Stone Arch Books

Happy Valentine's Day!

2012-02-14T11:15:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day!

Awesome has a name: Zeke Meeks

2012-02-13T11:27:00.000-08:00

I had the pleasure of working on our new Zeke Meeks series for the last year. This series is so ingenious and funny, it will bring you to tears. Yeah, funny even for a grown girl like me. (Please notice I did not called myself a grown-up, I'm not . . . yet anyways.)

I wanted to share the funky eureka process with everyone out there and unveil some of the little secrets of this project on the visual side.

Nine months ago I brought the first manuscript home and showed it to my daughters. We read it together and laughed hysterically. Now, my job was to output this great content correctly. Panic . . . terror . . . all of it started to set in. Part of our job as art directors or book designers is being the matchmaker between the story, visuals, and audience.

I looked for an illustrator for a month. No luck. One day I decided to post something ridiculous about my illustrator search on twitter: "Looking for an awesome illustrator for a chapter book that knows comedy & enjoys irony at its best.” (I thought it sounded smart at the time, really I did.) Many submissions came along, and I knew I had found the perfect match for Zeke in illustrator Josh Alves. Why? He understood cleverness and irony when it came to illustrating, and his style said Zeke all over it. I pitched Josh the project, he loved it, and was a shoo-in.

Now I had the awesome story and the great illustrator, but I still needed the design to glue the parts together. It was one of the most challenging and involved developments I've done. I produced more than 30 versions of the covers before Michael Dahl, back from one of his many trips, dropped a magazine on my desk with a post-it that read: "Cool inspiration for Zeke." It was a high fashion magazine. I stared at it, completely puzzled. Then I got an email from Michael explaining the magazine on my desk. It was a crazy idea, and it was perfect. I laughed, grabbed a piece of paper, sketched and doodled like a first grader, and that was that.

I simply asked myself, “What would Zeke say about his own covers?” I could hear a little voice inside my head. The coolest guy you'll ever meet. My hair looks awesome. Panic makes my eyes go big. (maybe too big, not my best feature.) No TV is scarier than a horror movie. I visualized the design entwined with the text, the branding, and Josh's illustrations. It was a total eureka moment.

This project was a full-throttle collaboration of the creative team, sales and marketing, and many other people. It was a super crazy process, but in the end it turned out exactly like Zeke Meeks—completely awesome!

One month after being released, these books seem to be flying off the shelves! Which it makes us all grin proud with excitement. If you get the chance to check them out at the your library or local bookstore, let us know what your thoughts are! We can't wait to hear from you!

Check out Zeke's page for more fun stuff, book trailer, bios and a super entertaining activity kit, you won't want to miss out on.

Enjoy!

February Is Holiday Heavy

2012-02-10T10:39:00.005-08:00

You always remember Valentine's Day, but what about the 100th day of school, President's Day, and Groundhog Day? (I'll be honest —none of these seem that important until you have a child in school. Then every other day you have a letter about bringing something in for another event).

On top of all these special "holidays", it's I love to read month. (Seriously February, way to hog all the events.) My daughter has been talking about DEAR (drop everything and read ) time at school. Although she is a little crabbier since DEAR takes the place of rest/quiet time, I still think it's a great idea.

So even though this holiday heavy month might be tough on parents of school-aged kids (especially since these holidays don't come with any time off), do your best to enjoy each one and encourage more reading.

New for Young Readers!

2012-02-08T12:23:00.000-08:00

Check out this photo of some of our new books on the shelf at a local (Edina) Barnes and Noble store. There's Zeke Meeks at the top and Kylie Jean on the third shelf down.

We love to see our books out and about!

How the Giants won the Superbowl

2012-02-07T07:36:00.000-08:00

Want to know how the Giants won the Superbowl?

They had the support of the real-life Katie Woo!

Katie is author Fran Manushkin's great niece.

Luckily, she doesn't get in half the trouble of the Katie Woo in the books — so far.

Manners DO Matter

2012-01-25T11:42:00.000-08:00

Manners must be taught. And not only must they be taught, but they must be enforced and reinforced all the time. Seriously, multiple times at every meal. While it may feel redundant (and a tad annoying as a parent), it is too important to let slide. Manners do, and always will, matter.

This is why our new set of Hello Genius board books focuses on manners. Reading these books will help reinforce manners in a sweet and funny way. Believe me, I read them almost every night.

Titanic Reviews

2012-01-23T06:04:00.000-08:00

In case you’re not counting down to the re-release of Titanic in 3D like I am, April 2012 marks the 100-year anniversary of RMS Titanic’s maiden voyage and arguably the most famous shipwreck of all time. Our newly released Return to Titanic series revisits the tragic voyage through the eyes of two modern-day teenagers, Maya and Tucker, who are sent back in time thanks to a twist of fate. The two friends make new acquaintances and discover some of unexpected bits of history along the way. Here's all four covers in their final glory.

I am ridiculously proud of this series, which I edited and helped concept, so knowing it’s getting some love from readers, is thrilling. Check out this fantastic review from Bite My Books and learn more about the series.

Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

2012-01-16T06:32:00.000-08:00

Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love. -Martin Luther King Jr.

Image from The Seattle Times

STEM Friday

2012-01-13T06:07:00.001-08:00

Please check out Capstone Connect today, where we're hosting STEM Friday. Add your links in the comments there to be included in the round-up!

The Joy of My Little Planet

2012-01-09T11:50:00.000-08:00

"The chipper verse and bright palette offer an enthusiastic endorsement of the joys and small miracles to be found outdoors."

That line is a quote from Publishers Weekly's review of Little Seeds, part of our new set of environmentally-themed toddler books, My Little Planet. I love this line; it is confirmation that these books are just what I hoped they would be. When we set out to create this set of books, we said it should be a celebration of Earth and an early introduction of the importance of caring for it. Led by author Charles Ghigna and illustrator Ag Jatkowska, our sweet little books do just that!

Proud Book Moment

2012-01-04T13:38:00.000-08:00

For my birthday this past year, I got a Kindle. I wasn't sure how much I would use it since I'm addicted to the library, but I can honestly say I use it every day. Even I'm surprised at how much I love it!

For Christmas, my 5-year-old daughter got a Vtech e-reader (which was way harder for me to figure out than the Kindle!). She opened it and yelled, "A Kindle! It's just like mom's!" She absolutely loves her e-reader and has already gone through a set of batteries in less than a week.

Although the electronic devices are fun and there's an obvious place for them in today's market, they still don't take place of reading an actual book. I still check-out books from the library, and my daughter still insists on reading books every night.

Last night after my daughter turned off her e-reader she asked, "Can we read a real book now?" Now THAT was a proud moment for me.

Reading Resolutions

2012-01-04T06:33:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, over on the Capstone Connect blog, Mandy — who does not care for resolutions — wrote about her non-resolution for the year. Unlike Mandy, I love the idea of a resolution. If I don't have a specific objective to shoot for, life tends to get in the way and I fail to make the progress I would like.

Normally, I have no problem coming up with a list of goals for the new year. However, this year, I really struggled to come up with something that would be obtainable and actually interesting and enriching to me. So I turned to my reading habits and thought about what I would like to achieve as a reader this year. Here is what I came up with.

1. Read at least 30 novels. I plan to use goodreads to keep track of them, so that I can remember authors I liked and get great suggestions on reads I may enjoy.

2. Read at least five biographies/memoirs. Often, I forget about non-fiction books (other than cookbooks and craft books). But that means I am missing out on great reads that have the potential to enrich my fiction reading. And books like Tina Fey's Bossypants are just plain funny!

3. Visit the library at least two times a month. I love the convenience of reserving books online from my home, simply stopping quickly to pick up my stack. However, I am far more likely to discover new authors if I walk up and down the aisles, admiring the covers and spines. Plus, the fireplaces and comfy chairs in our local library make it a home away from home.

4. Read one chapter book aloud to my school-aged children every month. I have two great readers in my house. It is tempting to ask them to read to themselves in the evening, so I can focus on their three-year-old sister and getting ready for the next day. But books are meant to be shared and enjoyed with others. This year, I want to do that together on the couch.

Do you have any reading resolutions to share? I would love to hear about them!

Look at you, Katie Woo!

2011-12-20T13:50:00.000-08:00

The Association for Library Service to Children recently included Fran Manushkin's Katie Woo, Where Are You? on their list of Great Early Elementary Reads. In this book, Katie visits the mall with her parents. She wanders off, and doesn't even realize she is lost! Illustrator Tammy Lyon's great paintings add to the fun! You can download all of the ALSC recommendations on their website.

Way to go, Katie!

Return to Titanic finally arrives!

2011-12-14T06:05:00.000-08:00

Over the summer, I gave a quick sneak peek at some exciting new books I was working on, but that seems like ages ago! Well, the last of our ISO copies arrived yesterday, and I'm just so excited I had to share. In the box was the brand-new, 4-book set I've been dying to see on my desk . . . Return to Titanic.

In the books you'll meet Maya and Tucker, two best friends who get the chance of a lifetime when they discover a magical collection of Titanic artifacts at a local museum. The two friends are sent back in time, to Titanic's maiden voyage, to experience the doomed ship for themselves. Along the way, they meet new friends and discover mysteries that must be solved. The books are filled with twists, turns, a few laughs, and best of all, adventure. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed working on them!

Music to our ears, part 3

2011-12-13T06:14:00.000-08:00

It's another addition of our series on the music we listen to while we work. Graphic designer Hilary listens to a long list of great musicians. Are any of your favorites in there?

Death Cab for Cutie, The Bravery, Pretty Recklace, The Killers, Rilo Kiley, The Innocence Mission, Muse, Snow Patrol, Tegan and Sara, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Carolina Liar, The Afters, Puscifer, The Black Lips, and of course Johnny Cash!

The man in black is a favorite of Hilary's...and mine!

Childhood Memories

2011-12-05T10:08:00.000-08:00

A few weekends ago, I met my mom and sisters for a shopping weekend. I love shopping and I love my family, but the best part of the weekend was when my mom brought out boxes and boxes of books from our childhood. It was a magical moment for me.

I remembered almost every book/series that was pulled out (Sleepover Friends, Babysitters Club, Girl Talk, Pen Pals, Sweet Valley High—the list goes on, but I'll spare you the details). I even found my first picture dictionary, which was beyond exciting for me! (Clearly I was meant to be in the book business.)

