Jamie Michalak's Blog, page 15

Loved to Pieces . . . with Mitali Bose Perkins!

How Anne Shirley Fends off the Culture Bullies by Mitali Perkins

I’m reading Rainbow Valley again during my annual Avonlea binge. I discovered Anne Shirley and the other books by L.M. Montgomery when I was 11, and have read them every year since then. This year I need Anne big time. Life is stressful – I’m launching young adults and caring for elderly parents, my body is aging, and I’m suddenly invisible when I walk by the sort of men who used to infuriate me with catcalls and whistles. I’m glad they don’t notice me these days, but … well, you get my drift.


I knew moving from girlhood to womanhood would be hard. I watched my two older sisters and realized that both the culture of our origin (Bengali) and North American culture shove a girl’s gender-free identity behind her sexuality once she becomes a woman.
Growing up with Anne convinced me that I—my true self—could survive the move to womanhood. Despite the constraints experienced by women in Canada during the early part of the century, Anne retained a strong sense of self as she matured. Oh, she changed, no doubt about that. She married, had children, left childish ways behind. But when the talkative orphan in Anne of Green Gables grew up to become the chatelaine of Ingleside, she kept the same sense of humor, the same delight in nature, the same independence of thought through seven books. 
She was still Anne, and I clung to that.


If my fictional friend could move into the adult world without losing herself to the Culture Bullies who sought to define her only by her sexuality, I, too, might be able to retain my true identity. Like Anne, I could stride bravely into womanhood. 
And so I did. 
Now I’m midway through a woman’s journey, far from my teens and in the stage where cultures try to shove a woman’s true identity—and her sexuality—behind her age. How I wish the fifty, sixty, seventy, or eighty-something version of Anne were around to reassure me through the next transition, just as she did years ago: “Your body will change. People might treat you differently. But hey, look at me. I made it. I’m still Anne.”  
Happily, the Anne-up-to-about-age-40 can still work her magic. Her familiar company (along with a few lemon drops or Sweet Tarts) brings the same comfort, bringing me down a notch at night so I can slip into sleep. After all, I’m still Mitali, my true self, safe, strong, and sound, no matter how the Culture Bullies try to push me around._______________________
  Mitali Bose Perkins (mitaliperkins.com) has written ten novels for young readers, including Rickshaw Girl (chosen by the New York Public Library as one of the top 100 books for children in the past 100 years) and Bamboo People (an American Library Association's Top Ten Novel for Young Adults, starred in Publishers Weekly as "a graceful exploration of the redemptive power of love, family, and friendship.") Her newest, Tiger Boy (www.tigerboy.org | Charlesbridge). is a Junior Library Guild selection, and forthcoming is a picture book, Gifts for Abuela, published by FSG/Macmillan. Currently she resides in the San Francisco Bay Area and is a lecturer at Saint Mary's College of California.
blog: mitaliblog.com
twitter: @mitaliperkins
facebook: facebook.com/authormitaliperkins

TIGER BOYby Mitali Perkins, illustrated by Jamie HoganCharlesbridge, April 2015ISBN 978-1580896603
A Junior Library Guild Premier Selection!

"Set in the lush Sunderbans natural region of Bengal, this quiet, gripping tale emphasizes the deep but often fragile connection that exists between humans and nature ... Young readers will revel in the vivid action and suspense surrounding Neel and his sister Rupa’s quest to locate the tiger cub." — School Library Journal (starred review) BAMBOO PEOPLE
by Mitali PerkinsCharlesbridge, 2012ISBN 978-1580893299 

★ "A graceful exploration of the redemptive power of love, family, and friendship." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
★ "With authenticity, insight, and compassion, Perkins delivers another culturally rich coming-of-age novel." — School Library Journal (starred review)

The Little Crooked Bookshelf

Max The Brave by Ed Vere
This week's pick is from cottager Kara LaReau.

What it's all aboutMax is a brave, fearless kitten who chases mice… if only he knew what a mouse looks like. When he finally (think he) finds a mouse, it looks an awful lot like a monster.
Why it's on The Little Crooked Bookshelf…A funny story of misunderstanding (or would that be mice-understanding?) with smudgy-sweet illustrations by award-winning storyteller Ed Vere.
Our favorite line(s)…"Wakey, wakey, Mouse!"yells Max as he bounces up and downon Monster's head."I am Max the Brave, and I chase mice!And I might just eat you up too!"
Our favorite illustration…


Why kids will love it…It's an irresistible comedy of errors, featuring a main character who ends up (however temporarily) in a monster's tummy!
Why grown-ups will love it…Max comes to realize he doesn't need to be brave all the time—a lesson sure to resonate with children of all ages. 

