Please Don't Read This Book

A Long Way From Chicago

A Long Way from Chicago – Richard Peck

Marirosa Mia: I wish I had a gun-totting grandma, Julie. Think of all the fun to be had and the people to scare.  Spanning the years 1929 to 1942, Richard Peck's A LONG WAY FROM CHICAGO follows Joey and his sister Mary Alice, who come down from Chicago to spend their summers with their "tough as an old boot" Grandma Dowdel. They don't expect to be part of their grandmother's always crazy and often dangerous adventures like illegal catfishing, standing up to the drunk sheriff, and holding a wake for town bum Shotgun Cheatham, but they do! This novel made me want to chase down my mom and dad and grill them about my grandparents' illegal ways (they were also awesome people, so I'm pretty sure they had some). I was surprised by how much I liked this charming and funny novel and how much I kept wanting to go back for more. Julie?

Julie:  In order to convey how beloved A LONG WAY FROM CHICAGO is in my family, I need to tell the following story:  Several years ago, I read the book with my older daughter, who is normally perfectly sane.  She loved it, all of it, from the very first sentence:  "You wouldn’t think we’d have to leave Chicago to see a dead body."  She loved it so much that she threw a staggering fit when I agreed to read the book to her younger sister after I'd finished reading it to her.  Grabbing it from me, she shouted, "It's mine!"  Then she ran to the kitchen; wrapped that book tightly in aluminum foil; added about a foot of scotch tape for good measure; and proceeded to hide the book under an avalanche of papers on her desk.  I didn't dare try to take it out from under that heap.  I believe she would have punched me.  And she's never thrown a punch in all her eleven years.  

M: I must say, Julie, that story just made my day. I'm interested in hearing what she would say about that book if she read it recently. A LONG WAY FROM CHICAGO has a way of charming (there's that word again!) you right off the bat and not many books can do that, but Grandma Dowdel is hard to resist. Always up to something that broad was, and I was always glad to be along for the ride. 

J:  I bet my daughter would love it all over again, if she re-read it now.  I sure did.  It's the perfect combination of funny and touching.  Grandma Dowdel is so deliciously bad--she packs heat; she lies without compunction; she plays tricks on her neighbors; and she pulls no verbal punches.  What she says is hilarious in its own right; her grandson's asides add to the humor.  Take this tiny example, in which Grandma Dowdel disparages her alleged enemy Effie Wilcox:  "'Was that Effie again?  Never trust an ugly woman.  She's got a grudge against the world,' said Grandma, who was no oil painting herself."  Don't you love the lines throughout the book like that?  There must be a hundred of them. And--even better--don't you love how it always turns out that Grandma's bad behavior is in the service of some good?  She's taking on a pompous banker; or his insufferable, bossy wife; or the family of hooligan brothers; or their successful, inexcusably tolerant (of their children's bad behavior) parents.  Or she's doing something sneakily and unexpectedly nice for one of her grandkids. I so envy the effectiveness of Peck's writing.  All Grandma Dowdel does is wave from her doorway in the final chapter, and I choke up.  Every single time.  A funny book with well-drawn characters and tremendous heart.  Can you beat that? 

M: I must agree that was a wonderful moment at the end. Heart strings were tugged. Also, even more wonderful news, I happen to have an extra copy of this book! And I’m giving it away to one of our wonderful readers who comments on this entry. So make sure to leave a comment (a simple “hey” will do) for a chance to win a copy of Richard Peck’s A LONG WAY FROM CHICAGO.

New Year, New Books!

      
Happy New Year, Everyone!
We hope you had a lovely (and restful) holiday season.
I know I could use a few more hundred winks, but I'm just lazy.
Did anyone get/read any fun and interesting books this holiday?

I sank my teeth into a friend's manuscript, and I just started LONELY WEREWORLD GIRL by Martin Millar. Julie read Daniel Handler's WHY WE BROKE UP and Jo Nesbo's THE LEOPARD.

How about you guys?

I Capture the Castle

I Capture the Castle - Dodie Smith

We're so delighted that avid reader Katie Fee, who works in School & Library Marketing at Penguin Young Readers Group, agreed to chat with Julie about a favorite book for this post.  Many, many thanks to the wonderful Katie!

