hotTEAs of Children’s Literature: Tim Egan

March 3, 2016September 25, 2017 ~ jama ~ 9 Comments

Tim Egan writes and illustrates books for kids, usually involving odd animal characters. Most of his characters do not think of themselves as odd, although a few readily admit they are. The stories normally involve everyday things like boredom, adventure, pigs, food, music, sandwiches, planes, toast and household appliances.

☕ CUPPA OF CHOICE: I love coffee. It makes me feel happy at the very start of each day. The first thing I do is make a pot for my wife, Ann, and me to share. No sugar, but a little cream (and a cookie for our dog, Betsy, with each cup!)

☕ HOT OFF THE PRESSES: Recently, I’ve been working on a series about a traveling mouse, Dodsworth, and his ridiculous duck. So far, they’ve been to New York, Paris, London, Rome, and their latest adventure is Dodsworth in Tokyo (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013). New eBook: The Last Talking Pig (Leepshin Publishing, 2015).

☕ FAVE FOODIE CHILDREN’S BOOK: In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak, because it’s wonderful and beautiful and brilliant. The kitchen spread where Mickey is flying away is my favorite illustration in all books.

☕ Visit Tim Egan’s Official Website

☕☕ JUST ONE MORE SIP: Read more about Dodsworth in Tokyo at Entertainment Weekly!

☕☕☕ CAN’T GET ENOUGH: Check out this cool animated short, “Dodsworth and the Duck In The Shop!” How much do I love a duck who thinks about cakes and pies? 🙂

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Special Leap Day hotTEA of Children’s Literature: Ben Clanton

February 29, 2016February 28, 2016 ~ jama ~ 8 Comments

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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hotTEAs of Children’s Literature: Lester Laminack

February 18, 2016September 25, 2017 ~ jama ~ 10 Comments

Lester is the author of 20 books for teachers and/or children and has two new projects under contract. He works as a consultant and visiting author in schools and school districts throughout the country and abroad. When he isn’t working you’ll likely find him roaming around with a camera in his hand.

☕ CUPPA OF CHOICE: Coffee (aka “writer fluid”) should be hot, strong, slightly sweet, and with a dash of half-and-half leaving it the color of a paper bag.

☕ HOT OFF THE PRESSES: Picture book: Three Hens and a Peacock, illustrated by Henry Cole (Peachtree Publishers, 2014). Professional book: Writers ARE Readers: Flipping Reading Strategies into Writing Opportunities, co-author with Reba M. Wadsworth (Heinemann, August 2015).

☕ FAVE FOODIE CHILDREN’S BOOK: Saturdays and Teacakes, illustrated by Chris Soentpiet (Peachtree, 2004).

☕ Visit Lester Laminack’s Official Website

☕☕ JUST ONE MORE SIP: Check out Mammaw Thompson’s Teacakes recipe!

☕☕☕ CAN’T GET ENOUGH: Book Trailer for Three Hens and a Peacock:

☕☕☕☕ STILL THIRSTY: Lester offers tips for effective read alouds.

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hotTEAs of Children’s Literature: Dan Yaccarino

January 28, 2016September 25, 2017 ~ jama ~ 8 Comments

Dan Yaccarino is an internationally acclaimed artist, author, and producer who has created over 50 children’s books as well as his own animated television series. He has garnered many prestigious awards as well as an invitation to the White House to read his books.

☕ CUPPA OF CHOICE: I usually drink a cup of Earl Grey or English Breakfast tea. I quit coffee about 2 years ago. I promise not to prosthelytize about the evils of caffeine.

☕ HOT OFF THE PRESSES: Five Little Bunnies, written by Tish Rabe (HarperFestival, January 2016); Zorgoochi Intergalactic Pizza: Delivery of Doom (Feiwel & Friends/Macmillan, 2014); Doug Unplugged (Knopf, 2013). Forthcoming: Class Pet Squad: Journey to the Center of Town (Feiwel & Friends, June 2016); three board books in the Happyland Series: Birthday Cake, Big Berry, Rainy Day (Workman, August 2016); I Am A Story (HarperCollins, October 2016).

☕ FAVE FOODIE CHILDREN’S BOOK: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett and Ron Barrett (Atheneum, 1982). I always loved reading that book to my kids. I’m kind of a foodie, but not the fancy type. I travel a lot and wherever I go, I try to seek out the hole in the wall place that only the locals go to have that one particular item that is unique to that area.

☕ Visit Dan Yaccarino’s Official Website and YouTube Channel

☕ ☕ JUST ONE MORE SIP: Book trailers for Zorgoochi Intergalactic Pizza: Delivery of Doom + Doug Unplugged

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwz0jAjq2ao

☕ ☕ ☕ CAN’T GET ENOUGH: More about Dan’s books!

☕ ☕ ☕ ☕ STILL THIRSTY!!: Check out Mr. Cornelius’s favorite episode from Dan’s Emmy-winning animated series, Willa’s Wild Life, “Unbearable Bear”!

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hotTEAs of Children’s Literature: Matt Tavares

January 15, 2016September 25, 2017 ~ jama ~ 15 Comments

Matt wrote and illustrated his first picture book as his senior thesis at Bates College in 1997. That book, Zachary’s Ball, was published by Candlewick Press in 2000. Since then, Matt has published fifteen more books, and is working on more. Matt lives in Maine with his wife and two daughters.

☕ CUPPA OF CHOICE: Coffee, with a bit of Hood golden egg nog (when seasonally appropriate), preferably out of my Mazza Museum mug.

☕ HOT OFF THE PRESS: Growing up Pedro: How the Martinez Brothers Made it from the Dominican Republic All the Way to the Major Leagues (Candlewick, February 2015). Forthcoming: Crossing Niagara: The Death-Defying Tightrope Adventures of the Great Blondin (Candlewick, April 2016).

☕ FAVE FOODIE CHILDREN’S BOOK: June 29, 1999 by David Wiesner (Clarion, 1992).

☕ Visit Matt Tavares’s Official Website. Don’t forget to check out his online shop, where you can order signed giclée prints and hardcover copies of all his books!

☕☕ JUST ONE MORE SIP: Growing up Pedro Book Trailer: