Betsy Devany's Five Favorite Books about "Loveys" (+ a Giveaway!)

Today, we welcome to the Cottage, debut author Betsy Devany! Betsy is the author of the newly released picture book, LUCY'S LOVEY (Christy Ottaviano Books) about a little girl named Lucy, and her beloved "lovey," a very special dolly she's nicknamed Smelly Baby. 

Books about beloved toys or "loveys" are perennial favorites, for kids and adults. So we asked Betsy — who in addition to being an author, helps young children pick out loveys (and occasionally recover lost ones) in her job at The Toy Soldier, a toy shop in her home state of Connecticut — to tell us her five favorite picture books about beloved loveys. And, you can enter to win a LUCY'S LOVEY signed by both Betsy and the Cottage's illustrator-in-residence, Christopher Denise! 

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Loveys. I adore them all. Big loveys, tiny loveys, blankie loveys, dolly loveys, stuffed animal loveys. I see one cradled in the arms of a child and my heart melts, recognizing how much a lovey matters in a child’s life, and how loveys go through thick and thin for Their Child. It is a magical world, this place that exists between children and their special toys.

Today, I share my top five picture books that feature loveys, and the five reasons that loveys mean so much to me. Thank you for inviting me!


FIVE FAVORITES

The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery William, adaptation by Lou Fancher, paintings by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher

Loveys are Real to children.

“Real isn’t how you are made,” said the Skin Horse. “When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.” “By the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and you get very shabby.” This story exquisitely defines the love between a child and their one special toy (lovey). I always think of The Velveteen Rabbit when a child enters the toy store where I work carrying a well-loved lovey. Almost immediately, by noticing the lovey’s condition, you know how the lovey soothes the child. With my tiny Steiff bear, the ends of his arms were worn down to the point that straw was pushing through the mohair because I’d rub Little Bear’s arms when I needed comforting. In The Velveteen Rabbit, all the pink was rubbed off the rabbit’s nose where the boy had kissed him.

Bella and Stella Come Home by Anika Denise, illustrated by Christopher Denise

Loveys are vital transitional and comfort objects.

This theme comes to play in Bella and Stella Come Home. Bella’s own moving fears are projected onto her beloved stuffed elephant Stella, clearly visible on the faces of both the child (Bella) and the lovey (Stella), who at times is depicted as a life-sized stuffed elephant. In comforting Stella every new step along the way in their new “Does NOT feel like home” house, Bella learns to comfort herself, seeing beyond the differences between what is familiar and the unknown. Gradually, Bella realizes that change brings new possibilities, such as a new neighborhood friend. Except for a visual hint of a neighborhood parent, this story offers a bird’s eye view of the touching relationship between a lovey and Their Child.

Sophie’s Squash by Pat Zietlow Miller & Anne Wildorf

Loveys can be anything.

A typical lovey is a doll or a stuffed animal or a blanket. A typical lovey is not a squash purchased at a farmer’s market that bypasses becoming served up for dinner, only to be anthropomorphised. The what-was-supposed-to-be-eaten squash quickly becomes a doll baby named Bernice, in an utterly charming way, inspired by a child’s rich imagination. As the reader, we are privy to Sophie and Bernice’s magical world, their undying love for one another until Bernice turns quite blotchy, as happens to uneaten squash over time. Because Sophie has unconditional love for Bernice, she finds a way for Bernice to live on.

I Don’t Like Koala by Sean Ferrell, illustrated by Charles Santoso

Not all loveys are as loved at first.

Adam does not Koala. He thinks Koala is the most terrible terrible. And Koala’s terrible eyes follow Adam everywhere he goes. But . . . Koala is loyal to Adam, even though Adam has a nightly bedtime routine in which he tries to get rid of Koala. But in the morning, “Koala is always there. In his bed. On his pillow. Closer than close.”
In this laugh-out-loud picture book, it is the lovey that seems to show greater unconditional love for Their Child, until Adam perceives a “MORE terrible terrible?” and then realizes that Koala isn’t so terrible after all. In the end, admitting his love for Koala.

Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems

Lovey memories are never forgotten.

