Jamie Michalak's Blog, page 6
September 23, 2016
September 21, 2016
Mr. Pig Live...with (THE INFAMOUS) Louie and Ralphie Ratso...and a GIVEAWAY!
Sound check… are we ready? Cue the lights! 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. . .Hello friends, and welcome back to MR. PIG LIVE!
Today, I'm thrilled to welcome...
LOUIE & RALPHIE RATSO!
<<Whistles>> <<Applause>>
These two brothers are tough on the outside, kind on the inside, and the stars of a funny, heart-warming new chapter book series, THE INFAMOUS RATSOS!
MP: So, first things first. What are your full names, boys?L. Louie Ratso.R. Ralphie Ratso.
Illustration copyright 2016 by Matt Myers.MP: What three words best describe you?L. Tough, tough, tough!R. But underneath, really kind, helpful, and generous.MP: What is the worst thing about being you?L. Unfortunately for us (but fortunately for everyone else), we’re really bad at being bad.R. Every time we try to show the world how tough we are, it just shows how good weare. It turns out being tough all the time is really, really…tough.
Illustration copyright 2016 by Matt Myers.MP: What is the best thing about being you?L. It turns out we’ve become infamous…R. …for really good reasons!
MP: When do you feel the happiest?L. When we’re doing something nice for someone else.R. And when we’re together. Especially when we’re with our dad, Big Lou.
Illustration copyright 2016 by Matt Myers.MP: What is your favorite word?L. “Nyah-nyah!” (Wait…is that a word? If not, I’ll go with the word “plan,” because I have lots of them.)R. “Righto!”MP: What is your favorite food?L. Cheese sandwiches.R. Our dad’s meatballs. With extra sprinkly cheese.
MP: What is your special talent?L. Coming up with clever plans.R. Throwing water balloons. LOOK OUT!
MP: If you could dine with three characters from other books, who would they be?L. Templeton from Charlotte’s Web, Roscuro from The Tale of Despereaux —R. — ooh, and any of those Rats of NIMH!
MP: If a genie gave you one wish, what would you wish for?L & R: To have our mom with us again.
MP: What is your most embarrassing moment?L. In our next adventure (publishing in September 2017), THE INFAMOUS RATSOS AreNot Afraid, I’m afraid everyone will find out that I’m afraid of ghosts — particularly onethat might actually be living in our neighborhood!R. And a rumor goes around school that I like a girl. What could be scarier than THAT?
MP: What is your pet peeve?L. When my clever plans don’t turn out the way I expect.R. Leaky water balloons.
MP: What was it like working with Kara LaReau?L. I like what she did with our story. She’s almost as clever as I am (and that’s saying alot).R. And boy, is she tough — but usually just on herself, when she’s writing.L. I hope she keeps telling stories about us.R. Me, too. And I hope Matt Myers keeps illustrating them. His artwork is super-cool!
Illustration copyright 2016 by Matt Myers.MP: If you have a pocket, what is in it right now?L. Some notes I made for a new plan. It’s sure to be the best one yet!R. A few balloons (for making water balloons), a bar of soap (which we recently used tosoap — and then wash — a neighbor’s windows), and half of a cheese sandwich fromyesterday’s lunch.L. You really should empty your pockets more often, little brother.R. Right-o!I'd better end this interview before Ralphie takes aim with another water balloon — many thanks to the Ratso Brothers for coming all the way from the Big City to chat with us!
I hope you're all hungry, because our caterer Nina from Mamabelly has whipped up a particularly infamous Literary Lunch just for you. Click here for a peek at Nina's bento of goodies!
About the Author:
Kara LaReau is the author of picture books
such as UGLY FISH and OTTO: The Boy
Who Loved Cars, illustrated by Scott Magoon,
and NO SLURPING, NO BURPING! A
Tale of Table Manners, illustrated by Lorelay
Bové; a chapter book series called THE
INFAMOUS RATSOS, illustrated by Matt
Myers; and an upcoming middle-grade trilogy
called The Unintentional Adventures of the
Bland Sisters, illustrated by Jen Hill. Kara
lives in Providence, RI with her husband and
son and their cat.
