Sisters can be the best of friends. Or the worst of enemies.

Or, they can change so much you don’t know who they are.

That’s what happens to 15-year-old Carly in Lauren Myracle’s young-adult novel Peace, Love and Baby Ducks (Dutton, 2009). She comes home from summer camp to find that her younger sister, Anna, has turned into a beautiful, shallow teenager who’s more interested in fashion, friends and boys than Carly ever was.

Carly doesn’t know what to make of Anna — or her extremely well-off family and its focus on money and appearances. Carly’s summer camp made her re-evaluate her priorities, and she’s not sure her family’s lifestyle lines up with them any more.

What will she do?

Let’s see what today’s guest reviewer has to say.

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You should read this book because: It doesn’t end the way you think it will.

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Thanks, Je’Kyah!

Lauren Myracle is a New York Times best-selling author. She’s also one of our country’s most frequently “challenged” writers, meaning, her books have appeared at the top of the American Library Association’s list of titles most often requested for removal — or banning — from our public libraries’ shelves. If you’d like to learn more about Lauren Myracle, you can:

• Read this interview with her from the New York Times.
• Watch this video.
• Follow her on Twitter.

A whole bunch of writers are posting blogs talking about their Next Big Thing.

That is, what book they are working on right now.

I’ve enjoyed reading other’s posts — especially the fabulous Melanie Crowder’s. Her debut novel, Parched, comes out from Harcourt Children’s Books in June, and you really should go pre-order a copy at your first possible chance.

But I wasn’t sure what I should write about myself.

The thing is, I’ve got lots of picture books in the works. One about rocks. One about a small football fan looking for a way to make a difference. One inspired by Olympic champion Wilma Rudolph. One about gum. One about — heaven help me —  a boy detective who thinks his brother is a duck.

But defining any one of them as my next big thing kind of scares me. I mean, I don’t even know if they’ll sell and end up as actual books.

So I’m taking the safest path and answering questions about a picture book that already is sold, although it won’t be out for quite a while. It’s called Sharing the Bread: An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving Story, and it will come out from Schwartz & Wade in the next few years.

All the Next Big Thing writers are responding to a standard set of questions. So here I go:

What is a one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Several generations of a family pitch in to create the perfect, mouth-watering Thanksgiving dinner.

Where did the idea come from for the book?

I was sitting in a meeting that had nothing to do with families or food when the words, “Mama be a cooking pot, cooking pot” came to me. I had no idea what they meant, but I wrote them down and ended up building the book around them. It was NOT a quick or easy process. For the full, hair-pulling details of writing the rhyme that eventually became this book, see this blog post: Revising my way to YES.

What genre does your book fall under?

Picture book.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

That’s a tough one. My picture book has a mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, aunt, uncle and four children who all need to look at home in the kitchen. Except maybe the baby. Jill McElmurry is illustrating the book, and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

I’m represented by Ammi-Joan Paquette of the Erin Murphy Literary Agency. My editor is Anne Schwartz of Schwartz & Wade.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

I’m a big fan of The Seven Silly Eaters by Mary Ann Hoberman and Marla Frazee. If my book could be a third as cool as that one, I’d be thrilled. And when I was beating my head against the wall over the rhyme scheme I read and re-read two books by rhyming master Dori Chaconas — Hurry Down to Derry Fair and On a Wintry Morning. They helped me see what was possible.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

The first draft probably took a few hours. The mind-numbing, time-consuming work was in the multiple, multiple revisions that changed the rhyme scheme and the kinds of food the family makes. My first draft was just a regular meal. The final draft was Thanksgiving dinner. That was a big change. Not much rhymes with “turkey.” And did I mention that I don’t really consider myself a poet? Getting this story into its final shape was a triumph of tenacity over talent.

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

Once I got started, I wanted to write a book that captured all the love and warmth and tradition that are part of cooking with your family. I learned to cook with my family from an early age. That’s why the book is dedicated to my parents, Allen and Jean Zietlow.  I also enjoy cooking with my daughters. Just this weekend, we made anise cookies and brownies using my grandmother, Esther Zietlow’s, recipes. At least in my family, cooking is love. And I wanted that feeling of love and security to be embedded in every page.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

I like the gender equality of it. Even though it’s an old-fashioned Thanksgiving, the men and women and boys and girls all help with the meal. It’s not just ladies in the kitchen.

I’ve invited some of my writing friends to participate in “The Next Big Thing” blog chain. In the next few weeks, look for blog posts from:

• Cathy Stefanec Ogren on her blog, Humor Me.
• And, hopefully, a few others that are yet to be determined.

You might not think you could keep a moose for a pet.

But if you read This Moose Belongs to Me (Philomel, 2012) a picture book by Oliver Jeffers, you’ll find out that you just might be able to — if you give that moose a lot of latitude and aren’t too choosy about its name.

The book’s main character, Wilfred, has a moose he calls Marcel. Marcel is a fine pet even if he comes and goes as he pleases and doesn’t always completely follow his owner’s rules for being a good pet.

All is well until Wilfred follows Marcel on one of his jaunts and finds out other people think Marcel is their moose. And call him names like “Rodrigo” and “Dominic.”

Whatever can a moose-loving boy do?

Today’s guest reviewer and her mom have a cat named Lenny. And he only belongs to them. At least, as far as they know.

Take it away, Miriam!

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Today’s reviewer: Miriam

Age: 6

I like: Horses, “Star Wars,” playing my video game “Lego Batman,” art, snuggling and playing with my cat.

This book was about: A moose and a boy.

The best part was when: It said it was getting late and the monsters were about to come out.

I laughed when: The man said, “Dominic, you’re back! And you brought me an apple!” at the very end.

I was worried when: I wasn’t worried at all — EXCEPT for when the woman said he was really HER moose.

I was surprised that: The boy was thinking about a bunch of things, and the moose came.

This book taught me: It didn’t teach me anything. But the boy learned about sharing.

Other kids reading this book should watch for: The very end where the man calls the moose “Dominic.”

Three words that best describe this book: Moose and me.

My favorite line or phrase in the book is: “Dominic, you’re back! And you brought me an apple.”

You should read this book because: It’s silly!

——————

Thank you, Miriam!

Oliver Jeffers’ books include How to Catch a Star; Lost and Found, which was the recipient of the Nestle Children’s Book Prize Gold Award  and was later adapted into an animated film; The Way Back Home; The Incredible Book-Eating Boy; The Great Paper Caper; The Heart and the Bottle, which was made into an iPad application narrated by Helena Bonham Carter; Up and Down; and the New York Times bestselling Stuck.

Originally from Belfast, Northern Ireland, Oliver now lives and works in Brooklyn, New York. If you’d like to learn more about him, you can:

• Visit his website.
• Read this interview where Oliver talks about how he creates his books. The best line in it? “My eyes are open, and my brain is a sponge.”
• Watch this video of Oliver discussing his work.

