2023 Junior Library Guild selection!
Mouse warns her array of animal neighbors of a coming storm in this high-spirited rhyming picture book about friendship, teamwork, and communication.
When a giant storm appears on the horizon, Mouse rushes to alert her nearby neighbors. And there are a lot of them! Mouse’s warning sets off a game of telephone across the land, from Snail to Whale, Loon to Raccoon, Chimpanzee to Manatee! Can this quirky crew come together and take cover before the storm hits? Illustrated by Erin Kraan.
Beach Lane Books/Simon & Schuster 2022 • 978-1534453753
Amazon • Barnes and Noble • Indiebound • Bluebird Bookstop • Bookshop.org
Vampirina Ballerina
Oh, to be a ballerina! It’s a challenge for any little girl, but even more so if you happen to be a vampire like Vampirina. First of all, you have to find a class that meets at night. Then you have to figure out how to perfect your form when you can’t see yourself in the mirror? And then there’s wearing pink (not the most flattering of colors if you happen to be undead) and that nagging urge to take a little nip out of the other dancers. And worse of all… STAGE FRIGHT!!! Illustrated by LeUyen Pham.
Disney-Hyperion | Amazon • Barnes and Noble • Indiebound • Bluebird Bookstop • Bookshop.org
How did you come up with the idea for VAMPIRINA BALLERINA?
I was thinking about opposites, or at least, things that are different from one another. That led to the idea of a vampire who wants to take ballet lessons. Vampires and ballerinas are very different, right? I knew I wanted to explore those differences. That’s what writing so often is, exploring ideas on paper and figuring out how to communicate them in a story.
Did you and LeUyen Pham work together? It seems like the pictures and the text work so well together.
Usually in making a picture book, the author and illustrator work separately without talking to each other, but for VAMPIRINA BALLERINA, our editors Kevin and Rotem had us collaborate more than usual. My favorite picture books are those where the pictures have more in them than just the story that’s told with words, and I think LeUyen is a master of that. There are 37 things I’ve noticed that are her special touches. You might find even more.
Tell us about the Disney Junior animated series.
Disney Junior created an animated series for young children based on VAMPIRINA BALLERINA. The show is called VAMPIRINA and it premiered in October, 2017. I am not part of the production team, so I watch each episode just like all of Vampirina’s fans to see what the show is like. The people who are making VAMPIRINA are the same people who make the wonderful show DOC MCSTUFFINS. I couldn’t be more pleased.
Will there be more VAMPIRINA BALLERINA books?
The latest book, VAMPIRINA IN THE SNOW, was released on October 2, 2018.
Where can I get a copy of VAMPIRINA BALLERINA and the other books in the series?
You can order them from online booksellers or get them through your favorite local bookstores. To purchase signed copies of my books, please contact Bluebird Bookstop.
Are there party supplies for a Vampirina party?
There are no party supplies that you can buy at stores that look like the book characters, but there are party supplies that look like TV Vampirina. I made a Pinterest page with lots of ideas for making your own Vampirina party.
Do you have any ideas for teaching Vampirina Ballerina in my classroom?
My writer friend Natalie Dias Lorenzi, who is also a teacher and school librarian, created a wonderful Vampirina Ballerina teacher’s guide, which you can download below.
More Books
I’ve published seven books that aren’t part of the Vampirina Ballerina series. Below are some other books that you can purchase now online or at your favorite bookstore, or check out from your library.
Sunny’s Tow Truck Saves the Day!
When a family car gets a flat on the way to a picnic, help is needed and time is ticking! Cranes are lifting, and pavers are paving. Diggers are digging, and workers are waving. But where is Sunny and her trusty tow truck? Written in sparse rhyme wonderful for reading aloud, Sunny’s Tow Truck Saves the Day! is the perfect book to introduce little readers to the concept of time, as well as to various workers and their vehicles. Illustrated by Christopher Lee.
Abrams Appleseed 2019 • 978-1419731914
Amazon • Barnes and Noble • Indiebound • Bluebird Bookstop • Bookshop.org
Busy-Eyed Day
There are so many intriguing eyes out in the world…and so many amazing things for those eyes to see! From a big-eyed bug and a stalk-eyed slug to a side-eyed frog and a wide-eyed dog, the family in this book doesn’t miss a single sight during their busy-eyed day the park. School Library Journal calls it “a great book to share with little ones before any stroll outdoors,” and Kirkus says, “a soothing, natural setting adds to the charm of this sweet, playful book that makes vigorous and profitable use of rhyming text.” Illustrated by Frann Preston-Gannon.
Beach Lane Books/Simon and Schuster 2018 • 978-1481459037
Amazon • Barnes and Noble • Indiebound • Bluebird Bookstop • Bookshop.org
Groundhug Day
Moose is having a Valentine's Day party, and all his friends are so excited! Everyone except Groundhog, that is. If Groundhog sees his shadow outside, he'll hide in his hole for six more weeks and miss the party! Determined to help their friend join them, Moose, Squirrel, Bunny, and Porcupine put their heads together and come up with a plan. But will it be enough to get Groundhog out to play?
It’s earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly: “February holidays collide in this warm and funny story: Moose is planning a Valentine’s party and insists that ‘everybody has to come.’” And Kirkus says: “The light and shadows in the artwork are magical, a golden glow pervading the spreads. Readers may learn a thing or two about both being a friend and getting over their fears.” I hope your little ones like it, too! Illustrated by Christopher Denise.
Disney-Hyperion 2017 • 978-1484753569
Amazon • Barnes and Noble • Indiebound • Bluebird Bookstop • Bookshop.org
Pigloo
Pigloo is an explorer. His destination? The North Pole. Big sister Paisley has doubts about Pigloo's plan, but Pigloo knows that explorers have to be patient as well as brave. When Pigloo takes his sled to the top of a hill, he sets off on his expedition--with a little unexpected help.
This sweet, expressively illustrated story shows that sometimes the greatest adventures are the ones that happen in your own backyard. Illustrated by Lorna Hussey.
Henry Holt 2016 • 978-1627792028
A Teacher for Bear
Bear is ready for his first day of school because his sister Bella has told him all about the teacher Miss Fern. But when Bear arrives at school and finds out he has a different teacher, how will he know what to do? Illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka.
Scholastic Book Clubs 2011 • 978-0545377768
Never Ever Talk to Strangers
Jamie wears his Super Safety Expert badge proudly. It shows he's learned all of Officer Crane's Rules for Stranger Safety: Strangers are people you don't know. If a stranger talks to you, you should yell and run away. And most importantly, never EVER talk to strangers! But when Jamie meets a stranger after school, will he remember what to do? Illustrated by Guy Francis.
Scholastic Book Clubs 2010 • 978-0545242295