A Mr. Pig LIVE Christmas Special -- with a cookie recipe & a GIVEAWAY!

Chomp . . . snuffle . . . chomp-- OH, hello! You've caught me taste-testing my freshly baked sugar cookies. They're ready just in time for my special guest, Stephanie Shaw, author of A COOKIE FOR SANTA. She's at my door now. . . .

Welcome, Stephanie!

Wow! The Cottage is so nice and cozy. What’s that I smell? Cookies? Well, thanks, don’t mind if I do!

I brought you some of my Scottish grandmother’s shortbread cookies. These are a big Christmas tradition for my family. They are so coveted that as an adult my mother would hide the ones baked and sent to her by her sister! Apparently, that ‘sharing’ spirit of Christmas did not extend to the shortbread.

Oh, and I also brought along a copy of my new picture book, A COOKIE FOR SANTA and a SIGNED copy to GIVEAWAY to your readers! 

Thanks, Stephanie! Let’s me just the dab the crumbs from my snout, so I can ask you about your adorable book. How did you get the idea for A Cookie for Santa?

It was a warm spring day. . . . No, seriously. I was talking with the illustrator of my first book, Laura Watkins. She was inextricably drawing gingerbread men in the middle of spring. Her agent contacted her and said that Sleeping Bear Press was looking for a Christmas story. Her agent suggested that Laura Skype with me (Laura lives in England) and that we come up with some text and sample art. Then the agent pitched it at BEA.

So, it was an idea that actually came to me via Laura. The publisher eventually went with a different illustrator, and Laura was quite gracious about that.

Did you know from the initial spark of the idea that you wanted to write the piece as an adaptation of the Clement Clarke Moore poem?

Oh no! I wrote two different stories that were in prose. But, they didn’t quite have the spark that I wanted. Then I glanced over at my bookshelf and saw a very old copy of THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS. I read it thinking I might get all ‘Christmassy’ and WHAM! The first stanza came to me: ‘Twas the night before Christmas// And there on a plate// Was a ginger bread cookie// Awaiting his fate.

After that, everything really came together nicely. You know? It’s like you open the cupboard and waaaaaay in the back is that special canister of cocoa you forget about! Wouldn’t brownies be great?

From A COOKIE FOR SANTA by Stephanie Shaw. Illustration copyright 2014 by Bruno Robert.

Most of your books are written in rhyme. Conventional advice for new writers is always, "Don't submit rhyming manuscripts!" I hear this confounds authors who see rhyming picture books on each new list. What's your take?

I know! “Don’t write rhyme” and “Don’t write holiday books!” Here’s my take on it: Don’t. I mean it. Plot out a really good story first. Because really, that is what the publisher is after.  If you have that and if you are confident you can do rhyme well, then go for it. So, my process is to know where the story is going first.

Of course, there are those doggone rhymes that get a foot in the door and will not go away until you give them a whole story of their own --- I’ve had that happen, too. Rhyming words can be really persistent when they want a story!

From A COOKIE FOR SANTA by Stephanie Shaw. Illustration copyright 2014 by Bruno Robert.

Bruno Robert's illustrations for A Cookie For Santa are lots of fun. Did you have any input into that part of the process after a different illustrator was chosen?

Sleeping Bear Press is an absolute joy to work with. They sent complete sketches to me and asked me about them all the way through. So, even though I didn’t select Bruno (who lives in Normandy, by the way) I felt very included. And, I love so many of the details he added --- like the little gingerbread boy clinging to the tablecloth as the dogs upset the room.

What was your favorite Christmas book to read as a child?

Oh, I’m pretty sure as a child it was a Little Golden Book copy of THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS.  And, then there was also going to church on Christmas Eve and hearing the Bible story. When I was little, we would go to midnight services. And then (if you as a parent can imagine this) we would hang our stockings, leave out cookies and go to bed. There was not a single other decoration in the house. By morning, Santa had arrived and left a fully decorated tree with gifts! Talk about your Christmas magic!

And you've brought something a bit magical, too! Would you mind giving the Cottagers and our friends at home the recipe for your delicious shortbread cookies?

Of course, Mr. Pig! Thanks for having me. I’d like to wish everyone a very, very Happy Christmas and wildly successful New Year!

[A note from Stephanie: My mother’s family came from Scotland to Canada and then to America. Another Scottish family sponsored them, the Grays who operated a bakery.]

Click on Stephanie's recipe to enlarge it.

 .....................................

