WELCOME BACK! Our Summer Vacation & a Question for YOU*

Mr. Pig here, back home in the Enchanted Woods after a summer of travel, adventure, and a few mishaps. (Word to the wise: never stay in a b & b made of straw!)

Anyway, my fellow Cottagers--Anika Denise, Kara LaReau, Jamie Michalak--and I are back for another exciting year! We have many celebrity guests lined up. Stay tuned for tours of art studios and writing spaces, my interviews with children's book characters (like, er, Bacon), book recommendations, and more!

Sadly, our fifth Cottager, the talented and hilarious Kristen Tracy, is leaving us to move to California. Sniff! We'll miss you, Kristen!

What did the other Cottagers do over the summer?

ANIKA announced some stellar book news! Abrams acquired her new picture book series STARRING CARMEN, in which Carmen, a thespian extraordinaire, struggles to share the spotlight with her little brother. Lorena Alvarez is on board to illustrate. Publication is slated for spring 2017 for the first volume, with the second to follow in spring 2018. Read the full announcement in PW here! 

In between visits to the Adirondacks, Chesapeake Bay, and various Clam Shacks throughout Rhode Island, Anika plugged away at revisions for a new picture book and continued work on her middle grade novel. She also successfully grew tomatoes, kale and cucumbers in her garden—but had a little trouble with squash. 

Happy as clams -- Anika & Christopher Denise hanging with their family in Warren.

KARA spent her summer finishing two revisions: one for the first book in her new series, THE UNINTENTIONAL ADVENTURES OF THE BLAND SISTERS, and one for the second book in her INFAMOUS RATSOS series. She’s also waiting to hear about several projects out on submission, and has two new picture books and a new chapter book series in the works. Somehow, she managed to find time to relax on the beach with her husband and toddler. 

Kara strolling in Narragansett with her beach-loving cutie.

JAMIE received happy news -- her early reader, JOE AND SPARKY GO TO SCHOOL, is 1 of 52 Great Reads by the Library of Congress at this year's National Book Festival! She spent her summer writing a top-secret project, teaching "The In-Betweeners: Writing Early Readers and First Chapter Books" workshop with Kara at the Highlights Foundation, and revising the forthcoming JOE AND SPARKY, PARTY ANIMALS! (Candlewick Press, 2017), illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz.

Jamie also learned to play darts, read a stack of creepy middle grade mysteries, took the Lays potato chip challenge (New York Reuben FTW), and caught waves with her sons.

A race to the shore. Jamie bodyboarding with her oldest son in Westerly.

* What have YOU been up to this summer? Tell us what we've missed -- and what great books you've read! Write the book title(s) and your name, if you wish to share it, in the Comments section. We'll share your suggestions in a future post.

Mr. Pig REPLAY… with Joe and Sparky

Instead of a Quote of the Week, we'd like to replay this hilarious interview with SUPERSTARS Joe and Sparky from Cottager Jamie Michalak's hit series of the same name. 

Why? Because the topic of FUNNY WOMEN WRITERS came up recently in Cheryl Blackford's insightful blog post, and well, we just wanted to show some support with an example of how funny we women writers can be. 

Watch, read, and giggle. . .

 
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

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!)

Literary Lunch . . . Joe and Sparky

Ok, Joe and Sparky, feast your eyes on the delicious lunch prepared by Cottage caterer and bento-box extraordinaire, Nina from Mamabelly!

Do your kids have the back-to-school jitters? Help put them at ease by reading Joe and Sparky Go to School by Jamie Michalak and illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz. You can be sure that the giggles won't stop! Nina's kids love to imagine what would happen if Joe and Sparky came to their school.

To celebrate back to school, Nina from Mamabelly packed a Joe and Sparky lunch to please:

• gold cheddar stars that Joe so badly wants to eat at school
• a green Sparky turtle kiwi
• and of course, a Joe the giraffe peanut butter and jelly sandwich

We're back and we're throwing a party!

Hello! Mr. Pig here. I've thrown open the shutters, dusted, mopped, picked some late-summer blooms from the garden, and put the kettle on. I can't tell you how good it feels to be home!

It's been a whirlwind adventure this summer—but more about that later.

Right now, I have to start the preparations for a party. That's right! What would The Little Crooked Cottage be without a good welcome home party? We have so much to celebrate!