Quote of the Week

Mr. Pig Live . . . with Bacon!

Who is responsible for booking this guest?! . . . I don't care how hot he is in the picture book world, I'm NOT interviewing him! . . .  Wait, what? We're on the air? Oh.

Ahem, hello and welcome to my hit talk show, Mr. Pig LIVE! Today's guest is a sizzling new star. His debut picture book by Kelly DiPucchio and Eric Wright is heating up the charts. Let's give a warm welcome to . . . I can't believe I'm saying this . . .

BACON!!!!  <<applause>>


Welcome to the show, Bacon! Do you go by one name? 
My full name is Bacon, but people call me The Breakfast King. Or Devastatingly Handsome. Or The Life of the Party. I bet no one has ever called you that before, huh, Mr. Big? *chuckles*

Oh, it's Mr. Pig. What one word best describes you?
Irresistible with a capital I as in I AM Irresistible.  

I've heard that about you. What is the best thing about being you?
How much time do we have? *laughter* I’m kidding! No, seriously. How long is this interview, Mr. Pigpen?

FROM EVERYONE LOVES BACON by Kelly DiPuccio. Illustration copyright 2017 by Eric Wight.
My name is Mr Pig. And so far, too long. Kidding! We have five minutes.
Well, in that case, I’ll try to keep my answers short. I have fans waiting outside for autographs and I have an interview with Diane Sawyer this afternoon.  I’m sorry, Mr. Piggley-Wiggley. Can you repeat the question?

MR. PIG! As in "Mr. Pig LIVE!" What is the best thing about being you?
Yes!  Thank you. The best thing about being ME. Well, for starters, everyone loves me!  Egg loves me. Waffle loves me. Pancake loves me. Should I continue? Hey! Have I showed you my signature wink and point move yet? You’re going to love this.

That wink and point move is impressive. What's the worst thing about being you?
Oooh. That’s a tough question! Hmm..the worst thing about being me? Gosh, you might have stumped me! Let me think about that….

[2 minutes later]
Oh! I know! The paparazzi! Can you imagine what it’s like being followed 24/7 and having people shout, “We love you!” and “You’re so amazing!” all the time? No, of course you can’t!  It’s not as easy as it looks, Mr. Piglet.

FROM EVERYONE LOVES BACON by Kelly DiPuccio. Illustration copyright 2017 by Eric Wight
What are you reading right now?
I’m really glad you asked me that. Currently, I’m reading a book that has captured the hearts of readers all over the world. Of course, I’m referring to my bestselling autobiography, YES, IT’S TRUE. EVERYONE REALLY DOES LOVE ME. The New York Times called it “a delicious read.” 

Wow. What is your favorite sound?
Applause. I hear it all the time but it never gets old. 

I agree. What is your least favorite sound?
My least favorite sound would have to be either French Toast complaining or the other breakfast meats whining. You’ve probably never had to deal with jealousy issues in your life but let me tell you, it’s no picnic. I get it. It’s hard for them because I’m so great and everyone loves me, but trust me, Canadian Bacon could learn a thing or two from me. He goes on and on about hockey and national health care and Celine Dion. Bor-ing!

Share one thing that most of our viewers don’t know about you.
Your viewers probably aren’t aware that I have a new fragrance line coming out next month called, BACON: I SMELL SOOOO GOOD. Don’t take this the wrong way, little pig man, but you might want to invest in a bottle. *wink*

FROM EVERYONE LOVES BACON by Kelly DiPuccio. Illustration copyright 2017 by Eric Wight
Umm . . . Let's move on. What is your most embarrassing moment? 
*laughter* I just love to tell this charming story! Wow. So embarrassing. I was at this breakfast luncheon, looking and smelling better than ever, when this carton of eggs shows up. Organic. Free-range. Real fresh! I knew they were too shy to talk to me so I thought I’d make their day by introducing myself. You probably don’t have this problem Mr. Pigsty but everyone who meets me for the first time tends to get very nervous so I like to make them feel more at ease by starting the conversation with a friendly joke. Humor, by the way, is a great way to break the tension. You can read more about that in Chapter 4 of my bestselling autobiography, YES, IT’S TRUE. EVERYONE REALLY DOES LOVE ME, now available in paperback.

