How to use this Page

Ladies and gentlemen . . . the moment I’ve been waiting for.

Wait! Wait!  Background information first!

So for years I worked as a children’s librarian and I’d get girl after girl after girl coming up to my desk asking for funny books.  I credit some of this to Diary of a Wimpy Kid.  The boys and the girls loved that series and wanted more of the same.  Sometimes they wanted it in a notebook novel format, like Kinney’s book.  Sometimes they just wanted something hilarious, and they seriously didn’t care who wrote it.  So I’d grab books for them and then it slowly began to dawn on me.  Huh.  For all that I could find some pretty fantastic and hilarious books out there for kids, where were the funny story collections written by women?  Turns out, there weren’t any.

Until now.

I would like you to join me in applauding the following authors and author/illustrators . . . .

• Cece Bell
• Sophie Blackall
• Libba Bray
• Lisa Brown
• Adrianne Chalepah
• Alison DeCamp
• Carmen Agra Deedy
• Kelly DiPucchio
• Lisa Graff
• Shannon Hale
• Charise Mericle Harper
• Jenni Holm
• Akilah Hughes
• Amy Ignatow
• Christine Mari Inzer
• Lenore Look
• Meghan McCarthy
• Mitali Perkins
• Leila Sales
• Raina Telgemeier
• Deborah Underwood
• Ursula Vernon
• Rita Williams-Garcia
• Delaney Yeager
• and Mackenzie Yeager

Each one of these women has contributed to my new book Funny Girl: Funniest. Stories. EVER.

Behold!  The cover by the aforementioned Charise Mericle Harper:

And here’s the full jacket in its entirety:

A portion of the proceeds of this book go to Write Girl, a Los Angeles-based creative writing and mentoring organization that matches girls with women writers who mentor them in creative writing.

When’s it out?  May 9th, 2017!  Feel free to pre-order it.

---

 

Oh! And while I’m thinking of it, there’s this other really fun thing that just started that I have to let you know about.  As I may have mentioned before, my husband’s first book The Secrets of Story just came out recently and I could be prouder.  He’s already put up a couple great videos alongside it (the latest is here and is about those little moments of humanity that make you like a character).  But fun upon fun upon fun, he’s created a podcast with YA author and 90-Second Newbery Film Festival creator James Kennedy and it may well be my favorite thing of all time.  I love it when James and Matt get together because they agree on NOTHING!  And now they’ve a podcast together where they can extol the beauty of that nothing together.  It’s huge fun for me, and it ends with a little feature where they mention a story idea they had that they decided wouldn’t work and give it away (as it were) to the masses for use.  So if you like the process of writing or you just like banter, I’ve your new favorite podcast.  The Secrets of Storytelling podcast is available through iTunes.  Subscribe today!

Display Comments Add a Comment

Today we posted the final entry (*sniff!*) in Charise Harper Mericle’s original comics “Book & Me.” We’re sad to bid farewell to irrepressible Book and his erstwhile creator, but I imagine them walking hand-in-hand into the sunset, ready for their next bookish adventure.

If you’re not ready to say goodbye, why not start over from comic #1? I bet Book is a big believer in rereading.

The post Book & Me, Week 5 appeared first on The Horn Book.

Add a Comment

Previous

The post Book & Me | Comic #20 appeared first on The Horn Book.

Add a Comment

Previous | Next (June 2)

The post Book & Me | Comic #19 appeared first on The Horn Book.

Add a Comment

Previous | Next (May 14)

The post Book & Me | Comic #7 appeared first on The Horn Book.

Add a Comment

Previous | Next (May 11)

The post Book & Me | Comic #4 appeared first on The Horn Book.

Add a Comment

Previous | Next (May 7)

The post Book & Me | Comic #3 appeared first on The Horn Book.

Add a Comment

Previous | Next (May 6)

The post Book & Me | Comic #2 appeared first on The Horn Book.

Add a Comment

Cassie is a Youth Services librarian at a public library in southern New Jersey. She adores her home state and is thrilled to serve its residents through both traditional and innovative programming and collections. Her favorite dewey range is 500-699.999 and you can find her tweeting occasionally at @CassieLovesNJ.

