Jean Reidy's Blog, page 26

Teachers - My Way of Saying Thank You!

Dear Teachers  -

Welcome to Summer Vacation!

As a way of saying thanks for another great school year, I'd like to introduce you to the FREE resources available to teachers, readers and writers on my website at www.jeanreidy.com.  Just follow the Teachers/Writers Menu link to find:

Downloadable Curriculum Guides linked to learning standards for all my booksBreaking Down the Book: A Kid-Friendly Guide to Writing Bomb-Diggity Book Reviews and Book ReportsWord SearchesColoring PagesReading Extension Resources and ActivitiesFollow the FAQs link for further information, including loads of Author Information for Student Author Reports!

And if you're also a writer, check out these terrific opportunities ...

Teachers Write! Virtual Summer Writing Camp June 4th - August 10th - I'll be participating on June 18th and July 2nd
Picture Book Peek Weeks - Blog contests to win free critiques of your picture book manuscripts.

FINALLY ...

On July 31st, be on the lookout for TIME OUT FOR TEACHERS a special opportunity for teachers and a celebration of the release of my next book TIME OUT FOR MONSTERS! from Disney Hyperion.  All information will be appearing on my website at www.jeanreidy.com and blog at jeanreidy.blogspot.com.

Have a wonderful summer!

Jean

Win a Picture Book Manuscript Critique!

I hope you'll stop by and bid on this picture book critique and help Baby Jayden. For those of you who are hesitant to put your work out there, children's writer Carole Brooks has this to say.

"I want to encourage anyone who wants/needs a serious PB critique to consider this. I received a critique from Jean and she was spot on with every single suggestion. I mean spot on. Her eyes are sharp and her manner is kind and as a result, I have a much, much stronger manuscript after revising with her input."

Here's the link:
http://helpbabyjayden.wordpress.com/2012/06/02/picture-book-critique-by-picture-book-author-jean-reidy/

The bidding is open for only 2 more days!

More TOO PURPLEY! Readers

I love it when these little gems show up in my inbox. Search "TOO PURPLEY!" on YouTube for many more proud reading moments.

Picture Book Peek #14 to Help Baby Jayden

In place of a regular late spring/early summer Picture Book Peek Week, I've donated a critique to an online auction supporting the medical needs of baby Jayden Huynh. Please read Jayden's compelling story here. Then please consider bidding. The auction begins on 6/2. While I don't know exactly when my critique item will be open for bidding, you can follow the auction here so that you don't miss a thing.

Thanks to all!
Jean

TIME OUT FOR MONSTERS! - Letting loose a first review!

While I hinted about this on Facebook, I'm posting the entire Publishers Weekly review here.

Time Out for Monsters!

Even kids can get the fixer-upper urge—especially when the real estate in question is the time-out corner. “Mom says it’s fine, but I know better. I spend a LOT of time there,” says the refreshingly unapologetic young narrator. So he conjures up a world of excitement that includes a killer view, a fire brigade, a dump truck full of ice cream, and some kingly accoutrements. When Neubecker (What Little Boys Are Made Of) reveals that everything the hero imagines is simultaneously being drawn by him on the walls of the corner, readers won’t have trouble guessing what comes next. Reidy’s (Too Princessy!) descriptive narration (“This corner needs a comfy seat with some pillows... on a throne!”) gets a goose from colorful, comics-style typography. But this is Neubecker’s show, and he’s given plenty of space to let loose. Whether he’s showing a monster and dinosaur–stuffed polka-dotted big wheeler or a landscape filled with cupcakes, spread after spread is a riot of color, goofy fantasy, and well-choreographed freneticism. Ages 3–7. 

Favorite line - "spread after spread is a riot of color, goofy fantasy, and well-choreographed freneticism."  Hooray!  Reminds me of editor, Allyn Johnston's wise words -- perfect picture books are like a dance between text and illustrations. 

But I also love that this book was recognized as  "... Neubecker’s show, and he’s given plenty of space to let loose." My hope was that an illustrator would take my spare text and run with it. And Neubecker certainly did.

For a sneak peek at Robert Neubecker's process, original sketches from the book, including his original cover sketch (so darn cute!) check out his TIME OUT FOR MONSTERS! page.




 

There's no such thing as bad publicity ... right?

Check this out and watch carefully ...



And for the full screen version:
4-Year-Old’s Overdue Library Books Returned After Police Sent To Family’s House « CBS Pittsburgh

At least TOO PURPLEY! wasn't part of the incriminating evidence.

Children's Book Week 2012!

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HERE'S WHERE I'LL BE CELEBRATING!

Clearview Library
720 Third St.
Windsor, Colorado
Tuesday, May 8th
6:00 p.m.

Get ready to blast off for some interactive fun and prizes. I'll be featuring all my picture books including TOO PURPLEY!, TOO PICKLEY!, TOO PRINCESSY!, and Colorado Book Award finalist, LIGHT UP THE NIGHT. While we won't have book sales at this event, I'll be happy to sign your pre-purchased books.


THEN ON SATURDAY, HEAD OVER TO ...
The Tattered Cover Highlands Ranch
9315 Dorchester Street
May 12th
10:30 A.M.
Join me for a picture book writers' and illustrators' group reading sponsored by The Tattered Cover and the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators. I'll be reading TOO PRINCESSY! and signing all my books.


[image error] HERE'S MORE!
Get all the latest at Children's Book Week 2012.
Order the 2012 poster shown above!
Download the 2012 bookmark!
Stuff for teachers, librarians and booksellers.
Great ideas for kids!

My Newest Pre-K Buddies!

I was really excited to visit amazing SkyView Academy yesterday (ignore the dates on the photos), and these are just a few of my newest buddies. Not only are they sweet, smart and superb beat boxers, they are masters of the monkey face!

2012 Crystal Kite Winners

An excellent list! Congratulations to all!

TOO PICKLEY! Will Soon Take a Beating!

Just got the word that TOO PICKLEY! will be coming out in board book format this October - perfect for little hands (and teeth!) everywhere!

Do you know a little someone who likes their reading material indestructible? Preorder it on Amazon, Indiebound and Barnes & Noble.