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My writing group is an important part of my life as a writer. It’s more than just accountability, but feedback and camaraderie and, well, if I’m super honest, fun. When I was a classroom teacher, I didn’t do a very good job of establishing writing groups, or crit partners, for my students. I see now they were [...]

Odd Dog by Claudia Boldt is an ever so slightly absurd tale about a rather unusual dog, a dog who prefers apples to bones.

Helmut has a prized apple tree, laden with ripening fruit. Helmut also has nightmares: His neighbour, Igor, may at any time be plotting to steal all of Helmut’s much loved apples.

One day the juciest apple falls from Helmut’s tree… but onto the wrong side of the fence. Disaster appears to have struck. Igor has Helmut’s prized possession!

What is Igor going to do? How is Helmut going to respond?

For those wanting to unpick this quirky story there’s plenty packed into Odd Dog; the encumbrance of desire and possession, what it feels like to be different, the power of sharing, the acceptance of difference, and whether the world is full of threats or opportunities.

For those just wanting a fun read there’s a lot to enjoy in Odd Dog; the offbeat humour (what? a dog that doesn’t like bones?), the stylish, characterful illustrations, the reassuring reminder that the world is actually a good place, full of good people. The dogs, the classy illustrations, the anxiety all make this a great book to pair with Oh No, George! by Chris Haughton.

For those interested in translation and cultural differences, it’s fun to see that the names Helmut and Igor are “untranslated” in the German version of Claudia Boldt’s offbeat tale (do watch the video, even if you don’t understand German, for it will give you a good flavour of Claudia’s illustrations):

And yet, in the US version of this book, the dogs have been renamed: Helmut is Peanut and Igor is Milo.

With my British/European sensibilities, this “translation” doesn’t work for me; the names Peanut and Milo are just too sweet, and don’t have the same quirky, old-fashioned, absurd feel about them, that I think Helmut and Igor have, and which really adds that little bit of hard-to-put-your-finger-on-flavour to the tale. I’d love to know what my North American readers think about this… And I’d love to hear from German readers too – I suspect Helmut and Igor don’t have the same feel in German (where they are – I believe- far less unusual than here in the UK) as they do in English.

All this got me thinking about name changes in different English versions of the same book (rather than translations into other languages). Here are some other examples:

We’ve been researching in Keith Bollman’s 5th grade class. Because Keith and I have been working together for years, I know he will let me play a little in writing workshop. I can… Read More →

In Baltimore. On NBC. On a gift guide of great books. Let me tell you, lots of those books look great.

What is so funny (funny strange, not funny ha ha) is that Isabella is essentially (almost) sandwiched between a reissue of Peter Pan and a book on Ted Williams.

Why is this so funny? Because I have always loved Peter Pan. My high school year book quote was “Second Star to the right and straight on ’till morning.” It is a beautifully told adventure story that deals with not wanting to, but having to grow up.

And I heard all about the Kid growing up from Poppi. Not just because he was a Red Sox. Because as a young coming player, he stopped to join the Marines for WW II. Because he made it back. Because he played when he could have ensured his record by sitting out the last two games.

So pretty heady company for Isabella to sit with.

Related posts:

1. Margaret (Tina) Plays along with Isabella
2. A Princess Story for “My Name is Not Isabella” After All
3. Wanna hear the real Isabella?

I recently put together a blog I considered necessary to fill a need. I am sharing information about the new blog here at Acme --Book-E-Leaks is here! Leak info. about YOUR books here! This is just the kind of blog all writers and readers need - a place where writers are encouraged to speak freely and openly about their favorite titles created by THEM without being attacked but rather appreciated for appreciating their own works and favorite lines and ideas and methods used as well as news of new book launches, signings, sales strategies that worked or failed --- anything leaking from your book from inception to completion and publication....whether an ebook or a paper book. Post your news and great feelings of completion and closure right here at Book-E-Leaks. Share great blurbs, quotes, snippets from reviews here as well. All without fear of being attacked or having your book called SPAM. Don't know about you, but my life's work is not SPAM.


To get started here I will go first since I have bragging rights here just as you do. I will post a great line from Titanic 2012....and you do your best to add a great line from YOUR book so that readers will have a BookEleak to go by....you may also want to leak such lines on Twitter, Facebook, and elsewhere with a link to Book-E-leaks.

So come on over to http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2476000364646494559

do too leave a comment!
Rob Walker
http://www.robertwalkerbooks.com/ (order direct)

Ribbit Rabbit by Candace Ryan, illustrated by Mike Lowery

Frog and Bunny are the best of friend.  They swim together.  Fight monsters together.  Even share peanut butter sandwiches.  But sometimes something happens and they stop getting along.  Like when they find a robot with a key.  One of them ends up with the robot, the other with the key.  And they don’t want to share.  After a bit of alone time though, they come together ready to share and have fun once again.

