Little Crooked Bookshelf on #ReviewsDay + The Uncanny Giveaway Winner!

Don't Forget Dexter

by Lindsay Ward

(This week's #ReviewsDay pick is from cottager Anika Denise.)

What it's all about...
When Dexter T. Rexter's best friend, Jack, leaves him behind at the doctor's office, he panics. What if Jack never comes back? What if  Dexter is replaced by another toy? Can anybody help him?

Why I love it...
Dexter is hilariously neurotic. Ward's adorable cut-paper, pencil, and ink illustrations further amp up the comedy.

My favorite lines...
Nope. This isn't happening to me,
I'm Dexter T. Rexter.
The toughest, strongest, coolest dinosaur 
there has ever been.
EVER!
Right?
I mean, look at my tail.
See how swishy it is?
SWISH 
SWISH 
SWISH!

My favorite illustrations...

(All images courtesy of Two Lions; (c) 2018 Lindsay Ward)

What's the kid-appeal?
Kids are sure to find Dexter's separation anxiety and neurotic chatter riotously funny and familiar.

What's the grownup appeal?
Parents and educators, too, will relate to Ward's toy's-eye-view tale of abandon and rescue. Plus it's a nice pivot to a reassuring discussion about being apart—but never left behind.

Where to find/ buy Don't Forget Dexter
Indie Booksellers
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Or at a school or library near you!

Photo courtesy of Michael Haley

Born and raised in sunny California, Lindsay decided to try snow and moved to upstate New York where she received her BFA in Illustration from Syracuse University. Lindsay Ward was inspired to write this book after her husband texted her a photo of a toy dinosaur abandoned at a doctor’s office. The caption read: “Well, they left me here.” Lindsay thought it was so funny that she sat down to write Dexter’s story immediately. She is also the author and illustrator of Brobarians, Henry Finds His Word, and When Blue Met Egg. Her book Please Bring Balloons was also made into a play. Most days you can find Lindsay writing and sketching at her home in Peninsula, Ohio, where she lives with her family. Learn more about her online at www.LindsayMWard.com.

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And now... last week's UNCANNY GIVEAWAY WINNER ANNOUNCED! 

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! We put all who commented or retweeted into Mr. Pig's official prize teacup and pulled a name!

And the winner is...

CHARLOTTE

Congratulations! Please email your mailing info to littlecrookedcottage@gmail.com

or send us a direct message on Instagram or Twitter @CottageCrooked!

Mr. Pig Visits. . . LINDSAY WARD!

Well, hello!

It's me, Mr. Pig, en route to the Lakewood, Ohio studio of critically acclaimed author-illustrator, Lindsay Ward. We have all her books on our bookshelf in the Little Crooked Cottage: When Blue Met Egg, Please Bring Balloons, Henry Finds His Word and her latest, The Importance of Being 3. 

I brought along my copy to get it signed for cottager, Kara LaReau's little boy who will be turning three soon. (He calls me Uncle Pig.)

Here we are!

<<knock, knock>>

Hi, Lindsay!

Hey, Mr. Pig! Come on up, it's this way...

This is where I work on all of my books. My studio is on the third floor of our hundred-year-old house. I used to keep all of my picture books up here too...but unfortunately they just don't fit anymore (my name is Lindsay and I'm a picture-book-aholic). Now I keep them in my son's room, which he doesn't seem to mind.

I see you've got some sketches on your drafting table! New book?

Yes! Currently I'm working on a new picture book with Two Lions, titled BRO-BARIANS, which will come out in Spring 2017. It's about two brothers (Iggy and Otto) who go head to head in a battle for the ages in their back yard...all over a juice bah-bah of course!

Of course! One can never be too protective of a juice bah-bah. Ooo, look at all that pretty paper.

Most of my illustrations are created using cut paper and mixed media. I have lots of drawers full of paper (like these ones) that I have collected, found, or purchased over the years. The paper is mostly vintage, including old maps, letters, newspaper scraps, old sheet music, or anything with an interesting pattern on it.

I keep a lot of other patterned paper and stationery supplies in my studio too. In addition to writing and illustrating picture books for kids, I run a small stationery business designing and printing social and wedding invitations for local clients and on Etsy.

I usually have at least one buddy with me when I'm working. This is my son Jackson, he's 7 months old.

Well, I must say, he is one adorable studio buddy.

Thank you! And this is Sally. Jackson and Sally hang out together a lot.

I don't blame them, I'd want to hang out in your studio a lot, too. It's delightful! Just like you.

Aww, thanks Mr. Pig. Come back anytime!

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

Born and raised in California, Lindsay M. Ward received her BFA from Syracuse University. She is now a cut-paper artist living and working in Lakewood, Ohio. Her previous picture books include When Blue Met Egg, Please Bring Balloons, and most recently Henry Finds His Word. Visit her online at http://www.lindsaymward.com/.

The Importance of Being 3 
by Lindsay Ward
Dial Books for Young Readers
February 16, 2016 / $16.99 / Ages 1 – 3
ISBN: 9780525428695


“Ward’s guileless rhymes and trio of round-headed, rosy-cheeked cherubs are worthy of at least three cheers.” – Publishers Weekly

“[A] winning a picture book.” – School Library Journal

“Good for sharing one-on-one or in a group storytime celebrating that special age. Three cheers for being three!” – Booklist

Other titles by Lindsay

The Little Crooked Bookshelf

WHEN BLUE MET EGG

by Lindsay Ward

This week's pick is from Cottager Anika Denise

What it's all about…
One snowy morning, an egg (snowball) flies through the air and lands in Blue's nest. Blue is concerned. Egg is so very cold! Blue searches the city to find Egg's Mama Bird. But when no birdy claims little Egg, Blue cares for Egg herself. She takes Egg ice-skating, and sledding, and keeps Egg safe over the cold winter night. Then Spring comes, and well. . . we won't spoil it.

Why it's on The Little Crooked Bookshelf…
Having just come off a trip to New York City with my daughter, this book was a perfect choice. Lindsay Ward's illustrations of wintry city scenes and iconic city landmarks are as delicate and charming as the story itself.

Our favorite lines…
"Blue knew they wouldn't make it in time if she tried to carry Egg, so she decided they would do what anyone would: take the subway uptown."

Our favorite illustration. . .

Why kids will love it…
Children will easily understand and appreciate the joke, as well as Blue's cheery determination in the face of the inevitable.

Why grown-ups will love it…

Beautiful art + a sweet story with a plucky protagonist and gentle humor = perfect wintertime picture book reading.