Online Flapdoodle
Curious City just finished up a website for author Amy MacDonald. Having just released, Too Much Flapdoodle that includes the same line up of eccentric characters as her chapter books, No More Nice and No More Nasty, we decided to create a greater “series presence” for her books.As the third book did not follow the naming mechanism of “No More…” we created a themed website based on the character’s names and quirks.As the books deal with the formerly straight-laced boys, Simon and Parker spending time with their wacky luddite Maine relatives, we decided...
Read MoreBig Books in the Big Apple
Just back from a swoop through the New York publishing offices on a buying trip for Raising Readers.I have over 237 board and picture books in play (and stacked on my office floor) to select from for the literacy group’s upcoming book selection committee meeting.The group gives 12-15 books to Maine kids from birth to age 5 at their well child doctor visits. The organization has given out 1.2 million books in the last seven years!If under pen point I had to choose the work I love the most, it would be hunting down and narrowing down what books amongst 1000’s published each year,...
Read MoreIllustration Huzzahs
Huzzah! Huzzah! The brilliant Melissa Sweet has been feted as such this morning in the New York Times Book Review.Her stunner of a many-layered tribute to the poetic mind of William Carlos Williams, River of Words (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers) has been named “Best Illustrated.”You must get your dear paws on this book to savor the collage of fonts, old book covers, watercolors, and bits of this-and-that that mirror Williams’ creativity. Read a brief interview with Melissa about the book.Also honored for her collage work is Carin Berger, the final guest in the sorely...
Read MoreWhat DID Lincoln Say?
Was pleased to work with the HarperCollins marketing department to create a mailing for Sarah L. Thomson’s upcoming picture book, What Lincoln Said. Beautifully illustrated by James E. Ransome, the book frames Lincoln’s bio for the 6-10-year-old set with quotes from the brilliant man.Curious City mined the Lincoln Bicentennial website following up every event, talk, symposium, museum, and store where kids will be interacting with the story of Lincoln over the coming year.The mailing included Sarah L. Thomson’s reader’s guide and a F&G of the book all shipped in my...
Read MoreTalk Like a Pirate
Ahoy, Mateys! Your ship has come in!Plunder awaits at Sarah L. Thomson’s website. To launch her picture book, Pirates, Ho!, Sarah and I joined audio book narrator, William Dufris in his studio to record an uproarious reading of the piratical picture book.Listen to the reading and see pictures of the madcap recording session.We shout, “Avast!” We cry, “Ahoy!”The deadliest danger’s our greatest joy.From the first mate down to the cabin boy,we are pirates, pirates, ho! Share...
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