THE LOVE LETTER sneak peek!!!

ICYMI, librarian extraordinaire Margie Myers-Culver recently revealed the cover of THE LOVE LETTER (HarperCollins, October 2019) by our very own Anika Aldamuy Denise and illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins!

Check out the full interview on Margie's booktastic blog Librarian's Quest!

WE'RE BACK! How we've missed you!

Happy Valentine's Day! We're celebrating by re-opening our doors to share our LOVE of books! 

But first, Anika, Jamie, and Mr. Pig are thrilled to introduce our new roomie at the Cottage, elementary school librarian rock star . . . Melanie Roy! Get to know her and the rest of us, and stay tuned for a brand-new year of book picks, interviews, studio tours, giveaways, and more!

Melanie Roy

Library Teacher of Fourth and Fifth Graders

Favorite Valentine’s Day book: Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch

5 Things I Love That Aren’t Books or People: planning fun surprises, baking, flavored lip gloss, trying new restaurants, traveling

Books I Loved as a Kid (and Still Do!): Caps for Sale, Ramona, Mrs. Piggle Wiggle, Bunnicula, Nancy Drew

Some of My Past Jobs: swim instructor, penny candy seller, ice cream scooper, florist delivery girl, H & R Block receptionist, waitress, tutor, grocery store clerk

Anika Aldamuy Denise

Author of Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré, Starring Carmen, and a few more!

Favorite Valentine’s Day book: Never Too Little To Love

5 Things I Love That Aren’t Books Or People: The Moth Radio Hour, the Adirondack Mountains, wandering in a city with no schedule, coffee, writing with my cat curled up next to me

Books I Loved as a Kid (and Still Do!): From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, Time At The Top, The Snowy Day 

Past jobs: associate film producer, newspaper columnist, chamber maid, breakfast waitress, storyhour lady

my little sister and me

Jamie Michalak

Author of Frank and Bean (coming this September!), the Joe and Sparky early reader series, So You Want to Catch Bigfoot?, and more!

Favorite Valentine's Day Book: Groundhug Day

5 Things I Love That Aren't Books or People: food trucks, coffee, karaoke, tiny things, and my dog, Lucy Caboose
Books I Loved as a Kid (and Still Do!): Harriet the Spy, The Monster At the End of This Book, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Past jobs: children's book editor, giant mouse impersonator, waterpark lifeguard, waitress, toy namer, paper girl

Mr. Pig
Talk Show Host and Famous Children's Book Star

Favorite Valentine's Day Book: Mr. Prickles: A Quill-Fated Love Story

5 Things I Love That Aren't Books or People: ascots, brick houses, tea, travel, and interviewing other children's book characters
Books I Loved as a Piglet (and Still Do!): The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, Charlotte's Web, and Miss Piggy's Guide to Life

Past jobs: Writer, lyricist, actor, and dean emeritus of the Children's Book Character School in New York City

The Little Crooked Bookshelf on ReviewsDay!

Dear oh-so-patient readers,

We apologize for our absence this September. We cottagers (Anika Denise, Kara LaReau, Jamie Michalak and Mr. Pig) have been up to our ears in bookish things, and haven't been able to visit as much as we'd like.

The good news? WE'RE BACK! And we've been doing some redecorating.

In order to accommodate our writing deadlines, appearances, school visits, etc., AND keep hosting kidlit faves in the Cottage—we're changing things up a bit.

With a big nod of thanks to author Jess Keating, we're pleased to join the #ReviewsDay movement, by posting reviews of our favorite picture books, early chapter books, and middle grade novels, every Tuesday. We'll simultaneously post to the Cottage's GOODREADS account, and on AMAZON. This helps readers, by spreading the word about books we think are truly FANTÁSTICO! And helps authors, who rely on reviews to help boost sales and visibility of their titles.

Voila! A win-win.

And guess what? YOU can help, too—by commenting, sharing our reviews on social media, and by  posting Tuesday #ReviewsDay of your own, for books you love.

So... without further ado, our first #ReviewsDay selection is...

HELLO GOODBYE DOG

by Maria Gianferrari

pictures by Patrice Barton

(This week's #ReviewsDay pick is from cottager Anika Denise.)

What it's all about...
Zara, a little girl in a wheelchair, has a special bond with her lovable dog Moose. Moose loves saying hello to Zara, but isn't so fond of goodbye. So when it's time for Zara to go off to school, Moose figures out a way to pay her a visit.