My entire life has been filled with books, and I am happy to say that books have created unforgettable experiences and memories for me.

Take Your Child to a Bookstore Day

2011-12-02T10:52:00.000-08:00

My favorite local bookstore, Wild Rumpus is participating in Take Your Child to a Bookstore Day. If you live in the Twin Cities, you must check this place out, they have cats and chickens that roam the store while you shop!

Tomorrow (Dec.3rd) is the 2nd annual Take Your Child to a Bookstore Day, have you heard about it? It's purpose is to not only support independent booksellers, but to give children the opportunity to spend time in a bookstore around the holidays. It's so easy to shop online, something I am very guilty of! But the experience of browsing through the shelves and hand selecting titles is so special.

I honestly wish that we didn't even need to have a specific day to reinforce the importance of this kind of experience, every day should be bookstore day! But it's nice to have a yearly reminder, especially around the holidays.

Will you be taking the child/children in your life to a bookstore tomorrow? If you are interested, this website has a list of the participating bookstores through out the country.

Image Source

My new friend, Zeke.

2011-11-28T09:14:00.001-08:00

A funny thing happens when you edit a series of books built around one character — you begin to think of him or her as someone you know. When I see a bright, colorful outfit, it isn't unusual for me to think, "Katie would love that! It is perfect for her." The Katie I'm referring to, of course, is Katie Woo. I also find myself thinking things like "What kind of birthday would Katie have? What would happen if she got to bring home the school pet? What if she got lost?" The great thing is author Fran Manushkin always has the answers to these questions. And best of all, I know that Katie is real to Fran, too.

Recently, I've gotten to know a new kid on a personal level. Zeke Meeks is a little older than Katie, and he doesn't have the same interest in fashion (though his sisters try to force it on him.) But like Katie, he is funny and memorable and real. I cannot tell you how excited I am about this new series of chapter books by D. L. Green. They were written with boys in mind, but girls love them, too. And our illustrator, Josh Alves, has a gift for taking D. L.'s hilarious words and making them come to life. As a result, I find myself noticing video games that Zeke might like and wondering what is on his Christmas list this year. But most of all, I just can't wait to hear his latest story, because that boy can tell a tale!

Take a look at our trailer and see why I am so excited to make a new friend in Zeke:

Holiday Travel

2011-11-21T06:24:00.000-08:00

Whether you're ready or not, the holidays are almost upon us. And with holiday fun comes a not-so-pleasant aspect: holiday travel. Ick! Like many others, I'll be heading to the airport tomorrow afternoon to join a long line of travelers heading home for Thanksgiving. (I have my fingers crossed that I'll beat some the holiday travel rush by leaving a day early!) Will you be doing any traveling over the Thanksgiving holiday? Where are you headed?

To help you and the kids mentally prepare for hitting the road (or the airport, as the case may be), check out some of our books involving travel or visiting a new place:

Katie Woo is so excited to spend the night at her grandparents' house. But once she gets there, she feels a little nervous.

Zoom! Juan and Anna are flying to Mexico to visit their grandma. From the airport to the clouds, Juan and Anna experience what it's like to fly.

Three Claws is visiting his friend Snorp in the city. Snorp is so nervous. He always gets hurt when he plays with Three Claws. Maybe if they play it safe and stay inside, no one will get hurt.

The Cortez family is going on vacation! They're headed to Florida for a family reunion. But when they arrive, Claudia doesn't get to relax - she's stuck babysitting her younger cousins. She has to miss out on all the fun, and can't hang out with her new friends. What kind of vacation is that?

On a class trip to New Orleans, Catalina Duran and her friends find themselves in the middle of a voodoo mystery!

November is Picture Book Month . . . what's your favorite?

2011-11-18T06:27:00.001-08:00

You've probably heard that November is Picture Book Month. For many of us, our earliest reading memories involved a favorite story read by a parent, grandparent, or school librarian. Books that became favorites were requested over and over, until the grown-ups in our lives finally memorized the words.

A few of the fiction staff members shared their favorite childhood picture books with me recently:

For me, it was definitely Lon Po Po by Ed Young. My mom said it scared me every time she read it, yet I kept asking her to read it to me again and again and again. It’s kind of fun to think back on, because to this day I love wolves and comics (and this book was one of the few picture books to have sequential art in the form of panels). Second place has to be The Story of Ferdinand. I’ll never forget the way Ferdinand looked back at me with his sad, timid face. For whatever reason, it captivated me as a kid.

Sean Tulien, Editor

Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson. When Harold had nowhere to walk, he draws his own path. That notion has always resonated with me because it challenges the notion of fate and empowers us to determine own destiny—that as individuals we have ability to “draw” an idyllic world to own liking. It balances on an utopian dream and a humbling reality.

Russell Griesmer, Graphic Designer

My favorite book as a child was If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. I’m not sure why I loved it so much, but I do love cookies and milk and predictability, so it might just be that simple. I’m happy to say that I now get to read this book (and many others from the series) to my children and I still love it, which is the mark of a true classic.

Christianne Jones, Managing Editor

My favorite picture book from childhood is There’s a Wocket in My Pocket by Dr. Seuss. The cover and binding on my childhood copy looks like it predates the Civil War, just to give you an idea how much I read this book. Also, this story made me feel less nervous about monsters in the house, since according to Dr. Seuss they’re mostly just lazy furry things who sit around on your couch and eat bon-bons all day. “But that BOFA on the SOFA...”

Bob Lentz, Art Director

Mine was (and is) Goodnight, Moon. I loved all the details—the tiny mittens, the little mouse, the lit fire, the bowl full of mush. And now I love reading it to my son, who at one point a year or so ago asked for it so often that I had it memorized. It’s such a lovely book.

Beth Brezenoff, Managing Editor

My dad read a ton of picture books to me growing up, most of which were a bit fractured or skewed, but since the holidays are coming up, I’ll pick Berkeley Breathed’s A Wish for Wings that Work: An Opus Christmas Story as one of my favorites. It’s so adorable and funny, about a penguin who makes a Christmas wish that he could fly and ends up saving Santa’s sleigh. I could probably recite the whole thing from memory at any given time. My family still reads this book every Christmas!

Alison Deering, Editor

My favorite picture book from my childhood was titled Cheese, Peas, and Chocolate Pudding. Our school librarian often read it to us, and I loved the stubborn boy who would only eat . . . you guessed it: cheese, peas, and chocolate pudding. But the best part is its funny ending. It is out of print now, but when I need to hear it, I can watch a video of a stranger reading it on YouTube.

Julie Gassman, Editor

What about you? What is your favorite picture book? Do you love any of the same ones from our list? And has anyone out there ever read Cheese, Peas, and Chocolate Pudding?!

What day is it? Oh yeah...

2011-11-11T06:52:00.000-08:00

Is today really a lucky day? Are you placing bets and buying lottery cards like a crazy person? I've heard so much hype about today that I've become completely immune to all the hoopla. According to David's Bridal wedding store, 57,000 weddings will take place today. Maybe Kim Kardashian should have waited until today to get married. It might have been luckier for her! I digress...

Anyway, what do you think about today? Are you all about the spirit of 11-11-11 or could you care less?

What if you were eaten by a book?

2011-11-08T08:35:00.001-08:00

At Capstone Fiction, it is always fun to hear how librarians and teachers use our books. Most recently, we learned about a special project featuring Michael Dahl's Library of Doom series at Thomas Deacon Academy in Peterborough, England.

The school's librarian selected the series to be the focus of a regular DEAR (Drop Everything and Read) time at the school. The school has a DEAR Homepage, on which the librarian shares information about the various themes she chooses. To get the students excited about the Library of Doom series, the librarian included some great links on the DEAR author site, including Michael's website, a book trailer for the Library of Doom, and an interview with Michael.

A highlight of the project was a contest that asked students to consider what it would be like to be eaten by a book. They were asked to write a letter to the librarian telling her which book ate them. What did it look like inside? What did it smell like? And so on. The winners received signed books by Michael Dahl.

Hearing about the project made me consider, what would it be like to be eaten by a book? It sounds awful, but if it was a book in a great library, like Thomas Deacon's, maybe it wouldn't be so bad.

Music to our ears...continued

2011-11-04T09:06:00.000-07:00

In our latest edition of posts about music to work to, we get a look at the many musical moods of art director Bob Lentz. Who knows why Metallica unlocks his creative blocks? It just does. Read on:

When I’m working on a new design: Personal faves such as Ben Folds, Jason Mraz, Fountains of Wayne, Coldplay, and Foo Fighters.

When I’m stumped creatively: Punk music like MXPX and NoFX; and heavy metal legends such as Iron Maiden, Def Leppard, and Metallica.

When I’m doing production work: 70s and 80s R&B, including Al Green, Lionel Richie, and lots of Motown. A great accompaniment to relaxing, monotonous tasks.

When I’m designing a series with a more epic, cinematic scope: Classic film
scores like Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and E.T. There’s something very inspiring about the works of John Williams, especially, that elevates a book visually from so-so to film-worthy.

Guilty pleasures: Let’s just say that I’ve been busted on two separate occasions for listening to Hall & Oates and Olivia Newton-John, respectively.

An AASL Highlight

2011-11-02T07:09:00.000-07:00

Last week, the 2011 AASL conference (American Association of School Librarians) came to Minneapolis.What a crazy week it was! I worked at the Capstone booth the last day of the show during our book giveaway, and oh my, librarians really love our books — the line was roughly 150 people long!

But the real highlight for me was meeting the author of the Kylie Jean books, Marci Peschke. She came up from Texas for the show, and it's always so fun to meet the author of a series that I've worked on. I love to hear about their process and find out more details about the books (like there really is a Kylie Jean and a dog named Ugly Brother!). Check out Marci's jean jacket and pink cowboy boots. Aren't they fabulous?! So nice to meet you, Marci!

Happy Halloween from everyone at Stone Arch Books!

2011-10-31T12:22:00.000-07:00

Just because you work in an office doesn't mean you can't proudly sport an impressive costume on Halloween — if anything it makes the work day go faster! (Well, that and the excessive amount of candy floating around...) Check out some of the creative costumes our office has seen. What are you dressing up as this year?

