Jamie Michalak's Blog, page 18

Mr. Pig Visits . . . Jackie Clark Mancuso! *Plus a Giveaway!

Bon jour, mes amis! Oui, oui! 'Tis me! Monsieur Cochon! Visiting the seaside studio of Jackie Clark Mancuso—author and illustrator of the new picture book  Hudson in Provence , and Paris-Chien: Adventures of an Expat Dog —both of which were inspired by her time living abroad in France. 
Jackie's illustrations, painted in glorious, inviting gouache, will make you long for the cafés of Paris; or to hop a train to the South of France, to stroll the lavender fields and beaches of Provence. (They will also quite possibly make you want to own a small, adorable dog and go on many adventures.)
At their heart, Jackie's books are about navigating new experiences, and making friends—something all children (and pigs) can relate to.
I am so excited to meet the artist and writer behind this one-of-a-kind series!
Ah, here were are.
<<knock, knock>>
Hello, Mr. Pig, please come in.

What a beautiful studio! And I see lots of sketches and paintings of France, of course.

 

I love Paris. I love Provence. Actually, I love all of France! Painting these places is a way to reconnect with them when I’m not there, and also to allow other people to experience them. For me painting is an act of love. I get started and before I know it hours have gone by. Hudson is my alter ego. 

I paint and write as much for adults as for children. I’ve been happy to hear from parents that they sometimes enjoy the book as much as their children. That makes me really happy because that’s what I hope to accomplish. 


When we moved into this house there was a perfect spot with a full skylight for my art studio. In summer it's too bright and I need to shield my monitor, but it's ideal for painting. French doors open to a small walled patio. I like to listen to podcast stories like This American Life, Reply All, and Here's the Thing while I'm painting. I think doing so keeps the judging part of my brain busy and gives free rein to the creative part. 


I have two long desktops on Ikea alex drawers that hold sketchbooks, reference photos, artwork in various stages of progress, finished paintings, paints, trays, pencils and pens. There are two large corkboards for inspiration and layouts in progress. There's a comfy chair for sketching, reading, and doing online research. 


If I feel stuck with my work I put on my sneakers and go for a walk up the hill or down to the beach. It puts a fresh perspective on things; there's a phrase for it in French: pour changer des idées. Or I'll grab a book, a cup of tea or a snack and take a break on the old sofa on the terrace that looks out to the Pacific Ocean. It's also good place to sketch.




Hudson is a real dog. He lives with my friend Ariane. I am his Auntie. He likes to come over and sometimes even sleeps over. He is the friendliest and sweetest dog I've ever known.


 In his new book, Hudson takes the TGV from Paris to Provence for summer vacation.


He and his mom stay in a stone house similar to the one my friends and I rented in Beaumes de Venise.


Hudson meets lots of dogs in Provence. Some of them have jobs. Gaston herds sheep.

Philippe is a truffle hunter. Hudson tries what they do but ultimately discovers his unique talent as a painter and paints his new friends' portraits. 



He even paints a pig named Mimi. (The French word mimi is short for mignon, and means cute.)
Bon jour, Mimi! You are exquisite.
Isn't she just?
Oui.
Someday I would like to adopt a dog. Maybe a standard poodle like Sophie, who was inspired by a slightly smaller poodle I shared my lamb chops with at the Café de la Place next to the boules court in St. Paul de Vence. In the book, Hudson meets Sophie while painting in the boules court.



Phew! I'm glad you said lamb chops. Anyway, carry on.

This beach in Antibes was the inspiration for the beach where Hudson chases seagulls.


The boat Hudson is captaining on the cover is named after the river barge in Jean Vigo's beautiful film, "L'atalante" (1934).


Fenocchio's in Nice provided inspiration for the ice cream cone chair where Hudson has his afternoon goûter.


You can see from these examples how my actual experiences—places I've been and people and dogs I've met—inspire my work.


What am I up to now? I've been busy launching Hudson in Provence into the world and hope that people will enjoy it as much as the first book. While doing this, I've missed doing my creative work, so this week I've been painting up a storm. I'm playing with several ideas for my next project. 

