It is here! It is here!

The return of the unlikely duo that Kirkus describes as "part Bert and Ernie and part Thelma and Louise!"

The second Joe and Sparky early reader, JOE AND SPARKY, SUPERSTARS!, is out today!

Here's an excerpt from the first review--a star from Kirkus!

★ "This little treasure is one that will get passed around. Like the Hokey Pokey, that's what it is all about." —Kirkus, starred review

Order a copy from your independent bookstore:

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.