I’m starting out the New Year by blogging on EMU’s Debuts, a blog for writers at the Erin Murphy Literary Agency who have books coming out in the next year or so.

My post today is about how – after years of writing, revising and waiting – it feels really good to finally be able to say, “My book comes out this year.”

The blog even has a sample of Anne Wilsdorf’s marvelous artwork for SOPHIE’S SQUASH. And a link to a cool interview with Lee Wade of Schwartz & Wade.

If you get a chance, please check it out.

http://emusdebuts.wordpress.com/2013/01/02/a-new-year-of-new-experiences/

And I wish all of you a peaceful, wonderful 2013.

Lots of people love animals.

But fewer people dedicate a substantial portion of their lives to helping lost, homeless or hurt animals that come their way.

Author Peg Kehret does. And many cats, dogs, bear and deer have wandered past her home near Mt. Rainier National Park in Washington State.

In her latest book, Animals Welcome (Dutton Children’s Books, 2012), Peg shares the stories of some of the more memorable animals she’s helped find safe, loving homes and explains her lifelong commitment to animal welfare.

This book was the perfect choice for today’s reviewer. Sonia loves animals, and has two cats that used to be strays. She’s shown with both of them at the right. Vince is in the top picture, while Sunny is in the bottom picture. (Just ignore the unmade bed and unfolded laundry in the background. I do.)

Take it away, Sonia!

Our reviewer:  Sonia

Age:  10

Things I like to do: Play on my D.S, watch TV, ride horses, play Candyland with my dad, watch anime shows on my iPod.

This book was about:  A woman who rescues animals that are abandoned or stray and helps them get better and tries to find them a good home.

The best part was when: The women found Mr. Stray, a cat, and had her husband make a house for him to live, and the house had a heater inside so the cat would stay warm.

I smiled when:  The women found a stray mama cat and her kittens and when the women tried to get the third kitten in the carrier, it didn’t work because the kitten hid in the piano. The woman had to wait for the kitten come out from the organ after her husband was banging on the side.

I was surprised when:  The husband was sick and then felt better but then died. I felt bad for the woman.

This book taught me: That when you see a stray animal, you can always help it — even though you don’t even know the animal.

Three words that best describe this book are: “Animals.” “Love.” “Caring.”

My favorite picture in this book is: The picture of Mr. Stray peering out of his special house. And the picture of the writer on the cover holding the cat she adopted herself.

—————

Thank you, Sonia!

This book is a refreshing, informative, entertaining and much-needed look at the real life of helping animals who need it and how one committed person can make a difference.

Author Peg Kehret has also written fiction children’s books – three of which were inspired by her pet cat, Pete, before he passed away.

To learn more about her, you can:

• Visit her website.
• Check out her facebook page which Peg updates regularly.
• Read this interview with Peg on Author Turf.

Christmas can be loud.

Family gatherings might include movies, cheering at televised sports, debates about who really drank the last of the eggnog, games, feats of strength and more.

But if you’re lucky, Christmas will also have some quiet times. Times to appreciate what makes the season special.

Deborah Underwood’s new picture book, The Christmas Quiet Book, is the perfect book for celebrating those quiet times, and the perfect incentive for working more of them into your celebration.

So I asked several of my family members to tell me their favorite quiet parts of Christmas — and hold Deborah’s beautiful book (which is illustrated by Renata Liwska). Here’s what they had to say:

FIRST PHOTO

Clark — Watching big, fat, fluffy flakes of snow falling onto a country landscape.

Pam — Now:  Reading a good book next to a lit Christmas tree — a blanket and a dog on my lap and a mug of warm cider next to me. When I was younger:  Lying on my stomach looking at (but not touching) the presents under the tree.

SECOND PHOTO

Daniel — Being alone. (Perhaps because he’s having a little too much brotherly/sisterly togetherness in the photo.)

Rebekah — Hearing Christmas music playing in the background while I’m relaxing.

THIRD PHOTO

Tom — Watching “It’s A Wonderful Life” as the snow falls.

Gwen — Waking up early and lying in bed realizing that it’s Christmas.

FOURTH PHOTO

Sonia — Staying awake Christmas Eve night until I hear someone filling my stocking.

Allen — Going out for lunch with my daughter after shopping for my wife’s present. And, sitting back and looking at the tree with all of the unwrapped presents at the end of Christmas Day.

I didn’t take pictures of my mother or husband. (Not that they’re not EXTREMELY photogenic, they are!) Here’s what they had to say:

Jean — The candlelight service at church when we all hold lighted candles and sing “Silent Night.” And the second best quiet time is when I get up early on Christmas morning, and everything is ready, and I can quietly sit and anticipate  everyone’s arrival.

Mark — Seeing lit candles in the window when it’s dark.

And me? My favorite quiet part of Christmas is sitting alone in a room that’s totally dark  – except for the lights of the Christmas tree. That’s followed closely by eating Christmas cookies all alone in a corner of the kitchen!

What’s your favorite quiet Christmas tradition? Share it in the comments below.

If you’d like to learn more about Deborah Underwood, you can visit her website or read this interview. You also could read this kid review of Deborah’s The Loud Book.

If you’d like to learn more about Renata Liwska, you can visit her website.

Just make sure to do it softly.

And have yourself a quiet little Christmas.

Construction equipment isn’t usually considered cozy.

But the crane, truck, cement mixer, dump truck, bulldozer and excavator featured in Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site (Chronicle Books, 2011) written by Sherri Duskey Rinker and illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld are the perfect things for young heavy equipment operators to snuggle up with at night.

As the book points out, even hard-working trucks and construction equipment need to sleep when their day is done.

If you’re familiar with the bedtime classic Goodnight Moon, it may seem strange to say goodnight to heavy machinery, but the book is undeniably appealing to it’s target demographic of truck lovers, and its rhyming text and winsome illustrations strike just the right nighttime note.

Today’s guest reviewer is a truck lover who enjoys reading this with his parents right before bed. Take it away, Elias!

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Today’s reviewer: Elias

Age: 4

I like: Toys

This book was about: Construction vehicles going to bed.

The best part was when: The crane went to bed with a teddy bear and nightlight like me.

I laughed because: The excavator has a tooth that sticks out. It was funny!

I was surprised that: Construction trucks went to bed.

Other kids reading this book should watch for: The excavator’s tooth and other parts of the pictures.

Three words that best describe this book are: “Bedtime.” “Sleeping.” “Trucks.”

My favorite line or phrase in the book is: “Hey! Pipe down!”

You should read this book because: It’s a good book.

Most people have family members they think are a bit embarrassing.

Maybe Great-Aunt Martha honks when she laughs or Cousin Vito always has a long-winded story about his latest business deal.

For the main character in The Frank Show (Abrams, 2012), a picture book written and illustrated by David Mackintosh, the embarrassing family member is his grandfather, Frank. And what’s worse, he has to bring Frank to school for show and tell and talk about him to his class for a whole minute.

