LibLaura5: March 2017

Friday, March 31, 2017

Megan McDonald Webcast May 3rd

Be sure to scroll down for details on the FREE webcast with Megan McDonald and enter the giveaway for a Box set of Judy Moody books!

My school considers Megan McDonald an extra special author, and we have been incredibly lucky to have visited with her in person a few times over the years.

Dedication in Judy Moody Predicts the Future-
to the readers at our school
and our previous school librarian

When Judy Moody first came on the scene in her mood--not a good mood, a bad mood--our readers and teachers fell in love with the feisty and imaginative 3rd grader.

Original artwork by Peter H. Reynolds hanging in the Parkview Library

It's been 17 years, and the Judy Moody and Stink series remain staple favorites for our reading community--well loved and well read. Rare!!

Note recently found in Judy Moody book #1

We are so excited to be able to connect with Megan McDonald through Candlewick's free webcast this spring.

Judy Moody Doll by MerryMakers

Connect your students with Megan McDonald this Spring for FREE!

Candlewick Press is hosting a free webcast to schools with author, Megan McDonald.

The webcast will take place at 1 PM EST on May 3^rd, 2017.

Send in questions both in advance and LIVE via Twitter on the day.

Only requirement to participate: high speed internet

STEP 1

Sign up for the webcast here:

REGISTER for a Megan McDonald Virtual Author Event and LIVE Webcast - Rare!!
Candlewick Press Presents An Exclusive LIVE Webcast With Beloved Children's Book Author Megan McDonald Wednesday May 3rd 1p.m. ET Author of the wildly popular Judy Moody series, the Stink books, and The Sisters Club trilogy Winner of the Children's Choice Book Award Sign up now!

(Don't see the sign up form? Click here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfWgJkYLClts-N-W246jqcfBQ2eNSN7oFBjC3yTuLZ-3ydkag/viewform )

STEP 2

Enter to win a box set of Judy Moody books for your webcast event.

Giveaway ends Wednesday April 12, 2017 at 11:59 PM

Visit the Judy Moody Website: www.judymoody.com

Visit Stink's Website: www.stinkmoody.com

Visit Megan McDonald's Website: http://meganmcdonald.net/

Monday, March 20, 2017

5 with Elana K Arnold - Author of A Boy Called BAT

A Boy Called BAT is a tender story about Bixby Alexander Tam, known as Bat, who is determined to be a good caretaker for an orphaned skunk kit.

Today author Elana K. Arnold stopped by to answer my 5 questions.

Enjoy today's interview below and be sure to scroll down to enter the giveaway for a signed copy of A Boy Called BAT.

Welcome, Elana, and thank you for stopping by LibLaura5 to answer my 5 questions!

1. I love BAT because he reminds me of many students I have known through my teaching career. How did his character come to you?

I had dropped my daughter off at rehearsal and was driving to a coffee shop to do some work while I waited for her. It was night, and I was in the turn lane waiting for my light to turn green. And then, a name came to me: Bixby Alexander Tam. In an instant, even before the light turned, I realized that the initials of his name formed a word—BAT—and that this name was perfect for him because I knew that he loved animals, that he had bat-like qualities, and that I loved him.

2. Skunks are …adorable, and fluffy, and also nearsighted and bumblingly slow.

3. What is the most unusual animal you have had for a pet?

We had the great pleasure of being the caretakers of Vegas, Ferret of the World, so called because he was the best ferret to ever, ever live. For ten years, he leapt after yelping children, nipping at their ankles; he wrestled with Sherman, our cockapoo; he slept in my sweater drawer; he stole and hid rubber duckies. He was deaf and rather stinky, yes, and he never did quite work out the intricacies of the litterbox, but he was an Arnold through and through.

4. I was thrilled to discover that A Boy Called BAT is the first in a series. Is there anything you can share about what will be coming in the future?

Yes! I’m excited to share that the second book in the series, BAT AND THE WAITING GAME, will be out next year. Here are a few words about it:

For Bixby Alexander Tam (nicknamed Bat), life is pretty great. He’s the caretaker of the best baby skunk in the world—even Janie, his older sister, is warming up to Thor. When Janie gets a part in the school play and can’t watch Bat after school, it means some pretty big changes. Someone else has to take care of the skunk kit in the afternoons, Janie is having sleepovers with her new friends, and Bat wants everything to go back to normal. He just has to make it to the night of Janie’s performance... Elana K. Arnold returns with another story of friendship starring an unforgettable boy called Bat.

5. Sharing the books we love is one way we share about ourselves and connect with each other. What is one book you loved as a child?

When I was a young reader, I adored Beverly Cleary’s RAMONA books. I couldn’t have clearly explained then why the books were important to me, but now I can see it’s because Cleary allowed the things that are a big deal to young people to feel like a big deal; she didn’t try to talk Ramona (or her readers) out of feeling big, messy feelings. Ramona feels angry and upset and affronted about things that some adults would say weren’t big deals, that the kid should have more perspective or just “get over it.” But Cleary allowed her young heroine to stew in those feelings and work through them on her own terms, something I aim to do with Bat.