The Little Crooked Bookshelf

I'M WORRIED
by Michael Ian Black

Illustrated by Debbie Ridpath Ohi

(This week's pick is from Cottager Jamie Michalak.)

What it’s all about …

Potato is worried. About everything. Because anything might happen.

When he tells his friends -- a girl and a flamingo -- he expects them to comfort him by saying that everything will be okay. Except they don’t. Because it might not be, and that’s okay too. 

Why I love it …

I'm powerless to resist a worried potato. 

Favorite line:

"Like Potato, remember that time you rolled off the table?"

Sample illustration:

From I'M WORRIED by Michael Ian Black. Illustration copyright 2019 by Debbie Ridpath Ohi.

Why will kids love it?

Lots of laugh-out-loud moments make up this story that's equally funny and reassuring. The ending is as comforting as a pb & j sandwich. Unless you're a flamingo who is worried about peanut butter jars. 

Why will grown-ups love it?

Delivering a gentle lesson about enjoying the now, I'M WORRIED is a great read-aloud choice for grown-ups looking for books for their own little worriers.

Where to find/buy …

Indie Booksellers

Amazon

Barnes & Noble
Or at a school or library near you!

About the Author

Michael Ian Black is a writer, comedian, and actor who currently appears on Another Period, The Jim Gaffigan Show, and Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp. He created and starred in many television series, including Michael and Michael Have Issues, Stella, and The State. He wrote the screenplay for the film Run, Fatboy, Run and wrote and directed the film Wedding Daze. Michael regularly tours the country as a stand-up comedian and is the bestselling author of the book My Custom Van (and 50 Other Mind-Blowing Essays That Will Blow Your Mind All Over Your Face), the memoir You’re Not Doing It Right, and the children’s books Chicken Cheeks, The Purple Kangaroo, A Pig Parade Is a Terrible Idea, I’m Bored, Naked!, and Cock-a-Doodle-Doo-Bop. Michael lives in Connecticut with his wife and two children.

About the Illustrator

Debbie Ridpath Ohi is the author of Where Are My Books?. Her illustrations also appear in Sea Monkey and Bob, written by Aaron Reynolds; I’m Bored (New York Times Notable Book) and Naked!, written by Michael Ian Black; as well as ten Judy Blume chapter books and middle grade titles. For more info, visit DebbieOhi.com or @InkyElbows on Twitter.

FRANK AND BEAN sneak peek!!!!!

Superstar librarian and blogger Margie Myers-Culver recently revealed the cover of the funny new early reader FRANK AND BEAN (Candlewick Press, October 2019)! It's written by our very own Cottager Jamie Michalak and illustrated by Bob Kolar.

Find out if you're a Frank or a Bean on Margie's popular blog Librarian's Quest!

The Little Crooked Bookshelf

THE SIMPLE ART OF FLYING
by Cory Leonardo

(This week’s pick is from Cottager Jamie Michalak, who has never owned a bird nor abandoned a hedgehog, but does have a good dog named Lucy.)  

What it’s all about …
Alastair the parrot dreams of escaping the pet shop and flying off with his beloved sister, Aggie, to a palm tree. But when Aggie is purchased by 12-year-old Fritz and Alastair is adopted by elderly dance-enthusiast Bertie Plopky, Alastair must hatch a plan. He soon finds he's forced to choose between following his dream life and letting go.

Why I love it …

This novel dug its claws into me from page one and would not let go. When Alastair eats paper, he can taste the words. He becomes a fan of poetry and soon writes his own witty versions of famous works. Alastair is grumpy, eloquent, and sensitive -- and I found myself rooting for his happiness. Cory Leonardo's debut novel is a stunner.

Favorite lines ...

And if a little time and warmth and light can turn an ugly, old pit into a tree, who's to say a little time can't do the same for you? For me? I know what I'm betting on.

I'm betting on trees. 

AND 

Sometimes the palm tree's the wrong ingredient for your pie.

Why will kids love it?
A funny and moving story starring a cast of quirky animals, a 12-year-old aspiring doctor, and an elderly, hip-hop dancing pie baker -- what's not to love? Perfect for fans of The One and Only Ivan and Kate DiCamillo's books.

Where to find/buy …

Indie Booksellers
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Or at a school or library near you!

About the Author
Cory Leonardo grew up believing she'd replace Vanna White on Wheel of Fortune, but when that didn't pan out, she decided she'd turn letters and phrases in a different way (but minus the glittery dresses, sadly). A born-and-bred upstate New Yorker, she currently lives in the Syracuse area with her husband and three plucky children. This is her first novel.

