COVER REVEAL . . . Joe and Sparky, Party Animals!!!

It's Friday . . . who's ready to party? We're doing the conga here in the Cottage because we just received the cover of JOE AND SPARKY, PARTY ANIMALS! by Jamie Michalak and Frank Remkiewicz. YOU, dear readers, are the first to get a sneak peek!

When Joe and Sparky happen across a surprise party, they have a fabulous time. It's so fun that Joe decides to throw a surprise party in honor of his pet worm, Wiggy -- except that nobody has ever seen Wiggy. According to Joe, Wiggy leads a busy life. Sometimes he is sailing his ship. Sometimes he is climbing mountains. Sometimes he is playing with his band, the Worms. (They are even bigger than the Beetles!)

Soon it's party time. All the animals in the cageless zoo arrive with cake, presents, and even a band. But there's still no guest of honor. Where is Wiggy?

Young readers will revel alongside the hilarious duo in this story about being willing to take a leap of faith for a friend -- especially if there's a party involved.

Ooh, this sounds funny! I hope we'll finally get to see Wiggy.

Here's what Jamie said about creating this book, the fourth Joe and Sparky early reader:

"Kids have asked me if Joe's pet worm, Wiggy, is real or imaginary. I wasn't entirely sure myself, so I wrote this book to find out."

JOE AND SPARKY, PARTY ANIMALS! will be congaing into bookstores and libraries in summer 2017!

Mr. Pig LIVE . . . with Joe and Sparky!

Hello, friends! Welcome to a special back-to-school episode of my hit talk show:

MR. PIG LIVE!

Why is it a back-to-school episode, you ask? Well, because it's past Labor Day and now that all you little piggies are back in the halls of learning, it is my pleasure, dear viewers, to bring you the who's who of children's book characters and get your brains ready for some fantastic reading!

Speaking of fantastic reading . . . today's guests are none other than SUPERSTARS Joe and Sparky from Cottager Jamie Michalak's hit series of the same name. Her latest, Joe and Sparky Go To School, just came out in paperback.

Roll the clip, please. . .


Lovely to see you both. Um, Joe, can you duck down a bit? Your head is out of frame. Great. Thanks. Let's get started. What are your full names?
J: Joe Giraffe
S: Sparky Turtle

What one word best describes you?
J: SUPERSTAR!
S: Safety-conscious.

What is your pet peeve?
J: I do not have a pet peeve, but I do have a pet worm named Wiggy.
S: Joe says Wiggy is super talented. He can make the letters S and O with his body.

That is impressive! If you were stranded on a desert island, what would you bring?
J: A surfboard, basketball, my fruit hat, a flashy yellow convertible, striped sports socks, Wiggy (my pet worm), and-- 
S: I think Mr. Pig means one thing, Joe. I would bring a safety helmet to protect myself from falling coconuts. Safety first!

What did you eat for breakfast this morning?
J: 152 1/2 leaves
S: a worm
J: (gasp) Wiggy?!
S: Of course not. I have never, ever met Wiggy. Does he really exist?
J: Yes, but you can not see him right now. He is visiting his girlfriend in Niagara Falls.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
J: I would like to be the world’s first flying giraffe.
S: I would like to use contractions.

What is your favorite word?
J: hubbub
S: nap

What is you least favorite word?
J: nap
S: idea — because every time Joe says, “I have an idea” we get into BIG trouble.

What is your favorite sound?
J: The sound of noisy, short people laughing.
S: The whoosh of the magic pond we found in the school restroom. The water disappeared — and then it came back again!!!

From JOE AND SPARKY GO TO SCHOOL. Illustration copyright 2013 by Frank Remkiewicz.

If you could dine with three characters from other books, who would they be?
S: I would dine on the Very Hungry Caterpillar, the Lowly Worm, and Fly Guy.
J: Sparky, Mr. Pig said “dine with” not “dine on!”
S: Oh. This is awkward.