Praise for THE INFAMOUS RATSOS:
Louie and Ralphie Ratso are determined to be as tough as their truck-driver father, but the rats’ efforts go hilariously awry in this funny, thoughtful, and smart chapter book...LaReau packs substantial comedy and poignant emotion into each chapter (the boys’ mother has "been gone for a little while now"), adeptly amplified by Myers’s spot art.—Publishers Weekly (starred review)LaReau keeps the action high and completely appropriate for readers embarking on chapter books...The humor springs from their foiled efforts and their reactions to their failures. Myers' sprightly grayscale drawings capture action and characters and add humorous details, such as the Ratsos' "unwelcome" mat. A nicely inventive little morality "tail" for newly independent readers.—Kirkus Reviews
The father-son dynamic is realistic and honest. Young readers will feel for the family as they learn to deal with the absence of a loved one. This slender novel packs a strong message of overcoming loss through love and kindness. A solid purchase; a chapter book that entertains and uplifts.—School Library Journal
Generous black-and-white illustrations evoke setting (a rundown city neighborhood) as well as reinforce the storyline and the light tone of the text, with its natural vocabulary. Here’s a beginning chapter book with heart.—The Horn Book
* And now for the GIVEAWAY!!! Kara is kindly sending a signed copy of THE INFAMOUS RATSOS to one lucky reader! To enter to win, simply leave a comment below!
Literary Lunch . . . with The Infamous Ratsos!
Today's Literary Lunch Menu is brought to you by our wonderful caterer, Nina, from Mamabelly!For more of her fabulous BENTO creations visit her website:
MAMABELLY LUNCHES WITH LOVE
Scroll down to learn how to make this lunch. . .
Louie and Ralphie Ratso want to be TOUGH just like their dad, Big Lou. But every time they try to show the world how tough they are, they end up proving how kind and generous and helpful they are instead. What will Big Lou think when he hears just how bad the Ratso Brothers are at being bad?
Nina from Mamabelly packed an infamously tough lunch to accompany the book:Tiny Crawley's hat on cheese crackersMrs. Porcupini's cereal bar soap Mr. O'Hare's hot chocolate puddingand the Infamous Ratso Sandwich for Florinda Rabbitski : grilled cheddar with beets and pickled mushrooms! Yum-O!
Want more fun literary lunch ideas? Follow Mamabelly here:
* web: www.mamabelly.com* facebook: www.facebook.com/MamabellysLunchesWithLove* twitter: @LunchesWithLove
Louie and Ralphie Ratso want to be TOUGH just like their dad, Big Lou. But every time they try to show the world how tough they are, they end up proving how kind and generous and helpful they are instead. What will Big Lou think when he hears just how bad the Ratso Brothers are at being bad?
Nina from Mamabelly packed an infamously tough lunch to accompany the book:Tiny Crawley's hat on cheese crackersMrs. Porcupini's cereal bar soap Mr. O'Hare's hot chocolate puddingand the Infamous Ratso Sandwich for Florinda Rabbitski : grilled cheddar with beets and pickled mushrooms! Yum-O!
Want more fun literary lunch ideas? Follow Mamabelly here:
* web: www.mamabelly.com* facebook: www.facebook.com/MamabellysLunchesWithLove* twitter: @LunchesWithLove
September 19, 2016
The Little Crooked Bookshelf
A Squiggly Storyby Andrew Larsen and Mike Lowery
This week's pick is from cottager Kara LaReau.
What it's all about
A little boy admires how well his sister reads and writes: big words and little words, page after page, word after word. How can he write a story, when he knows his letters but doesn't know many words? Soon, he discovers a solution, and a squiggly series of letters and shapes turns into a twisty tale of a soccer ball, a seemingly-peaceful beach, a swiftly-approaching shark...and an alien rocket ship!
Why it's on The Little Crooked Bookshelf…
A clever tribute to the process (and power) of storytelling, via Andrew Larsen's sweet, funny text and Mike Lowery's graphic illustrations.
My favorite lines…
That night after dinner,
I sit down beside my sister.