Why I love it...
Even if I didn't know Maria Gianferrari is a passionate dog-lover (I do), it's abundantly clear from the warmth and humor of her story. As I was reading, I found myself thinking: Yup, that's exactly what a dog would say if he could talk. Patrice Barton's equally expressive illustrations provide a perfect complement to the charming text.

My favorite line(s)...
"Goodbye was a tag without an 'It.'
Goodbye was a tug and no war.
Goodbye was a hide without seek.
Goodbye was being alone.
AAAA-WOOO, yowled Moose."

What's the kid-appeal?
Kids with dogs (or those who desperately want one, like mine) are sure to love this story of a devoted furry friend.

What's the grownup appeal?
Parents and educators will no doubt welcome the addition of this heartwarming story, featuring a diverse main character and a lovable (yet imperfect) pet, to their libraries. An author's note at the end includes information on therapy dogs and their uses in classrooms and libraries—providing a wonderful discussion prompt for ability differences, and how dogs (to quote the author) can have "pawsitive" effects in a variety of environments.

Where to find/buy Hello Goodbye Dog
Indie Booksellers
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Or at a school or library near you!

Maria Gianferrari is the author of several picture books, including Coyote Moon, published by Roaring Brook Press. For Maria, hello is sunshine after a snowstorm, the scent of cinnamon, and happy greetings from her beloved mutt, Becca. Maria lives in northern Virginia with Becca, her scientist husband and her artist daughter. To learn more about Maria, visit her at mariagianferrari.com.

Patrice Barton is the illustrator of over twenty picture and chapter books, including the award-winning MINE! by Shutta Crum and The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig. Her chapter books include Junior Library Guild selections The Year of Three Sisters (An Anna Wang Noel) by Andrea Cheng and The Naming of Tishkin Silk by Glenda Millard. Patrice lives with her husband and her sweet dog, Archer. You can learn more about her at partricebarton.com.

Mr. Pig LIVE… with LITTLE BLUE BUS!

Greetings, race fans! Today on MR. PIG LIVE! we have a very special guest. Put your giant foam hands together for...

LITTE BLUE BUS!

<<Whistles>> <<Applause>>

She's the star of the all-new high octane Halloween picture book, MONSTER TRUCKS, from Anika Denise and Nate Wragg!


Before we begin, let's play the trailer. . .


-
MP: Wow! I'm on the edge of my seat!  
LBB: Yup. That's how I roll.

MP: Let's get right to it. What is your full name? 
LBB: Little. Blue. Bus.

MP: What one word best describes you?
LBB: I've been told I'm quite perky.

MP: Do you have a belly button?
LBB: No, but I have a round hood ornament, does that count? It's an audi. *snort*

MP: What is the best thing about being you?
LBB: 0 to 60 in 7.1 seconds

MP: What is the worst thing about being you?
LBB: My turning radius leaves a little to be desired.

MP: If you were stranded on a desert island, what would you bring?
LBB: Four spare tires and a trunk full of gas cans.

MP: What is your idea of the perfect day?
LBB: Can I say my perfect night? (I'm a bit of a night-bus.) Alone… on the speedway… with the wind at my taillights.

MP: If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
LBB: Hmm, I was going to pick invisibility, but then no one would see me cross the finish line. So I'll go with flying. I'd be unstoppable with some wings and a jet engine!

MP: What are you reading right now?
LBB: Winning by Jack Welch.

MP: What's your favorite sound?
LBB: Crowds cheering!

MP: What's your least favorite sound?
LBB: Werewolf Truck's howl. *shiver*

MP: Share one thing that most of our readers don’t know about you.
LBB: Well, I do have this one big secret… but if I told you, it would be a spoiler.

MP: Fair enough. If you could dine with three characters from other books, who would they be?
LBB: That Little Blue Truck seems nice. I've heard the garbage truck from I Stink is a barrel of laughs. And I bet I'd have loads in common with the race car in Race Car Dreams.

MP: If you have a pocket, what's in it right now? 
LBB: No pockets, but there are some mints in my glovebox. Help yourself.

MP: Don't mind if I do. What is your most embarrassing moment?
LBB: The time I tooted in line for gasoline.

