Mission Defrostable (Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast #3) Cover Reveal

It's one of those evenings at the end of a day when nothing seems to go according to plan.  In fact, the word plan has completely left your vocabulary.  On days such as these there is only one thing to do.  There is only one surefire cure; breakfast for dinner.  Those three words have a magical effect.  It's time to whip up a batch of waffles, pancakes or French toast or all three!

As you gather ingredients, utensils, and cookware, lightness fills your spirit.  You can easily imagine the wondrous odors swirling around you chasing away the woes of the day.  It's like having a warm, comforting blanket wrapped around you.  JUST A SECOND!  Why is it so cold in here?  Did someone leave the freezer door open?

It's hard to believe more than three years ago on March 9, 2015 readers were introduced to two delectable food friends, Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast.  The cover reveal for Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast (Sterling Children's Books, September 1 2015) written by Josh Funk with illustrations by Brendan Kearney caused quite a stir among the refrigerator crowd.  The release of the title caused an even greater sensation among the ranks of racers.  It's surprising (or not) what someone will do for the last drop of maple syrup.

By December 13, 2016 the book trailer premiere for The Case Of The Stinky Stench (Lady Pancake Sir French Toast) had people toe-tapping and hand-clapping as they awaited the release date of the companion title, a malodorous mystery.  The Case Of The Stinky Stench (Lake Pancake Sir French Toast) (Sterling Children's Books, May 2, 2017) written by Josh Funk with illustrations by Brendan Kearney had people guessing and gathering clues until the final whiff was taken.

I am happy to welcome author Josh Funk back to Librarian's Quest.  In this third escapade by the breakfast buddies, Mission Defrostable, a chilly chill is permeating the entire refrigerator realm.  What can you tell us, Josh, about this dangerous situation?  Will the duo be racers or sleuths?

If Book #1 was a race, and Book #2 was a mystery, then Book #3 is an action adventure full of twists, surprises, revenge and double-and triple-crosses.  In Mission Defrostable, the fridge is inexplicably freezing over, and Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast are recruited to help get to the bottom of things.

You have brought to this daring duo's deeds yet another new character.  How would you describe this character to readers?

Agent Asparagus of the F. B. I. (Fridge Bureau of Investigation) leads the charge to determine the cause of the big freeze.  Frankly, when Asparagus shows up, not much is known about her or the F. B. I. - but as Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast are counted on as leaders in the fridge, they quickly offer to help.

I believe you are a fan of fairy tales, Josh.  Is this story based upon a particular fairy tale?

I don't believe so-so if you notice something, it certainly wasn't intentional.  Mission Defrostable was based on some of my favorite action adventure movies like Indiana Jones and Mission: Impossible. 

In this story the theme of friendship seems to be stronger than ever.  Do you care to comment on this, Josh?

Truthfully, I don't think I went into writing any of the Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast adventures with any themes in mind.

In Book 1, there's definitely the 'don't waste time bickering and arguing - or everyone loses' theme.  In Book 2, it ended up with a 'don't judge a character who's down on his luck by his appearance (and odor)' theme.

Or in other words, you're right; the theme of both is friendship.

In Book 3, it's ... well, yes - friendship again.  But this time it might be more with a twist of 'give people a chance to befriend you - don't assume they don't want to be friends'.

Now you've got me wondering why the theme of friendship is so prevalent in this series.  What might this say about the relationship I have with food? Hmmmm . . .

Is there anything else you would like to share with readers before we reveal the exciting new cover for Mission Defrostable?

Well, I'm pretty psyched about this book.  It's probably the best one yet.  And so is the cover!  I think it's brilliant - it works both as a winter book (cold theme) - but also as a summer book (see the popsicles).  Illustrator Brendan Kearney has done it again!

And thank you, Margie, for hosting this cover reveal!  You're the best! 

Thank YOU, Josh, for visiting here again and for the honor of revealing this frosty fabulous cover. 

It seems our fearless adventurers are ready to spring into action when dastardly deeds have upset the status quo for the inhabitants of the refrigerator.  Obviously the popsicles are happier than happy at the turn of the temperature but others are shivering with the chilly chills.  Brendan Kearney has managed to give us the feeling of an icy atmosphere but our heroes maintain warmth with their true hearts.  I have to admit that looking at the ice cream carton in the center has me dreaming about my next hot fudge sundae.  

