Read, Write, Repeat.

A few summers ago, my youngest daughter attended science camp. One day, she came home quite excited.

She had spent the day talking about different kinds of animal excrement and had even made models — using Play-Doh — of various types.

Because I try to be a good mother, I sat and listened while she eagerly explained that wolf poop often has fur in it because wolves eat bunnies, but don’t digest the fur and other interesting, um, bits of information that I have not retained.

If Lisa Morlock’s new picture book, Track That Scat (Sleeping Bear Press, 2012) had been out then, I could have happily channeled my daughter’s energy to it.

And, as soon as I received my copy, I handed it to her, and she was instantly lost reading the story and learning even more facts about animal scat.

Today, I’m thrilled to have Lisa join us to talk about her debut book.

When and how did you first know that you wanted to write for children?

My mom was a teacher, and she took me to an International Reading Association conference where Cynthia Rylant talked about The Relatives Came. Her story was magical—my family “drank up all the soda pop and ate up all the crackers” too.

I was young, and Rylant was a first real writer I’d ever met. She was wonderful, and I wanted to be just like her. That goal has never really changed.

What gave you the inspiration for this book?

Another mom and I took our young sons to a summer library program. We were really early, so we went for a walk outside. The library had a nearby pond with a huge flock of geese on it. The boys started running toward it. By the time we caught up, the geese were chasing the boys, and the two were up to their big toes in goose scat. We moms gagged, but the boys were fascinated by the color and content. That stinky day, an idea was born.

What research did you do? Was any of it hands-on? Tell us some gross details!

We had our nose to the ground for this one! Since the process began, our family has photographed, drawn, and poked (with a stick) about every questionable pile we’ve come across. I also used lots of books, a few websites, and some experts for research.

 How did the story evolve? What was its path to publication?

I wrote the story and sat on it for a bit. At an SCBWI-IA conference, I had a critique with editor Amy Lennex of Sleeping Bear Press. She liked it and soon after acquired it. The tale went through a few revisions, including one in which Finn became a girl. (My son is still bent out of shape on that one.) There would have been no “path to publication” without the support of SCBWI-IA friends.

 I like how you incorporate the three meanings of the word “scat” into your story. How did that come about?

It’s a fun word to say, and the triple meanings were just there from the beginning.

For the jazz reference, I’ve always loved legendary trumpet player Clark Terry’s scat song entitled “Mumbles” and Ella Fitzgerald’s scat version of “One-Note Samba.” They’re fast, funny feats of talent — and my very favorite type of scat.

For the final verb form, we always told our farm cats, who were notoriously underfoot, to “skit-scat.”

What’s been the most exciting part of this process for you?

It’s all pretty great. The excitement of the manuscript sale is incredible, but seeing Carrie Anne Bradshaw’s whimsical illustrations with the total book design truly takes the cake.

What were you most surprised to learn about the book publication process?

It takes a team. Thank you to my encouraging community of writers, great editor, talented illustrator, sales team, and, finally, to my family. I really did drink “up all the soda pop” in the process — at least all the Diet Coke.

Thanks, Lisa!

If you want to learn more about Lisa — and you really should, she’s very nice — you can:

• Visit her website.
• Read her blog — 365 Uses for a Picture Book.

So … these are the books I’m donating to the silent auction fund-raiser benefiting my youngest daughter’s school.

And, I’m happy to say all the books are by authors who are friends of mine — either face-to-face or online.

OK, I guess if I’m being totally honest, Kevin Henkes isn’t a friend of mine in any format. But he’s cool, he  lives in the same suburban area as I do and he once signed a book for my daughter, so that’s close enough, right? (Plus, I’m sure he’d like me if we ever met!)

If these books look so compelling you simply must get them for yourself or a child in your life, here’s the full list:

• Hurry Down to Derry Fair by Dori Chaconas – A lovely, warm, rhyming look at a country fair.
• I Am Tama, Lucky Cat by Wendy Henrichs — The legend behind the lucky cat statues you often see in Asian stores and homes.
• Little White Rabbit by Kevin Henkes — As beautiful and inspiring as things by Kevin Henkes always are.
• Star of the Sea by Janet Halfmann — Compelling nonfiction for the younger set with a few true-to-life details guaranteed to make you say, “Eww.”
• Stars by Mary Lyn Ray — Quite possibly my favorite picture book of 2011.
• Tom’s Tweet by Jill Esbaum — Funny and heartwarming and rhyming. A great read-aloud.
• Too Princessy  by Jean Reidy — The latest and greatest in Jean’s picture book series. This one features a bored little girl.
• Tutus Aren’t My Style by Linda Skeers – The story of a resourceful girl who makes the best of a present she wasn’t expecting.

