Jessica Haight's Blog, page 153

Answer to Monday's Riddle! What's the Word?

Great guessing everyone! The theme is words. And, oh there is just so much to do with them! We are looking forward to sharing our thoughts about the wonderful world of words with you over the next few days. Lizzy is reviewing a very meaningful book on Wednesday, and Friday, we will be hosting Karen Pokras Toz , middle grade author of Nate Rocks the World. So, be sure to stop by. It's going to be a fun week! ~ F


Tell me your story as it is said. I am brought to life as I am read. What is told throughout the day will tell your tale far and away. My definition is known, though sometimes it's not, it all depends on what you've got. Passed on as a collection of thoughts and feelings, given a structure with an endless ceiling. I am here, as you are dreaming. What am I you ask? Well,  it's all in the meaning.

What am I? Answer: Words





FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Monday's Riddle! Given a Meaning...

Put on your thinking caps! Can you guess the theme this week? It's all about nothing and everything at the same time- lol! Good luck! ~ F

Tell me your story as it is said. I am brought to life as I am read. What is told throughout the day will tell your tale far and away. My definition is known, though sometimes it's not, it all depends on what you've got. Passed on as a collection of thoughts and feelings, given a structure with an endless ceiling. I am here, as you are dreaming. What am I you ask? Well,  it's all in the meaning. 


What am I? 


I gave you a clue!

FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

The DMS Wants to Know!

This week we have been discussing diversity in people. Monday's Riddle clued you in on the theme, and Lizzy reviewed the middle grade novel, The Thing About Georgie by Lisa Graff. We all have things about us that make us unique and set us apart from everyone else. Some qualities we are happy about and some parts of ourselves we work to overcome, like Percy Jackson and Remus Lupin, two colorful characters that we spotlighted on Top of the Heap . Friday, we were excited to host middle grade R.J. Palacio , and find out a little more about Auggie's amazing story. Today, we want to know what sets you apart in a crowd?


The DMS wants to know: What makes you unique? (character trait, physical attribute, etc.).


We'll tell you ours, if you tell us yours! 


Photosynthesis
Ywei Weng, Matt Deifer and Jacque Nelson
FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Author Interview with R.J. Palacio

“I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse.” ~August (Auggie) Pullman
The DMS was lucky enough to interview  R.J. Palacio , author of the middle grade novel Wonder. Lizzy recently reviewed this fascinating book, introducing us all to Auggie, whose story will forever change the way you look at the world around you. It was fun to share our thoughts about it and hear yours! We are excited to learn a little bit more about the story behind the story. So, without further adieu... take it away, R.J.! 

What inspired you to write Wonder?


I was inspired to write Wonder after a chance encounter with a little girl in front of an ice cream shop. It was the way my children responded, the way I responded to their response, and the way the girl's mom responded to our reactions, that really got me thinking about what life must be like for someone in that situation. I was thinking about it a lot that day and then the song Wonder, by Natalie Merchant, came on the radio, and some magical combination between the words to that song and the incident that had happened earlier that day just made me start writing.


How long did it take you to write Wonder?

It took me about a year and a half to write Wonder: basically because the only time I had to write was in the middle of the night. 

What are some of your favorite books from childhood? Were there any specific authors who inspired you?

I ran the gamut, in terms of interests. Everyone from Tolkien to Tolstoy which, like Via in the book, I read when I was fourteen. I loved the big epic books that were popular when I was growing up: James Michener and James Clavell. I liked Judy Blume. I liked anything about Greek Mythology. I liked science fiction.  

If you could befriend a character from any of your books, who would you befriend?

I would be friends with Auggie. 

You wrote each section of Wonder from a different point of view. What did you do to help capture the personality of each character and tell Auggie’s story through their eyes? Was there any character who was the most challenging to write from? 

I was very lucky in being to really get inside these characters, who felt quite real to me, and to be able to imagine their reactions to things and events. It really wasn't that hard for me, to be truthful. The only time it became hard was when I was trying to write from Julian's point of view, because ultimately, he didn't want to get to know Auggie at all, and it was Auggie's story I was interested in telling. So after a few pages and a few days of struggling with it, I decided not to include him because, ultimately, he didn't give a dang about Auggie and so I didn't give a dang about him. 

What is your favorite song?

Wonder, by Natalie Merchant. 

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? Why?

I would live exactly where I live now, but in a larger apartment. I'm a born and bred New Yorker. Having said that, I think I could be happy in Santa Monica for a while. And I would live in Paris. 
Where can we purchase your books?
Anywhere books are sold. 
☞ Author Website ☞  Twitter  ☞  Amazon.com  ☞ Barnes and Noble ☟

Read the reviews

☞ Today's Precept: Be kinder than necessary.FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Top of the Heap!

