Jamie Michalak's Blog, page 32

THANK YOU!

Dear Readers,
The Cottagers are going on a brief summer vacation. We are *temporarily* leaving the Cottage so that we can spend some time with our families, do a little writing, have a few adventures, and of course, plan our content for the coming 2014/2015 season.
Our first year in the Cottage has been such fun! We've thoroughly enjoyed your visits, and our many entertaining chats with fabulous children's book characters--and their creators. 
Thanks for reading, commenting, tweeting, sharing and cheering us on! We'll be back with all-new goodies for you on August 14th. Until then, read lots of books, and have a safe, happy and wonder-filled summer. Be sure to come visit us in August when we reopen the Cottage and gear up for back-to-school!
We'll put the kettle on for you.
With gratitude,~The Cottagers(Jamie Michalak, Anika Denise, Kara LaReau, Kristen Tracy -- and Mr. Pig)
Arnie Literary Lunch, Tony DiTerlizzi interview, Jen Corace's studio tour, John Rocco's favorite book
A big THANK YOU to all of this year's talented contributors . . .
R. W. AlleyZoë B. AlleyAnna Alter
Michael Ardnt
Tom AnglebergerSudipta Bardah-QuallenMary Jane Begin Cece Bell
The Blue Bunny Bookstore Lorelay BovéPatty BowmanJuli BrenningPriscilla BurrisK.G. Campbell  Jen CoraceBeth CoultonKristy Dempsey
Christopher DeniseSarah DillardTony DiTerlizziAme Dyckman David ElliottEdith Hope Fine Matthew ForsytheSam GartonValeri Gorbachev Melissa Guion Abigail HalpinDavid Heatley
Nina Holstead Joan HolubLynda Mullaly Hunt  Paul B. JaneczkoNoah Z. JonesLaurie KellerKristen Kittscher Kara LaReau Adam LehrhauptJ. Patrick Lewis  Brian Lies
Steve LightMike Lowery
Lunches with Love  Jill McElmurryKate Messner Lisa Moser Kelly Murphy Laura Murray Ammi-Joan Paquette
Michelle PhaneufGreg PizzoliCynthia Platt Ellen Potter The Red Balloon BookshopAaron ReynoldsPeter H. Reynolds John Rocco Corey Rosen-Schwartz Rebecca RuppJill Santopolo Dan SantatTammi Sauer Colby SharpBob SheaMichael Slack Sarah SullivanMelissa Sweet Matt Tavares

Quote of The Week . . . and Giveaway Winners!

"When I say to a parent, 'read to a child,' I don't want it to sound like medicine. I want it to sound like chocolate." 

— Mem Fox (author of Ten Little Fingers, Ten Little Toes)









**WINNER ANNOUNCEMENTS** The winner of the personalized copy of Michael Arndt's CAT SAYS MEOW AND OTHER ANIMALOPOEIA, limited edition stickers, and two-sided glossy bookmarks is:  
MARIE & JASON!

The winner of the signed copy of HAVE YOU SEEN MY DRAGON? by Steve Light is:  
TAKAKO FISHER!

Congratulations to our winners!*Please email your contact/shipping info to littlecrookedcottage@gmail.com and we'll mail out your prizes.
Thank you to everyone who entered!
*Want to know how we choose our winners? A number is assigned to each blog comment, retweet, and Facebook comment as they come in. Mr. Pig then draws a random number from all of the entries.

CAT SAYS MEOW giveaway . . . win a signed book, stickers, & bookmarks!

Because we love you so, we're offering a second giveaway this week. . . . Win a signed (or personalized if you prefer) copy of our recent Pick of the Week, CAT SAYS MEOW AND OTHER ANIMALOPOEIA by Michael Arndt! 

The winner will also receive a set of limited edition stickers and newly printed two-sided glossy bookmarks (pictured below).

To enter, simply leave a comment. We'll announce the winner tomorrow. Good luck!

Animals look the way they sound in playfully illustrated gift book.


About CAT SAYS MEOW:

Age range: 3 (preschool) and up
Publisher: Chronicle Books

Animalopoeia (tm) animals look the way they sound. There are 25 animals all rendered in . . . letters! A portion of the author's profits from this book will go to help animals in need who are waiting in animal rescue organizations.

