Don't Be Caught Short!

Buy Yours Today!

A Silly Song and a Half!

Jack and Jill

Start up a hill

But stop at the house that Jack built.

There was a mouse

That hid in the house,

Which terrified Jill,

Who took to the hill—

For Jill was, all-in-all, a responsible girl and she stayed mindful of her commission—

namely fetching a pail of water.

Back at the house,

Still hiding the mouse,

Jack set out to jail

The pest in a pail;

And Jack—

Adept at catching mice, cats, dogs, mammals of all kinds, really—

Looked high and low and caught her.

Happy Pub Date to You

Arthur Slade concludes his rousing Steampunk romp with this brilliant shocker, on sale (in the U.S.) this very day.

Happy Pub Date to You!

Buy Yours Now!

More Silly Songs, You Say?

Red Riding Hood goes on a spree;
Granny ends bad as can be.
She starts off scarcely ill, then
CRUNCH! CRUCH!
She's landfill.
Red Hood's tale ain't her cup of tea.

Reprintings We Love

Debut Ame Dyckman's tour de force (with an assist for DanYaccarino) is racing for its FOURTH printing, giving folks 5ooo more copies to buy!

Meanwhile, Candlewick editor Sarah Ketchersid says Maribeth Boelts's lovely, lovely, NECESSARY book is heading for its TENTH PRINTING! 

Rick Rocks!

HEY! Which do you prefer? The black and white levels were corrected in the image on the left. Below is the actual cover of   RICK WALTON's next* picturebook (illustrated by West Hargis; edited by Victoria Arms Wells) coming from Bloomsbury on October 16. Better pre-order!  

*Rick is throwing the good ol' one-two punch! Frankenstein only just pub'd (Feiwel & Friends) and  I NEED MY OWN COUNTRY  is smack on its heels. We do not see theses books cannibalizing each other's sales. In case you are wondering.

A Silly Song!

Long

Long Hair

And hair nowhere hung

S

T

R

A

I 

G

H

T

E

R

Rapunzel

Shaved her head

But she got an 

E

L

E

V

A

T

O

R

Loveabye Dragon

We are happy to tout Barb Joosse's upcoming title (illustrated by Randy Cecil, edited by Joan Powers) from Candlewick. PW's starred review likens Barb's "beautifully bubbly" text to no lesser a god than Margaret Wise Brown "at her best"— Whoa!

FALSH UPDATE

a new *starred* review, from Booklist! Joosse’s poetic, lyrical text is chock full of beautifully cadenced rhyme and repetition... Cecil’s softly textured illustrations have charm in spades...Children will likely ask for this one over and over at bedtime, and may fall asleep wishing they, too, could be snuggled in the curl of a dragon’s tail.

IS LOVEABYE DRAGON HEADED FOR CLASSICDOM?

John's Webinar on Writing SciFi & Fantasy

Hi All! John here, and I want to tell you about my upcoming August 9th webinar with Writer's Digest:

Writing and Selling Sci-Fi & Fantasy for Kids and Teens

LIVE!!!! IN COLOR!!! ON THE INTERNET!!!

AUGUST 9th! 1pm EST! Sign up NOW!!!

I personally guarantee this webinar, and the personal query-letter critique that comes with it, will utterly melt your face and blow your mind.

Seriously.

Your brain is Alderaan and this webinar is the Death Star.

A visual representation of the planet-shattering awesomeness of this webinar.

ABOUT THE WEBINAR:

Young adult and middle grade are two of the fastest growing and most robust fiction genres in publishing. These juvenile categories have a tradition of fantasy and sci-fi narratives that continues today with wizards, vampires, and clockwork princesses. The young adult and middle grade markets are rich with imaginative and fantastical stories, worlds, and characters.

What makes some stories stand out, and others unsuccessful, cliché, or—worst of all—left buried in the slush pile? How can you refine your craft to create novels at once lasting and fresh? How does writing for kids and teens differ from writing for adults? How can you capture the attention of an agent in this rich and extremely competitive market? In other words, how can you give your story the best chance to get published?