Add a Comment

by Charise Mericle Harper

The other day I was at my son’s book fair, talking with his teacher. A few of my books were included in the event, and she picked one up and flipped through it. All of a sudden she asked, “Where do you get your ideas?” I’m pretty good at answering this question at school talks, but on the spot, I was speechless. I ended up smiling uncomfortably, shrugging my shoulders and saying, “I don’t know,” and then I quickly changed the subject.

On stage and in front of a group, I’m fine with the spotlight, but in a social situation, the last thing I’m comfortable talking about is me. Later that day, I started feeling guilty about how I’d responded. I should have made more of an effort to answer her, because her question was a good one. In fact, it was the exact same question I always want to ask other authors and illustrators. It’s why I’m always excited to meet them. I want to know: How do you do that thing that you do? Where do you get your ideas? And how do you get those ideas to swirl together perfectly so you can use them?

Usually I can’t trace a book all the way back to that first glimmer of an idea. It’s too complicated and messy—like trying to unravel wool that you’ve given to a kitten.

But with Bean Dog and Nugget, things are different. I know exactly how, where, and why I got the idea, and it all started five years ago.

My children used to be picky eaters. One of them still is, but I won’t embarrass him by saying his name. When she was six, my daughter Ivy loved chicken nuggets, and my son Luther (three) lived for hot dogs. So that year, as a Christmas present, I made them each a stuffed friend. And so Hot Dog and Chicken Nugget were born. The kids liked them, but not as much as me. I loved these little characters and promptly displayed them in my dining room. The kids didn’t seem to mind them sitting on a shelf out of reach, their other toys were more fun to play with anyway.

So Hot Dog and Chicken Nugget sat there for years, watching our little family, until one day I was inspired. At the time I was new to blogging and filled with blogging energy. It’s a great stage for creativity, and I wanted to try something different, so I started a Hot Dog and Chicken Nugget blog. It was a chronicle of unrequited love—a chicken nugget in love with a hot dog.

Working on the blog was fun, rewarding and stimulating, but it was also time consuming! All the drawing, and photographing, and setting up of the characters took forever. If it had been my only job I would’ve been fine, but I had books to write, deadlines to meet, and lunches to make—it was too much. In the end, I couldn’t keep up, and so I stopped—mid-romance. Chicken Nugget and Bean Dog retired from fame, and went back into their old spots on the shelf.

Over the next few years, I tried to fit them into a story, but I could never make it work. I’ve come to realize, that if a book is a struggle from page one, it’s probably wise to give it up. Wanting an idea to be good, and having it be good are two very different things.

But they were there in my head, waiting, and then one day I found my story. I was outside working in my backyard yard, trying to keep my plants alive when I got the glimmer.

Can I do an aside here, just a quick tangent? It’s for the story, to give you perspective on my gardening skills. I’ll be fast, I promise.

This is what my daughter said last week, when I brought home spring plants for my garden.

Now, back to the story. So I’m in the yard coaxing and begging things not to die, when I hear my son and his friend engaged in a not-so-friendly exchange. It seems there was a ball, and now the ball is in the bushes, and neither of them wants to retrieve it. The “You get it!” “No, you get it!” makes me smile. It’s one of those I-hope-I-remember-the-kids-like-this moments.

A few days later I was at my son’s school, in the library, looking for an easy comic book for him to read. At the time he was a very reluctant reader, and not at all interested in books. Isn’t that always the way? Author and lover of books has child who hates reading.

This was all happening two years ago, and in the easy comic book genre there weren’t many choices, certainly not like today. The school librarian and I talked about it, and I left with a purpose. I was going to make a comic book for my son to read! I was a mom with a mission. The next day as I was getting ready to start, everything suddenly came together—my tornado of creativity, the right pen, and my favorite paper—it was perfect. I love when that happens. And so BEAN DOG AND NUGGET was born.

Once I got started, it was an easy book to write, but I don’t feel guilty about saying that, because in truth I’d been working on it for over five years.