MP: Do you have a pet peeve?
LBB: Peeve? Is he here? That's Ghost Truck's third cousin. He's always hanging around.

MP: What was it like working with Anika Denise?
LBB: She's a little like a mad scientist. But I mean that in the best possible way.

MP: Well, that's a wrap, as they say. Read more about MONSTER TRUCKS and its mad scientist creators below. Then join us for a scrumptious MONSTER TRUCKS Literary Lunch, made by Nina from Mamabelly! 

****************************

MONSTER TRUCKS
by Anika Denise
illustrated by Nate Wragg
(Harper, 2016) 

★ “Full-throttle Halloween fun.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“In the energetic rhyming text…the action never stops." —The Horn Book

“Sure to get cheering children on the edges of their seats...monster-truck fans won’t want to miss this Halloween showdown.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Bright, bold illustrations bring characters like Zombie Truck, Frankentruck, and Werewolf Truck to life....with lots of movement in the text and on the pages, this is a quick seasonal storytime selection that is sure to be popular around Halloween. Monstrous fun!” —School Library Journal

Anika Denise is the author of several critically acclaimed books for young readers including her latest, MONSTER TRUCKS, which Publisher’s Weekly pronounced, “a mash up made in heaven (or maybe hell)” in a recent starred review. When not writing tales of vroom and doom, Anika can be found zipping around her hometown of Barrington, Rhode Island in her monster minivan, or reading not-so-scary stories with her husband and three kids. Visit her online at www.anikadenise.com or on Twitter @AnikaDenise.

Nate Wragg is the illustrator of TOO MANY COOKS by Margaret McNamara, GOLDI ROCKS AND THE THREE BEARS by Corey Rosen Schwartz and Beth Coulton, and AT THE OLD HAUNTED HOUSE by Helen Ketteman, among other titles. He’s an art director, an illustrator, and now a monster truck expert. Nate lives in Southern California with his beautiful wife and their wonderful daughter. To learn more about Nate's work visit http://n8wragg.blogspot.com.

****************************

A MONSTER TRUCKS LITERARY LUNCH

prepared by Mamabelly Lunches with Love!

Meet Little Blue Bus from MONSTER TRUCKS, written by Anika Denise and illustrated by Nate Wragg. Little Blue Bus is "perky and cute" so what is she doing in the Monster Truck Race? Find out in this delightful kids' book with a surprising twist!

Nina from Mamabelly made a frightful lunch to match:

• MONSTER TRUCKS vanilla yogurt with chocolate decoration
• frightful mac'n'cheese puff creatures of the night
• a Little Blue Bus sandwich with jelly, (s)cream cheese and chocolate

-
Want more fun literary lunch ideas? Follow Mamabelly here:

* web: www.mamabelly.com

* facebook: www.facebook.com/MamabellysLunchesWithLove

* twitter: @LunchesWithLove

Our Summer Plans, and a THANK YOU!

The Cottagers have left the building—but don't worry, it's just for the summer. We'll be back in September with a full schedule of all your favorite features: Mr. Pig Live, Literary Lunch, Behind-the-Book, Little Crooked Bookshelf, Quote of the Week, Studio Visits and more.

Head on over to our pal Dylan Teut's blog to see previews of new releases coming in fall/winter 2016 and 2017. We hope to feature a whole bunch of them in the Cottage next season.

And speaking of new releases, Kara, Anika and Jamie all have new books out this summer! So in addition to lounging on the beach, reading in hammocks and roasting marshmallows under the stars, we'll be on the road meeting readers! We hope you'll come out and celebrate with us at one of our upcoming events.

Here's what we've got cooking:

Kara's LaReau

"Hi, friends! My summer's looking busy, busy, busy, as I have three projects in the works — a revision for the second book in the Unintentional Bland Sisters trilogy, a new chapter book I'm preparing for submission, and a contemporary middle grade novel I'm drafting. When (and if!) I have any downtime this summer, I'm hoping to enjoy some fun in the sun with my family, including some quality time with my toes in the sand, both here and in our favorite vacation spot, Camden, Maine.

Last but not least, my new chapter book series, The Infamous Ratsos, launches on August 2nd! Check out my calendar of appearances on my website — hope I'll be seeing you!"

-
Anika Denise

Happy Denises in Oxford, MD!

