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I LOVE that kids (and other readers) are picking up my new book, THOMAS AND THE DRAGON QUEEN (Knopf). Here are a couple of pics folks have sent me.

This is Aiden who read through a weekend visit to family and then on the way home in the car. Thanks, Hope for sending this to me!

This is Dillon Marx who, is not quite ready to read THOMAS yet, but who is trying to figure out why his older brother is so engrossed by this book.  Thanks, Sueanne, for letting me post this picture!

Finally . . .  a couple of favorite pics a friend sent of Bertie “reading” THUNDER-BOOMER!  Thanks, Alice!

I wish he could tell me what he truly thought of it. THUNDER-BOOMER! does have a dog in it. At least he is not trying to bury it in the backyard!

Way to go, Bertie!!

See my contact page if you have photos you’d like to send me of your family members reading my books.

Hugs,

Shutta

Wow! When it rains, it pours. I just got word that the Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books will be giving THUNDER-BOOMER! an “R*” in its September issue. (Recommended, and an asterisk for “exceptional.”)

A writer friend asked if I knew that this book (my tenth) would be exceptional? And how did it feel writing it? Hmmm . . .

Good questions! I remember I felt good writing it. I live on a farm now and I love how  “the air smells sweet as butter” after a storm. And I LOVED the editorial process with my editor at Clarion, Marcia Leonard.  But of course, I had no idea it would generate such good reviews. I truly believe that with a picture book, a good portion, if not MOST, of the weight of the book is carried by the illustrations. And Clarion had the great good sense to hook THUNDER-BOOMER! up with Carol Thompson-a truly talented and knowledgeable illustrator.

Carol’s use of drippy gray watercolors, collage, and pencil over textures brings the storm to life. And the pale pale green of the after-math—my favorite spread—is picture perfect. In fact, most of the reviews speak to Carol’s inspired illustrations. Thanks, Carol!!!

Enjoy,

Shutta

Several friends have sent links to this wonderful video of the song AFRICA. It starts with creating the sound effects of a rain storm. Click here or on the sidebar. I can just see doing this with a whole group of kids! Music teachers?

The rock band Toto scored their biggest hit with this song in 1982. 

But it has been reinvented. Perpetuum Jazzile is an a cappella jazz choir from Slovenia. Group members simulate an African thunderstorm with their hands.

Turn up the volume to high …. and close your eyes!  Be patient as it starts softly before the vol really picks up. Enjoy!

Ciao!

Shutta

Click here for some great thunder sound effects!

(*Clip art by: http://www.designedtoat.com)