Jamie Michalak's Blog, page 20

Mr. Pig Live . . . with Early Bird & Night Owl!

Hello and welcome to another exciting episode of my hit talk show, Mr. Pig LIVE! Today's guests are as different as, well, day and night. Let's give a big hoot! hoot! to . . .


EARLY BIRD & NIGHT OWL!
These two fine-feathered friends are the stars of author-illustrator Toni Yuly's fun new read-alouds that have received rave reviews. Let's meet them, shall we?


What are your full names?
Early T. Bird. (T stands for terrific)
Night H. Owl (H stands for hoot!)


What one word best describes you?
EB - energetic
NO - fearless

This is a more personal question. . . . 
Do you have a belly button?
EB - I found a button once on my way to the garden, is that what you mean?
NO - What is a belly?

Never mind then. 
What is the best thing about being you?

EB - I get to sing every morning as the sun comes up and it is a wonderful, wonderful feeling...then I sing again, a little solo, right before the sun sets... Life is good!


From EARLY BIRD. Illustration copyright 2014 by Toni Yuly.NO - I come alive at night, and I tell you, the nighttime is the best! Everything is a little more intense...the colors and especially sounds! I just love that nighttime vibe!

From NIGHT OWL. Illustration copyright 2015 by Toni Yuly. Thanks for staying up past your bedtime with us this morning. Now, i
f you were stranded on a desert island, what would you bring?

EB - My good friend, the Early Worm. He is a great pal and then I wouldn't be lonely.

NO - Definitely my uke. I have to have music in my life.


If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
EB - I would love to be able to sing like Aretha Franklin.
NO - I would love to be able to play the drums.


What are you reading right now?
EB - Cat Nap by Toni Yuly
NO - Owl at Home by Arnold Lobel

The Cottagers can't wait to read Cat Nap in 2016, and Owl at Home is one of my favorites! Speaking of favorites, what is your favorite word?
EB - yes!
NO - didgeridoo


What is you least favorite word?
EB - meow
NO - bedtime

From NIGHT OWL. Illustration copyright 2015 by Toni Yuly. 
What is your favorite sound?
EB - The sound of my friends singing.
NO - Mommy Owl's hoot, of course.



Share one thing that most of our readers don’t know about you.

EB - I meditate every morning before the sun comes up. Did I mention that I am an early riser?

From EARLY BIRD. Illustration copyright 2014 by Toni Yuly.
NO - I can't actually turn my head all the way around.



From NIGHT OWL. Illustration copyright 2015 by Toni Yuly.
Neat! If a genie gave you one wish, what would you wish for?

EB - I would wish for everyone to celebrate each and every day by being kind and making new friends! Life is short! Sing and get going!

NO - I would wish for folks to be a little quieter during the day...some of us are trying to sleep.


If you have a pocket, what is in it right now?
EB - pepper spray for that cat, just in case
NO - my penny whistle

From EARLY BIRD. Illustration copyright 2014 by Toni Yuly.

What did you eat for breakfast this morning?

EB - strawberries
NO - I don't eat breakfast.



What was it like working with Toni Yuly?

EB - Oh we got along great. We agree on a lot of things like when to get up, so that was good. Our work schedules really clicked. I would definitely work with her again.


NO - She is a real evening wimp I can tell you that. In bed at 9pm! Who goes to bed at 9pm! And she seems to have darkness issues, I think she is a bit afraid of the dark. Well, at least we had a few good jam sessions together. She can play a mean conga drum.

Thanks, Early Bird and Night Owl! It's been a real tweet, er, I mean TREAT having you here! Please stay for lunch -- Nina from Mamabelly's Lunches with Love has prepared Early Bird and Night Owl bento lunches especially for you! 

Scroll down or click here to see today's Literary Lunch. 

_______________________
About Toni Yuly
Toni Yuly has been an early bird her whole life and loves to start the day in her studio listening to other early birds sing outside her window. She lives in a small house by the water in Bremerton, Washington, near Seattle where she was born.

