A Plea- A Rant- A Rally Cry - A Call to Action

I've tried over the past year to remove a lot of personal opinion from my blog. -Keepin' it just about the art. All "professional" don't ya know?! But lately - I've been a bit thrown by confounding experiences of the literary kind.

Conversations and interactions with adults and children who seem to view reading as a pastime of the - past. Parents who either sadly express that their kids don't want to read or others who brush it off as a time hassle amongst too many other activities.

We all want kids who exercise- wrestling- Taekwondo- dancing- softball- swimming - baseball - soccer - are all great. But what about exercising the brain? The imagination- if neglected, atrophies. Flex it. Stretch it. Grow it. Imaginations that flourish can turn kids into one day scientists, inventors, explorers, doctors, teachers, artists, writers, builders... creative thinkers. creativity is applicable to every single walk of life. Kids don't get the time in the school day to be creative these days... it has to be built in to home life.

Our elementary school has a 20 min a night obligatory reading rule until the 5th grade. I believe that at 5th grade- the habit is understood to be ingrained- so it will continue without obligation. The ending of that rule is not to say- "Hey, great news! You don't have to read anymore!" It's not relief they should feel- they should just keep reading.

On top of these interesting new insights .. I've had conversations with the school librarian- my daughter's best friend- and other Moms that have revealed a wide spread reading of the "Twilight" series by 4th and 5th grade girls. So- your daughters have not read Laura Ingalls Wilder's "Little House" series- but they are jumping to read about a lusty teenage vampire who has a dysfunctional hormone swollen relationship with a girl that eventually leads to sex and death and the girl giving up every single molecule of herself to be with a boy?(yes-I have read them.) The school librarian- much to her credit will not have the books in the elementary school library. That leaves it up to the parents. There's time for these books- later. When they are emotionally mature enough to think about the issues raised in the Twilight Series. Not at 9 when unicorns and wizards on the page are as real to them as a freaky vampire boyfriend can be. At 9 - words on the page etch into the brain.

At 9!!! At 9 - 13 the books kids read are the books that will be their favorites. The books they will love. The books that will be their escapes from puberty and cliques and pressures and family stress. At 9-13, the imagination thrives!! If you feed it, it can lead to the creation of who they will be as adults.

Between 9 and 13, I read some of my all time favorite books. My Mom hung a hammock in the backyard in the summer and handed me a stack of books saying "Here- you're gonna love these". That's what it takes- some time - a pitcher of lemonade - a parent suggesting, making an effort, showing interest- handing the book to the kid.

Some of the Books I read between 9 -13:

1. A Wrinkle in Time

2. The Lion , the witch and the Wardrobe

3. From the From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

4. Little Women

5. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

6. SO many Nancy Drew books

7. Jane Eyre

8. David Copperfield

9. The Last Unicorn

10. Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn

11. All Judy Blume books(has there been any other author that deals w/ puberty better?-I don't think so)

12. Tolkien (my older brother LOVED these)

13. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass (my favorite book of all time)

How do you get your kids to read???

I think it's part of my job as a parent to seek and find great books for her to read. It is not hard to do. Walk up to the library counter - the librarian will be so happy when you ask her for recommendations. Go to the book store armed with your kids interests- tune in to what your kid likes. Is it music? Is it horses? Is it mystery? Is it sports? - Find the book with the hook. Hook 'em. It's a domino effect. The Scholastic book club Flier is for you to look at too. Blurbs about each book- right there for you to read and the books are discounted so much.

I have Frankie- my neighborhood boy who does not love to read. I buy him comics and young graphic novels. He gets a bag of them for his birthday - and his parents tell me- before they toys get played with- the books are all read. I know he loves science- I know he loves action. Franklin Richards- son of the Fantastic Four- boom. BIG HIT.

Comics are a gateway book. There is nothing wrong with comics- you peruse them first. You decide which are appropriate or not. My daughter loves comics and that doesn't stop her from picking up 500 page novels.

Turn off the TV. (I am not a TV hater. My kid watches TV. But I decide when- or she asks.) So turn it off and turn ON the imagination with a book. TV is the reward in my house. Is everything else done?- Sure. Watch away. A dvr is an awesome tool. Save up their favorite programs- so they can watch them when they have the time. If a kid has a book that he/she is really into- they won't put it down. "TV- what TV?" ".. shhh.. Mom, I'm reading".