To discover more about Josh Funk and Brendan Kearney please follow the links attached to their names to access their respective websites.  Both Josh and Brendan maintain blogs which are linked at their websites.  You can find them on Twitter at @joshfunkbooks and @brendandraws

Back To The Place Called Home

Now, after two weeks, when pressing my face into her fur it triggers new sensations.  There are odors of sunshine, evergreens, lake breezes and wild.  Her soul is new too, her spirit soaring as we traverse paths and roadways through northern Michigan woods.  Startled deer leap in front of us.  At any given moment my canine companion will freeze, listening and sniffing the air.

Today in the very early hours of the morning after finishing, for the second time, The Wild Robot Escapes (Little, Brown and Company, March 13 2018) written and illustrated by Peter Brown, later, during our first walk, my mind wandered in different directions.  It was wonderful to compare the second title with the first, The Wild Robot (Little, Brown and Company, April 5, 2016).  Using my senses to take in these pristine surroundings and all they offer, it was easy to think of ROZZUM unit 7134 affectionately known as Roz.  It was easy to imagine her walking along beside us or appearing in the woods when she believed we meant her and her friends no harm.

Without divulging too much, at the end of the first title, Roz is forced to leave those and that which she loves most.  I know what you are thinking.  How can a robot love? Roz is an extraordinary being.

Chapter 1
THE CITY
Our story begins in a city, with buildings and streets and bridges and parks.  Humans were strolling, automobiles were driving, airships were flying, robots were hard at work.
Weaving through the city streets was a delivery truck.

Picking up speed this truck zooms away from the city and past vast stretches of country landscape until it reaches one specific farm, Hilltop Farm.  It stops and drops out a crate.  Inside is a ROZZUM unit.  It is number 7134.  Roz.

What the farmer, Mr. Shareef, his dog Curly, and his children a daughter, Jaya, and a son, Jad, do not know and cannot know, is Roz will exceed the required work needed to be done on the dairy farm.  (After the death of his wife and an injury, Mr. Shareef, is desperate to save this family land.)  That first night, the cows in the barn, like the animals on the island, discover Roz's mind does not function as the technology in other robots does.  She speaks their language.

Day after day a routine forms as Roz repairs the other automated equipment and maintains every aspect of this farm.  She is as content as one can be when living two lives and longing for home. As the seasons shift, flocks of geese stop at the pond on the property. Conversing with them, she gets a promise.  She starts to plan . . . her escape.

It does not miss the attention of the children that their robot has special qualities.  Storytelling sessions begin.  There are stories of a wild robot on an island and her son, a goose named Brightbill.  Jaya and Jad are completely captivated.

A pack of wolves, a wild tornado, a summer night around a campfire, the existence of an old barn, the arrival of a special flock of geese and a startling revelation alter relationships.  More secrets are kept and an expanded plan is put into action.  Spring brings renewed hope as well as increased fears.

Readers' hearts will race as surely as the heart of Brightbill and the survival mode wired into Roz as they attempt to reach a goal.  Danger is a constant companion.  At any moment they realize they might never see each other again.  At any moment they realize one of them could die.  Expect the unexpected as this breathtaking companion title thrills us until the final word is read.  That word will sound in every soul.


When a book starts with

Our story begins

readers are immediately drawn into the plot.  We step into this narrative as if it's our own.  From time to time throughout the story, this unseen narrator will carry on casual conversations with us.  This technique is brilliantly employed by Peter Brown and it is as successful here as it was in the first title.

Short chapters with short definitive titles propel us forward as quickly as we can turn the pages.  The end of each one connects flawlessly with the following chapter.  A blend of conversations and narrative text give us insight into the characters thoughts, moods and motives.  Vivid descriptions of setting further envelope us as we move from one landscape to another.  Here are some passages.

Nobody knew quite what to think of the strange creature in their midst. And soon all the cows were voicing their thoughts.
"I think the monster is harmless."
"I think the monster is unnatural."
"I think the monster is moving!" 
The herd fell silent as the monster marched out from the shadows and into the middle of the barn.  And then she did the impossible.  She did the unthinkable.  She spoke to the cows in the language of the animals.
"I am not a monster, I am a robot.  My name is Roz."