Well, let me tell you, Mr. Porky, tension wasn’t the only thing that broke that morning! *laughter* So I said to them, “Have you ever noticed you can’t tease egg whites?”  They looked at me all doe-eyed and giggling. “It’s true,” I said. “They can’t take a yolk!”  *laughter* Get it, Miss Piggy? Yolk? Eggs?  I’m hilarious!  As you can imagine, all twelve of them were rolling in laughter! I’m used to that kind of reaction from my admirers but I did not expect them to roll off the counter and on to the tile floor!  By golly, what a mess they made! Broken shells everywhere. The bucket and mop had to come out. I know I’m a real crack up but I think they took it a little too far.  So yeah. Whew!  That was my most embarrassing moment! *chuckles*

FROM EVERYONE LOVES BACON by Kelly DiPuccio. Illustration copyright 2017 by Eric Wight
Did you call me Miss Piggy? For the last time, my name is Mr. Pig! Mr. Pig! Mr. Pig! . . . Sorry. What was it like working with Kelly DiPucchio and Eric Wight?
Of course, they were a little star struck at first but once I showed them I’m just a regular guy with a fancy mustache and a fancy hat and a fancy car who just so happens to have millions of adoring fans worldwide they relaxed and we were able to get the work done. But off the record? Their editor? Janine O’Malley. That woman would not stop drooling over me. Ask anyone in the office. It was very awkward. 

But hey!  Listen. I have to wrap this up! I’m frying under these hot lights and as they say, “I have better places to go and more important people to meet!”

Thank you for gracing us with your presence, Bacon.
The pleasure was all yours, Mr. Guinea Pig!

Hey, folks! Now that Bacon is gone, let's all enjoy a Bacon-themed bento lunch, made especially for the Cottage by our caterer Nina at Mamabelly's Lunches with Love. <<Scroll down to see Bacon's Literary Lunch!>>

_______________________
About the book

EVERYONE LOVES BACON
By Kelly DiPucchio
Illustrated by Eric Wight
FSG Books for Young Readers
Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2015
ISBN: 9780374300524

* “A bacon book so funny that perhaps even some vegetarians will love it.” – Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Autumn 2015 Kids' Indie Next List

 



   

About the author 
Kelly DiPucchio is the award-winning author of over twenty picture books, including New York Times bestsellers, GRACE FOR PRESIDENT, and THE SANDWICH SWAP. Her new titles include DOG DAYS OF SCHOOL, ZOMBIE IN LOVE 2 + 1, and GASTON which received four starred reviews. Kelly's forthcoming titles include DRAGON WAS TERRIBLE illustrated by Greg Pizzoli and EVERYONE LOVES CUPCAKE illustrated by Eric Wight. 

Kelly is a lifetime Michigan resident and a graduate of Michigan State University. She has been a featured author/speaker at numerous schools, public libraries, universities, and conferences such as: IRA, ALA, MRA and NCTE. Her books have been featured on The Oprah Show, Good Morning America, The Martha Stewart Show and The View. Visit Kelly online at: www.kellydipucchio.com

About the illustrator 
Eric Wight will eat just about anything with bacon in it. One of his favorites is maple walnut bacon ice cream. He is the illustrator of the Magic Shop series. EVERYONE LOVES BACON is his first picture book. He lives in Bucks County, Pennsylvania with his bacon-loving wife and children.  

Eric Wight is an author, illustrator, and animation director. His first book, My Dead Girlfriend (Tokyopop), was nominated for the 2008 Best Graphic Novel of the Year Award by the Young Adult Library Services Association. In 2004, Wight won the Russ Manning Most Promising Newcomer Award for his illustration work in The Amazing Adventures of the Escapist, the comic book adaptation of Michael Chabon's Pulitzer Prize winning novel The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay.  Eric lives in Chalfont, Pennsylvania with his family.  Visit him on the web at ericwight.com. - See more at: http://authors.simonandschuster.com/E...

Eric Wight is an author, illustrator, and animation director. His first book, My Dead Girlfriend (Tokyopop), was nominated for the 2008 Best Graphic Novel of the Year Award by the Young Adult Library Services Association. In 2004, Wight won the Russ Manning Most Promising Newcomer Award for his illustration work in The Amazing Adventures of the Escapist, the comic book adaptation of Michael Chabon's Pulitzer Prize winning novel The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay.  Eric lives in Chalfont, Pennsylvania with his family.  Visit him on the web at ericwight.com. - See more at: http://authors.simonandschuster.com/E...

