Pages

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

DragonFest (Part 4)

You didn't think I was done, did you?

Nope. There are always more dragons!  (Even when there aren't any in a specific book, if you get my meaning.)>
No dragons in this, you know.
Today, we are going to look at a couple of my favorite middle grade dragons:

A new favorite!!
I adore this book, THE GIRL WHO DRANK THE MOON by Kelly Barnhill. There is a Perfectly Tiny Dragon named Fyrian who stole my heart. Highly recommend--just an incredibly readable book.! It does not lend itself well to being put down for a moment, though. It really likes it best when you just keep reading it for HOURS and HOURS. The language is lush and gorgeous. (Yes, it made me feel like a hack when I read it, but I couldn't even be angry at it because DRAGON!)

Also, I love this one:
I heart you, Grace Lin
Dragon in WHERE THE MOUNTAIN MEETS THE MOON is one of my favorite middle grade characters of all time. (He is up there with Ivan, in case you were wondering!) He's kind and brave...just the kind of dragon I'd like to meet someday.


So, if you are in the mood for a novel with a dragon sitting right there in the front seat of the story, please take a look at THE GIRL WHO DRANK THE MOON and WHERE THE MOUNTAIN MEETS THE MOON.

(But if you are looking for dragons, don't look in here>
because you won't find one.

hrh


Tuesday, September 13, 2016

DragonFest (Part 3)

Oh, it's not over yet! DragonFest Part 3!!!!

Today is a very special day because THIS BOOK IS NOT ABOUT DRAGONS is finally out in the world.

Here is a picture of some dragons that are not in the book:
yeah, I know, they are upside down and backwards. I meant to do that.
Nope. Not in the book at all. And if they were in the book, they would be going the right way--and they most certainly wouldn't be upside down!

I am so excited that my book is finally here. It's been a long time coming. Big thanks to Fred Koehler for his amazing art, and to Boyds Mills for bringing us together and for never losing faith in a book that absolutely has no dragons.

Happy Birthday!!

I've got events planned for the end of the month to celebrate its arrival. I'll keep you posted. But if you think there are going to be dragons at the book launch, well, there won't be.

Don't even think it! 

hrh

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

DragonFest 2016 (Part 2)

Image result for dear dragon

Today's literary dragon is Blaise from DEAR DRAGON by Josh Funk. 

This is such a great book. As a teacher, I can't wait to read it with my class when we are learning about multiple perspectives and point of view. It's such an creative premise!  Josh Funk must have had a blast writing it. AND today is its Book Birthday!! So you can sing Happy Birthday to it if you want, but be careful when you blow out the candles--don't breathe fire and barbeque the cake. 

hrh



Monday, September 5, 2016

DragonFest 2016 (part 1)

Okay, folks, so we are about a week away from THIS BOOK IS NOT ABOUT DRAGONS entering the world. Yay!!!  (Here is what it looks like in case you forgot):
Image result for this book is not about dragons
Pretty little thing!
 I thought I'd spend a little time celebrating literary dragons with a little thing I like to call DRAGONFEST 2016. Basically I'll be highlighting some of my favorite dragons in books. Sounds like fun, yes?

 Let's start out with a new kid on the block, (and a very terrible dragon, I might add,) the feisty dragon in DRAGON WAS TERRIBLE  by Kelly DiPucchio and illustrated by Greg Pizzoli.  This is such an incredibly fun read aloud. Actually, I dare you to read it aloud to some kids and not totally crack up yourself. Go ahead. Try it now.  I'll wait.

Image result for dragon was terrible
It's the toilet paper part that gets me every time!


So if you are sitting around waiting for THIS BOOK IS NOT ABOUT DRAGONS to come out (which doesn't even HAVE dragons in it, so....) I highly recommend picking up DRAGON WAS TERRIBLE. You'll be glad you did!

(And if you are a teacher of K-2, you will end up reading this aloud about a billion times. Kids LOVE it!)

hrh