Jamie Michalak's Blog, page 22

Literary Lunch. . . The Day The Crayons Quit

To celebrate the Crayon's interview (or non-interview as the case may be), Nina from  Mamabelly  prepared these delicious edible crayon treats! 

Nina made a fun snack to nibble while reading the hilarious and colorful book from Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers. It includes:a cream cheese and American cheese YELLOW CRAYON sandwich which needs to be eaten firsta cream cheese and strawberry RED CRAYON sandwich which needs to be eaten while humminga cream cheese and blueberry BLUE CRAYON sandwich which hopes to make you happy anda cream cheese and kiwi GREEN CRAYON sandwich who will finish your lunch.

The Little Crooked Bookshelf

BLIZZARD 
by John Rocco

This week's pick is from Cottager, Kara LaReau.
What it's all about...
In 1978, a devastating snowstorm sweeps through town, the streets haven’t been plowed for four days, and a young boy’s family is running out of food. Now, it’s up to him to take action. Will he survive his perilous journey — and, more important, will be bring back milk for hot cocoa?

Why it's on The Little Crooked Bookshelf...
Even if it’s not quite the infamous Blizzard of ’78, we are feeling this winter weather — so we’re grateful for John Rocco’s funny, frank recollection, which warms us like a cup of hot cocoa (with milk).

Our favorite line(s)...
SNOWPLOWS! It looked as though we would see civilization again after all.

Our favorite illustration...


Why kids will love it...
Extreme weather like this can make us all feel helpless, especially our little ones. In this case, it’s the youngest who takes charge and saves the day — and in a very ingenious way.

Why grown-ups will love it...
Those of us who experienced the Blizzard of ’78 first-hand will enjoy taking a walk down (a very snowy!) memory lane.

Quote of the Week

“Basketball Rule #3

Never let anyone
lower your goals.
Others' expectations
of you are determined
by their limitations
of life.
The sky is your limit, sons.
Always shoot for the sun
and you will shine.”

― From The Crossover, 2015 Newbery Medal winner, by Kwame Alexander 

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Mr. Pig Visits Marsha Riti -- WIN A SIGNED BOOK!*

Oh, howdy! You found me. I ditched the snow of the Enchanted Woods for the warmer air of Austin, Texas. That's because I'm on my way to visit the talented Marsha Riti, illustrator of The Critter Club.

Marsha is going to give me a tour of her studio and introduce me to her newest addition -- a baby!

I'm a little nervous. How do I look?

<<knock, knock>>


Marsha Riti having a bowl of Flap Cereal™ with her good friend Duck.
Oh hi, Mr Pig! Welcome! You're early. 

Um, is that your baby?

NO! This is my friend, Duck, who poured you a bowl of cereal. He was just leaving. Bye, Duck!

Thanks, Duck -- and thanks for having me, Marsha! I know you're a busy lady with lots of The Critter Club books to illustrate. Liz and the Sand-Castle Contest is my favorite.



Thanks! Why don't you finish your Flap Cereal and I'll give you the tour? I have lots to show you!
[top] Marsha working at her kitchen table; [bottom l to r] Marsha's desk and sketches for a new story.
OK, Mr. Pig, welcome to where I like to work. Sometimes a friend and I co-work at my dinner table. I’m enjoying “co-working” with my little baby Maple too.

Maple looks like she's a good helper. Hi, baby! 

And this is my actual desk and a few sketches for a story about babies I’m working on. I love that my desk has a north facing window: best light ever.

What's behind this door?

This is my Art Closet! Yay! Let's take a peek. . . .


Marsha's art closet.
Since my desk is in the living room I like having all my art stuff stowed away in its own space so it’s not visual clutter, and hopefully little hands will not get into it. 

See all of my cute art pencils, crayons, and fun kid’s books?

Pretty! They make me want to draw like you. Well, you and your co-worker have lots to do, so I'll be on my way. Thank you for the cereal and the tour, Marsha! Nice meeting you, Maple! 

My pleasure, Mr. Pig! 


*GIVEAWAY! Speaking of fun books for kids, Marsha is kindly sending one of our readers an AUTOGRAPHED COPY of her newest book, ELLIE AND THE GOOD-LUCK PIG! Leave a comment to enter to win. The winner will be announced on Wednesday, February 18th.



Marsha Riti previously illustrated a picture book, The Picky Little Witch, for Pelican Publishing, and is currently illustrating a chapter book series for Simon & Schuster, The Critter Club. 