Music to our ears...

2011-10-26T08:36:00.000-07:00

This week, I asked the fiction crew what they like to listen to as they write, design, edit, and work in general. The answers were surprisingly detailed and varied. So I thought, "Why not make this a reoccurring feature?" It is interesting to consider how one art form influences another.

First up is our editorial director and in-house writer, Michael Dahl. Michael recently created a whole new world for his upcoming series Troll Hunters. And this is what he listened to while he was there....

I needed to get my mind into a new universe, a world of light versus darkness, good versus evil, epic battles, close escapes, and otherworldly creatures. Sounds like Beethoven to me. I love big, sweeping, emotional, orchestral music, and Beethoven is perfect for that. I can put on his 5th or 6th or 9th Symphony. What power! And the music changes so much, just like a battle, first one side gains power, then the other, back and forth like ocean waves.

For some specific sections of the story:

The ending of Book 3, I listened to Widor’s Toccata from his 5th Organ Symphony. Turn out the lights and listen to this at night! It sounds like something swirling and rising and soaring into the heavens. Inspiring and triumphant. Perfect for the action at the end of the final chapter.

For the encroaching battle in that same book, I listened to the weird, war-like song O Fortune! from the eerie and dramatic Carmina Burana by Orff.

And when I was writing the chase scene at the end of Book 1, I put on John Williams’ soundtrack for The Empire Strikes Back and selected The Asteroid Field. One of the coolest, most exciting pieces of music ever written, not to mention that it’s pure fun. You can see the asteroids rolling toward you, or in this case, the giant trolls at your heels! Run!

-Michael Dahl

Moving on Up

2011-10-21T06:22:00.000-07:00

After working in an old, windowless space for almost 10 years, I am happy to report that we are relocating today! While I will miss some aspects of our current location (namely the beautiful campus), it is exciting to move to a newer building in a different part of town. Here's hoping the move will bring more creativity, comradery, and positive vibes for everyone.

New York Comic Con

2011-10-19T11:21:00.000-07:00

Last week was a crazy one. I was lucky enough to go to New York with a few co-workers to attend NY Comic Con, a huge convention that hosts the latest in comics, graphic novels, video games, toys, movies, television, publishers, you name it. There were more than 100,000 people packed into the Javitz Center in Manhattan, many of whom came dressed in elaborate costumes. Needless to say, it was a crazy experience.

Luckily, I was able to take a break from the madness while I was there and meet with Kate McMullan, the talented author behind our Myth-O-Mania series! Kate and I had a great lunch with our editorial director, Michael Dahl, and even discussed the possibility of adding to the Myth-O-Mania series in 2013 with a title about the Trojan War, tentatively titled, "Hit the Road, Helen!"

One of our other authors, John Sazaklis, also stopped by our booth at Comic Con. John has written several DC Super Pets books for us, and we were lucky enough to have him and legendary illustrator Art Baltazar do a signing at our booth!

John Sazaklis and the Stone Arch Books crew at the booth.

John Sazaklis and Art Baltazar signing DC Super Pets books at the booth.

Awards!

2011-10-17T10:45:00.000-07:00

We received great news last week that some of our books had won Moonbeam awards!

In the Picture Book-Preschool category, Crabby Pants by our very own Julie Gassman won a Gold! Roger the cat shouldn't be so crabby now that he has that gold medal.

In the Juvenile Fiction-Early Reader /1st Chapter Books category, Kylie Jean Blueberry Queen by Marci Peschke won a Gold! I think Miss Kylie Jean would be mighty pleased.

And last, but certainly not least, in the Pre-Teen Fiction-Historical/Cultural category, A Time For War, from our Bloodlines series, won a Silver. This set is amazing!

Congrats to all of the winners!

Sometimes Design Nature Takes Over

2011-10-13T08:10:00.000-07:00

During every book production season, there are moments you will always remember and treasure until the end of time. Certain "Je n'est-ce pas" that make you hold your breath, like the moment before sending a cover to print, or even the day before you start designing a book you love. The excitement builds up and makes you push the project to a higher level. You are guided by so much conviction and truth that it gives you chills to work on it. Yes, I know it sounds funny, but I know people out there understand what I'm talking about.

This season, I had these sort of experiences while designing Fairieground, a series co-written by Beth and me. I've never had to design anything I've written before. This was a first, and it was definitely a challenge. It took many drafts, many hours of research, and many trials and errors. Yet, Beth and I are very proud with the outcome. It was a joint effort. Odessa Sawyer, our super talented illustrator, influenced the design and the book narratives with her gorgeous realistic illustrations.

The books come out this spring, but here is a little sneak peak of what the fairies in the Willow Forest are hiding from all of us. Enjoy!

A Heartwarming Letter

2011-10-10T07:11:00.000-07:00

Below is a letter from a struggling reader to a librarian about Michael Dahl’s Library of Doom and Dragonblood books. And this is why working for a children’s book publisher is an incredible job!

Dear Mrs. Grigsby,

Thank you for helping me find some interesting books now I know that reading can be fun now!!! Now when I go in the library, I know what to pick out now. I found three fantasy books. When I go home I can read it to my little brother now and when he gets to middle school he'll want to read books a lot too. I'm learning a lot from the books I got from the library. Every one in my class loves their books!!! You lighten my life now it was dark when I hated reading. Like they say out with the old and in with the new!! For this I say thank you.

Sincerely,

Nolan

Ready for some mystery?

2011-10-07T06:52:00.000-07:00

If you're anything like me, a crisp fall day always seems like the perfect time to curl up with a good mystery. Whether it's a mystery novel or a marathon of cheesy Halloween movies (I'm looking at you, ABC Family's "13 Nights of Halloween"), there's something about fall that just puts you in the mood. In that spirit, I'd like to introduce you to Echo and the Bat Pack! These adorable, funny chapter books revolve around a group of mystery-solving siblings and their pet bat, Echo, and provide just the right amount of spooky mystery. They're perfect for kids — or scary-story wimps like me! The books won't be available till this winter, but here's a sneak peak at the covers. Whether they're unearthing the truth behind a mysterious mummy at a local museum or discovering treasure in the graveyard, there's always another mystery to solve for Echo and the Bat Pack!

Kylie Jean is a Football Queen!

2011-10-05T07:04:00.000-07:00

For many, fall means football. While personally, I am not a really a fan of the sport, Kylie Jean certainly is! In one of her new adventures, she is on a quest to prove that she is THE #1 fan. We love Kylie Jean because she is so positive and never gives up. I think young readers will love her too. The next four books in the Kylie Jean series will be out this winter. Go Team!

Do you like crafting?

2011-10-03T12:00:00.000-07:00

As the weather turns cooler and the days shorter, many of us pick up our knitting, quilting, or, in my case, felt play food making. So it is fitting that October 7-16 is American Craft Week.

Did you know our Katie Woo books feature a fun craft in the back? Why not get a stack of them together and get ready for American Craft Week?

Fiction Friday: The kid becomes the adult, the adult becomes the child.

2011-09-23T12:11:00.000-07:00

I heard a concept that was foreign to me last week while watching a training video. It said that opposed to what many people believe, our own traits as children stay with us forever. That each trait is something that we’ll never grow out of and is so engrained to our personality that it only gets stronger with age. The video explained that deep inside we feel the same way we did when we were kids and if anything, it makes you more passionate about what you do, about your “super powers” as I call them, or “strengths” as everybody else does.

That thought brought me back to my childhood. I was an introvert, but yet I loved to tell stories and draw them out. I wanted to be able to tell the story more accurately to help other people get it. When I grew bigger, I started talking to my friends about what I’d dreamed the night before. I would paint scenes and color with pencils for hours, softly so there wouldn’t be any lines on the paper. I didn’t wanted people to get distracted by the lines, but to take the scene fully in. Then at age 17 I started to write. I had a stack of white paper under my bed and I would turn my light on right after my parents went to bed. My pages were fully handwritten, and my friends would borrow them to read the next day so that we could decide where the story was going from there on.

That was me as a kid and now that I think of it, that’s exactly me now. This year I got an amazing opportunity. I’m an art director, so my responsibility is the look and feel of the books, but yet, one of the people I look up to when it comes to writing, asked me if I would co-write something with her.

Beth and I came up with a super cool concept while having tea in our afternoon break. A hi-low series for girls. A story about two best friends, girls who are opposites. They fight over a boy, and one wishes the other away. We hammered out all of the details over cups of tea and coffee. And that is how Fairieground was born 9 months ago.

Beth and I have been writing, editing, art directing and designing these books together. They have some of the best parts of both of us mixed and entwined together for kids to enjoy for years to come.

Here is the cover of one of the four books, all illustrated by Odessa Sawyer. Sincerely, I would say childhood and adulthood have gone full circle. What is your story?

What's in a name?

2011-09-21T11:01:00.000-07:00

Starting new books every season is always a thrill, but new books inevitably mean new titles. While some people love coming up with titles, others dread the looming deadline. But no matter how you feel about titles, you can't have a book without one. Often, our helpful authors provide title suggestions with their manuscripts, but ultimately it's up to the editor to come up with the perfect title. For me, the perfect title can often come at the most unexpected time: while I'm driving, while I'm cooking dinner, while I'm trying to fall asleep. (Clearly I'm a really effective multi-tasker...or incapable of concentrating, although I prefer to think it's the first option.)

No matter when it comes to you, creating a new title is always a challenge. After all, a title has to shoulder a lot of responsibility. It's more than just a name. A title has to effectively convey what a book is about and still be interesting and attention-grabbing. Without a strong title, would a book ever get read? It's no small feat, especially when you consider the number of books published each year. That's why every season, I'm continuously impressed by the creativity of the other editors I work with. They make coming up with new, unique, creative titles look easy (or at the very least manageable).

So, help us out. What do you think makes a good title? What grabs your attention?

It's Almost Fall!

2011-09-16T07:26:00.000-07:00

A photo from one my last trips of the summer. A perfect sunset, don't you think?

While it's still technically summer, the days are getting shorter and the weather cooler. Kids are back in school and the lazy days of summer seem to already be long behind us. It's getting to be the perfect weather for a cozy cardigan, a mug full of hot chocolate, and a good book. Here are a few appropriate titles as we transition into the next season and say our last goodbyes to summer.