On sale 7/12/16 HarperCollins

"Fresh off attending the amazing ALAAC16 in Orlando, I'm rolling into a vacation with my family on the eastern shore of Maryland—one of our favorite spots to kick back, swim, kayak, grab a bushel of crabs and a bucket of beer (root beer for the kids) and RELAX. Which is great, because after the week off, I'll be gearing up for the launch of a new picture book, MONSTER TRUCKS, and the release of BAKING DAY AT GRANDMA'S in a new, super-sweet board book edition.

I'm really looking forward to attending the CHILDREN'S BOOK CELEBRATION at the QUEENS MUSEUM on July 10th, as well as celebrating the launch of MONSTER TRUCKS at two great events: THE HARVARD COOP on July 13th  and  BARRINGTON BOOKS on July 16th.

If you're in the neighborhood, please swing by and say hi. I'd love to meet you! You can visit my author site for details on these and other upcoming events.

Vroom, vroom! Hope to see you soon!"

Jamie Michalak

Taming the Beast

Frolicking

"When not working my day job at Hasbro, I'll be frolicking in the sun, reading a stack of creepy mysteries, and binge-watching "The Good Wife." I'll also attempt to tame my unwieldy WIP, a 97,000-word-and-counting novel I started too long ago to admit without weeping. Will this be the summer I finally whip it into shape?! Yes. Yes, I say!

Soon I'll be gearing up for the publication of four NEW books, including Joe and Sparky, Party Animals! But more on that later. . . . Happy lazy summer to you!"

Mr. Pig

Piggy Bahama

"It's a summer of travel for me! First stop is NYC, to see Hamilton! (If you're wondering how I got tickets, let's just say, it helps to be a world renowned pig.)

Cowtown Rodeo Giant Cowboy

Next, I plan to visit the Brandywine River Museum's exhibition: GET THE PICTURE! CONTEMPORARY CHILDREN’S BOOK ILLUSTRATION. I'll drop in on some relatives who live on a farm down there, then head to New Jersey to see my friend Midge, who's performing a limited engagement at the Cowtown Rodeo, 'the oldest weekly running rodeo in the USA.'

I'll spend the remaining weeks on the road, reading, making notes in my travel journal, and doing research for a new cookbook I'm writing, titled Chicken, the Only White Meat. (Porcine Chef Press 2017). See you in September!"

We want to thank everyone who visited the Cottage this year and took the time to read and comment. An extra special thanks goes out to our guest contributors who shared their time and talents with us.

Josh Funk
Brendan Kearney
Audrey Vernick
Maria Gianferrari
Thyra Heder
Ellen Potter
Kelly DiPucchio
Eric Wight
Samantha Berger
Mitali Rose Perkins
Deb Pilutti
Tara Lazar
Troy Cummings
Laurel Snyder
Linda Ashman
Nancy Tupper Ling
Stephanie Ruble
Jessica Haight
Stephanie Robinson
Megan Maynor
Rosalinde Bonnet
Tim Miller
Julie Falatko
Joyce Wan
Trisha Speed Shaskan
Stephen Shaskan
Rebecca Kai Dotlich
Wendy BooydeGraff
Bryan Langdo
Lindsay M. Ward
Elizabeth Rose Stanton
Megan E. Bryant

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Save the Dates! . . . Fun Events for Kids (and one for Grown-ups!)

The Cottagers will be out and about during the next coming months, and YOU are invited to join them! Check out these FREE fun events for all ages -- and a night out for grown-ups, too!

JUNE 4: HUBBUB FEST! 
Boston, Copley Plaza / FREE for all ages

Wowza! Don't miss this year's HUBBUB fest, celebrating creativity for kids. Presenters include Jeff Kinney, Kevin Hawkes, Peter H. Reynolds, Ame Dyckman, Zachariah Ohora & many more! Swing by the Candlewick Press booth at 1:30 & say hi to Cottager Jamie Michalak, who will be signing her books!  

Special appearances from Maisy and Guess How Much I Love You's Nutbrown Hare. Visit hubbubfest.org or Hubbub for more details.

Giant puppets at Hubbub!

Creating characters at Hubbub!

Kara LaReau's Storytime at Henry Bear's Park

JUNE 4: STORYTIME WITH KARA LaREAU 
Providence / FREE for all ages
Henry Bear’s Park at 11 AM

Get lost in a good book with Cottager Kara LaReau! Based out of Providence, Kara's stories will delight young audiences with imaginative stories and a creative cast of characters!