"A beautifully crafted and truly stellar book that no library should miss." --School Library Journal

"One of those rare picture books with something for everyone to enjoy." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"A winning blend of typography and zoology." --Publishers Weekly 

To learn more, visit:

info@animalopoeia.com
www.animalopoeia.comwww.facebook.com/animalopoeiawww.pinterest.com/animalopoeiawww.twitter.com/animalopoeia

The Little Crooked Bookshelf . . . with a GIVEAWAY!*

Have You Seen My Dragon? 
by Steve Light

What it's all about . . .
How many places can a big, green dragon hide in the Big Apple? Find out in this engaging counting book by author-illustrator Steve Light.

Why it's on The Little Crooked Bookshelf . . .
It’s a hide-and-seek story, it’s a counting story, and it’s a delightful tour of New York’s neighborhoods.

Our favorite illustration . . . 
HAVE YOU SEEN MY DRAGON?. Copyright © 2014 by Steve Light. Reproduced by permission of the publisher, Candlewick Press, Somerville, MA. Why kids will love it . . .
Who wouldn’t want a pet dragon, especially one who sends them on a city-wide adventure?

Why grown-ups will love it . . .
Plenty to see and enjoy with little ones. Read it and find the dragon, read it and count the designated items, or read it and explore a city full of fun details!
*TO ENTER TO WIN A SIGNED COPY OF HAVE YOU SEEN MY DRAGON?, NAME YOUR IDEAL PET IN THE COMMENTS SECTION. 

THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON FRIDAY.

Mr. Pig's Summer Reading List

Aloha, friends! This pig is ready for summer! Are YOU? Together with my fellow Cottagers--Anika Denise, Jamie Michalak, Kara LaReau, and Kristen Tracy--I've packed my suitcase with our favorite summer reads. Take a peek, pick up your own copies, and share your summer to-read list in the comments section. We'd love to hear your picks!
Board Books & Picture Books for Your Beach Bag


TOY BOAT
by Randall de Sève, illustrated by Loren Long 
A boy, a boat, a grand adventure . . . a perfect summer read. Now in board book format!


LATELY LILY
THE ADVENTURES OF A TRAVELING GIRL
by Micah Player 
"Every day is an adventure," says the jet-setting Lily, who takes trips by plane, train, boat, and even camel. Retro-style, saturated art depicts locations all over the world from a kid's point of view. A great book for getting children excited about a trip, as well as keeping a travel journal, writing letters, and meeting new friends. (Note: Lately Lily also a kids apparel company. Check out their website for Lily's notebook.)

DOT.  
by Randi Zuckerberg, illustrated by Joe Berger 
Dot knows a lot. She knows how to tap . . . to swipe . . . to share . . . on a computer. And she pays attention to little else. Until one day Dot sets off on an interactive adventure with the world outside her door. An imaginative, non-preachy story about taking a break from the devices.
IN THE SEA
by David Elliott, illustrated by Holly Meade 
You'll want to dive in to this ode to creatures of the deep, featuring David Elliott's playful poetry and Holly Meade's bold woodcut illustrations.

PLANET KINDERGARTEN 
by Sue Ganz-Schmitt, illustrated by Shane Prigmore
Today is liftoff. "You are well prepared," says Dad. Mom counts down. Into the rocket ship . . . the boosters fire, and we launch. I'm off to PLANET KINDERGARTEN! After reading this clever book, children heading into kindergarten will be ready to suit up for their own daring adventure.


Best Books for Camping, Hiking, & Backyard Exploring 
 
THE NATURE CONNECTION
AN OUTDOOR WORKBOOK FOR KIDS, FAMILIES, AND CLASSROOMS
by Clare Walker Leslie
A must-have for every child! Nationally recognized naturalist and artist Clare Walker Leslie has created an inviting, interactive book that combines observational activities with journaling and field-note prompts. Chockful of fun activities for every season.


WILD ABOUT BEARS
by Jeannie Brett 
The straightforward text is balanced by lush, expressive paintings of bears in their habitats. Children will enjoy the illustrations while learning many intriguing bear facts such as, "The sucking noise of the sloth bear's snout can be heard from 300 feet away." Who knew?

Impossible-to-Put-Down Middle Grade Novels

THE VERY NEARLY HONORABLE LEAGUE OF PIRATES
MAGIC MARKS THE SPOT (book one) 
by Caroline Carson 
Summer is the perfect time for some adventure on the high seas. We love Caroline Carson's quirky swashbuckling tale of feisty Hilary Westfield, a girl who's always dreamed of becoming a pirate. With a venerable cast of scourges and scallywags, and a fun format which intersperses letters, guidebook extracts and newspaper articles between chapters, it's a rollicking romp of a summertime read. 

LOCKWOOD & CO.
THE SCREAMING STAIRCASE (book one) 
by Jonathan Stroud
A creepy mystery, rich descriptions of a haunted London and masterful storytelling combine to make The Screaming Staircase irresistible summer reading fun!
THE BLOSSOMING UNIVERSE OF VIOLET DIAMOND
by Brenda Woods The heartfelt story of eleven-year-old Violet Diamond, a biracial girl who finally meets the African American side of her family. Violet is a quirky, endearing protagonist and the novel delicately yet deftly explores issues of race and identity.

OLIVIA KIDNEYby Ellen Potter, illustrated by Peter Reynolds 
Fans of Harriet the Spy, will love the Olivia Kidney series, starring a spunky, skateboarding heroine who can see and hear ghosts. Ellen Potter's writing is funny, fearless, and extraordinarily imaginative. The New York City setting is full of quirky details and characters. Just plain FUN.
THE IRON MANA STORY IN FIVE NIGHTS by Ted HughesSome reviewers call The Iron Man: A Story in Five Nights a science fiction novel, while others call it a modern fairy tale. It’s the thrilling story of a boy who encounters an iron man and eventually must figure out a way to save Earth from a powerful alien monster. Written by British Poet Laureate Ted Hughes and published in 1968, it’s a story that stays with you long after you finish it. 


ODESSA AGAIN  
by Dana Reinhardt
Dana Reinhardt’s magical story of a fourth-grade girl who uncovers the power to manipulate time is a funny and charming story that investigates what’s really important to a struggling fourth-grader. It’s a lovely story with characters that feel entirely real. 

The Little Crooked Bookshelf

THE SILVER BUTTON
by Bob Graham

What it's all about . . . 
A universal and intimate picture book about what happens across the land in one single minute. At the moment when Jodie puts the finishing touch--a silver button--on her drawing, her younger brother is about to take his first step. Beyond their door, a runner puffs on by, a solder says goodbye to his mother, and a baby is born.

Why it’s on the Crooked Bookshelf . . .
It's difficult to resist any title by Bob Graham, and The Silver Button is no exception. Children and parents will each take away something different from the story.

Our favorite lines . . . 
Under the oak, Sophie and her grandad made a house of leaves. Sophie sat in the living room while Grandad swept the bedroom.

Our favorite illustration . . .
From THE SILVER BUTTON. Copyright 2013 by Bob Graham.

Why kids will love it . . . 
A fascinating premise and lots of kid-friendly details--Alice mails sticks and stones through a gate while Joseph Pascano avoids the sidewalk so the sharks won't eat him.
 
Why grown-ups will love it . . .
Because the illustrations capture real life. The parents sometimes have tattoos, a detail you won't find in many picture books. And the homes are a little messy because . . . children live in them! (Thank you, Bob Graham. You get it.)



THE WINNER OF LAST WEEK'S CROOKED BOOKSHELF MAGGI & MILO GIVEAWAY IS: MANJU HOWARD!  CONGRATULATIONS, MANJU!
(Please email your shipping information to us at littlecrookedcottage@gmail.com and we'll send out your book!)

Quote of the Week

“Never abandon imagination.”
 
 
―Tony DiTerlizzi, Jimmy Zangwow's Out-of-this-World Moon-Pie Adventure

A Mr. Pig Live Special . . . starring Tony DiTerlizzi!

Hello, Mr. Pig here. I'm thrilled to host my very first Mr. Pig Live SPECIAL--starring superstar children's book creator Tony DiTerlizzi! Tony is co-creator of the SPIDERWICK series and author-illustrator of the New York Times bestselling WONDLA trilogy! 

WOW! Welcome, Tony!

I usually interview children's book characters, so pardon me if I seem a little nervous. I'm a BIG fan. I must say, though, I thought you'd be taller. (Gah ... sorry, that's the nerves talking. You're taller than me, after all. Of course, who isn't taller than me? I'm a pig.)

Anyway ... thanks for taking time out of your book tour to visit the Cottage! Thank you for having me, Mr. Pig. You smell sweeter than I imagined. And you are better dressed.

