The Tapper Twins Blog Tour & Giveaway

The Tapper Twins Go to War (With Each Other) Tapper Wins #1
by Geoff Rodkey
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (April 7, 2015)
Format: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook 

About the book: 
This brand-new series by a popular screenwriter is a pitch-perfect, contemporary comedy featuring twelve-year-old fraternal twins, Claudia and Reese, who couldn't be more different...except in their determination to come out on top in a vicious prank war! But when the competition escalates into an all-out battle that's fought from the cafeteria of their New York City private school all the way to the fictional universe of an online video game, the twins have to decide if their efforts to destroy each other are worth the price.

Told as a colorful "oral history" by the twins and their friends, and including photos, screenshots, chat logs, online gaming digital art, and text messages between their clueless parents, The Tapper Twins is a hilariously authentic showcase of what it's like to be in middle school in our digitally-saturated world.

Where to purchase the book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | IndieBound 

Check out the official Book Trailer:

Check out each stop on the blog tour:

4/6/2015- Word Spelunker

4/7/2015- The Haunting of Orchid Forsythia 

4/8/2015- Forever Bookish

4/9/2015- Kid Lit Frenzy

4/10/2015- Page Turners 

About the author: 
Geoff Rodkey is the author of the Tapper Twins middle grade comedy series and the Chronicles of Egg adventure series. He's also the Emmy-nominated screenwriter of such hit films as Daddy Day Care, RV, and the Disney Channel's Good Luck Charlie, It's Christmas.

Geoff grew up in Freeport, Illinois and began his writing career on his high school newspaper. While in college, Geoff was an editor of both the Harvard Lampoon and the Let's Go travel guide series. His early writing credits include the educational video game Where In the World Is Carmen Sandiego?, the non-educational MTV series Beavis and Butt-head, and Comedy Central's Politically Incorrect.

Geoff currently lives in New York City with his wife and three sons. They do not have any pets, mostly because the whole experience with the goldfish was just too upsetting.

Website | Tapper Twins Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Don't forget to enter the giveaway: 
10 winners will receive a hardcover of THE TAPPER TWINS GO TO WAR (With Each Other) US Only.

Complete the rafflecopter form to enter:

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The 39-Story Treehouse Blog Tour: Interview with author Andy Griffiths

It is always a pleasure to work with Macmillan Children's Publishers and when I was offered a chance to participate in The 39-Story Treehouse Blog Tour, I jumped at the chance. It is my pleasure to welcome author, Andy Griffiths to Kid Lit Frenzy. 

The 13-Story Treehouse and the sequel The 26-Story House are filled with incredible imagination -what kind of kid were you that led to creating this series for children?

I had a very happy childhood full of great books (like Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Dr. Seuss and the works of Enid Blyton), great TV shows (like Batman, Get Smart and I Dream of Jeannie), great comedy (like MAD magazine and ridiculously over the top Horror comics), a lot of free time and a lot of freedom to roam and explore our neighborhood and have adventures in the nearby Pine Forest and creek. I’ve always loved the sense of unlimited freedom that I gained from all these activities and have sought to replicate that exhilarating sense of possibility in the books that I write with Terry. 

What is your collaborative process like with Terry?

It usually starts with me suggesting an idea, him drawing it, me getting excited and writing some words to go with it, him drawing some more pictures etc. etc. All this is done in a spirit of great mischief and playfulness and is accompanied by much laughter. We can’t possibly tell where it’s all going … we just follow an idea to see where it takes us. Usually we end up with a huge mess of ideas which Jill—my wife and editor—then spends many weeks editing and structuring into something that starts resembling a narrative. Then Terry storyboards that and the whole process starts over again.

I haven't figured out an answer to this personally, but do you think there can be "too much humor" in a book and if so, how do you find the right balance for your stories?