Toni fell in love with Eastern sensibilities during a year spent in Sendai, Japan. She graduated from the University of Washington with a BFA in painting where she studied with the great American painter Jacob Lawrence. Now, after many years as a librarian in the King County Library System (she took a ferry to work!) Toni dedicates herself to designing, painting and writing full time. EARLY BIRD, published by the fantastic people at Feiwel & Friends, was her first picture book.

For more information on Toni visit her website: www.toniyuly.com and her Facebook page: www.facebook.com/toni.yuly. 

About Toni's books
NIGHT OWL
Feiwel & Friends, January 2015
ISBN 978-1250054579

Night Owl loves the nighttime! He can see everything, but when he doesn't see Mommy Owl, he starts to listen....

"With its question-and-response text, this is a satisfying choice for reading aloud." --Booklist

"Yuly imbues her owl baby with great character....The little creature portrayed in bold pen and ink and digital pictures will capture readers with his resiliency and calm." --School Library Journal

 
EARLY BIRD
Feiwel & Friends, January 2015
ISBN 978-1250057068


* "It’s unusual for a book this straightforward to accomplish several things, but this succeeds. Yuly offers a story that has action and tension, while at the same time—with the help of parents and teachers—extends the way kids think about words. A simple exercise would be to ask them other things Early Bird might do, thereby emphasizing verbs and prepositions. A fun way to learn." --Booklist (starred review)

"With its snappy text, vivid pictures, and lively protaganist, this title would make for a fun read-aloud during storytime."
--School Library Journal

Literary Lunch . . . with Early Bird and Night Owl!

Meet Early Bird and Night Owl, the charming stars of  Toni Yuly 's new picture books. Early Bird likes to get up early and Night Owl loves to stay up late. Since they're both in the Cottage today, Nina from Mamabelly made lunch for two:


Both books are beautifully illustrated with bright colors and clean shapes. While Early Bird emphasizes action words, Night Owl highlights sound words.


To find out if Early Bird really catches the early worm and . . .

if Night Owl really stays up all night, share these adorable books with your little early birds or night owls!

Nina from Mamabelly has prepared a lunch for both early birds and night owls everywhere:Early Bird's lunch includes blueberries, a raspberry Early Bird sandwich, and of course an Early (gummy) Worm Night Owl's lunch includes blueberries as well (it has to be fair), and a peanut butter and almond Night Owl sandwichNina | Mamabelly's Lunches with Love web: www.mamabelly.comfacebook: www.facebook.com/MamabellysLunchesWithLovetwitter: @LunchesWithLove

The Little Crooked Bookshelf

A FINE DESSERT
by Emily Jenkins & Sophie Blackall
This week's pick is from Cottager Anika Denise

What it's all about… 
Four families, in four different cities, over four centuries, make the same delicious dessert: blackberry fool.

Why it's on the Little Crooked Bookshelf…
This is a beautiful book. In concept, language, illustrations and artifact, there is so much to love.

Our favorite lines...
The girl washed the berries inwater from the well. Then she smashed them through a tin sievewith the back of a spoon, getting rid of the seeds.Together, she and her motherpoured sugar on the fruit and then mixed it with the cream."You may lick the spoon, child,"the woman said.So the girl did.Mmmmm.
Our favorite illustrations…

© 2015 Sophie Blackall  © 2015 Sophie Blackall 2015 © 2015 Sophie Blackall -
Why kids will love it… 
First, it's about a dessert—a positively scrumptious-sounding dessert, and Jenkins' delicately descriptive prose makes you want to taste the berries and lick sweet cream off the spoon. Children will pore over Blackall's deliciously detailed illustrations with equal delight.

Why grown-ups will love it... 
In addition to being a satisfying read aloud, it's a subtle history lesson, folded gently into the changes of costume, landscape, and recipe techniques through the ages. But one thing remains constant: blackberry fool is a dessert to be savored and enjoyed. And the same goes for this fine gem of a picture book.