There are many of us who still have either vivid memories of our childhood lovey and/or still have the remnants of our favorite toy that shepherded us through childhood. The trio of the Knuffle Bunny books speaks to this. In the first book, the young Trixie doesn’t yet have a full grasp of language, but her love for Knuffle Bunny is clear when Knuffle Bunny is unknowingly left behind at the laundromat. Of my five favorite picture books about loveys, Trixie is the youngest protaganist, and thus we see how early on a child forms a lovey attachment. The theme of Knuffle Bunny getting lost carries over into the second and third books (Knuffle Bunny Too and Knuffle Bunny Free), but what I love best is the ending of the third and last book, in which Trixie is now an adult, and a mother herself, and Knuffle Bunny comes back into her life, and into the arms of her own child.

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PLEASE COMMENT BELOW WITH YOUR FAVORITE (OR YOUR CHILD'S OR GRANDCHILD'S FAVORITE) LOVEY, TO WIN A COPY OF LUCY'S LOVEY SIGNED BY BOTH BETSY DEVANY AND CHRISTOPHER DENISE!

WINNER ANNOUNCED ON OCTOBER 12th! 

Lucy's Lovey

by Betsy Devany

illustrated by Christopher Denise

(Henry Holt and Co/ Christy Ottaviano Books, September 27, 2016)

"There is no child who won't empathize with Lucy and cheer for her reunion with Smelly Baby."-Kirkus Reviews

"Suited for one-on-one sharing. . . The pictures are delightful . . . Readers will want to pore over the artwork and will enjoy this domestic drama."-School Library Journal

Betsy Devany has been writing for all ages of kids for over twenty years. Aside from being a first-time author, she loves reading, photography, birding, acting silly with her grandkids, and working at an old-fashioned toy store in Mystic, where she delights in meeting rag-tag (sometimes smelly) loveys. You can visit Betsy at www.betsydevany.com or follow her on Twitter @BetsyDevany or Facebook.  https://www.facebook.com/BetsyDevany/

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Mr. Pig Live! . . . with Grandma Bear

Welcome back to another exciting episode of Mr. Pig Live! Today's guest is extra special because she's brought cake. Oh, and er, she happens to be my dear friend and neighbor. Let's give a big paw to the lovable star of Anika and Christopher Denise's new picture book, BAKING DAY AT GRANDMA'S, the one, the only . . .  Grandma Bear!

Welcome and thanks for the delicious cake, Grandma! What is your full name?
Grandma Bear.

What one word best describes you?   
Sizable.

Do you have a belly button? 
Now, is that appropriate, dear? 

Oh dear. I don't want to offend a sizable bear. Next question . . . What is the best thing about being you? 
Let’s see. . . . I have three adorable grandcubs, and I own a  lovely cabin in the woods. 

What is the worst thing about being you?
Shopping in the Big and Tall section at Bears R Us.
   
If you were stranded on a desert island, what would you bring?    
Pictures of my three grandcubs, tea, chocolate.
       
What is your idea of the perfect day? 
Snowy. Cold. Baking something delicious with my grandcubs.

From BAKING DAY AT GRANDMA'S by Anika Denise. Illustration copyright 2014 by Christopher Denise.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be? 
Sleep inducing powers. (The cubs refuse to hibernate.)

What are you reading right now? 
Baking with Julia by Julia Child and Wild About Bears by Jeannie Brett.

Two of my favorites! Speaking of favorites, what is your favorite word? 
Cake.

What is you least favorite word?
Burnt.
    
What is your favorite sound? 
My grandcubs’ giggles.

What is your least favorite sound? 
The too-quiet sound in the house after the grandcubs leave.   

If you could dine with three characters from other books, who would they be?
Betty Bunny (we share a love of chocolate cake) and the two twin bakers from In The Night Kitchen.
 
If a genie gave you one wish, what would you wish for?    
A Kitchen-aid mixer.

If you have a pocket, what is in it right now? 
A hanky and a peppermint candy.

What is your pet peeve? 
Guests who say no to dessert.

What was it like working with my fellow Cottager Anika Denise? 
Oh, lovely, dear. She sure enjoys her sweet treats—so we got along splendidly.

I'm quite fond of her, too. Thanks for joining us, Grandma Bear! Before you go, let's watch a clip of Anika and Christopher Denise baking a cake just like the one you made with your grandcubs. Yum!




