Mr. Pig Live ... with Magique & Hugo Fromage! PLUS AN UNCANNY GIVEAWAY!*

Hello, friends! It's time for an all-new episode of MR. PIG LIVE -- a talk show of scintillating interviews with your favorite children's book characters, hosted by me, MR. PIG!

Today, we have TWO special guests joining us. Please give a warm welcome to the colorful characters of Kara LaReau's latest Bland sisters adventure (out today!!!), The Uncanny Express . . .

Magique and Hugo Fromage!
<<applause>>

Thanks for visiting! I must say, you two are my most mysterious guests. Will you reveal your full names? 

M: Magique, darling! Or, if you like, you can call me the Queen of Magic.

H: I am the great detective, Hugo Fromage. *bows* So pleased to make your acquaintance, Monsieur Pig.

What three words best describe you?

H: Brilliant, perceptive, and of course, humble.

M: Mysterious, marvelous, and of course, MAGICAL. 

I hope this isn't too personal, but ... do you have a belly button?

M: I prefer to leave that a mystery, like just about everything else about me.

H: Excuse moi?

All images copyright Jen Hill.

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

M: My Disappearing Cabinet, in case I need a change of scenery.

H: A magnifying glass. Hugo Fromage is always on the case!

When do you feel the happiest?

M: When I’m pulling off a really good illusion. And of course, when I’m hearing applause.

H: When I am able to bring the guilty to justice!

Would you rather be able to fly or be invisible? (Or can you already fly or be invisible?)

H: I would prefer to be a fly…on the wall, to truly observe my suspects.

M: I can do both, darling. I am a magician, you know!

All images copyright Jen Hill.

If you have a pocket, what is in it right now? 

M: Magicians never reveal what’s in their pockets, or up their sleeves!

H: I do not carry anything in my pocket, mon petit lardon. Everything I need is up here, in what I call my brain stew. *taps a gloved finger against exceedingly-round head*

Do you have any siblings?

H: There is no other Fromage but Hugo. When they made me, they broke the mold, as they say.

M: Hmm…I don’t like to reveal spoilers, so you’ll have to read THE UNCANNY EXPRESS to learn more!

All images copyright Jen Hill.

What was it like working with Jaundice and Kale Bland?

M: I’m afraid they don’t have a dramatic bone in their bodies, the poor dears. But they were surprisingly effective as my assistants.

H: I must agree with you, Mademoiselle, Magique. In the end, they proved themselves worthy of my esteemed company.

What was it like working with my cottager roomie Kara LaReau?

M: Talk about a magician — she conjures characters and stories out of thin air! Though she really could use some flair in her wardrobe. I’d suggest more capes, caftans, and turbans.

H: Much like a good detective, Mademoiselle LaReau keeps her eyes and ears open. 

M: And she was the one who brought you and me together. Let’s not forget that. 

H: Her instincts are, as they say…uncanny.

M: I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Thank you for making us the first stop on your tour, Magique and Detective Fromage! And for those of you at home, the fun doesn't end here. Add a comment below to enter to win an uncanny . . .

* GIVEAWAY!!! The prize includes signed copies of The Uncanny Express and the new paperback of The Jolly Regina with snazzy bookmarks, a pack of Jolly Regina postcards, and an official Hugo Fromage mustache!
Winner announced on Tuesday, January 16.

************

The Unintentional Adventures of the Bland Sisters
The Uncanny Express

by Kara LaReau
illustrated by Jen Hill
(Amulet, 2018)

An inventive story in the tradition of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, The Uncanny Express has all the whimsy and humor that readers who are looking for an anything-but-bland adventure will love.

"Fans of Dame Agatha’s whodunits will enjoy catching the sly riffs." -- Booklist

"LaReau has a lot of fun with her Agatha Christie homage, filling her book to the brim with requisite gags and puns...Move over, Holmes and Watson. There's a new detecting pair in town, and the name's Bland." -- Kirkus

The Unintentional Adventures of the Bland Sisters
The Jolly Regina 

(Amulet, 2017)

In the spirit of A Series of Unfortunate Events and the Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place series, The Unintentional Adventures of the Bland Sisters will captivate middle-grade readers looking for humor, hijinks, and a swashbuckling good time. Meet Jaundice and Kale Bland, two sisters who avoid excitement at any cost. Together, they patiently await the return of their parents, who left on an errand years ago and have never returned.

