Yellowy Wonder

I thought I'd share a few things related to Bookie Woogie that happened even while Bookie Woogie wasn't happening.  In fact, I've got three, count 'em three, cool things to share...

THING ONE:
What's more fun than getting fan art?  How about getting fan art OF your fan art!

You may remember our review of a great book called "Oh No!"  In the story, a giant menacing robot is ultimately defeated by a super-sized frog... a frog that is then seemingly left unchecked to wreak his own havoc.  Well, Isaac decided to design a second robot, a new robot, to go after the frog:


The book's illustrator, Dan Santat, enjoyed Isaac's image so much, that he drew up his own version of Isaac's design!


He shipped the picture to us, and - unbeknownst to Dan - it happened to arrive here the morning of Isaac's birthday!  It's now framed and proudly displayed on Isaac's wall.

Thanks, Dan!


THING TWO:
You know of superstar kidlit blogger Tara Lazar, yes?  If not, go check out her fantastic 30 day "Picture Book Idea Month" Challenge (going on this very moment!)  Tara's debut picture book "The Monstore" is in production, set for a 2013 release.  Yea!

Tara and I were exchanging emails a little while ago, and she shared this cool bit of information:

"One of the main characters in THE MONSTORE is named Gracie, like your daughter.  I have to say it was the first name that popped into my head and I think it did because of reading Bookie Woogie.  So, in a way, that character was named after her."

Cool beans!  And congrats on "The Monstore," Tara!


THING THREE:
You may remember our review of the first two books in the "Lunch Lady" graphic novel series by Jarrett Krosoczka.  In the review, Gracie had this to say: "It's an action-packed book of yellowy wonder."

The books have been quite successful - in fact, the 5th book in the series, "Lunch Lady and the Bake Sale Bandit," is already set for a December 2010 release.  Well, look who's got a blurb displayed on the back of book #5:



Congrats on a great series, Jarrett!