EPILOGUE

I like epilogues, because it’s always nice to know what happens in the end. I dedicated BEAN DOG AND NUGGET to my son and his friend, and when the first book arrived I made a big deal of it and showed them the dedication. Do you know what happened? I was imagining some kind of payback, perhaps something like, “Oh thank you for putting my name in the book,” but I was wrong. They ignored me completely, and instantly started arguing and pointing to the Nugget character on the cover. “You’re the girl! “No, you’re the girl!” “No, you’re the girl!” “No, you’re the girl!” It wasn’t the response I was expecting, but it was perfect. It was full circle, and the exact kind of scenario that had inspired me in the first place. I listened to them and smiled. Silly boys, I knew something they didn’t. Nugget is the smart one.

Thanks to Charise for sharing Bean Dog and Nugget’s journey from shelf to bookshelf!

Both books release today, and as a special treat, Charise is giving away THREE prize packs which include both signed books and supplies to make your own Bean Dog and Nugget paper puppets.

Just leave a comment about your favorite part of her making-of-the-story story!

Winners will be randomly selected in about a week. Good luck!

In  the meantime, learn about all of Charise’s books at ChariseHarper.com.

Display Comments Add a Comment

Fashion Kitty and the B.O.Y.S.: (Ball of Yellow String) Charise Mericle Harper

Leon hates Fashion Kitty. Leon hates most things. Leon wants to catch Fashion Kitty!

Meanwhile, Kiki (aka, Fashion Kitty) is trying to help her friend Lester, who keeps having things ruined by his twin brother (you guessed it) Leon!

And it all comes to a big showdown on the day of the school fashion show!

Fashion Kitty remains a funny and fun read. This one was a bit different because a lot of it focused on Leon. Also, it was always a bit of a hybrid between comic book and novel, but was mostly comic book. This volume is much more evenly split between comic and text.

I most liked the changing relationship between Kiki and her little sister. Fans of Fashion Kitty will enjoy it.

Book Provided by... my local library

Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.

Add a Comment

By Nicki Richesin, The Children’s Book Review
Published: February 6, 2012

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and you know what that means: time to read some love stories! Below are just a few selections with which you’re sure to fall in love. So snuggle up with your favorite little reader and share a good laugh, a cuddle, and a whole lotta love.

Mr. Prickles

By Kara LaReau; illustrated by Scott Magoon

Even though Mr. Prickles may be prickly on the outside, he’s warm and fuzzy on the inside and looking for someone to see past his rough exterior. Thank goodness for Miss Pointypants who knows a thing or two about being judged on her sharp appearance. The deeper message LaReau humorously imparts is how to control one’s anger when ostracized by friends. Little kids who have been banished from the sandbox will love Mr. Prickles. (Ages 2-6. Publisher: Roaring Brook Press)

A Giant Crush

By Gennifer Choldenko; illustrated by Melissa Sweet

Ah, young love. This book is absolutely perfect for second and third graders confused by their beloved’s sudden mood swings. When a little bunny falls in love with another funny bunny, what’s a bunny to do? Leave it to a good friend to help him unravel the mysteries and agonies of a first crush. First rule of thumb: you have to speak to the one you love. (Ages 5-8. Publisher: Penguin Group (USA))

Love, Splat

By Rob Scotton

This tale about two star-crossed cats is seriously funny. Scotton’s silly illustrations of Splat the Cat reminded me just a bit of Garfield, but his story is pure fun. Splat goes to great lengths to impress his lady love, Kitten, but when Spike intervenes, it seems all is lost. Leave it to Kitten, with her feline prowess, to choose the best suitor to win her affections. (Ages 4-7. Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers)

Hedgehug

By Benn Sutton; illustrated by Dan Pinto

Two books about pointy critters in one review? Yes, indeed. In this “sharp lesson in love,” Hedgehug discovers love hurts after his many failed attempts to share a hug. In Sutton’s playf

Add a Comment

Just stay home. Please.

Find something else to do.

