $200. That’s a great. I mean unless you are going to do some crazy high tech stuff. These computers will do the job. They are usually internet ready, have dvd/cd rom, have a version of Windows installed that might not be the newest, but just a step down, and are just the right thing if you want good basic capabilities.

 Did I mention discounts? Yes, even thrift stores have discounts. The volume of items donated can far surpass the amount sold. In this case thrift stores will have sales, clearances, and even sometimes free offers. Most thrift stores have a color tag, or day discount system. Depending on the color tag, or day is what your discount  will be. You may get 50% off the tag price, or maybe buy one get on free on Wednesday. Some places offer “bag sales”. This is where you are able to fill a bag up with anything in the store for a set price. Seasonal clearances are always happening and is the best way to save and get ready for the next year. Even better still is the “free table”. One of my favorite thrift stores has a free table. Yes, you can take whatever you want from that table. And boy, do they have some great stuff too. You just never know what you may find.

 So, if you have read this entire article, I suggest that you look up some of your local thrift stores and check them out. Not only will you find some great items, but you will be saving money. In the long run it will help out yourself and support your local thrift store. By doing this who knows what it will do for the economy

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20. Richard Scarry's The Great Pie Robbery

and Other Mysteriesby Richard ScarryThe Great Pie Robbery 1969The Supermarket Mystery 1969The Great Steamboat Mystery 1975reprinted by Sterling 2009Sam Cat and Dudley Pig are detectives.They find children who get lost.They catch robbers who steal things.Really, folks, that's as much as you need to know, that and the name Richard Scarry, and you're off. Sam and Dudley are as dingy a pair of

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21. Yee-haw! It’s the Tammi Sauer Round-up, Partner!


cowboycampTammi Sauer is the author of Cowboy Camp, a knee-slappin’, whip-snappin’, giddyup of a picture book.

I predict you’re going to be hearing a lot about Tammi soon. With several gotta-read-’em titles on the way–including Chicken Dance, Mostly Monsterly and Princess-in-Training–we can all say we knew her when!

Tammi is moseyin’ over to my blog today to talk about her trail ride from writer to published author.

Tammi, how did Cowboy Camp gallop from your desk to the bookshelves?

Cowboy Camp didn’t start at my desk, it started on my front porch.

One evening, there was an unexpected knock at the door. I opened it and was greeted by a young boy. He was selling newspaper subscriptions in an effort to go to…COWBOY CAMP. I looked at this kid with his everywhere hair and thick glasses and uncowboy-like everything and knew I had a story.

I wrote the manuscript, revised it, and sent it out in under a week—my fastest ever. Early on, Cowboy Camp made its way to three acquisitions meetings. Oh, the joy. But each time the manuscript was returned to me with regret. Oh, the agony. Many personal rejections rolled in as well. Then I discovered a house that was just starting up a picture book line. I thought, “Maybe this is it!”

I sent Cowboy Camp to Sterling Publishing. Within two weeks, I learned the manuscript was going to acquisitions. Shortly thereafter, the editor emailed and told me the acquisitions team loved the manuscript, but the house wanted to find the perfect illustrator before offering me a contract. Yes, more joy. More agony.

Months went by. I decided to send Cowboy Camp to SmartWriter’s first W.I.N.! (Write It Now!) Competition. Cowboy Camp ended up placing second in the picture book division out of more than 400 entries. I shared the news with my editor contact at Sterling. Within weeks, I had an offer. Yee-haw!

You said Cowboy Camp was your “fastest ever.” How many picture book manuscripts did you write before Cowboy Camp? Are any of those slated for publication?

I’m not sure how many picture book manuscripts came before Cowboy Camp. Maybe four or five? I do know that they were collectively awful. I consider them my “practice manuscripts.” And ha! No, none of those early works are slated for publication.

So how long had you been writing for children when you got the contract for Cowboy Camp?

tammisauerIn 2000, I started toying with the idea of writing children’s books (this meant I would write for a couple of hours one day and not write another word for the next, oh, ten months or so). I didn’t get serious about writing children’s books until the spring of 2003 when an illustrator paid a visit to my daughter’s preschool. Seeing a real live person who was involved in the creation of children’s books was the push I needed to make writing a priority in my life. I received Cowboy Camp’s offer the following year.