Ryan’s text is such fun to read aloud.  It trips, gallops, dashes and dances on the tongue.  The rhythm of the book is a delight and the silly rhymes add joy to the book.  It is impossible to read it without grinning. 

Lowery’s illustrations have a wonderful modern, fresh feel to them.  Done in pencil, screen printing and print gocco, they are finished digitally.  They have a simplicity that works well here.  The soft colors have an intriguing pop to them and the texture from the screen printing adds to the appeal.

Highly recommended, this is a top choice for toddler and preschool story times.  Appropriate for ages 2-4.

Reviewed from ARC received from Bloomsbury.

Also reviewed by The Bookbag and Young Readers.

• Follow this blog to its new home at Waking Brain Cells.

My next book, due in June of this year, is a complete departure from the fantasy novel that came out last year, THOMAS AND THE DRAGON QUEEN (Knopf), and a return to picture book format. It’s titled: MINE!

And I thought you all might be interested in seeing the wonderful artwork of the illustrator, Patrice Barton.  It’s published by Knopf, and edited by the talented Michelle Frey.

MINE! is a simple tale of one-upmanship with a hero who is a VERY YOUNG child. This book is for sharing with any child who has ever laid claim to all the toys within reach. It was inspired by the Toddler’s Creed—something I always keep in mind when writing for this age group. 

Love it!

And I hope you will love MINE! when it gets here. I do know that many online ordering sites are doing preorders right now.

Happy National Reading Month to all of you!

Shutta

So my parents have told me that the river is higher than it has been in a long time. Of course, they have no cameras or way of “showing” me this. But aha – youtube.

Here’s a few videos showing it.

And this one says since 1913!

No related posts.

Dominique Raccah of Sourcebooks recently wrote an article about how she discovered and fell in love with “My Name is Not Isabella.” She tells it like it was. She explains the process, the path, and how she felt. She wrote a really nice article that made me blush. She quoted songs and used the word “Love.” A lot.

It made me think back to those early days. I was scared. Was I making the right decision? My personal soundtrack was more like “What is love? Baby don’t hurt me.” (sorry, couldn’t link to that video – a little too suggestive and no one in this scenario is a vampire. But if you are feeling nostalgic – go look it up. Really fun stuff.)

After I made the decision – things have indeed been wonderful. And at times I have felt like this.

“This thing, called love…I ain’t ready for this crazy little thing called love.”
Sometimes I feel like I am not ready. This has been so fast (and at times also felt incredibly slow, but in this industry – fast). There have been so many wonderful developments. Getting to record the audio reading with my daughter (the REAL Isabella). Making the New York Times Bestseller list. Film options. Paper dolls are coming.

I can say that it was the right choice and I am so happy to be here today.

And the best part – I am currently working on a new Isabella adventure for next year! I will share more details when I wrangle this puppy into better shape. With help from my team friends family at Sourcebooks.

I gotta be cool, relax, get hip, and get on with it ……… and write the next book!

Related posts:

1. My head might actually spin off my body
2. They’re Playing Our Song
3. BFBT#8 – In which we finally almost go somewhere new

Here I am spreading my love of will.i.am. Again.

Thanks to The Miss Rumphius Effect blog for pointing this out.

My favorite part – Snoop Dog calling out Benjamin Banneker.
And of course, will.i.am.

Related posts:

1. Cool Science Safety Video

It is that time again. A Big Blue dog mascot and a super hyped assembly has sent home three over-charged under 5-foot sales people aimed at winning more plastic junk that they will completely forget about until I dispose of it when they aren’t looking.

Let me say it very clearly. I hate “selling” for the school fund raiser. I don’t have a cadre of relatives clamoring for over-priced wrapping paper. Nobody on the street needs tiny containers of sweets that cost less when purchased from a premier chocolatier.

I am not saying that the schools don’t need funds. I am not saying that the PTA organization at our school don’t do wonderful things for the school with the funds. I am not even saying that I don’t want to give any more money. I will. Really.

What I can’t stand is that my kids are more excited about this than any other aspect of their first weeks of school. I am also upset that my little babies won’t be getting those coveted prices. Aw…. (And some of them are really good prices). I just question how much money gets raised this way versus other methods. Throw your quarters in a bucket? I don’t know.

Maybe it all just comes down to the plain fact that I don’t want anything to do with it.

I know that I am not alone. Look here to see someone else make better arguments and say things more eloquently. I agree with her. Just imagine I said this stuff.

So basically, what she said.

Related posts:

1. Did I mention that school started today?
2. Thank a teacher

One of the places I go to for inspiration and examples of just good writing are songs. An old friend shared this with me back in grad school. That was back when I was still an engineering geek person with a longing for the stories, and she an opera singer, a link to the arts. Who could guess that we would stay in touch and wind up a mere hour away from each other on the other side of the country. A great friend and a great song.