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

• How to write for young people—capturing the voice, narration, story, and style
• How to use tropes, myths, and archetypal story structures to create striking, unforgettable fantasy & sci-fi tales
• How to craft detailed, unique, engrossing worlds, full of history and depth
• How to bring to life layered and compelling heroes, anti-heroes, villains, and antagonists
• How to avoid cliché and trend-chasing, and create wholly fresh, standout novels
• How to win the interest of an agent in this competitive market.

Only a few days remain to sign up, so check it out and spread the word. Your face will thank me.

Silly Song Sunday

This Little Piggy 

Went to market.

This Little Piggy

Lost his phone.

This Little Piggy

Got a haircut.

And this Little Piggy

Found a bone.

But the last Little Piggy—

Who is always best known—

Went Wee, Wee, Wee

When they left him home alone!

Silly Song Sunday

A dillar, a dollar, 

Hear the baby holler.

A dollar, a dillar,

A bowl of mush 'll fill her.

Janice Repka + Middle-Grade= ZANY!

Math Wiz vs. Baton Twirler!
(Not what you think.)

Now in paperback!

Look who moves to the Dodgeball Capital of the World, litigious-minded four-eyes: Yikes!

In paper on Aug 16!

perfectly parodic

Rick Walton's Frankenstein with Madeline-y pictures by Nathan Hale is coming from Macmillan's Feiwel & Friends onTuesday. Monsters big and small will yelp with joy! We are pleased to report its first printing: 75,000!

ginormous

We are not fans.
Giant conjures a relatively specific image quickly, and the hard G sound is hard to beat.
Enormous is used up, applicable to a pancake and galaxy alike.
The combined meaning? Big.
What anemic vocabulary produces Ginormous? Synonyms for big should be within reach, people, please— Jumbo for starters. Ginormous is in the dictionary. So? It will go the way of the hell-a prefix, mark our words. It lacks merit! (see above.)

John Cusick

All wishing to meet our wildly successful, vastly knowledgeable, and dog-gone dashing agent extraordinaire John Cusick better high-tail it to Utah for the Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers conference next week. We note, immodestly, that John Cusick alone of the assembled dignitaries, will be representing our esteemed profession, representation. Representing representation. . . hmmm, John can do anything.

Now, a Silly Song— by request! (YAY!)

The Queen
Was in the cleaning room,
Beside a mop and pail.
The King
Was with his people,
Toasting slop with ginger ale.
The Queen,
All a-blubber,
Ordered in the Royal Elf:
Why, oh, why
Is no slop for myself?

We Know, We Know. . .

. . . Our six readers are AVID for the juicy BEA gossip we collected last week. As ever, our lips are sealed. (Gossip is like a secret, and secrets are like trading cards— BUT: you can only collect 'em all if you never, ever trade.) We can reveal this mundane buzz: contemporary realism is again permissible!

Yep, Another Silly Song

Jack trades the cow for magic beans

And climbs the strange resulting greens.

A giant comes,

Fee! Fi! Fo! Fum!

I'll chew you into bubblegum!

Not! yells Jack

Who grabs a goose.

Or drink you down with apple juice.

Suddenly,

The goose lays gold.

Or Cook can serve you casserolled.

Nothing went as Giant said:

Jack ate frech-toast Giant bread.

A Silly Song!

Peas porridge hot!

Peas porridge cold!

Peas porridge in the pot—

I hope you don't mind mold.

Some like it hot.

Some like it cold.

Some like it in the pot—

You don't, do you, mind mold?

from the Dept. of Believe it or Not

Editor X recently said his/her (we shan't reveal!) big house will use pen names for authors' whose last books tanked. Authors have long asked to use pen names— for multiple reasons (that's the juicy part, but our lips are sealed)— and pub'rs always refused. The problem was promoting a previously pub'd, maybe even known, author while keeping the ruse from booksellers. We cannot say why this is not a problem still.

We think it is a sin that a bookseller's loyalty runs only book-to-book. Steve Ross, the CEO who united Warner Bros. and Time Inc., said that without failure, you are not doing your job, which is to make things (in this case stories) new.

Questions? Comments?

Ame Dyckman Debuts Today!