Literary Lunch . . . with Bacon!

Do you love bacon? (What a silly question, we know!) Well, then you'll eat up the book EVERYONE LOVES BACON by Kelly Dipucchio and illustrated by Eric Wight ! 

Bacon is very loved. So loved he begins to think quite highly of himself. Once Bacon gains fans, he changes. He grows a mustache. He forgets about his old friends. And he enjoys stardom a little too much. Will this book have a Hollywood Ending? Will it end well for Bacon?

To keep you from missing Bacon while you're out buying his book, Nina from Mamabelly.com has made a lunch-on-the-run to help you remember everything about . . . Bacon. She's packed:sweet apples wrapped in BaconBacon butter popcornand a Waffle-Egg-and-Bacon sandwich (with sweet apple decorations)

Quote of the Week

Mr. Pig Visits. . . Samantha Berger! (With a SURPRISE and a GIVEAWAY!)

Hi there! Guess what? Today I'm meeting the FABOO and talented SAMANTHA BERGER, author of Boo-La-La Witch Spa, Snoozefest, Crankenstein and more! She says she has a surprise for me. I can't imagine what it is. . .

(She DID tell me she'd send one lucky reader a SIGNED copy of BOO-LA-LA WITCH SPA, though. I hope she signs one for me, too. Scroll down for the deets, peeps!)



<<Knock, knock>>
Mr. Pig! Come in! No, don't take off your jacket, we're not staying long.

Are you sure? I don't want to interrupt. 
Positive! This is going to be fun. . . follow me.
Ok, open your eyes! Ta-da! Since my latest book is called BOO-LA-LA WITCH SPA, and takes place in a spa, I decided it would really be best if I worked HERE in this SPA! It's like method acting. If you really want to capture what it feels like to be a character, you try to become that character and go live her life. So I am taking a walk in her shoes. (Well, really it's more of a robe). Care to come along?

I'd be delighted! Can I have robe, too? 
Of course! Here, put this on.
So… in the book Boo-La-La Witch Spa, the witch soaks in a caldron of mold. This spa doesn't have that, but they DO have mushroom quiche and a jacuzzi. Close enough.

The Witch Spa in the book has an all-you-can-eat candy bar. *This* spa has an all-you-can eat fruit bar. That's way healthier than a candy bar, and you might think grown-up people think it's just as good as a candy bar. Even better! (*But secretly, we all know, it isn't).

There is a sauna filled with hot dragon's breath air in the book. This spa has a sauna filled with MY breath, because it's REALLY hot in here! PANT PANT PANT! It's definitely time to find that cool pool of snail drool! But hmmm… something smells delicious. 

Oh, dear, we better get out of here, I think I'm dry-roasting.
Yikes! Moving on. . .

In the story, the Witch (her name is Leeza) goes to get her hair highlighted and styled. Sadly, this spa doesn't have that. And my hair kinda looks like seaweed right now. But luckily, the robes have hoods! PHEW!
I didn't want to say anything, but my little piggy tail is curling up.

Next--one of the best parts! MASSAGE TIME! This spa doesn't have Hag Stone Massages like the one in the book, but it does have Shiatsu, Deep Tissue, Thai, and Aroma Therapy. Here is the view of the chandelier, right before I fall fast aslee--zzzzzzzzzz...(Writing is really hard work).
Zzzzzzzzz… snort… what was that? I think I drifted off. Am I drooling?

The massage was just exhausting! So next we go off to the Solarium for a nice sit down by the fire and a pedicure. But what color to get? Halloween is coming. . . what do you think, Mr Pig? Magic Moonlight? Silk Cobweb? Vampire Bite? Firefly White? Or Eek-a-Ghost Silver? 
I like the sound of Magic Moonlight. 

One of the best parts (for research, of course) has got to be  going to the gift shop! I am looking for Witch Spa Products like MOLD MASK, SALAMANDER SALVE, TOADSTOOL TONER, BASELISK BRIGHTENER, CLOUD-WHIP CONDITIONER and CLAIRVOYANCE - THE PERFUME. I am not finding them, but these look pretty nifty! Pretty nifty indeed.
I do like their book selection.
Me, too, Mr. Pig. 

