The Little Crooked Bookshelf on #ReviewsDay!

the scariest book ever

by bob shea

(This week's #ReviewsDay pick is from cottager Kara LaReau.)

What it's all about...
A reluctant little ghost encourages readers to go ahead into the "spooky" forest, where it turns out an adorable bunny is hosting a costume party.

Why I love it...
Bob Shea's artwork is as bright, graphic, and inviting as ever, and the funny interactive narrative is scary-good.

Favorite lines...

It's okay, you don't have to go back.

You can stay here and help me with the haunted housework. We'll tell spooky stories and clean the bathroom.

That's scary, right?

Sample illustrations...

What's the kid-appeal?
Kid readers will delight in knowing something the ghost narrator does not — that the story isn't scary at all.

What's the grownup appeal?
It's a terrific read-aloud for Halloween and beyond, and an excellent way to address (however-unfounded) fears.

Where to find/buy the scariest book ever!
Indie Booksellers
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Or at a school or library near you!

Bob Shea is the author-illustrator of the popular Ballet Cat series, the Dinosaur vs....series, and several other picture books, including The Happiest Book Ever, Buddy and the Bunnies in: Don't Play with Your Food!, and Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great. He's a really nice guy, and he lives with his wife and son in Madison, Connecticut. For more information, visit www.bobshea.com.

A Mr. Pig LIVE SPECIAL with… Kirsten Cappy!

<<doorbell>>

Eek! My special guest has arrived. Oh, I'm so excited for you to meet her. What a treat! She's the fiendishly clever mind behind Trick or Reaters.com, a new website celebrating scary, mysterious and fantastical tales! Which, as you can imagine, is right up our alley here in the Little Haunted Cottage. Mwahahahaha! 

MP: KIRSTEN CAPPY! Welcome, ghoulfriend.

KC: Mr. Pig, you look devilishly handsome in that Dracula cape.

MP: Well, thank you. You are likewise a vision, my dear. Come in. I've just put the kettle on. How about we watch a film clip while we wait for our tea?

KC: Perfect!

MP: Wow. That was creepy and cool. Tell me about the name, Trick-or-Reaters.

KC: The name? It is the phrase “Trick or Treaters” being attacked by monsters. What?  Yes, in each manifestation of the logo, a creature is stealing the second T, changing "treaters" to "reaters."  In one version the “T” itself is an adorable fuzzy monster fleeing a many tentacled beast. "Reaters" is "readers" in my kidlit-crazy imagination.

MP: We appreciate a kidlit-crazy imagination in the Crooked Cottage. I mean, you are talking to a pig dressed as a vampire, right now, are you not? Enough said. So who designed all the cool Trick or Reaters graphics?

KC: Most of the images on the site were imagined and illustrated by Maine College of Art students who (as artists do) took the idea to frightfully fantastic levels .

MP: I'll say. And how did you come up with this monstrously clever idea?

KC: Many Octobers ago, I was presenting children's book marketing projects to a group of clever creators at The Writing Barn in Austin.  Author Nikki Loftin stopped me and said, "It is all well and good that you can come up with meaningful marketing for social justice books, but I have a book about teachers fattening children up with candy in order to eat them.  Make something of that!"

Ahhh....

"What about connecting The Sinister Sweetness of Splendid Academy ,” I stalled, “to that rather strange holiday where strangers fatten children up with candy.  What if...you selected a book excerpt and dropped it as a wee booklet in Trick-or-Treater bags?"  

Everyone at The Writer’s Barn immediately volunteered to drop Nikki's booklet in Trick-or-Treater bags.  We quickly added up neighborhood numbers and the reach would be to at least 700 kids with 10 volunteers.

Hmmm...

That got me wondering...could we create children's book discovery on Halloween - a holiday where whole neighborhoods open their doors to children?

MP: Fascinating. So how does it work? Who can use TrickorReaters.com?

KC: TRICK OR REATERS  creates book discovery on Halloween (and throughout the year) by giving Trick-or-Treaters access to scary, mysterious and fantastical stories.

Any school, library, bookstore, family or bookish individual can print out the TRICK OR REATERS black & white flyers from the site. Those flyers can be dropped in trick-or-treaters bags and buckets. The flyer leads children to www.TrickOrReaters.com where they can explore 100 free stories contributed by children’s book authors and illustrators. Simple, cool, and literacy-rich!

There is NO login and NO data is collected on users. Ever. (That would be evil.)