Marsha enjoys creating and experimenting with new ways of expressing herself visually. She also loves exploring and educating herself about the craft of writing, and is currently working on a couple of different book ideas, ranging from stories about a silly duck to a dreamy book about the moon.
Marsha graduated from the University of Texas with a BFA in studio art. She has been a member of Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators for a number of years, and is also a co-founder and member of a female illustrator collective called the Girllustrators.

She is represented by Teresa Kietlinksi of Prospect Agency. Visit Marsha at marshariti.com.

The Little Crooked Bookshelf

WHEN BLUE MET EGGby Lindsay Ward

This week's pick is from Cottager Anika Denise
What it's all about…
One snowy morning, an egg (snowball) flies through the air and lands in Blue's nest. Blue is concerned. Egg is so very cold! Blue searches the city to find Egg's Mama Bird. But when no birdy claims little Egg, Blue cares for Egg herself. She takes Egg ice-skating, and sledding, and keeps Egg safe over the cold winter night. Then Spring comes, and well. . . we won't spoil it.

Why it's on The Little Crooked Bookshelf…
Having just come off a trip to New York City with my daughter, this book was a perfect choice. Lindsay Ward's illustrations of wintry city scenes and iconic city landmarks are as delicate and charming as the story itself.

Our favorite lines…
"Blue knew they wouldn't make it in time if she tried to carry Egg, so she decided they would do what anyone would: take the subway uptown."

Our favorite illustration. . .

Why kids will love it…
Children will easily understand and appreciate the joke, as well as Blue's cheery determination in the face of the inevitable.

Why grown-ups will love it…
Beautiful art + a sweet story with a plucky protagonist and gentle humor = perfect wintertime picture book reading. 

Quote of the Week

"The book to read is not the one that thinks for you, but the one which makes you think."
—Harper Lee






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The Little Crooked Bookshelf

BONJOUR CAMILLE
by Felipe Cano
Illustrated by Laia Aguilar  

This week's pick is from Cottager Jamie Michalak.

What it’s all about:
On Sunday mornings, an energetic little girl named Camille opens her eyes and puts on her battledress: a tutu and a top hat. She has so many things to do! Like choosing a new favorite color, drawing thousands of faces on balloons, and naming the waves.

Why it’s on the Little Crooked Bookshelf: 
An Eloise-ish heroine; bold, graphic illustrations; and a whimsical story make this stylish little book enormously appealing.

Our favorite line:
Asking the wind in a whispering voice to tell her a story.

Our favorite illustration:

From BONJOUR CAMILLE. Illustration copyright 2014 by Laia Aguilar.
Why kids will like it:
My 7-year-old assistant says, "I like all the fun pictures and it's pretty easy for me to read." Kids will immediately like Camille, who's first item of business is to jump on the bed until her mother says, "THAT'S ENOUGH!" They'll be inspired to imagine their own ways to take on the day. 

Why parents will like it:
Bonjour Camille is a celebration of the simple joys in life. Not a computer or video game to be found. Hand this to a child who complains, "I'm bored!"

Quote of the Week

"What is the point of being alive if you don't at least try to do something remarkable?" 



--From An Abundance of Katherines by John Green 







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Mr. Pig LIVE . . . with Henny!

Hello and welcome to another exciting episode of my hit talk show, "Mr. Pig LIVE!" 

Today's guest is the feathered star of Elizabeth Rose Stanton's acclaimed debut picture book. Let's give a big, er, hand for the chicken with arms . . . 

HENNY!  
Baawwaaak! Hello, Mr. Pig.
Welcome, Henny! Before I get to our interview, let's roll a clip. . . . 
  


Henny, what is your full name? 
Henrietta Van Cluck Stanton. Just kidding. It’s just Henny. I just thought I’d be fun to pretend I had a longer name.

What is the best thing about being you? Having arms.

What is the worst thing about being you? Having arms.

Do you have a belly button?
That’s the least of my concerns.

*Snort.* If you were stranded on a desert island, what would you bring?
Duct tape, a hammer, my chopsticks, chicken aspirin, and a whole bunch of books. Oh and, of course, my pink purse and green umbrella.

From HENNY. Illustration copyright 2014 by Elizabeth Rose Stanton.
What is your idea of the perfect day?
Sitting on a hilltop, a gentle breeze blowing through my comb, reading a book.  

Aaah, delightful. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
I kind of have one already, don’t I? I mean, come on, a chicken with arms? All I need is the cape. I’ll have to ask Stanton to draw me one.