This is still a fantastic song with great description of the lady (shown, not told) and the issue (the relationship).

Quite a dreamer, and yes I still believe…..

Related posts:

1. Did I mention that school started today?

A fellow Sourcebook writer, Katrina Kittle, used to teach school at the Miami Valley School in Dayton, Ohio. Looking at their website, Allison Janney went there – I love her.

Anyway, back on topic. She sent the link to the video below. Apparently they have a ceremony, a convocation in September. A special ceremony where the youngest kids (kindergarten, first grade) give flowers to the seniors and the seniors present back a book. This year they chose to give the girls “My Name is Not Isabella” and the boys “My Name is Not Alexander.” And they videotaped the whole thing and shared it on youtube.

Evan Stanley, the sophomore who filmed it, did a wonderful job putting together this video. Jazz band is quite good as well. And even though I don’t know any of these students, I really enjoyed watching this inspirational ceremony. Thanks so much for including my books, my dreams as it were. Best of luck to you with the school year and beyond.

Related posts:

1. Cool Science Safety Video
2. Isabella was on TV
3. Time Machine Under Repair – Update on Current Events

So I often read Ms. Bird over at Fuse#8 and she has been checking out book trailers from other countries and found this one for an upcoming French pop-up book. I love it. Mood is beautiful by eerie and….well….kinda creepy. Just like fairy tales should be.

Related posts:

1. Beautiful inspirational ceremony features flowers and my books!
2. My head might actually spin off my body

So it’s time for another “I’m so cool – I am an author” kind of post. I got my first fan mail. And my second actually, within two days. Here’s an image of the letters (no names of course).

Fan mail and thank you note

These letters show particular effort. I don’t share my address on the web. It’s part of my attempt to have some privacy for my kids. Not that there’s a huge worry about people stalking children’s book authors or their families, but you just never know. So if you want to write me you can always send it to the following address and I will get it:

Jennifer Fosberry
C/O Sourcebooks
1935 Brookdale Road
Suite 139
Naperville, IL 60563

But I don’t know how immediate that will be. So sometimes I give it out if you email and ask.

That was the case with the first letter, I received the following (edited) email:

I am tutoring little girl in ****, CA who adores “My name is not Isabella.” She wanted to write you a fan letter. I bought her the book after her grandma died and her mom said she slept with it. She then took it to school and the teacher read it to the class. She and they liked it so much that they wrote about it . Is there a way that I can get her letter and picture to you? She would be thrilled to know you actually got it.

So I shared. And got the lovely yellow letter with lots of great questions. I also got a letter from another little girl just the next day. Both great letters. So of course I wrote them back. See the cool Doctor Seuss notes. Don’t you love them?

I hope that they will love getting my letters as much as I enjoyed getting theirs.

Related posts:

1. Jennifer Fosberry – explained a little bit
2. 100 Things about Jennifer Fosberry
3. BFNBT #2 – My Name is Not Alexander – Jennifer Fosberry Tour

Bears On Chairs. Shirley Parenteau. Illustrated by David Walker. 2009. [August 2009]. Candlewick. 32 pages.

Can five friends find a way to share four chairs? Find out the answer in this cute and adorable picture book by Shirley Parenteau. In Bears On Chairs, readers learn about sharing.

Here's how it starts off,

Four small chairs
just right for bears.
Where is the bear for each small chair?

Calico Bear
sits on a chair.
He likes it there
on his one chair.

Now Fuzzy Bear
wants a chair.
She climbs up there
on the second chair.

Robert B. Parker. There is no one right way. Each of us finds a way that works for him. But there is a wrong way. The wrong way is to finish your writing day with no more words on paper than when you began. Writers write. Every August, I think about what area in regards [...]

I love blogging--I do. And I love blogging every day. But sometimes I sit down to write a post and...

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25. Ribbit Rabbit

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By: Becky, on 11/5/2010
Blog: Young Readers (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:  2011, sharing, friendship, review copy, frogs, picture books, Add a tag

Ribbit Rabbit. Candace Ryan. Illustrated by Mike Lowery. 2011. February 2011. Walker. 32 pages.


Frog and Bunny are best friends.
Ribbit Rabbit.
Rabbit Ribbit.
They go swimming together.
Ribbit Rabbit.
Dip it, Dab it.
They fight monsters together.
Ribbit Rabbit.
Zip it, Zap it.

I liked this one. I really liked this one. It's a playful look at friendship. At what it means to be a friend when you're young--how difficult it can be to get along, but how very important it is that you do! Frog and Bunny are the stars of this picture book. They are best friends. But their friendship is tested--at times--sometimes by little fights, sometimes by big fights. But their friendship is worth it, isn't it?

© Becky Laney of Young Readers

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