Julie:  I bought Dodie Smith's I CAPTURE THE CASTLE long ago, after a friend raved about it.  Initially I found the first few pages off-putting.  A family living in an English castle, yet in such dire financial straits that the main character has to write in her journal while sitting in the kitchen sink (or, at least, with her feet in there)?  I didn't think I could ever find the story plausible. So I set the book aside for a good long time.  But it stayed in one of my "read someday, maybe" stacks, and eventually I picked it up again.  Give it thirty pages, I thought.  And then I was off. I'm so glad I gave it that second chance.  Because as contrived as the set-up seems, the characters and the story do come to magnificent life.  In the end, I CAPTURE THE CASTLE is a wonderful book about love in many forms, including the first love of the terrifically engaging protagonist, seventeen-year-old Cassandra (whom J.K. Rowling deems "one of the most charismatic narrators I've ever met"); the unrequited love of endearing Stephen; and the suspect love of Cassandra's sister Rose for wealthy Simon--not to mention the love of Cassandra's family for one another.  The novel also has much to say about writing.  I've happily read it several times now.  Katie, I know that you're a fan too.  What do you love about it?

Katie:  I personally love the opening scene where Cassandra is writing in her diary with her feet in the sink. Could there be a better way to be introduced to our narrator? This is a world where literary pursuit is taken seriously above all else, even creature comforts like candles to write by and food to eat. Cassandra must write wherever she finds her muse and not a single person in the novel would expect her to do anything less.

As you mentioned, I CAPTURE THE CASTLE has a lot to say about the writing process. One of my favorite lines occurs early on when Cassandra writes, "When I read a book, I put in all the imagination I can, so that it is almost like writing the book as well as reading it--or rather, it is like living it. It makes reading so much more exciting...." In many ways, this feels like the mantra of the novel. The Mortmains are living in a sort of suspended animation as they wait for their father to write a follow up to his highly acclaimed first novel. It takes the introduction of their new American neighbors to break them out of their literary spell.

 Julie, what do make of the obvious correlations that the book makes to the works of classic English romances? The author clearly made a conscious choice to include these references and yet in many ways these characters feel much more modern than the tropes they follow. What do you think?

J:  I agree that to a certain extent the sisters' romances feel modern, perhaps because of the independence Cassandra and Rose are afforded by their circumstances.  Cassandra's father pays virtually no attention to them.  Their mother is dead, their stepmother a free spirit.  Their castle is isolated, and their only regular connection to town is an indulgent librarian who takes pleasure in bringing Mr. Mortmain books.  So they're largely free from the family and/or societal constraints that typically play a large role in classic English romances.  Maybe Smith refers to texts like PRIDE AND PREJUDICE to highlight that lack of constraints and its reflection of civic changes during the 1940s, when I CAPTURE THE CASTLE was written?  It's just a guess!  What do you think?  And do you agree with J.K. Rowling's assessment of Cassandra as "'one of the most charismatic narrators I've ever met'"?

K:  I do agree that many of the things you mentioned probably impact the feel of the novel. I also think some of the modern tone comes from the language Cassandra uses to describe the other characters -- she's fairly shrewd for a 17 year-old who has led a sheltered life. I love Cassandra as a protagonist. I think Smith perfectly captures the mix of naivety and thinking you know everything that is seventeen. I also think telling the story as a diary brings the reader into Cassandra's head in an interesting way. It's possible to see her not only growing up but also realizing that she's doing so in her own words.

J:  I agree that Cassandra is immensely likable.  Her voice makes the books as appealing as it is.  But with all due respect to J.K. Rowling--seriously, what am I thinking, questioning her?!--I'm not sure I'd describe Cassandra as charismatic.  That suggests a certain natural bent for leading others.  Wouldn't you call her more of an observer than a leader for the vast majority of the book? 

K:   If I may defend Ms. Rowling, not that she needs my help in any way, I can understand where she's coming from. I find the entirety of I CAPTURE THE CASTLE to be quite charismatic and, as the book is her diary, Cassandra to be as well. The strength of her writing is what draws the reader into her world. While she is surrounded by people who fancy themselves to be artists, she is the one who spends the most time dedicated to her craft. What do you think the decision to frame this novel as a diary adds to the story?

J:  The diary format highlights Cassandra's voice and allows for her reflection on events as she describes them.  It's interesting, too, to contrast the young Cassandra's flood of words with her father's drought.  And now we should stop our own shower of words and post this so that our very, very last-minute-shopping readers can rush out and buy I CAPTURE THE CASTLE as a gift.  Maybe a gift for themselves, since we're awfully late!  Sorry about that.  Happy Holidays, everybody!