BOY + BOT pubs today. see R-H's Facebook page.

Amazon names BOY + BOT a Best of April book!

for the next two days, see the BOY + BOT trailer here. thereafter, see it everywhere.

A Silly Song!

SCIENCE, from our line of educational verses


The prize-winning project
At the state science fair
Was a clay pot of radishes
Growing human hair.


The prize-winning student,
With her parents both in tow,
Shocked those attending
The ceremony show.


The audience could see 
They displayed horrid grooming
Upon all three heads?
Row of radishes were blooming!

Stars Apalooza!

hang on to your hairdo! Debut Ame's BOY + BOT (with an assist from Dan Yaccarino) got its third star yesterday! This time from Booklist.

Is any love greater than that between a boy and his robot? While picking pine cones, a boy meets a bright red, rocket-shaped robot and asks, “Want to play? “Affirmative!” the robot responds, and the pair has tons of fun until a rock bumps the robot’s power switch off. Not understanding the bot's unresponsiveness, the boy wheels him home and begins feeding him applesauce, reading him a story, and crafting a makeshift bed. When the boy’s parents, unaware of a robot behind the door, check on their son, the door bumps the robot’s power switch back on. Not distinguishing the boy’s unresponsiveness as sleep, the robot, in a humorous reversal, fears the boy has malfunctioned and carries him back to his laboratory, where he gives him oil and begins to prepare a new battery—when, just in time, the not-evil-at-all invetor shows up to put things right. The spare text (“Boy! You-are-fixed!”) replicates the steady beats of the simple yet comedicstory, while Yaccarino’s expressive, quirky, and humorously geometric gouache illustrations make the boy and robot’s relationship all the more endearing. The final, nearly wordless pages, with snapshots of the friends at play, are priceless. Booklist *starred*

STAR!

Story by Maribeth Boelts  Pictures by Lauren Castillo

Props for HAPPY LIKE SOCCER! which is not merely a Junior Literary Guild Selection but today also became the proud parent of a glorious PW STARRED REVIEW! (A book gives birth to its review.) We are so proud. This is a vividly heartfelt story, exquisitely conjured by our Maribeth and inspired illustrations from Lauren Castillo. This is a very happy picturebook marriage.

The other girls on Sierra’s soccer team are surrounded by their families on game days, but Sierra’s auntie, a waitress, works Saturdays, and Sierra plays alone: the onlookers “cheer for me by the number on my uniform, not knowing my name.” The plan Sierra comes up with to allow her auntie to see her play—and the courage she summons to put it into action—give Boelt’s (Those Shoes) story unexpected emotional depth. Castillo’s (Melvin and His Boy) quiet ink-and-watercolor spreads make it clear that Sierra’s situation is different from that of the other girls, and that her auntie treasures her niece and keeps her safe. The fenced-in soccer field in Sierra’s urban neighborhood is scruffier than the team’s suburban field, but Sierra’s auntie’s apartment is cozy and welcoming, and so are her words. Class differences (“Then my ride comes, filled with laughing girls who know the jokes I don’t”) and the clash of city and suburban culture are clearly laid out, but softened by supportive adults (Coach Marco asks Sierra if there’s anything she needs, and means it). A thought-provoking read-aloud. Ages 5–9. PW *starred*

HAPPY LIKE SOCCER pubs in May and is Maribeth Boelts's second Candlewick book, again from editor Sarah Kertchersid. their first, THOSE SHOES, is kicking butt on Amazon. (yeah, yeah, anecdotal, blah, blah— but this is eight months running, people!)

What's the Matter?

why hesitate, Gentle Readers? the time is now to extol (or not, if you're crazy) our picturebook list this spring! it is a bonanza! can't you guys chime in or something?

"Manning's pages are exhunberance itself." —PW

ANOTHER star— this one from PW. In addition to the above quote-made-in-heaven, PW called LAUNDY DAY "vivid" and "warmhearted". Happy us, happy we!

"English" A Silly Song!

for our English teacher followers, and the like . . .

Nouns name things.

Adjectives describe them.

Verbs act up.