Kids can freely explore using a Age-o-meter, Scare-o-meter or a series of creepy keywords to chose a story to explore. Those stories are delivered in video shorts, audiobook clips, written excerpts or by slideshows of art. Many are story teasers connected to a published book and many of those books have free downloadble activities.

MP: Love it. What are some of your favorite spooky stories on the site?

Picture book author/illustrator Kevan Atteberry, creator of Declan, the rather lovable monster in Bunnies! and Puddles! (HarperCollins), has created original sequential art that tells a brand new story about the master and his pastel bunny friends. This has a Scare-o-Meter rating of 1, but a laugh that will be decimals higher.

Topping the Scare-o-Meter at 10 is an excerpt from the girl ninja novel, Deadly Flowers by Sarah L. Thomson (Boyds Mill Press) that makes me quake every time I read it. I will just say here that it is tagged as being in the “Giant Centipedes” genre on TRICK OR REATERS.

There are stories of ALL kinds at EVERY scare in between.

MP: Mama Pig once read a story to me called The Tailypo; do you know it? It scared the tuna salad out of me back then, but I wanted to read it anyway. What's a favorite spooky Halloween book from your childhood?

KC: Oh, I did NOT like to be frightened as a child. In fourth grade, our teacher read a story about a new wife who always wore a silk ribbon around her neck.  She told her husband that he must never try to take it off or “he would be sorry.”  I won't spoil the ending, but let's just say the spookiness made me lose my head. That's why we have the scare-o-meter on the site. For kids like me. 

MP: <<Ahem>>, by the way, if you want to sleep over, you can. Not because I'm scared. *cough* Oh, no. Like I said, I love scary stories. But…you know… if you wanted to stay, I we could light the fire, and I do make a mean hot chocolate. (Jus' saying.) Anyway, are you reading something seasonal or spooky right now?

KC: I am reading something utterly magical right now.  The forthcoming novel by H.M. Bouwman is called A Crack in the Sea (G.P. Putnam’s Sons) It dares to imagine a different outcome for two groups that would have been tragically and brutally lost at sea. I am not going to give anything away. Oh, but maybe this. There is also a kraken love story. Kraken Love. What could be more seasonal than that?

MP: We've released the Kraken! Now, it is time for tea. Thanks, Kirsten, what a frightfully delightful chat, and I'll go right now to Trick or Reaters and print out flyers for all the ghouls that haunt the Little Crooked Cottage's door on Halloween night. (You'd be amazed at the cast of characters we get trick-or-treating 'round these parts.)

And if YOU want to add stories to your array of Halloween treats, go to http://trickorreaters.com to download flyers, read some spooky (or not too spooky) stories, and even sign up to SKYPE with a Trick or Reaters author on Halloween!

KC: Thanks, Count Pigula!

MP: My pleasure. Mwahahahahaha!

Kirsten Cappy of Curious City builds creative outreach projects for authors, illustrators, and publishers focused on engaging readers with story.

Trick or Reaters is the Frankenstein Monster of Kirsten and Curious City, funded by the Erin Murphy Literary Agency and kid lit authors.

Cover Reveal. . . Monster Trucks!

This is a treat! Today, we get to debut the cover of MONSTER TRUCKS (Harper Childrens, 7/12/16), a new picture book by Cottager, Anika Denise, illustrated by Nate Wragg!

Ready, set, go! The monster truck race is on in this frightfully delightful picture book.  On a spooky speedway, Monster Trucks moan! Monster Trucks grumble! Monster Trucks groan!

Join Frankentruck, Zombie Truck, Ghost Truck, and more as they race to the finish line. But one of these trucks isn’t quite who you think.

That sounds fun! 

Here's what Anika and Nate said about creating this book:

"I've always wanted to write a Halloween book, since Halloween is my favorite holiday. This one started out as a little scribble of an idea in a notebook, and then, the words came. I hope kids enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it." —Anika Denise

"I felt like I was getting to draw everything my five year old self would have loved to have seen and read about in a book. The whole experience was a blast for me." —Nate Wragg

Vroom, vroom! MONSTER TRUCKS will be racing into bookstores and libraries in summer 2016!

Mr. Pig Visits. . . Samantha Berger! (With a SURPRISE and a GIVEAWAY!)

Hi there! Guess what? Today I'm meeting the FABOO and talented SAMANTHA BERGER, author of Boo-La-La Witch Spa, Snoozefest, Crankenstein and more! She says she has a surprise for me. I can't imagine what it is. . .

