Jamie Michalak's Blog, page 8

Save the Dates! . . . Fun Events for Kids (and one for Grown-ups!)

The Cottagers will be out and about during the next coming months, and YOU are invited to join them! Check out these FREE fun events for all ages -- and a night out for grown-ups, too!


JUNE 4: HUBBUB FEST! 
Boston, Copley Plaza / FREE for all ages

Wowza! Don't miss this year's HUBBUB fest, celebrating creativity for kids. Presenters include Jeff Kinney, Kevin Hawkes, Peter H. Reynolds, Ame Dyckman, Zachariah Ohora & many more! Swing by the Candlewick Press booth at 1:30 & say hi to Cottager Jamie Michalak, who will be signing her books!  

Special appearances from Maisy and Guess How Much I Love You's Nutbrown Hare. Visit hubbubfest.org or Hubbub for more details.

Giant puppets at Hubbub! Creating characters at Hubbub!


Kara LaReau's Storytime at Henry Bear's ParkJUNE 4: STORYTIME WITH KARA LaREAU 
Providence / FREE for all ages
Henry Bear’s Park at 11 AM

Get lost in a good book with Cottager Kara LaReau ! Based out of Providence, Kara's stories will delight young audiences with imaginative stories and a creative cast of characters!




-





JULY 12: MONSTER TRUCKS releases!
Vroom, vroom! Look for Cottager Anika Denise 's irresistible new picture book anywhere books are sold!

JULY 13: MULTI-AUTHOR LAUNCH EVENT
Harvard Square Coop at 7:30 PM
Cambridge, MA / FREE for all ages
Join authors Anika Denise, Jennifer Goldfinger and Ammi-Joan Paquette  for a reading and signing of their new books!

JULY 16: MONSTER BASH - MONSTER TRUCKS LAUNCH PARTY! 
Barrington Books from 6 - 8:30 PM
Barrington, RI / FREE for all ages
Start your engines for an after-hours MONSTER BASH, featuring a reading and book signing, refreshments for kids (and grown-ups), contests, giveaways and more!

More Monster Trucks events coming soon!




JUNE 17: KIDLIT DRINK NIGHT
Pawtucket, RI / Children's' Book Peeps
BreakTime Bowl and Bar  from 7 - 10 PM

A night out for children's book authors, illustrators, editors, designers, teachers, & librarians! 

Do you like children's books . . . and boozin' and schmoozin'? Do you also like (or at least tolerate being in the presence of) bowling? Join us at this kitschy-cool, old-school bowling alley/bar in Pawtucket's Hope Artiste Village.





JULY 28: PROVIDENCE KIDLIT STORYTIME
Greater Kennedy Plaza - 11 AM
Providence, RI/ FREE for all ages

Join Cottagers Kara LaReau and Anika Denise, along with authors Gaia Cornwell and Christina Rodriguez for stories and art in the park!


Hope to see you around town! 

The Little Crooked Bookshelf

COYOTE MOONby Maria Gianferrari illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline
This week's pick is from cottager Jamie Michalak.
What it's all about ...
Moon rises, as Coyote wakes in her den, a hallowed-out pine in a cemetery.... So begins Maria Gianferrari's riveting picture book, masterfully illustrated by Bagram Ibatouliine, about a suburban coyote stalking prey to feed her hungry cubs.  

Why it's on The Little Crooked Bookshelf … 
Coyote Moon takes children along on the coyote's nightly adventure, offering kids a rare peek at what might happen in their own neighborhood while they're fast asleep.

My favorite lines …
Twigs crack.
Rabbit freezes.
Ears twitch.
Coyote lunges.
Rabbit leaps.
Shadows blur. 

My favorite illustration …
From COYOTE MOON by Maria Gianferrari. Illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline.
Why kids will love it …
Children love learning about nocturnal animals. After reading this story, they'll find a "Coyote Facts" section. (Did you know that coyotes can leap up to twelve feet to pounce on prey? Whoa!) 

Why grown-ups will love it …
Drama, action, thrills, and chills ... Coyote Moon is a delicious read-aloud!
Yeeeep-yip-yip-yoooo!

Quote of the Week

The Little Crooked Bookshelf

OLD MACDONALD HAD A TRUCKby Steve Goetz, illustrated by Eda Kaban
This week's pick is from cottager Kara LaReau.