Adverbs circumscribe them.

Now! 

Construct a sturdy sentence

From your toolbox of good grammar.
The rule for if it wobbles?

Smartly smash it with a hammer!

this is copyrighted.

Kiki's Gone Board Book!

You loved her in hardcover and now she's on board(book) in a new format. Especially cool is that Janie conceived the book this way. Meredith Mundy-Wassinger at Sterling pared and repositioned the text and created A RIGHT PROPER BOARD BOOK— not a picturebook gone slumming. Janie Bynum is a graphic designer as well as superlative illustrator— this lady can draw! Kiki's graphic pictures are perfect for babies still learning to focus or learning to move their eyes in a horizontal (text) line.

Joosse + Jutte = OMG! BRILLIANT OR WHAT?!

Appealing illustrations and a cheerful, rhythmic text [create] an entertaining voyage of imagination with engaging, eccentric companions.— Kirkus

Speaking of Starred Reviews. . .

no better quote than how Kirkus summarizes its starred review of author/illustrator Maurie Manning's tour de force LAUNDRY DAY (Clarion: editor Marcia Leonard): "Everything teams with movement and life— completely beguiling."

top that!

Stars Aplenty for Ame Dyckman's debut!

We're so excited! Ame's first reviews ever are both stars! 

Kirkus *starred* "this book will be a hit." (cuts to the chase, doesn't it?)


Publisher's Weekly *starred* "Imaginative and sweet-natured, Dyckman’s picture-book debut [will] keep children entertained for many re-readings."

Knopf (editor: Michele Burke) did a great job with this book and Dan Yaccarino came through as always. And Ame's text is . . . well, advance order your copy today!

Ame's next book TEA PARTY RULES (Viking: editor Leila Sales) is not far off, either. Keith Campbell is already sketching away.


pssssst: even more great Ame news (can't you hardly stand it?): although our sleeves are still rolled up on this one, we are virtually positive we will soon be rolling them down to. . .  toast Ame's THIRD BOOK! yep! check back soon!

DARK DEEPS German Cover

Love the look of this awesome cover for Book 2 in Art Slade's HUNCHBACK ASSIGNMENTS series! You can pick up the American edition here.

ABANDON CHANGES: A Girl Parts Story

Our own John M. Cusick's new short story is now a free e-book from Candlewick Press.

Abandon Changes: A Girl Part's Story, takes place several months after the events of John's debut novel Girl Parts, and is available on Amazon,  Kobo, and Barnes & Noble. Check it out!

Rei’s a runner—fast, smart, doesn’t ask questions, and keeps her mouth shut about the errands she runs. She doesn’t know what’s in the packages she delivers and she doesn’t care. It’s simpler that way. But Rei’s soon-to-be-ex, Sam, has gotten under her skin, and she’s started thinking about the effects of her errands. Can Rei be close to someone and do her job—and can she make a choice before it’s too late? ABANDON CHANGES is a short story by John M. Cusick, set in the same world as his compulsively readable debut novel, GIRL PARTS. This story includes a sneak peek at the first few chapters of GIRL PARTS.

Monster Maker Kevan Atteberry. . .

draws 'em like he sees 'em!

Another Silly Song— by demand!

Jack Sprat could eat no fat
His wife could eat no lean.
And so between the two of them
Mealtime was a scene.

The act for which the two are known,
For licking clean the platter,
Is a lie the missus spun:
Jack stuck his tongue out at her.

this is copyrighted.


p.s. did you know the original was pub'd in 1639?

a Silly Song!

There was a crooked man

And he walked a crooked mile.

He met a crooked lass and said— what else?

I like your style!

The Life Cycle of a Book

via Publishing Trendsetter

Janis Repka is Not Clueless!

originally Janis titled this book Counting Frog Feathers. her publisher, Penguin, concluded Too obscure. so the title became Aphrodite Figures it Out, then The Difference Between Hair Roots and Square Roots, then Wiz Kid and Twirl Girl. while THE CLUELESS GIRL'S GUIDE TO BEING A GENIUS does not rightly express Janis's regard for her characters, whom she would never call clueless, it has that commercial patina we now more than ever pin our hopes on.

the  hardcover ofJanis's debut The Stupendous Dodgeball Fiasco sells steadily; but only its place on several state reading lists precipitated the need for a softcover edition, to pub next year. 

