Holly Hobbie… and the Plague?

Dearest PBNauts,

I didn’t mean to neglect you! I’m sorry! It’s just super-duper chaos here at the space station (the good kind!), so my posts for the next week or two might be a little erratic. (On the bright side, since I can’t follow a schedule, it’ll be a surprise when you come visit and see a new post! And who doesn’t like surprises? SURPRISE!)

But for now, I have some great PB (both kinds!) info to share! Here we go!

First, the edible PB news: for all you PB&J lovers, there’s a new bread “base” for you! Arnold now makes these fab little pre-sliced Sandwich Flatbreads! See the one I had for breakfast this morning? Lightly toasted, PB and cherry jelly. YUM! Buy a pack, create your own Masterpiece PB&J, and leave a comment about it!

Now, the PB-with-pages news and reviews!

What a strange mix o’ books I read in the last few days! Here’s a few for ya! Did you read them? What did you think?

Aunt Matilda’s Almost-Boring Party (Front Street, Boyds Mill Press, 2009). A young boy is nodding off at his Aunt’s oh-so-perfect party, and that’s when things get interesting…

City Alphabet by Joanne Schwartz, photos by Matt Beam (Groundwood Books, House of Anansi Press, 2009). Extraordinary urban A-to-Z featuring photos shot in the downtown of a major city. (Nope, not gonna tell you! Pick it up, thumb through it, and see if it looks like your city!)

Constance and Tiny by Pierre Le Gall, illustrated by Eric Heliot (English translation by Shannon Rowan and Robert Agis, Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., 2009). The adventure of a truly horrid little girl and her enormous kitten, Tiny. (The back cover states, “You’re going to love hating them!”—and you will! You really will!)

Constance and the Great Escape by Pierre Le Gall, illustrated by Eric Heliot (English translation by Shannon Rowan and Robert Agis, Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., 2009). Constance is sent to the Jolly Boarding School, where she hatches a truly devious plan to get out and rejoin her beloved kitten, Tiny.

Fanny & Annabelle by Holly Hobbie (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2009). In this second Fanny book, Fanny writes her own PB, starring her doll, Annabelle. This fun story-within-a-story is sure to inspire the young author in your house! (And I’ll tell ya a secret: I had Holly Hobbie—the character—wallpaper in my room when I was in middle school. You know you’re jealous!)

Fish School by Nancy Poydar (Holiday House, 2009). Charlie wishes his goldfish, Wishy, could accompany him on his school trip to the aquarium. Then he gets an idea…

Lucy’s Cave: A Story of Vicksburg, 1863 by Karen B. Winnick (Boyds Mill Press, 2008). Powerful fictionalized account of a real eleven-year-old girl’s experience living in a cave in Vicksburg, Mississippi during the Union army attacks of Spring, 1863.

The Medieval Plague by Shevi Johnson (Capstone Press, 2010). Another chipper book from our friends at Capstone, the folks who brought you The Miserable Life of Medieval Peasants. (I had to watch Teletubbies for a bit to recover after reading this one. Needed the giggling baby sun and some bunnies to bring me back.)

OK GO by Carin Berger (Greenwillow Books, HarperCollins Publishers, 2009). Unique “go green!” message with zany collage art.

And now, the moment you’ve been waiting for… the PB Planet Spotlight Review! I’m super-thrilled to have discovered I Want a Dog! by Helga Bansch (North-South Books Inc., 2009). Lisa LOVES dogs. Dreams of dogs. Wants a dog! But her parents insist their apartment is too small for one. When her efforts to change their minds fail, Lisa comes up with a wonderfully inventive compromise that makes everyone happy (and helps someone in need, too). A MUST-HAVE if Lisa’s request is common to your house, too! So… zoom on over to your local bookstore and bring a copy back to your home planet today!

Gotta blast off, PBnauts! And remember, even if I’m not blogging regularly, I still love you! (“Awwww!”)

OOPS! Just realized I still haven’t posted about my fabulous “searched for it for 20 years PB!” (Ain’t I a tease?!)

Ame

Whittling Down the Mountain!

Howdy, PBnauts! Did you have a great Halloween? Boy, I did! And check out this awesome treat Super PBnaut Jeanne sent: a Reese's PB Pumpkin! I'd never seen one before, and did a delighted dance. (Sorry I ripped it open to snarf it before I remembered to take a pic first!)

Writers: does Halloween make you want to write monster stories? It does for me. (Which is funny, because Thanksgiving doesn't make me want to write pilgrim stories!)