A beautifully illustrated book about the joys of fall, and the perfect introduction to the concept of seasons.

Whenever I think of fall, apples are one of the first things that comes to mind. This graphic novel tells the story of Johnny Appleseed in a new and interesting way.

In Katie Woo's world, jumping into a pile of leaves is part of a perfect day. Learn about the other things that make Katie really happy in this sweet little book.

An easy- to-read graphic novel that has a nice lesson about how to deal with a difficult classmate.

Max and Zoe are at it again! In this story Max's desk is so messy he can't find a thing, and he may have to miss recess. What will he do?!

Happy Fall and Happy Reading!

Sneak Peek

2011-09-14T12:20:00.000-07:00

Some characters for a new middle grade mystery series I'm working on. Cool, huh?

A Work Surprise

2011-09-12T06:34:00.000-07:00

As I was shopping on one of my favorite mom sites the other day (zulily), I came across a fun surprise. A series of books that I worked on was on the site! The Hello Genius board book set (by the one and only Michael Dahl) was for sale with a bunch of other Capstone titles. It's always so fun to see books that you helped create on a popular site for anyone to buy. Needless to say, it made my day.

Pfeffernut in the Pfair Pforest

2011-09-09T09:20:00.000-07:00

Library Bound welcomes guest blogger, author Jill Kalz

It was about pfans and pfriends—the pfolks who already knew and loved my strange old farmer, Cap, and those who were meeting him for the very first time.

On August 29, my picture book Farmer Cap (Pfeffernut County series; Capstone) made its Minnesota State Fair debut in the Alphabet Forest, a place where letters danced and dangled between tall trees; books bloomed, ready to be picked and read aloud by families escaping the Midway mayhem and all kinds of greasy goodness on a stick; and little and big kids sported paper crowns and celebrated literacy with a hip, hip, HUZZAH!

I may have been the featured author in the Forest that day, but, really, it was Cap’s show. I was the roadie, carting a tub of 400 Farmer Cap heads-on-sticks I’d assembled (400 heads + 400 wooden sticks + 800 squares of adhesive goo), 400 colorable “Pfollow me to Pfeffernut!” stickers, and seven-dozen washable markers. And I was more than happy to stand by and watch Cap shine. He may be an odd duck, with his flip flops, shorts, and feathered alpine hat, but fairgoers welcomed him without hesitation. It wasn’t just “Minnesota nice” at work, either. The nearly 125,000 people who walked through the gates that day represented all parts of the country—and the world. One Farmer Cap head was adopted by a woman from Alaska; two more now have new homes in Japan.
Great coloring job!

Hundreds of Caps!

Dorks, wimpy kids, and nerds crowd today’s children’s literature bestseller lists, and I think that’s one reason why readers have a soft spot for Cap. He’s a grown-up version of a dork/wimpy kid/nerd! Kids who feel different, like they don’t quite fit in, can identify with Cap on some level and accept their own quirks, or, alternatively, say, “Hey, at least I’m not as goofy as THAT guy!” For other readers, I think it’s about the magic and mystery of his story. Whatever the reasons, it was fun to watch people connect.
Four Minnesota authors before me and eight more after me found old fans and new friends during the state fair run this year, thanks to Alphabet Forest creator Debra Frasier. And it’s safe to say, we all had a pfantastic time!

-Jill Kalz

Back to School!

2011-09-07T11:32:00.000-07:00

My two school-age children headed back to class last week. Right off the bat, my second-grader was told that she is expected to read for at least twenty minutes a night. It would be her first homework assignment. But it came with a tangible reward. For every 200 minutes read, the teacher will give student a book of his or her own to keep.

Now my daughter can't wait to do her "homework" every night. Sometimes, she even tackles in on the bus. All thanks to the generosity of her teacher.

Here's a few of the books she's filled her minutes with so far—perfect for the second-grade girl in your life:

Katie's New Shoes by Fran Manushkin

Hoop Queen from the Kylie Jean series by Marci Peschke

Repunzel Lets Her Hair Down by Tony Bradman

Cheesy but True

2011-09-02T06:49:00.000-07:00

For the past three years, Julie and I have worked in a different town than the rest of our coworkers. The two of us have our own little office filled with books and posters. (We're very lucky that we get along or this could a HUGE nightmare.) It could have been a really bad idea to have us so isolated from the rest of the group. But thanks to a great boss and incredible coworkers, the adjustment was easy and gets better all the time.

Our coworkers go out of their way to include us. In fact, one of our designers just sent us T-shirts with a nice note. It was the best mail we've ever gotten! So in these tough times, just remember that it's important to be thankful for your job, but it's also important to be thankful for your coworkers.

Thanks B-ton folks!

No More Diapers! (We hope.)

2011-08-22T07:28:00.000-07:00

Big things are on the horizon for this little girl.

We've entered a new phase at my house these days. It is a phase of hope and hard work and energy. It's a phase that has people swiftly stopping in the middle of activities in order to get a two-year-old where she needs to go. It is potty-training time.

Potty training means I get to spend extra time reading to my tot. We read about trucks and puppies and cows (or moos, as she calls them). And of course we read, Duck Goes Potty. I often wish that my daughter's enthusiasm for this particular book translated into real results. But if I'm patient, I'm sure it will.

Designer in the Spotlight

2011-08-19T10:10:00.000-07:00

Hello world! As you know we have amazing talent in our team. In this post I wanted to do an informal, behind-the-scenes interview with our designer Emily. I'm sure you all have read her posts in our blog before. She is a super talented and extremely full of energy. She is been working with us for three years, doing all kinds of everything. Her designs range pre-k to middle grade; you name it, she is done it.

Emily has a passion for patterns, colors, and most of all, she is a book fanatic. =)

Here are some things I thought you would be interested in knowing about her. Know the people behind the books I always say. Here is your chance!

Emily, tell us what is your favorite book everybody needs to read and why?

"Do I have to pick just one?! Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides, I love the complexity of the story, and the issues that are brought forth in the novel. Eugenides is a master at creating a sense of time and place."

What is your favorite book you have ever designed?

"Katie Woo, just because I was so involved in the development of her character. From the color of her glasses, to picking out the specific clothes that she should wear. It was a dream project! "

What is your favorite color?

"Pantone 2562"

What is your favorite food?

"Homemade Guacamole"

What is your favorite cartoon?

" I don’t really watch cartoons, but I do enjoy animated movies, especially anything by Hayao Miyazaki. Kiki’s Delivery Service is a favorite."

What is you love about your job?

"I was a huge book nerd growing up (still am!) so designing books as a job is pretty sweet. I can only hope that the books I help create will spark another child’s lifelong love of reading."

I asked Emily for picture of her. What did I get in my email instead? A super-duper cute picture of her cat Eva wearing a sweater! Too cute.

I'll leave you in Eva's good company. Have a wonderful weekend, blogosphere!

Big Sisters and Brothers

2011-08-18T06:25:00.000-07:00

Right now we are working on a set of books written by the talented Fran Manushkin, who also wrote the wonderful Katie Woo. These are nice stories about why being a big sister or brother is so important. They walk the reader through some of the changes the older child can expect when the new baby arrives. Keep your eye out for these cute little books in the spring of 2012!

Spoiler Alert!

2011-08-15T06:41:00.000-07:00

Confession time: I rarely read an entire book without skipping to the end and perusing the final chapter. I always go back and read the rest of the book in its entirety. I tend to enjoy the journey more if I know where it will lead.

Now this habit is completely appalling to many of the fellow readers in my life. They insist that knowing the end ruins the experience. But it turns out that science is on my side. According to a new study by researchers at the University of San Diego, knowing the end of a story doesn't ruin a story. It actually enhances it! I knew I was right all along.

Anyone out there want to confess to loving spoilers? Anyone still insisting that knowing the end ruins the experience? We want to know!

Return to Titanic

2011-08-12T05:23:00.000-07:00

2012 still seems like a long way off — or at least I choose to pretend it is, since I’d like to prolong summer for as long as possible. But with the way time flies around our office, not to mention the crazy calendar of the publishing world, I know 2012 will be here before I know it. At least 2012 will bring with it new books, in particular a new series that I’m extra excited about called Return to Titanic.

2012 marks the 100-year anniversary of Titanic’s maiden voyage and arguably the most famous shipwreck of all time. When Titanic sank into the Atlantic in April 1912, the lives of more than 1,500 passengers were lost. To this day, the sinking of the RMS Titanic remains one of the deadliest peacetime maritime disasters in history.

But what if you could change history? What if you could save just one life? That’s the question posed to Tucker and Maya, two present-day teens, in the Return to Titanic series.

Check out a sneak peak of one of the four covers that make up the Return to Titanic series!

Just One Month

2011-08-08T11:13:00.001-07:00

In one month from today, my oldest daughter will be starting kindergarten. This starts a whole new chapter in my parenting life. This also means summer is near an end, which makes me beyond happy since I love fall (sorry to my coworker Julie who is obsessed with summer and will be super annoyed that I wrote the previous sentence.).

As with many life events, I like to use books as preparation. There are many great books about starting school, and I am excited to share them with my daughter. One of my favorites is Too Shy for Show-and-Tell. It tells the sweet story about a shy giraffe who is nervous about show-and-tell (it happens to be a book I worked on:).

What are your favorite school-related books?

New stuff: Too Shy for Show-and-Tell

2011-08-03T06:12:00.000-07:00

Two weeks ago I told you about Henry Helps (and Henry's inspiration). This week, I'd love to share another book I wrote this season: Too Shy for Show-and-Tell.

Okay. Raise your hand if you were or are painfully shy. Yep, that's me. Once I warm up to people I'm okay, but I have a hard time feeling comfortable with new people—even people I really like. And that's been true since I was a little kid. So when I was asked to come up with a great preK topic for our Little Boost series, feeling shy was one of the first things I thought of.

Now, there's nothing wrong with being shy, or with being an introvert. Hopefully everyone knows that. Shyness is natural. But in our society, it's definitely not rewarded. And oftentimes it can keep us, as Morrissey sang, from "doing all the things in life that you want to." So one important lesson that kids need to learn is how to put aside shyness in order to make friends, share feelings, and—as Sam the giraffe learns in this book—participate in show-and-tell and let his classmates get to know him.