Her face is buried in a book.
"I've been thinking about my story all day and I still don't know how to END it."
"Remember, you're the author," she says, without looking up. "You can do WHATEVER YOU WANT."
My favorite illustration…
Why kids will love it…
Kids (especially those who don't know how to write words yet, like the narrator) will find this story about "writing" a story tremendously empowering, not to mention highly entertaining.
Why grown-ups will love it…
This ingenious form of expression is sure to inspire young readers to squiggle out their own stories!
This week's pick is from cottager Kara LaReau.
What it's all about
A little boy admires how well his sister reads and writes: big words and little words, page after page, word after word. How can he write a story, when he knows his letters but doesn't know many words? Soon, he discovers a solution, and a squiggly series of letters and shapes turns into a twisty tale of a soccer ball, a seemingly-peaceful beach, a swiftly-approaching shark...and an alien rocket ship!
Why it's on The Little Crooked Bookshelf…
A clever tribute to the process (and power) of storytelling, via Andrew Larsen's sweet, funny text and Mike Lowery's graphic illustrations.
My favorite lines…
That night after dinner,
I sit down beside my sister.
Her face is buried in a book.
"I've been thinking about my story all day and I still don't know how to END it."
"Remember, you're the author," she says, without looking up. "You can do WHATEVER YOU WANT."
My favorite illustration…
Why kids will love it…
Kids (especially those who don't know how to write words yet, like the narrator) will find this story about "writing" a story tremendously empowering, not to mention highly entertaining.
Why grown-ups will love it…
This ingenious form of expression is sure to inspire young readers to squiggle out their own stories!
September 16, 2016
September 14, 2016
Behind the Book...with Sharon Chriscoe!
Today in the Cottage, we're thrilled to welcome Sharon Criscoe, who writes for children of all ages. From very young picture books to upper middle grade novels, Sharon is passionate about creating lively worlds for children to grow and learn in. Her latest book is RACE CAR DREAMS, a picture book we're "wheely" excited about!
Tell us a little bit about RACE CAR DREAMS, Sharon!
***
First, thanks so much for having me, Mr. Pig. I love your blog!
RACE CAR DREAMS is a rhyming bedtime story about a little race car getting ready for bed. After his high octane filled day at the track, he washes his rims at the Tickle-and-Wash, fills his tummy with oil at Guzzle-and-Gulp, and chooses a book from the Speedy-Reads Library that’s all about speed. Then, once toasty and warm, he drifts off to sleep, shifts into gear . . . and dreams of the race!
What inspired you to write the story? A couple years ago while I was reading the super-talented Jane Yolen’s How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? for around the tenth time, I found myself wanting my very own unique twist on a bedtime story. After much brainstorming, and some trial and error, it hit me . . . full throttle! A race car! Kids love race cars and I had never read about a race car getting ready for bed. I spent the next few weeks in my mobile office drafting those first words.
Yep. That’s right, my office is not only mobile but it’s the passenger seat of a bread truck in which I work alongside my super supportive husband on our bread route.
It took almost another year of tweaking the story, revision after revision, draft after draft (nearly 50 in total!) before Race Car became a book that was submission worthy. And I am so thankful to my wonderful critique partners and the SCBWI Blueboard members who encouraged me and helped me to get him all polished and shined.
If you were a CAR, what make and model would you be?VERY cool question! Let’s see, if I were a CAR, I’d be a 427 Chevrolet Corvette! And I’d be a convertible so that way when the weather is perfect, I could vroom around town with the sun shining down on me.
What do you love to do when not writing zippy bedtime tales and other stories?I don’t think there’s anything in the world that can top spending time with my family. So that will always be first on my list. And of course, if we can have some of that quality time together while at the beach, it’s that much sweeter! I love the ocean and I’d spend the entire summer there if I could.
For our teachers and librarian readers: which titles would you pair RACE CAR DREAMS with for a car (or bedtime) themed story hour? Oh! A car (or bedtime themed) story hour would be so much fun! If I were in charge of creating this story hour (how awesome would that be!) I’d definitely bring along Goodnight Lightning (Pixar Cars); Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site; Goodnight Moon; Bedtime in the Meadow; and Where Do Diggers Sleep at Night?