About A COOKIE FOR SANTA
by Stephanie Shaw
Illustrated by Bruno Robert
Sleeping Bear Press, 2014
ISBN 978-1585368839
 

“The rhyming verses are pitch-perfect in their cadence. . . . A successful mixture of two classic ingredients yields a sweet Christmas treat." ---Kirkus

"A gingerbread cookie is baked especially for Santa’s visit in this spin on The Night before Christmas. . . . Youngsters will anxiously listen to learn the cookie’s fate."  ---Booklist
 

About Stephanie Shaw

Stephanie Shaw is the author of Bedtime in the Meadow, illustrated by Laura Watkins, and the forthcoming picture books Under the Sleepy Stars (Tiger Tales) and The Legend of the Beaver's Tail (Sleeping Bear Press).
In addition to her books, She is also a contributor to Highlights for Children, High Five, and Old Farmer's Almanac for Kids, and is a member of SCBWI.

Stephanie lives in McMinnville, Oregon, an area that provides her with lots of weather-related excuses to stay inside reading or writing.

To learn more about Stephanie, visit her website.

From an early age, I had it in mind to draw and play with colours, so much so that I naturally went to the National School of Fine Arts in Caen, France, whith I attended from 1991 to 1995 (option: Visual Communication).
Right after a short stay in the multimedia market, I illustrated my first album for the young Qui tire la langue? published by Magnard, in 2002. Some more commissions followed and I have had books published by du Ricochet, Les Editions Hemma, Fleurus, Larousse, Atlas, Hachette Children’s Books, Child’s Play, Wayland, Milan Jeunesse, Magnard Scolaire, Editions Sed…
Moreover, I work for the young children's press: Wakou (Milan Presse), Mille et une Histoires and Arc en Ciel (Fleurus Presse). I also work for publishing agencies and administrations.
While I am illustrating a story, I think up a funny and coloured world with a hint of tenderness. I work with acrylic paint and sometimes on a computer.
I live and work in Normandy (France) where I was born.
- See more at: http://www.childs-play.com/illustrator/robert_bruno.html#sthash.zMfp7N4Q.dpuf

From an early age, I had it in mind to draw and play with colours, so much so that I naturally went to the National School of Fine Arts in Caen, France, whith I attended from 1991 to 1995 (option: Visual Communication).
Right after a short stay in the multimedia market, I illustrated my first album for the young Qui tire la langue? published by Magnard, in 2002. Some more commissions followed and I have had books published by du Ricochet, Les Editions Hemma, Fleurus, Larousse, Atlas, Hachette Children’s Books, Child’s Play, Wayland, Milan Jeunesse, Magnard Scolaire, Editions Sed…
Moreover, I work for the young children's press: Wakou (Milan Presse), Mille et une Histoires and Arc en Ciel (Fleurus Presse). I also work for publishing agencies and administrations.
While I am illustrating a story, I think up a funny and coloured world with a hint of tenderness. I work with acrylic paint and sometimes on a computer.
I live and work in Normandy (France) where I was born.
- See more at: http://www.childs-play.com/illustrator/robert_bruno.html#sthash.NqazNbki.dpuf

FOR A COPY OF A COOKIE FOR SANTA SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR PLEASE TELL US YOUR FAVORITE COOKIE IN THE COMMENT SECTION BELOW!

* ONE LUCKY WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON DECEMBER 17th! *

A Mr. Pig LIVE Special . . . with Eric Litwin!

Hello, Mr. Pig here. Hey! Do you hear music? 

It must be Eric Litwin, author of THE NUTS: BEDTIME AT THE NUT HOUSE and the first four Pete the Cat books, at the door! Eric is today's guest on my hit talk show, Mr. Pig LIVE! Can you dig it?

Welcome to the Cottage, Eric! Have a seat. I want to hear all about you, Pete the Cat, and your latest book, THE NUTS: BEDTIME AT THE NUT HOUSE, illustrated by Scott Magoon.

But first, let's play The Nuts music video for the folks at home. . . .

 

MP: I've enjoyed reading, singing, and dancing along to THE NUTS: BEDTIME AT THE NUT HOUSE. Did you have dancing in mind when you wrote the story?
EL: Yes! This book bridges the gap between early literacy and disco music. The idea is for parents to disco and dance their children to bed. This book can be read during the day for fun or as a bedtime book at night. It ends with a lullaby. Readers can find music and movements for THE NUTS: BEDTIME AT THE NUT HOUSE at TheNutFamily.com.
 
Where did the idea for the Nut family come from? 
Every family I know is nutty, and that’s a good thing. It’s important for us to be able to talk about being unique and fun. The Nuts are like I lot of families I actually know. Mama gives unconditional love, clear instructions (although the kids might not listen to them at first), and structure. They're completely loving, healthy, and nutty.