I don’t think you can have “too much humor” in a book (both kids and adults LOVE to laugh and the harder the better) but I think you can possibly have too much of the same sort of humor in a book. Over many years Terry and I have had the opportunity to explore many different types of humor (character-based, slapstick, gross-out and completely absurd) and varied ways of presenting it in various combinations of prose, rhyme and graphic form. I think the Treehouse series is a perfect mix of all these styles, with no one particular form dominating, which means it’s accessible to a very wide audience.

If you can go on a real life adventure - no financial limitations but all things have to be actually possible and no magic is involved - what would that adventure look like (it can be based on a real adventure that you have been on)?

It would definitely involve a rocket trip into space and, on our return, the rocket would re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere and plunge right down to the bottom of the sea to see all those kind-of-creepy but fascinating deep sea fish that glow in the dark.

I noticed on your website that you have 2 daughters. Have your daughters inherited your sense of fun and imagination and if so, have they ever topped you with something that they have come up with or done?

Oh, constantly! My oldest daughter makes these very funny photo frames decorated with little plastic figures like babies and kittens and flowers and army men and hippopotami. And my youngest daughter is a very keen observer and is always happy to share her observations of Jill and my epic-fails with us!

What is your writing space like? 

I have a studio that is filled with hundreds of bizarre plastic toys ranging from dinosaurs to zombie horse heads to rubber ducks with flaming wings as well as a vast collection of favorite books and comics. I also have lots of music. All of these things are still as exciting to me now as when I was young and they always put me in the mood for writing.

What has been your favorite question/letter from a fan?

Many children have written to me over the years wondering whether Terry and I are friends in real life, in spite of the (often violent) things we do to each other in our books. I began to realize that we could construct a whole book about our fictional lives together … which is how The Treehouse series began! (And, yes, we are friends in real life and would NEVER hit each other with giant bananas … well, not very often, anyway.)

About the author: 
Andy Griffiths is one of Australia's most popular children's authors. Andy is best known for The Treehouse series, the JUST! books and The Day My Bum Went Psycho. Over the last 20 years Andy's books have been New York Times bestsellers, adapted for the stage and television and won more than 50 Australian children's choice awards. Andy, a passionate advocate for literacy, is an ambassador for The Indigenous Literacy Foundation and The Pyjama Foundation.

Important weblinks: Treehouse Series Website | Educator's Guide  

Check out The 13-Story Treehouse and 26-Story Treehouse, and don't forget to pick up a copy of The 39-Story Treehouse tomorrow at your local indie bookstore.  

YA Friday Book Review: Under a Painted Sky

Under a Painted Sky
by Stacey Lee
G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers (March 17, 2015)
IndieBound | WorldCat

Description from GoodReads:
"A powerful story of friendship and sacrifice, for fans of Code Name Verity 

Missouri, 1849: Samantha dreams of moving back to New York to be a professional musician—not an easy thing if you’re a girl, and harder still if you’re Chinese. But a tragic accident dashes any hopes of fulfilling her dream, and instead, leaves her fearing for her life. With the help of a runaway slave named Annamae, Samantha flees town for the unknown frontier. But life on the Oregon Trail is unsafe for two girls, so they disguise themselves as Sammy and Andy, two boys headed for the California gold rush. Sammy and Andy forge a powerful bond as they each search for a link to their past, and struggle to avoid any unwanted attention. But when they cross paths with a band of cowboys, the light-hearted troupe turn out to be unexpected allies. With the law closing in on them and new setbacks coming each day, the girls quickly learn that there are not many places to hide on the open trail.
 
This beautifully written debut is an exciting adventure and heart-wrenching survival tale. But above all else, it’s a story about perseverance and trust that will restore your faith in the power of friendship."