What’s up next for you? Thank you so much for asking! My next book is a companion book to RACE CAR DREAMS titled BULLDOZER DREAMS. It was actually my wonderful editor and publisher’s idea. Julie, my editor, said she and my publisher had a fun discussion about what types of vehicles would make for a great book two, and construction vehicles was an instant thought. Julie sent the BULLDOZER DREAMS title to me along with an optional one they had discussed. When I read the email, my thoughts were “A Bulldozer! YES! I want to do that!” Now BULLDOZER DREAMS is with John Joven, the illustrator — I’ve recently seen the proofs and they are so adorable!
Thanks so much for visiting, Sharon!
About the Book
RACE CAR DREAMSby Sharon Chriscoeillustrated by Dave MottramRunning Press (September 2016)ISBN 978-0762459643
After a day at the track of zipping and zooming, a race car is tired and ready for bed. He washes his rims, fills his tummy with oil, and chooses a book that is all about speed. All toasty and warm, he drifts off to sleep, he shifts into gear . . . and dreams of the race!
About the Author
Sharon Chriscoe may not vroom around a race track, but she does zip and zoom around in a bread truck with her husband, Ricky. Fueled with fresh bread, snacks, and writing tools, Sharon has made this her mobile office! She and her husband live in Pilot Mountain, North Carolina. They have three children and one grandchild on the way, as well as an assortment of dogs, cats, bunnies and occasionally a groundhog. In addition to RACE CAR DREAMS, she is the author of BULLDOZER DREAMS (a companion book to RACE CAR DREAMS, Running Press Kids, 2017), and The Sparrow and the Trees (Arbordale Publishing, 2015). She is also a contributor to several magazines such as Highlights High Five, Highlights Hello, and The Old Farmer’s Almanac for Kids. She is a member of The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and is a graduate of The Institute of Children’s Literature. She is represented by Jessica Sinsheimer of the Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency. To learn more about Sharon, her books, and future events, visit her website: www.sharonchriscoebooks.com
Watch the Trailer!
Tell us a little bit about RACE CAR DREAMS, Sharon!
***
First, thanks so much for having me, Mr. Pig. I love your blog!
RACE CAR DREAMS is a rhyming bedtime story about a little race car getting ready for bed. After his high octane filled day at the track, he washes his rims at the Tickle-and-Wash, fills his tummy with oil at Guzzle-and-Gulp, and chooses a book from the Speedy-Reads Library that’s all about speed. Then, once toasty and warm, he drifts off to sleep, shifts into gear . . . and dreams of the race!
What inspired you to write the story? A couple years ago while I was reading the super-talented Jane Yolen’s How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? for around the tenth time, I found myself wanting my very own unique twist on a bedtime story. After much brainstorming, and some trial and error, it hit me . . . full throttle! A race car! Kids love race cars and I had never read about a race car getting ready for bed. I spent the next few weeks in my mobile office drafting those first words.
Yep. That’s right, my office is not only mobile but it’s the passenger seat of a bread truck in which I work alongside my super supportive husband on our bread route.
It took almost another year of tweaking the story, revision after revision, draft after draft (nearly 50 in total!) before Race Car became a book that was submission worthy. And I am so thankful to my wonderful critique partners and the SCBWI Blueboard members who encouraged me and helped me to get him all polished and shined.
If you were a CAR, what make and model would you be?VERY cool question! Let’s see, if I were a CAR, I’d be a 427 Chevrolet Corvette! And I’d be a convertible so that way when the weather is perfect, I could vroom around town with the sun shining down on me.
What do you love to do when not writing zippy bedtime tales and other stories?I don’t think there’s anything in the world that can top spending time with my family. So that will always be first on my list. And of course, if we can have some of that quality time together while at the beach, it’s that much sweeter! I love the ocean and I’d spend the entire summer there if I could.