Watch the Book Trailer here! https://vimeo.com/120236763


* ENTER THE HUDSON GIVEAWAY! Jackie has generously offered to give away a signed copy of HUDSON IN PROVENCE or PARIS-CHIEN to TWO lucky winners! To enter win, please add a comment below.


HUDSON IN PROVENCE
A PARIS-CHIEN ADVENTURE
by Jackie Clark Mancuso
(La Librairie Parisienne, May 2015)

Hudson, the lovable pooch who first appeared in Paris-Chien: Adventures of an Ex-pat Dog, is back and thirsting for new adventures--this time in the glorious south of France.

Escaping the sweltering August heat of Paris, he is enchanted by the beauty of Provence and eager to become a provençal dog. But this city dog discovers he's flat-footed when it comes to herding sheep, has no snout for sniffing out truffles, and can barely pedal his bike when he gets into the Tour de France. It's only when he stops imitating the other dogs and follows his heart that he discovers his own unique talent. 

Children, Francophiles, and dog-lovers alike will fall in love all over again with the four-legged American ex-pat as he sniffs, barks, and digs his way through Provence. 


PARIS-CHIEN
ADVENTURES OF AN EX-PAT DOG
by Jackie Clark Mancuso
(La Librairie Parisienne, 2013)

"A charming and engaging tale of a Norwich Terrier's year in Paris...from homesickness to French lessons to the struggle to make Parisian friends...carries a message for children about how to cope with change in their lives." —ParisVoice.com

“Hudson, a plucky terrier, can’t wait to meet some French dogs while spending a year in Paris. When he finally finds a dog park, an obstacle arises: The dogs only speak French . . . Hudson eventually absorbs the language, thanks to lessons from—who else?—a French poodle . . . The story showcases Mancuso's playful gouache paintings of Paris and its human and canine denizens, and she gives Hudson a bold, amusing narrative voice.”  —Publishers Weekly

Jackie Clark Mancuso is an artist and children's book author. She has worked as a book designer, illustrator and art director in book and magazine publishing. During a sabbatical in Paris, Jackie was inspired to write and illustrate Paris-Chien: Adventures of an Expat Dog, a picture book about a little terrier who persevered, as she had, to learn a new language and make friends. Hudson in Provence is Jackie's second book.  

Quote of the Week

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." 

--Dr. Seuss


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Mr. Pig Visits . . . Matthew Cordell!

Oh, hello! Mr. Pig here. I've just kicked off my summer road trip. First stop--this lovely suburb of Chicago, where I'm just about to visit the studio of bestselling illustrator Matthew Cordell. Want to join me?

Matthew is the illustrator of more than twenty-five books for children. Several of which he has also written, including the New York Times Notable picture book, HELLO! HELLO!. This year he will have four new books, including WISH and SPECIAL DELIVERY. 

Oh, there's Matthew outside his house now! Hi, Matthew! 


Hello, Mr. Pig! Come on in. . . .


Welcome to my studio. It’s a basement studio and that’s the door to the basement. Um… I should say that it’s pretty messy down there. This is going to be a sort of unvarnished warts-and-all tour here. So if you don’t like basements or messes, or warts (there’ll be no actual warts) you might want to just turn around and get back in your car and leave. But I’d rather you stay. But do whatever is comfortable to you. Really, it’s fine.

Oh, I'm sure it's not that messy, Matthew.



Seriously. Look down there. It already looks pretty messy, right? Are you sure you want to do this? Yes? OK, follow me down, and mind the coats.


What's this hanging on your hallway wall?
 
Good eye, Mr. Pig. This is a Dylan poster on your left. You know the one. The classic Milton Glaser one that came in the Greatest Hits (vol. 1) album? I love this thing. I love Glaser. I love Dylan. It’s OK if you don’t. I realize he’s a little polarizing. I love that too.



Whoa. You've been busy!