The Little Crooked Bookshelf and A GIVEAWAY!!!*

BIKES FOR SALE
by Carter Higgins

Illustrated by Zachariah OHora

(This week’s pick is from Cottager Jamie Michalak, who once had a sparkly gold bike with a banana seat and misses it every day. -->)  

What it’s all about …
Maurice rides his bike to his lemonade shop every day. Lotta rides her bike to collect sticks every day. One day, a branch and a lemon peel leads to the end of their bikes. Or do they? BIKES FOR SALE is a sweet story about friends who were meant to meet.

Why I love it …
Maurice and Lotta's tale keeps the reader guessing, and the meet-cute ending is satisfying. OHora's art is as fresh and funny as ever.

Favorite illustration …

From BIKES FOR SALE by Carter Higgins. Illustration copyright 2019 by Zachariah OHora.

Favorite lines ...
Sid knew all about the bikes.
The satchel told stories of sugar.
The bell ding-a-linged of a ditch.
The sprocket remembered lemons, twigs, and mint.

Why will kids love it?

Higgins sees the world through a child's eyes, and offers a relatable experience. Plus, kids will spot lots of humorous details in OHora's exuberant art -- even the endpaper's map is engaging.

After you read the book . . .

Ask your child to describe and draw their dream bike. What does it look like? What makes it special? Where will they ride it?

Where to find/buy …

Indie Booksellers
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Or at a school or library near you!

ENTER WIN A COPY BY LEAVING A COMMENT BELOW! DO YOU REMEMBER YOUR FIRST BIKE?
Winner announced on twitter on Tuesday, Feb. 26.

About the Author
Carter Higgins is an elementary school librarian and the author of Everything You Need for a Treehouse and This Is Not a Valentine. She lives in Los Angeles, California. Visit her at Design of the Picture Book. 

About the Illustrator

Zachariah OHora is the illustrator of the New York Times bestseller Wolfie the Bunny, among many other beloved books for kids. He lives and works in Narberth, Pennsylvania. Visit him at his website.

WE'RE BACK! How we've missed you!

Happy Valentine's Day! We're celebrating by re-opening our doors to share our LOVE of books! 

But first, Anika, Jamie, and Mr. Pig are thrilled to introduce our new roomie at the Cottage, elementary school librarian rock star . . . Melanie Roy! Get to know her and the rest of us, and stay tuned for a brand-new year of book picks, interviews, studio tours, giveaways, and more!

Melanie Roy

Library Teacher of Fourth and Fifth Graders

Favorite Valentine’s Day book: Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch

5 Things I Love That Aren’t Books or People: planning fun surprises, baking, flavored lip gloss, trying new restaurants, traveling

Books I Loved as a Kid (and Still Do!): Caps for Sale, Ramona, Mrs. Piggle Wiggle, Bunnicula, Nancy Drew

Some of My Past Jobs: swim instructor, penny candy seller, ice cream scooper, florist delivery girl, H & R Block receptionist, waitress, tutor, grocery store clerk

Anika Aldamuy Denise

Author of Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré, Starring Carmen, and a few more!

Favorite Valentine’s Day book: Never Too Little To Love

5 Things I Love That Aren’t Books Or People: The Moth Radio Hour, the Adirondack Mountains, wandering in a city with no schedule, coffee, writing with my cat curled up next to me

Books I Loved as a Kid (and Still Do!): From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, Time At The Top, The Snowy Day 

Past jobs: associate film producer, newspaper columnist, chamber maid, breakfast waitress, storyhour lady

my little sister and me

Jamie Michalak

Author of Frank and Bean (coming this September!), the Joe and Sparky early reader series, So You Want to Catch Bigfoot?, and more!

Favorite Valentine's Day Book: Groundhug Day

5 Things I Love That Aren't Books or People: food trucks, coffee, karaoke, tiny things, and my dog, Lucy Caboose
Books I Loved as a Kid (and Still Do!): Harriet the Spy, The Monster At the End of This Book, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Past jobs: children's book editor, giant mouse impersonator, waterpark lifeguard, waitress, toy namer, paper girl

Mr. Pig
Talk Show Host and Famous Children's Book Star

Favorite Valentine's Day Book: Mr. Prickles: A Quill-Fated Love Story

5 Things I Love That Aren't Books or People: ascots, brick houses, tea, travel, and interviewing other children's book characters
Books I Loved as a Piglet (and Still Do!): The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, Charlotte's Web, and Miss Piggy's Guide to Life

Past jobs: Writer, lyricist, actor, and dean emeritus of the Children's Book Character School in New York City

The Little Crooked Bookshelf

HUDSON AND THE PUPPY
LOST IN PARIS
by Jackie Clark Mancuso

(This week’s #ReviewsDay pick is from cottager Jamie Michalak.)