I Want My Hat Back

I Want My Hat Back by John Klassen 

Marirosa Mia:  In life there are many great unanswered questions: What is the meaning of life? The chicken or the egg? And...have you see my hat? I WANT MY HAT BACK by John Klassen is a picture book that sets out to answer just that question (the last one, that is). A brief summary for you: Bear has lost his hat and goes around asking his fellow woodland creatures if anyone has seen it. *Spoiler alert*:  Someone has, but lies to Bear while actually wearing the hat he's been looking for!  Gah!  Poor Bear is too distraught from the loss of the missing hat to notice, and continues on his way.  But not for long! I love Klassen's humor and the sly wink at the end that leaves you giggling. How about you, Julie?

Julie:  I love the subtle humor in this book.  First, its very premise:  An enormous bear loves his red, pointy hat; he's intent on finding it; he misses it "so much." That amuses me!  Second, the enormous bear is so very gracious, so unfailingly polite.  "Thank you anyway," he says time and time again.  This alone is funny, and particularly so when compared to his most uncivilized behavior at the book's end.  The art ads humor, too.  I love, for example, the scene with the reindeer gazing down at the bear lying prostrate with grief over his poor missing hat. And the use of the color red, particularly on one pivotal page about two-thirds of the way through?  Genius!  What do you think of the art, Mia? 

M: I loved the warm tones used in the illustration and the subtle and not so subtle (the use of red in the revelation scene) color that he uses to pop out his characters or their dialogue. The drawings and even the texture of the book fit perfectly together, giving the story a bit of a laid back/earthy feel to it. It's clear that as an illustrator he was very conscious of how he was using color in each page and how it could help him tell the story.  

J:  I wholeheartedly agree.  And now the million-dollar question:  Any concern that kids will be disturbed by the book's final, fatal turn?  I showed it to my younger daughter, curious about how she'd react.  She laughed and laughed.  Granted, at nine she's no longer among the target picture book audience.  But I suspect more of those kids will be amused than upset.  Partly because the drawings have a cartoon quality (in a sophisticated way), and partly because of the clever repetition of language.  What do you think? 

M: I think kids will find the humor in it more than anything - particularly if they are old enough to understand what happened without having their parents explain it. Before we wrap up, Julie, I wanted to share this "spoof" I found on Tumblr! It's so funny: http://mootiness.tumblr.com/post/12877719858

J:  Oh, how I dream of someday writing a book worthy of a Severus Snape spoof.  

M: We all do, Julie; we all do.

 

A Monster Calls

A Monster Calls – Patrick Ness

 Julie:  I love books, obviously.  But it's rare that I find one I love so much, I want to stand in crowded spaces and shout at strangers passing by, "READ THIS BOOK!  I MEAN IT!  READ IT RIGHT NOW!  YOU WON'T REGRET IT!"  That is exactly how I feel about Patrick Ness's A MONSTER CALLS.  It is beautifully designed and beautifully written, full of heart and wonderfully flawed, fully envisioned characters.  It made me cry.  It kept me guessing.  It has a monster as a main character--I don't typically like books about monsters--I don't care.  This book is marvelous.  I know you loved it too, Mia, and that's a good thing.  Because what if you hadn't?  This blog would've had to take a particularly long hiatus, because surely I would've felt compelled to put you in a reading timeout.  

Marirosa Mia: I. LOVED. IT. (You know it's true because I used all caps and dramatic punctuation, folks.) As soon as I finished it I did three things. I walked into the head of our School & Library department's office, and we both gushed about Patrick Ness for a good 10 minutes. I accosted anyone who walked by my desk with "Did you read this book?" And finally I emailed my sister (who is illustrating my own novel) and told her to buy the book immediately because it’s imperative that we use it as research for our own collaboration. From its quite charming first lines (The monster showed up just after midnight. As they do.) I was hooked! I knew I was reading something special. Julie, I'm a huge sucker for stories within stories (darn you, THE PRINCESS BRIDE!).  Did you enjoy how Ness weaved storytelling into his own tale? 

J:  Before I answer that, let me give a little background.  A MONSTER CALLS opens with the first visit to thirteen-year-old Conor by a monster in the shape of yew tree.  It "tower[s] thirty or forty feet above him, breathing heavily in the night air."  "‘Who am I?’" the monster roars.  "‘I am the spine that the mountains hang upon!  I am the tears that the rivers cry!  ... I am everything untamed and untameable!  ... I am this wild earth, come for you, Conor O'Malley.’"  To which Conor skeptically replies, in a perfect illustration of the wry exchanges between the two:  "‘You look like a tree.’"

