2014 UCONN Children's Book Fair

From left: Stephanie Robinson, Florence Minor, Jessica Haight, Barbara McClintock, Wendell Minor, Judy Schachner

We had an amazing time at the 2014 Children's Book Fair! It was wonderful to see everyone excited about books and interested in learning about the creative forces behind them. The day was packed with inspiration, enough for any bookworm to feast!

This week our theme has been children's picture books, and today we're whisking you away, right to their source... Bon Appetit!
  

 A few highlights from the book fair...

It's always such a pleasure to hear Barbara McClintock speak. Her work has a measure of quality that is rarely seen, and the attention to detail can't help but bring the scenes to life. Her illustrations wrap around the words like magic, telling the story through a lens of imagination.We were happy for the chance to listen to her talk about her journey becoming a children's book illustrator, which is unbelievable! We'll be featuring Ms. McClintock's latest children's books Where's Mommy and My Grandfather's Coat in December, so be sure to check back. For those of you interested in learning how to become a children's book illustrator, you won't want to miss out on this exclusive peek into the life of a brilliant artist and a lovely person. 

My Grandfather's Coat 

From left: Anika Denise, Stephanie Robinson, Christopher Denise 

It was awesome to meet Anika and Christopher Denise. This married couple can really set the scene. Anika is the writer and Christopher is the illustrator. As a team, they collaborate beautifully, entwining a world of stories that will warm your heart. 

We're excited to be featuring this dynamic duo in December, so be sure to check back for an exclusive look into their studio, and find out how the magic is sewn together. We'll be giving away signed hardcover copies of Bella and Stella Come Home and Baking Day at Grandma's.    

The campus was buzzing with creativity and the quiet energy only a room full of books can bring. We saw many new titles that we can't wait to read, and our TBR list grew exponentially!

From left: Jessica Haight, Chris Grabenstein, Stephanie Robinson

We also met up with the animated Chris Grabenstein, author of Mr Lemoncello's Library. It was so much fun to learn about the inspiration behind this incredible library, and the eccentric billionaire responsible for its creation. Mr. Grabenstein did an amazing job reading, and we enjoyed listening to his characters come to life. 

We'll be hosting Chris Grabenstein in December and giving away a signed hardcover of Mr. Lemoncello's Library. 

Books everywhere! 

From left: Nora Raleigh Baskin, Stephanie Robinson 

One of the highlights of the day was listening to Nora Raleigh Baskin talk about her journey to publication. We both took a lot away from this presentation, as Ms. Baskin's open honesty and personable nature shined through. Her formula for success made a lot of sense, especially the B.I.S (butt in seat) part! 


We're looking forward to chatting with Nora Raleigh Baskin in January, and we'll be giving away a signed hardcover copy of Anything But Typical.  

We heard Sunday was a madhouse when the author of this diary popped in.

From left: Anna Dewdney, Stephanie Robinson 

We also had the pleasure of chatting with Anna Dewdney, author of the llama llama books. This author and illustrator is lovely, and we enjoyed hearing about the sounds llamas make. These books are so cute, you won't want to put them down! 

From left: Jessica Haight, Kevin Sherry, Stephanie Robinson 

It was very cool to meet Kevin Sherry, author of the The Yeti Files. This author and illustrator is such a fun character, and we enjoyed watching him change into a yeti and sing!  

From left: Stephanie Robinson, Natalie Lloyd 

We were lucky enough to bump into Natalie Lloyd, who told us about her middle grade book A Snicker of Magic, which we both cannot wait to read. This creative story takes word play to a whole new level, and we're excited to see where the adventure goes. Ms. Lloyd was charming, and she did a wonderful job reading and telling us about her adorable dog, Biscuit. We're looking forward to learning more about her character, Felicity Pickle, and we'll be sure to share our thoughts with you!

A great time was had by all, and we look forward to attending the Children's Book Fair next year

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Happy reading!

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Check out our other visits to the UCONN Children's Book Fair, and experience the magic!

2011

2012

2013

Margo's Musings: Can a Book Be a Pet?

In celebration of International Picture Book Month we are reviewing a picture book this week instead of a middle grade novel.  

Most kids want a dog or a cat for a pet. Not the smartest boy in Smartytown! He wants a pet that’s “easy”.  He begs his parents, and they agree that he can get a pet book. Oh the excitement of having a pet that doesn’t need to eat or drink, nor will it shed. As an added bonus, the boy can read it and fall into the tales inside the pages. It seems like the perfect pet, until it goes missing. Where can it be? What makes a pet book better than a regular pet? Will the boy and his book be reunited? Enjoy the unique illustrations in this vibrant picture book, which tells the story just as easily as the words do.

Margo picked this out the last time we were at our local bookstore. She loves red and was drawn to the bright colored cover. I think the cover is definitely eye-catching, and I like the way the illustrator draws our eye to the boy walking his pet book. Once we got the book home, Margo was bursting at the seams to start reading it. My Pet Book by Bob Staake is a double treasure because the interesting illustrations hold so many clues. It's a book that an emerging reader could easily tell just from looking at the pictures. Margo cracked up when it mentioned some things that dogs do that a pet book doesn’t (I won’t ruin those parts for you). It's a fun read for kids and book lovers of all ages. By the end of the book I was ready to curl up with one of my favorites and enjoy some one on one book time. The cutest thing was that after we finished reading this one, Margo decided to make one of her books a pet. She strapped our dog’s leash to her book and walked it around the house. Too cute!

Has anyone else read My Pet Book? Or have you read another book written or illustrated by Bob Staake? We'd love to hear your thoughts.

Happy reading!
~ F

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Answer to Monday's Riddle: Show and Tell!

Excellent guessing, Riddlers! This week, the pictures will tell the story. Lizzy's review will set the scene, and Friday, we'll be whisking you off to the 2014 UCONN Children's Book Fair, so be sure to check back! See you all around the book block. ; ) ~ F

Sometimes pictures do the trick if you need the words to stick. Scenes will show the tales run, sprinkling in visual fun. The letters like to weave along, perhaps in rhyme or as a song. When young eyes see both in tune, they'll eat them up with a silver spoon. Like the bunny, Peter Rabbit, who took a carrot, though told not to grab it or in that place where the things are wild, seen as such by a naughty child. Here, the landscapes cook imagination, and they're seasoned right to bring transformation; carrying along a sense of us and helping to steer the cosmic bus.  

What am I referring to? Answer: Picture Books! 

Make time to riddle and rhyme!

62 original riddles and illustrations 

Fairday's Riddles: Volume I 

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Monday's Riddle: Tales To See...

Hello Riddlers! Can you guess our theme? Margo's always ready to get lost in one of these. ; ) ~ F

Sometimes pictures do the trick if you need the words to stick. Scenes will show the tales run, sprinkling in visual fun. The letters like to weave along, perhaps in rhyme or as a song. When young eyes see both in tune, they'll eat them up with a silver spoon. Like the bunny, Peter Rabbit, who took a carrot, though told not to grab it or in that place where the things are wild, seen as such by a naughty child. Here, the landscapes cook imagination, and they're seasoned right to bring transformation; carrying along a sense of us and helping to steer the cosmic bus.  

What am I referring to?

I gave you a clue! 

Peter feasts on Mr. McGregor's vegetables

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