You have five books slated for release. Do you have an agent now, or are you continuing to submit on your own?

I have an agent. In August of 2005, after much agent research, I sent Laura Rennert at Andrea Brown Literary Agency a query for a humorous, contemporary teen novel. It wasn’t long before she asked for the manuscript. The next thing I knew, she wanted to call me. Eek! Fortunately, a miracle occurred and the phone call went well…so well in fact that I KNEW I found the right match for me and my work.

Around the time that I signed, my PB writing started to take off. And that teen novel of mine? It was getting revision request after revision request after revision request to infinity. I made the decision to put the novel on hold and focus on what I loved and did best–PBs. Laura fully supported me on my decision.

You obviously have the talent to succeed in novels. How did you come to the realization that you were a PB-writer at heart? Do you think you’ll ever go back to that YA novel?

PBs just felt more right.

I don’t think I will ever go back to that novel. There was a lot that I loved in that manuscript (the characters, the humor, the voice). But one day it occurred to me that if I was going to have a novel Out There, I’d want it to be someone’s favorite. I would want others to feel about my book the same way I had felt when I read A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban. My manuscript was nice, but it didn’t have that kind of wow factor.

What do you love most about writing picture books? Is there a particularly satisfying challenge? Are you thrilled to see your words come to life through each illustrator’s interpretation?

I can’t think of the one thing I love most. Coming up with a good idea is awesome. So is finding the perfect word, creating just the right story arc, and discovering new ways to build heart and humor into a manuscript.

As for satisfying challenges? I would have to say getting the “Yeah, baby!” from my critique partner Cynthea Liu is one of the hardest things to come by and therefore one of the most satisfying of challenges. The “Yeah, baby!” is what we give one another when a manuscript is decidedly brilliant and ready to be sent agent-ward. Believe me, getting the coveted “Yeah, baby!” is worthy of fanfare.

chickendanceIt has been a real thrill to see my words come to life through each illustrator’s interpretation. In Chicken Dance, Dan Santat created an Elvis Poultry that absolutely floored me. I recently received Scott Magoon’s sketches for Mostly Monsterly and I was equally amazed. Scott’s take on the main character and her story was better than I had ever imagined. I feel honored to be working with such talented people.

One way for children’s authors to promote their books is with school visits. You just got back from a school visit in Texas. Can you tell us about that? What is a typical Tammi Sauer visit like for the students?

I absolutely love doing school visits–especially when schools work hard to make the day an event. On my web site, I list some tips for a successful school visit and Holliday Elementary certainly made the most of it. The kids–as well as some of the faculty and staff–gussied up in their best cowboy and cowgirl gear. Cowboy grub was served. Stick horse races took place in the gym. Bandana-wrapped trail mix was passed out. A guess-the-number-of-beans contest was held in the library media center… It was truly a cowboy-themed day.

I always strive to make my school visits fun, engaging, and informative. I offer a lot of opportunities for audience participation, perform a couple of magic tricks and/or an impromptu theater experience, and do what I can to really connect with the kids. Creating a memorable and meaningful experience for students is my top goal.

Yee-haw, honey! That sounds like a rootin’-tootin’ good time!

Once your picture book is accepted, the publisher has to find an illustrator. How much input do you give your editor regarding illustrator choice?

Some houses ask for illustrator input. Some don’t. I was thrilled when my editor at Simon & Schuster asked me for an Illustrator Wish List. So fun! One of the names at the very top of my list was Scott Magoon. I was astounded when Scott signed on for Mostly Monsterly. Total writerly dream come true!

I am happy to say I have formed good email relationships with Dan Santat and Scott Magoon. They are both so funny and brilliant and beyond what I had ever hoped for as partners for my books.

How do you stand the wait until your book is released? Most picture books take 1-2 years to hit the shelves!

tammichicksI WISH it only took 1-2 years! Chicken Dance will hit the shelves three years after I received the offer. Mostly Monsterly debuts two and a half years post-offer. The waiting is pretty horrible–especially since I am not a patient person. At all.

But, wow, when little bits of news trickle in—like finding out who will illustrate an upcoming book or receiving preliminary sketches or seeing the final art for the first time–it makes for some really nice moments along the way.