Okay, I was so busy rumpus-ing and eating candy this weekend, I barely made a dent in my "PBs To Read" mountain, but here are just a few recent reads. Have you read them? What did you think? If you didn't read them, which would you pick up?

Ballet Kitty by Bernette Ford and Sam Williams (Boxer Books Limited, Sterling Publishing Co., 2007). Kitty can't find her ballet slippers in time for her piroutte playdate! (I feel your pain, Kitty!)

Ballet Kitty: Ballet Class by Bernette Ford and Sam Williams (Boxer Books Limited, Sterling Publishing Co., 2008). More ballet slipper drama when Ginger Tom proves it isn't the shoes that make the dancer.

Brave Charlotte and the Wolves by Anu Stohner, illustrated by Henrike Wilson (Bloomsbury U.S.A. Children's Books, 2009). Brave Charlotte outsmarts the (oddly-named) Wolfie the sheep and his gang, and makes a new friend, too.

Buffalo Wings by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Paulette Bogan (Bloomsbury U.S.A. Children's Books, 2007). Rooster's determined to procure buffalo wings for the big football-watching fiesta on the farm. But what will he do when he discovers what they're really made of?

Creamed Tuna Fish & Peas On Toast by Philip Christian Stead (A Neal Porter Book, Roaring Brook Press, 2009). Super silly rhyming story on the lengths a man will go to in order to ditch his least-favorite food.

The Everything Machine by Matt Novak (A Neal Porter Book, Roaring Brook Press, 2009). What do you do when the machine that does everything for everyone stops working? (You mean, like when Mom has the flu? HA HA HA HA HA!)

Humpty Dumpty Climbs Again by Dave Horowitz (G.P. Putnam's Sons, Penguin Young Readers Group, 2008). Can anything "egg" the rock-climbing celebrity out of retirement?

Jack the Bear by Christina Leist (Simply Read Books, 2009). Jack the Bear's super-important job is revealed. (Nope, ain't gonna tell ya. Read the book!)

The Marshmallow Incident by Judi Barrett, illustrated by Ron Barrett (Scholastic Press, 2009). From the creators of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.) The long-standing feud between the towns of Left and Right comes to an abrupt halt when some unusual ammunition is used to keep the peace.

One True Bear by Ted Dewan (Orchard Books, Hachette Children's Books, 2009). Beautiful tale about one brave bear's volunteer assignment to become a difficult boy's special friend.

Trouble Gum by Matthew Cordell (A Feiwel and Friends Book, Macmillian, 2009). Ruben the pig gets hold of some gum. Some messy, sticky gum...

When You Meet A Bear on Broadway by Amy Hest, illustrated by Elivia Savadier (Melanie Kroupa Books, Farrary, Straus and Giroux, 2009). Charming how-to manual details what to do if you meet a little lost bear on Broadway, and how to reunite him with his Mama.

Wild, Wild Hair by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by George Cephas Ford (Scholastic, 1997). Tisa knows Monday means one thing: Mama's going to tame her wild, wild hair before school.

Now, I totally have to crow (Rocka-rocka-rooooo!) about this recent fabulous PB discovery. PB Planet Spotlight on... Dear Vampa by Ross Collins (Katherine Tegan Books, HarperCollins Publishers, 2009). (Yes, I know I should have done a Halloween-theme book post, but better late than never!) The Pires have new neighbors. And they're weird. REALLY weird. They stay up all day. They go out in the sunshine. And they have no idea what a good drink really is. Told in humorous deadpan style (no pun intended!) in little Bram Pire's letter to his "Vampa," with a great surprise ending. (Nope, not gonna ruin it for you--read the book!) With Collins' fantastic ink-and-color illustrations, this is sure to be a new family favorite. So... (I gotta say it!) zoom on over to your local bookstore and bring one to your home planet today!

Hey! I just realized I never made good on that promise to review my "I looked for it for twenty years" book from my childhood! Next post, PBnauts!

Help, I'm Lost!

Howdy, PBnauts! Whatcha doin' in January? Registration opens today (1 PM, EST) for the SCBWI Annual Winter Conference in New York City. I'm planning to go! For the very first time! For those of you who really know me, this is huge for two reasons:

1. I have absolutely NO sense of direction. None. I get lost at our local mall.
2. New York City is a whole lot bigger than our local mall.

The fact that I'm ready to battle the above is enormo for me. (Oh, kidlit, how I must love thee!) I will undertake substantial mapping research prior to departing. (And, it probably wouldn't hurt to hang a tag around my neck that reads, "Please look after this writer. Thank you.")