I recently read a book about life on an Indian Reservation - opened my eyes and mind up to another life experience so drastically different then my own- but in that book.. I connected to a 14 year old kid. From age 29 - 37 , I got to go to Hogwart's School Of Witchcraft and Wizardry. 2 years ago - I was in the Napoleonic Era- and every few years I visit Pemberly w/ my friend Jane Austen. My love of reading probably began with Peter Rabbit, Winnie the Pooh, Richard Scary and Curious George- but it took hold between 9 and 13. Seize those years parents... cause after that... the kids want to choose for themselves, as they should.

I hope this wasn't too preachy. I know, from personal experience- life is hectic and crazy. Being a parent is a constant race from place to place while juggling all of life's flaming swords. Reading slows that pace down. Give that gift to yourself and to your children.- Kelly

Ps- The List I sent to the school librarian of elementary -school appropriate graphic novels:

Our Author/Illustrator Visit in March - Woo Hoo!

Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute (Paperback)

~ Jarrett J. Krosoczka (Author) - New Serie

Oddly Normal, Vol. 1 (Paperback)

~ Otis Frampton (Auth We just got these- Maggie likes the first one a lot.

Babymouse #1: Queen of the World! (Paperback)

~ Jennifer Holm (Author), Matthew Holm (Illustrator)

There are 12 books in this series. Maggie has 10- likes them a lot.

The Whole World's Crazy (Amelia Rules) (Paperback)

~ Jimmy Gownley (Author, Illustrator)

We have a few of these. Good- deals with divorce


~ Kazu Kibuishi (Author) this hasn't come out yet- but looks good.

We have these- 2 Amulet Books - fantasy adventure. Death of one parent- on level of Harry Potter

Ellie McDoodle: New Kid in School (Hardcover)~ Ruth McNally Barshaw (Author, Illustrator)

Maggie has these- a girl's diary/journal- the flip side of Wimpy Kid- Resourceful girl

Sound Off! #1 (DANIEL BOOM AKA LOUD BOY) (Paperback)

~ D.J. Steinberg (Author), Brian Smith (Illustrator)

Have bought this for boys as gift

Knights Of The Lunch Table (Paperback)

~ Frank Cammuso (Author)

Graphic Classics:series of classic books.

I have given these as gifts to boys. I think Boys connect with comic books so easily- reluctant readers will read these and then pick up a real version of the book later.

Below is a list I made over a year ago- some titles may still be in print. I don't own all of these- so can't say if they are all good.

2. The Sandwalk Adventures: An Adventure in Evolution Told in Five Chapters by Jay Hosler $13.60 Used & New from: $12.91

3. Clan Apis by Jay Hosler $10.80 Used & New from: $7.99

4. Little Lit Three-Book Collection (Strange Stories for Strange Kids; Folklore and Fairytale Funnies; It Was a Dark and Silly Night) by Art Spiegelman Click for more info Create your own Listmania! with this product

 - a little mature humor- 5th grade. fart humor- name calling - won lots of awards

5. American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang $14.96 Used & New from: $10.00

 - Wordless- Gorgeous book

7. The Plain Janes (Minx) by Cecil Castellucci $9.99 Used & New from: $1.49

8. Kampung Boy by Lat $13.46 Used & New from: $1.28

9. Bone: The Complete Cartoon Epic in One Volume (Vol 1) by Jeff Smith The list author says: "I read these years ago, in the 90's. Walt Kelly meets Miyazaki. Great." $26.37 Used & New from: $14.50

10. Sundiata: A Legend of Africa by Will Eisner Used & New from: $10.00

11. The Courageous Princess by Rod Espinosa $10.17 Used & New from: $3.56

 - Maggie has this loves it- good for 2-3rd graders

12. Peanutbutter & Jeremy's Best Book Ever by James Kochalka Used & New from: $16.11

13. Courtney Crumrin, Vol. 1: Courtney Crumrin & The Night Things (Courtney Crumrin (Graphic Novels)) by Ted Naifeh $9.56 Used & New from: $2.99