Mr. Pig REPLAY… with Joe and Sparky

Instead of a Quote of the Week, we'd like to replay this hilarious interview with SUPERSTARS Joe and Sparky from Cottager Jamie Michalak's hit series of the same name. 

Why? Because the topic of FUNNY WOMEN WRITERS came up recently in Cheryl Blackford's insightful blog post, and well, we just wanted to show some support with an example of how funny we women writers can be. 

Watch, read, and giggle. . .

 
Lovely to see you both. Um, Joe, can you duck down a bit? Your head is out of frame. Great. Thanks. Let's get started. What are your full names?
J: Joe Giraffe
S: Sparky Turtle

What one word best describes you?
J: SUPERSTAR!
S: Safety-conscious.

What is your pet peeve?
J: I do not have a pet peeve, but I do have a pet worm named Wiggy.
S: Joe says Wiggy is super talented. He can make the letters S and O with his body.

That is impressive! If you were stranded on a desert island, what would you bring?
J: A surfboard, basketball, my fruit hat, a flashy yellow convertible, striped sports socks, Wiggy (my pet worm), and-- 
S: I think Mr. Pig means one thing, Joe. I would bring a safety helmet to protect myself from falling coconuts. Safety first!

What did you eat for breakfast this morning?
J: 152 1/2 leaves
S: a worm
J: (gasp) Wiggy?!
S: Of course not. I have never, ever met Wiggy. Does he really exist?
J: Yes, but you can not see him right now. He is visiting his girlfriend in Niagara Falls.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
J: I would like to be the world’s first flying giraffe.
S: I would like to use contractions.

What is your favorite word?
J: hubbub
S: nap

What is you least favorite word?
J: nap
S: idea — because every time Joe says, “I have an idea” we get into BIG trouble.

What is your favorite sound?
J: The sound of noisy, short people laughing.
S: The whoosh of the magic pond we found in the school restroom. The water disappeared — and then it came back again!!!


From JOE AND SPARKY GO TO SCHOOL. Illustration copyright 2013 by Frank Remkiewicz.
If you could dine with three characters from other books, who would they be?
S: I would dine on the Very Hungry Caterpillar, the Lowly Worm, and Fly Guy.
J: Sparky, Mr. Pig said “dine with” not “dine on!”
S: Oh. This is awkward.

Right, we have a strict no-eating-the-guests policy in the Cottage. Or the hosts for that matter. I can't tell you how many times we had to remind SHARK when he was here (shudder). Where was I? Oh yes, what is your most embarrassing moment?
J: When we went to school for a day, the teacher said, “Clap your hands, stomp your feet, put your bottoms in your seat!” I did . . . and broke the chair.
S: I once flipped over while doing the Hokey Pokey. (Turtles are not made to shake things all about.)


From JOE AND SPARKY GO TO SCHOOL. Illustration copyright 2013 by Frank Remkiewicz.If a genie gave you one wish, what would you wish for?
J: hands
S: safety goggles

What was it like working with Jamie Michalak?
S: This was our third time working with Jamie. She drinks too much coffee and lives with two noisy, short people who give her ideas for stories.
J: If you see her, tell her that I would like my fruit hat back.

I'll let her know. Well, thank you both SO much! Before you head back to the cageless zoo, Nina from MamaBelly Lunches with Love has prepared a fabulous lunch for you! 
S: Are there worms in it?
J: Very funny.


Oh, there's Jamie. And pssst, Joe, she's wearing your fruit hat.
Jamie Michalak is the author of more than twenty-five children's books, including the award-winning Joe and Sparky books--Joe and Sparky Go to School, Joe and Sparky, Superstars!, and Joe and Sparky Get New Wheels, all illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz; She also wrote The Coziest Place, illustrated by Jon Davis and So You Want to Catch Bigfoot? illustrated by Mark Fearing, as well as numerous movie and TV show adaptations. Jamie lives in Barrington, Rhode Island with her husband and two sons. To learn more about her books, visit Jamie’s website, www.jamiemichalak.com
Frank Remkiewicz is the beloved illustrator of more than 100 children’s books--fourteen of which he has authored himself. Frank created the artwork for many popular series, including the Joe and Sparky series of early readers, the popular Horrible Harry series by Suzy Kline, and the bestselling Froggy series by Jonathan London. Frank has also written and illustrated several books of his own, including The Last Time I Saw Harris, Gus Makes a Gift, and Gus Gets Scared. He lives in Sarasota, Florida. To learn more about Frank, visit his website, www.remkiewicz.com.