Any of you going, too? Any other first timers? Come be lost with me! The more, the merrier!

Dunno about the weather where you live, but there was a major cold, rainy storm in this orbit today. Perfect day for PB oatmeal! (Of course, I think that every day, but today was a "you might agree with me" day!)

Realized that I've seriously neglected to post about a whole category of kidlit love here in the Space Station--the audio book! Now, in addition to the "IN MG/YA UNIVERSE" box where I post my "big kid" reads, we have the "BOOK ON THE GO" box for audio books! What are we currently listening to while we jaunt around in the Space Transporter (the 2001 four-wheeled hatchback model)? The brilliant Lenore Look's "The Alvin Ho Collection: Books 1 and 2: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things and Allergic to Camping, Hiking, and Other Natural Disasters." It's voiced by the fantastically funny young actor, Everette Plen (pictured here) who is PERFECT in this!

Speaking of young talent, found some promising young writing talent--in my Space Station's living room! Check out the debut story from Monkeykid (reprinted with permission, royalties paid in jellybeans):

THE BOY AND THE MOVING ANIMALS

Once there was a boy named Edward. He had a model airplane kit. He put the model airplane together.
That night, Edward put the airplane in his room.
That night, when Edward was sleeping, the airplane flew around his room.
In the morning, before the boy woke up, the model airplane landed right where the boy had put it.
The next night, all his toys came to life.
On Thursday night, the model airplane crashed into Edward's lamp.
Edward woke up, and saw all of his stuffed animals running around like crazy! Edward tried to calm them down, but that only made it worse!
Edward's favorite animal, his pterodactyl, was flying around the room. It was racing his model airplane. Edward tried to stop them, but he couldn't. They were too high!
Edward's stuffed pig was running around his room. Edward tried to stop it, but it was too fast!
The pig started chasing the stuffed mouse.
The pterodactyl was also chasing Edward’s favorite stuffed kitten. And the kitten’s mother wasn’t too happy about it! She chased the pterodactyl away.
So every night, Edward and his animals played all night.

******

Hey, not bad for a first attempt by someone who hasn't even lost a baby tooth yet! (Just like Peter Pan!) Maybe she'll really get into writing! Maybe she'll want to come with me to the Conference! Hey, maybe she could navigate!

'Til next time, PBnauts! Wherever you go (or, if you're like me, wherever you end up), have fun!

Space Ick, Fort, Workshop, Congrats, Etc.!

Mornin', PBnauts! I've kicked my nasty case of Space Ick that kept me grounded on Friday (thank you, Emergen-C!) and now I'm VROOMIN' to get back in the ol' Blog Saddle. YEE-HAW! Want a free sample of Emergen-C? Go here: http://www.emergenc.com/

Was able to drag my sorry self off the couch on Friday/Saturday and participate in the construction of this awesome blanket fort. (Still THE BEST rainy day activity, don't you think?)

The BESTEST part of the fort? MonkeyKid's sign:

THE BIG WEEKEND BLAST: yesterday's NJ SCBWI Mentoring Workshop! Editors Mary Kate Castellani (Walker), Nicole Kasprzak (Putnam), Erica Sussman (Harper) and the on-my-Genius-Idol-List Noa Wheeler (Henry Holt) had brilliant feedback for everybody. Great job as always, Kathy Temean and Laurie Wallmark!

A "CONGRATULATIONS KITTEN" to new author/illustrator buddy, Kate Hosford, who just signed a DOUBLE PB deal for her BIG BOUFFANT and BIG BOUFFANT 2, acquired by Andrew Karre at Lerner Publishing. The first will be the lead book on Lerner Publishing's Carolrhoda imprint's Spring 2011 list. Way to go, Kate!

Remember, PBnauts: share some good news, and I'll post it with this Congratulations Kitten! You KNOW you want a Congratulations Kitten of your own!

THE BIG WEEKEND BUMMER: yesterday night's Red Robin Dinner. Imagine my horror when I discovered Red Robin Corp. has RUINED their previously fabulous "Mountain High Mud Pie" dessert! They... they... NO, IT'S TOO TERRIBLE! I CAN'T EVEN BRING MYSELF TO SAY IT! Well, okay:

They took out the PB.

Blasphemy! Heresy! Just plain "Well, that STINKS!" I will be making an indignant inquiry call to the company later today.

From the Weird Questions Your Kids Ask You file: "Mommy, have you ever been in a duel?" I didn't think the time was right to tell her the truth, so I said no.