Welcome to Thunderdome! You might find this difficult to believe, but I actually cleaned up before you got here. I’m not kidding. When I’m working, I get so wrapped up on my work that I’m more concerned about the work than the cleaning up down here. But the mess does grow to a point where it becomes hard to find stuff, you can’t walk much without stepping on something, etc. and it actually gets in the way of getting work done. Or my wife gets totally annoyed by it. (We do have to walk through here to get to the laundry room!) Then I have to clean up the place. Having a messy studio can get a little uncomfortable at times. If I get too stressed about it, I think about Francis Bacon’s studio. Then I feel less stressed. 




There’s a little couch down here where I can sit and draw or read or write if I don’t feel like drawing or reading or writing at a proper desk. Half of this couch is for sitting. The other half is for… not sitting. Unless you’re that bear there. That’s where he sits.



Can you tell me about this area and how you work?

This here is where I do my drawing and painting. Most all of my art is drawn with pen and ink (nib pens and bamboo pens) and colored with watercolor paints. The surface of the desk has a great, big light box or LightPad that I use for going from final, approved sketch, to final, final pen/ink drawings. It’s kind of like tracing but without being too careful about it. Straight-up tracing can make a finished line look pretty boring. I’m all about trying to make a fresh, free, spontaneous line. As if I’d just sat down and drawn it for the very first time. It’s a very tricky balancing act, making a final art drawing from a final sketch. It’s like re-drawing it without actually re-drawing it. If that even makes any kind of sense.


Oooh, this is a fun little shelf!

My wife (YA author, Julie Halpern) and I are big time toy lovers. We used to consider ourselves “collectors” but when we had kids (also big time toy lovers), anything we collected, the kids have ransacked, opened up, and played with by now. But there’s lots of shelves down here with toys that Julie and I have collected over the years. “For display only.” Ha ha…


Oops! Sorry, Matthew. I just stepped on these books. Did they fall out of your bookshelf?

No. The books I’m loving the most end up not spending a lot of time on my bookshelves. Could be newly purchased books I love, or ones I recently pulled off the shelf again and got re-inspired by, or just ones I love so much I don’t want them squeezed into the shelf not being seen. I just like them laying around staring at me, making me like them so much.


What's this space all about?
 
This low table houses a bunch or random papers and clutter. I keep this little lazy susan-y thing there that holds my pens, pencils, nibs, etc. Wireless router on the other side of the table. The main thing this table’s for is my big ol’ printer that sits on it towards the wall. This is a large format ink jet printer that can print on 140 lb. watercolor paper. The inks it runs are waterproof. So… for every line drawing of every piece of final art I create, I scan that in and save to my computer. If I go to paint the original drawing and happen to mess up the color or some other mistake occurs in the painting end of the piece, I can then print a new drawing on this printer and color that printed drawing instead. It’s like a big safety net. I also occasionally make entire books with the intention of printing all the drawings. I can draw bits and pieces of drawings and Frankenstein them together on the computer and print out the fully composed pieces. Ready for color!


Above this table, above the printer, is this corkboard of stuff that’s been tacked down over the last, like, 7-8 years. Some of it is from books that were in progress. Some of it is from book ideas that never turned into anything (at least not yet), photos of old friends, my wife and kids, drawings and posters from art heroes, etc. and so forth. I could probably keep it more organized with more up-to-date stuff on it, if I were more organized. But I kinda like it like this. It’s sort of a monument to my past and near-present in life and illustration.



Aaaaand… my computer desk. Work-wise, I use the computer for writing, emailing publishing folks, scanning/sending sketch dummies. Not much else. I don’t use any of that wacom/cintiq stuff. (I’m not even sure if I’ve spelled those right.) I wonder if I ever will. Probably not. My computer is tragically old. I feel like it’s just hanging by a thread. One time I turned it on and it sort of wheezed and then all this dust poofed out of the top of it. (I’m serious. It only did that once, and I don’t know why, but I was terrified it was about to die. It didn’t die.) I keep toying with the idea of buying a new Mac, but I just can’t seem to pull the trigger. I’m waiting on some kind of big windfall or something. Where’s my windfall at?


Hey, it's Mr. Rogers! I love him, too.