The cows and the humans spent hot days indoors.
Only when the sun finally set and the air began to cool would they venture outside.  The herd strolled out to graze under the stars, the children ran out to chase fireflies, sometimes even Mr. Shareef stepped out to stretch his stiff legs.
Leaves rustled in the evening breeze.
Heat lightning flickered on the horizon.
Cicadas sang from tree branches.

"Running away might be easy for you, but not for me," said Roz.  "Your father can track my movements.  If he sees me trying to escape he will think I am defective, and he will send me away to be destroyed."
An uncomfortable question popped into Jaya's mind.  
"Roz, don't take this the wrong way," she began, "but is it possible that you are defective?"
"Don't say that, Jaya!" cried her brother.
"No, it is okay," said the robot.  "I have asked myself that same question.  I do not feel defective.  I feel . . . different.  Is being different the same as being defective?"
"I hope not," said Jaya.  "Otherwise we're all a little defective."

Even way out there in the wilderness, she wanted to go unseen.  What Roz didn't realize was that she was already being watched.


Having read an ARC generously supplied by the publisher, I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of a completed book to see the illustrations Peter Brown provides.  The cover (The cover reveal is at School Library Journal, A Fuse #8 Production, by Elizabeth Bird.) gives readers a huge hint.  Where is Roz and why is she there?  Let me simply say prepare to be on a roller coaster ride of emotions.


This title, The Wild Robot Escapes, written and illustrated by Peter Brown is, like the first title, a classic.  It addresses the issues of our interconnectedness with all animals, domestic and wild. It asks us to seek peaceful solutions to every question.  It promotes discussions on the part technology plays in our lives.  Think about the fact that with all the advancements available to those children, the storytelling with Roz was their favorite thing.  I can't imagine a professional or personal collection without several copies of this title.  It's spectacular!

To learn more about Peter Brown and his other work, please follow the link attached to his name to access his website.  I know you will enjoy this post by Peter dedicated to the work in creating this book.  At Little, Brown and Company, you can listen to a podcast where Peter talks about The Wild Robot Escapes.  Here is a link to a Book Club Guide for the first title.  Author, reviewer, and blogger at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast Julie Danielson writes about this book at Chapter 16.  Peter Brown is interviewed by songwriter and singer Emily Arrow at Musing, a laid-back lit journal.  Enjoy the audio book excerpt.

On The Run

When you have small children or pets as members of your family (depending on the type of pet, of course) you get in the habit of checking as to their whereabouts before you open any door of your home.  The lure of the outside world is strong.  You would think the music of the Sirens is calling to them.  If they are faster at running through the opening than you are at closing the door, they are soon speeding away like a cheetah.  You imagine them yelling at the top of their lungs, "I'm free! I'm free!"  (If they are little children, they probably are shouting and laughing these very words.)

The truth is, sometimes being loose in the world is not an entirely positive experience.  The Little Red Cat Who Ran Away and Learned His A B C's (the Hard Way) (Little, Brown And Company, September 5, 2017) written and illustrated by Patrick McDonnell follows the adventures of a family feline that makes an escape.  As soon as he leaps off the front porch, races down the hill and starts on a straightaway, he realizes he has made a mistake.  Without the benefit of words but with award-winning artwork inviting and prompting a story in our minds, we eagerly turn the pages as our twenty-six letter alphabet dictates the flawless flow of action.

The first frightening encounter is with an alligator and is quickly followed by a meeting with a bear.  As the trio passes a coop, a chicken joins the line of runners.  Not watching as wisely as they should be, they nearly ram a sleeping dragon.  This frightens the chicken so much another runner joins the group.  Can you guess who (what) it is?

Everyone knows what an angry dragon breathes.  This necessitates the five frantic fleeing critters to don protective eyewear.  Now there are six on the move.  One dreams.  Six slip and slide.  After passing through a habitat better suited to primates, they are noticed by royalty.  One of them points to a poster.

As the middle of the alphabet is reached, the six seek new heights, again not paying attention.  Fortunately (Remy Charlip) an invention is handy.  Where are they now?  Do they need a break?  What time of day is it?

As in most tales with a bit of magic, when they least expect it and can hardly take another step, help arrives.  Greetings are given and six are soothed.  A crescent moon shines down, guiding some one way and one little red cat in another direction.  It's been a long day.  There's no place better than one's own bed.


