A small correction to last week's post: LAST STOP ON MARKET STREET not only won the Newbery, but was a Caldecott honor selection! I can't wait to start reading all of the winners and honor books...

Well, the winners are in!

NEWBERY:
Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena

NEWBERY HONOR:
War that Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker
Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson
Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan

CALDECOTT:
Finding Winnie illustrated by Sophie Blackall

CALDECOTT HONOR:
Trombone Shorty illustrated by Bryan Collier
Waiting illustrated by Kevin Henkes
Voice of Freedom, Frannie Lou Hamer illustrated by Ekua Holmes

Time again for my annual Caldecott/Newbery predictions!

CALDECOTT:
Drum Dream Girl illus. by Rafael Lopez
The Marvels illus. by Brian Selznick
Night World illus. by Mordicai Gerstein
Float illus. by Daniel Miyares
Waiting illus. by Kevin Henkes

NEWBERY:
Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley
Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan
Gone Crazy in Alabama by Rita Williams-Garcia
Goodbye Stranger by Rebecca Stead
The Hired Girl by Laura Amy Schliz

Am headed back down to Southern California this weekend, for two Christmas parties - no author presentations this time around. But I will be attending the Huntington Beach Author Festival in January. Happy Holidays!

This past weekend I visited two libraries in Anaheim for an author presentation. Both programs were so fun and enjoyable! After the story time (featuring my books, of course) children were given a craft to complete and we all enjoyed pumpkin and apple pies which were donated from Polly's Pies!

I just finished another picture book manuscript that I think is lots of fun! Entitled EXTRA! EXTRA! the story begins with a news headline announcing that Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep. Then, enlisting the help of Old Mother Hubbard and Jack and Jill, Bo Peep sets off down the crooked mile and around the mulberry bush to rescue her sheep. The group soon encounters Mary, who informs them that her little lamb did not follow her to school today. Realizing that there is a "sheep thief" in their midst, the nursery rhyme characters proceed to solve the mystery, but not without a few twists and turns along the way. The book is chock full of Mother Goose allusions and puns about lambs and sheep.

Am heading down to Southern California to give two presentations at the Anaheim Public Library. As it is the weekend before Thanksgiving, I will be featuring two of my books: I KNOW AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED A PIE and TURKEY'S BEST THANKSGIVING. The presentations will include crafts and pie to eat!