Jamie Michalak's Blog, page 26

Quote of the Week

"We hold our favorite books dear, and read them until we know them by heart. And when the time comes, we share them with our own children, which has to be one of the great joys in life."

--Sophie Blackall, illustrator of the Ivy and Bean series and The Baby Tree 
Read Sophie's entire essay, "Why Picture Books Are Important," on the Picture Book Month blog.  

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Mr. Pig LIVE . . . with Skippyjon Jones!!!

HOLY FRIJOLES! 

You're never going to believe the guest I have on my show today. He's the super-famous Siamese cat . . . ahem, I mean Chihuhahua who has won the hearts of millions of readers. Clap-clap for the star of the #1 New York Times bestselling series . . .

SKIPPYJON JONES!  

<<thunderous clap-claps and meows>>

Yes, THE Skippyjon Jones! But before we interview him, let's take a peek at his latest book, SKIPPYJON JONES, SNOW WHAT. Roll the clip please. . . .



Welcome, Skippyjon! Is that what I should call you?  
My full name is Skippyjon Jebediah Jones. But you can call me Julio.
 
Then welcome, Julio! I'm your biggest ham, I mean . . fan! Sorry, I'm feeling a little starstruck. What one word best describes you?
Chihuahua.
 
Do you have a belly button? 
Yes, I have a fuzzy navel.

What is the best thing about being you?
I am a Chihuahua.

What is the worst thing about being you?
No one believes that I am a Chihuahua.


If you were stranded on a desert island, what would you bring?
A Chihuahua.

Naturally. What is your idea of the perfect day?
Wrestlin’ with Chihuahuas.

Wow. You're really into Chihuahuas. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Would you like to be a Chihuahua?
 
I've never thought about it, but now that you mention it . . . yes! What are you reading right now?
I’m not reading anything right now because I’m talking to you. That would be rude, Mr. Pig.
  
From Skippyjon Jones, Snow What. Copyright 2014 by Judith Schachner.
What is your most embarrassing moment?
That would be the time my mama kissed me on page 31 of the first SKIPPYJON JONES book. Do you know how many kids have seen that? Gross!!! 

Is that when she called you "Mr. Cocopugs"? . . .  What? You don't want to talk about it? You mentioned this in your contract? Oops. Moving on. What is your pet peeve?
That’s not his name – his name is Mr. Purrfect.
-
What is your favorite sound?
Can opener
-
What is your least favorite sound?
Phfffffft
                
Share one thing that most of our readers don’t know about you.
I don’t know how to speak Spanish. . . . 

Ummm. . . . 
Oh, you knew that already?  How did you know that?

From Skippyjon Jones, Snow What. Copyright 2014 by Judith Schachner.
If you could dine with three characters from other books, who would they be?
The Chihuahuas from SLEEPING BEAUTY, LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD, and THE BIBLE.

If a genie gave you one wish, what would you wish for?
A cure for fur balls.

If you have a pocket, what is in it right now?
HA! You are one funny pig! You know I don’t wear pants. I have worn tights on occasion but they don’t have pockets.

From Skippyjon Jones, Snow What. Copyright 2014 by Judith Schachner.
Oh, right! What did you eat for breakfast this morning?
A protein shake (I’ll spare you the details.)

What is your favorite word?
Dogmatism . . . (and I’ve got plenty of it! )

What is you least favorite word?
Catastrophe

What was it like working with Judy Schachner?
It used to be boring until I started eating her artwork.

Well, YOU are not boring, Skippyjon Jones! Mucho gracias for this scintillating interview. Please stay for a special Skippyjon Jones-themed lunch made especially for you by Nina at Mamabelly's Lunches with Love.  

(Scroll down to see the Skippyjon Jones Literary Lunch!)


About the book

SKIPPYJON JONES, SNOW WHAT
Dial, October 2014
ISBN 978-0803737891

The #1 New York Times bestselling Skippyjon Jones stars in his own playful fairy tale set in a winter snowscape!