For our teachers and librarian readers: which titles would you pair RACE CAR DREAMS with for a car (or bedtime) themed story hour? Oh! A car (or bedtime themed) story hour would be so much fun! If I were in charge of creating this story hour (how awesome would that be!) I’d definitely bring along Goodnight Lightning (Pixar Cars); Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site; Goodnight Moon; Bedtime in the Meadow; and Where Do Diggers Sleep at Night?
What’s up next for you? Thank you so much for asking! My next book is a companion book to RACE CAR DREAMS titled BULLDOZER DREAMS. It was actually my wonderful editor and publisher’s idea. Julie, my editor, said she and my publisher had a fun discussion about what types of vehicles would make for a great book two, and construction vehicles was an instant thought. Julie sent the BULLDOZER DREAMS title to me along with an optional one they had discussed. When I read the email, my thoughts were “A Bulldozer! YES! I want to do that!” Now BULLDOZER DREAMS is with John Joven, the illustrator — I’ve recently seen the proofs and they are so adorable!
Thanks so much for visiting, Sharon!
About the Book
RACE CAR DREAMSby Sharon Chriscoeillustrated by Dave MottramRunning Press (September 2016)ISBN 978-0762459643
After a day at the track of zipping and zooming, a race car is tired and ready for bed. He washes his rims, fills his tummy with oil, and chooses a book that is all about speed. All toasty and warm, he drifts off to sleep, he shifts into gear . . . and dreams of the race!
About the Author
Sharon Chriscoe may not vroom around a race track, but she does zip and zoom around in a bread truck with her husband, Ricky. Fueled with fresh bread, snacks, and writing tools, Sharon has made this her mobile office! She and her husband live in Pilot Mountain, North Carolina. They have three children and one grandchild on the way, as well as an assortment of dogs, cats, bunnies and occasionally a groundhog. In addition to RACE CAR DREAMS, she is the author of BULLDOZER DREAMS (a companion book to RACE CAR DREAMS, Running Press Kids, 2017), and The Sparrow and the Trees (Arbordale Publishing, 2015). She is also a contributor to several magazines such as Highlights High Five, Highlights Hello, and The Old Farmer’s Almanac for Kids. She is a member of The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and is a graduate of The Institute of Children’s Literature. She is represented by Jessica Sinsheimer of the Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency. To learn more about Sharon, her books, and future events, visit her website: www.sharonchriscoebooks.com
Watch the Trailer!
September 12, 2016
The Little Crooked Bookshelf
The SNURTCHwords by Sean Farrell, pictures by Charles Santoro
This week's pick is from cottager Kara LaReau.
What it's all about
Ruthie has a problem at school. It's not the students, or the classroom, or the reading or the writing or the math. It's a creature called the Snurtch, who follows Ruthie everywhere and gets her into all sorts of trouble.
Why it's on The Little Crooked Bookshelf…
Wry text from Sean Farrell and hilarious illustrations from Charles Santoso bring to life this story of how one child manages to tame her not-so-nice side.
My favorite lines…
The Snurtch is scribbly and scrunchy.
The Snurtch is grabby and burpy and rude.
And the Snurtch is always with Ruthie.
My favorite illustration…
Why kids will love it…
Every child (at any age!) will recognize Ruthie's Snurtch, and feel comforted that they are not alone in having an all-too-mischievous side. Ruthie's solution (to draw her Snurtch and share it with others) is both a brilliant coping mechanism and a super-fun story time activity.
Why grown-ups will love it…
A lighthearted way to talk about our darker emotions and behaviors.
September 9, 2016
September 6, 2016
Behind the Book . . . with Henry Herz (and a GIVEAWAY!*)
Well, look who's in the Cottage today . . it's Henry Herz, author of the picture books Monster Goose Nursery Rhymes, Mabel and the Queen of Dreams, and the brand-new Little Red Cuttlefish, which really tickled our cuttlebone!Hey, Henry, we have to know . . . how did you end up writing a picture book starring a cuttlefish?
***"I love writing the same genres I enjoy reading, which includes the unlikely pair, fantasy and science. While taking a picture book writing class, I decided to write a fractured fairy tale. For those unfamiliar with the concept, a fractured fairy tale is a new spin on an old classic, like Deborah Underwood's INTERSTELLAR CINDERELLA.