By my computer desk hangs a poster of one of my biggest heroes, Fred Rogers. (And his pal, Mr. McFeely! Speedy Delivery!) He was one of the finest human beings to ever live. I could really go on about him, but I won’t. But one thing… I’m usually afraid to meet my heroes. Or I’m just not interested in meeting them—finding out what they’d be like in “real life.” Him, I would’ve loved to meet. I think about that a lot. I wish he were still here. I wish someone like him were here. But there’s no one like him.  When I’m feeling down, jealous, angry, sad, nervous, negative, etc. I like that I can glance up at this poster, and it serves as a sort of reminder. That life doesn’t need to be so petty and small. 

I love that.

On the wall adjacent is a drawing I did in the college years—a collaborative piece I did with an artist friend.

The worst thing about working in a basement is that there’s next to no natural light. I need light. I’m one of those folks that gets depressed when winter rolls around, because the light is gone and will be gone for a long time. So working down here is a challenge in that respect. But there are two covered window wells that let in a sliver of daylight down here. And in this one over my desk, somehow some greenery has made its way down into the darkness, as if to say, “hey, dude.” I appreciate that.

Ha! Snort.  


The second worst thing about working in a basement is that it is cold down here 24/7/365. Even in the summer, it’s cold! We used to have a dehumidifier down here which helped keep it dry and cut down on the cold. But that thing conked out on us at the end of last summer. We’ll probably get a new one sometime soon, but for now, I’ve got this little space heater that my mom-in-law loaned me and I keep it pointed right at my feet. Speaking of feet… hey, there’s one of my feet.


What's in this big closet over here at the far end of the room?

I keep those accordion doors opened up at all times. In this space, I keep drawers of art and shipping supplies, used and unused sketchbooks, old photos and postcards and other things.


If you go all they way back into this closet space, you’ll find this little death trap. We’ve had our share of mice check-in to Chez Cordell from time to time. Sorry, mice. Nothing personal. It’s a “you or me” situation.

Eep! Don't tell Itsy-Bitsy Baby Mouse.


Another view of the inner workings of this supply closet.


And a close-up view of the complicated system I use to store my shipping envelopes.
 

While we’re here by the closet, note this awesome Frog and Toad poster I scored off of ebay a while back. I love this thing. We got a frame for it, now all I need to do is just cut the mat. Sweet!

Here’s where I keep all the other books I love. Picture books, graphic novels, novels, image ref books, dictionary and thesaurus, art books, etc. I can fit most of my favorite stuff on this one shelf. There is some run-off onto another shelf or two, but I try to limit my hoarding to this one shelf. I went through and weeded some stuff not too long ago. And I have bought more stuff since.


Who are those little guys on this bookshelf?

A couple of hand puppets I made from old t-shirts. These guys are the title characters from a picture book I illustrated, BAT AND RAT, written by Patrick Jennings (Abrams 2012). Also the Christmas stocking that I had all through my childhood is hanging here for no particular reason.

Here's a pile of sketches from finished books, and some other things here, waiting to be filed or thrown away. To be determined. I know, I know… I’m working on it!


And with that, I shall abruptly end this studio tour. I know it was messy down here, but there’s a lesson to be learned from all of this. I’m not sure what that lesson is or who should be learning it, but… Lumpy Space Princess, here, will see you out. 

Thanks for showing us around your studio, Matthew! It's interesting to see the place where you've created so many favorite books -- like your new picture books, WISH and SPECIAL DELIVERY.

Thanks and thank you for coming! (Now if I could just find that thing I was looking for, I could get back to work…)
____________________
Matthew Cordell is the illustrator of more than twenty-five books for children including picture books, novels, and works of poetry. Several of which he has also written, including the New York Times Notable picture book, HELLO! HELLO!. This year he will have four new books, including his newest author-illustrator picture book, WISH, and SPECIAL DELIVERY, a picture book he illustrated by Philip C. Stead. Matthew lives in a suburb of Chicago with his wife, author Julie Halpern, and their two children. Visit him online at www.matthewcordell.com.