"LaReau serves her humor dry, adding some serious swashbuckling for good measure...Meanwhile Hill's pen-and-ink cartoons give the book precisely the right strange and silly tone." -- Kirkus

"Filled with puns, intrigue, and ample evidence that women make excellent—and ruthless—pirates, it’s a promising introduction to the Unintentional Adventures of the Bland Sisters series." -- Publishers Weekly

"Replete with puns, gags, and life lessons, this transgressive voyage may “ketch” fans of envelope pushers like Barry Yourgrau, Alan Katz, or Roald Dahl." -- Booklist

Kara LaReau was born and raised in Connecticut. She received her Masters in Fine Arts in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts and later worked as an editor at Candlewick Press and at Scholastic Press. She is the author of picture books such as UGLY FISH, illustrated by Scott Magoon, and NO SLURPING, NO BURPING! A Tale of Table Manners, illustrated by Lorelay Bové; an award-winning chapter book series called The Infamous Ratsos, illustrated by Matt Myers; and a middle-grade trilogy called The Unintentional Adventures of the Bland Sisters, illustrated by Jen Hill.  Kara lives in Providence, Rhode Island with her husband and son and their cat.

*****************

Mr. Pig Live . . . with the Bland Sisters! Plus a non-bland LITERARY LUNCH!

Ahoy, mateys! Welcome to my hit talk show, Mr. Pig Live! Today I'm interviewing the reluctant stars of THE UNINTENTIONAL ADVENTURES OF THE BLAND SISTERS, a three book middle-grade series written by my roomie Kara LaReau and illustrated by Jen Hill. The first book, The Jolly Regina, is out this month! 

These two firecrackers have just returned home after being kidnapped by an all-female band of pirates. They were unwillingly swept into a high-seas romp that might have lead them one step closer to solving the mystery of what happened to their parents. Let's find out more!

Welcome to the show and thanks for leaving your house to visit me! What are your full names? 

J: Jaundice Bland.

K: Kale Bland.

From The Unintentional Adventures of the Bland Sisters: The Jolly Regina. Illustration copyright 2016 by Jen Hill.

What three words best describe you?

J: Serious. Resourceful. Almost-always-right.

K: Tidy. Reluctant. [Consults dictionary.] Articulate.

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

J: My smock. As long as it contained at least one cheese sandwich, preferably on day-old bread.

K: My trusted dictionary and loyal companion, Dr. Snoote.

From The Unintentional Adventures of the Bland Sisters: The Jolly Regina. Illustration copyright 2016 by Jen Hill.

 

Would you rather be able to fly or be invisible? (Or can you already fly or be invisible?)

J: Neither.

K: Frankly, they both sound exhausting.

What is your favorite sound?

J: The delicate plink-plink-plink of our ficus tree dropping its leaves. We’re not terribly good with plants, I’m afraid.

K: My sister reading the dictionary to me. In the evenings, we read the dictionary to each other, then we stare at the wallpaper until we fall asleep. 

J: It’s really quite tranquilizing.

What is your least favorite sound?

J & K: A knock at the door.

If a genie gave you one wish, what would you wish for?

J: To never have to leave our house.

K: To know where our parents are and when they’ll be coming home.

J: Right. That, too.

If you have a pocket, what is in it right now? 

J: I have innumerable pockets in this handy smock, which I made myself [models proudly]. Right now, I am carrying

-a teabag, only slightly used

-a roll of masking tape

-a small ball of tin foil

-a shoelace with several knots tied in it

K: I don’t have any pockets, but I do have a backpack. That’s where I keep Dr. Snoote.

What is your pet peeve?

K: Mine is when Jaundice forgets to empty her smock-pockets. I’m the one who has to do the laundry, after all.

J: Mine is when anyone or anything touches my toes.

K: She really is quite sensitive about them. All in good fun, I once brushed her big toe with the tip of a feather, and she wouldn’t speak to me for days.

J: I’m still not sure I’ve forgiven you for that.

What was it like working with Kara LaReau?

J: You might say she’s breathed new life into us. Honestly, I just don’t feel like myself when she isn’t here, tap-tap-tapping away at that funny little machine she calls a “laptop.”

K:: [Nodding] And she wears muted colors, which is nice, since bright colors hurt our eyes. She drinks too much coffee, though.

J: Any coffee is too much, in my opinion. [Holds up slightly-used teabag] She’d be much better off with a nice cup of weak, tepid tea. 

K: True. Jaundice is almost always right.

SCROLL DOWN FOR 
THE BLAND SISTERS LITERARY LUNCH!