Possibly the CUTEST BLOG IN THE UNIVERSE can be found here: http://www.swimmerjordan.blogspot.com/

Straps BREAKING on "Return to Library" bag! Must unload! Shout if you read any of these I-recently-read PBs, and tell us what you thought! And y'know what? I'm not even going to alphabetize this list! (Yup, I'm feeling THAT wild and crazy today!)

Perfectly Arugula by Sarah Dillard (Sterling, 2009).

Tess's Tree by Jess M. Brallier, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds (Harper, HarperCollins, 2009).

My Parents Are Divorced, My Elbows Have Nicknames, and Other Facts About Me by Bill Cochran, illustrated by Steve Bjorkman (HarperCollins Publishers, 2009).

Chicks and Salsa by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Paulette Bogan (Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2005).

Feeling Sad by by Sarah Verroken (Enchanted Lion Books, 2009).

Matilda's Humdinger by Lynn Downey, illustrated by Tim Bowers (Alfred A. Knopf, 2006).

A Crazy Day at the Critter Cafe by Barbara Odanaka, illustrated by Lee White (Margaret K. McElderry Books, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, 2009).

Pennies for Elephants by Lita Judge (Disney Hyperion Books, 2009).

Teeny Tiny Ernest by Laura T. Barnes, illustrated by Carol A. Camburn (Barnesyard Books, 2000).

In the Dark of the Night by Paul Stewart, illustrated by Tim Vyner (Frances Lincoln Children's Books, 2008).

Hurry Up and Slow Down by Layn Marlow (Holiday House, 2008).

The Patch by Justina Chen Headley, illustrated by Mitch Vane (Charlesbridge, 2006).

Ocean Waves and Other Tales by Helen H. Kimbrough, illustrated by Lena Shiffman (AK Classics, 2007).

Dinosaur Bob and His Adventures with the Family Lazardo by William Joyce (A Laura Geringer book, HarperCollins Publishers, 1995).

Whoever You Are by Mem Fox, illustrated by Leslie Staub (Harcourt Brace & Company, 1997).

Three Truths

Hi, PBnauts! Three Truths for today:
1. Super Agent Scott is a total Rock Star!
2. At the current rate, it is unlikely there will be any Reese's Peanut Butter cups left here on the Space Station by the time Halloween gets here.
3. I'll have my picture up at the post office if I don't shuttle down and pay my overdue book fines at the Library before closing today. On my "owe" list:

A Friend Like You by Julia Hubery, illustrated by Caroline Pedler (Good Books, 2009). Sweet opposites-are-friends story between a panda and a little golden monkey in the bamboo forest.

The Emperor’s New Clothes by Hans Christian Andersen, translated by Naomi Lewis, illustrated by Angela Barrett (Candlewick Press, 1997). Well-told, gorgeously illustrated version (LOVE the dogs!) of the classic fairy tale.

Henry & The Crazed Chicken Pirates by Carolyn Crimi, illustrated by John Manders (Candlewick Press, 2009). The shipwrecked book-lovin’ bunny and his pirate family must fight off a flock of attacking pirate… chickens?

The Hungry Ghosts by Julius Lester, illustrated by Geraldo Valerio (but there’s an accent over the e, and my computer’s not cooperating, Dial Books for Young Readers, Penguin Young Readers Group, 2009). Interesting ghost story that answers the question, “What do ghosts eat?”

The Little Toy Shop by Frances Wolfe (Tundra Books, 2008). Satisfying, feel-good story of stuffed animal friends separated, then reunited, thanks to a very special toy store and its very special, jolly, bearded (sounds familiar...) owner.

What are your three truths for today? Share 'em here!

The Inside Scoop: Do NOT Build A Frankenstein!

Howdy, PBnauts! I have a special blog post today. The awesome author/illustrator Neil Numberman shares his concept-to-completion journey of his first PB, Do NOT Build a Frankenstein! How cool is that? Now, can you do a decent Frankenstein impersonation? Show Neil in person at his big book reading/signing at NYC's Books of Wonder on Halloween Day! Check out the write-up in Time Out New York for more info:
http://newyorkkids.timeout.com/events/books/303381/halloween-haunts
Be sure to check Neil's website for all the latest and greatest:
http://neilnumberman.com/
And definitely check back in late November when Neil and the awesome Aaron Reynolds (Chicks and Salsa, Buffalo Wings, and the Tiger Moth series) guest-host PB Planet and chat about their new amazing graphic novel, Joey Fly, Private Eye in Creepy Crawly Crime. (It's so good, Monkeykid swiped it from me and soon as it came in, and wouldn't give it back until she finished it today!)
Take it away, Neil!