Each year I do this event, which features more than 60 amazing children’s book authors and illustrators, and it’s always such a disappointment. For starters, check out some of the people who’ll be there, and you’ll understand why I’m so bummed:

Tony Abbott, Nora Raleigh Baskin, Nick Bruel, Bryan Collier, Katie Davis, Bruce Degen, Jean Craighead George, Charise Mericle Harper, Susan Jeffers, Peter Lerangis, Gail Carson Levine, Carolyn MacCullough, Rafe Martin, Wendy Mass, Matthew McElligott, Helen Perelman, Wendell Minor, Gloria Pinkney, Lizzy Rockwell, Todd Strasser, Mark Teague, Jean Van Leeuwen, Eric Velasquez, Sarah Weeks, Ed Young, and more.

Why so down-in-the-dumps you ask? Because I never get to talk to any of them. I never get a chance to meet the new (to me!) people, like Will Moses (Mary and Her Little Lamb), Lena Roy (Edges), Daniel Kirk (Library Mouse), Peter Brown (You Will Be My Friend!) . . .

. . . and Jerry Davis (Little Chicken’s Big Day). Who are these people? Might they become my new best pals? Um, not likely! Because they are sitting at tables forty feet away, surrounded by happy children, shopping grandparents, and strong-armed educators, hauling bags of books like Sherpa guides.

Best I can do is throw rocks at ‘em.

And, oh, hey, look over there, it’s Jean Craighead George. She’s only a freakin’ legend. I can’t throw rocks at Jean Craighead George. She’ll throw them back — and her arm is a bazooka.

Oh,  wait.  Here’s old friends like Mark Teague and Helen Perelman and Peter Lerangis. Can I talk to any of them? Can we hang out? Maybe shoot the breeze? Commiserate?

Nooooooo. I’m too busy signing books, meeting young readers, gabbing with families, prostrating myself before the cheerful & smiling hordes.

Writing is a solitary business, folks. And it’s frustrating for me to sit there at gorgeous Sunnyside . . .

. . . just feet away from my peerless peers, and never have a free minute to chat with them.

So my dream is for just one year, nobody comes. No book sales, no signings, no musicians, no storytellers, no-bah-dee. Just us authors, finally (finally!) enjoying a few moments when we can hang out and complain about the crappy jobs our publishers do with publicity and marketing. It’s how we bond. We bitch and moan about Kindles.

So this coming Sunday, clean the garage, watch football, wax the car. But if you insist on coming . . . click

Add a Comment

It's the day of the Pink Girls Pink-nic and Mama has come down with the chickenpox (or something of the likes). Daddy steps in to save the day, but how can a dad go to a "Pink-nic?" Boys do not wear pink—right?

Add a Comment

     

Are you in the mood for a deliciously plain vanilla cupcake with buttercream frosting right about now?

Certainly hope so, because Charise Mericle Harper has stopped by to chat about Cupcake: A Journey to Special (Disney-Hyperion, 2010)! Seems everyone is crazy about this scrumptious, sparkly story that attempts to answer the question: Can a plain vanilla cupcake find happiness in a razzle dazzle world?

When Cupcake was born, he "felt special to be part of such a large and colorful family," which included the likes of Stripy Cupcake, Fancy Flower-Top Cupcake, and Polka-Dot Cupcake. But after all his brothers and sisters get picked, leaving him alone on the plate, Cupcake doesn't feel special any more; he's simply "too creamy white and plain." Luckily, he's befriended by a plain green candle who has a bright idea: all Cupcake needs is a special topping! Will it be pickles, pancakes, spaghetti, an egg, smelly cheese or peas? It's definitely not what you might think!


(click to enlarge.)

I was curious to find out more about how Charise cooked up this fun, quirky story, because even though not all cupcakes are created equal, the "journey to special" can be very sweet for some. 

Jama: Why a cupcake book?

Charise: Well, the credit for the inspiration of this book definitely has to go to my kids. They love cupcakes! My daughter especially loves plain vanilla cupcakes. It’s a good thing I didn’t put her in the story or she would have eaten the main character. Before I had kids I had only a passing interest in cupcakes; now, I own a cupcake carrier. Need twenty-four cupcakes safely delivered to a party? I’m your gal! 

    
      One of Charise's "cupcake topping experiments."

Jama: I love the surprise ending. Did it come easily to you? 