It’s not that Frank does anything particularly mortifying. He’s just not fond of newfangled gizmos and gadgets and thinks most things were better in the old days.

What’s worse is that all the other kids have interesting relatives. Kristian’s dad is a comedian on TV. Fay’s cousin tells you if your bag is too heavy at the airport and Saul’s aunt swam the English channel.

Frank’s just a grumpy grandpa.

Or is he? Let’s ask today’s guest reviewer.

Take it away, Ricky!

————

Today’s reviewer: Ricky

Age: 8

I like: Watching ESPN. Playing with my neighbors. Playing with my brothers and sisters. Riding my skateboard. Being lazy and watching TV.

This book was about: Show and tell and a boy who has to bring his grandfather, Frank. Everyone asks him all kinds of questions.

The best part was when: Frank didn’t like any ice-cream flavors except for vanilla.

I laughed when: I laughed all the time.

I was worried when: Frank first came to school. I thought people might laugh at him. But it turned out really well. They sat around at lunch and talked and thought he was cool.

I was surprised that: The kids made friends with Frank. He was so cool. He caught a fly in his bare hands and let it go.

This book taught me: You shouldn’t be afraid of your parents coming to school.

Other kids reading this book should watch for: When Frank is in battle riding a horse and blowing a horn.

Three words that best describe this book are: The Frank Show.

My favorite line or phrase in the book is: “You bet it did, hombre.”

You should read this book because: It’s fun!

————

Thank you, Ricky! Ricky says that if he had to bring a relative to school for show and tell, he’d bring his brother, Brian, because he has a sports car.

If you’d like to learn more about David Mackintosh, you can visit his website.

Or, you can read this kid review of another one of his books — Marshall Armstrong is New to Our School.

I am not a knitter.

But several years ago, I decided to knit — with some help from my daughter — a scarf for every child in her grade-school class.

We made red scarves and green scarves. Purple scarves and pink scarves. Scarves with fringe. Scarves with ribbon yarn. Skinny skarves and wide scarves.

And when we were done, we still had extra yarn. Don’t believe me? See the photo below.

Annabelle, the main character in Extra Yarn (Balzer + Bray, 2012), a picture book written by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Jon Klassen, faces a similar situation.

She finds a box of yarn and knits something bright for herself. And then, she knits something for everyone and every thing in her dreary, colorless town.

But she never, ever, runs out of yarn.

This attracts the attention of a fashionable archduke who vows to have the girl’s yarn box and needles for his very own.

Does his dastardly plan succeed? Let’s ask today’s guest reviewer.

—————

Today’s reviewer: Gabi

Age: 7

I like: Playing with my friends Gianna and Adam. Playing kickball. I play every day outside for recess.

This book was about: Annabelle had extra yarn, and she made something for everyone in the whole city. (She even made a sweater for a pick-up truck.)

The best part was when: Annabelle made yarn for her dog and Nate’s dog and everyone in the whole city.

I laughed when: She made sweaters for everyone — even her teacher.

I was worried when: I thought she was going to run out of yarn and not have enough to knit for everyone.

I was surprised when: The archduke opened Annabelle’s box, and there was no yarn at all.

Other kids reading this book should watch for: The extra yarn.

Three words that  best describe this book are: “Snow.” “Yarn.” “Annabelle.”

My favorite line or phrase in this book is: “You’re just jealous,” said Annabelle. “No I’m not,” said Nate. But it turned out he was.

You should read this book because: It’s funny. Especially when the pick-up truck is wearing a sweater.

—————

Thanks, Gabi! (By the way, Gabi says her favorite sweater is made out of purple yarn.)

This book has been mentioned as a possible contender for the Caldecott Award, which is given to the best illustrated book each year. The winner will be announced in January. And if you look closely at what’s in the photo behind Gabi, you’ll see that she’s standing in front of the door to her school’s library. And all the pieces of paper on the door are books students think are Caldecott worthy.

To learn more about Mac Barnett, you can visit his website. Or, you can read this interview in School Library Journal.

To learn more about Jon Klassen, you can visit his website. Or, you can read this Publishers Weekly article about the book he’s best known for — I Want My Hat Back, which he wrote and illustrated.

And if you want extra yarn for a knitting project of your own, you can have some of mine. I’m still waiting for the archduke to drop by.

Sometimes, a book hits close to home.

That’s what Saluting Grandpa: Celebrating Veterans and Honor Flight (Pelican Publishing Company, 2012) written by Gary Metivier and illustrated by Robert Rath did for today’s guest reviewer, Molly.

Molly’s grandfather is a World War II veteran, and he recently went on an Honor Flight with Molly’s dad. Honor Flights take veterans to Washington D.C. where they visit the memorials dedicated in their honor.

Veterans are treated with great respect throughout the trip and recognized by the trip organizers and community members along the way who thank them for the sacrifices they made to serve their country.

These trips often lead to family discussions and the the passing of vital information from one generation to the next.

Take it away, Molly!

———

Today’s reviewer: Molly

Age: 9

I like: Reading, playing video games and eating mashed potatoes.

This book was about: How a boy wants to make his grandpa proud by perfecting his salute by the time his grandpa gets back from the Honor Flight.

The best part was when: The boy’s grandpa started to cry, and the boy thought he was sad.

I laughed when: The grandpa said, “Back straight! Suck that belly in! Lift that elbow!”

I was worried when: The boy’s grandpa looked sadder than before.

I was surprised that: The grandpa didn’t want to go on the Honor Flight at first.

This book taught me: About the Honor Flight and the veterans.

Other kids reading this book should watch for: The grandpa’s emotions.

Three words that best describe this book are: “Honor.” “Pride.” “Veterans.”

My favorite line or phrase in this book is: “Just as Andrew got one body part going in the right direction, some other body part would go somewhere else.”

You should read this book because: You will learn about the Honor Flight and the veterans.

———

Thank you, Molly!

Molly’s father wrote a blog of his own describing the Honor Flight trip he took with his father — Molly’s grandfather. It’s a very moving firsthand account of an Honor Flight and well worth the read. Check it out here: A Flight for the Ages.

If you’d like to learn more about author Gary Metivier, you can visit his website. You also can read this article.

If you’d like to learn more about illustrator Robert Rath, you can visit this website.

And, you can learn more about the Honor Flight Network here.

All kids know they ought to tell the truth.

But what if the truth is so wacky, so weird or so wildly improbable that no one would ever possibly believe it?

That’s the situation Tim finds himself facing in The Boy Who Cried Ninja (Peachtree, 2011), a picture book by written and illustrated by Alex Latimer.

It starts simply enough. Tim’s parents ask him who ate the cake, where dad’s hammer is and what happened to Tim’s bookbag. Tim dutifully explains how a ninja ate the cake, an astronaut needed the hammer and a giant squid ate his bookbag.