JOE AND SPARKY GO TO SCHOOLIllustrated by Frank RemkiewiczCandlewick Press, June 2014ISBN 978-0-7636-6278-3 (hardcover)ISBN 978-0-7636-7181-5  (paperback)
     ★ "This book is perfect for the newly independent reader and makes a fine bridge from Amelia Bedelia to Ramona. Limited but lively vocabulary, a large font, and carefully placed illustrations—all in a humorous, high-interest package—will make this a hit."  —The Horn Book, starred review
“Michalak will have readers giggling over the silly exchanges and comedic misunderstandings that follow as Sparky and Joe attempt to fit in at school. . . . The vibrant watercolor and colored pencil cartoons and well-targeted humor . . . will entertain growing readers.” —Publishers Weekly

Mr. Pig Visits. . . Jennifer Sattler

Well, hello and happy Spring! I know it doesn't quite feel like Spring yet here in Saratoga Springs, NY. It's still a wee bit chilly, but the residents here have assured me, Spring is on its way.

And really, in any kind of weather, this town is just cute as a button!

Not only that, it's the home and workplace of JENNIFER SATTLER, author and illustrator of the Chick 'n' Pug and  Pig Kahuna  series, and Sylvie . I'm so excited to meet her!

I've brought along a few books to be signed, see?
-

Ah, here we are!

<<Knock, knock>>

Shhh, we don't want to startle her, looks like she's hard at work.


Gah! Mr. Pig, you startled me! Who knew pigs could be so stealthy?

Very sorry, I have been told I am light on my hooves.

No worries, I was just taking a break. Come in, I'll show you around.

That would be lovely!

I have a bunch of mobiles in my studio. I love looking up and seeing them hover over me.


How pretty! And hmm… those are some very small shoes; you must have very small feet.

Ha! No, these are my daughter Mayzie's shoes from first grade. She's almost 16 and she can't fool me... I remember her wearing these like it was yesterday.


They grow up fast, don't they? I mean, I don't have any piglets of my own, but from what I've seen, they grow like weeds -- especially when you feed them.

True. Over here is one of my shelves with my "stuff." 

Oooo, what lovely Pigs! And I believe I recognize that flamingo in the back.
Yes. Here's some more "stuff." My daughter Lili made the lacrosse clock. The little surfboard was something I did to promote Pig Kahuna. I painted Fergus and Dink on them. When I went on tour they were given to favorite booksellers.

Can you spare one for a favorite Pig?
I think that can be arranged. 

Aha, and I see you have some studio company of the furry kind, too.

See, I'm not crazy! I'm not talking to myself all day, silly, I'm talking to these guys!



Yes! And it was a pleasure talking to you, Jen! Thanks for the tour!

Anytime, Mr. Pig!

After receiving an MFA in painting, Jennifer won a National Endowment for The Arts Grant in 1996. She spent six years as a painting and drawing professor until she just couldn’t hide the fact that she was a complete goofball.-Jennifer Sattler is the author and illustrator of, Chick ‘n’ Pug, Chick ‘n’ Pug Meet the Dude, Pig Kahuna, Pig Kahuna Pirates, Uh-Oh, Dodo! A Chick ‘n’ Pug Christmas, the upcoming Pig Kahuna Who’s that Pig? and Sylvie, which won the Mockingbird Award and the Georgia Children’s Book Award. She lives in Upstate, NY with her husband, Paul, an incredible painter, their two above average children and their handsome mutt, Henry.
To learn more about Jennifer's books, visit her website.