Charise: I usually struggle with the ending of books, but this time I had the joke ending figured out before I had written the body of the story. I did make one small change to the ending though, just before the book went to print. In my original version, on the very last page, the candle used to say, “Tomorrow let’s try celery.” I had my daughter, who is eight, read an advance proof of the book. She suggested that kids might be confused because the candle is green and he looks a little like a stalk of celery. This seemed like a good editorial suggestion, so at the last minute we swapped potato for celery. I’m glad we did because potato is much funnier. 


I think I'll stick to cream cheese.

Jama: Was eating a fair number of cupcakes and/or testing different varieties part of your process? What’s your favorite kind? 

Charise: I have to admit, that while I love the look and totally love the idea of cupcakes, I’m not naturally drawn to them. I didn’t eat very many cupcak

Add a Comment

Happy Saturday everyone! I know I'm glad it's the weekend and I'm sure you all are too. Four fun selections for you this week...well...three fun and one kind of serious, but still worth your time. Enjoy!

Mathilda and the Orange Balloon by Randall de Seve and illustrator Jen Corace

Mathilda is a sheep, surrounded by other sheep. Boring, gray, and dull. Until she spots an orange balloon flying by and she decides that SHE is an orange balloon. Of course, the other sheep just laugh at her, but Mathilda realizes that she can be absolutely anything she wants to be, as long as she can imagine it.

Oh, Mathilda, you're so inspiring! This cute read aloud is definitely a unique spin on the classic "you can do it all" theme. It will be funny for your kids to imagine this small, gray sheep as a big, orange balloon, but then the message kicks in, opening up a nice discussion for your family. Kids can be anything they want to be!

Ooh and Jen Corace, the illustrator, also illustrated all of Amy Krause Rosenthal's "Little" books. How fun is that?!

Overall rating: 4 out of 5

Mathilda and the Orange Balloon
Randall de Seve
32 pages
Picture Book
Balzer + Bray
9780061726859
February 2010
Review copy received from publisher


Captain Small Pig by Martin Waddell and illustrator Susan Varley

The simple yet sweet story of a pig that just wants an adventure. And an adventure he gets when he convinces Turkey and Goat to go out for a row in a boat. That is, until Pig falls asleep. Uh-oh...

A charming little story that is a nice choice for bedtime. The illustrators are adorable and the insistence of this cute little pig is completely inspiring. I really enjoyed this one! Great for a family read aloud before bed.

Overall rating: 4 out of 5


Captain Small Pig
Martin Waddell
32 pages
Picture book
Peachtree Publishers
9781561455195
March 2010
Review copy received from publisher


Cupcake by Charise Mericle Harper

This was my laugh-out-loud pick of the week. And in a time where cupcakes seem to be

Add a Comment

Flashcards of My Life Charise Mericle Harper

Emily is trying to navigate a mother who is always on a diet and fighting with her father, and friends who don't get along. Add in a major crush and... well, it's not easy. She never manages to keep a journal like her Aunt Chester thinks she should, so Aunt Chester (not really her aunt, and not really named Chester, but... it's a long story) sends her "Flashcards of my Life" flashcards with headings like "friends" "kisses" "embarrassments." It's a project Em thinks she can handle.

Harper perfectly captures the awkward horribleness of junior high, and with great humor. Em illustrates her story and the flashcards with drawings about how her friends get along like "tuna fish and ice cream" and charts to map out levels of friendships, "Things Your Friends Might Do to Crush-Test You" and things she wished came in potion form, like not getting a red face or always saying the right thing. It's a funny read, but one that does deal with the real angst-issues of the age range. I really, really enjoyed this one and have been throwing it at tween girls ever since reading it.

A great one for your female fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

Book Provided by... my local library

Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.

Add a Comment

Alrighty, Graphic Novel Week is not over yet, because I still have some graphic novels to talk about!

Today, it's Graphic Novels for the 12-and-under set.

Anyway, normally I don't review Babymouse books, because they fall under my 100 page rule and don't really meet any of the exceptions to that rule (books that pack a huge literary wallop so I feel like the 100 page rule doesn't matter, books that I have to review or discuss critically for something else, books I have something interesting to say about and that I feel compelled to talk about.)