Right, we have a strict no-eating-the-guests policy in the Cottage. Or the hosts for that matter. I can't tell you how many times we had to remind SHARK when he was here (shudder). Where was I? Oh yes, what is your most embarrassing moment?
J: When we went to school for a day, the teacher said, “Clap your hands, stomp your feet, put your bottoms in your seat!” I did . . . and broke the chair.
S: I once flipped over while doing the Hokey Pokey. (Turtles are not made to shake things all about.)

From JOE AND SPARKY GO TO SCHOOL. Illustration copyright 2013 by Frank Remkiewicz.

If a genie gave you one wish, what would you wish for?
J: hands
S: safety goggles

What was it like working with Jamie Michalak?
S: This was our third time working with Jamie. She drinks too much coffee and lives with two noisy, short people who give her ideas for stories.
J: If you see her, tell her that I would like my fruit hat back.

I'll let her know. Well, thank you both SO much! Before you head back to the cageless zoo, Nina from MamaBelly Lunches with Love has prepared a fabulous lunch for you! 
S: Are there worms in it?
J: Very funny.

Oh, there's Jamie. And pssst, Joe, she's wearing your fruit hat.

Jamie Michalak is the author of more than twenty-five children's books, including the award-winning Joe and Sparky books--Joe and Sparky Go to School, Joe and Sparky, Superstars!, and Joe and Sparky Get New Wheels, all illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz; She also wrote The Coziest Place, illustrated by Jon Davis and So You Want to Catch Bigfoot? illustrated by Mark Fearing, as well as numerous movie and TV show adaptations. Jamie lives in Barrington, Rhode Island with her husband and two sons. To learn more about her books, visit Jamie’s website, www.jamiemichalak.com

Frank Remkiewicz is the beloved illustrator of more than 100 children’s books--fourteen of which he has authored himself. Frank created the artwork for many popular series, including the Joe and Sparky series of early readers, the popular Horrible Harry series by Suzy Kline, and the bestselling Froggy series by Jonathan London. Frank has also written and illustrated several books of his own, including The Last Time I Saw Harris, Gus Makes a Gift, and Gus Gets Scared. He lives in Sarasota, Florida. To learn more about Frank, visit his website, www.remkiewicz.com.

JOE AND SPARKY GO TO SCHOOL

Illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz

Candlewick Press, June 2014

ISBN 978-0-7636-6278-3 (hardcover)

ISBN 978-0-7636-7181-5  (paperback)

     ★ "This book is perfect for the newly independent reader and makes a fine bridge from Amelia Bedelia to Ramona. Limited but lively vocabulary, a large font, and carefully placed illustrations—all in a humorous, high-interest package—will make this a hit."  —The Horn Book, starred review

“Michalak will have readers giggling over the silly exchanges and comedic misunderstandings that follow as Sparky and Joe attempt to fit in at school. . . . The vibrant watercolor and colored pencil cartoons and well-targeted humor . . . will entertain growing readers.” —Publishers Weekly

**WIN A SIGNED COPY OF JOE AND SPARKY GO TO SCHOOL - FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @MRPIGLIVE AND TWEET THIS POST!**

(Winner announced next week!)

Our Picks for Funny Back-to-School Books

Looking for humorous back-to-school books to ease first-day jitters? Your search ends here. We've hand-picked our favorite funny, school-themed books, all guaranteed to make kids giggle. 

From I DIDN'T DO MY HOMEWORK BECAUSE . . . by Davide Cali. Illustration copyright 2014 by Benjamin Chaud.

I DIDN'T DO MY HOMEWORK BECAUSE . . .

by Davide Cali, illustrated by Benjamin Chaud
Chronicle 2004, ISBN 978-145212-5510-0

How many excuses are there for not doing homework? Let us count the ways: Giant lizards invaded the neighborhood. Elves hid all the pencils. And then there was that problem with carnivorous plants. . . . The excuses go on and on, each more absurd than the next and escalating to hilarious heights. Funny with super-fabulous illustrations. [Anika's pick]

JOE AND SPARKY GO TO SCHOOL

by Jamie Michalak, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz 

Candlewick Press, 2014; ISBN 978-0763671815

Joe the giraffe and Sparky the turtle return in a hilarious back-to-school adventure! When the two friends hop on a yellow bus full of "noisy short people," and end up in an elementary school, they must navigate the strange customs of their new habitat—including magic "ponds," peas that are for counting not eating, and a quest to earn gold stars. There's nothing better than belly laughs when tackling back-to-school topics, and the latest installment in Michalak's beloved early reader series will garner plenty of giggles and guffaws. [Anika's pick]

From My Teacher Is a Monster (No I Am Not). Illustration copyright 2014 by Peter Brown.

