ben clanton

I’m the author-illustrator of such books as The Table Sets Itself, Mo’s Mustache, and Something Extraordinary. When I’m not busy making books (and often when I am) I like to cook, read and listen to books (I know! Surprising!), and play basketball. I live in Seattle, WA with my family and friends both real and imagined.

☕ CUPPA OF CHOICE: I love hot apple cider. Especially caramel hot apple cider! Makes me feel warm and cozy and puts me in a writing/reading sort of mood. Sure wish I had a fireplace to go with it. At least I’ve got my mustache Fred.

☕ HOT OFF THE PRESS: Something Extraordinary (Simon & Schuster, June 2015). Forthcoming: It Came in the Mail (Simon & Schuster, June 2016), and Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea (Tundra Books, October 2016).

☕ FAVE FOODIE CHILDREN’S BOOKS: Rude Cakes by Rowboat Watkins (Chronicle, 2015), and Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin and Daniel Salmieri (Dial, 2012).

☕ Visit Ben Clanton’s Official Website, Squiggles & Scribbles and find him at The Whatsits blog.

☕☕ JUST ONE MORE SIP: Cool podcast at All the Wonders with Matthew Winner!

☕☕☕ CAN’T GET ENOUGH: Read my interview with Ben about The Table Sets Itself :).

☕ ☕ ☕ ☕ STILL THIRSTY: Check out this Candlewick Five Questions (Plus One) video where Ben talks about another of his books, Rex Wrecks It. Love his laugh and the sound of his voice. Wonder if he can sing? 🙂

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Ahoy there!*

The Alphabet Soup table is all set to welcome story-scribbler, picture-squiggler, fun-socks-wearer Ben Clanton, whose second self-illustrated picture book, The Table Sets Itself (Walker BFYR, 2013), is officially hitting shelves today! WooHoo!

Until I read this charming, whimsical story, I thought I was the only one who had a meaningful relationship with cutlery. I loved reading about how Izzy and her friends Dish, Fork, Knife, Spoon, Cup, and Napkin finally get the chance to set the table themselves. But because they soon tire of being in the same spots day after day, they decide to switch places. Uh-oh.

This leads to a few small disasters and a big ooh-la-la adventure for the runaway Dish and Spoon, whose absence turns Izzy into a complete mess because no other plate or spoon will do. How will she get them to return to the table? Generous sprinkles of punny jokes and visual humor (I bet you never knew a cup could lift a cow) make for a rollicking read aloud, and did I mention macaroni and cheese is instrumental in setting things right again?

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