So what are you waiting for? Visit a bookstore today!

If you think Betsy Red Hoodie (Harper, 2010) written by Gail Carson Levine and illustrated by Scott Nash is just another telling of the story Little Red Riding Hood, you’re mistaken.

True, the picture book nods at the classic children’s tale, but then it merrily skips off in another direction entirely.

Let’s start with the similarities. Betsy Red Hoodie sets off to deliver cupcakes to her grandmother. Through the forest. By herself. Wearing, well … you know what.

But this Betsy is a shepherd, so she takes her sheep with her. And the village’s other shepherd comes along too. A wolf named Zimmo.

Betsy is warned by others that Zimmo might not be trustworthy around grandmothers because, “Long ago, a wolf had eaten a grandma.” But Betsy believes in her friend.

However, the journey through the forest is far from easy. And halfway through it, Zimmo abandons Betsy and the flock. Did he race off ahead to eat her grandmother?

Like a good shepherd, Betsy stays with her flock and helps them find a lost sheep, survive a sudden rainstorm and a slog up a very muddy hill. (My favorite line? “Wool should be dry cleaned.”)

When a tired, worried Betsy finally arrives, her grandmother’s cottage is very dark. She fears the worst. But instead, she finds something very affirming and unexpected inside.

To hear more, let’s turn things over to today’s guest reviewer.

Today’s reviewer: Jaiden.

Age: 7

Things I like to do: Play “olden days” and chase.

This book was about: Betsy going to deliver cupcakes to her grandma.

The best part was when: Betsy found out what the wolf was doing.

I was worried when: The wolf ran ahead and didn’t tell Betsy what he was doing.

This book taught me: To trust your friends.

Three words that best describe this book: “Cool.” “Interesting.” “Fun.”

My favorite line or phrase in the book is: “Surprise!”

Other kids reading this book should watch for: The funny hats the sheep wear.

You should read this book because: It’s not anything like the real story of “Little Red Riding Hood.”

Thanks, Jaiden!

Gail Carson Levine is the author of the Newbery Honor Book Ella Enchanted along with Ever, Fairest, Dave at Night, The Wish, The Two Princesses of Bamarre and Betsy Who Cried Wolf. You can learn more about her by visiting her website.

Scott Nash has illustrated many books for children, including Betsy Who Cried Wolf. You can visit him online at this website.

If you know a little girl who always wants to wear a dress, you need to get her her very own copy of A Dress for Me! (Marshall Cavendish 2012), a new picture book by Sue Fliess and Mike Laughead.

The book is a follow up to Sue and Mike’s first collaboration, and features an adorable hippo’s search for the perfect dress. There are so many to admire and try on. Which is the perfect one? And will her mother be patient enough to let her find it?

Today’s reviewer likes books and dresses and was eager to share her thoughts. So, take it away, Sienna!

Today’s reviewer: Sienna

Age: 4.5

I like to: Eat ice cream. Play with Abby.

This book was about: A girl who was trying on dresses.

The best part was when: She finds the dress.

I smiled when: I saw she was growing, like me. And,I liked the ball gown.

I was worried when: Mom said it was time to go.

I was surprised when: She found the perfect dress.

This book taught me: To look at every dress before I choose.

Three words that best describe this book are: “Awesome and fun!”

My favorite line or phrase in the book is: “This dress looks like grandma’s rug.”

Other kids reading this book should watch for: Pretty dresses, especially the ball gown.

You should read this book because: You’ll learn how to pick a dress out when you grow up.

Thanks, Sienna!

If you’d like to learn more about Sue Fliess and future books she has coming out, visit her website or read her blog.

If you’d like to learn more about Mike Laughead and his work, you can visit his website.

You’ll notice that Sienna is wearing her favorite dress in the photo to the left. A year or so ago, Sienna shared her favorite shoes when she reviewed Shoes for Me!, also by Sue and Mike.

So what do you get when you combine parts of several different fairy tales with a case of mistaken identity and the notion that it might be better not to be royalty?

