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by Greg Pizzoli (Viking, 2015)

I’ve read lots and lots and lots of books for kids. I’ve read lots of questionable ones and I’ve read lots of spectacular ones. And then I’ve read a handful that are simultaneously spectacular and fresh and inventive and completely honor how smart kids are.

This is one of those.

You might know Greg from that burping crocodile or the hound with a need for speed, but did you know a book about an impossible con is exactly what the world of kids’ books needed? Meet this Greg.

Actually, meet Robert Miller.

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A normal kid, one who leaves home to become an artist despite his parents’ best efforts. A normal kid with a penchant for billiards, poker, and gin.

A grifter known as Count Victor Lustig.

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This liqour induced pow-wow below the Totally Legit delivery truck might be one of my favorite moments in this thing. It’s accompanied by a sidebar of Totally Legit information about the Prohibition. This blend of grit and truth and history hangs right in the suspense of Vic’s story. It feels like Saul Bass made one of those The More You Know PSAs right there on the page.

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One of the greatest tricks in this whole book is how we see the silly, unsuspecting faces of Vic’s marks, but never his. Only a thumprint. Both the clearest and fuzziest identification.

Mixed-media collage always yields great texture, just by its very nature. But Greg adds custom-made rubber stamps, actual photo texture from the floor of the Eiffel Tower, and like we’ve already seen, his very own thumbprint. This approach is as layered and grungy as Vic himself. This book can’t be slick and clean and soft–it needs depth and dirt and intrigue. That’s what it’s got.

That’s no con.

Check out these endpapers. Brick wall, posted bills, danger, and suspense.

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Why does that not look like the full width of the book, you ask?

Because then there’s this:

In the best of places, that sneaky space under the dust jacket, where unsuspecting grownups don’t dare peek. Kids do. They know where the good stuff is. And this is the good stuff: The Ten Commandments for Con Artists by our hero.

I think 8 is my favorite. Or 5. Or 10.

And now, don’t miss Greg and Julie’s chat about this book over at Seven Impossible Things. Lots to digest. Commandment 2 will be an impossibility.

I received a copy of Tricky Vic from Viking, but the comments are all my own. And speaking of Viking, huge kudos to the publicity team that sent the book like so:

I actually knew about Tim first through his children’s work with Queens Museum here in New York. Then I fell under his mice spell, or was it pics of swiss cheese and skunks? Whatever, I am a big fan and … Continue reading →

Last week, the lovely and talented Courtney Pippin Mathur was "it"-  in The Next Big Thing Blog Tour.

Started in Australia, "The Next Big Thing" is now racing across the globe as authors and illustrators tag one  another- asking/answering 10 questions on their blogs about their "next big thing" in children's books.

This week, thanks to Courtney, (whose blog I totally recommend you check out), I am "it"!

So here are my ten answers to Courtney's Questions for...

The Next Big Thing!

 1) What is the  title of your next/most recent book?

TEA REX
(Which is especially fitting for this blog post as Rex, himself, is VERY big indeed!)

2) Who is publishing it?

TEA REX, is being published by  the fabulous folks at Viking Children's Books- an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group

3) When does it hit bookstore shelves?

APRIL 9, 2013!

4) What genre does your book fall under? Picture book? Middle Grade? YA?

Picture Book (sub-genres: Etiquette, Tea Parties, Dinosaurs, Mayhem... )

5) Please give  a  one-sentence synopsis of your book…

TEA REX is a book that will teach young readers everything they need to know about hosting a proper tea party.*

*As long as they don't look at the pictures... which tell an entirely different story.

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

One afternoon, over a cup of tea.

7. How long did it take you to complete the finished artwork?

Many afternoons, countless cups of tea, and scores of scones (Mmmmm... scones).

8.) Who or what inspired you to write this book?

A little voice from the back seat of the car asking me: "Mom... do T-Rexes like crumpets?"*

*For the answer to that question- you'll just have to read the book.

9.) What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a
movie rendition? 

Oh, that's a toughy... In my mind, the book plays out like a silent film... so I'm thinking Charlie Chaplain would have made a fantastic  Rex... or Buster Keaton... Yes, Buster Keaton in a dinosaur suit. That would be awesome!

10) What else would you like readers to know about this book?
That is best enjoyed with a friend... and a cup of tea... and a cookie.

And speaking of friends... it's time for me to tag another author/illustrator pal!

Susan Reagan- author/illustrator of the adorable new Picture Book TWEET HEARTS...
You're "it"!

Check out more of Susan's work on her  Facebook page and online at Painted-Words.

What a busy April over here! So many creative new picture books to celebrate!

Sarah Frances Hardy certainly has reason to party—even tea party. Her debut picture book releases today!

PUZZLED BY PINK is the story of what happens when Wednesday Addams meets Fancy Nancy, with whimsical watercolor illustrations that will delight little girls on both sides of the fence, whether they LOVE pink or just don’t get what the big fuss is all about.

Please welcome Sarah to the blog today! *throws confetti* *serves tea and orange-cranberry scones*

TD: Sarah, on this blog we like to talk about story ideas. Tell us, where did the inspiration for Izzie and her sister Rose come from?

SFH: The inspiration for Izzie came from my oldest daughter. When she was little, it seems like every book geared toward little girls was pink, pink, pink…and she just wasn’t into it. I wanted to write a book for girls who wanted to be girls, but they wanted to do it without having to wear pink-glittered fairy wings.

Rose, Izzie’s little sister, is inspired by my middle daughter who has always loved everything about being a girly-girl—from ballet to pink to tutus.

TD: So is your youngest daughter represented in the book?

SFH: Ha! She’s asked me that too, and I tell her that she is Jinx, the pet cat, who is actually the most fun character in the book. She’s thrilled.

TD: I’d love to be Jinx, too! Izzie a strong character who does her own thing even though it’s not popular. How do you hope young readers will relate to her?

SFH: Well, I think we’ve all had the experience of being excluded because we’re a little different or we’re not wearing the right thing. I hope kids will take away the message that you can be yourself, dress the way you want to, and still go to the party.

It takes courage to say you’re going to do your own thing and stick to your guns! But it’s always best to be true to yourself .

TD: So tell us a little about your journey to publication as an author-illustrator. We authors say it must be “easier” for an author-illustrator to break into the business, while author-illustrators may say it’s easier to wear just one hat. (I tend to think no matter how many hats you wear, it’s never easy! Especially if they’re sombreros and you can’t fit thru the doorway.) What do you think?

SFH: It is a sombrero! And the door feels like it’s tiny!

But I will say that it’s a little easier to get an agent if you are both an author/illustrator because you don’t have to split royalties, and there are more agents out there who are willing to represent you.

The downside is that you are giving editors TWO reasons to reject you, so I always tell people to be sure that their illustrations and text are equally strong.

My journey is fairly typical in that I spent years going to conferences and learning everything I could about the craft of writing and illustrating for children. I wrote some pretty terrible books, submitted them, and amassed a small mountain of rejection letters,

Finally, I came up with this character and concept, and I started getting a little interest. I signed with my amazing agent and worked on revisions for several months with her. In the summer of 2010, I sold my book to Viking Children’s Books.

10 Comments on Sarah Frances Hardy is PUZZLED BY PINK! (plus a giveaway), last added: 4/12/2012