(She DID tell me she'd send one lucky reader a SIGNED copy of BOO-LA-LA WITCH SPA, though. I hope she signs one for me, too. Scroll down for the deets, peeps!)

<<Knock, knock>>

Mr. Pig! Come in! No, don't take off your jacket, we're not staying long.

Are you sure? I don't want to interrupt. 

Positive! This is going to be fun. . . follow me.

Ok, open your eyes! Ta-da! Since my latest book is called BOO-LA-LA WITCH SPA, and takes place in a spa, I decided it would really be best if I worked HERE in this SPA! It's like method acting. If you really want to capture what it feels like to be a character, you try to become that character and go live her life. So I am taking a walk in her shoes. (Well, really it's more of a robe). Care to come along?

I'd be delighted! Can I have robe, too? 

Of course! Here, put this on.

So… in the book Boo-La-La Witch Spa, the witch soaks in a caldron of mold. This spa doesn't have that, but they DO have mushroom quiche and a jacuzzi. Close enough.

The Witch Spa in the book has an all-you-can-eat candy bar. *This* spa has an all-you-can eat fruit bar. That's way healthier than a candy bar, and you might think grown-up people think it's just as good as a candy bar. Even better! (*But secretly, we all know, it isn't).

There is a sauna filled with hot dragon's breath air in the book. This spa has a sauna filled with MY breath, because it's REALLY hot in here! PANT PANT PANT! It's definitely time to find that cool pool of snail drool! But hmmm… something smells delicious. 

Oh, dear, we better get out of here, I think I'm dry-roasting.

Yikes! Moving on. . .

In the story, the Witch (her name is Leeza) goes to get her hair highlighted and styled. Sadly, this spa doesn't have that. And my hair kinda looks like seaweed right now. But luckily, the robes have hoods! PHEW!

I didn't want to say anything, but my little piggy tail is curling up.

Next--one of the best parts! MASSAGE TIME! This spa doesn't have Hag Stone Massages like the one in the book, but it does have Shiatsu, Deep Tissue, Thai, and Aroma Therapy. Here is the view of the chandelier, right before I fall fast aslee--zzzzzzzzzz...(Writing is really hard work).

Zzzzzzzzz… snort… what was that? I think I drifted off. Am I drooling?

The massage was just exhausting! So next we go off to the Solarium for a nice sit down by the fire and a pedicure. But what color to get? Halloween is coming. . . what do you think, Mr Pig? Magic Moonlight? Silk Cobweb? Vampire Bite? Firefly White? Or Eek-a-Ghost Silver? 

I like the sound of Magic Moonlight. 

One of the best parts (for research, of course) has got to be  going to the gift shop! I am looking for Witch Spa Products like MOLD MASK, SALAMANDER SALVE, TOADSTOOL TONER, BASELISK BRIGHTENER, CLOUD-WHIP CONDITIONER and CLAIRVOYANCE - THE PERFUME. I am not finding them, but these look pretty nifty! Pretty nifty indeed.

I do like their book selection.

Me, too, Mr. Pig. 

Alas, it's time to say farewell to the spa, um, I mean "the work space" for the day! It was TOO FABOO. Just like in the book, I DO yell "Farewell, fellow Spa-Goers," as that is my tradition. I don't really wanna leave, but you can't LIVE at a spa. Wait, CAN you?

I think I could live at the spa. . . with YOU, Samamtha. (Er… as long as you didn't let me fall asleep in the sauna or spend too much time in the jacuzzi. )

Thanks, Mr. Pig!

See you real soon, and happy Halloween!

Photo Credit: Leo Moreton/ Makeup: Joshua Quick

Samantha Berger writes and writes and writes (she even wrote *this*).

She has written picture books like CRANKENSTEIN! illustrated by Dan Santat (Little, Brown, 2013), A CRANKENSTEIN VALENTINE (Little, Brown December, 2014), BOO-LA-LA WITCH SPA illustrated by Isabel Roxas (Dial, August 2015), and SNOOZEFEST illustrated by Kristyna Litten (Dial, January 2015).

She also has written picture books like SANTA'S REINDEER GAMES illustrated by John Manders (Cartwheel, 2011),MARTHA DOESN'T SHARE, and MARTHA DOESN'T SAY SORRY illustrated by Bruce Whatley (Little, Brown 2010, 2009), which won a Parent's Choice Award Honor.

She has written cartoons and promos for Nickelodeon and other networks. She has written comic books and commercials.

She has written movie trailers, theme songs, slogans, magazine articles, poems, TV-books, sticker books and professional books.