When I was a senior in undergrad, at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, I decided to make my thesis a picture book version of Mary Shelly's Frankenstein. This was in 2002! I created a dummy book, and went to work on finishing four pieces from that. But after school, I couldn't quite make the story work as a children's book. My monster was too wacky for the story's serious topics. Then when I came up to New York City in 2004, I tried my hand at it again for my first year book project at the School of Visual Arts' MFA Illustration program. Again, I got some great pieces out of it, but still no perfect story. Then along came Martha Mihalick over at Greenwillow Books, who stumbled across my website in 2006, and saw some of the paintings I did for my retelling of Mary Shelly's Frankenstein. After a couple back and forths, some modifications to the dummy book here and there, we had a kid telling the story of HIS experience building a monster, much like Dr. Victor Frankenstein recounts his tale of the monster to the crew that rescues him in the North Pole (hence the reason my book mostly takes place in the snow...)

I'm told by many people, over and over again, that Frankenstein was not the monster, he was the inventor, and my response to that is "Of course that's true, but who cares!" The monster has been embedded in Halloween and horror tales for over a century now, and much like most folklore, the facts evolve and get mixed up over time. Not to mention, I didn't want the title to be Do NOT Build a Frankenstein's Monster!, although that does have a certain awkward ring to it.

So now that the book is out, we're gearing up for the book reading/signing at Books of Wonder in New York City on Halloween! My girlfriend is making some of the most incredible Frankenstein cupcakes that I can't reveal too much about right now, but these things are gonna be the coolest looking cupcakes. And delicious!

I SO wish I could go! Somebody save me a cupcake!

Have a fab day, PBnauts!

CONGRATULATIONS TO NAT AND CHAR!

Serious SUPERNOVA-sized CONGRATULATIONS to co-authors Natalie Zaman and Charlotte Bernardo on their recent book contract! Their YA novel, Sirens, was just acquired by Flux. It's scheduled for release in 2011, and all I can say is, you've already sold a copy here! Way to go!

Grate-Full

Hi, PBnauts! Today, I am so grateful, I'm grate-full. I'm grateful that the space station repairs seem to be complete (until the next thing goes KABLOOEY, anyway--hah!). I'm grateful to have had the nice "chin-up!"s from all you. (You guys rock, do ya know that? You totally do.) I'm grateful to the super-awesome Heather Ayris for posting an interview about me (don't make fun of my picture!) on her blog today: http://frolickingthroughcyberspace.blogspot.com/ I'm grateful that some people within earshot of my loud voice (digital and otherwise) voted for Peter Brown's The Purple Kangaroo in the Cheerios poll. (Go, go, The Purple Kangaroo! And remember, you can vote once a day until the contest is over!) http://promo.simonandschuster.com/cheerios-poll/poll.php And, I'm really, really grateful I'm not a medieval peasant, because I just read the most "Bummer, dude!" PB, The Miserable Life of Medieval Peasants by Jim Whiting (Capstone Press, 2010). Stinky houses, crummy food, disease... and logs for pillows? That's right: the poor medieval peasants had to use LOGS for pillows! That really put things in perspective for me. No matter how crunchy life can get, at least I've always got a comfy pillow. (Even when I'm screaming into it!) So, here's to not being a medieval peasant! And here's to gratitude! *clink*

Contest Results (And, Bummer! More Space Station Repairs)

Howdy, PBnauts! Congratulations to the winners of the "Gimme Candy!" contest, PBnauts Jeanne, Corey, and Bettelynn! Ladies, please send your Earthly addresses to me (Jeanne, I'm sure I have yours, but I'm also a wee bit disorganized at the moment) at amedyckman@gmail.com, and I'll zip those out to you ASAP.

I have gobs of good books to share, funny kid adventures, PB stuff, and more... but sadly, that's gonna hafta end this post for now. The space station seriously needs repairs again. The thermal unit (a.k.a., the furnace) died today, and the new observation deck (a.k.a., sit-in window) is leaking! ALAS!

Hugs, y'all.

Monsters! Lions! Candy! And, a CONTEST!

Mornin,' PBnauts! Join me and my big ol' cup o' coffee, toasty little bowl of PB oatmeal, and let's see what's new on the Planet today!

"OHHHH... just a few more days 'til the Wild Things mooo-vie! A few more days 'til the Wild Things mooo-vie! I can hardly wait! It's gonna be so great! RUM-PUS RUM-PUS RUM-PUS!" (shakes heinie) Okay, this is why I'm not allowed to use the Webcam.

