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It’s Vacation Time around the office lately, especially now that ALA is over.  But one of the delights of being offline is getting to catch up once you’re back online: it’s always fun to see that the electronic world has continued to spin even in your absence.  Here are some of the posts I’ve read and loved since being back in the office:

• From Abby the Librarian: first, I loved her discussion of summer reading clubs – she’s had a phenomenal turn-out for hers…further evidence that libraries and librarians provide vital and popular services.  I also enjoyed her post on ALA’s Emerging Leaders program.  I was an ALA Emerging Leader (Class of 2008) and agree with everything Abby had to say – it really is a great program and I encourage librarians who meet the qualifications to apply (you still have a little time left – the deadline is August 1st!).
• Jenny Brown (of Shelf Awareness fame) over at twentybyjenny wrote a lovely reflection of Kevin Henkes’ JUNONIA: “For a child, sometimes the small shifts can feel like tectonic plates realigning their world. That’s certainly the case for Alice. And with Alice as a companion, children know that if she can survive all these changes, they can, too.“
• The Reclusive Bibliophile created a booklist “if you like cooking, baking, and candy making…”  Some of my favorite foodie books are on there, and I’d love to add THE KING’S TASTER by Kenneth Oppel, illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher, and just wait until you read our upcoming BLISS by Kathryn Littlewood (February 2012)!
• Jennifer Hubert Swan over at Reading Rants reviews Candace Bushnell’s SUMMER AND THE CITY, the sequel to THE CARRIE DIARIES.  It’s the perfect summer beach read (both Jen’s blog and SUMMER AND THE CITY)!
• Melissa Rabey at librarian by day has a fun cover comparison post that involves Chris Crutcher’s DEADLINE, and she also posted a review of P.J. Converse’s SUBWAY GIRL.
• A lovely review of
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Release Date: September 20, 2011
Series: Fire and Thorns #1
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Elisa is barely sixteen, but already she is the secret wife of a king whose country is on the brink of war and the latest in a long line of God's chosen ones -- it's a lot for a teenage princess to handle. The Godstone she bears brings her comfort and warning in times of danger, but it also places a heavy burden on her young shoulders -- a burden she's not sure she's fit to bear. As Elisa is drawn into a secret revolution, where traitors lurk at every turn and no one can be trusted, she must learn to embrace her destiny and face her fate -- even if that means an early death.

In The Girl of Fire and Thorns, the starkly different realms come to life through Rae Carson's vivid descriptions. Both the language and the landscape are influenced by Spanish culture, with the sandstone walls of Brisadulce seeming to grow organically from the vast desert of Joya d'Arena. The Spanish phrases enrich the text without confusing readers, and the lilt and rhythm of the prose is mesmerizing. This world features a rich history, mythology and religion, with only the barest echoes of our own. The mythology of the Godstones is fascinating, a history reaching back for generations and usually boding ill for the bearer. Elisa has been kept in the dark for much of her life, and readers will delight in discovering the enigmatic powers of the Godstone, and the ominous fate of God's chosen, alongside the young heroine.

Though God and the Godstone are at the heart of this story, it is not a sermon. Carson takes a thoughtful and honest look at the religion of her world, drawing insightful parallels to our own. Every faction of the war believes they are doing "God's will," and what that means depends entirely on which side of the line they stand on. Elisa is honest about her own doubts and utter lack of understanding of this inscrutable God, despite being the bearer, which prevents her from seeming self-righteous and makes it easy to cheer for her success. Though she's a princess and a chosen one, she's utterly relatable -- just the sweet and sensitive girl-next-door.

This is truly Elisa's story, and her growth is the highlight of this epic tale. The secondary cast is large, and the characters are vibrant and unique, not mere plot devices but a network of confidantes and enemies, friends and family for Elisa to depend on, who carry her to the brink of destiny. It's clear from the start that Elisa has the potential for greatness, saving the life of a king even before her journey of self-discovery -- she need only recognize it. When the novel opens, she is very young, both in age (16) and in experience. She is timid and self-conscious, always treated like

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Wow– we have some really fantastic books to wish a Happy Book Birthday to today! They’re ALMOST Leap Year book babies, but not quite…

PANDEMONIUM, by Lauren Oliver. In the highly anticipated sequel to DELIRIUM, Lena completely transforms herself into a warrior for the resistance in order to push Alex and her old life far from her mind and heart.  Epic and yet heart-breakingly close, you’ll savor every minute of this one.