Carolyn's thoughts on the book:
I had the privilege of attending the Southern California Independent Bookseller's Association Children's Literacy Day in February, and as part of that event, I attended a We Need Diverse Books panel that featured Stacey Lee as the moderator. Hearing her speak about her novel, I knew that I had to read her debut book, Under a Painted Sky. The book definitely did not disappoint - at times hilarious, it was also poignant and touching. I tend to be selective about what kinds of historical fiction I read, but this book had everything that I like the most about the genre: it showcases an often overlooked perspective and tackles social issues (specifically racial and gender issues of the time). Sammy and Andy are fantastic protagonists, each with their own compelling and sympathetic story. Equally entertaining are the three cowboys they befriend, and though their journey together is fraught with difficulties and hardships (and the concealment of Sammy and Andy's identities only further complicates things), the friendships – and romantic relationships – that develop are genuine and believable. The book is a captivating and brilliant read, and would make a perfect addition for anyone who enjoys historical fiction or books that tackle historical social issues.

Carolyn is a teen blogger who shares her favorite YA reads and favorite book related finds with readers on Fridays.

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday: April New Releases

As part of the Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge, I do my best to round-up as many new quality nonfiction books for children and share them with readers of this blog.  Some months, I miss the release of books and add them to the next month's post. Though I have not read all of these titles yet, I will be on the lookout for them.  Hope this is a helpful resource for you, since I know that this is an extremely useful resource for me. ~ Happy Reading!

Links to previous 2015 new release posts: January | February | March 

Here are some new releases coming out this month. So many interesting ones this month:

April 1, 2015

The Amazing Age of John Roy Lynch by Chris Barton, Illustrated by Don Tate (Erdmans)

April 14, 2015

High Tide for Horseshoe Crabs by Lisa Kahn Schnell; Illustrated by Alan Marks (Charlesbridge)

A Nest is Noisy by Dianna Hutts Aston; Illustrated by Sylvia Long (Chronicle Books)

Sea Bones by Bob Barner (Chronicle Books)

Trapped! A Whale's Rescue by Robert Burleigh; Illustrated by Wendell Minor (Charlesbridge)

Trombone Shorty by Troy Andrews, Illustrated by Bryan Collier (Abrams Books for Young Readers)

April 21, 2015

Elvis: The Story of the Rock and Roll King by Bonnie Christensen, illustrated by (Henry Holt & Co.)

April 28, 2015

The Sky Painter: Louis Fuertes, Bird Artist by Margarita Engle, Illustrated by Aliona Bereghici (Two Lions)

Don't forget to link up your nonfiction reviews:

An InLinkz Link-up

Won Ton and Chopstick Blog Tour: Author Interview & Giveaway

Thank Lee Wardlaw for coming by Kid Lit Frenzy and answering a few questions from a fellow cat lover. I love Won Ton and his new buddy Chopstick.

You have an apparent love of poetry. What poetry/what poet has been most influential on you as an official or unofficial mentor?

If I’m forced to choose just one (to me, poets are like potato chips—how can you possibly stop at one?!), it must be Valerie Worth. 

Worth’s book All the Small Poems and Fourteen More (FSG, 1994) is brilliant. Each poem is a compact observation of something ordinary, something you might never in a million years think of writing a poem about—a safety pin, asparagus, a pile of rags!—yet in a few spare but perfect words she turns that mundane object into something fresh and wow-worthy. Part of Worth’s talent lies in her ability to observe, to use all her senses to appreciate the complex and unique beauty in life’s simple things.

Won Ton & Won Ton and Chopstick are written in Haiku. I imagine that you have played with a variety of poetry styles. Any favorites and what ones have challenged you the most?

Haiku is obviously a favorite! In third grade, as a prize for perfect school attendance, I received a book of haiku poetry written by Matsuo Bashō (1644-1694). Centuries after his death, Bashō is still considered the world’s greatest haiku master. (I pay homage to him at the end of Won Ton and Chopstick.) As a child, I loved my Bashō book (yes, I still have it!), and I’ve been writing haiku ever since. In fact, eons ago, when doing my first student teaching assignment in a K-3rd grade classroom, the first lesson I taught was on haiku!

Haiku appeals to me because of its immediacy, its focus on one moment in time: Now. Its rules appeal to me, too. I have ADHD, so without structure and specific  “rules,” I tend to get overwhelmed. There’s something safe and soothing to me about writing poetry that has specific boundaries. Some people find haiku too constricting, but within its parameters, I am free to do whatever I like.