We love Janis!

Play, Louis, Play! Nominated for Texas Bluebonnet Award

Congratulations to Muriel Harris Weinstein, whose Play, Louis, Play! (Bloomsbury, 2010) has been nominated for the prestigious Texas Bluebonet Award. We'll keep our fingers crossed!

Boogie Monster

Check out author Josie Bissett (of ABC's The Secret Life of the American Teenager) talking about her picture book BOOGIE MONSTER, illustrated by our own Kevan Atteberry!

BOOGIE is the follow-up to Josie and Kevan's TICKLE MONSTER.

A Silly Song!

The sky is falling!

The sky is falling!

Chicken Little said.

The moral is how easily

Rumors sometimes spread.

And yet you have to wonder:

Did they jail that false town crier?

To tell the truth, 

I half suspect

She wound up roaster-fryer.

Printz on Our Minds

And why shouldn't it be when we have Pat Hughes's superb (we say it again!) FIVE FOURTHS OF JULY, an historical, which the Printz people typically acknowledge. just to prove our evaluation is impartial, even though Pat is our client and this is our book, take a look at this!

Go Pat!

A Silly Song!

do you readers like these? let us know.

There was an old woman who lived in a shoe.

She had so many children she didn't know what to do.

In fact, she had two.

Great big brats the old woman had.

They vexed her and perplexed her and they drove her fairly mad.

They tell us she beat them and sent them to bed—

Not that she woke up next day with no head.

GO, SLEEPING BOOTSIE, GO!

Read it here, The Children's Book Review calls Maribeth Boelts's fractured tale "delightful" and "perfectly suited for children reading on their own in grades 1-3". Can't argue with that.

Philadelphia Inquirer Loves FIVE 4ths of JULY!

Don't take our word for it, Pat's novel is one of the very best historicals in years. Read it here, folks. This is a gripping, original account, including horrific, little known aspects of the Revolutionary War. One example, 11,500 Americans died on British prison ships anchored in  in New York harbor, whereas only 4,500 Americans died in all Revolutionary War battles combined. Surprising, right? The novel's even greater achievement— besides setting the record straight by correcting the preposterous conceit of Johnny Tremain— is Pat's creation of relate-able teens, flesh-and-blood people not so different from teens today. A stupendous book— with two starred reviews, so far! (But who's counting?)

A Silly Song

Skip to the loo

With Sally and Sue

Remember: Wash your face!

Time to skidoo

Tell Sally, take Sue

And skip to another place!

Boy + Bot

oh, do avail yourselves of the preorder opportunity to own Knopf's DEBUT of picturebook author Ame Dyckman. we like to tell authors seeking agents that we snatched Ame at a conference after expressly announcing we were not signing picturebook author-only clients. Ame proves the adage, cream always rises to the top. call us skimmers, if you must.

Ame's SECOND picturebook will be coming from Viking, sometime in 2012 we imagine.

go Ame!

WIENER WOLF #1 Bestseller!

in Austin, anyway, BUT beating out The Hunger Games, Judy Moody, and Super Diaper Baby 2 is no cinch, and it sure bodes well for Jeff Crosby's cute-cute critter. here, look. (you have to scroll down for the Children's List.)

Of course you want to know more about Jeff (who wouldn't?). Quell your curiosity here.

A Silly Song (our occasional feature)

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall—

Or so the story goes.

The real event he underwent

No one really knows.

So just suppose. . . 

Humpty Dumpty lay on a chaise,

Humpty Dumpty soaked up some rays,

Humpty Dumpty looked at the pool,

Humpty Dumpty acted the fool.

As an egg, of course, HD could not swim.

He sank to the bottom— and everyone forgot him!

Too, too late was the King's lifeguard:

When they fished him out, he was boiled hard.

this is copyrighted.

Acknowledged: the last line uses (in order to scan) the popular convenience of the plural pronoun, which we generally deplore.