Kirkus Reviews' Best Children's Books of 2009!

Joe and Sparky Get New Wheels has been included in Kirkus Reviews' Best Children's Books of 2009! Kirkus describes Joe and Sparky as "part Bert and Ernie and part Thelma and Louise." To see the entire list, go here.

Attention, Little Monsters

You are invited to a spooktacular Halloween event--

Barrington Books' Children's Book Author & Illustrator Celebration!

I'll be signing at Barrington Books in Barrington, RI, this Saturday, October 31st (Halloween), from 10 am - 12 pm. Please stop by and say hello! Enjoy treats and surprises, and meet favorite children's book authors and illustrators. Costumes are encouraged. Hope to see you there!

10:00 am - 12 pm: Jamie Michalak, Anika & Christopher Denise

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm: Kiki Latimer, Bunny Griffeth

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm: R.W. & Zoe Ally, Alison Paul

You'll find Barrington Books at 184 County Road in Barrington, Rhode Island.

Where in the World Are Joe and Sparky?

Jon and Kate Plus Fuse 8 (and Joe and Sparky)

Who do I spy at ALA? Ambassador Scieszka, Kate DiCamillo, Elizabeth Bird . . . and Joe and Sparky! After an eventful road trip to Chicago, Joe and Sparky parked behind Elizabeth Bird's head to observe the hijinks. (You never know where those two will pop up next.)

A Kick in the Pants

It's Day One of NATIONAL PICTURE BOOK WRITING WEEK.  Write 7 Picture Books in 7 Days!

In the spirit of National Novel Writing Month (aka "NaNoWriMo") where people across the country try to write a complete novel in one month, author Paula Yoo has started the first ever National Picture Book Writing Week, affectionately nicknamed "NaPiBoWriWee."

I am so doing this. Are you? See Paula's official news release for more details.

Fruit Hats 1 & 2

Check out what the ladies of America's Next Top Model rocked this week. Yes, that's right. Fruit hats!

This first hat is a marvel. (Where can I get it?) The second one, however, would surely kill someone.  A fruit hat with a leaf covering one eye, high heels, and a stray soccer ball is a catastrophe waiting to happen. Safety first!

Contest Alert

It's TV Turn-Off Week, and Syracuse. com is giving away children's books all week. Today you can enter to win a copy of JOE AND SPARKY GET NEW WHEELS. Click here for details.

Wigging Out

Cece Bell, creator of the Sock Monkey books, is one of the funniest people in town. And I'm not just saying that because I happen to be close personal friends with the A-list Sock Monkey. He's gotten too big to return my calls, but that's okay. Really. (SM? Call me.)

So I sprinted to the bookstore to pick up Cece Bell's BEE-WIGGED and it did not disappoint. It stars Jerry, an enormous bee who has trouble making friends. Until he finds a wig. A life-changing wiglet, to be exact, that makes the world think he's a boy.

Jerry creates a buzz with his kindness and generosity. Find out what happens when his true identity is revealed, and bee prepared to fall down laughing.

Joe and Sparky sighting

Boni Ashburn, author of Hush, Little Dragon, recommends Joe and Sparky Get New Wheels in her list of New and Notable children's books. Wowza. Thank you, Boni Ashburn!

Check out her other picks, especially the "Wicked Humor, Delightfully Dark (just the way I like it)" picture books!

Yes, David . . . I Love You

I've been following Elizabeth Bird's Top 100 Picture Books and the sight of #32, No, David!, warmed my heart. When my son was a rambunctious two-year-old, he paid this story the highest compliment. "Me get in book?" he asked, pointing to a page and lifting a foot as if to step inside.

Unlike other stories he asked me to read a gazillion times, I never tired of this one. First of all, it's short and I was exhausted. (Hey, if you spent every day with the real David, you'd be toast, too.) Second, it's funny. David running down the street without his pants on never gets old.

My rambunctious two-year-old boy is now a sophisticated five. These days he's more interested in nonfiction books about the human body, and our bedtime reading includes Taking Care of My Ears.

But every now and then, he pulls out No, David! and we remember the days when he was little. And at the last page, I still give him a big hug and say, "Yes, Patrick . . . I love you."

Open Letter to a Bunny Cake

You, before you were de-eared

Dear Bunny Cake,

I'm sorry, but today we must part ways.

We've shared some good times, you and I. You were sweet and always there to lend an ear . . . or two. But our relationship has grown unhealthy. We've spent a little too much time together, and you are now half the bunny you used to be.

So long, friend! I'll miss you.

xxoo JM

Hello world!

from JOE AND SPARKY GET NEW WHEELS; illustration copyright 2009 by Frank Remkiewicz

Joe and Sparky Get New Wheels hits stores this month!