As to the style of poetry that has challenged me the most? Sonnets. I suck at sonnets. Is that too crude to say? How about: Me + Writing Sonnets = Headache. 

Poetry seems to be a form of writing that is less intimidating for English Language Learners and others. What are some of your tips for teachers to share poetry writing with children?

First:  I highly recommend teachers start with Poem-Making: Ways to Begin Writing Poetry by Myra Cohn Livingston (HarperCollins, 1991). It’s an easy-to-read, easy-to-understand primer that covers voice, sound, rhyme, rhythm, repetition, and various forms of poetry. The book is actually geared for ages 9-13, but everyone can learn from it. I did!

Second:  If you’re going to share poetry writing with children, you must share poetry! You must read poetry aloud. Every. Single. Day. It only takes a few minutes. If teachers aren’t sure how or where to start, I recommend The Poetry Friday Anthology: Poems for the School Year with Connections to the Common Core compiled by Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong. (Pomelo Books 2012) 

Vardell and Wong have produced several other useful, creative, and fun anthologies, such as The Poetry Friday Anthology for Science and The Poetry Friday Anthology for Celebrations (the latter features Spanish translations of each poem).

Third:  An important key to writing good poetry is Observation. (Remember my answer to Question #1?) So take students outside! Before children can become poets, they must first act like scientists. They must use all their senses to explore and absorb the world around them. Poet Kristine O’Connell George has some excellent observation tips and activities on her website.

Can you describe your collaborative process with Eugene Yelchin (if any) and did it change this time around?

It’s a misconception that authors and illustrators collaborate when creating picture books. Here’s how it works: I submit a manuscript; my editor then hires an illustrator whose style, medium, technique, etc., she thinks will best bring my words to life. With Won Ton, I had no contact with Eugene (other than an email introducing myself) prior to the book’s publication. I had no say in what Won Ton would look like, or how the various scenes would be illustrated. This is as it should be. I certainly wouldn’t have wanted Eugene looking over my shoulder as I wrote, saying: “Hey, I’m not great at drawing cats. Couldn’t Won Ton be a schnauzer? I’m super at schnauzers!”

All that being said, I did get to see Eugene’s initial sketches for both books. For Won Ton and Chopstick, I made two minor suggestions. 

First, in the two-page spread called The Banishment, there is a poem that reads:

Alone, Q-curled tight.

Night is cold without you, Boy,

despite my fur coat.

Eugene originally drew Won Ton sleeping outside in the middle of a large, empty yard. I know cats—and cats do not do this! They don’t allow themselves to be that exposed, that vulnerable—especially at night. So I suggested to Sally Doherty, my editor, that perhaps Won Ton could be shown catnapping under a lounge chair or table. Sally passed along my suggestion to Eugene, who agreed. The scene now shows Won Ton curled beneath one of those rickety, aluminum patio chairs. PURR-fect! The chair provides a teensy bit of feline protection, while also allowing the reader to see how vulnerable Won Ton feels.

The second suggestion I made was for a section called The Rainy Day:

No one home except

the wet…and you.  Is a pest

better than nothing?

Eugene’s initial illustration showed Won Ton and Chopstick sitting side-by-side on a windowsill, staring out at the rain. At this point in the story, cat and puppy have reached détente: Won Ton has ceased his hissing and harassing of Chopstick—but they are not yet pals. So I suggested that Eugene move Chopstick a few inches away from Won Ton—and he agreed. It’s a fabulous illustration. You can only see them from the back, but the way Chopstick is hunched you can tell he feels like a lonely little brother, desperately hoping that Big Bro will condescend to play with him.

I noticed that your book launch was going to include a cat adoption. Love this idea. Can you tell us about your cats? How many? What kinds? And can you share a picture of your feline muses?