Speaking of Wild Things, feast your peepers on these fabulous homemade original beloved-version costumes by amazing artist Sarah Clark! She made these for herself and housemates for last year's "Gimme Candy!" day. I so, SO hope that they suit up when they go to the movie. Can you imagine sitting next to them in the theater? Check out the costume progression at Sarah's site, http://sjeanetteclark.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2009-04-19T13%3A36%3A00-04%3A00&max-results=10

IN THE PB PLANET MAILBOX: A lovely little note from Moonbear (with a little help from his friend, Frank Asch)! SO CUTE! Moonbear told Monkeykid he was eating honey while typing, his paws were getting sticky, and then the text got all goofy! Big PB Planet thanks to PBnaut Heather (http://frolickingthroughcyberspace.blogspot.com/) for sharing her own writing-to-Moonbear story in Friday's post's comments!

I promised to share my latest cool 1970s used-book-sale PB find, and here it is! Harry and the Terrible Whatzit by Dick Gackenbach (Scholastic Inc., 1977). Harry just knows there's something terrible in the cellar, but Mother doesn't believe him. But when Mother goes down to get a jar of pickles and doesn't come back up, Harry goes after her. Armed only with a broom (and some super-fly 1970s fashion), Harry discovers, behind the furnace, a ten-foot-tall "double-headed, three-clawed, six-toed, long-horned Whatzit!" So what does Henry do? He (still laughing as I type this) proceeds to BEAT THE CRAP out of the Whatzit with the broom! As Harry's no longer afraid of it, the Whatzit shrinks! Harry then directs the peanut-sized Whatzit next door to Sheldon Parker's cellar, because "he's afraid of everything!" I just love this oh-so 70's PB--the awful colors, the really horrible monster, the bell-bottom trousers, and the take-charge action that you'd never find in a modern "kid-conquers-fear" story. (I just know I'm gonna get mail from the Monster Protection Agency now, though!)

Can't. Lift. My back-to-the library bag! MUST return my books today, including these recent reads:

How to Potty Train Your Monster by Kelly DiPucchio, illustrated by Mike Moon (Disney Hyperion Books, 2009). (Okay, I know I promised no more scatological humor after the "Columbus had to poo" post, but this creative little book is a riot!)

It's a Bad Day by Mary Ellen Firday, illustrated by Glin Dibley (Rising Moon Books, 2006). I admit it: I got it because of the kid picking his nose on the cover. C'mon, wouldn't you?

Lions: Amazing Animals by Jacqueline Dineen (Weigl Publishers Inc., 2010--wha? But that's what it says! "2010!"). Great lion facts. Did you know there's a super-rare Asiatic lion that lives in India? I didn't!

The Lion & The Mouse by Jerry Pinkney (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, Hachette Book Group, 2009). Absolutely gorgeous. Tons of little details. Pure genius, Mr. Pinkney.

Seymour Slug Starts School by Carey Armstrong-Ellis (Harry N. Abrams Publishers, Inc., 2005). Now, I can say I've read a book with a Fairy Slugmother. (Okay, I could've said it before, but now I'd be telling the truth.)

Now, the promised "Strangest PB Candy I Ever Ate" review!

The candy: Trader Joe's PB& J Bar.
The ingredients: tasty milk AND dark chocolate, a nice thick slab of sweet PB, a super-chewy raspberry jam fruit jelly layer... and CRUSHED POTATO CHIPS! No kidding! They're hiding there under the chocolate!
The verdict: Soft AND chewy, sweet AND salty... totally weird, but GOOD! And, the first 3 PBnauts to post a comment to this post containing the words "Gimme Candy!" in it will each win one!

IN THE NEXT POST: Finally found: the PB I was searching for for two decades! (That's the book-kind PB. Otherwise, that would be pretty gross.)

Have a mega-fantastic day, PBnauts!

An Original Columbus Day Poem

Hi, PBnauts! I'm not really posting today (everybody's here at the space station, getting caught up on Fall cleaning... from 2003), but I did have to quickly share an original Columbus Day poem, created by yours truly while Husband Guy and I were doing weekend homework with Monkeykid.


HUSBAND GUY:
In 1492,
Columbus sailed the ocean blue.

ME:
He was so glad,
When he saw land,
Because he had to poo!

ME AND MONKEYKID:
BWAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH!

I was sent to sit in the corner near the station garbage chute. I'm still here. But c'mon, take a look at that portrait, and tell me I'm not right!
Oh, well. Happy Columbus Day, everyone!