PENNY AND HER SONG, by Kevin Henkes.  Meet Penny– Kevin Henkes’ newest mouse, and his first foray into the world of beginning readers!

PARTIALS, by Dan Wells.  Humanity’s only hope… may not be human at all.  In this exciting thriller, a small group living on what used to be Long Island may be the only humans left after a devastating robot revolution, and Kira finds herself unexpectedly at the forefront of their survival.

Z IS FOR MOOSE, by Kelly Bingham, illustrations by Paul O. Zelinsky.  Fiesty but well-meaning Moose inserts himself into every page of this ABC book that’s already garnering multiple terrific starred reviews!

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I’m incredibly excited about fellow 2010 author Amy Brecount White’s book, FORGET-HER-NOTS because I love love love flowers. The idea of using a flower's secret power to change behavior is fascinating to me—cannot wait to read this one!

Here’s Amy’s deal report from Publishers Marketplace:

Virginia Duncan of Greenwillow Books has acquired FLOWERSPEAK by Amy Brecount White, in a pre-emptive offer. In the novel, a girl discovers that she can use flowers and their magical potency to make people change their behavior – even fall in love. The novel is tentatively scheduled for a spring 2009 release. Steven Chudney of the Chudney Agency did the deal.
[We didn’t make the spring 2009 release, and Greenwillow really wanted a spring release. The title was also changed to the more fun and catchy FORGET-HER-NOTS.]

Hi Amy, can you tell us how you met your agent?
I had heard good things about Steven Chudney from several people and checked out his website. Our taste in books seemed very similar. At that point, his website asked for the first three chapters. He loved them so much he said he was tempted to offer representation just based on those! He did read the whole novel, though, before I signed.

Can you tell us how your book deal happened?
Over the years, I had lots of agents and editors express interest in my novel mostly at SCBWI conferences, because I have such a great premise, imho. It took a few years, though, for me to get the story exactly right and to find the perfect house—Greenwillow. Once we did, Virginia Duncan made an offer within two weeks and right before Christmas. It was the best present ever!

What was the inspiration for FORGET-HER-NOTS and how long did it take you to write?
I used to write a lot of articles for newspapers and magazine—mostly lifestyle and travel pieces—so I was always on the lookout for new ideas. I found out about the language of flowers from a book called, TUSSIE-MUSSIES, which is the Victorian name for symbolic flower bouquets. Once I knew about it, I started seeing the language everywhere. I also gave several friends symbolic bouquets, and I definitely wished that the messages I was sending to them came true. So it was an easy jump from wishing to imagining real magic in the blooms. And I do believe there is a special magic any time anyone gives flowers.

How long did it take you to write it?
Hmm, how long was it? From conception to an offer, about 8 years. I was working on lots of other projects, too, and taking care of my three kids. (I like to say it had the longest gestation period of all my children.) But, I must admit, my learning curve on the craft of novel writing was a little steeper than I expected. It’s a lot different from writing an article, but I think–I’m hopin’—I’ve got it now.

What's your publication date and where in the process are you now?
Right now they’re saying February 2010, and I’m on copy edits.

If you could have any magical power, what would it be?
Flower magic, of course! I’d love to be able to awaken emotions and transform lives with a few lovely blooms. Actually, there are several scientific/psychological studies showing how receiving flowers elevates your mood and feelings of happiness for several days. And patients who have flowers in their room generally have shorter stays and respond better to medications, according to another study.

Soooo… what are you waiting for? Go give someone some flowers!

What are you working on now?
I’m writing a YA novel tentatively called, STRING THEORY. It’s about relationships, growing up fast, and taking care of the earth. I’ve described it as HOOT meets STORY OF A GIRL. No magic, but a few flowers sprinkled in.

Do you have any words of wisdom for writers trying to get published?
Read everything you admire in your genre and then read it again. I was a very good prose writer, but it took me awhile to get a novel right. Even if you can string words together, it’s a real craft and skill to be able to tell a story well, so people want to keep reading. I still go back and read some of my favorite novels – GRACELING, WICKED LOVELY, and THE WITCH OF BLACKBIRD POND – to see exactly how they’re sewn together. It takes also practice and dedication to learn to read like a writer.