If you’re lucky, you get Jonathan Emmett and Poly Bernatene’s new picture book The Princess and the Pig (Walker Books, 2011). It’s an extremely well-done homage to traditional fairy tales with a few fresh and very unexpected twists.

Today’s guest reviewer has already shown she has an affinity for pigs, so she seemed to be the perfect person to review this book.

—————–

Today’s reviewer: Sonia.

Age: 9.

I like: Pigs, horses, sleeping and using the computer.

This book was about: A princess and a pig. The pig and the princess accidentally switch spots when the queen drops the princess. The princess falls over the edge of the tower into a haycart. When the princess lands in the cart, the pig flies up and lands in the princess’s cradle. The king thinks a bad witch has turned the princess into a pig just like happens all the time in stories. And the farmer thinks a good witch has turned the piglet into a baby.

The best part of the book was when: The farmer first got the pig. I love pigs.

I smiled when: The pig and the princess switched places.

I was worried when: The pig didn’t like being a princess, but the princess liked being a farmer’s daughter. I felt bad for the piggy. She seemed depressed that she was now a princess.

I was suprised when: The farmer returned the princess when she was all grown up and the queen thought the farmer was lying so the girl could get married to a fancy prince. But he wasn’t.

My favorite line or phrase was: “And so, without a second thought, the baby became Pigmella, the farmer’s daughter, and the piglet became Priscilla, the royal princess.

My favorite picture was when: The pig was running away because she didn’t want to wear her fancy dress.

Other people reading this book should watch for: The difference between the princess and the farmer’s daughter. As Pigmella grew older, she was smarter and beautiful and was admired by everyone she met. As Priscilla grew older, she grew not-so smart and not-so beautiful and was avoided by everyone she met.

Three words that describe this book are: “Princess.” “Pig.” “Stories.”

You should read this book because: It’s like five different stories in one. It has a little part of “Sleeping Beauty,” a little part of “Thumbelina,” a little of “The Prince and the Pauper,” a little bit of “Puss and Boots” and a little bit of “The Frog Prince.”

—————–

Thanks, Sonia!

This book is getting some love over at the Cybils. It was one of seven books chosen as a finalist for the 2011 best fiction picture book award. The winner will be announced on Valentine’s Day.

And, it got a positively gushing review from the School Library Journal, which declared, in part:

“My first instinct was to just throw it on the pile with the rest of the princessey fare. Fortunately, I heard some low-key buzz about the book, making it clear that there might be something worthwhile going on here. Thank goodness I did, too. Ladies and gentlemen, two men have come together and somehow produced a book that thumbs its nose at the notion of a little girl wanting to be a princess. In fact, when it comes right down to it, this is a tale about how sometimes it’s difficult to tell the royalty from the swine. Now that’s a lesson I can get behind!”

If you’d like to learn more about author Jonathan Emmett, check out his funny responses to these serious questions.

If you’d like to learn more about illustrator Poly Bernatene, visit his website. He lives in Argentina, so it’s in Spanish, but you can use Google Translate to get a passable English version. And, of course, his artwork is beautiful in any language.

This fall, I was fortunate to sell my first picture book manuscript — Sophie’s Squash — to Schwartz & Wade, an imprint of Random House Publishing. (Full, enthusiastic details of this event were shared here.)

And now, just a few months later, I’m doubly fortunate to say Schwartz & Wade has acquired another of my picture books, Sharing the Bread.

It’s awesome news. In fact, I’m still beaming.

But I’ve heard a lot of comments like this:

“It’s cool you sold your second book so quickly after your first. It must only have taken you a few weeks to write.”

Um … no.

I’m sure there are authors who dash off a manuscript in an afternoon, read through it the next day, smile, add a few commas, change a word or two and send it off to editors who greet it with shouts of delight and fight for the right to publish it.

But that’s not me.

So I thought I’d share the evolution — so far — of this 310-word story.

The initial idea.

Three years ago, I was in a meeting. It had nothing to do with food, families or cooking, but out of somewhere, these words popped into my head: “Mama be a cooking pot, cooking pot. Big and round and black and hot. Mama be a pot.”

That’s stupid. I thought. How could someone be a pot? (As you can tell, I’ve got a pretty critical internal editor.)

My internal editor wasn’t done lecturing me either. Writing a rhyming book is HARD. And you are not a rhymer. Remember that awful rhyming story about okra you spent months slaving over before you realized it was awful? Hmm? Well? Do you?