PB PLANET! NEW AND IMPROVED!

Howdy, PBnauts! (cough, cough) Sorry, the atmosphere's just a little dusty today, what with the whole "Let's shoot a missile at the moon!" exercise this morning. Were you a wee bit nervous watching it on TV? Husband Guy was.

HUSBAND GUY: Well, here's the end of life as we know it.
ME: I think we're okay. We're on Tivo time. This happened 30 minutes ago.

So, figure out the new posting format? It's... chatty. Personal. Real insight into Ame's head. (Hey! Don't run away!) There'll still be picture book stuff. And peanut butter stuff. And a little space stuff. But there'll also be agent stuff. Editor stuff. NJ SCBWI stuff. Industry stuff. Library stuff. Cool blog stuff. More pics stuff. Tips, shout-outs, and good news cheers stuff. Teasers of stuff to come. STUFF! And it'll all be rolled into one handy-dandy-every-other-day-or-so-Monday-through-Friday post! LET'S GO!

Agent Recommendation: Super Agent Scott thought I'd like MOONCAKE by Frank Asch. He was right! It took me a while to hunt down a copy (published in 1983), but I'm so glad I did! Creative, innocent buddy story. Just perfect! Followed it up with two of the many sequels, SKYFIRE (funny!) and MOONDANCE. Do you remember these? Own any copies?

Wow, what a writing week! Finished two new... (Nope, can't talk about it yet. Just cross your fingers--and toes!--for me! Go, go, Super Agent Scott!) Just finished my "Unread" interview which will be appearing, in a few weeks, on the fantastic blog of Heather Ayris Burnell, "Frolicking Through Cyberspace." (See my "Favorite Blogs" blogroll and check it out.) I am mega-honored! And, great PB manuscripts already coming in for the Oct. 25 NJ SCBWI Mentoring Workshop. Gotta do my critiques. (And, gotta just say "Done!" on the revisions for mine and send it out!)

Speaking of Mentoring Workshops, wishing good luck to the fabulous Tara Lazar, Laurie Wallmark, and any of my other writing buddies who are going (but I didn't know they were going, or I forgot) to the Rutgers One-On-One Conference on October 17! Are you going? Lemme know, and I'll "good luck!" you, too!

And speaking of Laurie Wallmark, I hear Laurie might have some good news soon. WOO-HOO!

OOF! There's a ton of PBs in my "bring back to the Library" bag. Here's my "5 a day." Have you read any of these? What did you think?

LOM AND THE GNATTERS by Kurusa (which is so cool. I want a one-word name!), illustrated by Isabel Ferrer, translated by Elisa Amado. (Groundwood Books, House of Anansi Press, 2009.) If you have a kid that won't let you brush their hair, this cautionary tale is for you! And, loved the word "snotties" for "boogers!"

MOONLIGHT, THE HALLOWEEN CAT by Cynthia Rylant (okay, when does she SLEEP?!), illustrated by Melissa Sweet (HarperCollins Publishers, 2003). Sweet Halloween story.


ONCE UPON A TWICE by Denise Doyen, illustrated by Barry Moser (Random House Children's Books, 2009). If you like books with the occasional "created" word, check this one out. Cleverly done!


TUBA LESSONS by T.C. Bartlett and Monique Felix (Creative Editions, 2009). C'mon. Who doesn't love a tuba?



A WIZARD IN LOVE by Mireille Levert, illustrated by Marie Lafrance (Tundra Books, 2007). I dig the wizard with the bouquet of "flesh-eating flowers" on the cover.



Now, feast your eyes on this scrumptious PB "sunflower" sent in by Super PBnaut, Jeanne! (Yep, that's a chocolate truffle in the center.) My kind of meal! Thanks, Jeanne, for sending it in. PBnauts, send in your PB pics, and I'll post yours, too!


TEASER FOR NEXT TIME: In my next post, I'll have pics and a review or two of some recent phenomenal 1970s kidlit finds (used book sales ROCK!). Also, pics and a review of the STRANGEST PB candy I've ever eaten!

Happy reading and writing, PBnauts! (cough)

(I'm Back)

A GREAT BIG OL' HOWDY, PBNAUTS! Okay, I know I was supposed to be back on Monday. I'm sorry. Busy, busy with writing and re-setting, and contemplating how to make PB Planet better. Check back tomorrow for a preview of the new posting format? I'll really try to make it good.

AAARGH!

