Synopses & Reviews
The publisher and author of
Under a Pig Tree seem to be having communication issues. The author has written a clear, no-nonsense history of
figs. But the publisher is sure she meant
pigs. After all, whatandrsquo;s the difference between two measly letters? What results is a hilarious illustrated history of pigs, from the earliest times (andldquo;Pigs were presented as andlsquo;medalsandrsquo; to the winners of the first Olympicsandrdquo;) to the present day (andldquo;There is nothing better than enjoying a cup of tea or glass of milk with one of those famous Pig Newtonsandrdquo;). The author, needless to say, is not happy about this andldquo;little mix-upandrdquo; and makes her feelings very clearly knownandmdash;by scrawling all over the book!
With sticky notes from the publisher, angry scribbles from the author, wrinkles, and pages askew, Under a Pig Tree is a playful peek into a book in andldquo;midproductionandrdquo; and a humorous look at the consequences of small mistakes, by industry pro Margie Palatini and up-and-coming talent Chuck Groenink.
Review
"This irrepressible read-aloud will have the audience shouting directions at the poor hapless Prince." -
KirkusReview
"A Southern-fried P. G. Wodehouse . . . Enormous fun, and arguably the author's best since the sublime
Modern Baptists."
-Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Appealing, generous, energetic . . . Wilcox has a Dickensian knack for animating minor characters and an eye for the telling detail."
-The New York Times Book Review
"Wilcox writes about the South I know: the complicated, intelligent, educated, integrated, contemporary South. . . .He is sexy and passionate and messy."
-Patricia Clarkson, O: The Oprah Magazine
Review
"A fractured fairy tale to outcharm the original, “The Three Ninja Pigs” manages to one-up the well-worn story by setting it in Japan, sprinkling it with the language and discipline of martial arts. All in hilarious, impeccable rhyme."
Review
"For young martial arts fans seeking a lighthearted book about their hobby, Schwartz’s story should fit the bill. . . . The idea of three gi-clad pigs fighting the big bad wolf is a winner."
Review
"A standout among fractured fairy tales, masterfully combining rollicking limerick verse with a solid story. . . . Have the contact info for the local dojo handy--readers will want to try out these martial-arts styles for themselves."
Review
"This standout version has so much motion, action, and laughs, kids will feel like theyre hearing it for the first time. Schwartzs clever rhyming text flows nicely, and illustrator Santat (who holds a black belt in
shotokan) really gets into things." --
BooklistReview
"Filled with puns and lively wordplay, the rhyming plays off traditional plot elements, and readers familiar with the original will enjoy making comparisons." --School Library Journal
Review
"The creators of Falling for Rapunzel offer another creatively warped version of a familiar tale, again pairing chipper rhymed couplets with dynamic mixed-media art. . . . A surprise ending will leave readers thoroughly roused." --Publishers Weekly
Review
"The zippy narrative features punchy dialogue and witty interactions; creative wordplay abounds ("Let's bawk and roll!"). Droll delivery soars high, advancing the story line to its playful conclusion. Santat's rich ink-and-acrylic designs provide a humorous context through animated expressions . . . Utilizing shadow and depth, warm colors provide the backgrounds for the energetic antics. Fly the coop to enjoy this hilarious adventure."
and#8212;Kirkus Reviewsand#160;and#160;"With snappy banter...and tightly constructed storytelling, Sauer (
Cowboy Camp) pulls off the neat trick of both embracing and spoofing the against-all-odds genre. Totally in sync with his collaborator, Santat's . . . sculptural, mixed media pictures exude an old-fashioned, theatrical drama that lifts the many jokesand#8212;visual and textualand#8212;into sublime silliness."