SPECIAL DELIVERY
by Philip E. Stead
Illustrated by Matthew Cordell
Roaring Brook Press, March 2015
ISBN 978-1596439313 

Sadie is on her way to deliver an elephant to her Great-Aunt Josephine, who lives alone. She tries everything from mailing the elephant to boarding a plane, a train, and an alligator to get to her aunt's home. Along the way she meets an array of interesting characters, including an odd postal worker and a gang of bandit monkeys, who all help her get where she is going.

"A read-aloud winner sure to deliver laughs to young readers." --School Library Journal

*"Animal lovers and stamp collectors, especially but not exclusively, will be enthralled." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review

WISH
by Matthew Cordell
Disney-Hyperion, March 2015
ISBN 978-1484708750

"Cordell’s intensely personal account of parents awaiting the arrival of a child bubbles over with anticipatory joy. He draws, in his loopy pen-and-ink style, two elephants who live in a house by the ocean. Their new baby sets sail toward them from a tropical island, and they build a boat of their own to meet the baby. At sea, they send forth a beam of rainbow-colored love, but something goes wrong: “We listen.... And we wait... but you never come. And everything stops.” . . . . At last, though, the baby elephant’s boat arrives in triumph. . . . It’s easy for parents to forget to tell their children how much they longed for them to be born; Cordell provides words and pictures to help." --Publishers Weekly

Cottager News and Events (and Judy Blume!)

Hello, hello! It's been a loooong time since we've shared what's been going on with us Cottagers, and we have lots of BIG news to share -- new books on the way, upcoming events, and a workshop that might interest you writers!

Kara's News ~ 

1. I started working as a contributing writer for Gen-X website The Mid earlier this year.

2. My middle-grade trilogy, The Unintentional Adventures of the Bland Sisters, was acquired at auction by Abrams. Book One is due to pub in Fall 2016.*

3. I’ll be doing a reading/signing at Newtonville Books on Saturday, June 27th at 11am. 

* Here's the announcement from Publishers Weekly. Go, Kara! Jamie & Kara's News ~ 

Attention, writers! Jamie and Kara are thrilled to be on the Highlight Foundation Faculty this summer! They'll be teaching a weekend workshop, THE IN-BETWEENERS: WRITING EARLY READERS AND FIRST CHAPTER BOOKS, on June 11-14. To register, visit the Highlights Foundation website.

Read their advice about writing and early reader or first chapter book here. 


Jamie's News ~
I have some exciting book news! Candlewick Press has signed up a fourth Joe and Sparky early reader-- Joe and Sparky, Party Animals! Is Joe's pet worm, Wiggy, real or imaginary? Can a chicken conga? All will be revealed in 2016!

Kristen's News ~
 
Her YA romance, Hung Up, was released in paperback earlier this year. It's about people falling in love on cell phones. (Fact: That's basically how she met and fell in love with her husband.)
Her middle-grade novel Too Cool for This School also came out in paperback this year, and has been picked up for Scholastic Book Clubs and Fairs. (Fact: this book contains wolves and a dwarf massacre, sort of.)
Kristen's next middle-grade novel, PROJECT unPOPULAR almost has a cover, and will be out in the world next fall. (FACT: Nerds are change resistant, and that's not necessarily a bad thing.)
Kristen traveled to Key West (her first trip to Florida) to study with Billy Collins and Hemingway's cats kept trespassing into her B&B and drinking out of the pool. (FACT: She also got invited to Judy Blume's house which was easily the most amazing thing that's ever happened to her while traveling.)  Anika's News ~

In addition to visiting many schools this year, Anika has THREE pieces of stellar news. Unfortunately, it's too early to share any of it yet. Stay tuned for an announcement soon . . . . 
Mr. Pig's News ~

Mr. Pig is hitting the road again! His destinations include Florida, California, Paris, and South Carolina. Why? He's visiting the studios of Matthew Cordell, Jackie Clark Moncuso, and Ethan Long! Make sure to visit the Cottage in May and June to check out the studio tours!

Loved to Pieces. . . with Elise Primavera!

A big warm welcome to ELISE PRIMAVERA, New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of the  Auntie Claus series, the  Gum Street Girls Series, Libby of High Hopes  and the Spring 2015 Indie Next pick, Ms. Rapscott's Girls. Elise is also the author of the Louise the Big Cheese books and several other award-winning titles.