The monster explains that he will come to Conor on further nights and tell him three stories "‘from when I walked before.’"  Conor responds with disbelief:  "‘How is that a nightmare?’"  And the monster replies, "‘Stories are the wildest things of all.  Stories chase and bite and hunt.’"  Later, in the same vein, the monster says, "‘Stories are wild creatures.  When you set them loose, who knows what havoc they might wreak?’"  

Of course I love that message about the power of stories.  And the monster's stories do end up having an unexpected, slow-boiling, intriguing sort of power.  I love that they surprised me and Conor alike.  I love the choice of stories.  And you?  

M: Very much so. I loved that the stories were old school fairy tales; the kind where happy endings are hard to come by and you aren't quite sure what you're supposed to be learning right off the bat.

Can we talk about secondary characters? I was surprised by how much I was interested in the school bully Harry. In the course of the story he went from being just a one-note bully to a bit more...unsettling as his understanding of Conor grew. How about you, Julie?

J:  The character portrayals are virtually universally fabulous.  The mom, the grandmother, the dad, the monster--everyone feels so real, and they're all struggling in such different and heart-tugging ways.  (Well, nothing about the dad is heart-tugging, exactly; but it's a tribute to Ness that I'm not thoroughly repulsed by the man.)  I like the bully, Harry, as well.  Although by the end it becomes clear that Ness is using Harry to make a point, it doesn’t feel annoyingly didactic--likely because of the weaving in of the monster's stories.  Ness buys himself some moral-making leeway with those stories, I think.  Does that make sense?  Also, we haven't even noted yet that Conor is grappling with his mother's sickness.  Any concern that the book overall feels too heavy?

M: No. I think it's hard not to be heavy when you are talking about cancer, and I think overall the book does a great job of depicting Conor's anger and fear such that we don't feel the topic is overdone in any way. Does that make sense?

J:  Again, I think the fantasy element helps.  The recurring presence of the monster, the mystery surrounding him, the humor in his interactions with Conor, and the puzzles posed by his stories all prevent the weight of the mom storyline from becoming overbearing.  

Can we talk about the book’s design a little?  I think this might be my favorite book design ever.  

M: I see what you mean about the fantasy element, Julie, though I’m not sure if that’s what was keeping the heavy topic well-balanced for me.  Sometimes I think I connect more with fantasy and magical realism elements than actual real life!

What about the illustrations did you particularly like? For some reason I was really drawn to the images that worked with the text itself--the ink creeping into the pages and so on. Not that the separate illustrations weren’t magnificent, but there was something about the way they bled into each other in those particular sections that I really enjoyed.

J:  I also love the margin illustrations and think they intensify the tone of the book.  But I can't say that I prefer them, because some of the full-page illustrations and two-page spreads are so spectacular.  Pages 182-83, for example, and pages 193-94?  Gorgeous.  I love the texture of each illustration, and the shadings.  They all contribute brilliantly to the book's atmosphere, without ever distracting from the text.  I love that virtually every illustration makes me wonder, how did Jim Kay (the illustrator) capture that effect?  I see now, on the book jacket, that he used "everything from beetles to breadboards to create interesting marks and textures."  Beetles and breadboards!  It's all so interesting and beautiful.  

M: I'm not saying I preferred the margins--or maybe I am--but there was something about the ink sneaking in ... like it couldn't be contained. I love that.

Well, I think we could talk about this book for quite some time; but I think we should let our readers go and perhaps...purchase the book! Go!

J:  Yes!  Go!

Everything is Bigger There

Nice news for LIKE PICKLE JUICE ON A COOKIE!  

The Texas Bluebonnet Award has chosen it for their 2012 Master List.  The complete list is only 20 titles, all aimed at students in grades 3-6.  Hurray!!  There will be a winner announced in 2012.  

For more information, check out http://www.txla.org/TBA. 

Perks of Being a Wallflower

Perks of Being a Wallflower – Stephen Chbosky

M: It's interesting that we chose Stephen Chbosky's THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER for this week, Julie. It being Banned Books Week recently and WALLFLOWER being one of ALA's (American Library Association) top ten most frequently challenged books in 2009 due to the book's treatment of drugs, homosexuality, sex, and suicide. WALLFLOWER is an epistolary novel that takes place in the early 90s, narrated via letters from Charlie, a sixteen-year-old boy, to a stranger.  The letters describe his family, falling in love, trying drugs and simply living. I was captivated by Charlie's voice and frankness. There was something so interesting about the character’s seemingly naive narration and the very complex and adult situations he found himself in. Julie?