-

JULY 12: MONSTER TRUCKS releases!
Vroom, vroom! Look for Cottager Anika Denise's irresistible new picture book anywhere books are sold!

JULY 13: MULTI-AUTHOR LAUNCH EVENT
Harvard Square Coop at 7:30 PM
Cambridge, MA / FREE for all ages
Join authors Anika Denise, Jennifer Goldfinger and Ammi-Joan Paquette for a reading and signing of their new books!

JULY 16: MONSTER BASH - MONSTER TRUCKS LAUNCH PARTY! 
Barrington Books from 6 - 8:30 PM
Barrington, RI / FREE for all ages
Start your engines for an after-hours MONSTER BASH, featuring a reading and book signing, refreshments for kids (and grown-ups), contests, giveaways and more!

More Monster Trucks events coming soon!

JUNE 17: KIDLIT DRINK NIGHT
Pawtucket, RI / Children's' Book Peeps

BreakTime Bowl and Bar  from 7 - 10 PM

A night out for children's book authors, illustrators, editors, designers, teachers, & librarians! 

Do you like children's books . . . and boozin' and schmoozin'? Do you also like (or at least tolerate being in the presence of) bowling? Join us at this kitschy-cool, old-school bowling alley/bar in Pawtucket's Hope Artiste Village.

JULY 28: PROVIDENCE KIDLIT STORYTIME
Greater Kennedy Plaza - 11 AM
Providence, RI/ FREE for all ages

Join Cottagers Kara LaReau and Anika Denise, along with authors Gaia Cornwell and Christina Rodriguez for stories and art in the park!


Hope to see you around town! 

The Little Crooked Bookshelf

THE NIGHT GARDENER
by The Fan Brothers

This week's pick is from cottager Anika Denise.


What it's all about
One day, William discovers that the tree outside his window has been sculpted into a wise owl. In the following days, more topiaries appear, and each one is more beautiful than the last. Soon, William’s gray little town is full of color and life. And though the mysterious night gardener disappears as suddenly as he appeared, William—and his town—are changed forever.

Why it's on The Little Crooked Bookshelf…
It's a quietly magical story with spare text and stunning illustrations. Brothers Terry and Eric Fan demonstrate the art of the page turn beautifully.


My favorite lines…
Something was happening on Grimloch Lane.
Something good.


My favorite illustration…

Why kids will love it…
There's a deep a sense of mystery and hope that will pull children through the story. The finely detailed illustrations, reminiscent of Gorey and Sendak, invite long looks and repeat reading.

Why grown-ups will love it…
Its sense of magic and whimsy will no doubt captivate adults as well as kids, but the book is also an entry point to a conversation about loneliness, kindness and community that I think older readers will find interesting.

For any age, The Night Gardener is a stunning read.

A Day at ALA

Hello, friends. Kara here. I'm a little bit tired this morning, and my throat's a bit sore (not sure if I'm getting sick, or just recovering from all of yesterday's schmoozing), but I'm going to do my best to tell you all about our day at the American Library Association Midwinter Convention in Boston yesterday!

It was raining yesterday, yet unseasonably warm. Somehow, my intrepid traveling partner and fellow Cottager Anika Denise and I managed to dress ourselves in appropriate-yet-relatiely-attractive layers. Our train to Boston was fifty minutes late, and our cab driver dropped us off at the wrong place (where we happened upon a biker convention AND a bridal convention), but eventually, we made it to the ALA exhibit hall. I always feel a rush when I first see all the booths — it's kind of like Christmas morning, but for book nerds.

Anika and I split up for a little while — she went off to connect with the editors of her upcoming books, Monster Trucks and Starring Carmen. And she managed to run into none other than Mr Schu!

While Anika rubbed elbows with kidlit luminaries, I made my way to the Candlewick Press booth, where I caught up with some former publishing friends, and rendezvoused with my editor, Sarah Ketchersid, who took me out for a lovely lunch. We talked about all sorts of things, including my new chapter-book series, The Infamous Ratsos, due to launch this August. Apparently the jacket art for the first book just came in from genius illustrator Matt Myers — I can't wait to see it!