What it’s all about …
Hudson the Parisian pooch is back in another adventure! When Hudson has the sense he's being followed, he turns around to find a lost puppy. Determined to find the puppy's home, Hudson takes him on a whirlwind search through Paris.

Why I love it …

Jackie Clark Mancuso's passion for Paris is evident on every spread. Her illustrations perfectly capture the beautiful, bustling city, as seen through the eyes of its resident gourmet, cinephile dog.

Sample illustrations …

From HUDSON AND THE PUPPY: LOST IN PARIS. Copyright 2018 by Jackie Clark Mancuso.

From HUDSON AND THE PUPPY: LOST IN PARIS. Copyright 2018 by Jackie Clark Mancuso.

Why will kids love it?

Kids will enjoy Hudson's tour of Paris -- complete with a petit French lesson -- as he searches for the pup's home.

Why will grown-ups love it?
Perfect for Francophiles and dog lovers, Hudson and the Puppy: Lost in Paris is also a good choice for those seeking a picture book about kindness and responsibility. 

Where to find/buy …

Indie Booksellers
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Or at a school or library near you!

About the Author-Illustrator
Jackie Clark Mancuso is a painter and the author-illustrator of Paris-Chien: Adventures of an Expat Dog and Hudson in Provence. Visit her website at jackiemancuso.com and find her on Instagram @jackieclarkmancuso

The Little Crooked Bookshelf on #ReviewsDay

DRAWN TOGETHER
by Minh Lê

Illustrated by Dan Santat

(This week’s #ReviewsDay pick is from cottager Jamie Michalak.)

What it’s all about …
When a young boy visits his grandfather, their lack of a common language leads to frustration and silence -- until they discover they share a love of drawing. 

Why I love it …

WOW. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. This book! I love this book! Drawn Together is a stirring picture book about the power of art and storytelling. The boy and his grandfather's struggle to communicate will tug at your heartstrings. But then you're quickly swept up in their epic and action-packed shared creation, breathtakingly illustrated by Dan Santat. 

Sample illustration …

From Drawing Together by Minh Lê. Illustration copyright 2018 by Dan Santat.

Why will kids love it?

Many children will relate to the initial silence between the boy and his grandfather, and the unexpected adventure will knock kids off their feet.

Why will grown-ups love it?

It's easy for both kids and grown-ups to get lost in Dan Santat's dazzling and imaginative illustrations. This cover will likely be wearing a shiny sticker one day.

Where to find/buy …

Indie Booksellers
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Or at a school or library near you!

About the Author
Minh Lê is a writer, but like his grandfather, is a man of few words. He is the author of Let Me Finish! A first-generation Vietnamese-American, he went to Dartmouth College and has a master's in education from Harvard University. Visit Minh at minhlebooks.com or on Twitter @bottomshelfbks

About the Illustrator

Dan Santat is the author and illustrator of the Caldecott Award-winning The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend, as well as The Cookie Fiasco, After the Fall, and others. He is also the creator of Disney's animated hit, The Replacements. Visit him at dantat. com

The Little Crooked Bookshelf on #ReviewsDay

OFF & AWAY

by Cale Atkinson

(This week’s #ReviewsDay pick is from cottager Jamie Michalak.)

What it’s all about …
Jo lives on an island with her dad, who delivers every message in a bottle to its right home. But when he comes down with a severe sea cold, Jo must face her fear of the sea and cast off by herself to get the job done!

Why I love it …

The detailed, energetic illustrations alternate between warm, humorous, and just the right amount of scary that kids love. 

Sample illustration …

From OFF & AWAY. Illustration copyright 2018 by Cale Atkinson.

Why will kids love it?

Sure to elicit both giggles and gasps, this picture book adventure is a thrilling ride of a read-aloud.

Why will grown-ups love it?

Grown-ups can share this picture book about overcoming fears with their favorite littles who might need a boost of courage.

Where to find/buy …

Indie Booksellers
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Or at a school or library near you!

Author-Illustrator bio
Cale Atkinson is an author, illustrator, and animator whose picture books include To the Sea and Explorers of the Wild. He lives and works in Kelowna, British Columbia. Visit him online at www.cale.ca or on Twitter @2dCale.