Her work spans a wide range of ages and genres, from picture book to middle grade; fantasy to mystery. So we asked Elise to share a few books she loved-to-pieces as a child, for a glimpse into the stories that shaped this versatile artist and writer.

-----------------------------------------------------
The first book I remember being obsessed with was Sam and the Firefly . I made my mother read it to me over and over. Even though I knew it had a happy ending, the book always made me deliciously jittery because Gus the firefly was bent on wreaking havoc. He made me so mad! I felt so badly for Sam, who had to follow Gus around cleaning up his messes. I was livid every night hearing about that firefly and all the chaos he was causing. If you look at the cover illustration, you can even see his evil tendencies: the crazy eyes…the splayed legs, the waving of the arms to get attention—and poor Sam, sitting on his branch knowing that another night of mayhem is about to begin!


From Sam and the Firefly, I moved on to the Harvey Comics. I loved them all! Richie Rich , Little Dot , Casper , Wendy the Witch , the Archie series. I consumed these by the hundreds.


To this day it gives me a small thrill when I look at the covers. I think they’re very well designed and really quite beautiful.


On the other end of the spectrum there were the picture books by Joan Walsh Anglund that were given to me by my Aunt Aggie who was a fourth grade teacher. Old fashioned, simple, elegant, with lots of white space, these books were peaceful, quiet and sweet—like nothing I’d ever seen before.

I poured over the pictures and loved them so much that I was compelled to try to draw them. It was, I’m sure, my first attempt at picture book art.

When I was about eight years old I became interested in horses. I loved the Marguerite Henry books like this one, White Stallion of Lipizza.


 Also I liked, King of the Wind and Misty of Chincoteague.


Another big, BIG favorite of mine was The Happy Year.


It’s by Margaret Cabell Self, about a girl who learns to ride as a member of the New Canaan Mounted Troop. I loved, loved, LOVED this book! The girl starts out knowing nothing about horses and progresses throughout the story to become a good rider.

This is a true testament to the power of books and how they shape our lives as children because my life followed a similar trajectory as the girl in the story.

My parents found a stable for me to ride at and eventually bought me a horse. From there I spent many years riding and competing in Pony Club and three-day events.

Lastly there is  The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring  books, which were huge for me when I was about twelve. I think reading these are part of what made me want to write for children. This was the cover for The Hobbit that I read way back when.


What was it about these Tolkien books that I loved and continue to love to this day?

I suppose ultimately it’s an affirmation that somebody long ago committed pen to paper in an attempt to conjure a world of magic that I will always believe exists somewhere—if only between the covers of a book.

------------------------------
Elise Primavera has been writing and illustrating children's books for more than twenty-five years. She has received numerous awards for her work including a Christopher Award for Raising Dragons  by Jerdine Nolen. In 2004 she was asked to illustrate the Christmas Brochure for the White House. Her bestselling book Auntie Claus  has sold over half a million copies and is in active development for a feature length animated movie. Elise wrote and illustrated her first middle grade novel the popular Secret Order of the Gumm Street Girls  in 2006. Her second illustrated novel, Libby of High Hopes, arrived in 2012. Her latest,  Ms. Rapscott's Girls  from Dial Books, was a March Amazon Book of the Month and Spring 2015 Indie Next Pick. For more information visit www.eliseprimavera.com.

Ms. Rapscott's Girls
by Elise Primavera
Dial Books for Young Readers

A spring 2015 Indie Next Pick 

★ “Fits neatly into the literary world of Mary Poppins and Nanny Piggins… An invigorating romp with more adventures on the horizon.” —Booklist, starred review

“Move over, Mary Poppins, and make way for Ms. Rapscott...these adventures will entice young readers to take Ms. Rapscott’s advice and get 'lost on purpose' in a great story.”—BookPage

"Quirky and imaginative, aimed at middle-graders who like their fiction with a twist." —Kirkus Reviews 