J:  As I started PERKS I thought, I don't know--too derivative of THE CATCHER IN THE RYE?  As I kept going I thought, Too many social issues, one after the other?  But eventually I closed my critical eye and just kept thinking, I love this book.  Because ultimately Charlie's voice is so engaging and so loving and so sympathetic that I was happy to glide right over flaws that have ruined other books for me.  I loved the twists in Charlie's character, too.  He's physically small and cerebral and an outsider, but because of training from his brother, he's perfectly capable of beating bullies up.  Almost too capable.  He has to hold himself back.  And sometimes, after pummeling someone, he cries.  And he's a teenage boy experimenting with powerful drugs and (to a limited extent) sex, but he's also very open about how much he loves his mother.  He's flawed and immensely lovable.  Mia, do you agree?  And what do you think about some of the other characters?    

M: Very much so, Julie. I fell for Charlie and the way emotions just pour out of him. I like how even though Charlie loves Sam so much, she isn't a perfect character. She has her flaws and is very human. I particularly enjoyed the very complex relationship Charlie has with his sister, who at times both saddened, worried and infuriated me, yet I liked her very much! What about you?

J:  I agree entirely about his sister!  I somehow love her, though at times she is truly appalling.  I feel the same about Charlie's brother, though he’s largely absent.  I wish Chbosky had trusted the compelling nature of Charlie's relationships more and omitted some of the more sensational plot twists--particularly the secret that's revealed at the end.  Mia, do you know which one I mean?  Do you agree with me that it feels needless and contrived?    

M: A bit. It had me wondering if I'd missed something important in Charlie's words. Had I overlooked a hint, a vague memory that was perhaps too vague for me? I'm not saying that Chbosky had to drop clues like a mystery novel, but the revelation came a bit out of nowhere; and I felt that if he was doing it to explain Charlie's sensitive and emotional nature, then it wasn't necessary.  I was already there. Do you think that's why it felt contrived to you? 

J:  Either Chbosky was (needlessly) trying to explain Charlie's sensitivity, or he was interested in exploring an issue that was sensational at the time of the book's publication.   Regardless, it doesn't quite work for me.  Nor does the fact that Charlie is writing all along to a stranger.  I still wonder--did I miss something?  Is he in fact writing to someone we know?  If he is, oops!  And if he isn't, why not?  To add to our sense of Charlie as unusual and an outsider?  Again, I'm not sure that’s necessary.  But in the end, I don't care!  I like being inside Charlie's world, immersed in his thinking.  It's the kind of book I'd be happy to read again and again.

I just learned, by the way, that PERKS is being made into a movie, written and directed by Chbosky himself and starring Emma Watson as Sam.  Will I see it the first moment I can?  Yes I will!      

M: I'm interested in seeing how they adapt this as well! Here's one final question for our trusty readers: What banned book are you interested in reading (or re-reading)?

 

Smile

Smile – Raina Telgemeier

Julie:  At the beginning of the summer, my younger daughter (who is now 9) asked if we could buy Raina Telgemeier's graphic novel SMILE because a friend of hers had loved it.  I quickly obliged, in part because I'd seen good reviews.  My daughter read it right away--then read it again, and again, and again, and again.  Five times.  She read that book cover-to-cover, five times straight.  I could barely get her to take a break to eat.  Do either Mia or I need to say more?  Probably not.  We will, though, because this would be an awfully short post otherwise.  Mia, do you want to say a little about what SMILE is about and what you like about it?

Mia: SMILE is the story of Raina - a typical pre-teen girl whose time has come for braces. It's not something Raina is happy about, but things could be worse, right? And that's exactly what happens. While running back to her apartment Raina trips and falls, knocking her two front teeth out (she actually knocks one straight up into her dental cavity - ouch). What follows are several years of dental trials, including false teeth, dental surgery and, of course, braces. Through all this Raina finds that often so-called friends can be the cruelest.

Julie, let me take you back. Back to when I was...17, I think. And I had to get braces. As a teenager with a knack for exaggerating and over-dramatizing the stupidest things, I knew my life was over. My life as Queen Bee of high school was dead.

Just kidding. Me, Queen Bee? Not unless there was a zombie apocalypse. Point is, SMILE did manage to take me back - a bit to high school and the drama of friendships, but mostly to the pain. The pain of sitting in an orthodontist chair and having him tighten those braces. The pain of trying to sleep on your side when it feels like someone just punched you in the teeth. The pain of braces rubbing against the inside of your mouth until it's raw.