I selected LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD as my fairy tale, but then had to decide how to change the story. How would I blend fantasy and science? How about using a fascinating animal as a protagonist? One day, the idea of using a cuttlefish came to mind. Cuttlefish are awesome! And using a sea creature would enable me to tell the story in a noticeably different setting than the original.
LITTLE RED CUTTLEFISH is thus an aquatic retelling of the classic fairy tale. In the original, the gullible Little Red Riding Hood is swallowed whole by the wolf — not a very savory outcome (for the girl, anyway). In LITTLE RED CUTTLEFISH, the plucky cephalopod protagonist uses her wits and natural defense mechanisms to thwart a hungry tiger shark.
Aside from a more positive outcome and theme (they were called the Brothers Grimm, after all), the aquatic version is intended to spark young readers' interest in learning about sea creatures, zoology, and science in general. Toward that end, the story showcases the superhero-like abilities of cuttlefish, and an author's note serves up fascinating facts about cuttlefish and tiger sharks, an excerpt of which is below.
Cuttlefish aren’t fish at all. They are members of a class of animals that includes squids, octopuses, and nautiluses. They have a porous shell inside their bodies, called a cuttlebone, which is used to control their buoyancy.
[image error]
Male cuttlefish have eight arms and two tentacles. Female cuttlefish have only six arms and two tentacles. The arms and tentacles have suckers for grabbing prey. And if that isn't strange enough, their blood is greenish blue.
Cuttlefish have an amazing ability to quickly change the color, pattern, and texture of their skin. Cuttlefish can use this camouflage to sneak up on their prey, which consists mostly of crabs and fish. [image error]
The cuttlefish's ability to quickly change color also helps it avoid being hunted by sharks, dolphins, seals, and other predators. If camouflage doesn't work and it is spotted by a predator, a cuttlefish can squirt out a cloud of brown ink to help it hide.
Now, what kid wouldn't want the superpowers of changing color, squirting ink, and multiple sucker-covered arms? None! Thus, we have used a fractured fairy tale to make science more interesting to young readers. And they lived happily ever after."
* And now for the GIVEAWAY!!! Henry is kindly sending a copy of his fantasy picture book, If You Give an Imp a Penny, to one lucky reader! To enter to win, simply leave a comment below! “I hope an imp never asks me for a penny and comes into my studio! He is kind of cute in a 'Cat in the Hat comes and messes up your house' kind of way. His little grin makes it hard to stay mad at him. Mr. Herz must have a few imps at home because he captures that childlike ability to wreak havoc and still be likable. The illustrations by Abigail Larson help convey the innocent—ok, not so innocent, but certainly not intentional—way the little guy keeps making things worse!” —Kelly Light, author and illustrator of LOUISE LOVES ART!***
About the Book
LITTLE RED CUTTLEFISHby Henry, Josh, & Harrison Herzillustrated by Kate GotfredsonPelican (September 2016)ISBN 978-1455621460“Heroic Little Red makes such a splash that even though no one gets eaten or cut open, even the most ghoulish among young readers won’t be disappointed. Along with silly bits, this buoyant benthic variant includes lots of authentic marine detail.” — Kirkus Little Red jets off to take fresh crab cakes to her grandmother. Everything goes swimmingly—until a big, bad tiger shark attacks! Little Red has to use her cuttlefish defenses—camouflage, quick reflexes, and squirting an ink cloud—to outwit the shark, combining science and spunk. Gorgeous illustrations depict the reef and its adorable main character with lively detail. The authors include information about cuttlefish and tiger sharks, addressing Common Core standards, as well as resources for further reading. After reading, remember to sleep tight—and don’t let the copepods bite!
About the Author
Henry Herz is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI) and the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA). Henry participates in literature panels at a variety of conventions, including San Diego Comic-Con and WonderCon. Henry created KidLit Creature Week (www.birchtreepub.com/kcw/), an annual online gallery of monsters, creatures, and other imaginary beasts from children’s books. He reviews children’s books for the San Francisco Book Review and the San Diego Book ReviewFor more info about Henry's books, visit his website.