But I kind of liked the rhythm, so I jotted the words down. During the next few weeks I played around with them until I had several verses about a family making a meal together. At first, each family member was pretending to be some part of the meal. I vaguely thought the story might be something kids could act out.

Early editing.

But thanks to the wise counsel of my internal editor who was, I believe, making gagging noises, I realized this was not a good idea. So I had the family gather the ingredients and cook the meal without any play-acting. Mama was no longer a pot.

Not knowing what else to do with the story, I sent it to my critique group at the time. They didn’t love it. So the story sat on my hard drive, largely ignored, for a year while I worked on other things.

It might have stayed there forever if I hadn’t needed a manuscript to send to another critique group I belong to. I didn’t have anything new, so I dusted the story off and sent it out, cringing a little as I did.

Are you kidding? asked my internal editor.

But these group members liked it. “You need to work on this some more,” they said.

More revision.

So I did. I used their feedback to make the verses stronger and the rhythm better. I consulted rhyming dictionaries and tried to be as creative as possible. I shared it with a few other writing friends and took their suggestions to heart. I spent lots of time staring off into space tapping out the story meter with my fingers to make sure it was correct. My cat thought I was playing. My family thought I was crazy.

When the story was as good as I could make it, I sent to to someone with a well-deserved reputation as an excellent rhymer for a paid critique. Her response echoed my second critique group’s, “I really like this. I think you should work on it some more.”

Fierce revision.

She suggested a more traditional rhyme scheme and shared a few books written in a similar vein. Even though I sighed at the thought of the work involved in changing my rhyme scheme, I knew her advice was valid. So I read the books, ripped my story apart and started rewriting. And re-rhyming. And tapping my fingers on my desk. Again.

The new story revisited both my critique groups, several writing friends and a few family members. I made more changes. Eventually, I sent it back to the rhyming expert. “I think you can sell this,” she said.

But don’t cue the balloons.

I was tempted to celebrate. After all, this writer said the same thing about the manuscript that eventually became my first sale. Then I remembered it had taken several years and several more revisions before that sale occurred. Still, I sent out some submissions.

I heard back more quickly than usual. One form rejection. One note saying this wasn’t quite right but to send other things that I wrote. One note saying it was lovely but too quiet to stand out in the marketplace. This last editor did mention that the story might do well with a holiday or educational hook.

By this time, I had acquired an agent, Ammi-Joan Paquette. She and I decided to add a holiday angle to the story by having the family prepare Thanksgiving dinner instead of an everyday meal. Joan also showed the manuscript to Anne Schwartz of Schwartz & Wade. Anne liked it, thought a Thanksgiving angle would be helpful and asked me to work on it some more.

What rhymes with turkey?

So I dug in again. Only to realize that not much rhymes with turkey. (“Jerky?” “Murky?” “Perky?”) Or with stuffing. Or mashed potatoes. So I put the Thanksgiving words in the middle of the sentences so I could rhyme more common sounds at the end. I pruned. I polished. I pulled out large chunks of hair. But, I persevered.

(By the way, I was going to post a photo with this blog showing me in the throes of revision. But when I revise, I run my fingers through my hair and end up with what my husband calls “edit head.” It is not an attractive sight.)

Joan liked this version, and sent it off to Anne. Anne liked it but shared an email full of further suggestions. So, in response, I varied my rhyme scheme slightly, added a refrain, deleted two stanzas, added a new one and reordered some of the others. The updated version went back to Joan. She had a few more ideas. I incorporated those, and Joan returned it to Anne.

Whew!

By this time, my internal editor and I were afraid we had used up all our chances to get this right. Personally, I was amazed at how much better the manuscript had become from the first time I’d thought it was done. But would Anne agree? Would it be enough?

A few days later, Joan called. Anne liked the manuscript and wanted to acquire it. To paraphrase Ernest Thayer, “There was joy in Mudville.”

But I’m still not done.

Anne wants me to work on it some more. I just got her line edits in the mail today.

And I seriously can’t wait to see how much better my story — and the ultimate book — will be after this next rounds of changes.

Editor’s note: Please welcome Vince, who periodically blogs about cat-related books, back to the site.

So, I’m back. I certainly wasn’t planning on it.

After all, I try not to make a habit of writing book reviews because then the people who feed me come to expect it. And goodness knows part of the mystique of being a cat is never, ever, relinquishing the upper hand.