The big joy of this book was seeing the words brought to life. Jennifer Bell, the illustrator, did such an amazing job—and in fact, she's already hard at work on my next book.

I hope you enjoy little Sam-the-giraffe as much as I do.

New Stuff: Myth-O-Mania

2011-08-02T06:02:00.000-07:00

Think you know the real story behind the Greek myths? Think again! For the past year or so, I've been editing Kate McMullan's funny, quirky Myth-O-Mania series. The books take traditional Greek myths, (Persephone's kidnapping, the love story of Cupid and Psyche, Hercules's Labors, and more), and tell them from a new, unique perspective. Hades, King of the Underworld, uses these stories to set the record straight on all the lies told by his little brother, Zeus.

It's hard to believe that something so long in the making is finally done, but it is! Now that the books are finally arriving at our office, I can share a sneak peek of all eight books (complete with brand-new covers!), which will be available this fall. Enjoy!

Check out Capstone Connect

2011-07-29T07:13:00.001-07:00

Art director Bob Lentz has shared some great photos of San Diego Comic Con International 2011 over on the Capstone Connect blog. Check it out!

Creative Memories

2011-07-27T12:13:00.000-07:00

I am currently reading this fascinating book called, How To Think Like A Great Graphic Designer. The title is somewhat misleading because the book is not loaded with tips and tricks on how to become a design wonder, but instead, it is a collection of interviews with some of the best designers in the industry. The first question asked of each designer is, what was your first creative memory, which got me thinking about my own life and what some of my first creative experiences were.

My mom always had a card table set up in our basement that my dad had somehow shortened so it was my height, where an assortment of crayons, paper, watercolors, etc, were out and available for me to use. So much of my young life was spent around that table either by myself or with my friends. We made paper dolls, valentines, (which were a HUGE deal, we would start making them the day after Christmas!) and I also remember giving my friend a hair cut at that table. I think the scissors were removed for a while after that incident!

Anyway, it's interesting to think that such a simple thing like a table with some markers on it could have such an impact on my life and create such fond memories. I love these types of stories so now I would like to know, what are some of your first creative memories? We would love to hear about them!

This book is dedicated to . . .

2011-07-25T08:55:00.000-07:00

This is my mom. She is a woman of many talents, like all good mothers are. But I will always associate my mom with her skilled sewing. She made me many dresses growing up. When MC Hammer and his pants were in fashion, she sewed me Hammer pants far wider — and therefore more superior — than any you could find in a store. She sewed fourteen sundresses for the flower girls at my wedding. And she sewed my daughter's baptismal gown.

My latest picture book, Ruth's Pink Pajamas, features a young raccoon who wants to wear her pajamas all the time — even when it is not appropriate. But to me, the story is as much about Ruth's mother as it is about Ruth. Like my mom, Mama Raccoon is savvy with her stitching. And in the end, she is the hero of our book.

Obviously, I see a lot of my mom in that mother raccoon. So when it came time to dedicate the book, the choice was clear. My dedication reads: To my mom, Marjorie, for more reasons than I could list. But maybe I should have added a line: To my mom, Marjorie, for more reasons than I could list . . . but especially for my Hammer pants.

Double, Double, Toil and Trouble: My experience editing four Shakespearean graphic novels

2011-07-22T06:32:00.000-07:00

Warning: this post contains groan-inducing Shakespearean phrase usage.

Initially, we planned on using the original Shakespearean language for our Shakespeare Graphic Novels, new for Fall 2011. However, we realized something was rotten in the state of Denmark when the books were assigned a “Z” reading level; in other words, far beyond the age of our readers. So, with little time left before the books were due to be printed, it fell to this unfortunate editor to translate all four books into modern English. Woe is me, I thought. It’s only spring, yet now is the winter of my discontent.

Nevertheless, I refused to water down Shakespeare; our readers deserve better. No, I wanted these books to stand out from all other adaptations. It is I who should suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune — not librarians and students!

So, over the next few weeks, I pored over countless reference materials and play adaptations. While I became exceedingly well read, the process made me want to shuffle off this mortal coil; converting the text took about a week per book, or ~160 work hours total. But there was a method to my madness: we retained the Shakespearean language of five select phrases per book; they’re bolded in the text, then explained in straightforward detail in the back matter. This way, readers will get a taste of Shakespearean language without feeling overwhelmed, enabling them to enjoy the stories and be prepared to tackle the plays themselves when the time comes.

Please forgive me for the dramatics; while exhausting, the process was worth the toil and trouble when I saw these beauties grace my desk. Our illustrators turned in all-star performances. Brann, the books’ designer, understands that all that glitters is not gold; thus, he put in long hours to fill these books with shine and substance. Both of us have seen better days, but we’re recovering. Perhaps my fretting was much ado about nothing, after all.

This is the short and the long of it: three talented writers, several gifted illustrators, one burnt-out designer, and this weary editor strived long and hard to bring you these spectacular books. All’s well that ends well, as they say. Now if you’ll please excuse me, I have not slept a wink since this project began. I need a nap — a long one. Move over, Yorick.

- Sean Tulien, Editor

New stuff: Henry Helps!

2011-07-20T12:13:00.000-07:00

Toddlers absolutely love helping. It's a fact. I'm pretty sure everyone knows that. Granted, their help isn't necessarily helpful in the true definition of the word, but getting toddlers and preschoolers involved in household tasks serves more than just putting them to work. It's actually the best predictor of their future success, according to a study done at the University of Minnesota. (Props to the awesome ECFE teacher who mentioned the study during parent time!)

I'm the parent of a very helpful nearly-three-year-old, so when I heard that, I knew that thinking up great ways for my kid to help was one easy way I could help instill important values in my child. Sam helps me bake bread (I measure the flour and let him add it a spoonful at a time, and we knead together until he gets bored). He mops and "flashes" the kitchen floor—I'm not sure what the "flashing" is accomplishing, but to him, it's an important part of the job. He sets the table. He shovels snow. He puts away his books. He puts the toppings on pizza and greases muffin tins and stirs (a lot). He even has his own special safe knife for chopping vegetables. Helping has not only given him confidence in his abilities, but it's also given us a great, fun way to spend time together and make routine parts of my life a little more interesting.

Plus, it seemed like an awesome idea for a set of books. And thus, Henry Helps was born. It's a series of four books (with more to come) featuring Henry, a helpful little boy who loves being involved in his family's daily chores. Like all little kids, Henry loves to help. He helps with his baby sister. He helps with the dog. He helps his dad prepare dinner. And he helps his mom do the laundry. The tasks Henry completes are totally manageable for most little kids. But they're actual important parts of each process. Sure, it takes a bit longer to rely on a three- or four-year old to mash up an avocado for guacamole. And you might end up with more of a mess if your toddler is helping to give the dog a bath or sort clothes for laundry day. Your kid can't feed and burp a baby, but he can fetch a burp cloth or a bib for you.

Becoming part of a home's rhythm is a very important part of a little kid's development. And creating a home rhythm is an important part of being a family. Check out all of the Henry books on our website.

GOOD VS EVIL

2011-07-15T12:43:00.000-07:00

"In every moment of time, two sides exist — one good and one evil. Each side has a story, and each its own point of view. One event. Two perspectives. The choice is up to you." And so begins each book in our BRAND NEW graphic novel series GOOD VS EVIL…!

In these four books, one action-packed story is told from two perspectives — the GOOD perspective and the EVIL perspective. Check out the interiors spreads below, and you’ll see that readers can follow the BLUE story along the top, the RED story along the bottom, or read them BOTH AT THE SAME TIME!

These dual stories, along with limited text, promote both VISUAL LITERACY and REPEATED READINGS. But don’t take my word for it! Check out what the experts are saying...

“I found myself rereading and reading for detail — both valuable behaviors. Struggling readers in particular are not good at this, and this story encourages this kind of effective reading behavior. In addition, the story's reliance on visuals challenges strong readers who are accustomed to relying on words rather than pictures.”
—Nancy Frey, Professor of Literacy at San Diego State University and author of Teaching Visual Literacy: Using Comic Books, Graphic Novels, Anime, Cartoons, And More To Develop Comprehension And Thinking Skills.

“Just because it’s nearly wordless doesn’t mean it doesn’t require a great deal of thinking, predicting, questioning, inferring, and monitoring. I can see a lot of great instructional correlations to this work.”
—Terry Thompson, Literacy Coach and author of Adventures in Graphica: Using Comics and Graphic Novels to Teach Comprehension, 2–6.

-Donnie Lemke, Managing Editor

The Best of Friends: Max and Zoe

2011-07-13T09:01:00.000-07:00

When Max was introduced in 2004, he starred in early readers as a kindergartner. Well, Max is back in a new early chapter book seres. Now he is in second grade and shares the spotlight with his best friend, Zoe. Max and Zoe have a great friendship that many kids can relate to. They do everything together. From going to the library to playing soccer, these two are always busy. Each Max and Zoe story has a strong character education tie and is written at level.

For the last seven years Max has been a part of my life. I've had my good times and bad times with him, but overall we're on good terms, and I'm happy to be working with him again. :)

More Katie Adventures!

2011-07-11T09:01:00.000-07:00

As the editor of Fran Manushkin's Katie Woo series, I am always excited to see what sort of adventures Katie will have next. Fran delights her readers with Katie's stories, and these latest four books are no exception. Here's a peek:

Katie Woo, Where Are You? The Woos are shopping at the mall. Mom is looking for a dress. Dad is looking at lawn mowers. And Katie is looking for a lost boy. But if she's not careful, Katie might get lost too!

Katie and the Class Pet: Katie loves taking care of Binky, her class's guinea pig. But the fun ends when poor Binky gets lost. How will she ever tell her class the bad news?

Katie Woo Has the Flu: Poor Katie. She is under the weather. Her tummy feels weird, she can't go to school, and she's stuck eating boring toast and soup. Being sick is the worst!

Katie's New Shoes: Katie's shoes are getting too small, making her toes hurt. It's time to go shoe shopping. There are lots of fun shoes out there, but only shoes with pizzazz will do!

"Houston, we have a problem."

