Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Who Was Jim Henson?

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I’m pleased to announce the release of my newest paperback chapter book biography in the “Who Was” series published by Grosset & Dunlap. Aka, the “big head” books. Just take a look at the cover to see how they got this nickname.

The new book is Who Was Jim Henson?

Answer: He was the man behind the Muppets. He was Kermit the frog. He was the heart and soul of Sesame Street. He was a private person. A silly, but serious one. A guy who loved his work, and who inspired others to be excited about puppetry. A man who wanted to make a difference.


Jim Henson died twenty years ago at age 53.


http://www.labutaca.com.ar/admin/imagenes/200809191300000.Jim_Henson.jpg


This is my third in the WW series, and I’m currently working on a fourth. I like this series because the books are written in a brisk, kid-friendly way, and they include factual sidebars with information about things kids really want to know. I read every biography on the shelf in my elementary school library (starting with the girl ones), and remain forever a biography fan. Biographies rock!

Some other cool books about Jim Henson:
Jim Henson: The Works - The Art, the Magic, the Imagination

Jim Henson's Designs and Doodles: A Muppet Sketchbook


Who Was Jim Henson?

Ages 7-12

Grosset & Dunlap, paperback

Author: Joan Holub

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Shampoodle is a Bank Street College Best Book of the year!

Bank Street College Children's Book Commitee has announced this year Best Children's Books of the Year...

Shampoodle made the cut!
Woo hoodle!


My author pals Laura Kvasnosky and Justina Headley's books are on the list, toodle. Laura's Zelda and Ivy Keeping Secrets is also an early reader and Tina's North of Beautiful is in the YA category.

Celebrating!


Shampoodle

Random House

Early reader, ages 5-9

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Last few days to win Athena the Brain / Persephone the Phony, the first books in the Goddess Girls series by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams

Co-authors Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams are celebrating the release of the first two books in their new Goddess Girls series with five fab days of interviews, guest blogs, and book giveaways, April 4 – April 8. We hope you’ll drop by to help us celebrate, join the fun, meet some of our favorite bloggers, and maybe win a book along the way!

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWubSo5dF9Jrfzci837uoRD92pZjX8ANVmYdWDNW_EhKy1MVDRC3SarR2QtEQFhaOtzUqpRuWphYQtW1C5xh4SEyQwkZ4YHyZsXv1BoiGJ9L1Is1CIx-rhBReHXLp01yNbnvOrvcC_t0/s220/Athena_the_Brain.jpg


About the books:

Join the class at Mount Olympus Academy with Goddess Girls, a new series that puts a modern spin on classic Greek myths!

by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams (Aladdin paperbacks) Ages 8 - 12

Athena the Brain (April 6, 2010) ISBN: 978-1416982715

Finding out she’s a goddess and being sent to Mount Olympus brings Athena new friends, a weird dad, and the meanest girl in mythology—Medusa!

Persephone the Phony (April 6, 2010) ISBN: 978-1416982722

Hiding her feelings works fine for Persephone until she meets a guy she can be herself with—Hades, the bad-boy of the Underworld.

Aphrodite the Beauty (August 3, 2010) ISBN: 978-1416982739

Sure Aphrodite is beautiful, but it’s not always easy being the goddessgirl of love.

Artemis the Brave (December 7, 2010) ISBN: 978-1416982746

She may be the goddess of the hunt, but that doesn’t mean Artemis always feels brave.


Five-Day Goddess Girls Tour Line-up

Enter at these blogs for a chance to win the books!

April 4: Bookmuncher (Interview and book giveaway; thebookmuncher.blogspot.com)

April 5: Readertotz, Suzanne’s Place, Joan Holub Author of Books for Children (readertotz.blogspot.com, suzanne-williams.blogspot.com, joanholub.blogspot.com; Expanded interview with the Goddess Girl team at Aladdin: editor Emily Lawrence, book designer Karin Paprocki, and cover artist Glen Hanson. Have you ever wondered why an editor decides to acquire a series? Here’s one editor’s take.)

April 6: Cynsations (Guest blog and book giveaway; cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com Learn how we came to write the series, challenges we faced and how we solved them.)

April 7: Little Willow (Interview and book giveaway; slayground.livejournal.com We reveal more about our collaboration and inspirations, and our favorite books of all time.) Winner has been chosen.

April 8: Zoe’s Book Reviews (Q&A and book giveaway. www.zoesbookreviews.com Q&A with both of us authors, our editor, book designer, cover artist, and Zoe herself!)