Cottager Anika Denise's new book Baking Day at Grandma's, illustrated by Christopher Denise, releases TODAY, August 14th! (Grandma Bear and her grand-cubs should be arriving shortly. They're bringing the cake, of course.)

Here's what School Library Journal had to say about the book: "The text is a wonderful rhyming poem/song with the refrain, 'It’s baking day!/It’s baking day!/It’s baking day/at Grandma’s!' And it’s such fun to read aloud. 'Old-time music, soft and sweet./Skippy notes and tapping feet./Learning songs that Grandma sings–/when the kitchen timer rings!' A recipe for Grandma Rosie’s Chocolate Cake is included. This gentle story will leave children feeling warm and fuzzy. It’s perfect for individual sharing, storytime, baking time, and pretty much any time."

Let's see, what else?

Oh! Jamie Michalak's Joe and Sparky Go to School, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz, released in paperback in June! I know several little piglets who'll be heading back to school soon and I can't wait to for them to read it. Speaking of back-to-school, the Cottagers are working on a list of their favorite back-to-school books to share with you on August 20th.

Kara LaReau has been visiting young readers all over the world and talking about her newest book, No Slurping No Burping! A Tale of Table Manners, thanks to Skype Classroom.

Kristen Tracy has been traveling and writing up a storm this summer, as well. She has some fun new project news we'll be breaking shortly. We'll tell you all about it when we do our summer vacation recap on August 28th. 

What have you been up to? I hope you've read a ton of great books like I have. I met many talented children's book authors, illustrators, and characters in my travels, and I invited them all to visit the cottage soon! It's going to be a busy and exciting season. I've lined up some absolutely fabulous guests for my hit talk show: MR PIG LIVE!

Louise from Kelly Light's highly anticipated Louise Loves Art will drop by on September 15th, and Leroy Ninker will trot in for a chat about his all new book Leroy Ninker Saddles Up: Tales from Deckawoo Drive, from the one and only Kate DiCamillo and the fabulously talented Chris Van Dusen on September 29th.

Authors Ann Stott (What to Do When You're Sent to Your Room, Always), Elise Broach (Masterpiece),  Nina Laden (Once Upon a Memory), Nancy Castaldo, (Sniffer Dogs: How Dogs [And Their Noses] Save the World), Deborah Underwood (The Quiet Book; Bad Bye, Good Bye), and others will be here to talk about the books they Loved-to-Pieces as young readers.

As you know, I'm a pig on the go. I'll be heading out to visit the studios of the talented Matt Tavares (illustrator of Growing Up Pedro, Becoming Babe Ruth, Jubilee! and others), the aforementioned fabulous Chris Van Dusen (author-illustrator of many wonderful books including Kate DiCamillo's Mercy Watson and Leroy Ninker series), children's book superstar Rosemary Wells (Max and Ruby, Time-Out for Sophie, Yoko Find Her Way), the delightful Debbi Ridpath Ohi (illustrator of Naked! and I'm Bored by Michael Ian Black, and creator of the hilarious Inky Girl comic), and many more!

We are also pleased to announce that Nina of MamaBelly Lunches with Love will be with us again this year, making her popular and delicious Literary Lunches!  

The Cottagers have been busy cooking up new content, too, including a special Little Crooked Bookshelf spotlight, where we pull something lesser known but wonderful off the shelf and tell you why we love it—along with new monthly reading recommendations written by librarians and kidlit experts to help kids and parents discover new books in their favorite genres.

So get ready, folks! It's going to be a great year at The Little Crooked Cottage. For now, I better run. Grandma Bear is here with twenty two chocolate cakes, and . . . oh my, from the looks of her cubs they've had a lot of sugar. I hope they haven't gobbled up all my milk and honey.

In the meantime, help yourself to a cup of tea, and check out the all-new book trailer for Baking Day at Grandma's by Anika & Christopher Denise! See you soon!

The Crooked Truth About . . . a Book Launch

Jamie's Crooked Truth: It’s not about the watermelon turtle.

Last week, my local bookstore hosted the book launch party for Joe and Sparky Go to School. Fellow cottager Anika Denise works there, and was an enormous help. But what she doesn’t know is that I almost cancelled it. Here’s the Crooked Truth behind a book launch. . . .