2011-07-08T10:21:00.000-07:00

After 30 years, NASA's space shuttle program is nearing an end. Atlantis launched from Florida this morning with success. I'll be honest, I'm not really a fan of space or space travel. It doesn't really excite or interest me. In fact, I got my worst grade ever in college astronomy (yes, I'm still bitter). However, I will never forget where I was when the Challenger exploded. And while I may never understand why someone would want to travel to space, I can still appreciate the significance of the program to our history and our culture. In fact, I may just have to rent Apollo 13 or Armageddon this weekend to celebrate.

Summer

2011-07-06T07:15:00.000-07:00

After a long weekend full of tons of family and friend-time, beaches, picnics, and ice cream, it's hard to come back to work. But work we must, and luckily for me, I've got lots of fun projects going on. Even better, finished copies of our Fall 2011 books are starting to show up in the office! While no one wants fall to come too quickly, at least there will be plenty of great books to keep us company when cold weather returns.

I hope everyone is enjoying summer!

Chicago!

2011-07-01T07:14:00.000-07:00

I just got back from a wonderful trip to Chicago for the HOW Design Conference. What an amazing, exhausting and inspiring experience! It was a huge conference, with a couple thousand designers in attendance. There were over 30 speakers, including Gael Towey, Chief Creative Director of Martha Stewart Living magazine and her husband Steven Doyle, who designed the Martha Stewart Living logo (he carved the letters by hand, I should add, which is amazing!). I could go on for paragraphs about all of the great design work I saw, and the inspiring sessions that I attended, but instead I will leave you with a few photos.

Summer Reading

2011-06-29T12:09:00.001-07:00

Growing up, summer reading could sometimes seem like a pain (well, not to me, but then I was an admitted reading geek). But I know plenty of classmates who grumbled about having "homework" over the summer when there were so many other fun things to do.

Now that I'm an adult, though, summer reading seems like the definition of fun! It would be such a luxury to sit down for some uninterrupted reading time without worrying about how many other things I should be doing. For me, there's nothing more relaxing than sitting down with a good book in the sunroom or backyard (bonus points if you get to relax and read in or near a body of water!). Since summer finally seems to be underway, it's time to take advantage of your own summer reading list. Whether you're re-reading an old favorite or finally digging into that new novel you've been putting off, we want to know: what are you reading this summer?

Happy National Pink Day!

2011-06-23T07:06:00.000-07:00

Today is a very important day. It is a day to celebrate the color pink. (Ok, maybe it's not that important, but it is fun.) I have a soft spot for pink, and I always will. I grew up in a girly household and now have two girls of my own, so I have no problem celebrating the beauty of pink (As you can see by the picture of my oldest daughter's bedroom. Yes, it's really that bright.) So today of all days, take a moment and embrace the power of pink.

Happy Father's Day to Our Favorite Dads

2011-06-17T07:01:00.000-07:00

My dad is one of the most avid readers I know, but I rarely saw him read more than the newspaper and an occasional magazine while growing up. Now that I'm grown, I realize that long work days at his auto body shop left little time to relax with a novel.

Once he retired, it became clear that he loved a good book. He'll read mysteries, biographies, historical fiction, military histories, and even romance novels. As long as the story is juicy, he doesn't care if he was the intended audience. Best of all, his post-retirement passion made it a lot easier for his nine kids to shop for him. There is a good chance his to-read list will be full after Sunday.

Happy Father's Day to dads everywhere, including our own Captone Fiction fathers.

Myth-O-Mania trailer

2011-06-15T09:44:00.000-07:00

We're bringing Kate McMullan's Myth-O-Mania series back into print this fall, and I've been lucky enough to spend the past season working on this cool, funny series. The books, which are told from Hades's perspective, provide a fresh look at famous Greek myths like Medusa, Hercules, Theseus, Cupid (and several more!). Think you know the real story behind the Greek myths? Think again! Here's the book trailer to give you a sneak peak at Hades's retellings:

Happy Monday!

2011-06-13T06:55:00.000-07:00

Here are some sketches of a character that will appear in one of our upcoming books. Isn't he cute? That's all I will say for now, but keep on the lookout for this little guy! This wonderful character is coming alive thanks to our great illustrator, Jennifer Bell.

Thank a Teacher

2011-06-10T07:35:00.000-07:00

My mom is a kindergarten teacher. My dad taught 6th grade. My sister Gina is a kindergarten teacher. My sister Paulette is an EBD teacher. (Believe me, my list could go on and on and on—starting with my grandparents on both sides of the family.)

With the school year coming to an end, it's time to give a teacher an extra "thank you" for his/her hard work. It doesn't have to be a present (though who doesn't like a gift card to Target or Barnes & Noble?). Sometimes a nice thank-you note is all that is needed to let a teacher know you appreciate the work they do.

As my 4-year-old daughter recently told me at her preschool graduation (shown in picture with her teacher), "Mom, I want to do what you do when I grow up. Being a teacher is too much work." So be sure to thank a teacher!

World Environment Day: Reflections from an Awakened Homeowner

2011-06-03T07:24:00.000-07:00

Sunday is World Environment Day (WED), the most widely celebrated day for positive environmental action. We are all well aware of the climate crisis facing our environment, yet we often ignore our most vulnerable piece of real estate—planet earth. So in the great cosmic arena of time and place, let us settle today to pause and reflect on our small, blue planet earth—the only home we’ve ever known.

Together we can use our shared knowledge to mitigate the environmental devastation caused by human actions and to cultivate a better world for our children. We do this everyday, as parents, as teachers, and as friends and neighbors of a larger global community. The rapid exchange of knowledge through books and other media, continues to flourish. Let us use this great and uniquely human endeavor to awaken the human spirit and to share the know-how in the building of a better home. Because here on earth, we are all homeowners.

"We are all connected. To each other, biologically. To the earth, chemically. To the rest of the universe atomically." - Neil deGrasse Tyson

Russell Griesmer, Designer

June is Great Outdoors Month

2011-06-01T08:42:00.000-07:00

Happy Great Outdoors Month! Here at Capstone Fiction, we have a fair amount of camping fans. I am not included in this lot. It isn't really my fault. I blame a naughty raccoon.

The last time I went camping was the first time my husband and I took our two young children with us — four years ago. I quickly found out that camping with kids isn't quite the same as two capable adults on their own. The mark of a great campsite changes from how wooded and private it feels to how close it is to the bathroom. Feeding a family is harder over an open fire. And kids don't quite sleep as well in a tent as their own beds.

Those things I could deal with. But one thing I could not deal with is a raccoon breaking into our tent. Yep, I was face to face with a young woodland friend right in our tent. The critter was quite content until my husband started lecturing it. Then it popped out as quickly as it had popped in. So can you blame me for abandoning camping as a great family getaway?

Here is where that naughty raccoon got in. Side note: We borrowed this tent. Sigh.

So how will I honor Great Outdoors Month this year? I might go on a few hikes, maybe hit the lake on a hot day. And my favorite . . . sit out on my safe patio and read great books about other people enjoying the outdoors.

What makes you a crabby pants?

2011-05-23T11:44:00.000-07:00

On Friday, I enjoyed sharing my book, Crabby Pants, with my daughter's first grade class. As a thank-you gift, the entire class wrote their own tales about what makes them crabby! Here is a sampling . . .

When my mom is crabby it makes me crabby. — Victoria

When I wont to go play with my frends when it is such a beautiful day out side, my Dad says I have to cleen up my room first. That macks me a Crabby Pants. — Gabe

I get crady when my big brother sneks my toys . . . and I get riley mad and get on my crady pants. — Caroline

When I can't go out side and ride my bike when it's a wonderfl day out I get crabby. I turn into Mr. Crabby Pants. — Legend

I played sccor at my house. My sister broke the roolls. I got crabby !!! — Sasha

Once I wanted to go in Maggi's room to tell her something. BUT SHE DIDN'T LET ME IN!. . . And that makes me a crabby pants. — Teddy

David got crabby because David's mom did not want him to play football. That's why it's time to get Crabby Again!!!!!!!! — David

I get crabby when my mom and dad make me eat my vegitbles, like carites, peas, and brocly. — Sky

One day after brekfist my little brother was raghawsing with me. . . That made me Crabby! — Ani

One day Ben was sleeping. But his mom and dad work him up. Then he gets crabby pants!!! — Ben

So what makes you crabby? Other crabby people? Not getting to enjoy beautiful weather? Having to eat healthy food? Or all of the above? Tell us in the comments.

My Mom

2011-05-20T12:09:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I got to read a few books I wrote and talk about editing to my mom's kindergarten class. Since I was in the first kindergarten class my mom taught, it was an extra special day. After I read and answered some questions, I stayed and watched my mom in action. It was beyond amazing! The kids could read, do math equations, and write stories. I was in awe.

Yesterday I was proud to be an author. I was proud to be an editor. But I was most proud to say that Mrs. Oven is my mom.

The Happiest Day

2011-05-18T11:35:00.000-07:00

The happiest day for me as an editor is when the books I've worked on for months finally see the light of day. Seeing the finished product after months of seeing a book in manuscript form is beyond thrilling, so you can imagine how giddy I was earlier this week when the first book in our Myth-O-Mania series, Nice Shot, Cupid!, landed on my desk. Cupid is a little bit ahead of the pack, but for good reason: Kate McMullan, the author of the Myth-O-Mania series, will be signing copies of the book next week at BEA. I haven't even seen proofs for the other seven books in the series yet — but Cupid is living proof that the books will come!

Book Expo America and other inspiration

2011-05-16T12:31:00.001-07:00

I'm super excited to be off to Book Expo America next week. We'll be having exciting author signings (featuring Fran Manushkin, Kate McMullan, and Tony Hawk), and it's so thrilling to get to see what other publishers are up to. There are tons of other publishers in Minnesota, but rarely are so many book people together as in the Javits Center for BEA, and I find it really inspiring as a book maker, a reader, a writer, and a lover of all things pretty.

The new socially connected world is a great boon to those in the business of inspiration collection (which is, um, all of us). I collect and curate my own inspirations on Facebook and Pinterest and privately on Evernote--what about you? Where do you store inspiration? Where do you get it? How do you organize it? How do you know when you've found it?

Beth - managing editor

Super-Secret Project sees the light.