Tim ends up raking leaves for not being honest.

So when a pirate drinks all the tea, a crocodile breaks the TV antenna and a monkey wearing nothing but underpants throws pencils at Tim’s dozing Grampa, Tim says he’s responsible.

Guess what? He ends up with more yardwork.

What’s a kid to do? Let’s ask today’s guest reviewer.

Take it away, Thomas!

————

Today’s reviewer: Thomas

Age: 8

I like: Playing sports like football, basketball and soccer. Going hiking.

This book was about: This boy named Tim. There were a bunch of creatures, and the first one was a ninja. It snuck in Tim’s house and took the cake, and Tim’s mom blamed him. Tim told the truth about the ninja, and his mom didn’t believe him.

The best part was when: If I were Tim, I would have liked the part about getting so much ice cream. My favorite flavors are vanilla and cookie dough.

I laughed when: The boy invited all the creatures to his house for a party and they were all lined up outside. I wouldn’t want any of them in my house — especially the squid and the crocodile.

I was worried when: What if they didn’t get the party invitations? Then, his parents would never have known it wasn’t him who did all that stuff.

I was surprised that: All the creatures took Tim’s stuff.

This book taught me: Not to lie.

Other kids reading this book should watch for: Which creatures took what.

Three words that best describe this book: “Not to lie.” Or, “Tell the truth.”

You should read this book because: It’s a good book. You could learn stuff.

————

Thanks, Thomas!

If you’d like to learn more about Alex Latimer, who lives in South Africa, visit his website. Or, you can read his blog. Or follow him on Twitter at @almaxlat.

You can find friends in the strangest places.

Like when you’re collecting pinecones in your wagon.

A robot appears. You play. And, suddenly, you have a friend for life.

At least, that’s how it happens in Ame Dyckman and Dan Yaccarino’s Boy + Bot (Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2012).

This delightful picture book shows how Boy and Bot try to take care of each other, even when they don’t fully understand each other. And the illustrations showing that care are charming.

Today’s guest reviewer, Michael, was happy to make Boy and Bot’s acquaintance and share his thoughts on the book.

Take it away, Michael!

———-

 Today’s reviewer: Michael

Age: 8

I like: Playing my video game — Xbox 360. Playing with my little sister, Micayla.

This book was about: A boy and a bot who got to be friends. The bot’s switch got turned off so the boy took him to his house and tucked him into bed. Then, the bot took the boy home and gave him oil and read an instruction manual to him.

The best part was when: Boy and Bot were having fun walking on the log.

I laughed when: Bot gave the boy oil.

I was worried when: Bot was taking the boy away. I didn’t know where they were going.

I was surprised that: Bot got turned back on when Boy’s parents opened the door.

Other kids reading this book should: Try to be friends like they were.

Three words that describe this book: “Want to play?”

You should read this book because: You will know what friendship is about.

———-

Thank you, Michael!

Michael says he is friends with Ricky and Thomas. (Reviews from them are coming soon!) They like playing football and other sports together.

If you’d like to learn more about first-time author Ame Dyckman, you can visit her website and read this interview at Miss Print. Ame also tweets at @amedyckman.

If you’d like to learn more about illustrator Dan Yaccarino, you can visit his website and read this interview at Core 77.

And, finally, here’s a fun video trailer you can watch about the book.

Before they tuck into their turkey or their tofu on Thanksgiving, most people think about what they’re grateful for.

And today’s guest reviewer, Gianna, knows what she appreciates: “Food, water, family and clothing.”

She also knows what she’ll be eating for Thanksgiving: “Turkey, cranberries, pumpkin pie — of course — mashed potatoes and gravy. There’s so much food, I can’t really remember it all!”

The book we’re featuring today tells a similar tale. Bear Says Thanks (Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2012) is written by Karma Wilson and illustrated by Jane Chapman.

It’s all about Bear, who is bored. And hungry. Bear wants to invite his friends to a feast, but his cupboards are empty. So his friends bring the feast to him, instead. Bear is worried that he has nothing to contribute, until he discovers that he has something very special indeed.

Let’s see what Gianna has to say.

—————–

Today’s reviewer: Gianna

Age: 7

I like: To play hide-and-seek with my neighbor. Peanut-butter ice-cream. Reading books.

This book was about: How the bear was bored and missed his friends, but he didn’t have any food to give them. So his friends brought food, and they ate it together.

The best part was when: Bear said, “Thanks.”

I laughed when: I thought Bear was going to say, “Thanks,” but he said, “Wait!” instead.

I was worried when: Bear said, “Wait!” I thought they might not have their feast.

I was surprised that: Bear’s friends came with the food.

My favorite picture in the book was: When Bear plopped down because he was frustrated.

My favorite words in the book were: “And they lay out their feast on a quilt on the ground.”

Other kids reading this book should watch for: Younger kids should watch for how Bear says thanks. It’s important to do.

Three words that best describe this book are: “Food. “Thanks.” “Sharing.”

 —————–

Thanks, Gianna!

If you’d like to learn more about Karma Wilson, you can visit her website. She’s written other books about Bear and his friends.

If you’d like to learn more about Jane Chapman, you can visit her website. She and her husband have, between the two of them, illustrated more than 140 books.

The school year is just around the corner for kids across the country, but there’s still time to talk a little bit about summer camp.

To do that, we’ll be looking at My Extra Best Friend (Dial Books for Young Readers, 2012) by Julie Bowe. This book is the fifth and final installment in the Friends for Keeps series that follows the adventures of Ida May and her group of friends.

The series kicked off with fourth-grader Ida May missing her best friend, Elizabeth Evans, who had moved away. To make matters worse, Liz wasn’t even answering Ida May’s letters. As the series progresses through the next several books, Ida May makes friends,  enjoys them, argues with them, makes up with them and learns a lot about herself.

As this last book begins, Ida May and two of her friends are away at an overnight summer camp. and who ends up being one of their bunkmates? Liz. This opens old insecurities and brings up new questions for Ida May.

One thing’s for certain, this should be a very interesting week at summer camp.

Today’s reviewer, the aptly named Page, tells us more.

———————-

Today’s reviewer: Page

Age: 10

I like: Gymnastics, diving and pizza.

This book was about: A girl named Ida who goes to a camp and meets some new friends and reunites with an old friend.

The best part was when: Ida finds out her old best friend is in the camp too.

I laughed when: I found out Brooke (one of the girls at the camp) brought a crown.

I was worried when: Ida and Liz (her old best friend) were fighting.

I was surprised that: Liz as in the camp.

This book taught me: That you ccan always have more than one best friend.

Other kids reading this book should watch for: The part when Ida sees Liz for the first time after she moved away.

Three words that best describe this book are: “Good.” “Funny. ” “Surprising.”

My favorite line or phrase in this book is: “That’s very … helpful, Jenna.”