"Primavera charmingly depicts the girls' activities in her soft pencil artwork...the suggestion of a new school term will leave readers eager for another outing." —Publishers Weekly

“Elise Primavera blends artful drawings with a whimsical story line… The story is unpredictably unique.” —School Library Journal
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Libby of High Hopes
by Elise Primavera
Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books

"Ten-year-old Libby Thump longs to become the best horseback rider in the entire world. However, her path to greatness is not without strife… Still, Libby is plucky and persistent, and her infectious zeal manages not only to bring about the realization of her dreams, but also to inspire those around her. She is a lovely heroine, and her tribulations are relatable and realistic. Expressive full-page illustrations appear throughout. The well-written story teaches the gentle lesson that life can be unfair, but persistence and passion ultimately pay off."—School Library Journal



On Sale: Fall 2015

The Little Crooked Bookshelf

Stella by Starlight
by Sharon M. Draper

This week's pick is by Cottager Anika Denise.


What it's all about...
Stella lives in the segregated South--in Bumblebee, North Carolina--with her mom, dad, and little brother, Jojo. From beneath a tree one evening, Stella and Jojo witness a gathering of the Ku Klux Klan across the pond. The incident sends fear through the tight-knit community, revealing to Stella the harsh reality of racial hatred, as well as the strength and grace within her family, neighbors and herself.

Why it's on The Little Crooked Bookshelf...
It's a deeply personal story—an amalgam of Draper's father's childhood and the stories her grandmother kept in a journal—gorgeously written, with hope and heart.

Our favorite lines…
Nine robed figures, dressed all in white. Heads covered with softly pointed hoods. Against the black of night, a single wooden cross blazed. Reflections of peppery-red flames shimmered across the otherwise dark surface of Kilkenny Pond. 
Why kids will love it...
Stella faces issues all kids can relate with, as she navigates the space between childhood and adulthood common to being twelve. She longs to be a good writer, but struggles with getting the right words out. She is learning who she is, and who she wants to be. That Stella faces these issues against the backdrop of segregation and the real and present danger of Klan activity in her tiny rural town, will both enlightening and inspirational to young readers.

Why grown-ups will love it...
Draper is a master storyteller. Her lyrical prose catches you up in the tension of the time, the ripple of fear, the heat of flames, and the heart of her characters, to weave a tale that is both powerful and poignant.

Quote of the Week

"To the teachers and librarians and everyone on the frontlines of bringing literature to young people: I know you have days when your work seems humdrum, or unappreciated, or embattled, and I hope on those days you will take a few moments to reflect with pride on the importance of the work you do. For it is indeed of enormous importance--the job of safeguarding and sharing the world's wisdom." —Linda Sue Park (author of A Single Shard)
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Terry Shay's Favorite Books to Spark Creativity!

It's Teacher Appreciation Week! And we're celebrating by inviting one our favorite teachers, Terry Shay, to the Cottage! In addition to teaching music and technology in Iowa, Terry is one of the founders of International Dot Day –a global creativity and literacy celebration inspired by Peter Reynolds' book, The Dot—as well as the founder and facilitator of the popular Celebri-dots program. He's also a tireless champion of creativity, an avid reader with an infectious love of books, and an all-around sweet guy.

We asked Terry for his recommendations on books to ignite a creative spark!


"In the last few years there has been a great resurgence in the focus on Creativity, most likely as a reaction to the testing culture that has permeated schools. There are many books that help foster creativity in classrooms and homes. I’ve made a list of my favorites so you can begin creating your own library."

"In 2009, The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds formed the inspiration for a global creativity celebration called International Dot Day. Since its inception, Dot Day has been celebrated by almost two million people in ninety countries. The Dot tells the story of creativity-challenged Vashti, and her teacher who encourages her to “make a mark and see where it takes you.” Peter has followed up with two other books, Ish and Sky Color, to form the “ Creatrilogy .” This set of books is essential to both inspire kids to create, and to challenge many of the things that hold them back. When I think of a creativity champion, I think of Peter H. Reynolds."