My book launch for Won Ton was a fundraiser for our local kitty shelter. (We raised over $600!) This time, my launch will benefit ARF! (Animals + Reading = Fun), a local program that gives students in grades K-6 an opportunity to improve their literacy skills by reading aloud to specially trained therapy dogs. Santa Barbara’s independent bookstore, Chaucer’s, has agreed to donate 20% of my book’s proceeds that day to ARF! Special guests will include the President of ARF! and her “date” Sandy, one of the program’s therapy dogs. 

As for our resident felines . . . up until a couple of months ago, we shared our home with three former shelter cats: Mai Tai, an all-black domestic shorthair with gorgeous green eyes; Po’ipu (pronounced “poy-poo;” named after a beach on Kauai), a blue Lynx-point Siamese mutt with a fluffy tail much like a squirrel’s; and Papaya, your basic tabby tom but with a very orange belly (hence, his name).

Mai Tai died in February, at age 12; Po’ipu snuck outside a couple of weeks ago, and was killed by a coyote. (We are heartbroken.) Won Ton is actually based on the true story of how Patterson, our son, at age eight adopted Papaya as a kitten from our local cat shelter. That was 11 years ago, and they are still best buddies. We plan on adopting another kitten later this summer.

What has been your favorite letter from a young fan? 

“Dear Lee; I loved your novel 101 Ways to Bug Your Parents. It was so good, I even read it on the toilet!”

Can you share with us your favorite part of Won Ton and Chopstick?

Bathroom skirmish ends

in triumph! Boredom subdued –

and I can blame you.

It’s ironic that this is my favorite part because cleaning up reams of strewn toilet paper after one of our cats has vigorously destroyed a roll is not one of my favorite activities!

Can you share with us any new projects that you are working on?

Nope! I prefer not to discuss my in-progress projects. Talking about them dilutes my enthusiasm for them. But I’m delighted to share some good news:  My poem “It’s Routine” will be included in an anthology compiled by Kenn Nesbitt, Children’s Poet Laureate. The anthology is called One Minute Till Bedtime, and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers will publish it next year. I also have two new poems in The Poetry Friday Anthology for Celebrations. None of these poems is in haiku, though, and none is about cats! (I can hear Papaya yowling his disapproval . . . or maybe it’s playtime.)

I’ve also just started an informational website called PawsToRead.com. Its purpose is to help parents, educators, animal lovers, and child advocates connect to city, regional, state, and national programs that use shelter cats or trained therapy dogs to improve the literacy skills of children. It has a growing list of recommended dog/cat read-aloud books, too. Me-wow!

About Lee Wardlaw:
Lee Wardlaw swears that her first spoken word was “kitty.” Since then, she’s shared her life with 30 cats (not all at the same time!) and published 30 books for young readers, including Won Ton: A Cat Tale Told in Haiku, recipient of the Lee Bennett Hopkins Children’s Poetry Award, the Myra Cohn Livingston Award for Poetry, and the Cat Writers’ Association Muse Medallion. She lives in Santa Barbara, California with her family. 

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Activity Kit | Teacher's Guide  

Illustrations © 2015 by Eugene Yelchin from WON TON AND CHOPSTICK: A CAT AND DOG TALE TOLD IN HAIKU by Lee Wardlaw, published by Henry Holt and Company, LLC. All rights reserved.

Won Ton and Chopstick Blog Tour Stops:

Mon, Mar 30     Library Fanatic
Tues, Mar 31     Kid Lit Frenzy
Wed, Apr 1     Teach Mentor Texts
Thurs, Apr 2    Sharpread
Fri, Apr 3     A Foodie Bibliophile in Wanderlust
Sat, Apr 4    Booking Mama
Mon, Apr 6   The Children's Book Review
Tues, Apr 7   5 Minutes for Books
Wed, Apr 8    Cracking the Cover
Thurs, Apr 9    Unleashing Readers
Fri, Apr 10    Word Spelunker
Sat, Apr 11   Bermuda Onion

Giveaway!
One lucky winner will receive both books featuring the adorable cat, WON TON--WON TON: A CAT TALE TOLD IN HAIKU and WON TON AND CHOPSTICK: A CAT AND DOG TALE TOLD IN HAIKU. (U.S. addresses.)

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