About the book

BAKING DAY AT GRANDMA'S
Philomel, August 2014
ISBN-13: 978-03992-4244-1

“A rollicking, rhyming salute to the grandmother-grandchild bond. . . . While the cake is baking, there’s hot chocolate to drink and frosty windows to draw on. ‘Old-time music, soft and sweet, / Skippy notes and tapping feet. / Learning songs that Grandma sings— / When the kitchen timer rings!’ But this cake isn’t for eating; the siblings carefully decorate and wrap each piece as gifts.” –Kirkus Reviews

“A recipe for Grandma Rosie’s Chocolate Cake is included. This gentle story will leave children feeling warm and fuzzy. It’s perfect for individual sharing, storytime, baking time, and pretty much any time.” –School Library Journal


About the author

Anika Denise is the author of Baking Day at Grandma’s (Philomel, 2014), Bella and Stella Come Home (Philomel, 2010), and Pigs Love Potatoes (Philomel, 2007). In 2016, HarperCollins Children’s Books will release her forthcoming title, Monster Trucks! Her books have been praised by Parents’ Choice Foundation, The Bulletin for the Center for Children’s Books, Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, Booklist, Kirkus Reviews and the Rhode Island Center for the Book. She blogs for The Little Crooked Cottage and lives with her husband and three daughters in Barrington, Rhode Island. 


To read more about Anika's books, visit www.anikadenise.com


About the illustrator 

Photo Credit: Grayhorse Photography

Christopher Denise is an award-winning children’s book illustrator and visual development artist. His first book, a retelling of the Russian folktale The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship, was pronounced “a stunning debut” by Publishers Weekly. Since then, Chris has illustrated more than twenty books for children, including Alison McGhee’s upcoming Firefly Hollow, Rosemary Wells’ Following Grandfather, Phyllis Root’s Oliver Finds His Way, his wife Anika Denise’s Bella and Stella Come Home and some in Brian Jacques’ acclaimed Redwall series. His books have appeared on The New York Times bestseller list and have been recognized by Bank Street College of Education, Parents’ Choice Foundation, and the Society of Illustrators Annual Exhibition. Christopher Denise lives in Rhode Island with his family. 


To learn more about Christopher, visit www.christopherdenise.com

Literary Lunch: Baking Day at Grandma's

Baking Day at Grandma's, written by Anika Denise and illustrated by Christopher Denise, is a beautifully illustrated children's book about three happy bear cubs spending time at Grandma's house on Baking Day. The illustrations and story capture their coziness and love--you can almost smell the cake baking. But this cake is not for eating alone! The little cubs cut the cake into neat squares, load up the sled, and spread cheer by delivering baked treats on this winter afternoon!

And yes, the recipe for the mouth-watering chocolate cake that the cubs help Grandma bake is in the back of the book. A must-try whether you are intending to share it or not.

Nina from Mamabelly's Lunches with Love packed a delicious Baking Day lunch:

• a piece of Grandma's chocolate cake (recipe from the book!)
• apple slices
• one little bear chocolate spread sandwich with a spinach leaf apron and a peanut butter-filled spoon

Edith Hope Fine's "Loved-to-Pieces" Books for Sleepyheads. . .

Today, The Little Crooked Cottage welcomes Edith Hope Fine, author of the brand new picture book Sleepytime Me, a bedtime book that takes readers on a journey through town and country, as each of its inhabitants settle down after the sun has splashed beautiful colors in the sky, and fireflies and crickets begin their evening dance. We were lucky enough to see an advanced copy of this little gem, because it's illustrated by our good friend (Mr. Pig creator) Christopher Denise!

This book truly enchanted us. With soothing, lyrical language and luminous, evocative art, it's a gentle ode to that magical time of day, perfect for sending little ones off to slumber with a story, a whisper and a kiss.

Interior art from Sleepytime Me (Random House Children's Books)
Copyright 2014, Christopher Denise.

After reading it, we curious cottagers wondered which bedtime books the author of a such a lovely goodnight story loved-to-pieces as a child. So we asked! And to our delight, Edith was kind enough to share. Here are five of Edith's most treasured favorites. Thanks, Edith! 

"Rolling out of bed (I’m an owl, not a bluebird) as Sleepytime Me with Christopher Denise’s brilliant (both senses of the word: genius and light-filled) art rolls out from Random House, I’m thinking of books for sleepyheads: from now-ish, from my kids’ childhoods, from when my favorite (okay, only) bro Bill and I were young, and one from the Way-Back Machine: my mom’s childhood."

Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey

"I can remember poring over these drawings—marveling at Robert McCloskey’s ducks as they splashed and cavorted on the pages and waiting for Michael the policeman to blow his whistle and halt the traffic so Mrs. Mallard and her eight could safely cross."

How Tom Beat Captain Najork and His Hired Sportsmen by Russell Hoban; illustrated by Quentin Blake

"What a romp, verbally—thank Russell Hoban—and visually—thank Quentin Blake. Tom is an expert at fooling around, so womble, muck, and sneedball are nothing to him. Such glorious escapades. Such characters—think Aunt Fidget Wonkham-Strong. You’ll laugh aloud."

Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton

"'Four walls, straight down. Four corners, neat and square.' Virginia Lee Burton’s rhythmic words in this and her other books still live in the brain box after all these years, undoubtedly one of the reasons I’m drawn to writing for children."

Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne with illustrations by E. H. Shepard

"I wrote a newspaper column for thirteen years and once asked readers if I stuck a mic under their noses what they could recite from memory. Shakespeare, Poe, Robert Service, Emily Dickinson . . . it was astounding. As for me, it would be bits from Pooh stories and whole poems."

The Doings of Little Bear by Frances Margaret Fox

"In this 1915 book that belonged to our mother, Little Bear has a series of adventures, the most memorable being as he searches for a warm spot where his clump of bread dough could rise and decides upon his snoring Papa’s nose. The dough rises higher and higher . . . you get the picture.

Now for some hot chocolate and a good snooze!"

Edith Hope Fine grew up in Michigan, went to Ohio Wesleyan, and now lives near San Diego. Her two sons and four grands live nearby. She likes making soup, swimming, knitting, and baking. Because she composts, her yard has the happiest worms in all North County and is a rabid recycler. Edith loves words, reading, and writing. She hates anchovies and shopping. Sleepytime Me, her seventeenth book, came out two days ago—with delicious illustrations by Christopher Denise. Edith's other award-winning titles include Under the Lemon Moon; Water, Weed, and Wait; Armando and the Blue Tarp School (a California Young Reader nominee); CryptoMania! Teleporting into Greek and Latin with the CryptoKids; two Nitty-Gritty Grammar Guides; and Cricket at the Manger. She’s working on an eBook for beginners on writing for children, a student workbook for Cryptomania! (with 300 basic roots—yay), and more picture books. Visit her online at www.edithfine.com and on Facebook and Pinterest. 

Sleepytime Me by Edith Hope Fine

Illustrated by Christopher Denise

Random House (May 27, 2014)

ISBN 978-0449810620

Splashy sunset paints the sky. Shy moon tiptoes, climbs up high . . . Daylight is fading and night is drawing in. It's time for bed. A drowsy child observes the wide world settling down, coming ever closer to home until at last there are good-night hugs and kisses for this little sleepyhead. Richly painted, evocative scenes illuminate the text, imbuing the whole with mystery and a sense of comfort and warmth, and making this a bedtime story to treasure for all time.

Blog Hop!

Today, cottager Anika Denise is posting a piece for a blog hop she was invited to join by Marcie Wessels, author of A Pirate's Lullaby: Mutiny at Bedtime (Doubleday 2015). Read Marcie's wonderful post on her writing process here. Thanks, Marcie!

What am I working on?
Right now, I'm revising two picture book manuscripts: one about an unconventional chicken, the other about a middle child who celebrates all the reasons why (contrary to popular opinion) middle is the best. I'm also in the first draft stages of a middle grade fantasy novel involving a boardwalk, magic and time-travel, as well as a contemporary piece about a young biracial girl. So, I'm all over the map as far as what I'm working on—and I like it that way.

How does my work differ from others of its genre?
I'd say my picture books have a classic feel. I'm especially fond of bouncy read-alouds and frequently collaborate with my husband, Christopher Denise, an artist whose influences include Ernest Shepard, NC Wyeth, Edmund Dulac and Beatrix Potter—so I'd like to think our books have a timelessness that readers respond to. Baking Day At Grandma's, our forthcoming picture book, very much fits that description. We try to create inviting worlds readers want to jump right into—whether it's a cozy bear cabin in the woods, a bustling kitchen full of pigs, or the softly lit bedroom of a little girl and her imaginary yellow elephant.

From Baking Day At Grandma's (Philomel, 2014)
Copyright, 2014 Christopher Denise

I'm also deeply interested in writing books with diverse main characters. It was very important to me that Bella, in Bella And Stella Come Home, look like our children, who are multi-ethnic. 