Nevertheless, it’s a cold, Wisconsin winter. And after I’ve eaten, asked for treats, yowled to have the water turned on in the sink so I can drink that instead of what’s in my dish, taken a nap, raced randomly from room to room and then asked for more food, there isn’t much left to do.

So while I was racing from room to room, I knocked over a stack of books that was too high to begin with and discovered one called Won Ton: A Cat Tale Told in Haiku (Henry Holt and Company, 2011) written by Lee Wardlaw and illustrated by Eugene Yelchin.

It caught my eye immediately because the cat was the only thing shown on the cover. Which is as it should be. Too many books about cats put children on the cover. This one was smart enough to put its star front and center. And look below … he’s nearly as handsome as I am.

This cat lives in a shelter. He has the basic necessities — food and a place to sleep. But he’s missing that certain extra something. You know. Someone to care when he yowls. Someone to cater to his cat-specific demands.

So people come to choose a pet. This cat knows the dogs are no competition. Because, really, a dog? Let’s be serious. He acts like he doesn’t care, but he’s hoping he’ll be chosen. And then … he is.

I don’t talk about it much, but I’ve been in this cat’s collar. I was in a shelter for three whole months before someone picked me. A few well-timed nose nudges from me to the woman who was obviously in charge of the decision sealed the deal. I consider it my best work yet.

This cat does a nice job of not letting his new family think he’s too grateful. He hides under the bed, turns up his nose at the food, scratches their sofa and leaves a present in one of their shoes. But he also puts up with being dressed up for tea, scares off a neighboring cat who surely had ill intentions and quite likes the little boy who chose him.

This book is written in haiku — and very nicely I might add. Here are two of my favorites:

Hel-l000. I’m waiting.
Put down that pesky pencil
and fetch the catnip.

I explained it loud
and clear. What part of “meow”
don’t you understand?

So if you’re looking for a good book about cats to educate yourself or others in you life, I’d give this one my pawprint of approval. The author has three cats she chose from a shelter, so she knows whereof she writes.

To learn more about Lee Wardlaw, the author, visit her website or watch this video interview.

To learn more about Eugene Yelchin, the illustrator, who definitely knows how to draw a cat, visit his website or read this interview.

I read a lot of children’s books.

And thanks to Twitter, my writing friends and the Internet, I have a pretty lengthy list of books that I’ve heard a good buzz about requested through interlibrary loan. And, I’m always happy when I sit down to read one of them.

But, I still love browsing through the children’s section of my local library and discovering a gem of a book I haven’t heard of before.

That’s what happened a few weeks ago when I found Earth to Clunk (Dial Books for Young Readers, 2011) a picture book written by Pam Smallcomb and illustrated by Joe Berger.

It shares the story of a boy whose teacher tells him to write a letter to a pen pal named Clunk who lives on another planet. The boy doesn’t want a pen pal, so along with his letters he sends odd items from Earth that he hopes will scare Clunk away. But Clunk counters with some unlikely objects of his own, and an unusual friendship is formed.

Allow me to gush for just a moment. This book is hilarious. Hil-ar-i-ous. In a very dry, deadpan way. Pam Smallcomb’s text is funny by itself. My favorite line is, “I’m sending Clunk an electric toothbrush, a toilet plunger, and a string of Christmas lights. He will be so confused he’ll never send me another thing.”

But when illustrator Joe Berger adds in a lot of clever details in the artwork, the story just takes off. This is a picture book that merits multiple readings just to pick up on everything that’s going on.

But enough from me. Now, let’s hear from today’s guest reviewer.

——————–

Our reviewer: Sonia

Age: 9.

I like: Snuggling with my cat, playing with my gerbil and making art.

This book was about: Having a pen pal from another planet.

The best part was when: He sent his big sister to Quazar.

I smiled when: The zoid fell in love with his big sister.

I was worried when: He didn’t get a package from Clunk for a while.

I was surprised when: He didn’t want a pen pal at first and was mean to him.

This book taught me: If you ever send your big sister away, she’ll always come back.

My favorite line or phrase in the book is: “I’m sending Clunk my big sister. THAT will teach him to have a pen pal from Earth.”

My favorite picture was: When his sister comes back to earth with a disgusting glob of something on her head.

Three words that describe this book: “Clunk.” “Zoid.” “Forps.”

Other kids reading this book should watch for: All the packages that go back and forth between Quazar and Earth.

