The Little Crooked Bookshelf

What's an Apple?

by Marilyn Singer, illustrated by Greg Pizzoli

This week's pick is from cottager Kara LaReau.

What it's all about
You can pick it, you can kick it. You can bob for it — don't sob for it! This story celebrates the apple and its many uses and entertainments.

Why it's on The Little Crooked Bookshelf…
With a crisp, buoyant text from Marilyn Singer and Greg Pizzoli's sweet, graphic illustrations, this book is the perfect way to ring in the fall season with very young readers.

My favorite lines…

You can wash it,
try to squash it,
or pretend that it's a ball.
You can drink it.
You can sink it.
Give your teacher one this fall!

My favorite illustration…

Why kids will love it…

Kids will be delighted to learn the many ways one might enjoy apples — and will surely be encouraged to try a few of these examples themselves. (FYI, there's a companion book, called What's a Banana?, which promises similar a-peel.)

Why grown-ups will love it…

It's a fruitful exercise in using one's imagination, and in seeing the remarkable in something simple.

Mr. Pig Live . . . with Number One Sam!

Welcome to another exciting episode of my hit talk show, Mr. Pig Live! 

Today we have an A-list guest for you. He's the superstar race car driver from Greg Pizzoli's brand-new picture book. The one and only . . .

NUMBER ONE SAM! 

 

But before bringing Sam out, let's watch of clip of our speedster in action!



Wow, listen to that applause! Welcome, Sam! What's your full name?

I’ve learned to live with just “Sam."

What one word best describes you?
“Top-dog”? Do hyphenated words count?

Sure. Do you have a belly button?
I didn’t realize this was that kind of interview.

Er, moving on. . . . What is the best thing about being you?
Duh, fame.

What is the worst thing about being you?
Fame . . . she is a cruel mistress. Also, fleas.

If you were stranded on a desert island, what would you bring?
Flea spray.

Good thinking. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Super speed! 

From NUMBER ONE SAM. Illustration copyright 2014 by Greg Pizzoli.

What are you reading right now?
Fan mail, mostly.

Share one thing that most of our readers don’t know about you.
I used to wear glasses. My eyes got better!

Fascinating! If you could dine with three characters from other books, who would they be?
Nilson from No Fits, Nilson by Zachariah OHora, Goat from Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great by Bob Shea, and Tip from The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex.

Hmm. Future guests, perhaps? What did you eat for breakfast this morning?
Kibble. 

 
What is your pet peeve?
People who don’t love Harry Potter! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

I know, right? What was it like working with this Greg Pizzoli fellow?
We never really talked! As a ghostwriter though, I think he did an ok job. I can’t say for certain that we’ll work together again.

Huh. I wonder what the crocodile from The Watermelon Seed has to say about him. 

Well, that's all the time we have for today. Thanks for visiting, Sam! Please stay for a Literary Lunch created especially for YOU by Nina from Lunches with Love.

Goodbye, everyone! And remember, drive safely! 


About the Book

NUMBER ONE SAM

by Greg Pizzoli

Published by Disney-Hyperion, May 2014

They're off! Sam is the best race-car driver in history-he is number one at every race! But when his best friend, Maggie, shows that she has racing talent of her own, Sam doesn't know how to handle coming in second place. Will he learn what it truly means to be a winner?

"A polished work, from the words to the finish on the race cars." 

--Kirkus (starred review)

"Another winner from Pizzoli!" 

--Publisher's Weekly (starred review)

Don't miss THE WATERMELON SEED, also by Greg Pizzoli!

2014 Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Winner

"Children will love this hilarious book. The artwork was created by screen print in pink, green, [and] black... This simplicity allows readers to fully appreciate the changes in the croc's facial expressions, which artfully contribute to the humor." --School Library Journal (starred review)
 
"An expert debut." 
--Publishers Weekly, (starred review)
 
"...a juicy premise...Pizzoli legitimizes childish anxieties but also slyly exaggerates each worry to highlight the humor." 
--The New York Times



About the Author-Illustrator

Greg Pizzoli is an author, illustrator, and screen printer from Philadelphia. His first picture book, The Watermelon Seed, was published by Disney-Hyperion Books and it was the 2014 recipient of the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award. Publisher's Weekly called it "an expert debut" in their starred review.

Greg has more books in the works with Disney-Hyperion, Viking, Candlewick, and FSG.

After college, Greg spent two years as a full-time volunteer in AmeriCORPS from 2005-2006. In 2009, he received his MFA from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, where he now teaches. To see more of Greg's work and his studio, visit http://gregpizzoli.com.



 

Literary Lunch . . . Number One Sam!

Sam is the best race car driver in history. Until he loses a race. Will he be number one again? Greg Pizzoli's delicious new book NUMBER ONE SAM teaches the important lesson that winning isn't everything.

Nina from Mamabelly's Lunches with Love made a winning fun lunch for Sam--a simple cream cheese and jelly sandwich with colored cream cheese, sprinkles, and melted chocolate decorations.