Anyway, BUT! It's Graphic Novels week! And the new Babymouse is about musicals, so it totally fits under the parameters of Becky's Do Re Mi challenge.

Babymouse: The Musical Jennifer and Matthew Holm

It's the musical and Babymouse and Felcia are going head-to-head for the lead. Plus! New British boy!

There's not much story to this one, but lots of references to other musicals-- Chorus Line, High School Musical, Lion King, My Fair Lady, Pirates of Penzance, American Idol, Grease, Annie, West Side Story, Cats, Fiddler on the Roof, Chicago, Les Miserables, Sound of Music, Evita, and some that I know I'm missing.

Plus, the squid in her locker is totally playing the role of the Phantom of the Opera (or, rather, the Phantom of the Locker).

I don't think kids will get all the references to the different musicals, but it is fun. Fans of Babymouse will like this one (who else literally breaks their leg?)

Fashion Kitty and the Unlikely Hero Charise Mericle Harper

Fashion Kitty is meeting disaster--they need school uniforms! How will Kiki and her friends cope with everyone looking the same?

Plus, no choices in fashion mean that Fashion Kitty is no longer a super-hero in demand! So, when Fashion Kitty does get a call, she's more than a little dejected when her helpful advice is rejected...

Can Fashion Kitty save the day? Or will someone else end up solving this problem?

I really like Fashion Kitty. While the story is light and fun, there is some meat on it. It is mainly a graphic novel, but their usually is a sentence or two on every page offering some narration. The back of this book features a fashion fortune teller, as well as paper dolls of Kiki and June (paper dolls end up being rather important in the story itself.) I also like that the glitter on the cover STAYS on the cover and does not dust off all over the place.

Rapunzel's Revenge Shannon and Dean Hale, Nathan Hale

You know how everyone says this rootin'-tootin' old west take on Rapunzel is awesome? It is. I don't have much more to say than that, it's all been said before. There's a reason this bad girl won the Cybil!

Add a Comment

     I did not get to be the helper to Mister Magic the Magician at my very own (so it should have been me) sixth birthday party because Sammy Stringer spit purple grape juice all over my special white shirt with a big six on it, and I had to change it right when Mister Magic was starting up.     

Add a Comment

How would you like to be known as “Just Susan” or “Just Tom?” Within pages Charise Mericle Harper’s Grace series, her poor main character is christened “Just Grace,” simply because there are already four other Grace’s in her third grade class and her teacher is at a loss as to how to tell the girls apart. The others end up being called Grace W., Grace F., Gracie, leaving Just Grace to tie up things. The name sticks and the poor girl just can’t seem to escape her “just” status.

In the first book, nicely titled, Just Grace, Grace bounces around a lot, involving herself in a myriad of activities, from trying to solve the mystery of her neighbor’s missing cat, Crinkles, drawing comics of super heroes, and dealing with her nemesis, Sammy Stringer. The pages are filled with drawings and Grace’s little anecdotes, as well as the stray photograph or two. She is a busy girl, though always feeling as if she must prove herself or be better than expected, in order to outrank her “Just Grace” name. Grace has more than a few laugh out loud moments and had me chuckling on almost every page.

Boy, can I relate to Grace’s name dilemma! I was lucky enough to have been given the most popular name in the nation for something like 10 years in a row. Amanda. Did my parents even give me a cool middle name? Nope…Lynn. Amanda Lynn. Booorrring…. I definitely sympathize with Grace on that issue, though I guess I didn't realize how popular that name had become! As for the story, I definitely felt some Clementine and Ramona in the pages, which will make a lot of readers very happy. The drawings and photographs help to break up the story and I think young girls, especially those that like Junie B. Jones, Judy Moody, Amber Brown, Ramona, and Clementine will enjoy these books. Just Grace is the first installment, followed by Still Just Grace and finally Just Grace Walks the Dog.

Add a Comment

BOOK BLOGGERS KICK OFF KIDLIT AWARDS’ SECOND YEAR

Display Comments Add a Comment