Coming Soon! 
Pig Kahuna, Who's That PIG?by Jennifer Sattler
Bloomsbury USA ChildrensPub date: May 15, 2015
ISBN: 9781619637436

It's just a regular old day at the beach for Fergus and his brother, Dink.
Then they see something off in the distance . . .
Wait . . . it's not a something. It's a someone!
She's bold.
She's interesting!
She's fun!
But does this Pig Kahuna duo have room for a third?
This newest entry in the kid-friendly series featuring Fergus and Dink captures the unique challenges and excitement of making friends, reminding readers that the best approach is always to be yourself.

★“Pirate-loving listeners will be particularly pleased. . . . A fresh and clever take on a perennially popular theme.” –  Kirkus Reviews, starred review, on Pig Kahuna Pirates,★“Together words and pictures create an utterly engaging picture-book experience-eye-catching, thought-provoking and just plain fun.” –  Kirkus Reviews, starred review, on Pig Kahuna,“You almost hear the seashore when you read the book: Now that's a summer read.” –  Time Out New York Kids on Pig Kahuna.

The Little Crooked Bookshelf

PLEASE MR. PANDA
by Steve Antony 
This week's pick is from Cottager Jamie Michalak.
What it's all about... Mr. Panda is not amused. He asks the animals he comes across if they would like a doughnut. A penguin, a skunk, and a whale all say yes, but Mr. Panda tells them . . . no. Is anyone worthy of Mr. Panda's doughnuts?
Why it's on the Little Crooked Bookshelf...
Because we're wishing we wrote it. This one is a winner! Antony's story about manners is incredibly clever and dryly humorous. (Think I Want My Hat Back.)

Our favorite lines... "No you cannot have a doughnut. I have changed my mind."
Check out the trailer...


Why kids will love it...  
The simple storyline will instantly hook little ones: Why won't Panda give anyone his doughnuts? The reason is as satisfying as a freshly baked doughnut.

Why grown-ups will love it... 
Anthony delivers a lesson in manners without being preachy. The spare text and Panda's hilarious delivery will make this one a popular go-to read-aloud.

Quote of the Week

Five Favorite Mysteries . . . by Marcia Wells *PLUS A GIVEAWAY!

Know any young mystery fans? Looking for a fast-paced page-turner that they won't be able to put down? Then you're in luck! Today Marcia Wells, author of the highly praised Eddie Red Undercover mystery series, is here and she's sharing her five favorite middle grade mysteries!   "Mysteries come in all shapes and sizes. There are police crime stories and detective who-dunnits, ghost hauntings and supernatural thrillers. This is true from middle grade all the way through adult novels. It's difficult for me to narrow my favorites down to a Top Five, but I will say that it is crucial to read a lot of kinds of mysteries to see which type grabs you as a writer.  The latest EDDIE RED UNDERCOVER mystery! Coming this April!
Here are five very different mysteries that have helped me on my mystery-writing journey:
5. Belly Up by Stewart GibbsHere's what Amazon says: Twelve-year-old Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt Fitzroy believes that Henry, the hippopotamus at the brand-new FunJungle, has been murdered. The zoo’s top brass claim the hippo went belly up the natural way, but Teddy and his feisty friend Summer McCraken have other ideas. I loved the zany setting, as well as the unusual stakes involved. A cranky hippo that has a long list of enemies? Brilliant. Teddy is a charming character and there are a lot of cool zoo details.  4. The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls by Claire LegrandKids go in to the home and never come out...need I say more? Talk about a spooky mystery! The author maintains a fabulous amount of creepy tension without making it too scary for young readers. Great pacing and suspense. 3. Hoot by Carl HiassenThis book is a great example of a police crime mystery for kids. There's a new kid in town and he's thrown into a world of bullies, alligators, eco-warriors, pancakes, and pint-sized owls. The mystery is funny as it is compelling. It has a boy protagonist, but also switches to a few adult POVs as the plot thickens. It's brilliantly woven together, and won the Newbery Honor Award. 2. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. RowlingWe all know about Harry Potter and his magical world. But each book also contains a TON of mystery. From the first pages, multiple mysteries are introduced and woven throughout the book for an incredible page-turner. If you want to study great pacing, reread the Harry Potter series with mysteries in mind. 1. Three Times Lucky by Sheila TurnageMoses LoBeau lives in the small town of Tupelo Landing, NC, where everyone's business is fair game and no secret is sacred. When a lawman comes to town asking about a murder, Mo and her best friend set out to uncover the truth in hopes of saving the only family Mo has ever known. This book has it all! Fabulous tension, amazing voice and endearing characters, all set in a town that's both spooky and charming. No wonder it won the Newbery Honor Award!"