September 1, 2016
Mr. Pig LIVE… with MILK!
Curtain...
Spotlight...
Cue the music...
in 5… 4… 3… 2... 1!
We're BACK folks, and we're LIVE with our first Mr. Pig LIVE! episode of the 2016-2017 season!
I'm your dapper host, Mr. Pig. And today, we'll be talking to someone very special. The crème de la crème of guests, you might say. We've been keeping the lid on it all summer, lest we spoil the surprise.
Please put your hands together for. . . MILK!
<<Applause>>
Milk is the star of the funniest, punniest picture book of the back-to-school season: MILK GOES TO SCHOOL by Terry Border (author of Peanut Butter & Cupcake).
MP: Welcome, dear. And what a sweet little hair bow you're wearing. Please sit down and make yourself comfortable. Shall I call you Milk? What's your full name?
M: Milkificent Butterfat. But Milk is fine.
MP: What one word best describes you?
M: SPECIAL
MP: Quite so. Do you have a belly button?
M: No, but I do have a UPC code on my bottom.
MP: What is the best thing about being you?
M: I have a dad who thinks I’m la crème de la crème!
MP: What is the worst thing about being you?
M: I can’t go out when it’s hot.
MP: If you were stranded on a desert island, what would you bring?
M: A tub of ice to sit in.
MP: Wise choice. What is your idea of the perfect day?
M: Playing with my new friends from school. Even Waffle and Egg.
MP: If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
M: To get along with everybody all the time and have people love me. And I’d like to run really, really fast.
MP: What are you reading right now?
M: Charlie and the Chocolate Milk Factory
MP: What is your favorite word?
M: CUTE
MP: What is you least favorite word?
M: Spoiled!
MP: What is your favorite sound?
M: My friends saying, “hello!”
MP: What is your least favorite sound?
M: Farts! Some kids do those all the time (and one time our teacher did too! hahaha!).
MP: Share one thing that most of our readers don’t know about you.
M: I’m really nice.
MP: If you could dine with three characters from other books, who would they be?
M: That little guy who saves the trees in that one book. Humpty Dumpty, ‘cause maybe he’s a nicer egg than the one in our class. And Madeline, because she lives with all of her friends, but I would miss Mom and Dad.
MP: What did you eat for breakfast this morning?
M: Some dry cereal.
MP: What is your most embarrassing moment?
M: That one time when I spilled myself of course. At school!
MP: What is your pet peeve?
M: I don’t have one yet, but my mom said I could have a gummy bear if I keep his cage clean.
MP: What was it like working with Terry Border?
M: Who?
MP: Never mind, dear. That's all the time we have for today. While we roll the credits, you can follow me to the kitchen, where our caterer Nina -- from Mamabelly's Lunches with Love -- has whipped up a delicious Literary Lunch in your honor!
********************************
Milk Goes To School
by Terry Border
(Philomel 2016)
ISBN: 978-0399176197
"A quirky read-aloud with offbeat humor and fun images that young readers will appreciate. A good choice to address the challenges of making new friends at school."—School Library Journal
"Border's witty food comedy will lure children who are hungry for clever visual entertainment." —Publishers Weekly
Terry Border (www.terryborder.com) is the author of Milk Goes to School, Happy Birthday, Cupcake! and Peanut Butter & Cupcake. He is also the mastermind behind the Bent Objects project, which has been lauded in media all over the world, spawning books (such as this one), calendars, greeting cards and puzzles. He lives with his family in Indianapolis, Indiana. Follow him on Twitter @TerryBorder.
********************************A LITERARY LUNCH. . . for MILK! Milk is ready for the first day of school. She even has a special new backpack. But making friends is not as easy as she thought. Will she make friends on the first day?
Nina from Mamabelly packed the perfect lunch for the first day of school:
new pancake friendsa new egg and a new carrot frienda school house pepperoni sandwich anda little surprise for milk (strawberry flavored fruit snacks)Want more fun literary lunch ideas? Follow Mamabelly here:
* web: www.mamabelly.com
* facebook: www.facebook.com/MamabellysLunchesWithLove
* twitter: @LunchesWithLove
Spotlight...