Mirror mirror on the wall, who is the bravest Chihuahua of them all? Skippyjon Jones, the Siamese cat who thinks he’s a dog! While his sisters listen to Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Skippy bounces on his big-boy bed and heads off for the REAL adventure awaiting him in his closet. Once inside, he finds himself in a magical snowy forest of make-believe, where the seven Chimichangos challenge him with his most dangerous task yet: to wake up Nieve Que, the frozen princess, by kissing her! Yuck! Will this hero agree to don a prince’s pantelones and save his poochitos?


With rhymes, rollicking wordplay, and mucho fairy tale fun, this fuzzy tale is sure to end happily ever after.


Read all of the Skippyjon Jones books!
“The Skippyjon Jones series is refreshing because of its irreverence. Here is linguistic fun and dual-language punning.” – New York Times review of the Skippyjon Jones series

*“Both feline hero and story are full of beans (more Mexican-jumping than pinto) but ay caramba, mucho fun.” – Kirkus Reviews, starred review of Skippyjon Jones


About Judy Schachner
In addition to being the Mamalita behind Skippyjon, Judy Schachner is the author and illustrator of The Grannyman, Yo, Vikings!, and Willy and May. Judy Schachner lives in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania with her family, a dog, and two Siamese cats. 

Visit her website at www.judithbyronschachner.com.

Literary Lunch . . . Skippyjon Jones

SKIPPYJON JONES, SNOW WHAT by Judy Schachner is the exciting new adventure of the dog of our dreams, Skippyjon Jones. This time he heads into a magical snowy forest of make-believe. Can the seven Chimichangos convince him to wake up Nieve Que, the frozen princess, by kissing her?



Nina from Mamabelly's Lunches with Love packed a lunch perfect for any closet adventure:cucumber treesa lettuce and carrot forestand of course, a Skippyjon Jones sandwich

Come to a Teddy Bear Storytime Party!

 
This Tuesday November 11th (Veteran’s Day), The Blue Bunny in Dedham, Massachusetts will be hosting a special Teddy Bear Storytime Party at 10:30 a.m. with Cottagers Anika Denise and Jamie Michalak. We'll be reading from our books--BAKING DAY AT GRANDMA'S and THE COZIEST PLACE--and children can make a simple teddy bear craft. Children may also bring their own stuffed bears with them and teddy bear refreshments will be provided. Free and all welcome. Come join us! 

The Little Crooked Bookshelf

The Storm Whale
by Benji Davies

This week's Pick is by Cottager Kara Lareau.

What it's all about . . .
Noi lives in a house by the sea with his father, a fisherman. Each day, Noi watches his father go off to work, and spends the day alone…until one day, after a storm, when Noi makes a special discovery on the beach: a whale that needs his help.

Why it's on The Little Crooked Bookshelf . . .
A gentle, heartwarming adventure story, beautifully written and illustrated by Benji Davies. 

Our favorite lines . . .
Noi did everything he could to make the whale feel at home./ He told stories about life on the island./ The whale was an excellent listener.

Our favorite illustration . . .

From The Storm Whale. Illustration copyright 2014 by Benji Davies.Why kids will love it . . .
This whale of a tale is perfect for animal lovers and generous spirits.

Why grown-ups will love it . . .
Perfect for parent and child to enjoy together, as Noi and his father work together to return the beached whale to the sea.

Quote of the Week

Loved to Pieces . . . with Nancy Castaldo

Good morning! Mr. Pig here. The Cottagers and I are enjoying a nice cup of tea and some delicious pastries and with our good pal, Nancy Castaldo. Won't you join us?

Nancy is the award-winning author of more than a dozen books for children, including her latest Sniffer Dogs: How Dogs (and Their Noses) Save the World. Gee, I'd always assumed pigs (and their snouts) saved the world, but admittedly, I have no scientific basis for that assumption. Anyhoo. . .

Nancy was just about to share her favorite books from her childhood. Tell us about them, Nancy. . .

"There were so many books that I loved when I was very young including A Child’s Garden of Verses, Winnie-the-Pooh, and Kipling’s Just So Stories, but one of my very favorites was What Shall I Put In The Hole That I Dig. It was a tiny nonfiction book about seeds and growing, with wonderful illustrations by Aliki. I loved it so much that when the photographer asked me to hold my favorite toy I chose that little book. It sits on my desk and holds so many special memories of reading and my grandparents’ gardens. What Shall I Put In The Hole That I Dig was one of my earliest books and was read to me until I could read it on my own.