*AND NOW ... GIVEAWAY TIME! FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A COPY OF MARCIA'S EDDIE RED UNDERCOVER: MYSTERY ON MUSEUM MILE, TELL US YOUR FAVORITE MYSTERY IN THE COMMENTS SECTION! THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON MARCH 25th!
 ................................About Marcia Wells Marcia Wells is the author of the Edgar-nominated middle grade mystery series EDDIE RED UNDERCOVER. In a former life she taught middle school math and Spanish. She lives in New England with her family, and knows entirely too much about chickens, pigs, and Nerf sword fighting. To learn more about Marcia and her books, visit her website.
 About Marcia's books EDDIE RED UNDERCOVER:MYSTERY ON MUSEUM MILEIllustrated by Marcos CaloHoughton Mifflin Harcourt, March 2015  ISBN-13 978-0544439405
Art, mystery, fun and friendship, combine in this illustrated middle grade series debut. 

“This is a strong start to a promising new series, and as Eddie would say, it’s über-cool.” — Booklist

“(An) effervescent debut. . . . A sure pleaser for Cam Jansen grads or anyone fond of knotty, lightweight capers solved with brainpower (and a little luck).” — Kirkus 

NEW! Coming April 7, 2015!
EDDIE RED UNDERCOVER:
MYSTERY IN MAYAN MEXICO 
Illustrated by Marcos Calo
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, April 2015
ISBN-13: 978-0544302068

Now that he has become the NYPD’s youngest crime-solving hero, Eddie Red and his best friend Jonah are ready to relax on a family vacation to Mexico. But when Eddie’s father is falsely accused of stealing, what they find is another complex mystery. Can Eddie – with his artistic talent and photographic memory – and Jonah uncover clues and catch the real crook in time?

"All three kids are realistic and likable. . . . Fast paced enough to keep those who crave adventure turning pages. Refreshingly, this book features an African American protagonist."  —School Library Journal

Click here for a sneak peek!

The Little Crooked Bookshelf

 
WHERE BEAR? by Sophy Henn
This week's pick is from Cottager Kara LaReau. 
What it's all about...
Once there was a bear cub, who lived with a little boy. But when the bear grows too big and bearish, he and the boy must find him a new place to live. Bear needs a new home, but where?

Why it's on the Little Crooked Bookshelf...
A sweet story of friendship, growing up, and staying in touch across the miles, written and illustrated by newcomer Sophy Henn.

Our favorite lines...
So the bear was happy./And the boy was happy./And they stayed the very best of friends…/…chit-chattering on the phone all the time.

Our favorite illustration...

  Why kids will love it...
With fun, repetitive text and simple, bold, illustrations, it’s almost too cute to bear!

Why grown-ups will love it...
A lovely read-aloud, and a celebration of friendships both real and imaginary.

Quote of the Week

"[Children] aren't some fragile, idealized creatures needing to be pampered with precious thoughts. They're wild, dirty, bloody, funny, frightened, willing, loving. They need a good hug and a book they enjoy reading over and over."

--Tedd Arnold, author-illustrator of the Fly Guy series and many more books for wild, funny children



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