When looking at the opened dust jacket (I am reading the F & G.) you can immediately feel a grin start to form.  That little red cat is most definitely in a bit of trouble.  The design and layout are superb introducing us to the six prominent characters chasing through the title text.  The black and white checks on either side of the spine add a touch of classic to the overall effect.  There is even a tiny little red cat above the Little, Brown And Company logo.

To the left, on the back, a tumbled group of alphabet letters in black except for A, B, and C are chasing the cat.  The opening and closing endpapers are an array of larger alphabet letters, all twenty-six.  A, B, and C are in their respective colors.  There seems to be a mix of words in the arrangement.  Can you find any?

Right after the opening endpapers, Patrick McDonnell begins the story.  Something wakes up the little red cat.  One eye pops open.  (This is just like Mulan who is dead-to-the-world asleep until I open the refrigerator door.)  Spread across two pages an image shows the open front door before the title page text starts.  Opposite the verso, the little red cat runs out the door and across the porch.

The use of white space as an element is exceptional.  This allows for a more stunning effect when it is replaced with snow, trees and vines, and a changing sky color as the day shifts into night.  All of the illustrations with the exception of seven allow a single page for each letter.  The others have larger, two-page pictures for a single letter.  For some of the letters two pages combine two letters in a single image.  You even get to turn the book for a surprising vertical visual.

One of my many, many favorite pictures is for the letter E.  Even thinking about it makes me laugh out loud.  And that's all I'm going to say except this illustration with all the little extra details throughout the title reveals a super sense of humor on the part of Patrick McDonnell.


If you are looking for your next new favorite alphabet book, The Little Red Cat Who Ran Away and Learned His A B C's (the Hard Way) written and illustrated by Patrick McDonnell is the book for you.  If you want lots of excitement and adventure, this is the book for you.  If you want to talk about plot and pacing, this is the book for you.  If you want to laugh and hear your readers and listeners say, "Read it again!" this is the book for you.  I highly recommend this title.

To discover more about Patrick McDonnell and his other work including his famous Mutts comic strip, follow the two separate links attached to his name to access websites.  Enjoy the book trailer.

Have You Read The Instructions? Sputnik's Guide To Life On Earth Blog Tour

On October 4, 1957 the Soviet Union launched the first artificial satellite into space.  It was called Sputnik 1.  Although there are different reports as to whether it could be seen by the naked eye or needed the assistance of binoculars, I distinctively remember as a little girl standing outside with my parents and younger sister watching it move across the sky.  On November 3, 1957 Sputnik 2 was shot into space by the Soviet Union.  This time the vehicle had a passenger, a dog named Laika.

Renowned British author, Frank Cottrell Boyce, takes a huge "what-if" about these launches, specifically the second of the two, as a basis for his newest title, Sputnik's Guide To Life On Earth (Walden Pond Press, June 20, 2017).  Is it possible the dog Laika survived her mission in space? If so, how would we know?

Before you start anything, make a list.  That's what my granddad says.  If you're making a cake, make a list.  If you're moving house, make a list.  If you're running away to sea, make a list.

In one of his grandfather's more lucid moments he recognizes what his grandson, Prez, just handed him.  He believes it to be a list with twenty-seven items on it but it is more than a list.  It's the twenty-seven chapters of this book, an extraordinary story of a life-changing summer.

It begins with a doorbell ringing at the home of the Blythes family, on a farm called Stramoddie.  Prez, who is not speaking at all, is staying with them for the summer after recently being placed at the Children's Temporary Accommodation.  (His grandfather is unable to currently care for him.)  This family is highly talkative so they, unlike Prez, don't even hear the doorbell ring.  When he answers it, Sputnik is standing there.

I have to describe him, because there's a lot of disagreement about what he looks like.
Height and age---about the same as me.
Clothes---unusual.  For instance, slightly-too-big sweater, kilt, leather helmet like the ones pilots wear in war movies, with massive goggles.
Weapons---a massive pair of scissors stuffed into his belt like a sword.  There were other weapons, but I didn't know about them then, or I definitely wouldn't have let him in. ...

You might like to know at this point the home on the farm called Stramoddie has no doorbell.  Sputnik looks like a dog to everyone else and he can read Prez's mind.

We quickly come to understand Sputnik has otherworldly powers; like making a toy lightsaber work as if it is real. (Annabel's birthday party is epic.)  He can use gravity like it's currents of air. But the most important thing about Sputnik, other than he is not a resident of Earth, is he is here to save Prez from eminent death.  This planet is about to be eliminated.