2011-05-13T09:53:00.000-07:00

Hello friends,

Our super secret project is finally ready to see the light. The announcement and press release went out yesterday: Tony Hawk is working with us on a new book series! And I'm the lucky girl that gets to design the books, along with Brann Garvey.

But like every huge project, launching this series takes a village. I don't know anybody on our team that hasn't work on the project in one way or another. We are all invested and proud of what we have in store for you.

For those who haven't read the PW article check it out here.

If you missed the press release here.

Now I want to leave you all with a taste of what's coming from this series, because it's so awesome and has so many brilliant people working every detail.

Readers, never forget the village that built the Tony Hawk 900 Revolution in 2011! I hope you enjoy this new book series!

Things I'm thankful for, Monday edition

2011-05-09T09:42:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday! Though it's bleak and miserable outside, there are many things I'm thankful for today:

* All of my Fall 2011 books are out the door and to the printer. Proofs will follow soon, but the WORK part is done! Hurray!

* I had a lovely Mother's Day and got to sleep in until EIGHT yesterday--what luxury!

* BEA is only two weeks away! We have a ton of exciting events planned, like author signings and giveaways, so if you'll be at the Javits, come and find us.

* It seems like summer truly will come someday, after a terribly long winter (seriously, like something out of Laura Ingalls Wilder). The forecast for tomorrow is a steamy 80 degrees! Our group has a long-standing tradition of going out for lunch en masse on Thursdays, and lately we've been relegated to sitting inside at our favorite local eateries. But perhaps, perhaps, this is the week when we'll see some sun for Thursday Lunch!

What are you thankful for today?
Beth - managing editor

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-06T09:34:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day is coming up on Sunday, and it's a chance to say thanks to your mom for everything she does for you. Even if she drives you crazy sometimes, Mom is always there for you when you need her.

One of the things I appreciate most about my mom is that she always encouraged my love of reading growing up (even when I did it at the dinner table, and in the car, and in the bathroom, and . . . well, you get the idea). She didn't even get (too) mad when I let the water run for 20 minutes without putting the plug in the bathtub because I got distracted reading Laura Ingalls Wilder's By the Shores of Silver Lake. So thanks, Mom! See, reading at the dinner table wasn't rude — it paid off. I'm an editor now!

Happy early Mother's Day to all the great moms out there — I know several of them work in our office! Take time this weekend to tell your mom thanks. And in honor of Mother's Day, share some of your (and your mom's) favorite reading memories with us!

Just One More Day...

2011-05-03T07:40:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is Cinco de Mayo! Did you know that Cinco de Mayo is a bigger holiday in the United States than in Mexico? You probably did know that, but it's worth mentioning again. And while it's not a national holiday, it is a chance for us to celebrate the Mexican culture, including food, music, beverages, and customs unique to Mexico. I'll probably be reading an extra Dora book or two to celebrate (and maybe having tacos). What will you be doing?

Thank You, Teachers!

2011-05-03T07:00:00.000-07:00

Today is National Teacher Day. Great teachers do so much more than pass on knowledge about certain subjects. Somehow, they see what is inside their students and make a connection that inspires young people to work hard. They help them see the possibilities for both the present and future. Here is our tribute to some of the teachers who made a difference in our lives. (And be sure to leave a memory of one of your favorite teachers in the comments!)

Heather Kindseth, Creative Director: My favorite teacher was my Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Botke. She was the sweetest person I ever met and always had a smile on her face. She was full of encouragement, and it was obvious she truly loved being a teacher, making sure everyone in the class felt a part of the group, liked learning, had the help, and support they needed throughout the day. Thank you, Mrs. Botke!

Christianne Jones, Managing Editor: My favorite teacher was Mrs. Schorn, who taught band and choir (from 5th grade on). She wore cool red glasses and funky clothes and had more energy and patience than anyone I’ve ever met. We always got to play the coolest pop songs in pep band and had the best homecoming field shows. Plus, anyone who’s willing to listen to 5th graders play instruments deserves a special award.

Bob Lentz, Art Director: One of my favorite teachers was my fifth grade teacher in Litchfield, MN: Mr. Buschette. I was in fifth grade in 1987, which is the first year the Twins won the World Series. Mr. Buschette would play the day games on the radio during class! The best part, though, is that he would quiz us on baseball terms and somehow tie the call of the game into our English and math lessons. Awesome.

Emily Harris, Graphic Designer: Linda Brooks taught me photography and senior art seminar in high school. She helped me realize that my love of art could be more than just a hobby.

Donnie Lemke, Managing Editor:
My favorite teacher is, Amy Lemke—my wife. She teaches early childhood special education, spending each and every day preparing young students for a bright academic future. (And she still has the patience to deal with me each and every night!)
Ali Deering, Editor: My favorite/most influential teacher ever was Ms. Pryor. I first met Ms. Pryor in the fifth grade. I lucked out and had her as my homeroom teacher in eighth grade. I still remember being SO excited when I got my room assignment. She taught eighth-grade English and literature. I already love English and writing, but she really encouraged and furthered my interest in it. She also introduced me to some of my favorite books (The Outsiders and To Kill a Mockingbird). She was, without a doubt, the most dedicated, caring and overall best teacher I ever had. I was SO lucky to have her — I probably have her to thank for the fact that I'm an editor today.
Beth Brezenoff, Managing Editor: I was a good student, so I pretty much liked all of my teachers, with a few notable exceptions. But my very favorite teacher was my fourth-grade classroom teacher, Ms. Danielson. I'm not sure why, but I remember coming home from my first day of school that year gushing about her. She had pretty hair. Maybe that's why. I also remember that she did more to reinforce self-esteem based on internal qualities than any other teacher since — which was very important in fourth grade.

Julie Gassman, Senior Editor: It is hard to pick a favorite teacher, so I will choose one who did the impossible: In sixth grade, Mrs. V made diagramming sentences one of the most fun things we did in class. She divided us into two teams, led by captains. (Being a clumsy bookworm, it was definitely the only time I was chosen captain for a competition. The contest was judged on speed and accuracy. The team came out on top won two pieces of candy for each team member. But there were no losers, because the other team each got one too. Thanks to Mrs. V, diagramming sentences is still my idea of a good time.
Kay Fraser, Art Director:

I will not forget my seventh grade teacher, Macarone. I helped write the school play. After we finished writing it, she asked me to help during tryouts. I read one part, while the people trying out said their lines. After having casting tryouts for a week, Macarone decided I was the best person to play one of the main characters. I was an introvert, so I FREAKED OUT. I didn't want to. But she insisted I give it a shot, so I did. It was the first play I wasn't behind the scenes. I did just fine; I even enjoyed it. I wouldn't have acted or sang in front of people if it wasn't for her. Thanks to Macarone! She was one in a million.

There's just something about a princess...

2011-04-29T06:01:00.000-07:00

I confess. The first thing I did when I woke up this morning was turn on the television to see Kate Middleton in her wedding gown. The ceremony had just finished, and the happy couple was beginning their walk down that LONG aisle.

She took my breath away; classic beauty at its best. I couldn't help but tear up. I am one of the optimistic lot who has decided William and Kate's story is a real-life fairy tale. And who doesn't love a fairy tale?

So if you are like me today, feeling especially romantic and whimsical, track down a Storybook Classic, a My First Classic Story, or a Graphic Spin and escape to a world of princesses, and princes, and magic.

Give Me an S! (for Stone Arch, of course!)

2011-04-28T08:31:00.000-07:00

I am excited to share with you one of our covers from a new series that will be coming out this fall, titled Team Cheer. These are super fun stories about a group of girls who love cheerleading. The author, Jen Jones comes from a cheerleading family and has written many books on the subject, so she an expert. Her love of all things cheer comes through in her stories. Be sure to check them out!

Changing Seasons

2011-04-22T07:25:00.000-07:00

For most of the past week, Minnesota has looked a lot like the cover above. Cold, snowy, and altogether unpleasant. And believe me when I say I haven't been having nearly as much fun with the return to winter as the kids on our adorable "I See Winter" cover. We got a brief taste of spring last week, but it was fleeting. Some days I've wondered if we skipped spring completely and are permanently stuck with winter. Thankfully, as of tomorrow, I'll be seeing a new season (at least for a little while):

I'm fleeing south to the warmer weather of Florida for the week, where I'm sure my attitude will more closely mirror the characters' expressions in "I See Summer." Fingers crossed Mother Nature (specifically the one in charge of Minnesota's weather) gets her act together by the time I return.

What Year Is It?

2011-04-20T11:48:00.001-07:00

Today is Wednesday, April 20......2011. Yes, it took me a few moments to remember what year it is. Why? Well, working in book publishing can really mess with your head (even more so than MN weather). Right now it is the spring of 2011 (even though it doesn't feel like it), but we are just finishing up our Fall 2011 season. On top of that, we are well into our Spring 2012 season and getting started on our Fall 2012 season. The second anyone starts talking about Spring 2013, I basically shut down. And such is the life of an editor.

TLA treasures

2011-04-18T07:26:00.000-07:00

I didn't go to TLA this year, but Capstone was there in full force. My boss was sent down to Austin with directions to not return unless he brought a signed copy of one of the Kylie Jean books for me. Our wonderful author Marci Peschke did a signing at the show, and the books were a huge hit--she signed over 200 copies.

The first thing Michael did this morning was hand this over to me. Yay!

Jackie Robinson Day

2011-04-15T08:05:00.000-07:00

Did you know that today is Jackie Robinson day? A whole day devoted to one of baseball's legends who revolutionized the game in so many ways! I am a big baseball fan myself, although I tend to be a home town team girl, so in my case the Minnesota Twins. Baseball is one of the few sports that I actually understand and enjoy. I still have a lot to learn about the sport, so I am glad I can walk down the hall to our library to educate myself a bit more on this topic.

If you would like to learn more about this baseball great, we have a plethora of books in our collection, (both fiction and non-fiction) just about Jackie Robinson. Go to our website and search by his name to see what pops up, even better try searching for "baseball" in general and you will get 12 pages of results! We have such an extensive collection, go check it out and start reading!

Wishful thinking . . .

2011-04-13T09:36:00.000-07:00

Most days, I love the challenges of my work. But once in a while, a day comes along that makes me wish I was Cow.

Or Puppy.

Or Lamb.