ABOUT THE BOOK

THE UNINTENTIONAL ADVENTURES OF THE BLAND SISTERS

THE JOLLY REGINA

by Kara LaReau, illustrated by Jen Hill

Published by Abrams, January 2017

Meet Jaundice and Kale Bland, two sisters who avoid excitement at any cost. Together, they patiently wait the return of their parents, who left on an errand years ago and have never returned.

One day, the Bland sisters are kidnapped by an all-female band of pirates. They're unwillingly swept into a high-seas romp that might just lead to solving the mystery of what happened to their parents. 

With whimsical illustrations and Roald Dahl-esque wit, The Unintentional Adventures of the Bland Sisters is the visually stunning, laugh-out loud funny start to a new series for readers who are looking for anything but a bland adventure. 

"LaReau servers her humor dry, adding some serious swashbuckling for good measure ... Meanwhile Hill's pen-and-ink cartoons give the book precisely the right strange and silly tone." --Kirkus

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kara LaReau was born and raised in Connecticut. She received her Masters in Fine Arts in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts and later worked as an editor at Candlewick Press and at Scholastic Press. She is the author of picture books such as UGLY FISH, illustrated by Scott Magoon, and NO SLURPING, NO BURPING! A Tale of Table Manners, illustrated by Lorelay Bové; an award-winning chapter book series called The Infamous Ratsos, illustrated by Matt Myers; and the middle-grade trilogy THE UNINTENTIONAL ADVENTURES OF THE BLAND SISTERS, illustrated by Jen Hill.  

Kara lives in Providence, Rhode Island with her husband and son and their cat.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Jen Hill is the illustrator of DIANA'S WHITE HOUSE GARDEN by Elisa Carbone, DOING HER BIT: A STORY ABOUT THE WOMAN'S LAND ARMY OF AMERICA by Erin Hagar, SPRING FOR SOPHIE by Yael Werber, and BE KIND by Pat Zietlow Miller. She is also the author and illustrator of PERCY AND TUMTUM: A TALE OF TWO DOGS, a book she wrote about a Pomeranian and a Dachshund, two dogs she one day hopes to own.

Jen is a graduate from the Rhode Island School of Design. You can find her in Brooklyn, NY, where she's either doodling away at her studio in the Pencil Factory, or at home in Cobble Hill with her husband and her cat.

THE BLAND SISTERS LITERARY LUNCH!

Nina from Mamabelly made this non-bland lunch:

Jaundice and Kale Bland are the careful heroines of Cottager Kara LaReau's new book THE UNINTENTIONAL ADVENTURES OF THE BLAND SISTERS. The two sisters avoid excitement at all cost and stick to their routine. One day, a knock on the door changes their boring, bland lives forever. Having been kidnapped by an all-female band of pirates, the Bland sisters are off on unintentional adventures!

Nina from Mamabelly.com made a bland pirate lunch to match:

• bland white pirate yogurt with a pirate skull
• kale and strawberries with Jaundice and Kale's initials
• bland crackers with the Jolly Regina planks
• and two Kale and Jaundice sandwiches

Want more fun literary lunch ideas? Follow Mamabelly here:
* web: www.mamabelly.com
* facebook: www.facebook.com/MamabellysLunchesWithLove
* twitter: @LunchesWithLove

COVER REVEAL! The Unintentional Adventures of the Bland Sisters: The Jolly Regina

Ahoy, readers! Feast your eyes on the cover of Cottager Kara LaReau's hilarious new middle grade novel, illustrated by Jen Hill! Sailing into bookstores January 10, 2017 . . .

In the spirit of A Series of Unfortunate Events and the Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place series, The Unintentional Adventures of the Bland Sisters: The Jolly Regina will captivate middle-grade readers looking for humor, hijinks, and a swashbuckling good time. Meet Jaundice and Kale Bland, two sisters who avoid excitement at any cost. Together, they patiently await the return of their parents, who left on an errand years ago and have never returned.

One day, the Bland sisters are kidnapped by an all-female band of pirates. They’re unwillingly swept into a high-seas romp that might just lead to solving the mystery of what happened to their parents. With whimsical illustrations and Roald Dahl–esque wit, The Unintentional Adventures of the Bland Sisters: The Jolly Regina is the visually stunning, laugh-out-loud funny start to a new series for readers who are looking for an anything-but-bland adventure.

Be sure to plunder the Abrams booth and pick up this booty-ful galley at BEA (booth 1801), ALA (booth 1226), and ILA (booth 2307), or check it out via NetGalley!

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.