Alas, it's time to say farewell to the spa, um, I mean "the work space" for the day! It was TOO FABOO. Just like in the book, I DO yell "Farewell, fellow Spa-Goers," as that is my tradition. I don't really wanna leave, but you can't LIVE at a spa. Wait, CAN you?
I think I could live at the spa. . . with YOU, Samamtha. (Er… as long as you didn't let me fall asleep in the sauna or spend too much time in the jacuzzi. )
Thanks, Mr. Pig!See you real soon, and happy Halloween!
Photo Credit: Leo Moreton/ Makeup: Joshua Quick Samantha Berger writes and writes and writes (she even wrote *this*).

She has written picture books like CRANKENSTEIN! illustrated by Dan Santat (Little, Brown, 2013), A CRANKENSTEIN VALENTINE (Little, Brown December, 2014), BOO-LA-LA WITCH SPA illustrated by Isabel Roxas (Dial, August 2015), and SNOOZEFEST illustrated by Kristyna Litten (Dial, January 2015).

She also has written picture books like SANTA'S REINDEER GAMES illustrated by John Manders (Cartwheel, 2011),MARTHA DOESN'T SHARE, and MARTHA DOESN'T SAY SORRY illustrated by Bruce Whatley (Little, Brown 2010, 2009), which won a Parent's Choice Award Honor.

She has written cartoons and promos for Nickelodeon and other networks. She has written comic books and commercials.

She has written movie trailers, theme songs, slogans, magazine articles, poems, TV-books, sticker books and professional books.You name it, Sam writes it. 
And when she ISN'T WRITING.... She's doing voice-overs, traveling the world, and helping rescue dogs. 
THEN... she writes about that, too! 
Samantha splits her time between New York City and sunny California. 
SNOOZEFEST BOOK TRAILERhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgImd... Performed by Chubb RockSong Produced by DJ Mighty Mi
CRANKENSTEIN BOOK TRAILERhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYgjH...

BOO-LA-LA WITCH SPA
by Samantha Bergerillustrated by Isabel Roxas(Dial Books, 2015)


"The flawless rhyming text doesn’t skimp on content and seamlessly weaves in satisfying similes and puns...Witch Spa will have year-round appeal." —School Library Journal










SNOOZEFESTby Samantha Bergerillustrated by Kristyna Litten(Dial Books, 2015)

"This knowing, affectionate spoof of music festivals is fresh and timely..." —Publishers Weekly

"No snoozefest here—great fun." —Kirkus Reviews





CRANKENSTEINby Samantha Bergerillustrated by Dan Santat(Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2013)
"Expect many re-read requests from Crankensteins who may (or may not) recognize themselves."―Publishers Weekly
"Will the creature ever turn from "MEHHRRRR!" to merry? Youngsters will roar along with Crankenstein through this silly and sympathetic story of grumpy-grouchies."―School Library Journal


COMMENT WITH YOUR FAVORITE HALLOWEEN READ (OR SPA TREATMENT) BELOW FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A SIGNED COPY OF BOO-LA-LA WITCH SPA! WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7TH!
GOOD LUCK!

The Little Crooked Bookshelf

This week's bookshelf pick is from Cottager Anika Denise.
Ghost in the House
by Ammi-Joan Paquette
illustrated Adam Record

What it's all about . . .
Ghost in The House is a pitch-perfect cumulative rhyming tale about a wee ghostie who meets up with a mummy, monster, skeleton, witch and so on, in a "creepy haunted house."

Why it's on The Little Crooked Bookshelf . . .
It's a brilliant read-aloud that reminds me of a childhood song or game, perfect for Halloween-themed story times. The book first released in 2013, but we reach for it every year when the air turns chilly and talk of costumes and trick-or-treating begins in earnest.

Our favorite lines . . .
There's a ghost in the house,/ In the creepy haunted house,/ on this dark, spooky night, all alone.

Our favorite illustration . . .  

From GHOST IN THE HOUSE by Ammi-Joan Paquette. Illustration copyright 2013 by Adam Record.
Why kids will love it . . .
Ammi-Joan Paquette's playful rhyming text, with its steady beats and dramatic pauses, begs for kids to join in the read-aloud. Likewise, Adam Record's characters are super-cute and not too scary for little ones who will relish the appearance of each new ghoulie.

Why grown-ups will love it . . .
For much the same reasons kids will. It's fun to read aloud. (Maybe add in a tickle here and there, too.) And rumor has it, there's a Elf-themed companion book on the way—so parents and librarians can read the first book, then follow up with an all-new installment come winter.