and#8212;Publishers Weeklyand#160;and#160;
Review
“Schwartz and Santat deliver a powerful karate chop of a picture book. . . As silly a trip to grandmas house as there ever was.” —Kirkus Reviews
“This action-packed fractured fairy tale is sure to excite young readers. . . . Children will gravitate to the rhyming text and exciting illustrations. . . . A fun read-aloud, but also great for independent reading.” —School Library Journal
“Schwartzs comic verse scans beautifully, tripping through the (bamboo) forest to grandmas house with vigor and attitude. Santats artwork . . . divides the action into diagonal panels, maximizing the roundhouse impact.” —Booklist
Review
andquot;Itandrsquo;s a prime choice for foodie families.andquot;
Review
andquot;Kiddos will go hog-wild for this farcical romp.andquot;
Review
andquot;The conceit is humorous...The illustrations are charming...andquot;
Synopsis
Practice makes perfect in this kick-butt fractured fairy tale
When the big bad wolf threatens their village, three pigs sign up for different martial arts lessons to prepare to take him down. Pig One and Pig Two don't stick with their training, though, and are no match for their foe. But after practice and dedication, Pig Three becomes great at karate (including perfecting the perfect pork chop!) and saves the day.
Corey Rosen Schwartz serves up a fun combination of smart-aleck dialogue and tongue-in-cheek rhymes that'll have kids howling, and rising star Dan Santat's spunky illustrations are sure to pack a punch!
Synopsis
A spoof on the three little pigs story, this time told from the wolf's point of view. Lane Smith also illustrated Hallowe'en ABC which was one of The New York Times Best Illustrated Books of the Year.
Synopsis
When Prince Charming finds Sleeping Beauty and her fairies, he doesn't know what to do. The fairies try to tell him, but he keeps interrupting with crazy ideas of his own such as shouting, jumping on her bed, and pouring water on her. Of course none of those work, and he is mortified when he finally hears what he has to do!
A hilarious twist on the fairy tale Sleeping Beauty, this is a companion to the hit Falling for Rapunzel.
Synopsis
The prince is hoping to fall for Rapunzel, but since she can't quite hear what he asks for, everything but her hair gets tossed out her window. Instead of her curly locks, she throws her dirty socks. Instead of silky tresses, out go lacey dresses. And you can predict the guaranteed-to-crack-kids-up clothing she sends down when the prince simply says hair. . . .
Finally Rapunzel heaves out something that makes all the prince's dreams come true, showing how misunderstandings can lead to happily-ever-after.
Hilarious text, clever page-turns, and vibrant, eclectic art make this a non-traditional Rapunzel kids will want to read about again and again.
Synopsis
Everyone knows Sleeping Beauty has to be woken with a kiss, except Prince Charming. Every time the fairies watching over her try to tell him, he interrupts with his ideas of how to wake her. Eventually he gets the message, and his reaction is priceless: ?One hundred years of morning breath Wow! That could be the kiss of
death!?
With just as much interactive fun as Falling for Rapunzel (an IRA Notable Book and the winner of Maryland?s Black-Eyed Susan Picture Book Award), this fractured fairy tale will elicit laughter that no one will be able to sleep through.
Synopsis
An astute and comical dissection of the culture wars-by the author of the much-loved Modern Baptists For More Than twenty years, James Wilcox has been cherished by reviewers and readers alike as one of the most talented American humorists. Since his classic Modern Baptists (picked by Harold Bloom as one of the few contemporary novels in his Western Canon), Wilcox has been charting the intricate spiritual topography of the South with inimitable wit and empathy. His "real comic genius" (Anne Tyler, The New York Times Book Review) has never been so brilliantly deployed as in this hilarious look at the peculiarly American cultural divisions of our times.
Synopsis
A spoof on the three little pigs story, this time told from the wolf's point of view. Lane Smith also illustrated Hallowe'en ABC which was one of The New York Times Best Illustrated Books of the Year.
Synopsis
"The course of true love never did run smooth." --William Shakespeare
When the prince spies Rapunzel high in her tower, he's convinced she is the girl of his dreams. Of course he thinks he can save her the traditional way, but this is no traditional Rapunzel.
She throws down everything but what the princ asks for--including a surprise that makes all his dreams come true.
A hilarious fractured fairy tale with clever page-turns and vibrant, eclectic art that is perfect for funny Valentine's Day story hours.
Synopsis
Practice makes perfect in this kick-butt fractured fairy tale.
Why does this wolf think he can come to town and blow all the houses down? These three little pigs just aren't going to take it from that bully anymore! The first starts aikido lessons---he'll make mincemeat out of that wolf! His brother learns a little jujitsu--he'll chop that guy to pieces!
But when the wolf actually appears, it turs out these two pigs aren't quite ready after all. Good thing their sister has been training every day to master some serious karate moves that save the day. KIYA!
