It’s hardly news that The Casual Vacancy (Little, Brown), J.K. Rowling’s first novel intended for adult readers, emerged last week at the top of the charts. And yet news it is. From The Guardian:
J.K. Rowling went easily to the top of the fiction charts on Tuesday with The Casual Vacancy notching up first week sales of 124,603.
To put that in context, the figure is ten times bigger than the
Ivy and Bean Blog-A-Bration (Week 8)
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Good news! Colby Sharp and I asked Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall eight easy-peasy questions about the Ivy and Bean series.
Mr. Schu: How long does it usually take you to illustrate an Ivy and Bean book?
Sophie Blackall: If I don't sleep AT ALL, I can do all the drawings in about two or three months. But I find sleeping once in a while is a good thing, so it usually takes a bit longer. One of the trickiest bits is keeping track of Ivy and Bean's outfits, and where the furniture goes in their houses, because I know kids notice that kind of thing, and notice when something is out of place from book to book.
Mr. Schu: Have you always loved drawing and illustrating stories?
Sophie Blackall: Yes! Even though I was a really horrible drawer as a kid. That sounds like I had handles. I mean Draw-er, as in person who draws, not the thing you put your socks in. I found a book I made when I was six. It was about a boy and a dog called Toothless Tarty, which I think you will agree is a really silly name for a dog. Because I couldn't draw animal legs, in all the pictures I have him sitting down. I'm still not very good at animal legs.
Mr. Schu: Ivy and Bean need money for low-fat Belldeloon cheese. What’s your favorite cheese?
Sophie Blackall: I like fresh mozzarella, that comes in a big, soft, white lump. When it melts it's all gooey.
Mr. Schu: Are you more like Ivy or Bean?
Sophie Blackall: When I was a kid I was definitely more like Ivy. I pretty much always had my head in a book, although I used to like reading in unusual places, like up a tree, or on the roof. Which is the sort of thing Bean might do. I have always collected things like Ivy does, shells and feathers and old things in general, and I like piecing stories from mysterious messages I find on the ground. Even someone's blown away shopping list is full of clues. But I'm really messy, like Bean.
You'll need to "travel" to Colby's wonderful blog to read Annie's responses. Happy reading!
Chronicle has generously agreed to give away a paperback copy of Ivy and Bean: No News is Good News and three sets of Ivy and Bean Mini Notes.
*************************
You'll need to "travel" to Colby's wonderful blog to read Annie's responses. Happy reading!
Chronicle has generously agreed to give away a paperback copy of Ivy and Bean: No News is Good News and three sets of Ivy and Bean Mini Notes.
Rules for the Giveaway
1. It will run from October 3 to 11:59 P.M. on October 6.
2. You must be at least 13.
3. Please pay it forward.
Coquette Maman
In the Pages
Kid Lit Frenzy
Media Darlings
One Page to the Next
Roundtable Reviews for Kids
Ruth Ayres Writes
Sharpread
The Children’s Book Review
The Family That Reads Together
The O.W.L.
There’s A Book
The winner will be entered into a drawing to win...
A complete set of Ivy and Bean hardcover books signed by Annie Barrows
1 Ivy and Bean Paper Doll Play Set
1 Ivy and Bean Button Factory
1 Ivy and Bean READ Poster signed by Annie Barrows
Set of Ivy and Bean Silly Bandz (not pictured, but they are so cute!!)
Set of Ivy and Bean stickers
AND IVY AND BEAN DOLLS
In the Pages
Kid Lit Frenzy
Media Darlings
One Page to the Next
Roundtable Reviews for Kids
Ruth Ayres Writes
Sharpread
The Children’s Book Review
The Family That Reads Together
The O.W.L.
There’s A Book
The winner will be entered into a drawing to win...
A complete set of Ivy and Bean hardcover books signed by Annie Barrows
1 Ivy and Bean Paper Doll Play Set
1 Ivy and Bean Button Factory
1 Ivy and Bean READ Poster signed by Annie Barrows
Set of Ivy and Bean Silly Bandz (not pictured, but they are so cute!!)
Set of Ivy and Bean stickers
AND IVY AND BEAN DOLLS
A Magnificent Monday with Sharon Creech
Monday, October 1, 20125th Grader: Mr. Schu, we've had a lot of amazing authors visit our school library: Harry Bliss, Jennifer Holm, Eric Wight, Dan Gutman, Marianne Malone, Ruth Spiro, Kate Messner, JJK, and Linda Urban.
Mr. Schu: I know! We're lucky readers. Thank goodness for Anderson's Bookshop.
5th Grader: Mr. Schu, if you could pick any author to visit our school in September, who would you pick?
Mr. Schu: Sharon Creech---definitely Sharon Creech. She's the award-winning author of Love That Dog, Hate That Cat, Chasing Redbird, Granny Torrelli Makes Soup, Absolutely Normal Chaos, Pleasing the Ghost, Walk Two Moons, Replay, The Castle Corona, Heartbeat, Ruby Holler, Bloomability, The Unfinished Angel, and The Wanderer. Her next book, The Great Unexpected, comes out in September.
5th Grader: I love Love That Dog. I hope she visits next year.