Quote of the Week

The Writer's Brew . . . by Ellen Potter

Good morning, and Happy Autumnal Equinox from all of us at The Little Crooked Cottage! We're happy to welcome award-winning author Ellen Potter to the Cottage this morning, as she introduces us to her new early chapter book series, Piper Green and the Fairy Tree, and provides us with The Story Behind the Story. Take it away, Ellen!


Kids ask it.

Adults ask it.

Heck, given the chance, I’ll ask it too.

Any yet, it’s the one question that many writers have the hardest time answering: How did you get the idea for your book?

Like the contents of a witch’s cauldron, books are often the alchemy of this and that—the memory of a girl in 5th grade who never brushed her hair; an overheard conversation about heartache; a belief in improbable connections; and a dozen other things more difficult to name.

Every so often, though, I know exactly how I got the idea for a book. I do love when that happens! This occurred for my most recent series, Piper Green and the Fairy Tree (Knopf), about a little girl growing up on a Maine island that’s so tiny she has to take a lobster boat to school. Also, there is a magical Fairy Tree in her yard. For Piper Green’s  inspiration, the witch’s cauldron contained only three items. Recipe for the brew is as follows:

1. One silver maple stump:
A friend of mine told me about a tree in her neighborhood. It was a silver maple, a very large and much beloved tree. Unfortunately, the city decided that it posed a danger and needed to be cut down. After the tree was cut to a stump, a local man carved a hole into it and it became know as the Gnome Tree. People would leave things in the hole that they no longer wanted—books, toys, clothes—and anyone could take out whatever they liked, with the caveat that they needed to leave something in its place.


[image error] That's me at work, holding hands with my dog, Charlie.
2. To the silver maple stump, add a moss-covered path:
After moving to a tiny coastal village in Maine, I quickly found that there was a stretch of woods near my house where I could walk my three dogs. Each morning I took them for a stroll in those woods, and each morning I came to a strange little path. Here the ground was covered with a wonderfully bright emerald-green moss and the trees were stunted. The whole place had a silent, watchful feel. My dogs acted strangely here, too, tipping up their noses and smelling the air. Each time we were on that path, the same thought crept into my mind: If there is such a thing as fairies, this is exactly where they would live.


This is the harbor of Vinalhaven Island, one of the prettiest islands in Maine.
3. Finally, add in a very tiny island:
Some of the islands off the coast of Maine are so tiny—with year-round residents of forty or less—that they don’t have a school for the children. One day, my friend told me about island kids who had to take a lobster boat to a school on a larger, neighboring island, which seemed like one of the most wonderful things I’d ever heard of! 


Lobster boat


One-room schoolhouse on Isle Au Haut, a small Maine island. There are currently only two students enrolled in the school.
Stir ingredients together. Let it soak for a few days, then simmer at a low boil until done. Leave plenty of time for getting stuck on Chapter Four, a week-long bout of the flu, getting stuck again on Chapter Seven, and watching reruns of Sherlock (I mean, Benedict Cumberbatch, right?).

Voila! Now you not only have a book, but the next time someone asks that dreaded question, you can look them in the eye and say, “Well, here’s how it happened . . .”

The End
Ellen Potter is the author of many award-winning children’s books, including the Olivia Kidney series, SLOB, The Kneebone Boy, and her new early chapter book series, Piper Green and the Fairy Tree (Knopf). She lives in Maine with her family. Visit her at www.ellenpotter.com or follow her on Twitter @Ellenpotter

PIPER GREEN AND THE FAIRY TREEby Ellen Potter, illustrated by Qin LengKnopf Books for Young ReadersPub Date: August 4, 2015 ISBN-10: 0553499262ISBN-13: 978-0553499261
"With its intriguing setting, sympathetic characters, and hint of magic, this new chapter-book series should charm fledgling readers." —Kirkus Reviews 
"Piper is brave and tough on the surface, and her sense of loss lies at the heart of the conflict. Written with humor as well as pathos, the first-person text shows her confused emotions and her resiliency as well. An appealing debut for the series." —Booklist
★"Skillfully blending humor, pathos, and warmth with an atmospheric setting, Potter has created an honest, empathic slice-of-life story, laced with a touch of magic. Piper has a winning combination of stubbornness, loyalty, and independence, which Leng ably portrays in her loosely inked, gently humorous artwork." —Publishers Weekly, starred review



PIPER GREEN AND THE FAIRY TREE: TOO MUCH GOOD LUCKby Ellen Potter, illustrated by Qin LengKnopf Books for Young ReadersPub Date: August 4, 2015ISBN-10: 0553499270ISBN-13: 978-0553499278