Cue the music...
in 5… 4… 3… 2... 1!
We're BACK folks, and we're LIVE with our first Mr. Pig LIVE! episode of the 2016-2017 season!
I'm your dapper host, Mr. Pig. And today, we'll be talking to someone very special. The crème de la crème of guests, you might say. We've been keeping the lid on it all summer, lest we spoil the surprise.
Please put your hands together for. . . MILK!
<<Applause>>
Milk is the star of the funniest, punniest picture book of the back-to-school season: MILK GOES TO SCHOOL by Terry Border (author of Peanut Butter & Cupcake).
MP: Welcome, dear. And what a sweet little hair bow you're wearing. Please sit down and make yourself comfortable. Shall I call you Milk? What's your full name?
M: Milkificent Butterfat. But Milk is fine.
MP: What one word best describes you?
M: SPECIAL
MP: Quite so. Do you have a belly button?
M: No, but I do have a UPC code on my bottom.
MP: What is the best thing about being you?
M: I have a dad who thinks I’m la crème de la crème!
MP: What is the worst thing about being you?
M: I can’t go out when it’s hot.
MP: If you were stranded on a desert island, what would you bring?
M: A tub of ice to sit in.
MP: Wise choice. What is your idea of the perfect day?
M: Playing with my new friends from school. Even Waffle and Egg.
MP: If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
M: To get along with everybody all the time and have people love me. And I’d like to run really, really fast.
MP: What are you reading right now?
M: Charlie and the Chocolate Milk Factory
MP: What is your favorite word?
M: CUTE
MP: What is you least favorite word?
M: Spoiled!
MP: What is your favorite sound?
M: My friends saying, “hello!”
MP: What is your least favorite sound?
M: Farts! Some kids do those all the time (and one time our teacher did too! hahaha!).
MP: Share one thing that most of our readers don’t know about you.
M: I’m really nice.
MP: If you could dine with three characters from other books, who would they be?
M: That little guy who saves the trees in that one book. Humpty Dumpty, ‘cause maybe he’s a nicer egg than the one in our class. And Madeline, because she lives with all of her friends, but I would miss Mom and Dad.
MP: What did you eat for breakfast this morning?
M: Some dry cereal.
MP: What is your most embarrassing moment?
M: That one time when I spilled myself of course. At school!
MP: What is your pet peeve?
M: I don’t have one yet, but my mom said I could have a gummy bear if I keep his cage clean.
MP: What was it like working with Terry Border?
M: Who?
MP: Never mind, dear. That's all the time we have for today. While we roll the credits, you can follow me to the kitchen, where our caterer Nina -- from Mamabelly's Lunches with Love -- has whipped up a delicious Literary Lunch in your honor!
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Milk Goes To Schoolby Terry Border
(Philomel 2016)
ISBN: 978-0399176197
"A quirky read-aloud with offbeat humor and fun images that young readers will appreciate. A good choice to address the challenges of making new friends at school."—School Library Journal
"Border's witty food comedy will lure children who are hungry for clever visual entertainment." —Publishers Weekly
Terry Border (www.terryborder.com) is the author of Milk Goes to School, Happy Birthday, Cupcake! and Peanut Butter & Cupcake. He is also the mastermind behind the Bent Objects project, which has been lauded in media all over the world, spawning books (such as this one), calendars, greeting cards and puzzles. He lives with his family in Indianapolis, Indiana. Follow him on Twitter @TerryBorder.********************************A LITERARY LUNCH. . . for MILK! Milk is ready for the first day of school. She even has a special new backpack. But making friends is not as easy as she thought. Will she make friends on the first day?
Nina from Mamabelly packed the perfect lunch for the first day of school:
new pancake friendsa new egg and a new carrot frienda school house pepperoni sandwich anda little surprise for milk (strawberry flavored fruit snacks)Want more fun literary lunch ideas? Follow Mamabelly here:
* web: www.mamabelly.com
* facebook: www.facebook.com/MamabellysLunchesWithLove
* twitter: @LunchesWithLove