From Bella and Stella Come Home (Philomel, 2010)
Copyright, 2010 Christopher Denise

Why do I write what I do?

I suppose I'm drawn to what I loved as a child. Mother Goose and Dr. Seuss had a hold on my heart and still do. When I read them today, it's my mother's voice I hear in my head. She was a brilliant reader. Her inflection drew me in. Our nightly ritual of reading books together honed my ear for rhythm, rhyme and dialogue—all of which come fairly naturally to me as a writer. 

How does my individual writing process work?
I have three children ages 3, 9 and 12, and I work as an events-planner for my local bookstore, so my writing time is very limited, and very precious. I try—not always successfully—to write at least five days a week. I realized a few years ago that it's helpful for me to have several projects brewing, particularly on the picture book side. Picture books are extremely hard to write well, and out of hundreds of ideas, only a few will rise to the top. So, I spend a great deal of time exploring them. I often have as many as ten to fifteen picture book drafts in various stages of development. This helps keep things fresh and interesting, and increases my chances of hitting on an idea that will resonate with my agent, with editors, and with readers.

Novel-writing, on the other hand, requires a singular focus—which is probably why it has been such a slow process for me. I'm more accustomed to writing and revising as I go, and I've had to retrain my brain to get the messy first draft down without constantly stopping to edit. I'm learning to be brave, and quiet my inner perfectionist. I often begin without an outline and write a scene or two as a manner of finding my way into the piece. Then I back up and create a rough summary or synopsis, so that I can see the plot and story arc more clearly, and can jump ahead if I get stuck. 

And now, I shall lob it over to two writer pals of mine.

First is my fellow cottager and critique partner Kara LaReau! 

Kara LaReau is a former children's book editor and the author of several picture books, including No Slurping, No Burping: A Tale of table Manners; Ugly Fish; Mr. Prickles: A Quill-Fated Love Story; and Otto,The Boy Who Loved Cars. She lives in Providence, RI with her family.

The other is a talented author-illustrator I had the pleasure of meeting recently at the Cape Elizabeth Author Festival, AJ Smith.

AJ Smith is an author/illustrator specializing in silly stories and funny drawings for kids (and immature adults). He lives in Newburyport, MA with his family. His first trade picture book, Even Monsters was just released this Spring.

Take it away, Kara and AJ! I look forward to reading about your writing process next week!

—Anika

BOO!

Velcome to the Little Crooked Cottage’s Haunted Halloween Bash! 

I am your host. . . Count Pigula! Mwa-ha-ha-ha! 

Don’t mind the cobwebs. I went a little overboard this year because nearly all the spiders RSVP’d yes. Itsy Bitsy, Charlotte and Miss Spider are already here, hanging around. Only one spider sent his regrets--I forget why. Something about being very busy. 

Any-hoo. . .

I like your costume! Are you hungry? Please help yourself, we have so much food! Everyone brought treats. The Girl and Cub brought cookies, of course. We have twelve pounds of banana pudding from the monkeys. Pony brought feather-free macaroni. Oh! And someone brought a sushi platter! Very fancy. I’m not sure who it was, but my money’s on Fang, the shark.

Speaking of. . . apparently, the Big Bad Wolf thought it would be just hilarious to bring a huge tray of Pigs in a Blanket.

Look at my face. Am I laughing? No, no, I'm not.

Ah, well. I won't let it dampen my spirits. How can I? I just LOVE Halloween!

You know what is funny? Zombelina and Vamperina Ballerina came dressed as EACH OTHER! HA! And the Gingerbread Man is dressed as the Elf on the Shelf! Every time he jumps up and sits on the mantle in the living room, I can’t help but giggle. (He’d better be careful, though. I hear he’s had some close calls around fire.)

Really, all the costumes are so creative! A few years ago, we had twenty-three Harry Potters and fifteen Hermiones, but so far this year, I haven’t seen any repeats!

What’s that? No, Vampire Boy doesn’t count, because technically, he’s not in a costume.

Anyway, I’ll let you mingle.

I’ll be hosting a spooky story hour in just a little while, and I have to go get into character. I can’t wait! I’m pulling my favorite spooky stories off The Little Crooked Bookshelf!

It’s going to be SPOOKTACULAR! See you soon!