After lunch, I went to the Abrams booth and met more than a few amazing peeps, including Tamar Brazis, who is editing my upcoming middle-grade series, The Unintentional Adventures of the Bland Sisters. Before I knew it, I was having my picture taken and was making a promotional video right there in the booth!

Then I met up with my agent, Barry Goldblatt; even though we email and talk on the phone all the time, we realized we hadn't seen each other in person in almost TWO YEARS. It was great to catch up, and to walk the floor with him a little. We stopped by the Macmillan booth where I enjoyed a little reunion with my editor, Neal Porter. He showed me several upcoming titles from his imprint — they were all amazing, of course, but this one in particular really knocked me out:

Amazing art and super-funny text from renowned author-illustrator Antoinette Portis. Can't wait to get my hands on this one, so I can share it with my little one!

After all that, I hit a bit of a wall, so I retired to a cozy chair in a remote corner of the convention hall; Anika soon joined me and we regrouped for a while. Then, it was time to check out some books. As we walked the aisles together, we browsed the latest and greatest from all of our favorite publishers. Here are just a few we loved (there were many, many more, but as I mentioned, we were very, very tired!)

Have I mentioned I am a HUGE fan of Steve Light's work? Add that to the fact that my son (like his father) loves cars, and you'll see why this board book caught my eye. Love the fun trim size!

Sorry about the slight blurriness here, which may have been due to my enthusiasm for this upcoming title by Lucy Ruth Cummins. No spoilers — let me just say that this story features a ravenous lion, several adorable (and unsuspecting) friends, and more than one unexpected turn of events. If you know me (and my book, UGLY FISH), you know how much I love surprises, not to mention dark humor. This book has both, and then some!

Anika checked out this title earlier in the day. Super-sweet, and illustrated by fellow Rhode Islander Jen Corace!

We both loved this one — gorgeous art, and a nice new twist on the are-you-my-mother theme. 

By this point, the exhibit hall was shutting down, which meant only one thing — it was time to PARTY! We hopped in a cab with some friends and made our way over to a swanky little restaurant called Pastoral, for a Kidlit Drinks Night event. So nice to reconnect with old friends, make new friends, and enjoy a glass (or two) of bubbly!

Here we are with Josh Funk, Emilie Boon, and Jennifer Pulver Goldfinger (please note that all the empty glasses on the table were water glasses, ahem). Thanks so much to Sam Musher and any and all others who helped make this event such a success!

Thankfully, Jennifer gave us a ride to the South Station, and before we knew it, Anika and I were back on the train, completely exhausted but SO HAPPY we made the trip, even if it was only for one day. Next time, we're thinking of getting a Cottager hotel room, so we can stay longer, party harder, and of course, have a place to NAP.

Hope you enjoyed this little snapshot of our trip!

The Little Crooked Bookshelf

Lenny & Lucy
by Phillip C. Stead
illustrated by Erin E. Stead

This week's pick is from cottager, Anika Denise.

What it's all about . . .

Peter and his father are moving to a new house, over a bridge, beyond the dark unfriendly woods. Scared and skeptical, Peter constructs Lenny out of pillows and blankets, and anoints him "Guardian of the Bridge." But Lenny will be lonely, so Peter makes him a companion, Lucy. With Lenny and Lucy's watchful reassuring presence, Peter and his dog Harold rest easier, and begin to acclimate to their new home.

Why it's on The Little Crooked Bookshelf . . .
A dark and bleak unknown is met with a mix of childlike pragmatism and imagination in this quietly enchanting fairytale from award-winning husband and wife team Phillip and Erin Stead. Not one word is wasted or out of place, and the illustrations work a subtle magic upon the reader with gray toned landscapes punctuated by washes of deep gold, red, green, blue and purple.

Our favorite lines . . .
So the next day Peter made a tall pile of pillows. And after they'd 

toppled the pile six times Peter ran in to find just the right

blankets. He stitched and sewed and wrapped the pile up,

tying it shut with string. He pushed and pulled and kneaded 

the wrapped-up pillows like dough.

Our favorite illustration . . .

Why kids will love it . . .
Because Lenny and Lucy are gentle giants: familiar, comforting and magical all at once. Because the story is quiet and hopeful, and there's a dog—a good dog—and the promise of a new friend in the end.