14. Spiral-Bound by Aaron Renier $10.17 Used & New from: $0.18

 -

15. The Way Home & The Bittersweet Summer (Owly (Graphic Novels)) (v. 1) by Andy Runton $8.00 Used & New from: $0.73

More in this series- great for 2-3rd graders

16. Scary Godmother: Wild About Harry by Jill Thompson Used & New from: $25.86

17. Alison Dare, Little Miss Adventures by J. Bone Used & New from: $2.00

More in this series- maggie liked this a lot- girl Indiana Jones-ish

18. Little Gloomy, Vol. 1 (Little Gloomy Volume 1) (v. 1) by Landry Walker Used & New from: $4.98

20. Open Me...I'm a Dog by Art Spiegelman $11.55 Used & New from: $0.01

21. Emily and the Intergalactic Lemonade Stand by Ian Smith Used & New from: $16.55

22. Fashion Kitty (Bccb Blue Ribbon Fiction Books (Awards)) by Charise Mericle Harper $6.99 Used & New from: $0.95

Maggie has this- Ok -not great

23. Gray Horses by Hope Larson $11.66 Used & New from: $5.72

24. Four Pictures by Emily Carr by Nicolas Debon

25. Adventures in the Ice Age (Good Times Travel Agency) by Linda Bailey $8.95 Used & New from: $3.16

26. The Red Book (Caldecott Honor Book) by Barbara Lehman $9.32 Used & New from: $5.69

27. The Silver Pony: A Story in Pictures by Lynd Ward $7.95 Used & New from: $2.21

28. Southpaw by Scott Morse Used & New from: $4.99

29. Grosse Adventures, The Volume 1: The Good, The Bad & The Gassy (Grosse Adventures (Graphic Novels)) (v. 1) by Annie Auerbach $4.99 Used & New from: $0.01

30. Agent Boo Volume 1 (Agent Boo (Graphic Novels)) (v. 1) by Alex De Campi $4.99 Used & New from: $0.01

31. The Alien From Outer Space: A Graphic Novel Adventure (Mercer Mayer's Critter Kids Adventures) by Erica Farber

32. Akiko and the Great Wall of Trudd by Mark Crilley

33. Graphic Classics: H. P. Lovecraft Volume 4 2002 (Graphic Classics) by H. P. Lovecraft Used & New from: $3.71

34. W.I.T.C.H.: The Magic of Friendship (Books 1-4) by Elizabeth Lenhard $10.39 Used & New from: $3.79

37. Lil Bird Keeps His Word by Daniel Rossi $2.95

38. To Dance: A Ballerina's Graphic Novel by Siena Cherson Siegel

Lunch Bag Monday

Xmas cards for everyone!!!

Off to the printer with these! Let's all take a deep breath- huh-huh-huh- siggggghhhhhhh... I will shortly be HOLIDAZED. So- before I forget- Have a great, wonderful, happy, warm, loving holiday season!!!!!


I'm wondering if my almost 10 year old stills believes... she hasn't written a letter to Santa yet this year. I'm ready as always with great moments in animation words of wisdom:


"I believe in Santa Claus, But, there was a time I thought I had grown too old for such a childish rhyme. He became a dream to me till one Christmas night. Someone stood beside my bed with a beard of white, "So you're too old for Santa Claus"? He said with a smile. Then you're too old for all the things That make a life worth while. For what is happiness but dreams and do they all come true? Look at me and tell me, son What is real to you? Just believe in Santa Claus like you believe in love. Just believe in Santa Claus and everything he does. Wipe that question from your mind. Yes, he does exist! Just like love. You knows he's there waiting to be missed. Just like love I know he's there waiting to be be missed" - The year Without a Santa Claus-Rankin Bass

Lunch Bag Monday

There's been lots of cat drawings in my life these past 10 years... 9 out of 10 lunch bags are of cats.

Give Thanks- Give Back- Give Art -Buy Art - Help Kids

I am really Thankful to be taking part in this art auction to benefit The Loma Linda University's Children's Hospital. I posted on Facebook that I wanted to donate some art. Thanks to Pascal Campion- for sending me the submission info!

If you are in the area of Loma Linda, CA - Rancho Cucamonga (best name ever) -or can make a short drive from Los Angeles - please go to the opening! Chris Ayers will speak- his book The Daily Zoo is a master class in drawing. There is a blog for the show and here is the hospital schedule too. The great blog Lines and Colors has a feature on it.

I wish I could go- I can not say how much I wish I could go! To see my art hang with Glen Keane, Peter De Seve, Stephen Silver and so many talented artists (Pascal-my own daily dose of inspiration). It would be great to meet so many artists whose blogs I have followed. Alas- Long Island is a tad bit too far from Loma Linda. But I know it will be an AMAZING evening and all of this wonderful art can do so much good. So get out there and take home a treasure and give a little to help the kids. It's also a Toy drive!-so bring a new unwrapped toy if you can! Thanks to Thomas Brillante for putting this together!