You should read this book because: It is a good book.

———————–

Thanks, Page!

To learn more about Julie, you can visit her blog or her website.

You also can read this interview. Or watch this one.

And, if you have fun or not-so-fun summer camp memories, feel free to share them in the comments below.

If you know a child who loves to stop and watch trucks when they drive by, you absolutely need to get them a copy of Tons of Trucks  (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2012), a new picture book by Sue Fliess and Betsy Snyder.

This sturdy book lets small truck enthusiasts learn about different types of trucks and see what the do. Then, they can pull and lift the tabs and flaps to see the trucks in action. It holds up well to repeated readings and has a catchy, rhyming text.

Today’s reviewer, Aidan, is definitely the target market for this book, and he and his dad had a lot of fun reading the book together.

Take it away, Aidan!

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Today’s reviewer: Aidan

Age: 3.5

I like: Fire trucks. Monster trucks. Mixer trucks and trains. Cheese. Playing at parks. And, I like doggies, too.

This book was about: Trucks and animals.

The best part was when: Pulling the monster truck up and then seeing the party on the back of the fire truck.

I laughed when: I saw the party on the back of the fire truck.

I was worried when: There’s nothing to worry about. But, why is there a motorbike on the car transporter. That’s silly.

This book taught me: Tar is sticky.

Other kids reading this book should watch for: All the pully, spinny, up-and-down things.

Three words that best describe this book: “Trucks.” “Pulling.” “Fun.”

My favorite line or phrase in this book is: “Honk! Go fast trucks.”

You should read this book because: You can read it and play it, too!

—————————

Thank you, Aidan!

If you’d like to learn more about author Sue Fliess, you can visit this website. Or read this interview about Tons of Trucks and her writing journey.

If you’d like to learn more about illustrator Betsy Snyder, you can visit her website. Or read this interview about another book she created.

And, if you have a favorite truck story, share it in the comments.

 Tad and Taylor don’t know each other.

Yet.

But in The Hop (Hyperion, 2012), a new middle-grade novel by Sharelle Byars Moranville, they’re both concerned about the same pond.

To Tad, a toad, it’s his home. To Taylor, a human girl, it’s a spot near her grandmother’s house that has provided some of her favorite memories.

Why are Tad and Taylor worried? Because the land is slated to be turned into a strip mall, which mean a backhoe will be coming to destroy everything.

Soon.

Tad has one ray of hope. Legend holds that one brave young toad can help—but at a terrible price. Only if a toad kisses a human girl will Toadville be saved. Tad wants to rise to the challenge. So, with his best friend, Buuurk, he ventures off.

Taylor is trying to help as well. And when she meets Tad, their combined efforts just might be enough to save the day.

——————–

Reviewer: Abby

Age: 11

I like: Chocolate, Taylor Swift, books and dolphins.

This book was about: A frog named Tad whose home will only be saved if he kisses the Queen of the Hop.

The best part was when: Tad announced to the rest of Toadville-by-Tumbledown that he had kissed the Queen of the Hop, and that they were saved.

I laughed when: Tad became a human and helped Taylor look for the toad – who was Tad!

I was worried when: Tad lost Buuurk, and was scared.

I was surprised that: Tad turned into a human!

This book taught me: That no matter what happens, always keep working toward your goal.

Other kids reading this book should watch for: How Taylor absolutely loves her grandmother and also loves the pond.

Three words that best describe this book are: “Funny.” “Heartwarming.” “Happy.”

My favorite line or phrase in the book is: “Rumbler still has his big stinky feet right by us,” somebody said. “So how do you know we’re saved?” “Because I kissed the Queen of the Hop,” Tad said. And he could only hope that she would keep her promise.”

You should read this book because: It is a book of friendship and determination. It shows that you can do anything when you put your mind to it.

——————–

Thanks, Abby!

Sharelle Byars Moranville has written several other books, including Over the River – a Booklist Top Ten First Juvenile Novel, a Booklist Top Ten Historical Juvenile Novel, and a finalist for the 2005-2006 Iowa Children’s Choice Award. She’s also written A Higher Geometry – a Bank Street College of Education Best Book and a Booklist Top 10 Youth Romance.

If you’d like to learn more about Sharelle, you can visit her website. Or read this interview.

You’ve probably heard of the story of the princess and the pea.

You know.

The one about the prince looking for the perfect, sensitive princess to be his bride. The one about how the perfect princess would be so delicate and dainty that she would be kept awake at night by the presence of one tiny pea under 20 mattresses.

Well, The Princess and the Packet of Frozen Peas (Peachtree, 2012), a picture book written by Tony Wilson and illustrated by Sue deGennaro, sets that idea on its head.

Yes, there’s a prince in search of a wife, but he’s seen enough fragile, high-maintenance princesses. His own brother is married to one, and they don’t seem on their way to a “happily ever after.”

Prince Henrik wants a girl who likes to camp and play hockey.

So he develops his own test and is very surprised by the girl who passes.

Let’s hear more from today’s guest reviewer.

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Today’s reviewer: Cora

Age: 9

I like: Football, dancing, drawing and prairie dogs.

This book was about: A prince who is trying to find a princess who likes camping and hockey. He doesn’t care for a beautiful princess!

The best part was when: Pippa and the prince go play hockey.

I laughed when: It said, “Once upon a time there was a prince called Henrik who wanted very much to fall in love and get married. He was an outdoorsy type and hoped that the princess he married would like hockey and camping!”

I was worried when: Prince Henrik couldn’t find a princess.

I was surprised that: Pippa liked the peas in her bed.

This book taught me: Don’t love someone because of who they are on the outside, love them because who they are on the inside.

Other kids reading this book should watch for: The part when Prince Henrik put a whole pack of frozen peas instead of 1 single pea under the bed.

Three words that best describe this book are: “Hilarious.” “Outstanding.” “Curious.”

My favorite line or phrase in the book is: Many young girls visited, but none passed the test.

You should read this book because: It teaches you a big lesson that will help you in life.  (See my answer above about what this book taught me.)

——————————————-

Thank you, Cora!

If you’d like to learn more about Tony Wilson, you can read this interview. Or, you can read his blog.

If you’d like to learn more about illustrator Sue deGennaro, you can read this interview. Or, you can watch this video of Sue discussing how she works.

In this season of giving thanks, I am happy to welcome my cat, Vince, back to the blog. Vince has reviewed quite a few cat-themed books for me over the years, but lately he’s taken a break because he hasn’t been feeling well.

But Vince has been bouncing back, and said he felt up to another review.

So here he is. Take it away, Vince!

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Have you ever noticed Thanksgiving is always about the turkey?

Not that I’d want to trade places. But it’s always turkey this and turkey that. I mean, it’s just a bird.

So when I saw the cover of a picture book called Pilgrim Cat (Albert Whitman, 2004), I was intrigued. There, on the cover of what was clearly a Thanksgiving book, sits a cat on a perch regally surveying his minions, I mean the Pilgrims.