Tammi,  thanks for sharing your story. Before you ride off into the sunset, what’s your best piece of advice for aspiring picture book authors?

My best piece of advice for new writers who dream of becoming published picture book authors is to read–and study!–as many picture books as possible. Knowing picture books inside and out–their feel, their rhythm, their language–is the very first step in creating quality picture books of their own.

OK, cowpokes! You heard Tammi! Now get on back on yer saddle! Read and write! 

And don’t forget to visit Tammi’s blog! You can order Cowboy Camp or pre-order Chicken Dance via Amazon.

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22. ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Aboard the ‘Black Sark’


 
'Sir Peggedy' visits the pirate ship in "A Pirate's Night Before Christmas

'Sir Peggedy' visits the pirate ship in "A Pirate's Night Before Christmas"

My two all-time favorite Holiday Season  picture books are by members of my own children’s writing group!
One is Santa Knows by Cynthia and Greg Leitich Smith, illustrated by Steve Bjorkman (Dutton).

 The other is the new  A Pirates Night Before Christmas, by Philip Yates, illustrated by Sebastia Serra (Sterling .)  

A Pirate's Night Before Christmas" by Phillip Yates and illustrator Sebastia Serra

"A Pirate's Night Before Christmas" by Phillip Yates and illustrator Sebastia Serra

I guess there would be one more, and that would be the classic  A Child’s Christmas in Wales by the poet Dylan Thomas, but that’s because of the fascinating wash illustrations by the great Edward Ardizzone. (David R. Godine, Publisher)

 

 

 But how amazing is that when the two quintessential (modern)  Christmas picture books you can think of are by writers from your own tribe,  in your own town?

Yates is a poet and humorist as well as an author, and in “Pirate’s Night Before Christmas, he applied all three gifts to a sea-yarn retelling of Clemment Moore’s “The Night Before Christmas.”

“I wrote the whole story by asking questions and putting myself into this workd that is uniquely the pirates,”  he told Cynthia Leitich Smith in her children’s and YA literature blog Cynsations.

“That’s what writing successful picture books is all about — asking the right questions and letting the answers come in the most heartfelt way. “

How would pirates celebrate Christmas? Yates wondered.

They would be too bad and mean to deserve a visit from Santa come so they would need their own ornery ’sea dog’ version of Santa — and he would drive a marine sleigh pulled by seahorses!

The rhyme structure of Moore’s famous Christmas classic is  anapestic tetrameter. It’s the meter  also found in Dr. Seuss’s beloved Yertle the Turtle and Cat in the Hat, Yates said.

“It’s a breezy, whimsical, magical form that just flows beautifully and is highly contagious when read out loud,” he  told Smith. 

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To prepare to put new language and new word pictures into old poetic forms, Yates steeped  himself  in pirate lore – ”the grammar, the slang, the history, the parts of the ship… ” he told Smith.

Actually composing the poem took him only two days.

He sent the ms out to five publishers and received offers from three!

He went with Sterling, who offered first, and Sterling pulled in talented Spanish illustrator Sebastia Serra, who lives in a village on the  Mediterranean coast near Barcelona.

Children’s book illustrators and pirates have a special relationship with each other  that pre-dates Disney and Johnny Depp.

Howard Pyle and N.C. Wyeth leap to mind, and so does Gustaf Tenggren.

Serra’s pirates evoke wooden toys, marionettes and bright-colored sea creatures.  There’s something oddly menacing about them, as there should be — particularly that  ’outlaw santa’,  Sir Peggedy. 

Serra’s  illustrations for the book were created with pencil and ink on parchment,  and then digitially colored.

Pirates — even cliche pirates —  are never cute — not in the best  depictions of them that resonate with children and the child in all of us. 

Robert Louis Stevenson knew this.  Long John Silver had us wondering up until  the very end of Treasure Island  if he was a bad guy or a good guy. We were never sure, not even after turning the novel’s last page, although he usually treated young Jim Hawkins decently.  

As in the word portraits of pirates, pictures of pirates must include some minor key sounds – disturbing elements  in the colors, details of the caricatures, or the ’spirit’ behind a scene (even when the Christmas socks are hung from the bowsprit with care.)

Pirates in children’s picture books can be poignant and a tiny bit  endearing.  But if they come off too cuddly, they’re just wrong!  Children get this.   And so do Yates and Serra.