Three months before party: Worry. Will I be the only one at the party? Should I call it off? Nah. I’m being silly. Surely my mom will be there, at least.

Two months before party: Mom informs me that she’s already made plans to compete in a cornhole tournament. Say WHAT? Send out a flurry of save-the-date emails.

One month before party: Search Pinterest for party ideas. Even though I’ve spent my life successfully avoiding crafts, I convince myself that I’ll make my own cupcake toppers, bus-shaped chocolates, and the pièce de résistance -- this watermelon carved into the shape of a turtle.

Week of the Party:
Thursday. Appear on local morning show to promote the event. It is LIVE. Shiver. My one goal: do not end up on “Talk Soup.”
    I survive--it’s actually kind of fun--and come home to replay the show. All seems okay. Until, the camera suddenly shifts to my book on the table and my knee beside it.
    I wait for the camera to pan away from me knee. It does not. For an uncomfortably long time, my knee answers a series of questions. Yes, this is really happening. I’m watching an interview with my knee.
    On the plus side, it doesn’t end up on “Talk Soup.”

Friday afternoon. Borrow a five-foot stuffed giraffe from the library. Young witnesses look alarmed as they watch the children’s department’s mascot zoom away in the front seat of a minivan.

Friday night, 1 a.m. After enough procrastinating, I finally attempt to carve a watermelon into the shape of a turtle. Read instructions, which call for a channel knife. What the hey is a channel knife?! 

1:04. Engage in brief but energetic fit about made-up utensils.

1:10. Cut watermelon in half and scoop out dainty melon balls.

1:20. Still scooping . . .

1:31. Realize I’ve barely scooped out 1/1000 of the watermelon. Grab a knife and hack out “squares” instead. Look down to discover that I’ve shredded watermelon.

Saturday, Day of the Party!
12:20. Unload packed car of its contents, including the five-foot stuffed giraffe, 50 goodie bags, store-bought cupcakes, bowl of shredded watermelon, watermelon turtle body parts, and a large cut-out of Joe and Sparky.

12: 25. Place Joe and Sparky cardboard cut-out in the front of the store.

12:30 p.m. Hear a hubbub outside. Good gravy! A kid has gotten his head stuck in the cardboard cut-out!!

12:35. Assemble watermelon turtle in the bookstore’s office. Try to stick turtle’s head and legs into its “shell” using toothpicks. Hammer them in using the back of a stapler. Watermelon guts fly everywhere.
    Me: “It looks like roadkill.”
    Anika, nodding: “This is a turtle crime scene.”

 12:45. I hear a soft voice behind me.
    “Are you the author?” a woman asks.
    “Yes, hello,” I say, wiping watermelon juice off my cheek.
    The woman points to a small boy standing shyly by her side. “This is Cesar. He’s a fan of your books. He asks me to read this one to him all the time.” She holds up her son’s copy of Joe and Sparky Get New Wheels. "We read about the party in the paper.”
    It takes me a moment to realize that this little boy came, not because he's a relative or loves bus-shaped chocolates, but because he likes a book. A book! With all the crazed preparations, I’d somehow forgotten what this party is really all about. I bend down to thank him. I love this boy. The best part of the day has just happened.

1:00. Official start time of the party.

1:05. Waiting for guests to arrive.

1:10. Still waiting. Oh dear. Make idle small talk with Anika while watching the front door.

1:12. I am alone in a cruel, cruel world.

1:14. The first guests arrive! And then another! And my mom, who brought flowers! The rest of the day is a blur of familiar and new smiling faces. The bookstore is lively and crowded. Kids are getting books. Some are already reading. They all look happy. 

And you know what? Nobody ate that watermelon.

Cottager News & Events

The Little Crooked Cottagers have finally cleaned up all of the stray banana peels from their housewarming party. Thanks to all who came! Good news: the Muffin Man finally went home. Here's more good news from the Cottage and an invitation.

New agent news! Anika Denise is now represented by Emily van Beek of Folio Jr. (Woot-woot!)

Book party! September 7th, 1-3, Barrington Books: You're invited to Jamie's book launch party of Joe and Sparky Go To School!  It's a back-to-school celebration with face painting, a book signing, giveaways, games, a raffle, and a watermelon carved into the shape of a turtle (if she can manage it).