Why grown-ups will love it . . .
It will remind them of books they read when they were children. Like Sendak, the Steads don't shy away from the darker emotions and fears of childhood—and yet with subtlety and warmth, present a tale that is both captivating and reassuring.

istory in this picture book publishing in time for the fiftieth anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. - See more at: http://childrensatheneum.blogspot.com/2015_09_01_archive.html#sthash.QC7GD0lq.dpuf

Cover Reveal. . . Monster Trucks!

This is a treat! Today, we get to debut the cover of MONSTER TRUCKS (Harper Childrens, 7/12/16), a new picture book by Cottager, Anika Denise, illustrated by Nate Wragg!

Ready, set, go! The monster truck race is on in this frightfully delightful picture book.  On a spooky speedway, Monster Trucks moan! Monster Trucks grumble! Monster Trucks groan!

Join Frankentruck, Zombie Truck, Ghost Truck, and more as they race to the finish line. But one of these trucks isn’t quite who you think.

That sounds fun! 

Here's what Anika and Nate said about creating this book:

"I've always wanted to write a Halloween book, since Halloween is my favorite holiday. This one started out as a little scribble of an idea in a notebook, and then, the words came. I hope kids enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it." —Anika Denise

"I felt like I was getting to draw everything my five year old self would have loved to have seen and read about in a book. The whole experience was a blast for me." —Nate Wragg

Vroom, vroom! MONSTER TRUCKS will be racing into bookstores and libraries in summer 2016!

Cottager News and Events (and Judy Blume!)

Hello, hello! It's been a loooong time since we've shared what's been going on with us Cottagers, and we have lots of BIG news to share -- new books on the way, upcoming events, and a workshop that might interest you writers!

Kara's News ~ 

1. I started working as a contributing writer for Gen-X website The Mid earlier this year.

2. My middle-grade trilogy, The Unintentional Adventures of the Bland Sisters, was acquired at auction by Abrams. Book One is due to pub in Fall 2016.*

3. I’ll be doing a reading/signing at Newtonville Books on Saturday, June 27th at 11am. 

* Here's the announcement from Publishers Weekly. Go, Kara!

Jamie & Kara's News ~ 

Attention, writers! Jamie and Kara are thrilled to be on the Highlight Foundation Faculty this summer! They'll be teaching a weekend workshop, THE IN-BETWEENERS: WRITING EARLY READERS AND FIRST CHAPTER BOOKS, on June 11-14. To register, visit the Highlights Foundation website.

Read their advice about writing and early reader or first chapter book here. 


Jamie's News ~
I have some exciting book news! Candlewick Press has signed up a fourth Joe and Sparky early reader--Joe and Sparky, Party Animals! Is Joe's pet worm, Wiggy, real or imaginary? Can a chicken conga? All will be revealed in 2016!

Kristen's News ~
 

Her YA romance, Hung Up, was released in paperback earlier this year. It's about people falling in love on cell phones. (Fact: That's basically how she met and fell in love with her husband.)

Her middle-grade novel Too Cool for This School also came out in paperback this year, and has been picked up for Scholastic Book Clubs and Fairs. (Fact: this book contains wolves and a massacre, sort of.)

Kristen's next middle-grade novel, PROJECT unPOPULAR almost has a cover, and will be out in the world next fall. (FACT: Nerds are change resistant, and that's not necessarily a bad thing.)

Kristen traveled to Key West (her first trip to Florida) to study with Billy Collins and Hemingway's cats kept trespassing into her B&B and drinking out of the pool. (FACT: She also got invited to Judy Blume's house which was easily the most amazing thing that's ever happened to her while traveling.)

 

Anika's News ~

Anika's picture book Baking Day at Grandma's (Philomel 2014) was a Crystal Kite finalist and received yummy reviews from Publishers Weekly, Kirkus and School Library Journal. It even got its own song.

The artwork for her next book, Monster Trucks (HarperCollins Children's Books 2016), illustrated by Nate Wragg, is nearly complete. Cover reveal coming soon!

Anika has TWO MORE pieces of stellar news. Unfortunately, it's a wee bit early to officially share them. Stay tuned for an announcement soon . . . . 

Mr. Pig's News ~

Mr. Pig is hitting the road again! His destinations include Illinois, California, Paris, and South Carolina. Why? He's visiting the studios of Matthew Cordell, Jackie Clark Mancuso, and Ethan Long! 

Make sure to visit the Cottage in May and June to check out the studio tours!