SMILE brought me back to all of that, and I was surprised I even remembered! Which sounds like I should hate SMILE because it made me remember the pain.  But I felt a strange kingship with Raina and her misfortunes.

J:  Oh, Mia. I'm so sorry about that pain!  I want to hurry over to you with Motrin and cold compresses!  And now I find myself reminiscing about pulled teeth, broken stitches, waking up with a face covered with blood, and that medieval device known as a palate expander, which involved turning a key to spread the bones at the top of my mouth.  Argh!  Why do we do this to ourselves (or, really, to our children)?  What I think SMILE captured even more brilliantly than dental tribulations, though, are the ways that seemingly well-meaning adults and family members can say exactly the wrong thing, and how we can realize over time that friends we've had for years and years are in fact simply wrong for us.  I love the depiction of the promise (and limitations) of a new school and of Raina's growth.  And, yes (I can't believe I'm saying this), the ending made me smile.  What do you think about the art, Mia?    

 

(Image by Raina Telgemeier)

M: I love your comments, Julie. They are so true. I'm fond of the art style. I think it complements the story very well without taking anything away. I think it's accessible to the particular age group, but I don't want that to sound like a backhanded compliment.  I think Telgemeier is a wonderful artist, and the story and artwork go hand in hand.  Does that make sense? 

J:  It does make sense.  I agree that the style of the art perfectly suits the target audience and the story.  And now I have to go return my daughter's book!  I'm under strict orders not to damage a single page.

M: A girl after my own heart.

 

Not Now, Bernard

Not Now, Bernard – David McKee

M: If you've read this blog before, you know that Julie and I have a tough time picking picture books. Julie is allergic to anything cutesy and fluffy. And I can't stand picture books with beautiful illustrations that are lax in the writing department. So you can imagine that we're often disappointed. And when we find something we both actually like, well, there should probably be a parade. When I suggested that we give NOT NOW, BERNARD a try, I was nervous. I only vaguely remembered reading it a few years ago for a Children's Lit class, and I was only pretty sure that I’d liked it.  All my worries were for naught!  I love NOT NOW, BERNARD. There is so much hidden in its deceptively simple story and language! 

A short summary first. When the story begins, Bernard has something very important to tell his parents. Namely, there's a monster in the backyard and it's going to eat him. Simple as that. First he approaches his father, who promptly says: "Not now, Bernard." Next his mother, who also says: "Not now, Bernard." What's a boy to do but face the monster himself? And...well, I guess revealing what happens next would be a spoiler, so I'll keep it to myself. Julie what did you like about this little gem?  

J:  I'm a sucker for picture books, like this one, that manage to pack a wallop using very few words.  I love that NOT NOW BERNARD can be read in two ways.  (Warning!  Saying something about the very spare plot now!)  Either the monster literally eats Bernard, or Bernard figuratively becomes a monster in response to his parents' behavior.  In fewer than 200 words, this book tells two stories and paints a thought-provoking psychological picture.  That is impressive!  I do have one concern, though.  I worry that the book might appeal more to adults than kids.  What do you think, Mia?

M: I actually think it's perfect for kids. Think about it! If your parents are ignoring you or not paying enough attention, you have literary backup regarding what can happen if they don't start.  Genius.  I can see it now:  "Mom, you have to listen to me because if not a monster will eat me. It's happened before. Here's a book to prove it."
Case closed.

J:  What do you think about the art?  I love the colors, and I think the facial expressions are fantastic. 

M: I love the art. It has such a cool feel to it. It's very much of its time but isn't held back because of that. Does that make sense?

J:  I agree!  I particularly love the TV dinner tray.

M: :)  That's all I have to say.

Blog Love: Uncovered Cover Art

Julie:  I've been spending a little too much time lately scrolling through the gorgeous reimaginings of classic children's book covers at this new site:  http://uncoveredcoverart.wordpress.com.  I can't decide which ones I like best!  There are some gorgeous Alice in Wonderlands, a handful of funny Princess in the Peas, and a few deliciously dark Red Riding Hoods.  One goal of the site is to introduce fresh talent to children's book publishers.  These artists sure seem talented to me!  What do you think, Mia?  

Marirosa Mia: I love, love, love this site, Julie. I can't get enough of the Where the Wild Things Are reimagining and I want more please! And you know I'll be sharing this site with my fellow publishers! Thanks for sharing this site with me, Julie! It's really a find.