Where can we find out more about you and your book?
If you want to learn more about me, FORGET-HER-NOTS and the language of flowers, or read my blog, check out my website.

(There’s a really cool list of flowers and their meanings on Amy’s website – just found out that my favorite flower means fantastic extravagance! Love it.)

Thanks for the interview, Amy! What flowers should we send for congratulations?

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Want to play an animal guessing game? Try reading If Not for the Cat by Jack Prelustsky. But, if you really want to solve the puzzles yourself without cheating, have someone else read the book out loud, hiding the illustrations. Then take a peek after you make your guess. Prelustsky composed seventeen animal haiku for this masterfully written puzzle book of poetry filled with stunning illustrations by Ted Rand. Even those that typically don't enjoy poetry will most likely find the book entertaining. Seventeen syllables each haiku and seventeen different animals -- it's pure brilliance with lines like, "I, the hoverer, / Sip the nasturtium's nectar / And sing with my wings." Hum a happy tune whilst you try to figure that one out.

We won our copy of If Not for the Cat from Playing by the Book last month and have enjoyed the book immensely. For the last few months, I've been discussing syllables with my daughter and clapping words out, so she enjoyed learning the 5-7-5 structure. This is one of those books that appeals to all ages, and it is a perfect book for teachers to use while teaching the haiku format.

If Not for the Cat by Jack Prelustsky, illustrated by Ted Rand. Greenwillow Books (September 2004); ISBN 9780060596774; 40 pages

My daughter wanted to write a few of her own, based on a couple of the bird illustrations in the book. She came up with the main words and I filled in the rest to create each poem. (We are by no means as talented as Prelutsky, and the first really isn't a riddle, but we tried. The "stay out of the corn" bit is entirely my daughter's own words. I'm impressed.)

Fly, hummingbird, fly
Come close to me, wings beating
In a flash you're gone

You're black as the night
Sneaking through the farmer's field
Stay out of the corn

Here's one last "riddle haiku" for you that we wrote. (It holds true for those of us in Wisconsin. Those in Pennsylvania may not agree):

Prognosticator
One cold February day
Predicts early spring

I am an Amazon affiliate and may receive a very small commission for products purchased through my Amazon links. View my full

4 Comments on If Not for the Cat by Prelutsky / Our Own Groundhog Day Haiku, last added: 2/2/2010

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Playing by the book said, on 2/2/2010 9:10:00 AM

I love your daughter's haikus :-)

MotherReader said, on 2/2/2010 10:21:00 AM

Oh, one of my favorite books - so lovely.

It's so different from Pretlutsky's other poetry and the artwork is amazing.

A Grandma said, on 2/2/2010 12:27:00 PM

This post was so much fun to read. Loved each and every haiku.

Susan Quinn said, on 2/2/2010 12:54:00 PM

If Not for the Cat makes me laugh every time I read it. Which was many times, all in a row.

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The sun managed to shine a few beams down this past week. Such a welcome sight considering that the snowman we built early last December still has not completely melted! It's been a long winter here and we are ready for some warmer, spring weather. Pretty soon those spring garden flowers will add color to the landscape, spreading cheer and happiness. We got a jump on the season with a brand new spring garden themed picture book, just released this week.

Mary, Mary, quite contrary, move over. There's a new girl in the garden -- a happy, little daydreamer who envisions chocolate rabbits and jelly bean bushes, and seashell fields. Kevin Henkes sows the seeds of imagination and illustrates with colors of spring in his newest picture book, My Garden. A barefoot little girl helps her mother in a cheery garden by watering and weeding the plants. All the while, she fantasies about her ideal garden.

"In my garden, the flowers could change color just by my thinking about it -- pink, blue, green purple. Even patterns."

The little girl's vast imagination takes readers beyond the restraints of the world, into a extraordinary place where the flowers never die and where umbrellas conveniently pop out of the ground just as the spring rain begins. Kevin Henkes adds another feather to his brimming hat with this beautiful book. His spectacular, watercolor illustrations overflow the pages with creative page layout. Fanciful images appear as full bleeds and then he takes readers back to reality with smaller spot illustrations. His book presents endless possibilities as a read aloud and spurs the imagination.

