Mr. Pig Live . . . with Parker Bell!

Hello, friends! It's time for an all-new episode of MR. PIG LIVE -- a talk show of scintillating interviews with your favorite children's book characters, hosted by moi, MR. PIG!

Today, we have a special guest joining us. Please give a warm welcome to the STEMtastic star of Cynthia Platt's chapter book, Parker Bell and the Science of Friendship. It's budding scientist . . .

Parker Bell! 

<<applause>>

Welcome to the Cottage, Parker Bell! Let's get started. What one word best describes you?

Mad Scientist! Okay, I know that’s two words, but one word really isn’t enough to describe my scientific know-how.

We don't have many human characters on the show. Do you have a belly button?

I didn’t hatch from an egg, and I’m DEFINITELY a human (I’ve done tests to confirm this already), so I have a belly button. 

What is the best thing about being you?

Having Cassie Malouf, coding and fact-remembering genius, as my best friend. We fit together like complimentary angles.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

You don’t need a superpower when you’re an engineer. You can build a superpower for yourself. But I guess flying would be kind of fun.

What's in your pocket right now? 

One Ultra-Megabot eraser, seven paper clips (you never know when you’ll need them), four guinea pig pellets, and a pencil.

Fascinating! What is your pet peeve?

Can a pet peeve be a person? Or more than one person? Then mine would definitely be my nemeses, the Dempsey Triplets. Aidan, Braidan, and Jaidan a.) tell bad jokes and b.) don’t care about science. Enough said.

If you were stranded on a desert island, what would you bring? (Certainly not the Dempsey Triplets.)

Obviously, I’d bring my guinea pig, Algebra. And a desert island wouldn’t be the same with my BFF Cassie and some of my dad’s world famous chocolate chip cookies (I guess I’d bring my dad and my mom along, too!). 

What is your favorite word?

ROBOT. Isn’t that the best word ever? It has a long O and a short O, and sort sounds like what it means. Also, I love to build robots, so it would probably be my fave even if it didn’t sound so fierce.

What is you least favorite word?

I have six least favorite words: “Parker, you’re going to be late!” I hear my parents say them an awful lot. 

What is the worst thing about being you?

My mom really doesn’t understand my fashion sense. She also doesn’t like it when I do things like take apart the toaster to see how it works. I am very misunderstood in my own family.

1. 
   
   What are you reading right now?
   I just read Counting on Katherine by Helaine Becker and Dow Phumiruk, which I loved. And I took Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly, Winifred Conkling, and Laura Freeman out of the library, so that’s up next. I’m OBSESSED with Katherine Johnson right now! I might need to get a poster of her to put up in my bedroom next to my Mae Jemison and Jane Goodall posters.
   
   
   What is your favorite sound?
   The sweet sound of a guinea pig squeaking.
   
   
   What is your least favorite sound?
   Did I already mention my parents telling me I’m going to be late? 
   
   
   If you could dine with three characters from other books, who would they be?
   Tricky question, but I’d expect nothing less of you, Pig. I’d want to have lunch in my dad’s bakery with Ramona Quimby, Jasmine Toguchi, and Narwhal. Not that a narwhal could really stop by for lunch. Or that it would eat food from my dad’s bakery. Maybe I should have picked someone who was more of a scientific possibility for lunchtime?
   
   
   
   
   
   What was it like working with Cynthia Platt? 
   I was a little worried at first because she dresses super-casual like my mom does, but it turns out she’s really into science. She’s even edited lots of nonfiction books, and has a daughter who’s really into science and engineering, too. So she got me.
   
   She's a lucky writer. And I'm lucky to meet you. Thanks for coming, Parker Bell! We can't wait for your new book -- coming in May! 

Parker Bell and the Science of Friendship

by Cynthia Platt
illustrated by Rea Zhai
(Clarion Books, 2019)

In this fun young-middle-grade novel with STEM appeal, Parker really wants to win the school Science Triathlon—but first she’ll have to figure out how to keep her BFF from being stolen.