I liked the cover so much, I had to try to imitate it. How do you think I did?

I’m still waiting for my minions to show up, but I’m sure they’ll be here soon. Everything moves slowly during the holiday season.

In fact, Faith, the little girl featured in the book, has to wait a long, long time as the ship she’s on travels from England to the New World.  Luckily for her, there’s a pouncy, mouser of a cat on board to keep her company. They become friends, and when Faith gets sick waiting for the men to build homes, the cat curls up right next to her head and stays there until she feels better.

I was very proud of my literary counterpart at this point in the story. I’ve been known to do the same thing when the smallest human at my house is sad or sick.

So once everyone is on dry land and getting settled in, Faith returns the favor by sneaking fish to the cat when the adults are planting corn.

But then, the unthinkable happens. The cat goes missing. Faith cries, but even that doesn’t bring it back. I had to admit I was a bit worried here. I, of course, know that cats can take great care of themselves, but this is the wilderness we’re talking about. Bears. Panthers. Deep forests.

Fortunately, Squanto, an Indian who has befriended the Pilgrims and met Faith’s cat, finds the cat in a hollow log with — get this — kittens!

I did not see that coming.

Faith is thrilled. She carries the cat and the kittens home in her apron and they become a integral part of the Pilgrim village. Then, when the Indians and the Pilgrims join the for the first Thanksgiving feast, Faith has even more cats to sneak treats to under the table.

Now maybe I’ve become more of a softie lately because I haven’t been feeling well, but this story made me say, “Awwwww.”  So I’d highly recommend it.

Now, if only my minions would arrive. I could use a snack!

——————-

Thank you, Vince! It’s great to have you back.

Pilgrim Cat is written by Carol Antoinette Peacock and illustrated by Doris Ettlinger. You can learn more about Carol Antoinette Peacock at her website. You can learn more about Doris Ettlinger at her website.

If you’d like to see other books Vince has reviewed, here are a few:

• Won Ton: A Cat Tale Told in Haiku
• Tom’s Tweet
• I Am Tama, Lucky Cat
• Where is Catkin?
• Frankie Works the Night Shift
• Raj, the Bookstore Tiger

Princesses and dragons have been staples of children’s literature since the very first fairy tales.

But as fairy tales have evolved, so have the kinds of princesses and dragons you’ll see. Case in point are two recent picture book releases — Dangerously Ever After written by Dashka Slater and illustrated by Valeria Docampo (Dial, 2012) and Oh No, Little Dragon (Atheneum, 2012) written and illustrated by Jim Averbeck.

How are these characters different? For starters, the princess in Dangerously Ever After has a pet scorpion and a taste for danger. And the dragon in Oh No, Little Dragon is a sweet fellow who gets into normal childhood mishaps, only to find there’s nothing his mother can’t fix.

Today, we’re lucky enough to have Dashka and Jim visiting Read, Write, Repeat to talk about their books.

First, let’s talk to Dashka about her princess book.

I hear you and Jim are on a “Dragon and the Dangerous Princess” blog tour. Isn’t it usually the other way around?
Don’t believe everything you read. Dangerous princesses have been making life exceedingly difficult for sweet little dragons for centuries! Hunting them nearly to extinction with their demand for dragon-skin handbags, raiding dragon hoards whenever they need spending money, insisting on equal time in the dragon-battling arena, and in Amanita’s case, stealing plants out of their gardens.

Is Princess Amanita friends with other nontraditional princesses in children’s lit? Who do you think she’d get along best with – the Paper Bag Princess? Princess Bossypants? The Princess Knight?
Princess Amanita loves sharp things, so she particularly enjoys hanging out with The Princess Knight, who always has a good supply of swords, daggers and lances. She has a good time with The Apple Pip Princess too, since they share an interest in all things botanical.

How much of her is inspired by you? Do you like dangerous things and thorny roses? What about humongous noses?
I’m actually a gibbering coward when it comes to many dangerous things — I tend to close my eyes on the roller coaster, and I’m perfectly content skiing on the bunny slopes. But I am attracted to dangerous characters, spiky plants, edgy humor, bad language and spicy food. And now that you mention it, my husband does have a pretty big nose.

What do you hope young princess readers will take away from this story?
That there’s a vast difference between smelling good and smelling well.

What’s the story behind your story? How did it come to be?
One day, my then-six-year-old son announced he was going to write a story about a queen who meant to plant rose seeds, but planted nose seeds instead. I couldn’t wait to read it! But when a couple of weeks had gone by and he still hadn’t written it, it seemed the only way I might get to read it is if I wrote it myself. That’s motherhood in a nutshell, isn’t it?

Now, let’s talk to Jim about his dragon book:

Who’s Little Dragon’s literary dragon hero? The Reluctant Dragon? The dragon in My Father’s Dragon? The dragon in the basement of Gringotts that Harry Potter frees? Someone else?
Smaug from The Hobbit.  Little Dragon respects his pure destructive power but also recognizes his largely ignored tender side. In fact, in a sequel I am writing to Oh No, Little Dragon!, Little Dragon’s father is reading a story about the lies the hobbit spreads about dear Uncle Smaug.

Little Dragon sounds like quite a handful. What was the worst thing you ever did as a child? Could your mother fix it?
I was a most helpful child, actually. I mean, the vase and ash tray were much more difficult to knock off the coffee table once they had been glued down. And I understand that two dozen raw eggs, thrown from a great height onto the driveway, are a good conditioner for the concrete. And it furthered science to find out that you could chop down a tree with the claw side of a hammer, given enough time. And since I learned that the firemen are our friends, it was an act of friendship to give them a reason to take the hook and ladder truck out for a spin.  So there was really no reason for mom to fix any of it, even had she been able to.

What should rambunctious little dragon readers take away from this story?
That it is very dangerous to take a bath, unless you are properly equipped.

What’s the story behind your story. How did it come to be? 
I’ve told in other interviews how, when traveling through China, my guide’s name was “Little Dragon” in Chinese. That’s what started me on the path to writing the book. But there’s another part. I was once teaching a class on writing picture books. We did an exercise where I put a character in the center of the page and asked people to cluster characteristics of that character around it.  When I wrote “9-year-old boy” in the center, all the characteristics that came back were negative: smelly, destructive, dirty, etc. I have to admit I was surprised and a bit offended. One mom in the audience raised her hand and said, “I have a 9-year-old boy, and I think he’s sweet and brave.”  This made me want to write a story about a rambunctious boy, but to show his emotional side too. I think that experience informed the creation of Little Dragon, whose greatest concern is that he be loved.

And finally …

What type of readers would enjoy both your stories?

Jim: I think any reader between ages 2 and 10 years of age, or less than 24 months old who is either a boy or a girl would enjoy both stories. Also people with at least one X chromosome.

