Richard Torrey's Blog, page 3
January 25, 2016
Barnes & Noble Book Reading/Signing
Before the snow hit this weekend, I did a book reading/signing at the Lake Grove Barnes & Noble, which included the unveiling of my new book, THE ALMOST TERRIBLE PLAYDATE. I'm pleased to report that it got a wonderful reception from the sizable gathering. A big thank you to Barbara Turney, the Community Business Development Manager for Barnes & Noble for arranging the evening, and to all those who interrupted their blizzard preparations to participate.
January 21, 2016
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL CALLS THE ALMOST TERRIBLE PLAYDATE "A CLEVER STORY OF DUELING IMAGINATIONS."
From School Library Journal's January issue:
TORREY, Richard. The Almost Terrible Playdate. illus. by Richard Torrey. 40p. Doubleday. Feb. 2016. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780553510997.
PreS-Gr 1–Having a playdate can be the best, but agreeing on what to play is another story. Two children exchange ideas, but neither one is willing to compromise and accept the other’s suggestions.
When the girl posits that she is a wizard and that the boy is a frog-turned-pony on which her doll can ride, the boy is frustrated imagining himself a frog.
When the boy suggests they both be race cars competing for the title of Champion of the Universe, the girl imagines covering her ears at the deafening sound.
The story continues back and forth, until the action reaches a crescendo and the children resolve to play alone. That is, until they find a way for their ideas to coexist.
The art is consistent throughout, showing each child in black pencil outline with single-colored clothing and their ideas illustrated to life in the corresponding color of their clothes.
There are no background illustrations, so the eye focuses directly on the images each child is conjuring through his or her ideas.
Often the imagined self of the child is taking on the same pose as the real-life child while they are going back and forth.
VERDICT A clever story of dueling imaginations.–Matthew C. Winner, Ducketts Lane Elementary School, Elkridge, MD
To read the review on the School Library Journal website, click here.
January 18, 2016
The NY Times Review of THE ALMOST TERRIBLE PLAYDATE
My new book, THE ALMOST TERRIBLE PLAYDATE was just reviewed by Leonard Marcus in The New York Times Book Review. An expert in the field of children's literature and an author himself, Marcus strikes a somewhat scholarly tone, filtering out some of the joy and fun in the process. That being said, my new book was just reviewed in The New York Times!!!!!!
Marcus's take on my book begins:
“It’s fun to have fun,” as Dr. Seuss cautioned in “The Cat in the Hat,” “but you have to know how.” In “The Almost Terrible Playdate,” a boy and a girl of 5 or so who have not quite mastered the art lock horns in a cranky negotiation over what let’s-pretend scenario to play out. Not surprisingly, both children want to have their own way and both wish to be the hero of their story.
Click here to read the entire review, titled 'STRICTLY NO ELEPHANTS,' BIG FRIENDS AND MORE
January 11, 2016
A Review of THE ALMOST TERRIBLE PLAYDATE
I would like to call your attention to children's author, Susan Leonard Hill's wonderful children's book blog. Last Friday she featured my next book, THE ALMOST TERRIBLE PLAYDATE in a regular post she calls PERFECT PICTURE BOOK FRIDAY.
In it she says:
This is a delightful story, told completely through dialogue and illustration (a good mentor text for writers who are working on similar stories.) The writing is spare and there is no written narrative – it’s all a conversation. The girl is completely sure that her idea is best, her game the most fun…and not surprisingly it gives her the starring role. The boy is equally convinced that his totally different idea is best, his game the most fun…and not surprisingly it gives him the starring role :) Anyone who has ever spent time around kids will recognize this dynamic. The children’s imaginative descriptions grow more and more elaborate as they try to convince each other, but it is not to be...
I invite you to read the entire blog post as well as Susan's other insightful pieces by clicking here.
There is not a more gratifying feeling than having someone you respect understand and like something you have created. I want to thank Susan for her very thoughtful post.
January 5, 2016
It's Here!
Today I received an advanced copy of my next book, THE ALMOST TERRIBLE PLAYDATE (Doubleday Books for Young Readers), which comes out next month.
From the Publisher's page: "Ideal for all families who have ever heard (or said!) the words “Why can’t you both JUST GET ALONG?!”, here is the story of two young children with VERY different ideas of what they want to play. What starts with an innocent question (“What do you want to play?”) soon veers hilariously toward chaos, as two children engage in the age-old struggle of princesses, ponies, and ballet vs. dinosaurs, dragons, and race cars. Which child will win? Or will both find a way to play nicely together?" Click here to read more from the post.
Front cover
Back cover
December 15, 2015
MY DOG, BOB is an ALA Booklist Editors’ Choice for 2015!
Wow, this is a big one for me. So happy to see this quiet book about a quietly-amazing dog make some noise. Although my books have always gotten good reviews, none has ever received any award. It feels good. Way to go Bob! Good dog! Click HERE to view the list.
December 11, 2015
A Charlie Brown Christmas...In Macy's Windows
While rushing to a lunch meeting with my agent and publisher last week I happened to walk past Macy's. This year's Christmas window display celebrates the 50th anniversary of A Charlie Brown Christmas. If you have the opportunity to get into NYC during the holiday season, and you're a fan of Peanuts, I urge you spend a little time fighting the crowds to see the display. You will be glad you did. Below are some of the pictures I took.
If you look carefully at the last shot you will see my big noggin reflected right smack in the middle of the window as I snap the picture.
December 10, 2015
A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS TURNS 50
50 years ago, I sat in front of our family's black and white TV with my brothers and watched the first airing of A Charlie Brown Christmas.
The following year I watched again, only this time in color. I can still remember the first glimpse of that winter sky full of stars, the glowing snow, and those strange search lights in the background as Charlie Brown and Linus searched for the perfect Christmas tree.
But nothing compared to the glow of that single stage light shining down on the tiny figure of Linus as he delivered that profoundly powerful soliloquy on the true meaning of Christmas.
I have watched A Charlie Brown Christmas every year since....sometimes multiple times. I could watch it a hundred more and never tire of that scene. So quiet. So simple. So perfect.
Now 50 years later, this national treasure is woven into the fabric of the holiday season. Hard to imagine that Charles Schulz nearly nixed the entire project before it ever got started. Harder still to imagine that, once completed, there were many doubters, including the producer of the special, the sponsor, and the network that was about to air it.
According to the LA Times, "a week before the December 1965 premiere, it was shown in New York for CBS executives, who watched in silence. When the lights came up, one of the bosses told Mendelson (the producer), "Well, you gave it a good try."
Click here to read more about A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS.
November 30, 2015
October 29, 2015
I'll Be Reading and Signing books this Sunday at the Long Island Aquarium
Join me Sunday, Nov. 1st at noon for a little reading, drawing, and book signing at the Bats, Barnacles, and Broomsticks Halloween Party at the Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead! Click here for more information.