Once I was bitten by the reading bug and became an independent reader, a whole new world opened up. It was filled with faraway places like in the Island of the Blue Dolphins, stories set long ago, as in The Witch of Blackbird Pond, and smart girls, like Nancy Drew, who could solve mysteries. Those characters became real and their settings as familiar as my own backyard. It was also filled with true stories of science and adventure. I can still picture the shelf in my elementary library where the biography of Marie Curie resided. I visited it often. Her story, and all the others, have become woven into who I am."


---------------------------------------- Nancy Castaldo is the award-winning author of more than a dozen books for children. Her books, focusing on the world around us, earned her the New York State Outdoor Education Association’s Art and Literature Award.  Her latest book, Sniffer Dogs: How Dogs (and Their Noses) Save the World (Houghton Mifflin 2014), highlights all the ways dogs help humans using their highly developed sense of smell.

In addition to writing, Ms. Castaldo is the Regional Advisor for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrator’s Eastern NY region and is a reviewer for the Historical Novel Society. Her books, focusing on the world around us, earned her the New York State Outdoor Education Association’s Art and Literature Award. Her latest book, Sniffer Dogs: How Dogs (and Their Noses) Save the World (Houghton Mifflin 2014), highlights all the ways dogs help humans using their highly developed sense of smell.

In addition to writing, Ms. Castaldo is the Regional Advisor for the Society of Children’s Book and Illustrator’s Eastern NY region and is a reviewer for the Historical Novel Society.

She and her husband live in New York’s Hudson Valley with their English goldendoodle, Gatsby and their cat, Zuzu. To learn more about Nancy and her  books, visit her author site at nancycastaldo.com.

Sniffer Dogs: How Dogs (and Their Noses) Save the World
by Nancy F. Castaldo
(HMH Books for Young Readers 2014)
ISBN: 978-0544088931

* "An exemplary presentation of information in a lively, engaging way—readers will be left feeling awe for their canine companions and enthusiasm for their abilities."
—Kirkus, starred review

"Superb coverage of the canine contribution to rescue and safety in both text and illustration."
—VOYA

"A well-organized, thoughtfully written title that celebrates the achievements of these great dogs."
—School Library Journal

"This fascinating account will leave young readers feeling wonder and gratitude for the gifts of the canine set."
—The Wall Street Journal

The Little Crooked Bookshelf

Ninja!
by Arree Chung

This week's pick is by Cottager: Anika Denise

What it's all about . . .
A young ninja must be strong, courageous, and silent! He creeps through the house on a secret mission to capture cookies and milk. There may be obstacles (little sisters)! But have no fear—a true ninja can overcome all challenges.

Why it’s on the Crooked Bookshelf . . .
We love the graphic novel-style illustration panels, the exuberant imagination of the boy, and the simple, sweet story. In a sea of ninja books—this one really stands out.

Our favorite line . . .
I am dishonored.

Our favorite illustration . . .



Why kids will love it . . .
Because... Ninjas! Especially this ninja—an imaginative, hilarious hero who has his priorities straight (milk and cookies).

Why grown-ups will love it . . .
Comic book-loving adults will appreciate the dark palette, graphic panel design, and funny text bubbles for reading aloud to wee ninjas.

Sunday Brunch in the Cottage

Once a month, the Cottagers meet for a Sunday brunch to discuss our works-in-progress and latest adventures. It's a blustery day, so Kristen has made a delicious warm soup and Kara baked some treats. Here's the menu if you'd like to make it at home--and yes, we usually have three desserts to our one main course. That's how Mr. Pig rolls.

What's your favorite comfort food for blustery days?

Today's Menu Vegetarian Chili Verde with a dollop of sour creama loaf of crusty French breadsalted caramel sorbetpumpkin blondies topped with dark chocolate and nutspumpkin macaroonsand of course, a bottle of Prosecco
Dessert is served at The Little Crooked Cottage

Quote of the Week