"Biographies can also be stellar choices to inspire creativity. The Noisy Paint Box: The Colors and Sounds Kandinsky’s Abstract Art is a Caldecott Honor book and rightfully so. Mary Grandpré has created stunning visuals to go along with Barbara Rosenstock’s excellent story of artist Vasya Kandinsky and his way of looking at the world." 
"In Mary’s Garden is another visually appealing story by Carson and Tina Kugler that tells the story of Mary Nohl and her famous upcycling masterpiece house near Milwaukee, WI. The art is so beautiful and so true to Mary’s artwork that you will want to run out and make your own masterpiece." 
"Wendell Minor is a masterful artist and he channels the art of Edward Hopper in Edward Hopper Paints His World. It had to have been very difficult to get the right feeling on the iconic Hopper, but Wendell does it with great style. When you add Robert Burleigh’s words in retelling the story of Edward Hopper, the book becomes an inspirational masterpiece. The beauty in all of these biographical books is that the subjects had to overcome struggles, which is a common theme, and one that will reassure and inspire young artists."
"For plain fun and creativity, you can’t beat Drew Daywalt’s The Day the Crayons Quit. Disguised as a book about complaining crayons, this book questions the notion of certain colors being strongly associated with certain objects, like is the sun yellow or orange? This book is laugh-out-loud good with a strong creative message. It also opens the whole idea of personification, which could be the launching point for creative writing." 
"Also take a look at Louise Loves Art by Kelly Light. A super sweet book about inspiration, creating, and siblings. Louise says, “I love art! It’s my imagination on the outside.” Kelly has created a charming book about the importance of audience and of being a creator."

"Have you heard about the “maker movement” that is ramping up creativity in an entirely new way? Start with Going Places by Peter H. and Paul A. Reynolds. Going Places is the story of kids who are participating in a go-cart competition that ignites their imagination. This book would be a great place to start a discussion about how creativity can lead to exploration and making." 

"Speaking of engineering, check out Open This Little Book by Jesse Klausmeier. Although the story itself is not about engineering, the unique engineering of paper and the book's clever design will give students a clear message about thinking outside the box." "I believe that everyone is creative. The problem is that sometimes people have such a limited view of creativity that they start to believe they aren’t creative. These last two books are not directly about creativity, but are nonetheless inspiring. The Story of Fish and Snail by Deborah Freedman shares the important concept of being brave. Although I believe everyone is creative, sometimes I think a strong shot of bravery is needed to get it out for the world to see."

"Another great title is Henny by Elizabeth Rose Stanton. Henny is about a chicken that was born with arms instead of wings. The message in this fabulous book is your talent may not be the same as someone else's, but you should use the talents you have.
Happy creating!"

Resources:International Dot Day www.thedotclub.orgCelebridots www.celebridots.com
The Testing Camera http://www.fablevisionlearning.com/blog/2014/12/the-testing-camera

Terry Shay is a 5-12 Vocal Music and Technology teacher at North Tama School in Traer, IA. You can find Terry on Twitter at @tjshay

The Little Crooked Bookshelf

STAR WARS EPIC YARNS
by Jack & Holman Wang

May the 4th be with you!

What it's all about...
The Holman twins take on Star Wars in three board books featuring their handcrafted fuzzy felt characters. These eye-popping books features twelve iconic scenes, each summarized in one word.

Why it's on The Little Crooked Bookshelf... 
These books had us at Star Wars, and the illustrations are incredible! Just check out that Chewbacca.

Our favorite line...
father 

Our favorite illustrations... 
From STAR WARS EPIC YARNS: RETURN OF THE JEDI. Illustration copyright 2015 by Jack and Holman Wang. From STAR WARS EPIC YARNS: A NEW HOPE. Illustration copyright 2015 by Jack and Holman Wang.
Why kids will love it...  
Light sabers! Ewoks! Droids! Yoda! Even those unfamiliar with Star Wars will find lots to pore over in these illustrations.

Why grown-ups will love it... 
Epic Yarns will be a hit with Star Wars fans of any age.

Quote of the Week

"I think there's just one kind of folks. Folks." 

--From To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Happy belated birthday to Harper Lee! (April 28th)

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