What it's all about
Old MacDonald had a farm. Old news, right? Did you know he also had an impressive collection of construction vehicles? E-I-E-I-WHOOOA!

Why it's on The Little Crooked Bookshelf…
It's a super-fun read-aloud from Steve Goetz with lots of great sound effects and dramatic page turns. Eda Kaban's art is equal parts dynamic and hilarious.

My favorite lines…
Old MacDonald had a farm.
E-I-E-I-O.
And on that farm he had an...
EXCAVATOR!
E-I-E-I-O.

My favorite illustration…




Why kids will love it…
Farm animals AND construction vehicles? E-I-E-I-Oh, yes! Young readers are really going to dig this one (ha ha).


Why grown-ups will love it…

A refreshing twist on what is a well-worn classic for most parents!

Quote of the Week

The Little Crooked Bookshelf

THE NIGHT GARDENER
by The Fan Brothers

This week's pick is from cottager Anika Denise.


What it's all about
One day, William discovers that the tree outside his window has been sculpted into a wise owl. In the following days, more topiaries appear, and each one is more beautiful than the last. Soon, William’s gray little town is full of color and life. And though the mysterious night gardener disappears as suddenly as he appeared, William—and his town—are changed forever.

Why it's on The Little Crooked Bookshelf…
It's a quietly magical story with spare text and stunning illustrations. Brothers Terry and Eric Fan demonstrate the art of the page turn beautifully.


My favorite lines…
Something was happening on Grimloch Lane.
Something good.


My favorite illustration…




Why kids will love it…
There's a deep a sense of mystery and hope that will pull children through the story. The finely detailed illustrations, reminiscent of Gorey and Sendak, invite long looks and repeat reading.

Why grown-ups will love it…
Its sense of magic and whimsy will no doubt captivate adults as well as kids, but the book is also an entry point to a conversation about loneliness, kindness and community that I think older readers will find interesting.

For any age, The Night Gardener is a stunning read.

Quote of the Week

COVER REVEAL! The Unintentional Adventures of the Bland Sisters: The Jolly Regina

Ahoy, readers! Feast your eyes on the cover of Cottager Kara LaReau's hilarious new middle grade novel, illustrated by Jen Hill! Sailing into bookstores January 10, 2017 . . .In the spirit of A Series of Unfortunate Events and the Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place series, The Unintentional Adventures of the Bland Sisters: The Jolly Regina will captivate middle-grade readers looking for humor, hijinks, and a swashbuckling good time. Meet Jaundice and Kale Bland, two sisters who avoid excitement at any cost. Together, they patiently await the return of their parents, who left on an errand years ago and have never returned.One day, the Bland sisters are kidnapped by an all-female band of pirates. They’re unwillingly swept into a high-seas romp that might just lead to solving the mystery of what happened to their parents. With whimsical illustrations and Roald Dahl–esque wit, The Unintentional Adventures of the Bland Sisters: The Jolly Regina is the visually stunning, laugh-out-loud funny start to a new series for readers who are looking for an anything-but-bland adventure.Be sure to plunder the Abrams booth and pick up this booty-ful galley at BEA (booth 1801), ALA (booth 1226), and ILA (booth 2307), or check it out via NetGalley!

Quote of the Week

The Little Crooked Bookshelf

I USE THE POTTYby Maria van Lieshout
This week's pick is from cottager Kara LaReau.

What it's all about

As part of Maria van Lieshout's new Big Kid Power series, this story's wee narrator (ha ha) tells us all about how he's advanced from peeing and pooping in his diapers to using the toilet, complete with a step-by-step guide to how he does his business, and how proud he is to be "a big kid."
Why it's on The Little Crooked Bookshelf…

Well. We are in the throes of potty-training in our house right now, and this book has become one of our absolute favorites. It's a joy to share, and without TMI, it's led to great results!


My favorite lines…
"When I was a baby, I drank lots of milk.
GLUG GLUG GLUG
BURP"

My favorite illustration…



Why kids will love it…

It conveys all the emotions and details of this milestone experience with gentle humor and bright, fun illustrations. For example, the little boy in the story actually poops in the potty, as seen in the text (complete with sound effects) and artwork — details like these are both reassuring and fascinating for little ones.
Why grown-ups will love it…

Unlike so many potty books out there, it's not overly cutesy, it's actually fun to read, and it works. Nuff said?