Hello and welcome to another episode of my hit talk show, MR. PIG LIVE!
We have a very special guest in the Cottage today. He clopped all the way here from town to be with us. Let's give a big round of applause for Crankee Doodle's best friend and ride . . .
PONY!
Welcome, Pony. Thanks for being with us today. May I call you Pony?
Of course. That's my full name.
What is the best thing about being you?
Just the other day, my mother said I was very loyal. Perhaps too loyal.
If you were stranded on a desert island, what would you bring?
Sugar cubes, my favorite blanket, my pillow with the satin pillowcase cover, my plaid flannel pajamas, my giant toothbrush, a salt lick, a map of the state of Utah, my vast collection of motel soaps and shampoos, my shower cap, a tennis racket, and my best friend, Crankee Doodle. He will hopefully remember to bring the one tennis ball we share.
What three words best describe you?
Persistent, positive, practical, and peppy. Is that three? Someone once described me as “manipulative” and “self-serving,” and that just about broke my heart.
When do you feel the happiest?
When I spend time with my best friend, Crankee Doodle.
Would you rather be able to fly or be invisible? (Or can you already fly or be invisible?)
Mr. Pig, I can fly higher than an eagle, 'cause you are the wind beneath my wings. That's from one of my favorite songs. Do you know it?
Oh, yes! That's my favorite karaoke tune to sing at the Annual Enchanted Woods Holiday Party. So, what is your favorite word?
Yes.
What is you least favorite word?
Maybe.
What is your favorite sound?
Steve and Eydie singing “Sleigh Ride.” What a treat!
Indeed! What is your least favorite sound?
When Crankee cracks his knuckles. Oh!
What is your special talent?
Being nice to others.
I agree, Pony. If you could dine with three characters from other books, who would they be?
Misty, who lives in Chincoteague, VA, but my brother Patrick says she's a bit of a recluse and isn't very animated.
Drummer Hoff, another nice man from the Revolutionary War. I think he and Crankee would have a lot to talk about.
Thing Two. He's adorable! That blue hair! Oh!
If a genie gave you one wish, what would you wish for?
A feather. For Crankee's hat. He would look so good with that feather, and I have yet to convince him just how good he would look.
If you have a pocket, what is in it right now?
No pocket. Forgot to put on pants this morning!
Erm, it happens. Do you have any siblings?
Yes! Patricia and Patrick and Prunella. Patricia and Patrick live and work on a horse farm in Kentucky, and Prunella is an advertising copy writer and has an apartment (and a boyfriend!) in the Bronx.
What is your most embarrassing moment?
The time I had collard greens stuck in my teeth when I tried out for the part of Misty in the off off off Broadway musical, “Misty of Chincoteague: the Musical.” I was singing “Tomorrow” from the musical “Annie,” and the casting director was laughing at me and I thought he was laughing because he liked my singing but it turned out he was laughing because of my teeth and I got upset and couldn't remember the words to the song and then the director gave me a giant toothpick and it wasn't until then that I realized what was going on and by then it was too late and I started sobbing, just really sobbing and oh! I've made myself cry, telling you all this! I've gotta go blow my nose. <sob!>
Oh dear. I've never made a guest cry before. There, there. Let's move on. What is your pet peeve?
How did you know about my pet, Peeve? He is a cat, a little gray tabby. Crankee is not so fond of him, as he tends to be allergic. So wonderful. I'll make sure you meet him next time, Mr. Pig.
What was it like working with Cece Bell and Tom Angleberger?
Who?
Well that's all the time we have for today. Thank you, Pony! Please stay for lunch. I believe we're having MACARONI!
Tune in for our next show, when I'll be interviewing another toothsome picture book celebrity!
About the Book
* “Best-seller Angleberger of Origami Yoda fame takes on picture books, treating a younger audience to his dry and zany wit. . . . A historical hoot full of goofy, eye-rolling goodness.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
* “As concepts for picture books go, it’s hard to think of one cleverer than this absurdist deconstruction of the familiar song. . . . Readers will cheerfully hum their way through the giddily imagined argument and resolution.”
—Horn Book, starred review
Clarion Books
Pub date: June 2013
ISBN: 978-05478-1854-2
About the Illustrator
Cece Bell lives in an old church in Virginia and works in a new-ish
barn right next door. She's the author-illustrator of the Rabbit and Robot: The Sleepover, a Thedor Seuss Geisel Honor Book; Itty Bitty; Bee-Wigged; the Sock Monkey series; and more. She
enjoys moments of hilarity with her husband, Tom Angleberger, along with three three lady dogs
and two youngsters.To see more of Cece's books (and her cool house and studio!), visit www.cecebell.com.
To learn more about Tom, visit his website.
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