Monday's Riddle opened up a great topic of discussion for our theme this week. When you take a look at the diversity of people, there are so many things that make us unique, as well as set us apart. But, there are quite a few traits that pull us together as human beings. Lizzy reviewed The Thing About Georgie by Lisa Graff, which told the story of a young man learning how to cope with dwarfism. Friday, we will be chatting with R.J. Palacio , author of the middle grade book Wonder . Auggie's story is a perfect example of a person's strength and determination despite great odds. One common thread between us all is the personality traits that we develop in the wake of being different. Today, we want to take a moment to share with you a couple of characters who really stand out among the pack and make the best of what they've got!

This week's top of the heap: Inspirational personality traits from characters that we love : ) 

Fairday: I have to shout out to Remus Lupin from the Harry Potter Series. Poor Remus, bitten by a werewolf when he was young, and then treated like a dangerous, walking disease by the rest of the wizarding world. He had no control over what happened to him, but he does have control over himself (when the moon isn't full, that is :). He takes every step to try to keep the monster at bay with the wolfsbane potion Snape brews up and patiently tolerates being singled out or turned away. He learned to accept his fate, along with the nasty glares and snide remarks made from those who think themselves better. In the end, because he was tolerant and kind, he had a great circle of friends and a loving family, despite the trials and tribulations of his nightmarish condition. So, here's to the nicest werewolf I know, Remus Lupin!
~ F

Tolerance: A fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward opinions and practices that differ from one's own. 


Lizzy: Lots of characters are unique and have some kind of obstacle to tackle. One of my favorites is Percy Jackson from the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. Percy has a lot to overcome; even before he finds out he is a demigod. Having ADHD and constantly getting kicked out of schools isn’t easy. It is almost impossible to make friends, teachers seem to have it out for him, and it is hard to concentrate. Does he give up? Does Percy spend his time complaining? No, he tries to make it work at each new school he is enrolled in. He thinks about what has gone wrong in the past and tries to learn from it and not make the same mistakes again. The reason that I like Percy so much is because he keeps on trying. Perseverance is a necessary trait in anyone who has to rise above the things that are holding them back. It is this trait that helps him to be such a great demigod once he learns who he really is, because he does not give up. He keeps trying and working towards his goal no matter what. Go Percy!  ~L

Perseverance: Steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.
FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

What is the Thing About Georgie?

Georgie is 9 years old and about 42 inches tall. As a dwarf, he isn’t expected to grow much taller. His world is filled with obstacles that he has learned how to overcome, for the most part. Georgie is pretty independent at home and at school thanks to some accommodations that have been made for him (and lots of hard work on his part). He has had the same best friend forever, Andy.  They even start a dog walking business. Unfortunately, Andy wants to include a new boy in the business, which makes Georgie very jealous. To make matters worse he finds out he is going to have a new baby brother. He is not happy that his little sibling will surely be taller than he is before too long!  He knows his musician parents are probably thrilled to have a regular sized child who will be able to play an instrument and this makes his heart ache. After a misunderstanding with Andy, Georgie says some things he can’t take back. To make matters worse he gets partnered with Jeanie the Meanie for a class project. Now she seems out to get him! Will Georgie make up with his best friend? Once his brother is born will he be able to set aside his fears? Is Jeanie the Meanie as bad as she seems? Don’t miss this unique book that will allow you to see the world like you have never seen it before.


Reading The Thing About Georgie by Lisa Graff gave me a new perspective on life. I could easily relate to Georgie and the many struggles he has to overcome. I think his worries about his height and the things he couldn’t do were holding him back. We all do that sometimes. We focus so much on what we can’t do and forget to focus on what we can do. I learned a lot from reading this book and I am so glad I picked it up. Georgie is a funny kid who gets mad, jealous, and hurt- just like all of us. I would recommend this book to anyone in 3rd grade and up. A great book for kids to read with an adult! If you know someone who is different in some way, then this is the perfect book for you to read. You won’t regret looking at the world from Georgie’s point of view and I bet you will start to see things differently once you crack open this book. Has anyone else read The Thing About Georgie by Lisa Graff?  Or another book by her?

Happy Reading!
~LFEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Answer to Monday's Riddle! Varieties of Similarities...

Lots of creative guessing out there- lol : ) It's so interesting when you really notice the similarities and differences that we all share- what sets us apart as individuals, and what pulls us together as people. Lizzy and I are looking forward to exploring this topic with you for the next few days, and then Friday, we will be hosting a special interview with middle grade author, R. J. Palacio . Lizzy recently reviewed Wonder, and it is truly a life-changing story! So, stick with us this week, because it's going to be great! ~ F

In stark contrast, but always the same. Forged together by dust, gas, and rain. In a world of everything,  it's all so mysterious. The vast variety will make you delirious. If the view is seen from every sight, then the image that shifts will turn dark to light. I am something that always rings true, for without lots of me, there would be no one of you.


What am I? Answer: Diversity in People
FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Monday's Riddle! Brought Together. Set Apart.