************************
Cut to yesterday morning when Newbery Medalist Sharon Creech visited my school library. I am still in shock. Seriously! Sharon Creech ACTUALLY spent time in the space where I teach, talk about books, implement technology, and interact with readers and writers. Her gentleness and kind spirit inspired every child, administrator, and teacher in the room. I could write another paragraph about how I will always remember the time Sharon Creech interacted with my students, but I think "Huzza, huzza" succinctly and beautifully sums up my feelings about yesterday. Thank you, Sharon!
I asked my students to share their reactions to Ms. Creech's presentation.
-"I never used to visualize when I was reading, so I did not always read books. Sharon Creech's Granny Torrelli Makes Soup taught me to visualize when I read books. Sharon inspired me."
-"Sharon Creech called on volunteers to help her read from The Great Unexpected. I really liked that."
-"Sharon Creech called on volunteers to help her read from The Great Unexpected. I really liked that."
-"Her writing is heartwarming.
-"My favorite part was when she interacted with us. She made me feel special."
-"Your books inspire...your writing is my heart’s desire. All I want to say... is that your visit made my day.”
-“I loved Sharon Creech’s visit. I loved every minute of it. I have read almost every single book Sharon has written, and I cannot wait to finish The Great Unexpected. I love her writing.”
-“I think Sharon Creech deserves many, many more awards.”
-"She did not know about the Newbery Medal before she won it. I'm glad she won the Newbery Medal. She deserved it."
-"Sharon Creech is a funny person. I liked how she read from her books."
-"Ms. Creech is kind and nice."
-“Many of Sharon’s books include characters who are based on her family members. Sometimes she uses situations from her own life. I learned a lot."
-“Sharon Creech is an amazing author. I am so lucky I got to meet her."
"She knew exactly what she was doing."
-“I know that very few people get the privilege of meeting Sharon Creech. I am honored that I was in the same room as her. I am so happy that she came to my school.”
-“Sharon’s presentation was the best.”
-“Sharon Creech is a truly awesome writer.”
-“We had a lot of fun with Sharon Creech. I hope she comes back one day.”
-“She shared many useful writing pointers.”
-“I loved when she had kids come up to recite the beginning parts of the book. I also loved her enthusiastic reading of the book. I love reading, too. Sharon helped me find my own writing style."
“I really liked how she commented on her books with details.”
"Sharon Creech's books always make me think. I wonder what will happen in her next book."
"I really enjoyed Sharon's speech about her books."
"Sharon has a big talent in writing."
"Ms. Creech has inspired me to become an author."
"I loved her presentation. We were planning for her visit for weeks. We were on the edge of our seats waiting to meet her. I like how she changes her voice when she reads."
"I am a big fan of Sharon's writing. I especially like The Great Unexpected and The Wanderer. I love the character of Lizzie and Naomi.
“I think Sharon Creech is sweet. I like how her books are really adventurous and realistic.”
“Sharon Creech’s books are amazing. Thank you for visiting with us.
“I like how her voice fits with her stories.”
“My favorite part was when she did a skit with my sister.”
“Sharon Creech writes with amazing details. Her books are very memorable.”
“Sharon Creech is an amazing author. I really like her books.”
-“I loved Sharon Creech’s visit. I loved every minute of it. I have read almost every single book Sharon has written, and I cannot wait to finish The Great Unexpected. I love her writing.”
-“I think Sharon Creech deserves many, many more awards.”
-"She did not know about the Newbery Medal before she won it. I'm glad she won the Newbery Medal. She deserved it."
-"Sharon Creech is a funny person. I liked how she read from her books."
-"Ms. Creech is kind and nice."
-“Many of Sharon’s books include characters who are based on her family members. Sometimes she uses situations from her own life. I learned a lot."
-“Sharon Creech is an amazing author. I am so lucky I got to meet her."
"She knew exactly what she was doing."
-“I know that very few people get the privilege of meeting Sharon Creech. I am honored that I was in the same room as her. I am so happy that she came to my school.”
-“Sharon’s presentation was the best.”
-“Sharon Creech is a truly awesome writer.”
-“We had a lot of fun with Sharon Creech. I hope she comes back one day.”
-“She shared many useful writing pointers.”
-“I loved when she had kids come up to recite the beginning parts of the book. I also loved her enthusiastic reading of the book. I love reading, too. Sharon helped me find my own writing style."
“I really liked how she commented on her books with details.”
"Sharon Creech's books always make me think. I wonder what will happen in her next book."
"I really enjoyed Sharon's speech about her books."
"Sharon has a big talent in writing."
"Ms. Creech has inspired me to become an author."
"I loved her presentation. We were planning for her visit for weeks. We were on the edge of our seats waiting to meet her. I like how she changes her voice when she reads."
"I am a big fan of Sharon's writing. I especially like The Great Unexpected and The Wanderer. I love the character of Lizzie and Naomi.
“I think Sharon Creech is sweet. I like how her books are really adventurous and realistic.”
“Sharon Creech’s books are amazing. Thank you for visiting with us.
“I like how her voice fits with her stories.”
“My favorite part was when she did a skit with my sister.”
“Sharon Creech writes with amazing details. Her books are very memorable.”
“Sharon Creech is an amazing author. I really like her books.”
THE GREAT UNEXPECTED looks GREAT as a cake.
I am giving away a signed copy of Hate That Cat.
Rules for the Giveaway
1. It will run from October 2 to 11:59 P.M. on October 5.
2. You must be at least 13.
3. Please pass it on.
Borrow The Great Unexpected from your school or public library. Whenever possible, please support independent bookshops.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