We look forward to seeing you!


Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Goddess Girls Blog Tour!

Co-authors Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams are celebrating the release of the first two books in their new Goddess Girls series with five fab days of interviews, guest blogs, and book giveaways, April 4 – April 8. We hope you’ll drop by to help us celebrate, join the fun, meet some of our favorite bloggers, and maybe win a book along the way!

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWubSo5dF9Jrfzci837uoRD92pZjX8ANVmYdWDNW_EhKy1MVDRC3SarR2QtEQFhaOtzUqpRuWphYQtW1C5xh4SEyQwkZ4YHyZsXv1BoiGJ9L1Is1CIx-rhBReHXLp01yNbnvOrvcC_t0/s220/Athena_the_Brain.jpg


About the books:

Join the class at Mount Olympus Academy with Goddess Girls, a new series that puts a modern spin on classic Greek myths!

by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams (Aladdin paperbacks) Ages 8 - 12

Athena the Brain (April 6, 2010) ISBN: 978-1416982715

Finding out she’s a goddess and being sent to Mount Olympus brings Athena new friends, a weird dad, and the meanest girl in mythology—Medusa!

Persephone the Phony (April 6, 2010) ISBN: 978-1416982722

Hiding her feelings works fine for Persephone until she meets a guy she can be herself with—Hades, the bad-boy of the Underworld.

Aphrodite the Beauty (August 3, 2010) ISBN: 978-1416982739

Sure Aphrodite is beautiful, but it’s not always easy being the goddessgirl of love.

Artemis the Brave (December 7, 2010) ISBN: 978-1416982746

She may be the goddess of the hunt, but that doesn’t mean Artemis always feels brave.


Five-Day Goddess Girls Tour Line-up:

April 4: Bookmuncher (Interview and book giveaway; thebookmuncher.blogspot.com)

April 5: Readertotz, Suzanne’s Place, Joan Holub Author of Books for Children (readertotz.blogspot.com, suzanne-williams.blogspot.com, joanholub.blogspot.com; Expanded interview with the Goddess Girl team at Aladdin: editor Emily Lawrence, book designer Karin Paprocki, and cover artist Glen Hanson. Have you ever wondered why an editor decides to acquire a series? Here’s one editor’s take.)

April 6: Cynsations (Guest blog and book giveaway; cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com Learn how we came to write the series, challenges we faced and how we solved them.)

April 7: Little Willow (Interview and book giveaway; slayground.livejournal.com We reveal more about our collaboration and inspirations, and our favorite books of all time.)

April 8: Zoe’s Book Reviews (Q&A and book giveaway. www.zoesbookreviews.com Q&A with both of us authors, our editor, book designer, cover artist, and Zoe herself!)


We look forward to seeing you!


Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Tails at Twilight baskets for the ASPCA Gala!


I had way too much fun putting these baskets of my autographed books together
to donate to the upcoming auction at the:

Tails at Twilight Gala
The Animal Protection Society of Durham’s (ASPCA of Durham, NC) Tails at Twilight Gala is one of Durham’s signature charity events, featuring a silent auction, dinner and live auction. Each year more than 350 guests attend this elegant evening in support of helping abused and neglected pets throughout the community and placing them in loving homes.

March 20th, 2010

6:00 – 10:30pm

The Washington Duke Inn and Golf Club

3001 Cameron Blvd.

Durham, North Carolina

For information about the event, call Rebecca Hankins 919-560-0640 x231

To donate to the auction: Stephanie Kirby at 919-560-0640 x235



Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Twinkle, Star of the Week list of related books for classroom or home discussion

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51cYdWQW4NL._SL500_AA240_.jpg

A List of Books K-3 children may enjoy along with my new release:

Twinkle, Star of the Week

by Joan Holub (author), Paul Nicholls (illustrator)

picture book, isbn 9780807581315, March 2010, 32 pages, hardcover

The stars in Sky School take turns being Star of the Week and Twinkle can hardly wait for her turn. Simple astronomy facts are interspersed in the story and stated on the endpapers to supplement.

From Booklist: "A sympathetic portrayal of overcoming disappointment and discovering personal talents."


Books about the stars and planets:


The Stars

by H. A. Rey (1952)

By the author of Curious George, this is a guide to stars, constellations, and planets in the night sky.


The Magic School Bus Sees Stars: A Book About Stars

by Nancy White Carlstrom

The Magic School Bus tours the galaxy.


There's No Place Like Space: All About Our Solar System

by Tish Rabe

Cat in the Hat in a space suit among the nine planets, presenting important facts along the way.


I Want to Be an Astronaut

by Byron Barton

A space shuttle heads into orbit. Astronauts get a taste of ready-to-eat food, experience zero gravity, go for space walks, and fix a satellite.


Additional books about Star of the Week:


Star Of The Week (2006)

by Barney Saltzberg (Author)


Emily Santos, Star Of The Week (2006)

by Rozanne Lanczak Williams (Author), Priscilla Burris (Illustrator)


Star Of The Week: A Story Of Love, Adoption, And Brownies With Sprinkles (2009)

by Darlene Friedman (Author), Roger Roth (Illustrator)


Books about the traditional Twinkle rhyme:


Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

Iza Trapini, Charlesbridge Publishing (1997)


Twinkle The Star: The Ocean Adventure (2009)

by Katina Lawdis (Author), Kristos P. Lawdis


Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star (2006)

by Rosemary Wells

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

An interview with Groundhog Weather School illustrator, Kristin Sorra

I'm excited to feature Kristin Sorra, illustrator of the new picture book, Groundhog Weather School. Hi Kristin, and welcome! Could you tell us about your illustration technique?

I use Photoshop and I paint with my stylus pen, or entirely digitally, but I also create hand-painted textures and place them in a layer as well as a few photographic elements. My technique is not that different from my actual hand painting (when I used to render in oils), its just less messy. While it takes almost the same amount of time, I can really play with color and composition more freely than if I were painting by hand. Still, I strive to make the end result look like a hand-painted piece. This book in particular was a great vehicle for me to play with media and patterns. It's a jumping point for much of my future work.

I had no idea it was primarily digital because it looks hand-painted.


Do you have a favorite spread?

Its tough to pick just one, but I would have to say its the sequential spread where the different animals are checking off qualifications for Groundhog Weather School. I love the different environments and the use of the newspaper and pattern designs, not to mention the fun side characters (some of whom make other appearances in the book). I also love the format of the sequential storytelling. It makes reading it more fun.

Which was the last illustration you painted for the book?

The final piece was the cover. That was quite a challenge since I had to please the marketing people. I probably had 5 to 7 sketches and 3 to 4 rounds of changes on the final art. We wanted the cover to reflect the crazy amount of information in the book and the fun that you would find when you open it up, yet still be clear enough to pop off the shelves. The bold type does that and in the back you can see the groundhogs actually burrowing, ironically the only time you actually see this happen in the whole book.

http://www.kristinsorra.com/images/news/SORRA_GroundhogsPromo_RGB.jpg

The cover looks so effortless! And it does pop. I've done experiments, where I look at the picture book shelf in bookstores from a distance to see which catch my eye, and this one does, particularly because of the color use and shapes. I particularly like the title type you created. Thanks for a gorgeous cover.

I'm always fascinated with artists' sketches. Would you share one of yours?

Sure! Im including a few character sketches since I got a chance to play with some personalities. I had the most fun with that. I love the ballerina and the intellectual groundhogs. You'll also see the layout sketch of the groundhogs and skunk onstage, which won our editor over pretty easily so it isnt too different from the finish.






















Do you have any groundhogs? How about other pets?

We have a couple neighborhood groundhogs! One actually took the time to visit my front stoop the same day I got feedback from Cecilia, the Art Director. It was such a funny coincidence and perhaps a very good sign if you believe in such things! I do have a rescued black lab mix as a pet, but I have to separate him from the groundhogs since they dont play nicely together. Oh, and my dog makes a cameo in the book! He's in the bottom right of the illustration below:














What's your studio like?

I have two computers, a Mac Pro tower and Mac Pro laptop (you can never have too much power), an 11 x 17 flatbed scanner and archival printer. Lots of tech. But my studio is full of inspiration, magazines, art and other childrens books of course. I have a literal reminder hanging on my wall of what I need to do everyday.








Any websites or blogs to share, so everyone can see more of your work? Any upcoming books or other projects?

Im currently working on a picture book with Sterling Publishing. Don't think I can give away the title yet, but it's one of those books where the pictures tell the whole story. It's quite a challenge. You can see my work at www.kristinsorra.com www.kristinsorra.blogspot.com

Please check my website for news on appearances related to Groundhog Weather School. My blog gives some insight into my creative inner workings in and around kids books, and anything else that inspires. I hope you'll feel free to leave feedback. Thank you, Joan for the artistic challenge that was Groundhog Weather School!

You're welcome, Kristin! Your art made this book shine. Thank YOU!

Groundhog Weather School
illustrator: Kristin Sorra

author: Joan Holub

publisher: Putnam, 2010

~ Joan Holub


Thursday, December 31, 2009

Groundhog Weather School is a Tuesday Tales pick on Margo Dill's Read These Books and Use Them!

Margo Dill's review of Groundhog Weather School goes the extra mile in creating three activities for use in elementary classrooms. http://margodill.com/blog/2009/12/29/groundhog-weather-school/

http://www.kristinsorra.com/images/news/SORRA_GroundhogsPromo_RGB.jpg
Her rating for Groundhog Weather School:
*Picture book for kindergarten students through third graders
*Groundhog teacher as main character
*Rating: A perfect picture book to celebrate Groundhog’s Day or to supplement a weather unit in science!


Monday, December 28, 2009

Press Release for Groundhog Weather School


http://www.kristinsorra.com/images/news/SORRA_GroundhogsPromo_RGB.jpg

CO-FOUNDER OF READERTOTZ (sister site of readergirlz) CELEBRATES A NEW PICTURE BOOK: GROUNDHOG WEATHER SCHOOL

Author JOAN HOLUB’s new hardcover picture book for children is “clever…amusing…inviting…and witty” says Booklist.
December 28, 2009 (NC) – readertotz co-founder and author/illustrator Joan Holub’s new hardcover picture book Groundhog Weather School has just been released from G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers. The quirky, comic-book style illustration style by Kristin Sorra “really lets readers get into the premise and allows for diverse facts to be presented in little snippets (and funny comments to be assigned to each unique groundhog). Bright colors, textures and the incorporation of found objects, as well as the busyness of each page will keep readers searching the artwork” says Kirkus Reviews.
Joan Holub says, “I always wondered how in the world one groundhog could possibly predict the weather for everywhere, and I decided he couldn’t—he needed some help, so why not start a school to teach more groundhogs to assist him in predicting the weather on February 2nd!”
Groundhog Weather School introduces a cast of school-age animals who learn basic facts about weather, shadows, and seasons; and is the perfect book for Groundhog Day, February 2nd 2010.
About Joan Holub
Joan Holub is the author and/or illustrator of over 120 books for children, including picture books (Knuckleheads; Riddle-iculous Math) and easy readers (Shampoodle; Why Do Cats Meow?; The Gingerbread Kid Goes to School.)
Kristin Sorra is an illustrator in New York. Her clients include: DC Comics, Amscan, Inc., Cricket Magazine, Peaceable Kingdom Press, and more.
readertotz is a blog which showcases infant-toddler books as important additions to children’s literature.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Little Willow and Joan Holub do WBBT today!

After going to KidLitCon last month in D.C. and meeting so many dedicated children's book bloggers, it has been fun to visit some of their blogs all week in the Winter Blog Blast Tour 2009 (WBBT).

According to Little Willow: For the past two years, Colleen from Chasing Ray has organized series upon series of author interviews. These blog tours, hosted and posted at various blogs, have been dubbed the Summer Blog Blast Tour (SBBT for short) and Winter Blog Blast Tour (aka WBBT). Each event is one week long and involves a multitude of authors, bloggers, and readers.

Little Willow was kind enough to include me in WBBT at her blog at http://slayground.livejournal.com today. Drop by if you're in the neighborhood.

Here's the rest of the impressive lineup for Friday, November 20th:

Friday, November 20th
Lisa Schroeder at Writing & Ruminating
Alan DeNiro at Shaken & Stirred
Joan Holub at Bildungsroman (aka Little Willow's fabulous Slayground blog)
Pam Bachorz at Mother Reader
Sheba Karim at Finding Wonderland
Robin LaFevers at HipWriterMama

Sunday, November 15, 2009

The Winter Blog Blast Tour begins Monday!

The 2009 WBBT (Winter Blog Blast Tour) begins Monday! For the past two years Colleen Mondor of Chasing Ray has organized week-long blogs in summer (SBBT) and winter (WBBT). Amazing authors and bloggers come together beginning today. Check out the Master Schedule below for blog appearances Monday through Friday of this week! Colleen will update the master schedule daily with links and author quotes.

Monday, November 16th
Jim Ottaviani at Chasing Ray
Courtney Sheinmel at Bildungsroman
Derek Landy at Finding Wonderland
Mary E. Pearson at Miss Erin
Megan Whalen Turner at HipWriterMama
Frances Hardinge at Fuse Number 8

Tuesday, November 17th
Ann Marie Fleming at Chasing Ray
Laurie Faria Stolarz at Bildungsroman
Patrick Carman at Miss Erin
Jacqueline Kelly at HipWriterMama
Dan Santat at Fuse Number 8
Nova Ren Suma at Shelf Elf

Wednesday, November 18th
Sy Montgomery Pt 1 at Chasing Ray
Jacqui Robbins at Bildungsroman
Sarwat Chadda at Finding Wonderland
Cynthia Leitich Smith at HipWriterMama
Beth Kephart at Shelf Elf

Thursday, November 19th
Sy Montgomery Pt 2 at Chasing Ray
Laini Taylor at Shelf Elf
Jim DiBartolo at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast
Amanda Marrone at Writing & Ruminating
Thomas Randall at Bildungsroman
Michael Hague at Fuse Number 8

Friday, November 20th
Lisa Schroeder at Writing & Ruminating
Alan DeNiro at Shaken & Stirred
Joan Holub at Bildungsroman
Pam Bachorz at Mother Reader
Sheba Karim at Finding Wonderland
Robin LaFevers at HipWriterMama

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Twinkle Star of the Week and Apple Countdown at AASL in Charlotte, NC Friday!


If you're at AASL this Friday, please stop by the Albert Whitman & Co. booth 2 - 4 pm. I'd love to meet you. I'll be signing Apple Countdown and we'll have my glittery new picture book, Twinkle, Star of the Week on hand.

I hope to see you there!

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Children's Literature Center at the Library of Congress

I had the pleasure of attending the 3rd annual KidLitCon 2009 last weekend, which was organized by Pam at MotherReader. What a great time. Informative and fun. Not only did we have a day of bloggeriffic speakers on Saturday, we also had the opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at the Children's Literature Center at the Library of Congress Friday afternoon. My friend Barbara and I arrived a bit late, but the LOC folks were amazingly accommodating to the latecomers in our group. Several winding corridors and a spiral staircase later, we were in! We heard talks by Sybille Jagusch PhD, who showed us a James Marshall original dummy and sketch, and by another wonderful guy whose name I didn't get in the rare books room, who showed us 15th century books. What an experience! I felt so lucky to get a peek in the back rooms. As usual, I had no camera. Luckily my pal Barbara brought hers, which is why I can share these photos.


Bill Prosser of literatelives.blogspot.com listens in the rare books room of the LOC. You can't see it here, but the tabletop had a really cool swirly tree-ring design which Bill and I wondered about. From real trees? Antique? We'll never know.




Me in the Children's Literature Center, where the lovely Sybille and her cohorts were kind enough to display the books of visiting authors. I only wish my blog partner at readertotz, Lorie Ann Grover could have made it this year. She attended in 2008 and told me how great it was. She was right!

Thursday, October 15, 2009

My new book Shampoodle released this week!

http://www.randomhouse.ca/images/dyn/cover/?source=9780375855764&height=300&maxwidth=170

Shampoodle is finally in stores this week! It's a Random House Step Into Reading title for ages 4-7.
Many thanks to Kirkus Reviews for this lovely review! I so agree that Tim's art is fabulous!

Holub, Joan
SHAMPOODLE
Illus. by Tim Bowers
This Step into Reading title is a crazed, out-of-breath, fly-on-the-wall peek at picture-day morning at the Shampoodle salon for dogs. Four stylists are simply no match for seven rambunctious dogs. Add in the distraction of three cats, and chaos ensues. Snappy rhyming verses lead children through the fiasco to the hysterical hairstyles that are the result (all, oddly enough, look remarkably like the stylists that crafted them): “New hair. Blue hair. / Beads with knots. / Purple hair with polka dots. / Spiked hair. Mohawk. / Striped like skunk. / Glitter critter. / Super funk.” Short sentences, easy vocabulary and a large font fit the Step 2 level. Bowers’s characters all have wonderful personality, especially the pooches. Beginning readers will have to stop laughing at the pictures before they will be able to read the text. Very funny—there may be a short film in this somewhere. (Early reader. 4-7)

Friday, July 10, 2009

Goddess Girls dedication contest: Your name in our book!

We're so excited about our new chapter book series, Goddess Girls, and want to dedicate it to you--our readers! That's ages 8 to 12 and librarians, teachers, and book bloggers!

The series begins in Spring 2010 from Aladdin Paperbacks with:
Athena The Brain
and
Persephone the Phony.

ENTER:
1. Take the quiz below.
2. Drop a comment on this blog (or email joanholub at aol dot com) and tell us which goddessgirl (or two) you’re most like.
3. Leave a contact email or blog address where we can notify you if you're chosen.

PRIZES:
Winners' names will be included in the book's dedication page and each winner will receive a free copy of the book after it’s published. Names will be randomly chosen by September 15th. Good luck!!!

~ Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams

Which Goddessgirl are You?

Your favorite color is:
a. Yellow when I’m happy, black when I’m not.
b. Dark pink, light pink, hot pink, bright pink. PINK!
c. Whatever. As long as it’s not red.
d. Yegods! Why should it matter what color I wear?

Your general outlook on life is:
a. Sunny, but sometimes your mood turns dark, and that’s okay with you.
b. Viewed through the prism of romance. You love to play matchmaker with your friends!
c. Life’s a contest, and you like to compete. You’re very athletic and you also like board games.
d. Intellectual. There’s just so much to learn, and you sop up knowledge like a sponge.

When it comes to boys:
a. You go for the guy who is different and off-beat, and maybe a bit mysterious.
b. Anyone cute catches your eye; you’re an equal-opportunity flirter.
c. Yuck! Who gives a rip about boys?
d. Sure, you notice them, but you’re much too busy with schoolwork and after school activities to concern yourself with boys.

What some people don’t know about you is that deep down:
a. You “dance to a different drummer,” not always liking the same things your friends like.
b. You sometimes worry that other people—especially boys— like you more for your looks than for your other many good qualities.
c. You don’t really dislike boys as much as you claim to.
d. You worry that you’re not as smart as others think you are.

Given an hour or two of free time, you’d rather spend it:
a. Wandering around in a lovely garden or park.
b. Experimenting with make-up and hairstyles.
c. Playing with a pet or doing anything active.
d. Reading a book.

Add up the number of A’s, B’s, C’s, and D’s. If you have more A’s, you’re most like Persephone, B’s, you’re most like Aphrodite, C’s, you’re most like Artemis, D’s, you’re most like Athena. Or you might be a half-and-half mix of two goddessgirls!

(Note: If you're chosen, we may ask you to have your parents send us an email that it's okay to include your name.)

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Shampoodle

http://www.randomhouse.ca/images/dyn/cover/?source=9780375955761&height=300&maxwidth=170

I've just learned that my upcoming book Shampoodle is part of the 25th anniversary of Step Into Reading at Random House! This is extra-lucky because it's appearing in some ads such as this one in Learning Magazine:














Shampoodle
by Joan Holub, illustrated by Tim Bowers
Random House
Step Into Reading (step 2) early reader: pre-K to grade 1
October 2009

Monday, February 2, 2009

Aaron Zenz: the HICCUPotamus

http://www.jobeaufoix.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/hiccup.jpg

There was a hippopotamus
Who hiccupped quite-a-lotamus.
And every time he got’emus. . .
. . . He’d fall upon his bottomus.

Wordplay is one of my favorite things, and it abounds in this clever picture book by author-illustrator, Aaron Zenz. When hippopotamus gets hiccups, his friends employ various “helpful” methods of assisting him to overcome them. (His friends include a yellow elephant, and a rhinoceros using dental flosserous.) After much trial and error, hippo is cured. And then. Hic! His friends come down hiccups themselves as shown in this page, rendered in Prismacolor pencil:

















Inside Scoop:

Multi-talented Aaron Zenz has worked as a fine artist, graphic designer, multimedia designer, and illustrator. He’s also the author of one of my favorite blogs, Bookie Woogie, which he creates with his children. It's a very entertaining and informative view of what kids think and say about books as they're reading them.

the HICCUPotamus
Aaron Zenz, author-illustrator
Dogs in Hats, publisher, 2005
(also published by Scholastic book clubs)

Monday, January 26, 2009

Knuckleheads on Bookie Woogie!

If you haven't found the Bookie Woogie blog yet, take a look.  It's a one-of-a-kind, in which a family reviews a book together in a running commentary.  And, there's art!

Today they reviewed Knuckleheads!