From THE NUTS: BEDTIME AT THE NUT HOUSE. Illustration copyright 2014 by Scott Magoon.

Just like the Cottagers. What was your reaction to Scott Magoon's illustrations? 
Scott hit it out of the park! I love his sense of humor from his past books, and I admired how he was able to bring inanimate objects, such as a spoon and chopsticks, to life. He brought my puns to a whole new level. Adults, too, will appreciate these funny elements. And of course, kids love the “Nut Butt” line.

From THE NUTS: BEDTIME AT THE NUT HOUSE. Illustration copyright 2014 by Scott Magoon.

I must confess, that's my favorite line, too! What makes a good book? 
For me, a good book must have all of these qualities--a positive message, a great song, an interesting ending, puns and humor, a good story, a fantastic opening line, and an educational aspect. For example, in THE NUTS: BEDTIME AT THE NUT HOUSE, kids learn about big, bigger, and biggest. Because I'm a former teacher and interested in interactive literacy, my books include music, movement, call and response, and repetition.
 
Do you usually write the story or song first? 
I once read about a sculptor who said that the knew the stone had a sculpture in it, he just has to find it. The story is there and I’m discovering it, but it takes time. I give hundreds of performances and will tell a story hundreds of times before it’s done. So in a way, I’m writing it in front of a live audience. If the story works great as a performance piece, then it will work as a read-aloud. Rhyme, meter, repetition, and movement to words--these help kids memorize sight words. The first lines of THE NUTS: BEDTIME AT THE NUT HOUSE are easy to remember because of the rhyme and rhythm.
 
Could we expect more books about the Nut family? I hope so!  
Yes. THE NUTS: BEDTIME AT THE NUT HOUSE is the first in a series. Book two is called THE NUTS: SING AND DANCE IN YOUR POLKA DOT PANTS. We hope there will be more books and even easy readers.



 
Nutty fun! Now let’s talk about YOU. What one word best describes you? 
Persistent. 

You’ve had enormous success in your career. What has been the highlight for you? 
Reaching beginning and emergent readers. I’ve received many letters and emails from parents sharing how their children were non-readers or non-verbal until they read my Pete the Cat books. One parent wrote that her child’s first words were ‘I love my white shoes!’ What’s happened with the first four Pete the Cat series has gone beyond anything I could have imagined.

What’s your favorite dance? 
Mama Nut’s disco dance. In THE NUTS: BEDTIME AT THE NUT HOUSE, she does moves from KC and the Sunshine Band and Travolta. The next book about the Nuts, THE NUTS: SING AND DANCE IN YOUR POLKA DOT PANTS, includes lots of good dance moves, too.
 
What would you say to seven-year-old Eric if you could travel back in time? 
Follow your dreams. You can do it!

Excellent advice. Thanks, Eric! And now it's time . . . to disco! Hit it, Eric.

About Eric Litwin

Eric Litwin (Mr. Eric) is a guitar-strumming, book-writing, harmonica-blowing, song-singing, folksy, fun type of guy. He is the # 1 New York Times bestselling author of the first four Pete the Cat picture books and the author of the new musical series The Nuts. Eric's books have sold over 1.5 million copies, been translated into seven languages and won 15 state and national awards including a Theodor Geisel Seuss Honor Award. 

He has also recorded award winning music CDs. Eric is a popular performing artist who plays guitar, sings, tells musical stories and brings books to life. He is also a nationally respected keynote speaker on interactive literacy and music. Eric is the co-creator of The Learning Groove which offers parent and child music classes and preschool music curriculum. Eric likes music, books, and coffee.

To learn more about Eric's books, visit his website. 


About THE NUTS: BEDTIME AT THE NUT HOUSE

by Eric Litwin, illustrated by Scott Magoon

Little, Brown; July 2004

ISBN-13: 9780316322447 

It's bedtime at the Nut House, but little Wally and Hazel Nut aren't ready to go to sleep."We're Nuts! We're Nuts! We're Nuts!"

Why go to bed when you could be singing and howling at the moon? But Mama Nut insists... "All little Nuts need to go up to bed!"

Who will win this bedtime tug-of-war?

In an unforgettably catchy bedtime adventure, bestselling author Eric Litwin and artist Scott Magoon invite readers to chime in and join the nutty fun!

A Mr. Pig Live Special . . . starring Tony DiTerlizzi!

Hello, Mr. Pig here. I'm thrilled to host my very first Mr. Pig Live SPECIAL--starring superstar children's book creator Tony DiTerlizzi! Tony is co-creator of the SPIDERWICK series and author-illustrator of the New York Times bestselling WONDLA trilogy! 