Hmm. I smell a sequel! What are you reading right now?
George Bernard Shaw’s Arms and the Man.

From HENNY. Illustration copyright 2014 by Elizabeth Rose Stanton.
What is your favorite word?
Bwwaaak! It’s kind of like “aloha”—it means hello and goodbye in Chickenese. Sometimes, when I want it to, it also means “thank you.”

What is you least favorite word? 
BaGOKin’! (it’s a bad word in Chickenese)

What is your favorite sound?
No sound. I like quiet. 

What is your least favorite sound?
Too much sound—especially from that baGOKin’ rooster. Oops! I shouldn’t use bad words. 

From HENNY. Illustration copyright 2014 by Elizabeth Rose Stanton.
Share one thing that most of our readers don’t know about you.
Oui! There is a French edition of me (published in France by Seuil Jeunesse). 

Ooh la la! Congratulations! If you could dine with three characters from other books, who would they be?
I would most certainly have to return the favor and invite Mike Curato’s sweet Little Elliot, especially since he’ll bring the cupcakes. I would also invite Ame Dykman’s Cub because he knows the tea party rules and, finally, Drew Daywalt’s Beige Crayon, because he could draw us up a turkey dinner—and maybe some chairs.

From HENNY. Illustration copyright 2014 by Elizabeth Rose Stanton. Little Elliot and Cub have been on my show. Lovely folks! What did you eat for breakfast this morning?
Bugs, with my chopsticks. 

What is your most embarrassing moment?
When someone called me “creeptacular.” Then I decided I kind of liked it. 

What is your pet peeve? 
People who think my name is HENRY. 

What was it like working with Elizabeth Rose Stanton? 
She’s an inveterate procrastidoodler. But I guess that’s a good thing since that’s how she thought me up. Oh, and that cute cat of hers gets in the way. A lot. 


Thank you so very much for having me, Mr. Pig! Baawwaaak!!  

Thank YOU, Henny! Now stick around. Nina from Mamabelly Lunch's with Love has prepared a Henny-themed bento lunch just for you!*

*Scroll down to see the HENNY Literary Lunch.

*******
About the book
HENNY
by Elizabeth Rose Stanton
Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books, 2014  
ISBN 9781442484368 

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A New York Public Library Best Children’s Book of 2014  

“This adorable, albeit unconventional, story of self-discovery will charm all ages." --American Booksellers Association Kids’ Indie Next List, Winter 2013-2014

★ “The premise is clever, and the execution is hysterical . . . a good message about making the best of one's circumstances and looking on the bright side.” --Booklist, starred review

“Henny’s journey of adjustment and empowerment is a useful lesson for young children, told in a fun, imaginative way." --BookPage

“In gentle pencil-and-watercolor sketches on an eggshell-white ground, Stanton scatters moments of quiet humor like chicken feed." --Publishers Weekly


About the author
Elizabeth Rose Stanton began her picture book writing and illustrating adventure a few years ago, after a brief career as an architect and long career as a parent and fine artist.

Her debut picture book, HENNY (Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books), was awarded a Booklist star and was recently named as one of the best books of 2014 for children by The New York Public Library. She has signed on again with Simon & Schuster for a new picture book, PEDDLES, about a little pig with some big ideas, due out in early 2016. 

She lives in Seattle with her husband and Bea-the-Cat. Elizabeth is represented by Joanna Volpe of New Leaf Literary & Media in New York, and is a member of SCBWI International, and SCBWI Western Washington.   

Visit Elizabeth at her website or blog. You can also find her on Twitter and Instagram.

Literary Lunch . . . with Henny!

Meet the star of Elizabeth Rose Stanton' s new book Henny. Henny is an avarage chicken. Well, almost. There is one tiny little thing different about Henny. Have you spotted it yet?

Well . . . Henny was born with arms. Which is pretty unusual for a chicken. But Henny likes being different. And she can do lots of fun things with her arms that other chickens can't. Like eating bugs with chopsticks!
Nina's kids loved this book and this was their favorite page, so she used it for Henny's Literary Lunch inspiration!

Nina from Mamabelly's Lunches With Love made an egg-cellent lunch chock full of:Fruit Booty Corn Puff Worms to eat with chopsticksA Henny sunflower seed sandwich with cheese, seaweed, and carrot decorationsAn egg (an important part of the book, but we can't give away everything now, can we?)And some spinach leaves to keep those arms strong underneath all of that yummy food!