Dashka: Any reader who likes swords as well as pretty dresses, fire as well as water, roses as well as thorns, peanut butter as well as jelly, hats as well as shoes, and princesses as well as dragons. All right-thinking people, in other words. Also people with allergic rhinitis and anyone who has suffered the heartbreak of an extinguished fire. Consult your doctor before reading any dangerous literature.

So if you get a chance, check out these delightfully dangerous picture books and share them with a child in your life.

Lots of books teach kids their colors.

So does White is for Blueberry (Greenwillow Books, 2012) — but in a totally unexpected way.

Author George Shannon shows young readers that things aren’t always what they seem. Blueberries, for example, start out white and then turn blue. And crows aren’t always black.  And do you think you know what color snow and fire are? You just might have to think again.

Illustrator Laura Dronzek drives home this point with her warm paintings.

Today’s reviewer knows a thing or two about colors, as you can tell from the purple and green fairy wings she’s holding.

And she was happy to walk us through this delightful book.

Take it away, Amelia!

————-

Our reviewer: Amelia Grace

Age: 5

Things I like to do: Dance, draw pictures, play with my brothers and friends and eat candy.

Book: White is for Blueberry by George Shannon. Pictures by Laura Dronzek.

This book was about: It’s about colors and the different colors things are when they’re growing up.

The best part: Baby crows are pink. Pink is my favorite color, because it is so beautiful.

I smiled when: I saw the birthday cake.

This book taught me: Sometimes things are not the color we think they are.

Three words that best describe this book: “Colors.”  ”Pink.” “Birds.”

My favorite line or phrase in this book is: “White is for blueberry.” Did you know they’re white when they are baby blueberries? I don’t think Gavin (Amelia’s older brother) would like this book, because he doesn’t like blueberries.

My favorite picture in this book is: Baby crows are pink when they crack out of their eggs!

You should read this book because: I don’t think they should read it, because it’s my book now. They should get their own book!

————-

Thank you, Amelia!

If you’d like to learn more about author George Shannon, you can:

• Visit his website.
• Read his blog. (Including his list of books you should check out.)
• Read this interview with George on Books We Love.

Editor’s note: I saw George Shannon speak at Wisconsin’s fall SCBWI conference. He was charming and well-spoken and his love for the craft of writing picture books was evident in every word he spoke. He’s written more than 40 books, and I think you should read as many as possible.

If you’d like to learn more about illustrator Laura Dronzek, you can:

• Read this analysis of her work on the blog Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast.
• See other examples of her art from the Tory Folliard Gallery.
• Learn what picture books she recommends in Just Read It, a feature in the Wisconsin State Journal.

Editor’s note: I’ve never met Laura, but she has many lovely books out too, and I’m sure she’s just as nice as George.

Celebrity sightings are often newsworthy events.

Someone sees George Clooney eating in a restaurant or Katy Perry purchasing toilet paper and pictures or anecdotes immediately pop up on the Internet.

Part of what makes celebrity sightings newsworthy is that famous folks are often elusive. It’s hard to tell when or where they might appear.

Margi Preus didn’t have that problem when she wrote Celebritrees: Historic and Famous Trees of the World (Christy Ottaviano Books, 2010). She knew exactly where most of her subjects were. And, she was fairly confident they weren’t going anywhere.

This delightful book looks at 14 famous trees — most of which are still standing. Some are famous for their height or width. Others are famous for cool things that happened to them or near them. Most are very old, and many can be visited, if you have a big enough travel budget.

The book tells highlights from each tree’s history, where it’s located, what type of tree it is and about how old it is. Fun comparisons put everything into context. One tree is taller than the Statue of Liberty. Another is older than any other living thing on earth. And yet another weighs more than a town of 20,000 peoople.

Whether you read this book intently, which I would recommend, or merely flip through it, you will come away with a new appreciation for the trees all around you.

As the author says: “Each tree has a story to tell.”

Today, Sonia joins us to share her thoughts. She’s shown in the photo with a turtle made out of a tree trunk.

Take it away, Sonia!

——————

Today’s reviewer: Sonia

Age: 10

I like: Playing piano and clarinet. Having sleepovers with my friends. Playing on my iPod. Reading books.

This book was about: All these different kinds of trees and how they got their names.

My favorite tree was: The Post Office Tree. I thought it was cool that people would pin a whole bunch of letters on it, and then travelers who would pass by would pick up their letters.

The most interesting tree was: The Scythe Tree. Because the soldier left his scythe in the tree and said he would come back, but he didn’t, and then two soldiers after him saw what he did and did the exact same thing. And, you can still see their blades in the tree.

The tree I’d most like to visit is: Hyperion. Because it’s taller than the tallest skyscraper and the Statue of Liberty.

The tree that surprised me the most was: General Sherman. Because it weighs more than lots of dinosauers put together.

The most unusual tree was: Methuselah. Because it looks like one tree with a whole bunch of other trees attached to it.

The most memorable tree was: The Tree of One Hundred Horses. Because it had a queen under it along with 100 horses. That’s a really big tree.

The most impressive tree was: The Major Oak. It looks like you can go inside of it. And Robin Hood met his men there and hid there.

The neatest tree I’ve ever seen is: A small little pine that’s almost as tall as me. My dad calls it “Sonia’s tree.” Even though it’s really not mine.

——————

Thank you, Sonia!

If you’d like to learn more about author Margi Preus, you can visit her website. You also can read this kid review of her book Heart of a Samurai.

If you’d like to learn more about illustrator Rebecca Gibbon, you can view more of her artwork.

If you’ve seen one of these trees — or if you’d like to share a story about your favorite tree — please do so in the comments below.

How far will  people go to fit in?

League of Strays (Abrams, 2012), a new young adult novel by debut author L.B. Schulman, explores that question. The book tells the story of a group of teens who feel left out and looked-over.

A charming, charismatic student brings them together for friendship and support, but turns out to have other motives as well.

How long will it take for everyone in the league to see that Kade might not be what he seems. And how much damage will happen before they do?

I’m thrilled to welcome L.B. Schulman to Read, Write, Repeat to answer some questions about her book and how it came to be.

——————–

Tell us about your process for writing and revising League of Strays?

I only had an hour a day to write this book (when my daughter napped), so it took a…w…h…i…l…e. Revising took much longer. It was the first book I ever wrote, so I had to do a lot of work to correct my initial newbie writing. If it had been my fourth, I’m sure the process would have gone quicker.

What was its path to publication? What did you learn along the way?

It was a serpentine path! I had two agents that weren’t right for me before I found The One (Ammi-Joan Paquette of the Erin Murphy Literary Agency.) After a few rejection letters would come back with similar comments, I revised. I kept this up until two editors expressed interest in it at the same time. I then revised again for them, and Abrams accepted it first.

What I learned is that revision is essential to making a project work, and it isn’t something that is done quickly or easily, and also, that if you don’t give up on a project too early, you increase your odds of success tremendously.