Why, thank you! Congratulations on the success of the Wondla trilogy. Let's watch this clip of you at work on the cover of the final book, THE BATTLE FOR WONDLA.

 
 
Ooooo, that looks good. I can't wait to read it. 
Thank you. I had a great time putting it together and we’ve got more video clips concerning the WondLa finale, which shall be released very soon.

Let's start with Eva Nine. You are a father of a young daughter. Was that influential in creating Eva Nine as a strong female protagonist? 
Yes. Though Eva Nine had been in my head for over a decade, the birth of my daughter (and my 40th birthday) spurred me on to finally sit down and write her story.


Since I was a young boy reading the classics, I’ve enjoyed strong, resourceful female heroes. Protagonists like Dorothy Gale (from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz), Wendy Darling (from Peter Pan & Wendy), and Alice (from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland) not only inspired my story, but Eva Nine’s character as well. 
 
Now, let's talk about you. What one word best describes you? 
Imaginologist.
 
Perfect! If you could choose one superpower, what would it be? Taking stories from my imagination and sharing them in words and pictures.

Well played, sir. Do you have a pet peeve? Parents who don’t spend time reading to their children. 


What author or artist were you starstruck to meet?  
I’ve been fortunate enough to meet many bestselling authors and illustrators in my career. I had a great little conversation with Maurice Sendak years ago, which I still replay in my mind from time to time. And Eric and Bobbie Carle have been supportive of my career as well as my wife, Angela. That definitely requires some pinching to make sure this is not a dream.
Do you read all your reviews on Goodreads? On occasion, I will skim through the reviews. Obviously I don’t like seeing a bad review, but at least people are reading books.
 
What would you say to 10-year-old Tony if you could travel back in time? “I know it can be tough sometimes because you’re not popular, or good at sports, or have a ton of friends, but stick to your drawing and nurture that imagination because you won’t believe the places it will take you.”


How did you feel when you finished the final piece of art for THE BATTLE FOR WONDLA? Tired. Proud but tired. As I mentioned earlier, this story had been developing for over a decade. I’ve been working on it non-stop since 2009, so its been quite an accomplishment for me. I’ve pushed my writing and drawing skills and feel like I’ve grown as a storyteller. That said, I am looking forward to some single, one-off, stories to tell. I’ve got a picture book planned that I’ve been developing for a long time.

Wonderful! You'll have to come back to the Cottage and tell us all about it when it comes out. Thank you, for visiting, Tony--will you sign my book?  
Of course. Right after I take a nap.
___________________________
About THE BATTLE FOR WONDLA 
Eva Nine is at her bravest in the final book in the New York Times bestselling trilogy from the fantastical mind of Tony DiTerlizzi. All hope for a peaceful coexistence between humankind and aliens seems lost in the third installment of the WondLa trilogy. Eva Nine has gone into hiding for fear of luring the wicked Loroc to her companions.
 
However, news of the city Solas being captured by the human leader, Cadmus Pryde, forces Eva into action once again. With help from an unlikely ally, Eva tries to thwart Loroc’s ultimate plan for both mankind and the alien life on Orbona.
Complete with lavish two-color illustrations and spot art throughout, and starring a host of unforgettable characters that reinforce the importance of friendship, The Battle for WondLa has all the hallmarks of a classic book—of the future.


About Tony DiTerlizzi
New York Times bestselling author and illustrator, Tony DiTerlizzi, has been creating books for over a decade. From his fanciful picture books like Jimmy Zangwow’s Out-of-this-World Moon Pie Adventure, Ted and The Spider & The Fly (a Caldecott Honor book), to chapter books like Kenny and The Dragon and the WondLa trilogy, Tony always imbues his stories with a rich imagination. With Holly Black, he created the middle-grade series, The Spiderwick Chronicles, which has sold millions of copies, been adapted into a feature film, and has been translated in over thirty countries. In 2014, he teamed up with Lucasfilm to retell the original Star Wars trilogy in a picture book featuring artwork by Academy award-winning concept artist, Ralph McQuarrie.

To learn more about Tony, visit his website: http://diterlizzi.com.

The Little Crooked Bookshelf

Cat Says Meow: And Other Animalopoeia
by Michael Arndt

What it's all about . . .
Do you like animals? And eye-catching typography? Then Cat Says Meow is your book. The shapes of the letters (that make the animal sounds) curve and twist to become the animals. It’s original and well crafted and the more you read it the more layers you’ll uncover. For instance, many of the animals are arranged to be in conversation.