I will have 2 prints for auction.

First ever sketch card

Sketch card exchange in my crit group- I broke out the dusty watercolors... and doodled. Hope she likes it!

Lunch Bag Monday

Everyday- I scribble something onto my daughter's lunch bag. This was one of her fave's - she used it a lot- that's why it's so wrinkled. The best ones- rip and fall apart!!:)

Holiday promo

figuring out color


refined chicken scratch




Working on a holiday quicker picker-upper postcard. First step- chicken scratch.

Xmas music before Thanksgiving!!? - How could I!?? We have a rule here in the Light house - no Christmas music before Thanksgiving. Because I tend to sing it all year long- and play it continuously from Thanksgiving to Xmas: I need to cut my poor jewish husband some slack.

But I need a little Christmas- right this very minute! Not just to do this drawing- but it's comforting- and happy. And these days- we need more of that. I try not to watch the news- I listen to NPR instead. But it seeps in doesn't it? Phone calls from school about a near abduction of 3 girls in our town - swine flu - no flu shots - the war - the political fiascos....

It all makes me want to have cocoa- wear feetie pajamas and listen to Nat King Cole sing about chestnuts and Yuletide carols..

I don't want your Black Fridays and your door busting deals. No more deluge of catalogs breaking my mailbox- they go straight into recycling! You can keep the insanity away for me this Christmas - Santa. No big expensive pile of stuff under that tree. I want to lie down under a silver tree with a color wheel spinning and dream .

Swim Season

Swim team season is underway! - At least 7 hours a week- my 9 7/8's year old- is at the pool-swimming better than I can believe. so- I volunteered to do a tshirt design. the current one- is a weird top of person's head in swim cap/goggles . They're the Stingrays- that should be on the shirt right? So first sketch- sent off. It's not a masterpiece- but- it's a quickie- back to work now.

Doodle of the day

November books that knock me out!

This week- I took the young'un- maybe not so young'un to the bookstore. Almost 10... we're crossing a line and she's going to the favorite series aisles.. and I'm looking up at the picture book wall saying- "C'mon- just come look..with me..." So 2 eyerolls later - she's perusing some picture books with me.

I went to the store knowing I wanted to buy Peter de Seve's Duchess of Whimsy. (Philomel publisher) Having done a dance of joy when he started a blog not too long ago; I was eagerly anticipating this book. Commenting on his art seems silly- It's like saying "Oh I love that Da Vinci!" - It's just a given. The art - all of his art - is drool inducing. My hand longs to do what his does.. tracing the curves and swirls of his brown lines under radiant watercolor... ..gagahggghghhhggg- oops sorry drooled there. The story! Written by his wife Randall de Seve- is charming. She created wonderful personalities for him to riff on. Just loopy enough to allow for a lot of fun. Big endorsement here- I would buy anything he does- but this did not disappoint at all!



Everyday - either on blogger or on facebook- I look at this guy's work. Everyday. It's better than Prozac -it is spirit lifting- and game lifting. It has "Joie de Vivre!"- And I can say that cause he's french! -He's an animator- a colorist- and a storyteller and when I saw this book- one look at the monkey and I said PASCAL! Then I saw it was They Might be Giants and snatched it off the wall faster then you can say Istanbul and Constantinople! "Kids Go!" (Simon and Schuster) TMBG and Pascal Campion are a match made in heaven. The book bursts w/ the infectious energy it is trying to well- infect kids with!- The art is alive! It's Alive! Get off the couch and GO!... buy the book!!!!

IF "Skinny"

Illustration Friday- "Skinny"

I did not do a sketch first- and that explains how messy this is- but it was fast and fun to doodle- w/ no lines. So unlike me. LIKE ME- on the other hand - is the image.

When you don't look like what is expected- BE unexpected.

I danced for 8 yrs. as a girl. I had girls tease me cause I was never SKINNY. - I just danced to my own tune- and moved on.

IF "Fast"

A fast drawing of a faster than expected experience. One minute you have a 21 " long baby- next minute that baby is towering over you. Step stools become necessary when asking "Did you do your homework?" "Did you clean your room?" "Did you feed the dog!?" - Like I know anything about this- personally? ... hmmmmmmmm.... could be.

IF Frozen

Saved from being Frozen. Quickly done this morning- a doodle cause I haven't done Illustration Friday in a long time. I had doodled these 2 yesterday.

doodle of the day

Mummy-A-GO-GO!

Vamp-A-G0-GO!