Sputnik and Prez have as long as the summer to find ten things worth seeing or doing on Earth.  They are writing a new guide to replace Laika's guide. (Sputnik has met the dog.)  Prez wonders if the map his grandfather made for him of their travels on the seven seas and the places they visited when he was a baby can assist them.  Basically he is worried sick.

With every chapter the exploits of Sputnik increase; grocery shopping without the benefit of money, using a digger to travel as fast as a rocket, concealer cream with unusual properties, a television remote changing things more than channels, and breaking less-than-savory people out of jail to name but a few.  Then, the summer is over, there are only nine things on the list and Prez has to return to Temporary.  Sputnik is staying on the farm but his work is unfinished.

Events begin to happen at lightning speed with the conclusion in sight; an amazing discovery about the map, a race on scooters, a death-defying encounter with a high tide and the revelation of the sea chest contents.  The laughter continues but the promise of greater things is fulfilled.  You will never look at a post-it note the same way again or read an instruction manual without wondering if you are missing something exceptional.


The tapestry of this tale is tightly woven with a multitude of threads.  Frank Cottrell Boyce explores the loss of memory in the elderly, the loss of home for a child, the beauty of a loving family, and the use of facts from the past to create a believable present.  Prez's voice rings with authenticity as each character is introduced through thoughts, conversations and actions.

With chapter titles like Spicy Chicken Wings, Lightsabers, Milk, Chicken and Mushroom Pie, and Curtains you are never sure how the chapter will unfold but the episodes do circle back or surround the introductory word or words.  The final sentence in many of the chapters begs you to continue;

"Didn't I mention?  Earth is about to be destroyed."
"Oh, no. No, no, no.  I have big plans for this pee.  Very big plans."
We were already running away.
But things don't always go according to plan.

The underlying current which keeps you turning pages in the midst of serious situations is the hilarity.  Frank Cottrell Boyce uses humor masterfully.  Here are some sample passages.

Annabel swung around to take a bow.  Her best friend saw the blade of light coming toward her and ducked just in time to stop it decapitating her.  But not in time to save her thick blond ponytail, which fell at her feet like a dead gerbil that was slightly on fire.  Everyone stared at it in horrible silence.
The lightsaber could have cut her head off.
"Said I could fix it, didn't I?" said Sputnik, smiling more than ever.  "Smell that burning hair!  This is a great party."
We have to stop this.  Someone could get killed.
"Why give her a lightsaber if you don't want her to use it?"
It's supposed to light up and twinkle!  Not cut things in half!
"Twinkle?  Where's the fun in twinkling?  This is a fantastic party.  I was told Earth parties were good, but I never realized they'd be this good.  I never realized they'd involve so much fire and destruction.  These kids are having a great time."
He was right about that.  Having your hair cut by a fully functioning lightsaber was the new face painting.  


"Well, that's something I love about your species.  How everyone helps to make an idea better and better until after about a hundred years it's completely brilliant.  Fish and chips are like a big knot tying everyone together.  We can put that on the list.  Fish and chips outside can go in the Companion."



Truthfully when I finished the final page of this book I was totally speechless for a few moments, stunned by the sheer genius of Frank Cottrell Boyce's writing and this story.  I repeatedly laughed out loud for long moments of time and I shed a few tears more than once.  Sputnik's Guide To Life On Earth is a book you must read.  Then you have to tell as many people as you can about it.  Finally you have to recommend they read it aloud.  Make sure you have at least one if not more copies on your professional bookshelves.  I know I will have at least one copy on my personal bookshelves and several to give away.

If you wish to know more about Frank Cottrell Boyce, please follow the link attached to his name to access a website.  This title was released earlier in the UK.  At the Panmacmillan site you can read an excerpt.  At The Guardian there is an article about the scrapbook made by Frank Cottrell Boyce for this book.  It is a fascinating read with illustrations.

June 5   Educating Alice                                                                     
June 6   Walden Media Tumblr
             Kirsti Call
June 7   Litcoach Lou
June 8   Novel Novice
June 9   The Haunting of Orchid Forsythia
June 11  Librarian's Quest
June 12  Next Best Book
June 13  Mrs. Knott's Book Nook
June 14  The Book Monsters