You name it, Sam writes it. 

And when she ISN'T WRITING.... She's doing voice-overs, traveling the world, and helping rescue dogs. 

THEN... 

she writes about that, too! 

Samantha splits her time between New York City and sunny California. 

SNOOZEFEST BOOK TRAILER

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgImdX9EamM

Song Performed by Chubb Rock

Song Produced by DJ Mighty Mi

CRANKENSTEIN BOOK TRAILER

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYgjH7L6mmw

BOO-LA-LA WITCH SPA

by Samantha Berger

illustrated by Isabel Roxas

(Dial Books, 2015)


"The flawless rhyming text doesn’t skimp on content and seamlessly weaves in satisfying similes and puns...Witch Spa will have year-round appeal." —School Library Journal

SNOOZEFEST

by Samantha Berger

illustrated by Kristyna Litten

(Dial Books, 2015)

"This knowing, affectionate spoof of music festivals is fresh and timely..." —Publishers Weekly

"No snoozefest here—great fun." —Kirkus Reviews

CRANKENSTEIN

by Samantha Berger

illustrated by Dan Santat

(Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2013)

"Expect many re-read requests from Crankensteins who may (or may not) recognize themselves."

―Publishers Weekly

"Will the creature ever turn from "MEHHRRRR!" to merry? Youngsters will roar along with Crankenstein through this silly and sympathetic story of grumpy-grouchies."―School Library Journal

COMMENT WITH YOUR FAVORITE HALLOWEEN READ (OR SPA TREATMENT) BELOW FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A SIGNED COPY OF BOO-LA-LA WITCH SPA! WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7TH!

GOOD LUCK!

Mr. Pig's Spooky Story Picks--with a SIGNED BOOK GIVEAWAY!

It was a dark and foggy night. . . 

Count Pigula floated into the room silently. His guests gathered by the fire for a haunted hour of spooky stories.  

He pulled the first spooky book down off the Crooked Bookshelf and began. . .

“One morning I woke up sleepy,/ came downstairs to something creepy. Outside the window sat something freaky/ my eyes had never known.” 
--The Crow by Alison Paul.

Want the full list of what Mr. Pig is reading for his Haunted Halloween Story Hour? Check out his top picks from The Little Crooked Bookshelf.

TELL US YOUR FAVORITE SPOOKY STORY in the comments section below to win a SIGNED copy of SO YOU WANT TO CATCH BIGFOOT? by cottager Jamie Michalak! 

The Crow, A Not-So-Spooky Story by Alison Paul

Why it's a Pig pick: Alison Paul channels Edgar Allen Poe in this not-so-spooky tale of a child who spies something creepy out her window. Plus, the author was born on Halloween! 

Ghost In The House by Ammi-Joan Paquette; illustrated by Adam Record

Why it's a Pig pick: Cute ghost + bouncing rhyme=perfect Halloween read aloud!

Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds; illustrated by Peter Brown

Why it's a Pig pick: Aaron Reynolds puts the funny in spooky, and Peter Brown's gray-toned and orange spreads are perfection. 


The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams; illustrated by Megan Lloyd

Why it's a Pig pick: As Halloween read-alouds go, there's perhaps none better. 'Clomp-clomp,' indeed!

The Spider and the Fly by Mary Howitt; illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi

Why it's a Pig pick: Marvelously creepy story meets Tony DiTerlizzi's moody masterful illustrations.

Romping Monsters, Stomping Monsters by Jane Yolen; illustrated by Kelly Murphy. 

Why it's a Pig pick: Little monsters will want to get up, romp and stomp to Yolen's rhythmic text and Murphy's fetching creepy creatures.

The Teeny-Tiny Woman by Paul Galdone

Why it's a Pig pick: As if a teeny-tiny woman weren't creepy enough? This one is hearing scary noises in the night. 

The Spooky Box by Mark Gonyea

Why it's a Pig pick: A box that contains mysterious spooky things? I dare you not to open this book.

Need some spooky reading recommendations for the slightly older set? Don't worry. Mr. Pig has lots of those on the Crooked Bookshelf, too!

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Among the Dolls by William Sleator

Doll Bones by Holly Black

In The Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters

A Tale Dark and Grim by Adam Gidwitz

The Witches by Roald Dahl

Have a safe, spooky and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Love, Count Pigula

and the Crooked Cottagers:

Screamie Michalak

Anika Demise

Scara LaReau

&

Kristen Creepy