Why it’s on the Crooked Bookshelf . . .
It’s a clever concept that has winning results. Plus, the typography makes it different from other animal books out there.

Our favorite lines . . .
Sparrow says chirp.

Our favorite illustration . . .


Why kids will love it . . .
It’s playful, colorful, and perfect for kids learning to read and learning animal sounds.

Why grown-ups will love it . . .
It’s pretty stunning, and if you have any interest in onomatopoeia, then you will love this book.

Mr. Pig Live! . . . with Maggi and Milo (plus a GIVEAWAY!*)

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

Fans of Ladybug Girl will love today's guest! She's an excellent adventurer, a pretty good songwriter, and an aspiring scientist. You can usually find her looking for frogs with her best friend, Milo the Border Collie. 

Let's give a warm Enchanted Woods welcome to
 
MAGGI!
Maggi is the star of Maggi and Milo, a charming new picture book by Juli Brenning and illustrated by Priscilla Burris.
 
Great to have you on the show, Maggi! What's your full name?
Maggi Beatrice Bartholomew

What is the best thing about being you?
My dog, Milo.

The worst thing about being you?
My brother, Charlie. He’s 12 so, therefore, he’s annoying.

Right. When do you feel the happiest?
When I’m singing a song outside while jumping in a puddle.



Would you rather fly or be invisible?
I think I’d rather fly. I wouldn’t want to be invisible because then no one could see me. They’d only be able to hear which I guess would be okay, but I kinda like to be seen and heard.

I can tell. What is your favorite word?
Indeed.

Good choice indeed! What is your least favorite word?
Broccoli . . . ugh. 

What is your special talent?
I am a world class tree climber. 

If you could dine with three characters, from other books, who would they be?
Ladybug girl, Olivia, and Madeline.  We’d eat macaroni and cheese and have chocolate milk. That would be so fun.

From MAGGI AND MILO. Illustration copyright 2014 by Priscilla Burris.
What's in your pocket?
I have a sparkly rock, a piece of ribbon, and a penny.

What is your pet peeve?
I don’t like places that won’t allow me to bring Milo.  That’s a silly rule.

What are you reading right now?
My mom is reading Winnie the Pooh to me right now. My favorite is Piglet.

Me, too. What was it like working with Juli Brenning?
Juli Brenning is my friend.  She makes me laugh and she says it’s okay to have ice cream for lunch sometimes.

Ooh, that sounds delicious! Speaking of lunch, Nina from Lunches with Love has created an amazing Maggi and Milo bento lunch especially for YOU! Go here to check it out. Thanks for visiting, Maggi!

*WIN YOUR OWN COPY OF MAGGI AND MILO! LEAVE A COMMENT OR TWEET THIS POST TO ENTER. THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON MONDAY, JUNE 9th!


About the Book
MAGGI AND MILO
by Juli Brenning, illustrated by Priscilla Burris 
Dial Books (April 2014)
ISBN 978-0803737952

"Move over Ladybug Girl, there’s a new spunky gal-and-canine twosome in town." --Kirkus Reviews

"The digitally created illustrations are bright and appealing, especially those of the lovable black-and-white pup, who is almost twice Maggi’s size . . . a 'ribbeting' read-aloud." --School Library Journal

"Brenning tells the story in a roundabout way, with a few breezy tangents, some musical interludes, and a happy ending in which Maggi and Milo cuddle up and listen to the frogs’ nighttime songs. Further adventures would be welcome." --Booklist

Visit Maggiandmilo.com to hear Maggi's favorite song!  

About the Author
Juli Brenning grew up in a small town in southern Ohio and went to school in Indiana where she studied music, literature, and film. She then moved to New York City and worked briefly in magazine publishing before returning to Ohio to receive a teaching certificate in English, but soon left the classroom to be a stay-at-home mom. Juli now lives in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband, two kids, an ill-mannered dog, and a very fat cat. Maggi and Milo is her first picture book. 

For more info about Julie, visit her website: http://julibrenning.com.






About the Illustrator

Priscilla Burris graduated from The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising. Since then, she's illustrated several children's books, including the Heidi Heckelbeck chapter book series. She enjoys cake painting and creating art for products such as murals, greeting cards, and rubber stamps. Priscilla lives in Southern California. 

To see more of her work, visit www.priscillaburris.com or her blog, burrisdraw.blogspot.com.