Or especially Kitty.

Happy Friday!

2011-04-08T06:25:00.000-07:00

While browsing a blog that some of us designers regularly peruse, Share Some Candy, we happened to come across some of our books! How cool! And what a nice way to end the week. Don't they look good? We certainly think so! Written by our own Michael Dahl, illustrated by Migy and designed by Bob Lentz, these books are filled with colorful fun! Check them out on our website, and have a great weekend!

Image from Share Some Candy

Can There Ever Be Enough?

2011-04-06T13:17:00.000-07:00

March Madness has finally ended (in April, which is very confusing), baseball is in full swing (Twins home opener is on Friday, and I will be there!), and summer league slow-pitch softball for men is right around the corner (don't even ask). Sports are a big part of my life. In fact, every two years my life is consumed with the Olympics. (My obsession borders on crazy.)

Coincidentally, sports are also a big part of children's book publishing. Every season we do at least two series about sports (Jake Maddox, anyone?), and I doubt that will change any time soon. From My First Graphic Novel sports stories to Sports Illustrated chapter books, we have a great range of topics for every age group. Because really, can we ever have enough sports books?

April is National Poetry Month

2011-04-04T07:08:00.000-07:00

The Enkindled Spring

This spring as it comes bursts up in bonfires green,
Wild puffing of emerald trees, and flame-filled bushes,
Thorn-blossom lifting in wreaths of smoke between
Where the wood fumes up and the watery, flickering rushes.

I am amazed at this spring, this conflagration
Of green fires lit on the soil of the earth, this blaze
Of growing, and sparks that puff in wild gyration,
Faces of people streaming across my gaze.

And I, what fountain of fire am I among
This leaping combustion of spring? My spirit is tossed
About like a shadow buffeted in the throng
Of flames, a shadow that's gone astray, and is lost.

--D.H. Lawrence

Autism Awareness Month

2011-04-01T11:36:00.001-07:00

April has a lot of great things to offer. It has April Fool’s Day. It has Easter. It has Earth Day. It often has what feels like the real start of spring. But it also has something more meaningful: Autism Awareness Day. This is something that always hits close to home for me since my brother Ryan has autism. He and I are only two years apart in age, so we’ve always been close. (Especially when you take into account how siblings usually bicker!)

There are a lot of misconceptions about people with autism: they’re standoffish, they don’t show affection, they always prefer to be alone, they can’t communicate, they’re all savants like in Rain Man, the list goes on and on. And while some of those might be true for some people, they’re not true for all. My brother is without a doubt, one of the sweetest, funniest, most affectionate people I know. And believe me, when he wants something he has ZERO trouble communicating it to you. And despite whatever challenges and problems may arise as a result of Ryan’s autism, I know I’m a better person for having him in my life.

Today in the United States, 1 in every 110 children is diagnosed with autism, and that number increases to 1 in 70 for boys. That’s a 600% increase from when Ryan was diagnosed almost 20 years ago, and there’s still no cure. Tomorrow, April 2nd, is World Autism Awareness Day, and all of April is Autism Awareness Month — use the time to talk to a child you know about what autism is. For more information, check out http://www.autismspeaks.org/index.php or http://www.autism-society.org/.

When good books become mediocre movies

2011-03-30T08:58:00.000-07:00

When I picked my son, Noah, up from his after-school program last Friday, he was in an uproar. After finishing Roald Dahl's James in the Giant Peach, his class got to watch the movie version. Noah, who loved the book, was extremely upset that some of his favorite characters were missing. "Why would they do that?" he asked. "Why is the movie never as good as the book?" Welcome to one of the biggest wonders of readers everywhere, young Noah.

Usually I like to watch the movie, before I read the book. That way I can save the best (the book) for last. For example, I loved the first Chronicles of Narnia movie. And while I still feel it is a fine film, now that I'm reading the book, nothing can compare to the picture in my mind.

This spring, one of my favorite books comes to the big screen: Water for Elephants. I am thrilled with the casting. Reece Witherspoon and Robert Patterson are the perfect Marlena and Jacob. So I am keeping a positive outlook, and if I'm disappointed? Well, there is nothing stopping me from rereading the book.

Crunch Time!

2011-03-25T11:34:00.001-07:00

We’re always a busy group here at Stone Arch Books, but around this time of year “busy” takes on a whole new meaning for everyone on the fiction team. You can tell we’ve really gotten into the end-of-season crunch here recently. All of us editors and designers are working double-time to try to get books out the door and into your hands. Everyone is loaded down with books routing in red folders and hyped up on plenty of caffeine . . . as evidenced by the fact that our first, giant pot of coffee was gone this morning before 8:15. Yikes! My desk used to be under this pile of red folders . . . fingers crossed I find it again sometime soon.

It's National Puppy Day!

2011-03-23T13:46:00.001-07:00

According to my coworker's calendar, today is national puppy day. While I'm not a pet or animal person, I do realize most people are. I also realize that most children love books about animals (especially puppies and horses). My youngest daughter loves Play Time for Puppy. So even if you are not a pet person, I encourage you to read a puppy book today.

When is a library a destination?

2011-03-21T06:56:00.000-07:00

The youth section of Cape Girardeau's public library.

Last week, I vacationed down to Cape Girardeau, Missouri, to visit family. My to-do list while there was quite short: exercise, relax, eat, and . . . visit the public library. I had read up about the city a bit and had discovered that the new library, opened in 2009, was considered a destination library. Well, that was certainly right up my alley. After all, a normal, plain-jane library is my ideal destination, so I couldn't wait to see what this one had to offer.

Cape's library is home to gathering places, an impressive collection, and loads of audio and digital resources. I had a blast strolling through the beautiful building, spotting Capstone books and visiting with the media specialists there.

This destination library serves everyone in the community! Babies have their own special place to roam.

From babies to teens...a fun area to hang out and read that latest Sarah Dessen novel.

Look! It's our good friend, Max!

Do you see spring?

2011-03-18T12:47:00.000-07:00

I think spring may actually be on its way! The snow is finally beginning to melt, birds are out and about, and the temperature is slowly creeping upward. I cannot wait for spring to officially arrive, and I am just as excited about our new set of toddler books. They are sweet, rhyming stories that walk a child through the beauty of each season. With adorable characters and vibrant art, these little gems will hopefully get everyone excited about the changing of the seasons.

New friends!

2011-03-16T07:00:00.000-07:00

Oh, my. I am sooooo excited to introduce these little guys to you.

Meet Vivienne. She's messy.And Pete. He's . . . well, let's just say he needs to work on his manners.And Ruth. Oh, Ruth. She just loves those pink pajamas.
And then there's Sam. He's shy.

You'll get to know them all soon.

--Beth

Adventures

2011-03-14T09:28:00.000-07:00

Hi friends,

I just returned from a beautiful vacation back home in South America. I visited Buenos Aires, Argentina, making various stops in Colombia and Miami. I thought I would share some of my favorite pictures from the trip with you.

Wishing you warm spring weather soon. Greetings from South America!
Kay

An Icon

2011-03-09T07:57:00.000-08:00

Today we celebrate the birthday of an icon. Like many great women (Cher, Madonna, etc), she goes by just one name—Barbie. On this very day in 1959, Barbara Millicent Roberts was born. You may love her or hate her (I love her and am very happy to play Barbies with my girls), but you can't argue with her icon status. I must point out that she's had about a billion careers, but she's never been a book editor. I guess even Barbie can't handle the book world.

Happy Birthday, Barbie!

My first Barbie was Peaches & Cream. My sisters were jealous because she had bent arms and their Barbies didn't.

You CAN go home again!

2011-03-07T06:47:00.000-08:00

You know that saying, “You can’t go home again.” It isn’t true. You can go home, and when you do, people will welcome you with open arms.

Last Friday, I had the pleasure visiting my former elementary school in Howard, South Dakota. Thanks to a large addition, the school was about twice as big as it was when I attended, yet the hallways and some of the classrooms seemed smaller. (Isn’t it funny how places seem smaller just because you are bigger?)

I read to the kindergarten, first-grade, and second-grade classes, sharing my picture books Crabby Pants and Eleanore Won’t Share. They were wonderful and attentive listeners, Even though I spend my workdays thinking about children and their reading, it isn’t often I get to witness it. Until you hear a group of kids laugh at something you have written, you just never know if the joke really works. I am happy to say that I heard a few laughs on Friday, and saw many smiles.

The first graders all had questions ready for me.

Thanks to all the little Howard Tigers who listened so nicely, to the teachers who made room in their schedules, and to Mrs. Ulrich, the librarian who organized it all. Also, thank you to the familiar faces who came out to a book signing after school. It is all of you that make me proud to say Howard is my hometown.

Happy National Grammar Day!!!

2011-03-03T12:50:00.000-08:00

It’s that time of year again. Time for my favorite holiday: National Grammar Day. You might find it hard to believe that there are people who actually enjoy and celebrate this holiday, but there are. They are editors, and I am not embarrassed to be one of them. Case in point, this is an actual email exchange (which I still have saved) that took place last year on National Grammar Day between my managing editor Beth and myself:

Beth: It’s National Grammar Day! Anyone have a nerdy grammar thing to add — a favorite punctuation mark, etc. (Haha! Don’t you guys have one too??) Let me know.

Me: Probably commas in compound sentences. Which is super nerdy. Or hyphens between compound adjectives. On another note, things that are incorrectly hyphenated are my biggest pet peeve. Aka, “The 40 Year-Old Virgin.” Which leads me to a question I’ve been meaning to ask you for days: Should “Hot Tub Time Machine” be hyphenated? I feel like it’s extra nerdy of me to have been pondering that for days.

Beth: We are SOUL MATES. I think Hot-Tub Time Machine . . . right???

Me: EXACTLY!!!

Now that I’ve shared some embarrassing grammar tidbits with you, what are your favorite grammar rules? (On that note, I hereby give you permission to correct someone’s incorrect grammar today . . . after all, it IS National Grammar Day!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gWwah7ROsE

Happy Read Across America Day!

2011-03-02T05:48:00.000-08:00

Today is Read Across America Day as well as Dr. Seuss's birthday. The perfect day to grab your hat and read with the Cat!

Pledge to read aloud (to your classroom, child, younger sibling, or anyone!) here.