Good luck, everyone! Can you guess the theme this week?  : ) ~ F



In stark contrast, but always the same. Forged together by dust, gas, and rain. In a world of everything,  it's all so mysterious. The vast variety will make you delirious. If the view is seen from every sight, then the image that shifts will turn dark to light. I am something that always rings true, for without lots of me, there would be no one of you.


What am I? 

I dropped two hints!  


Unity by Dave SanAngelo
~ Clue: the differences make the most difference~
FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

The DMS Wants to Know!

Edward Gorey Monday's Riddle clued you in on our theme of painters and illustrators this week. Wednesday, we were excited that Brocket the Rocket dropped by and told us all about one of his favorite summer reads, Nate Rocks the World by Karen Pokras Toz. On Top of the Heap, we shared with you two of our top picks for illustrators. And, Friday, we were honored to host an interview with the brilliant artist, Dave SanAngelo. Today, we want to hear from you!

The DMS wants to know: Who is your favorite artist/ illustrator? 

We told you ours. Now let's hear yours! 
One Way Street by Dave SanAngelo
FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Artist Interview with Dave SanAngelo

The Mr. and Mrs. by Dave SanAngeloThe DMS was lucky enough to interview the incredibly talented artist and animator, Dave SanAngelo. This past year, we reviewed the children's book Bye, Bye Balloon, which was written by Dave's brother, Ryan SanAngelo . What a talented family! When Dave agreed to interview with us, Lizzy and I were over the moon. His work is amazing, and we can't wait to share it with you! So, without further adieu... take it away, Dave! 




What was your inspiration to become an artist?


Way back when, during the late seventies, my grandfather picked me up from nursery school every Thursday because that day my parents both worked and I remember drawing him while he rested outside. He had his shoeless feet up on a chair and it was my introduction to the concept of foreshortening, when objects appear larger than they really are because they are closer to you. I drew his feet huge and his head really tiny and thought, "That can't be right, but that's what I see.". Anyway, I suppose that's the long way of me saying I don't remember what started me drawing I just took to it very young. My mother was an artist. She had paintings all around our house and my grandparents' house. I thought they were amazing. That influenced me. Also, as a boy I was really into cartoons, comic books, and Mad Magazine and I wanted to draw like those artists. I never cared about the words but I could stare at the pictures forever. As I got older I drew my own comics. It was my way of telling stories and making fun of something to make me and my friends laugh.
Who is your favorite artist?
Tough question. I can easily list a hundred names of people I've admired over the years, but the artists that have influenced me the longest are the Mad Magazine artists from the 50s - 80s. Like Jack Davis, Wally Wood, Harvey Kurtzman, Paul Coker, Sergio Aragones, Al Jaffee and Don Martin. My uncle had left a huge box of Mad Magazines at my grandparents' house. It was a treasure chest of awesome. Also, Norman Rockwell gets undermined by his old fashioned, "Aw shucks," simpler-way-of-life paintings but no one told a story better, with as much technical skill or attention to detail than he did.
Bride of Dracula by Dave San Angelo

What paths did you take to pursue your dream of becoming an artist/ animator?





I took every art class in high school and drew a lot of my own comic strips and comic books. Then I went to Paier College of Art in Hamden, CT where I received traditional training and learned how to paint. After that I got into the animation business while still keeping up my painting on my own time.
What is your favorite medium to work with?
I love painting in oils. It's a forgiving medium and I love the glowing effect you can achieve through underpainting and glazes. As an animator, I love using Flash because I can create my own animated sequences with my own dialogue tracks and sound effects. It's a great tool for me to have an idea for a cartoon and bang it out quickly.
Unity by Dave SanAngeloYou have produced many spectacular paintings, which piece did you enjoy working on the most?

Thanks!! That's very kind of you! My favorite painting is called Unity. It's a head made from all sorts of hands... men, women, kids... and each a golden tone. My original idea was to use all different skin tones but the patchwork of tones didn't feel right visually so I went with an overall golden tone. To me that golden color is the perfect skin tone. It could pass as any ethnicity and at the same time represents the perfect tone if all races were mixed and that went with the overall idea of unity. 
What is your favorite texture? Why?

Velvet. You can make a sweet suit out of it and it's the perfect surface for painting Elvis.
If you could choose anyone in the world to paint, who would it be?


I don't have the skill yet but I'd either love to paint Christina Hendricks or Danny DeVito the way the great Michael Deas perfectly captured Marilyn Monroe. Christina for her breathtaking elegance and classic beauty and Danny DeVito because Danny DeVito is a genius! 


What projects are you currently working on?


I'm currently developing some of my own ideas with plans on pitching them to the networks this fall. Fingers crossed!


About Dave:
As Creative Director of Soup2Nuts Studios, I created and developed properties that received deal offers from Disney, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, ESPN, Comedy Central, MTV and G4... read more.  

Animated TV Series: WordGirl (PBS) and Time Warp Trio (NBC, Discovery Kids, WGBH) -- receiving Emmy Nominations For WordGirl and Time Warp Trio.



FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED