soup of the day and a giveaway: the great lollipop caper by dan krall!

~ jama

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If you’re in the mood for a tempestuous tale of jealousy, greed and world domination, you’ve come to the right place.

The frenetically talented and unusually hungry author, illustrator, animator and art director Dan Krall (yes, he’s tall) has just today released a brand new shiny briny picture book called The Great Lollipop Caper (Simon & Schuster, 2013)! Yay, Lollipops!

Some would say respectable grown men shouldn’t write about sweet lollipops, but here’s the lick: at first glance, this may seem like a simple, albeit saccharine story. But all you diehard sourpusses will be happy to hear this tome has a testy tart edge — it taps into the inner torment (for crying out loud) of one little green wrinkly caper. Oy, a caper’s cautionary caper — bite me!

Before I tempt you any further, a couple of party accoutrements.

If you are of the childlike, innocent, sugar-lovin’ lollipop persuasion, put this on:

pink lolly hat (2)400

If, on the other hand, you’re somewhat mature and adultish (cough) with a pickley palate, you might prefer this wrinkly, more caperish cap:

green hat (2)400

Not bad, not bad.

Okay, keep your party hats on for the duration of this post and hold onto these. Lick the pink mustache lolly when you’re naughty, the green one to walk on the wild side.

Ribbet collage mustache lollies

Now, let’s celebrate!

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♥ STORY ON A SCHTICK ♥

lollipop caper cover

Little green Mr. Caper is beloved by grown-ups for his sour, acidic earthiness. Rotund, bald men in lederhosen sporting massive mustaches ogle him. Buxom, kerchiefed mamas hyperventilate with gusto whenever he strolls by. But is Mr. Caper satisfied? “Bah!” he says, not caring a whit.

All Mr. Caper can think about is Lollipop — sweet tangy Lollipop, whom all the kids adore. Insanely jealous, Mr. Caper wants children everywhere to love HIM. Surely they can learn to appreciate his complex flavor! So he devises a plan.

He sneaks into the Lollipop Factory and adds caper juice to the lollipop batter. Soon, caper-flavored lollipops are shipped far and wide and there is much licking, licking. Surely now kids all over the world will love Mr. Caper!! Or will they?

Like some of the best licked laid plans, this one backfires. The children “became as bitter and sour as Mr. Caper tasted. They started acting in the most appalling ways.”

Uh-oh. We’re talking bad grades, tantrums, sticking their tongues out at their parents! Now everyone was angry, and nobody liked Mr. Caper. Havoc and mayhem everywhere! What to do?

Fans of both the salty and the sweet will find something to chew on in this dynamic, quirky, giggle-inducing dramedy. A lean, suspenseful narrative flavored with punchy dialogue and bright, eye-popping, cartoony pictures keeps things moving at a good clip. The thing is, regardless of age or circumstances, we can all identify with Mr. Caper, the villain we love to hate. When it comes to craving attention, being popular, getting drunk on power, and the insatiable hunger to be loved for who we are, we’re all guilty as charged.

Without getting too “message-y,” The Great Lollipop Caper illustrates the importance of understanding the motive behind an action, as we feel sympathy for Mr. Caper by story’s end. There is also a strange sense of empowerment kids will appreciate knowing that one tiny wrinkled green thing can cause so much trouble. Other takeaways: you are what you eat, it takes all kinds (variety is the spice of life), your time will come, it’s okay if not everybody likes you, it’s not easy being green. and small. and wrinkled.

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Distinguished judges give this book an enthusiastic three paws up!

The book has been receiving glowing reviews, including a *starred review* from Publishers Weekly, who calls it the “perfect after-dinner read for Food Network-loving families.” Budding chefs and adventuresome readers will likely be curious to try capers despite its billing as “a tiny pickled sourpuss, who lives in a jar in your fridge and is never eaten by children.” A dare if I ever heard one; besides, this caper’s contrite. All in all, a dang funny story not to be missed. Pucker up!

* * *

♥ SWEET AND SOUR SOUP ♥

lollipop caper postcard copy (2)500I have been coerced promised to mention that great sacrifices were made to bring you today’s celebration soup. Despite being a sweet-loving lot, the Alphabet Soup kitchen helpers bit into, sucked the juices out of, and dutifully consumed hundreds of capers, much to their salty, sour, acidic dismay.

capers bowl (2)500
photo credit: Bill Hogan, Chicago Tribune

This, in the name of fully understanding and appreciating Dan’s story, and to be able to season the soup with due gravitas. (Don’t worry, they also consumed hundreds of antidotal lollipops before they became too obnoxious.)

We now invite you sweeties, sourpusses, and big mustaches alike to grab your favorite spoons, dip dip dip, and slurp your loudest, most enthusiastic Congratulations to Mr. Krall! As Mr. Caper would say, “meh.”

Today’s Special: Cream of Caper (a little sugar, a little salt, a satisfying bowl of naughtiness)

To go with our soup, a few caperish side dishes.

Nothing like classic Chicken Piccata to transport you to caper nirvana:

chicken-piccata
via wine country eating (click for recipe)

Add a plate of Lemon Caper Linguine,

lemon-caper-linguine
via Life’s Ambrosia (click for recipe)

Caprese with Caper Vinaigrette,

caprese with caper vinaigrette (2)500
via Lubbock Avalanche Journal (click for recipe)

and top it off with a refreshing Tomato, Caper and Basil Salad:

tomato, caper and basil salad (2)500
via Souffle Bombay (click for recipe)

Yum! Ready for dessert?

Lollipop Cookies —

pink green lollipop cookies
via Milk Honey Cakery
lolly cookies
via Carolyn L. Woods

and your pick of specially imported Twirly Swirly (what else?) actual Lollipops:

lolly multi colored 500
via Hammond’s Candies

Now that you’ve had your fill of the salty with the sweet, it’s time to skip on down to your local indie or click through to your fave online bookseller to score your very own copy or two or five hundred of The Great Lollipop Caper.

If you go to a bricks and mortar store, wear Hot Pink if you like Lollipops, and Olive Green if you like Capers. Talk up the book in the checkout line, and give any sourpusses a pink lollipop. Be sure to tell the cashier how much you love him/her, and if you’d like a discount, don’t forget the secret password: Lederhosen.

* * * HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY, DAN! * * *

* * *

Enjoy this uber cool stop motion trailer Dan made with Screen Novelties:

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♥ THE GREAT LOLLIPOP CAPER GIVEAWAY! ♥

lollipop caper coverTHE GREAT LOLLIPOP CAPER
written and illustrated by Dan Krall
published by Simon & Schuster BFYR, May 7, 2013
Picture Book for ages 4-7, 48 pp.
Cool themes: humor, candy, capers, contentment, food, jealousy, social issues

Dan has generously donated two signed copies of The Great Lollipop Caper for two lucky Alphabet Soup readers. He’s also throwing in some lollipops (regular + caper-flavored) to sweeten the pot.

 

*For a chance to win, simply leave a comment at this post telling us whether you prefer lollipops or capers. Extra entries if you tweet, blog, FB, or share details of this giveaway on any of your other social networks (please mention in your comment).

**You can also enter by sending an email to: readermail (at) jamakimrattigan (dot) com, with CAPER in the subject line.

Deadline for all entries is midnight (EDT) Friday, May 24, 2013.

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Aren’t you dying to taste one of these?

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♥ EXTRA LICKS ♥

 

♥ UPCOMING EVENTS ♥

(at which Mr. Krall will be reading, signing, conducting Lollipop vs. Caper Taste Tests and distributing lollipops)

BTW, did you know it’s International Caper Appreciation Month? Be a Sourpuss! Get yourself a jar and spread the caper love!

♥ More Soup of the Day posts here.

* * *

weekend cooking button (2)180This post is being linked to Beth Fish Read’s Weekend Cooking, where all are invited to share their food-related posts. Come join the delicious fun!

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*Spreads from The Great Lollipop Caper posted by permission of the illustrator, copyright © 2013 Dan Krall, published by Simon & Schuster BFYR. All rights reserved.

**Lollipop Hat via Zazzle

**Olive Green Knit Beanie Cap via Rakuten.com

**Mustache Lollipops via The Frosted Petticoat

Copyright © 2013 Jama Rattigan of Jama’s Alphabet Soup. All rights reserved.

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56 thoughts on “soup of the day and a giveaway: the great lollipop caper by dan krall!”

  4. Jama, Jama, Jama! So glad to have you back! And this book sounds absolutely delightful — even though, I confess, I’m a fan of neither lollipops (too sweet) nor capers (too caperish). I can’t wait to read it. Congratulations to Dan Krall!

    Like

    1. Hi Linda!!

      Sounds like you haven’t had the “right” lollipop yet :). Capers are definitely an acquired taste — though small, they make a big impact in any dish. I confess to liking both lollipops AND capers . . .

      p.s. thanks for the FB share!

      Like

  5. What a clever premise for a story! Can’t wait to read it! I think one hasn’t trully lived until one has tried a caper lollipop? Do they come in “Chicken Piccata” as well?

    Like

    1. I’m very curious to try those caper lollipops! Surely someone, somewhere makes chicken piccata flavored ones too :).

      Like

  6. Wow, that’s fun. I enjoy both a nice lollipop and a sprinkling of capers, although I’ve never thought to try them together. Mr. Krall sure has some neat marketing.

    Like

  8. first impulse is to say lollipops – those pictured above looked scrumptious! i also kinda want to try anything that says, “warning, may cause appalling behavior.” that dan krall is one smart cookie. we should label everything good for kids with this. i tweeted and shared on fb, too!

    Like

    1. That “warning” is definitely a dare/challenge that’s hard to ignore. Eating one of those caper-flavored lollipops gives us an excuse to act out :D. Not my fault — blame the lollipop!

      Thanks for sharing. Will enter you 3 times. 🙂

      Like

    1. Love your comment — I agree with you and need my sweets too. You never know when a caper is coming on . . .

      Like

  12. I give out lots of lollipops to students at school, prefer the cherry ones myself, Jama. Sounds like a very fun, & silly book, Dan & Jama, but I’m all for silly! Thanks for sharing your big day, Dan!

    Like

    1. So, you’re the lollipop lady! You may need to add some caper-flavored ones to your stash to keep things interesting :).

      Like

  13. Not to be caper-pricious, but that yummy chicken piccata photo sealed the deal for me.

    Bring on the green, small and wrinkled one!

    Like

  14. Pingback: chronological book review archive | Jama's Alphabet Soup

  16. There is never a day that I don’t have Mr. Caper in my house, living safely in the refrigerator surrounded by his friends Hot Sauce and Mustard. But alas, Mr. Lollipop is rarely seen in these parts, leaving Caper to rule the roost. I guess that shows where my vote goes. (Though Lollipop and I have been known to hang out on occasion–just don’t tell Caper.)

    Fabulous post! And don’t you just love that video??

    Like

    1. It *is* a great video — wish it were a little longer, though. It has a nice retro feel to it.

      You’ve got quite the spicy clique hanging out in your fridge. Can’t say Mr. Caper was ever a permanent resident in ours — he seems a rather transitory figure with us — but we’re quickly warming up to him since reading his story.

      Like

    1. Wow, Mr. Caper is a lot more popular than I realized — must be because I have mature blog readers 🙂 . . .

      Like

  20. I just love capers too – I make my own sauce tartare with them and eat them with smoked salmon.

    Like

  22. Well, I AM an adult, so honestly, I’d prefer capers to lollipops. Actually, now that I think about it, I never was a big lollipop fan. Maybe I would have been a better child if I had liked them more, LOL!

    Like

    1. You sound like the perfect candidate for a caper lollipop! You’re never too old to discover the delights of lollipops :).

      Like

  23. Pingback: the great (almost disastrous) cornelius caper | Jama's Alphabet Soup

  24. I love capers in salad dressings and in chicken piccata too. I’m not sure about a caper lollipop. I reserving judgment.

    Like

    1. Well, if you’re one of the winners you’ll be able to test a caper lollipop for yourself. I won’t be held responsible, though . . . 😀

      Like

  25. A caper protagonist- that is too funny! Sounds like a great story! And my mouth is watering from the food photos, but caper lollipops? Not so sure 🙂

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  26. After seeing what got into Cornelius at your other post, I HAVE to enter the giveaway!

    Like

  27. I resisted entering this for a couple of days because I couldn’t decide between lollipops or capers1 I still can’t!
    lol So if i were to win, you would have to choose! :–)

    Like

    1. Actually, you don’t have to decide — because I think Dan will send you one of each flavor if you win. 🙂

      Like

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