Showing posts with label Deborah Underwood. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Deborah Underwood. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Mr. Pig's Holiday Gift Guide

It's snowing in the Enchanted Woods! Everything looks so pretty, including the Little Crooked Cottage. I've already finished the holiday decorating, baking, and all of my shopping! (I'm a type A pig.) What's that? You haven't even started?! Not to worry! The Cottagers just gave me their holiday gift suggestions for the 2014 edition of. . .


… a list of inspired (if a little crooked) gift ideas for quirky book lovers of all ages!


* KRISTEN TRACY'S GIFT PICKS *

1. THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR Canvas Pouch from Out of Print Clothing


"I am a huge fan of stocking stuffers and Eric Carle. So this is the gift that keeps on giving."  

















2.  Marzipops - marzipan lollipops!

"I like treats. And I like animals. So of course I love animal-themed marzipan lollipops. If somebody in your life has a fondness for almond paste and monkeys, then this is the gift for you!"













3. Washi-tape book Yano design (ETSY)

"If you are a craft person (or even if you're not) and want some washi tape, this is a great find."





 * KARA LAREAU'S GIFT PICKS *

1. THE TWELVE TERRORS OF CHRISTMAS by John Updike, illustrated by Edward Gorey

"John Updike + Edward Gorey + Christmas? Yes, please!"
















"A lovely miniature pop-up book from celebrated paper engineer Robert Sabuda. Add a little POP to someone's stocking!"















"An oldie but goodie. Because it just isn't the holidays unless the Vince Guaraldi Trio is playing."




* JAMIE MICHALAK'S GIFT PICKS *

1. THE BOOK WITH NO PICTURES by B.J. Novak

"Here’s how this book works. Everything written on the page has to be said by the person reading it aloud. Even if the words say . . . BLORK. Or BLUURF. What kid doesn’t want to hear a grown-up say, 'My only friend in the whole wide world is a hippo named Boo-Boo Butt'?"















The un-diary for boys. Dude Diary is filled with prompts for writing and drawing about stuff like favorite candy bars, friends, burps, gaming scores, and what's on your mind. Mixed in are outrageous "what if" questions. Dude Diary comes with a lock and key, so boys can keep their awesome ideas secret. 



3. OCEAN: A PHOTICULAR BOOK created by Dan Kainen, written by Carol Kaufmann

"Photicular moving images depict a glow-in-the-dark Deep-Sea Anglerfish swimming, a Sand Tiger Shark snapping, and a jellyfish, um, . . . doing whatever it is that jellyfish do. Children will feel like they’re on a dive as they learn about each sea creature."








* ANIKA DENISE'S GIFT PICKS *


"Cat is just the right amount of naughty and nice. Never mind Twas the Night Before Christmas, Here Comes Santa Cat is my new favorite holiday read-aloud."














"I'm all about theme-gifting for the holidays. Why not give Here Comes Santa Cat with a Santa Cat Hat from PetSmart and let your kitty do a little cos-play while you read the book?"















"Upon the fridge
words on magnetic tiles.
A great gift for poets." 

















* MR. PIG'S GIFT PICKS *

1. 365 DAYS OF WONDER: MR. BROWN'S BOOK OF PRECEPTS by R.J. Palacio-
-
"Start every day on an inspiring note with this companion to Wonder—a collection of wise sayings from Anne Frank, Martin Luther King Jr., Confucius, Goethe, Sappho, and more, as well as over 100 Wonder fans who sent R. J. Palacio their own precepts. A great gift for teachers!"









2. BIG MAGIC FOR LITTLE HANDS: 25 ASTOUNDING ILLUSIONS FOR YOUNG MAGICIANS by Joshua Jay

"Levitate your sibling several feet off a bed. Or escape Houdini-like from tightly bound ropes. This large book, with vintage-style illustrations, is packed with 25 amazing illusions for kids ages 7 and up. Each easy-to-perform feat is clearly illustrated with step-by-step drawings and accompanied by insider tips."













3. Pass The Pigs Party Edition

"At first, I was slightly offended when one of the Cottagers brought this party game to a fete in the Cottage. But it's actually great fun!"

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Loved to Pieces. . . with Deborah Underwood!

Are you in the holiday spirit? We are! Because Deborah Underwood just told us all about the magical book she loved to pieces as a child.

Speaking of loving to pieces, that's exactly how the Cottagers feel about Deborah's books! (We have several well-worn, well-loved copies on our little crooked bookshelf.) 

Deborah is the author of New York Times bestsellers Here Comes the Easter CatThe Quiet Book; and The Loud Book, as well as the all-new Here Comes Santa Cat and The Christmas Quiet Book.

Welcome, Deborah! Thank you so much for visiting us today. Won't you share with our readers the lovely story you told us over tea?


My pleasure, Cottagers—

When I say I loved Mary Nashs Mrs. Coverlets Magicians to pieces when I was a kid, I mean it literally. Right now I have three copies of the book. One has a missing cover, a shredded first page, and all the earmarks of having been dropped in the bathtub, a fate that befell many of my childhood favorites. The second has fallen apart into several chunks and is missing the last 20 pages. And the third is one I acquired as an adult to make sure I had an intact version!


Why do I love this book so much? Partly, of course, it’s hard not to adore a book you loved as a kid. And the three Persever kids are nice foils for each other. Malcolm, the oldest, has a conscience he must continually do battle with (as a child, I strongly identified with his ever-present anxiety about doing the right thing). Molly is supremely practical and not above being devious when necessary. And the self-centered, resourceful Toad is utterly endearing, particularly when he bursts into fractured Christmas carols like 'Good King Wences' Car Backed Out, on a Piece of Stephen.'

 Apparently I felt the need to document the fact that I was reading this while we were getting our Christmas tree (I was 11). Note that I wrote not just my name, but also "Sandy," which must have been my alias at the time. Also: math!"
But mostly I love Mrs. Coverlets Magicians because of the magic. Because there is indeed magic in the storyreal, actual magic. And at the end of the book, when a worried Malcolm confesses everything to his friend Reverend Forthright, the reverend (who may or may not believe him) offers this advice: Its been a wonderful Christmas, Malcolm. Be easy in your mind. Enjoy it. Enjoy its mysteriousness. An admirable response from a grown-upI would have expected, You kids did WHAT??”—and pretty great advice in general.

Christmas is a magical time. I felt that strongly when I was a kid. And rereading this book reminds me.

------------------------------------

Deborah Underwood is the author of many childrens books, including Here Comes Santa Cat; The Christmas Quiet Book; Bad Bye, Good Bye; Pirate Mom; and the New York Times bestsellers Here Comes the Easter Cat; The Quiet Book; and The Loud Book. She cowrote the Sugar Plum Ballerina chapter book series with Whoopi Goldberg, and she has written 27 nonfiction titles. She lives in Northern California with her feline muse, Bella. To learn more about Deborah, her kitty Bella, and her books—visit her website: www.deborahunderwoodbooks.com.


Here Comes Santa Cat
by Deborah Underwood
illustrated by Claudia Rueda
(Dial 2014)

"Excellent . . . An ideal holiday pick for the naughty and nice alike."—Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Great for reading one-on-one or in small groups.”—School Library Journal, starred review

“Another holiday winner.”—Horn Book

The Christmas Quiet Book
by Deborah Underwood
illustrated by Rinata Liwska
(HMH 2014)

"A congenial, understated choice for reading aloud to excited children to help them settle down for a long winter's night."—Kirkus

"This is an ideal title for use during a winter holiday storytime or for one-on-one cuddling at bedtime."
—School Library Journal

"Especially endearing."
—Wall Street Journal