The Little Crooked Bookshelf on #ReviewsDay

EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR A TREEHOUSE

by Carter Higgins
Illustrated by Emily Hughes

(This week’s #ReviewsDay pick is from cottager Jamie Michalak.)

What it’s all about …
This beautifully illustrated story gives whimsical instructions on how to build a treehouse and what to do once you have.

Why I love it …
This book had me at "treehouse." But then it went and included ALL KINDS OF TREEHOUSES! Like garden treehouses and pirate ship treehouses and high-up-in-the-sky treehouses and (gasp) library treehouses!

Favorite lines ...

You can spill secrets and

whispers in a treehouse

cause the wind keeps them

snug with a rustle

which is a hush you can feel

in your bones

that's how you know it's safe.

Sample illustration …

From WHAT YOU NEED FOR A TREEHOUSE by Carter Higgins. Illustration copyright 2018 by Emily Hughes.

Why will kids love it?
Kids can imagine trying out the different treehouses and choosing their favorite.

Why will grown-ups love it?
Treehouses are for everyone. Even grown-ups dream about escaping the real world and creating a space all their own. Also, some might enjoy how this book calls to mind Andrew Henry's Meadow and the art of Gyo Fujikawa.

Where to find/buy EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR A TREEHOUSE …

Indie Booksellers
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Or at a school or library near you!

Carter Higgins is the author of This Is Not a Valentine and A Rambler Steals Home. She has worked as both a motion graphics designer and a librarian. She lives in Los Angeles, California.

Emily Hughes is an internationally recognized author and illustrator. She is the author-illustrator of The Little Gardener and Wild, and the illustrator of Charlie & Mouse. Emily was born in Hawaii and now lives and works in the United Kingdom.

The Little Crooked Bookshelf

THIS IS NOT A VALENTINE

by Carter Higgins

Illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins

(This week's pick is from cottager Jamie Michalak.)

What it's all about...

A little boy gives his friend a series of small gifts--a lucky rock, a ring from the gumball machine, and more. But make no mistake: these are NOT Valentines. Or are they?

Why I love it...

This ode to a best friend is full of love, but in the most un-cornball of ways. The specific details the boy shares about his friend, from the color of her best shoelaces to her favorite hiding place, shows how much he's smitten.

Favorite lines...

This is not a valentine,

since those things have

fancy cursive and swoopy spins

on words that sounds like mush.

This one is scraps and rips

and drippy glue that dried funny

and the green marker that was the

only one that worked.

Besides,

the teacher

made us

make these.

Sample illustration...

From This is Not a Valentine by Carter Higgins. Illustration copyright 2017 by  Lucy Ruth Cummins. Published by Chronicle Books. 

What's the kid-appeal?

Most kids are not huge fans of "words that sound like mush," so this clever and sweet twist on Valentine's Day hits just the right note.

What's the grownup appeal?

This Is Not a Valentine is actually the perfect Valentine's gift for friends and crushes of any age.

Where to find/buy This is Not a Valentine:

Indie Booksellers

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Or at a school or library near you!

Carter Higgins is an elementary school librarian, book blogger, and graphic designer. She is the creator of the Design of the Picture Book blog. This is her first picture book. She lives in Los Angeles, California.

Lucy Ruth Cummins is an author and illustrator, and also and art director of children's books. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.

The Little Crooked Cottage Bookshelf on #ReviewsDay

Lines

by Suzy Lee

(This week's #ReviewsDay pick is from cottager Jamie Michalak.)

What it's all about...
It starts with a line -- a tip of a pencil and a blade of a skate. At first, this seems to be a simple wordless picture book about an ice skater. But then the real and imagined blur to create magic!

Why I love it...
The art! Whoa. Exquisite. You'll wonder if the pages are made of ice.

Sample illustration...

From LINES. Illustration copyright 2017 by Suzy Lee. Published by Chronicle Books.

What's the kid-appeal?

They'll gasp at the surprising turn the story takes when the skater falls, and -- well, I don't want to give too much away. But they won't see it coming.

What's the grownup appeal?

Beyond the gorgeous visual poetry, Line is a story about picking yourself up when you fall, trying again, and helping others out when they need a hand. This book might also inspire a drawing lesson --- start with a line.


Where to find/buy LINES
Indie Booksellers
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Or at a school or library near you!

Suzy Lee is the author-illustrator of Wave, Shadow, and Open This Little Book. Her books have been published and lauded around the world. She was nominated for the Hans Christian Andersen medal, and Wave and Shadow were selected as New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books of the year. Suzy lives in Seoul, Korea. Learn more about her at www.suzylee.com.