Corey Rosen Schwartz serves up a fun combination of smart-aleck dialogue and tongue-in-cheek rhymes that'll have kids howling, and rising star Dan Santat's spunky illustrations are sure to pack a punch!
Synopsis
TONIGHT:
BARNYARD TALENT SHOW
GRAND PRIZE:
TICKETS TO ELVIS POULTRY IN CONCERT
THE FINAL DOODLE-DOO
Meet Marge and Lola, chickens on a mission: to win tickets for the Elvis Poultry Show! But their toughest competition is a pack of menacing ducks. Can our two feisty chicks show those quackers how to rock the barnyard? Tammi Sauer and Dan Santat have whipped up a giddy, goofy romp where cows fly over the moon, ducks surf in a water trough, and one very familiar-looking rooster gets all shook up!
Synopsis
Companion to the hit
The Three Ninja Pigs, this fractured fairy tale is a sure-fire storytime hit.
Wolf just cant catch a break! Ever since the three little pigs started teaching everyone Ninja skills, huffing and puffing just hasnt been enough to scare up a good meal.
His craving for meat sends Wolf to classes at the dojo, and soon hes ready to try out his new moves. A little girl and her tiny granny should be easy targetsright?
Not if Little Red has anything to say about it! Kiya!
Synopsis
Papa Bear, Mama Bear, and Baby Bear know how to rock! But they need a new singer, so they audition everyonethe Three Pigs, Little Red Riding Hood, and more. To their dismay, no one seems just right.
Could the perfect lead singer be the mysterious girl sleeping on Baby Bears keyboard?
This mash up of Goldilocks and the Three Bears and The Voice is a surefire storytime hit.
Synopsis
Gadzooks! Archie the Daredevil Penguin is hiding a dark secret: hes afraid of the water and the creatures who lurk in the briny deep! And its keeping him from attending the fish fry on Iceberg Nine. But penguins arent supposed to be afraid of water, especially not daredevil penguins. He musnt let his friends know! Can Archie find a way to soar above the clouds and stay out of the sea? Author-illustrator Andy Rash has created a hilarious, perfectly paced story about overcoming fear by diving in headfirst. Fans of Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin and Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds will especially flip for the loveable Archie.
Synopsis
Follow this little ninja as he sneaks up on the family dog, swipes a cookie from his brother, and escapes from Grannyandrsquo;s kiss . . . only to be out-ninjaandrsquo;d by his younger brotherandrsquo;s sneak attack! Young readers will be drawn in by the fast-paced rhymes that parallel the little ninjaandrsquo;s quick moves, and will chant the refrain with glee! This humorous ode to stalking, sneaking, spying, and scheming is sure to be read over and over again, inspiring imaginary play for a new generation of ninjas.
Praise for Ninja, Ninja, Never Stop
andquot;Bright primary hues add an energetic yet retro feel to Carpenterandrsquo;s illustrations... a good choice for mischievous preschoolers with an interest in the martial arts.andquot;
--Kirkus Reviews
andquot;The blocky, bold illustrations and quickly paced narrative combine to evoke satisfying comic-book action.andquot;
--School Library Journal
About the Author
Tammi Sauer is the author of the bestselling Cowboy Camp, Bawk and Roll, and The Twelve Days of Christmas in Oklahoma (all Sterling). She's an active blogger (tammisauer.com) and is highly involved in the children's writer community. Tammi has worked as a teacher and library media specialist and now lives in Edmond, OK, with her husband and their two children.
Dan Santat is the author and illustrator of Sidekicks and The Guild of Geniuses (Arthur A Levine Books), which was a Society of Illustrators Original Art Show Selection and won the Los Angeles Society of Illustrators Bronze Medal for Book Illustration. He won the Silver Medal from the Society of Illustrators for Oh No! (Or How My Science Project Destroyed the World), written by Mac Barnett (Disney-Hyperion). In addition, Dan illustrated Rhea Perlman's Otto Undercover series (Katherine Tegan Books/HarperCollins) and The Secret Life of Walter Kitty, written by Barbara Jean Hicks (Knopf Books for Young Readers). He is also the creator of the Disney animated hit The Replacements. Dan lives in Southern CA. Find out more at dantat.com.