Ghoul-A-Go-Go

cleaned up sketches.. now thinking about the colors



I doodled these on the plane down to Hilton Head this past weekend. Some art for fun needs to be done!- These will be 2.5 by 3.5" like the fashion cards.

finished sketch- on to color

ET VOILA!







Color study - found some 1950's interior paint chips to work off of.

Sketch O' the Day

This is how they all start- scribbly.

Then I decided to be draw over it in Photoshop.

Happy Birthday To-mie! Happy Birthday To-mie!

I was asked to contribute to a new blog honoring Tomie dePaola for his 75th birthday AND for his life long gift to all of us- his books.

I first saw Mr.dePaola 2 years ago @ the NYC SCBWI winter conference. Altho, I haven't met him- he's been popping up in my life over and over again. I asked my mother if we had any of his books growing up. She knew of him instantly - remembering reading them to us. Off I went to order a few online and immerse myself in his world.

Here's a few things I've learned from studying 3 of his books and drawing his characters.

1. Simple is deceiving. If art looks simply done- simply colored- don't assume it's easy. When it is done well- or really well- like Pancakes for Breakfast; It's actually harder to do. Every element stands out- and you have to be a really great designer to do less. Ya know the whole less is more thing- one of these days I'll get it.
2. I know why my mother liked the books. Now that I've read them as a mother; and not a Snoopy crazed child. You want children to have books that are like warm hugs. Tomie's are.
3. You can learn a lot from drawing other people's characters. -I did know this from the years in cartoon licensing but never applied it to illustration. Like all of the artists parked in front of master paintings at the Met - I may just park myself in front of Tomie's this weekend at the Carle.

Go Check it out and Happy B'day Mr. dePaola!

Three Kisses for Tomie

Doodle of the day

Ally Poe : favorite niece of Edgar Allan. Pet Raven: Sir Neville Moore

Been in a gloom all day. Finally sat down to draw and goth came out. Luv a good doodle- don't you? -There may be a story w/ these two.... quote the raven "Get back to work Kelly!"

August Book Reviews- just under the wire

YAC PACK!

I came back from Los Angeles so enamored with Dan Yaccarino and Sherman Alexie. I did read "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian " last week and really loved it. The main character's use of cartooning to cope with his feelings- it hit so close to home. Fabulous book- saving it for Mags when she's a little older.

Dan Yaccarino's aesthetic - well it rocks. It's retro and contemporary - it's simple and elegant and really juicy. Only an artist with a maniacally advanced brain could design this well. His colors are bold- and his shapes so well defined- so well designed.. Oh I miss Oswald the octopus. We used to watch that show everyday when Mags was a baby- it was my favorite. I can still sing the ice cream song and the hear Henry say "2 Marshmallows- no more- no less."

It's a Yaccarino 2-pack this month.

"Go-Go America!" -Scholastic

My 9 year old poured over this book. It's thick - 78 pages long! and the pages are numbered as if to say "HA!""I am Dan Yaccarino and I laugh at 32 pages!" The book is chock full of knowledge and fun facts about this crazy country. Giant balls of twine to State birds. It's for the geography starved children of today! - It's a great gift book too. Back to school gift hmmm??? I LOVE to see picture books for older kids. I can't SCREAM it loud enough- older kids still crave the visual!-Don't turn it off as soon as The Magic Tree-house hits- keep the picture books around til they put them away.

"The Fantastic Undersea Life of Jacques Cousteau" - Alfred A. Knopf

I used to watch Jaques Cousteau laying down- head in hands staring up at the TV on the brown cart in the living room. He was a small- elegant man who exposed the world to the wonders of the sea and the importance of maintaining it's life and beauty.

This book is like the man. Spare - elegant - wondrous. So stunning. It let me teach my kid about someone who came long before there was Animal Planet - when our window into the wild world was only open by a few brave, courageous, passionate adventurers. I imagine Cousteau's son and his foundation must love this gorgeous tribute to Jaques Cousteau. - Dan - is the man.

My guest book reviewer is holding out on me. Maybe next month - K

Social media fixes for the not so social artist

My Agent Mark McVeigh has 2 cats- Monty and Ellen. I imagine they make great assistants with the deluge of manuscripts and phone calls that must arrive daily. You can follow the goings on of The McVeigh Agency here.