BANG-BANG-BANG-BANG-BANG-BANG! AAARGH! Okay, PBnauts, here's what I'm gonna do: we'll call it a wash until Monday. On Monday morning, when all the space station construction will be done, PB Planet will be back in all it's book-y, peanut buttery goofiness. I promise more fun pics--including a fantabulous PB creation by one of PB Planet's fave PBnauts, Jeanne! (Thanks, Jeanne!) I promise more reviews--including a retro review of a rarity from my personal PB collection. (My book PB collection, not my edible PB collection!) I promise a new poll. I promise lots of fun! But if I don't get out of this space station this minute with all this banging, I'm going to go completely nuts! (And I don't mean peanuts!) So, see you Monday, PBnauts!

BANG! BANG-BANG-BANG!

BANG! BANG-BANG-BANG! 11 straight hours of BANG! BANG-BANG-BANG! Maybe tomorrow, PBnauts!

BANG! BANG-BANG-BANG!

This is all we hear on the Planet today, as space station construction continues (and hopefully, completes). Sorry, PBnauts, but I can't (BANG!) even hear myself (BANG!) think! Hope to be back to abnormal normal tomorrow. Until then, read PBs, eat PB, and be merry!

PB Planet Posts a Pic of Peter Brown. How Many Pics of Peter Brown Can PB Planet Post?

Hey, PBnauts! Busy, busy day on the Planet today! So instead of our normal daily posts, here's one of my fave "great-author-and-their-book" photos! It's Peter Brown, the super-talented (and really nice!) author/illustrator of the NY Times Bestselling The Curious Garden. (He even joked about the name of this blog, as his initials are also "PB!" So, welcome to Peter Brown Planet!) This pic was taken by yours truly at the fabulous annual Princeton Library Children's Book Festival a few weeks ago. (It's a fantastic event--if you'll be in the area next year, try to go!) Gobs of amazing authors and illustrators were there: Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen, Dan Gutman, E.B. Lewis, Nancy Viau, etc. Be sure to scan your local listings and see if there are any kidlit festivals this weekend in your orbit--they're really fun. Got a good one? Be sure to write in and share. Have a great weekend, PBnauts!

PB Planet Daily Spotlight: ABC UK

Big PB Planet applause for ABC UK by James Dunn, illustrated by Helen Bate (Frances Lincoln Children's Books, 2008). This patriotic ABC book from our friends across the pond is a surprisingly fun read! There are expected entries ("B is for The Beatles," "Q is for Queen,") but some surprises too. And everyone will giggle over trying to pronounce "L is for Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch." (And, if you're like we were and don't know what "Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch" is, there's a helpful glossary in the back. We're now in the Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch know!) A great array of picks by Dunn, with creative, eye-catching illustrations by Bate. (Her Yorkshire Pudding pic will make you crave it!) Zoom on over to your local bookstore and bring a copy back to your home planet today!

Art Imitates... Breakfast?

No, it's not modern art! (Well, I guess it could be!) It's really melted PB on raisin toast! You've known PB and raisins were a perfect match since you first had Ants on a Log. When was the last time YOU ate them together? Me? About an hour ago!

PB Planet Daily Specials--9/24/09

Here are the PBs I read on my Planet today. Have you read them? What did you think?

June and August by Vivian Walsh, illustrated by Adam McCauley (Abrams Books for Young Readers, Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 2009).

The Jungle Grapevine by Alex Beard (Abrams Books for Young Readers, Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 2009).

Paddington at the Beach by Michael Bond, illustrated by R. W. Alley (Harper, HarperCollins Publishers, 2008).

Perfectly Martha by Susan Meddaugh (Walter Lorraine Books, Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004).

Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Book? by Lauren Child (Hyperion Books for Children, 2003).

PB Planet Spotlight: Gertrude is Gertrude is Gertrude is Gertrude

Big PB Planet applause for Gertrude is Gertrude is Gertrude is Gertrude by Jonah Winter, illustrated by Calef Brown (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division, 2009). In this brilliantly, perfectly, utterly nonsensical homage to Gertrude Stein, Gertrude, Alice, and Basket--who is a famous poodle, you know-- invite you into their home. Come in come in come in! Come sit on a chair! Come to an artists-and-writers party! Talk, talk, laugh, talk. Have some tea. (Don't mind Picasso sitting there.) Now, you have to go--Miss Gertrude has to write. Out, out, out! You go write, too. (And don't forget to have fun when you do!) While you're at it, make some amazing art like Calef Brown's. Paint, paint, happy paint. Then zoom on over to your local bookstore and bring it back to your home planet today!