The book discusses bullying, a topic that’s gotten a lot of attention in the media recently. Did you always intend for that to be a theme, or was that just how the plot evolved?

The book came out exactly as I’d intended. I wanted to portray a girl who gets sucked up into a bullying scheme and has to claw her way out of it. I wanted to explore the idea of “bullying the bullies” and examine why it’s not the right thing to do. I didn’t realize this was going to be such a controversial book, so that part surprised me.

What type of reader do you think is most apt to enjoy this book?

I’ve had very surprising reactions to this book. People seem to love it or hate it, and most feel strongly about their opinions. I think the ideal reader enjoys thought-provoking books and has patience for characters that don’t always make the best decisions, because in life, this happens a lot.

We all make lousy decisions at times. Charlotte is swayed by the tenacious clutch of a sociopath who plays up on her need for attention, so it takes her longer to escape his influence. People who don’t mind controversial subjects and enjoy darker books will most likely enjoy League of Strays.

What do you say to the reviewers who feel that Kade is an obvious psychopath and that Charlotte should have run from chapter one?

I say, if I had done that, there wouldn’t be a book! Seriously, though, many people — men and women — get swept up by psychopaths. They tend to be charming, they lie without remorse, and they make people feel important. To expect that ALL teens would know to run away seems unrealistic to me.

What are you working on now?

I am very excited about my work-in-progress. It’s about a girl who discovers a huge family secret, as well as relatives who she thought were dead but are actually alive. She has to unravel the family past before it destroys those she loves. It involves a major historic situation that we are all familiar with, but that’s all I will say. I am ¾ of the way done and charging through now. I have a rule about writing: Don’t talk about it, write it.

What advice would you have for aspiring authors?

If you want to be published, you have to be persistent. You almost have to be an agent-querying machine. Get four rejection letters, then send out four more within 24 hours. I made rules like this to keep me focused and on target.

I also have a contract with a writing friend: Every day we write for at least one hour, which we report to the other person. This hour usually stretches on for longer. It’s amazing how fast a book moves forward when you are consistently writing and not letting excuses get in your way.

Thanks for inviting me on your site, Pat!

——————–

Thanks, Lisa! It was a pleasure having you stop by.

If you’d like to learn more about the author, you can visit her website or watch this video.

Do you ever feel really lucky? And really grateful?

That’s how I feel today.

Because today, I officially am part of a kind, talented group of writers who are represented by the Erin Murphy Literary Agency. These writers all have their very first books coming out in the next year or so. And because of that, these writers have created a blog called “EMU’s Debuts.”

EMU’s is a cool abbreviation for Erin Murphy. And Debuts is because we are all debut authors. Blog entries follow the crew on their path to publication and share tips and tricks for surviving the ride.

A post I wrote introducing myself and sharing a little bit about my first book sale is live today. If you want to check it out — and meet the rest of the EMUs —  it’s right here.

Most kids have spent at least a little time in the time-out corner.

And, it’s not a fun place to be.

Unless, of course, you’re the main character in Jean Reidy and Robert Neubecker’s new picture book  Time Out for Monsters (Disney Hyperion, 2012).

That little boy uses his artistic skills to shake things up bit. He figures if he’s going to spend so much time somewhere, there ought to at least be something fun to look at. So he draws monsters and dinosaurs doing all sorts of interesting things.

Driving dump trucks! Eating ice-cream! Having fun!

How does that work out for him?

Let’s ask today’s guest reviewers — brothers Jonah and Ben. They don’t spend much time in time outs, but they were happy to share their thoughts on the book.

Take it away, guys!

——————–

Today’s guest reviewers: Jonah, age 3.5, and Ben, age 5.5.

I like: Jonah – I like to draw and color. And, I like playing cars. Ben – I like to play with my Hawkman (an action figure villain from superheros). My favorite food is kiwi.

This book is about: Jonah – Monsters. Ben – The boy had a timeout and he was drawing dinosaurs and monsters.

The best part was: Jonah – The big dragon. Ben – When the little dragon was hanging on the big dragon’s tail.

I laughed when:  Jonah – The boy had to wipe off the wall. Ben –When I saw the ice-cream in the dump truck.

I was worried when: Jonah – When the mom gave the boy the bucket. Ben – I was worried that the monster would get sick from all the cupcakes.

I was surprised that: Jonah – The monsters were eating all the cupcakes. Ben – When we opened the folded page and found the big dragon.

This book taught me: Jonah – About monsters. Ben — Not to color on the wall

Other kids reading the book should watch for: Jonah – The boy cleaning the wall. Ben – Drawing on the wall.

Three words that best describe the book: Jonah – “Time out.” “Washing the wall.” “Monsters.” Ben – “Monsters.” “Dinosaurs.” “Dump truck.”

My favorite line or phrase: Jonah — “Or Cupcakes.” Ben – “A dump truck full of ice cream.”

You should read this book: Jonah – Because it’s funny. Ben – To learn about not coloring on the walls.

——————–

Thank you, Jonah and Ben!

Jean Reidy has several picture books out. You can learn more about her at her website or her blog.

Robert Neubecker also has other books available. You can see his more of his artwork at this website or his blog.

Fantasies don’t always make good realities.

Just because you really, really, really want something, doesn’t mean you’ll be happy once you get it.

Most people have learned this lesson at least once in their lives.

Even so, there are times when getting what you want is even better than you thought it would be.

Such is the case in Lovabye Dragon (Candlewick Press, 2012) a new picture book written by Barbara Joosse and illustrated by Randy Cecil.

It tells the story of a lonely little girl who really, really, really wants a dragon. But she doesn’t have one.

So she cries a trail of tears that travels all the way to a lonely big dragon who follows them back to the little girl.

A lovely friendship ensues as they discover that while their outsides are quite different, their insides are just the same.

Which, when you think about it, is really all that matters.

Now, let’s hear from today’s guest reviewer, Maggie.

————–

Our reviewer: Maggie

Age: 4

I like: Puzzles, games and Dora the Explorer stuff. I also like to play with babies.

This book was about: A dragon and a little girl. They want to be friends forever.

The best part was when: The little girl and the dragon flew away together.

I laughed when: The dragon breathed fire and when the dragon came to the little girl’s room.

I was surprised that: The girl’s tears went all the way to the dragon.

This book taught me: About doing a book report.

Other kids reading this book should watch for: The tears going to the dragon.

Three words that best describe this book are: “Funny.” “Happy.” “Silly.”

My favorite line or phrase in the book is: “Forever friends.”

You should read this book because: A dragon and a girl found friends together.

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Thank you, Maggie!

You can find out more about Barbara Joosse by:

• Visiting her website.
• Listening to this webcast interview with her.
• Watching her talk about the craft of picture book writing in this video interview.

You can find out more about Randy Cecil by:

• Visiting his website.
• Reading this interview.