MY TEACHER IS A MONSTER (NO, I AM NOT) 

by Peter Brown

Little Brown, 2014; ISBN 978-03160-7029-4

Bobby's teacher, Mrs. Kirby, is a monster. (No, really . . . she's green and she yells and she has sharp teeth.) But when Bobby encounters her on a park bench one day and the two have a chat out of the context of school, he realizes perhaps she's not as scary as he initially thought. A droll and clever way to help kids realize that their teachers are just regular people, and there isn't any reason to be afraid of them. [Anika's pick]

EDDA: A LITTLE VALKYRIE'S FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

by Adam Auerbach 

Henry Holt & Co., 2014; ISBN 978-08050-9703-0

Pairing Norse mythology with a back-to-school tale really got our attention. The clever story and charming line drawings will surely inspire little Valkyries to summon their own courage when conquering the strange new world of school. [Anika's pick]

PEPPA PIG AND THE BUSY DAY AT SCHOOL

Candlewick Press, 2014; ISBN 978-07636-7227-0

What will Peppa do at Special Talent Time when her special talents are already chosen by others? Find out in this delightful school story, starring our SECOND-favorite piggy persona (after Mr. Pig, of course)! [Kara's pick]

THE MISS NELSON COLLECTION

by Harry Allard, illustrated by James Marshall
HMH Books for Young Readers, 2014; ISBN 978-05440-8222-9

For the first time ever, all three classic stories (Miss Nelson is Missing!, Miss Nelson is Back, and Miss Nelson Has a Field Day) are all available in one volume. A back-to-school read not even Viola Swamp could resist! [Kara's pick]

THE BEAR WITH STICKY PAWS GOES TO SCHOOL

by Clara Vulliamy

tiger tales, 2009; ISBN 1-58925-081-8

Lily doesn't want to go to school. But then--ding dong!--it's the Bear with Sticky Paws, who's come to take Lily to Bear School! At Bear School, you don't hang up your coats; you throw them up in the air. You play ALL of the instruments loudly, and you make a BIG mess. Lily has fun, but soon she's ready to go to her own school. Sweet and silly. [Jamie's pick]

From Planet Kindergarten by Sue Ganz-Schmitt. Illustration copyright 2014 by Shane Prigmore.

PLANET KINDERGARTEN 
by Sue Ganz-Schmitt, illustrated by Shane Prigmore

Chronicle, 2014; ISBN 978-14521-1893-2
Today is liftoff. "You are well prepared," says Dad. Mom counts down. Into the rocket ship . . . the boosters fire, and we launch. I'm off to PLANET KINDERGARTEN! After reading this clever book, children heading into kindergarten will be ready to suit up for their own daring adventure. [Jamie's pick]
 

MRS. ROOPY IS LOOPY! (My Weird School series)
by Dan Gutman, illustrated by Jim Paillot
HarperCollins, 2004; ISBN 978-00605-0704-6 
Know any reluctant readers? Hand them a book from Dan Gutman's side-splitting My Weird School chapter book series STAT. The Ella Mentry School is populated by wacky teachers. Like Mrs. Roopy, the new librarian, who comes to school wearing a pot on her head! One day she thinks she's George Washington, and the next day she's Little Bo Peep. Crazy fun! [Jamie's pick]

BEE-WIGGED

by Cece Bell

Candliewick Press, 2008; ISBN 978-07636-3614-2 

Jerry Bee is an enormous bee who loves people. But people don't love Jerry Bee because . . . well, he's an enormous bee. Then a wig changes Jerry's life--when he puts it on, he looks just like a boy! But when his true identity revealed, will he go back to being a large and lonely bee? The unexpected ending will have kids in stitches. Hair's to you, Cece Bell! [Jamie's pick]