Serra's pirate ship from "The Pirate's Night Before Christmas

Serra's pirate ship from "The Pirate's Night Before Christmas"

 Yates talked with us about the illustrations that appear in his book. 

 When you were writing, were you imagining the pictures in the book-to-be? Did you kind of visually  “thumbnail” the whole work in your head? 

Or did you mainly focus on the language of the poem – already sort of knowing  that the stanzas would  work as a rollicking, page turning, picture book experience.

A lot of the creation of the narrative involved inserting pictures in my head as I wrote.  I knew the structure of the poem’s anapestic meter so well that I trusted the language to guide me on the voyage. The poem already works and has stood the test of time for nearly 190 years. Since the language was already there, I just had to pop in the images that worked best.

I immersed myself so thoroughly in the pirate world that the images came first and guided the language. For example, in the opening stanzas, I couldn’t hang stockings from chimneys so I had to research how pirate ships looked and where a stocking would hang and it wasn’t until I came across a picture of a bowsprit that  I realized it was a perfect place to hang a stocking.

But with what? Well, I found illustrations of ships that used tar to make repairs and since tar rhymes with thar,the two came together in perfect synchronicity.

I’m not an illustrator, but the book truly was guided by the  ”picture” first, the “narrative” second.

From "The Pirate's Night Before Christmas

From "The Pirate's Night Before Christmas"

Were you permitted any kind of  communication with Sebastia Serra during the illustration process? 

The whole discovery of Serra was simply amazing and all credit is due my editor at Sterling Publishing. Serra had submitted a portfolio to Sterling and one look at his artwork and they knew he was perfect. All the communication regarding the artwork was done between Serra and Sterling, or Sterling and me. I never spoke to him by phone,
communicated by email, or anything. It would have been heavenly to talk to him, but sometimes you have to trust your art director and this was a case where I totally put my trust in them from the start.

Were you given an opportunity to share ideas about the art. (Or did you even want such an opportunity?)

I had very little to contribute since the art was so splendid. I almost think it was eerie how perfectly he captured the world I envisioned. But there were tiny things like “I want to see more seaweed on Sir Peggedy,” or “His tooth needs to be golder,” since this was boldly expressed in the verses themselves.

I also wanted more  people of all colors and races because pirate worlds were pretty diverse, when you think about it.

Any insight into why your editor at Sterling selected
Sebastia to illustrate?

His artwork was modern, moody, had an edgy quality to it that was appealing. Similar to Lane Smith, I think. Lots of clutter, but I mean that in a postive way. Detail upon detail. He could also handle crowds of pirates in one picture, which, when you look at the illustrations, you can see this was necessary. They were also struck by the world he had created on his own with my language as the starting board—the monkey running around,
the fish hanging on the Christmas tree, the treasure map with it’s unique geography. It was all in the details. 

'Sir Peg' with the men. Illustration by Sebastia Serra

'Sir Peg' with the men. Illustration by Sebastia Serra

What was (is) your reaction to his art for the book when you saw it?

I was overwhelmed, to be honest.  As I said earlier, it felt like some telepathic thing had been going on between us. After seeing all the illustrations together for the first time, it almost felt like he had been looking over my shoulder the whole time I was writing it, it
was that spooky. But mostly, to be honest, was the feeling that I had accomplished what I set out to do—I had given him enough of this world so that he could go off on his own and expand it and give it his own twist.

At one reading recently, a parent came up to me and she thought I had done the illustrations and was surprised when she saw Serra’s name on it.

She said that the language and the visuals so perfectly meshed and how did it manage to come out without me even being in the same room with him. I was also proud because now he has several illustrator offers on his table, thanks to the Pirate’s success.

Have you done any kind of teamed promotional activity with Serra? Or are there plans to team the two of you somehow on the promotional circuit?

Well, Sebastia’s in Barcelona, Spain and here I am in Austin. He has been promoting it as best he can, but I imagine that  it’s difficult to translate Clement Moore’s poem from English into Spanish without messing with the rhyme or meter in some way. I imagine the story can be told successfully in Spanish because the pictures are so great. I do hope to meet him some day and he is eager to team up again on another project, but right now it’s difficult for both of us to get together.

Phil Yates

Author Phil Yates

 

 

 

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