Blogs and Facebook and Twitter - can be a distraction from the work at hand. But- they have really helped wipe away the feelings of isolation that myself and many illustrators/authors used to feel. I have my go- to blogs and my "friends" and "followers" - to inform me- teach me- make me laugh.
As the social media world has expanded - it's crossed over from just social networking to career related networking. I've been feeling this transformation when posting on my facebook page. Do I post about my life as a Mom?-a wife?- Do I really need to let my agent know I hate to cook dinner or how excited I am for Beatles Rock Band? The flip side - my chatting about art- and tweeting about my pursuit of publication has to fit between my sharing of friend's stories and how did we deal with
potty training or first crushes. It's a wide straddle between the two worlds. Some choose to keep the two separate, having a professional account and a personal one. I am inclined to let it all hang out. Mindful that I should think twice - before I post; I'll let everyone know All of me.

The Summer Reading List of a 9 year old book junkie

Mags could be found at any moment- nose in book this summer. By the pool- nose in book. In the car- nose in book. On a plane- on a beach - in the bathroom - and also walking into things- nose in a book. At nine- she'll still pick up a picture book if I recommend it and will tell me if she LOVES it- or not. We also enjoy our trips to Grashopper comics here in Long Island - and I encourage all reading- Archie Andrews is as big a deal as Harry Potter around here.

Maybe this list will be helpful - it's a little heavy on horse and cat books, but I marvel at the diversity.

Mags' Summer Book List

1. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix- JK Rowling
2. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
3. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
4. Just So Stories- Rudyard Kipling
5. A Pony to the Rescue - Louis Szyemenashki
6. A Pony Promise
7. A Perfect Pony
8. Ellie McDoodle -new kid at school- Ruth McNally Barshaw
9. Cat Magic- Holly Webb
10. Amazing Horse Facts & Trivia- Gary Mullen (NF)
11. The Westing Game - Ellen Raskin
12. The Flight Anthology vol1 (GN)
13. " vol2 (GN)
14. " vol3 (GN)
15. All Kinds of Familes - Maryann Hoberman (PB)
16. Psst! - Adam Rex (PB)
17. Black Beauty - Anna Sewell
18. The Days are just packed- a calvin and hobbes collection- Bill Watterson
19. Ocean Dictionary- Clint twist (NF)
20. Kingdom of the Sun - Jaqueline Mitton (NF)
21. White Fang- Jack London (classics illustrated)
22. The Disappearing Dessert kittens - Ben M. Baglio
23. The Voyages of Dr. Dolittle -Hugh Lofting
24. The Black Stallion - Walter Farley
25. Sword Bird- Nancy Yi Fan
26. Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute - Jarrett Krosoczka (GN)
27. Lunch lady and the League of Librarians -" (GN)
28. Cat (eyewitness books) - Julliette Cluttlon Brock (NF)
29. Tiger - (natural world books) - Valmik Thapar (NF)
30. Wild Cats -(animal watch books) Bernard Stonehouse (NF)
31. The Dunderheads- Paul Fleischman (PB)
32. Little Nemo in Slumberland - vol 1 - Winsor McKay
33. Peanut butter and jeremy's best Book Ever- James Kochalka (GN)
34. The Adventures of Little Archie vol #1 - (Comic)
35. Let's Do Nothing- Tony Fucile- (PB)
36. Peasant Pig and the terrible Dragon- Richard Scary (PB)
37. Chicken Dance- Tammi Sauer- (PB)
38. Go Go America - Dan Yaccarino- (PB)
39. Jaques Cousteau- Dan Yaccarino- (PB)
40. Bobby vs. Girls- Lisa Yee
41. Always a lot of heinies at the Zoo- Ayun Halladay -(PB)
42. A Couple of Boys Have the Best week ever- Marla Frazee (PB)

Ps- We completely ignored the summer reading list sent home from school- I'm ready to go to bat for my kid- who is a really motivated reader - the list was a little below her level- I wanted her to go where she wanted to with her reading. So - hopefully the reading teacher will be cool with it.

She has a stack of books she wants to read in her last 1 1/2 weeks before school- she'll get to them- I'm actually telling her to take a break from books and swim more - but thanking my lucky stars that I have to say that!

On Deck:
Percy Jackson Series
Alvin Ho! -books
The Tiger Rising- Kate Dicamillo
The Time Travelers - Linda buckley Archer
So you want to be a wizard - Diane Duane

and she's counting the days until - The Wyrm King- the final Spiderwick Chronicles Book- Holly Black and T. Diterlizzi

I've asked her to be a guest book reviewer here on the blog- she said only if I create some kind of logo for her- so we're in negotiations!