You should read this book because: It’s really funny.

——————–

Sonia has a pen pal in London, England whom she just started writing. She says if she had a pen pal on another planet, she’d send these items:

• An apple. “Because I like them.”
• A cat. “But not my cat — another cat — so my pen pal could see how affectionate kitties can be.”
• My big sister. (I guess no explanation is needed here.)

Thanks, Sonia!

If you’d like to learn more about Pam, you can visit her website or read this blog interview.

If you’d like to learn more about Joe, you can visit his website or watch this television interview he did for another book he illustrated.

There are all kinds of families. 

But no matter who they’re made up of or where they’re located, most families have at least one adult who periodically has to go to work and be away from loved ones.

Monday is One Day (Scholastic Press, 2011) by Arthur Levine is a warm, lovely picture book that celebrates a wide variety of family situations.

It walks young readers through a week, counting down the days till mom or dad or grandma or grandpa will be home from work and ready for dedicated family time.

As part of the journey, children see how different families designate various days of the week. (“Wednesday is halfway day.” Or, “Friday is last-tie day.”)

They also see the similarities of all families whether they’re led by one parent or two, are located in a rural or urban setting or consist of grandparents or same-sex parents.

When my daughters were younger, they used to ask me, “How many days until a mommy-daddy day?” Having a book like this would have helped us track the time until we were all together again.

Today’s guest reviewer, Bryanna, has a big family. There’s her mom and dad, her older brother, her younger sister and her younger brother.

Bryanna’s favorite thing to do with her family is go on a picnic. And, her favorite day of the week is Friday, because she likes attending church and having spelling tests.

She was happy to share her take on this book.

——————–

Today’s reviewer: Bryanna.

Age: 8.

I like: To draw, color and paint.

This book was about: The weekends.

The best part was: When it was blue day, and they splashed in the puddles.

I smiled when: I saw how much everyone loved each other.

Three words that describe this book are: “Loving.” “Kind.” “Sweet.”

My favorite line or phrase in the book is: “Each day I count the ways I love to be with you.”

This book taught me: Every day, you should love your family.

My favorite picture was: The one that showed all the families together on the weekend.

——————–

Thanks, Bryanna!

If this book sounds at all intriguing, you absolutely must watch this video of Arthur Levine discussing how his son, Max, inspired the story.

And then, if you’d like to learn more about Arthur, read this interview.

If you’d like to learn more about illustrator Julian Hector, visit his website and then read this interview he did about the book.

So, what’s your favorite day of the week?

There are lots of different ways to be loud.

And Deborah Underwood shares many of them in her picture book The Loud Book (Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2011).

On each page, Underwood lists a different kind of loud. (“Crowded swimming pool loud.” “Burp during quiet time loud.” “Uncle Alexander’s old car loud.”) And, Renata Liwska provides beautiful illustrations of a variety of animals experiencing the noise.

This book is a follow-up to 2010′s The Quiet Book by the same author and illustrator. That book was a New York Times best-seller, so there’s the perfect book for any child in your life, no matter what their natural volume inclination.

Now, let’s turn things over to today’s guest reviewer, Jazzy. She says the loudest thing she’s ever done is scream. But only because her older sisters were teasing her.

Our reviewer: Jazzy.

Age: 7.

Things I like to do: Play with my friends. Color. Paint.

This book was about: Loud things.

The best part was: The page that said “Ant loud.” Because ants were on her apple and she was crying and it was funny.

I smiled when: I saw the page that said “Deafening silence loud.” Because I like cookies.

I was worried when: It was raining and everyone was in the pool.

I was surprised: By the page that said “Garage avalanche loud.” Because avalanches usually have snow.

Three words that best describe this book are: “Loud.” “Crackle.” “Pop.”

My favorite line or phrase in this book is: “Oops loud.” Because they accidentally hit a baseball through a window.

My favorite picture in this book is: When he dropped his lunch tray.

Other kids reading this book should watch for: The Quiet Book that this author also wrote.

You should read this book because: Sometimes you need to be loud. Even if you’re usually quiet. Sometimes, you need to scream out.”

Thanks, Jazzy!

If you’d like to learn more about Deborah Underwood, you can visit her website or read this interview.

If you’d like to learn more about Renata Liwska, you can visit her website.

THIS JUST IN! There are plush animals that go along with The Quiet Book and The Loud Book. They are adorable. See them here!