Budding scientist Parker Bell really wants to win the school Science Triathlon and follow in the footsteps of her idols, chimpanzee expert Jane Goodall and astronaut Mae Jemison. She’s sure that if she teams up with her trivia whiz BFF, Cassie, they will dominate the Science Bee, Egg Drop, and Animal Adaptation Presentation. When Cassie invites her new friend, Theo, to join their team, Parker is worried—that Theo won't help them win and might steal her best friend. As the three work together, Parker learns that you don’t have to be the best to be a real scientist and a good friend.

Cynthia Platt is a children’s book editor as well as a writer. She’s the author of three picture books: Panda-monium, A Little Bit of Love, and Grow. Parker Bell and the Science of Friendship is her middle-grade debut. Cynthia lives in Massachusetts with her husband (who is a middle school science teacher), daughter (who loves engineering), and guinea pig (who is very unscientific). Visit her online at cynthiaplattbooks.com, on Twitter @cynplatt, and on Instagram @cynthiaplattbooks.

Rea Zhai is an illustrator based in Bejing, China, where she lives with her husband and their three cats. When not working, Rea is a bass player in a small blues band. Parker Bell and the Science of Friendship is her first book for children. Find her online at reazhaiart.com and on Instagram @zhazhazhaart.com

The Little Crooked Bookshelf

Greenglass House
by Kate Milford
Illustrated by Jaime Zollars

This week's pick is from Cottager Jamie Michalak.

What it's all about . . .
It’s nearly Christmas at Greenglass House. The creaky smuggler’s inn is usually quiet during this season, and twelve-year-old Milo, the innkeepers’ adopted son, plans to spend his holidays relaxing. But soon the inn is bursting with odd, secretive guests, each one bearing a strange story connected to the old house. As objects go missing, Milo and Meddy, the cook’s daughter, must decipher clues and discover the truth about Greenglass House—and themselves.

Why it's on The Little Crooked Bookshelf . . .
Because this is one of the best books we've read all year. Greenglass House is a mystery lover's dream, with a rambling old inn full of secrets, a treasure map, a cast of mysterious guests, twists and turns, and two endearing kid "detectives."

Our favorite lines . . .
"Always check for traps, left is always right unless there's a middle, always put your healer in the best armor and wear your magic rings on your toes instead of your fingers. . . . What else? . . . Always have rope." 
 
Why kids will love it . . .
Mystery fans will eat up this novel. Hand this one to kids who love The Mysterious Benedict Society, The Westing Game, and Chasing Vermeer.

Why grown-ups will love it . . .
Greenglass House is a sophisticated middle grade mystery that will appear to older readers, too. And Milford's Author's Note about the story being a letter to her future child will touch your heart. If you'd like to treat yourself this holiday break, curl up by the fire with a mug of cocoa and this book.

The Little Crooked Bookshelf

Edgar's Second Word
by Audrey Vernick
illustrated by Pricilla Burris

What it's all about. . .
Hazel can’t wait for her baby brother to be born so she can talk and read with him! But when he arrives, he just sits there. More disappointing yet, when he finally speaks, his first word is a resounding NO! Frustrated by his oft-repeated syllable, Hazel begins to wonder if Edgar is doomed to a life of grouchy naysaying—but her persistence eventually pays off when Edgar utters his second word, "again," after Hazel reads him a bedtime story.

Why it's on The Little Crooked Bookshelf . . .
First off, it's funny. Vernick's comedic timing is spot on, as always. But it's also tender and sweet. We love the enthusiasm Hazel expresses, even though the whole baby brother thing isn't always a walk in the park. And Pricilla Burris's illustrations are quite simply. . . adorbs. Perfect for Vernick's breezy, witty text.

Our favorite line(s) . . . 
Hazel read Edgar stories, but she didn't know if he understood.
She wished he would whisper questions.
But Edgar didn't speak.
Mostly, he pointed.
And grunted
Like a pointing, grunting watermelon.

Our favorite illustration. . . 

From EDGAR'S SECOND WORD by Audrey Vernick. Illustration copyright 2014 by Priscilla Burris.

Why kids will love it . . .
Kids will recognize the excitement and sometimes disenchantment that accompanies the arrival of a new sibling. And for any kids awaiting the big event. . . hand them this book!

Why grown-ups will love it . . . 
For all the reasons above. Because it's sweet but not sappy. Because Hazel is so earnest and she has the best springy, curly hair. Because it contains phrases like "love-weight" and "tired-baby gravity."