WOW! Welcome, Tony!

I usually interview children's book characters, so pardon me if I seem a little nervous. I'm a BIG fan. I must say, though, I thought you'd be taller. (Gah ... sorry, that's the nerves talking. You're taller than me, after all. Of course, who isn't taller than me? I'm a pig.)

Anyway ... thanks for taking time out of your book tour to visit the Cottage! 

Thank you for having me, Mr. Pig. You smell sweeter than I imagined. And you are better dressed.

Why, thank you! Congratulations on the success of the Wondla trilogy. Let's watch this clip of you at work on the cover of the final book, THE BATTLE FOR WONDLA.

 
 
Ooooo, that looks good. I can't wait to read it. 
Thank you. I had a great time putting it together and we’ve got more video clips concerning the WondLa finale, which shall be released very soon.

Let's start with Eva Nine. You are a father of a young daughter. Was that influential in creating Eva Nine as a strong female protagonist? 
Yes. Though Eva Nine had been in my head for over a decade, the birth of my daughter (and my 40th birthday) spurred me on to finally sit down and write her story.

Since I was a young boy reading the classics, I’ve enjoyed strong, resourceful female heroes. Protagonists like Dorothy Gale (from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz), Wendy Darling (from Peter Pan & Wendy), and Alice (from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland) not only inspired my story, but Eva Nine’s character as well. 
 
Now, let's talk about you. What one word best describes you? 
Imaginologist.
 
Perfect! If you could choose one superpower, what would it be? 

Taking stories from my imagination and sharing them in words and pictures.

Well played, sir. Do you have a pet peeve? 

Parents who don’t spend time reading to their children. 

What author or artist were you starstruck to meet?  
I’ve been fortunate enough to meet many bestselling authors and illustrators in my career. I had a great little conversation with Maurice Sendak years ago, which I still replay in my mind from time to time. And Eric and Bobbie Carle have been supportive of my career as well as my wife, Angela. That definitely requires some pinching to make sure this is not a dream.

Do you read all your reviews on Goodreads? 

On occasion, I will skim through the reviews. Obviously I don’t like seeing a bad review, but at least people are reading books.
 
What would you say to 10-year-old Tony if you could travel back in time? 

“I know it can be tough sometimes because you’re not popular, or good at sports, or have a ton of friends, but stick to your drawing and nurture that imagination because you won’t believe the places it will take you.”

How did you feel when you finished the final piece of art for THE BATTLE FOR WONDLA? 

Tired. Proud but tired. As I mentioned earlier, this story had been developing for over a decade. I’ve been working on it non-stop since 2009, so its been quite an accomplishment for me. I’ve pushed my writing and drawing skills and feel like I’ve grown as a storyteller. That said, I am looking forward to some single, one-off, stories to tell. I’ve got a picture book planned that I’ve been developing for a long time.

Wonderful! You'll have to come back to the Cottage and tell us all about it when it comes out. Thank you, for visiting, Tony--will you sign my book?  
Of course. Right after I take a nap.

___________________________

About THE BATTLE FOR WONDLA 

Eva Nine is at her bravest in the final book in the New York Times bestselling trilogy from the fantastical mind of Tony DiTerlizzi. All hope for a peaceful coexistence between humankind and aliens seems lost in the third installment of the WondLa trilogy. Eva Nine has gone into hiding for fear of luring the wicked Loroc to her companions.
 

However, news of the city Solas being captured by the human leader, Cadmus Pryde, forces Eva into action once again. With help from an unlikely ally, Eva tries to thwart Loroc’s ultimate plan for both mankind and the alien life on Orbona.

Complete with lavish two-color illustrations and spot art throughout, and starring a host of unforgettable characters that reinforce the importance of friendship, The Battle for WondLa has all the hallmarks of a classic book—of the future.


About Tony DiTerlizzi

New York Times bestselling author and illustrator, Tony DiTerlizzi, has been creating books for over a decade. From his fanciful picture books like Jimmy Zangwow’s Out-of-this-World Moon Pie Adventure, Ted and The Spider & The Fly (a Caldecott Honor book), to chapter books like Kenny and The Dragon and the WondLa trilogy, Tony always imbues his stories with a rich imagination. With Holly Black, he created the middle-grade series, The Spiderwick Chronicles, which has sold millions of copies, been adapted into a feature film, and has been translated in over thirty countries. In 2014, he teamed up with Lucasfilm to retell the original Star Wars trilogy in a picture book featuring artwork by Academy award-winning concept artist, Ralph McQuarrie.

To learn more about Tony, visit his website: http://diterlizzi.com.