When I finished reading My Garden to my daughter, I asked her what her garden would contain. First she would grow all the toys she wants so that she wouldn't have to visit the store. Her plants would keep growing even in the snow. The garden would be filled with kittens, puppies, and balloons. And one last thing - the garden would take all the garbage away by grabbing it so it would disappear and you wouldn't see it anymore. The imagination truly is a garden where anything is possible.

My Garden by Kevin Henkes. Greenwillow Books (February 2010); 40 pages; ISBN 9780061715174
Book S

8 Comments on My Garden by Kevin Henkes - Book Review and stART, last added: 2/28/2010

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Amy said, on 2/25/2010 1:36:00 PM

This sounds fantastic, and I love the art activity. I'll have to try that with my own little artists!

Thanks for linking up to Read Aloud Thursday once again!

An Almost Unschooling Mom said, on 2/25/2010 1:44:00 PM

I've seen those reversible books, but never tried one with the kids - thanks for the pointers :)

Janet said, on 2/25/2010 2:27:00 PM

I've never seen this Kevin Henkes book. The sunflower alone is enough to make me want to read it! Love your art projects, too.

Jenny said, on 2/25/2010 6:19:00 PM

That sounds like a great book. I love the project too! I bet my daughter would really like this book.

Wonder Mom said, on 2/25/2010 7:14:00 PM

I do believe that the accordion fold is perhaps to "bestest" fold out there- for fans, paper gardens, and, uh, accordions, of course!

(Seriously, this simple project has many possibilities for school work...thanks for the idea...)

Playing by the book said, on 2/25/2010 10:12:00 PM

I'm always on the look out for new garden books so this is particularly good for us! And your accordion books look lovely.

ECarter said, on 2/26/2010 4:43:00 AM

It took me a while to decide on the Hooked On Phonics. The reason I finally chose that program were the recommendations from other home school moms. When I got the third raving comment from a friend, I finally decided that was the one! Each "grade" (use this term loosely) comes in two levels with 16 lessons in each level. I figure it is easier and cheaper to do the kindergarten levels with her now and decide in a few months whether to move up to HonP 1st grade or get a different one. I will say she is thrilled with the dvd portion and the entire set up though!

Rebecca said, on 2/28/2010 6:45:00 PM

wow, these are great!

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Last summer we visited the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. My daughter loved many of the exhibits but one of her very favorites was the Baby Chick Hatchery. She witnessed a baby chick peck out of its shell and she's had a special fondness for chicks ever since that experience. Chick and chicken books appeal to her greatly so you can imagine her excitement when we read Barbara Joosse's latest book, Higgledy-Piggledy Chicks.

"What can a fuzzy chick do? Little chicks have legs to run. But sometimes ... claws and teeth are out, and Mama can't be everywhere at once. Aunties?" - Higgledy-Piggledy Chicks by Barbara M. Joosse, illustrated by Rick Chrustowski

Bucka-buk! Bucka-buk! Barbara Joosse puts readers right in the middle of the barnyard with a story about a protective Banty Hen and her seven baby chicks. Seven eggs hatch into seven adorable and multicolored chicks. Those little chicks soon leave the nest to explore the vast barnyard and run higgledy-piggledy in every direction. Danger lurks hidden nearby but mama hen and the aunties do their best to keep the curious little chicks safe day and night from the cat, raccoon and snake predators.

Higgledy-Piggledy Chicks is a lively read-aloud for all young children, even toddlers. Joosse does a marvelous job capturing the sounds and sights near a hen house. There are plenty of peeps, clucks, kuks and kaaks sprinkled throughout the expressive text. Both my kids listened to the story intently, felt deep concern for the little chicks as they wandered around the barnyard and tried to guess what kind of predators lurked on the pages by using clues from the illustrations. Chrustowski's colorful collage illustrations have a certain depth to them - he used colored pencils to draw shadows and details on the cut figures. Both kids loved the page where the chicks hatch. They counted the chicks and picked out their favorites from the multicolored bunch. My daughter said that one of the little chicks looks like it is sleeping in a little egg shell crib. Chrustowski used actual chick models for his illustrations and at the end of the story provides pictures of the real chicks running around his studio. Joosse provides an educational description of how little chicks grow in the back of the book and tells a little bit about the Bantam hen breed.

One last reason why we simply adore the book -- both the author and illustrator live in our wonderful state of Wisconsin!

Higgledy-Piggledy Chicks