It's Your Choice

Different cultures have different customs relative to personal space.  Greetings, goodbyes, and signs of affection vary from place to place and from person to person in those places.  Some individuals are comfortable with another reaching out to touch them as a sign of goodwill and others are not.  Sometimes the form of those contacts in greeting, in goodbyes, and with caring vary from a shoulder touch to a fist bump, pinkie shakes or an embrace.

Spending your days as an educator with children of all ages, you find creative ways to express welcome, compassion, praise and farewell, being respective of each individual's personal space.  (Mrs. Piggly-Wiggly, a pig puppet, often helped me read aloud and turn book pages with my kindergarten and first grade students.  Invariably as they were leaving, many of the students, knowing full well she was a puppet, gave her a hug as they went out the door.)  Don't Hug Doug (He Doesn't Like It) (Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC, January 26, 2021) written by Carrie Finison with illustrations by Daniel Wiseman focuses with honesty on those children, people, who simply don't want others to hug them. 

You can hug a pug.

(Awww!)

You can hug a bug.

(Maybe . . .)

Or a slug.

(Ewww!)

But don't hug Doug.

He doesn't like it.  

With politeness, Doug asks not to be hugged.  He does not like to be hugged.  It's not that he doesn't like you, he does.  Hugs are too much of everything he avoids.

There are things Doug likes.  He has an assortment of collections he enjoys.  He is especially fond of playing a harmonica with other harmonica players. 

You might look at Doug and think this boy needs a hug.  Don't hug Doug.  It does not matter what the occasion is or the kind of hug it is.  Doug is not a hugger.

There is one, only one, kind of hug he likes from one special person.  Who gives this hug?  When does he get this hug?  If you are not this person and if it is not the right time of day, don't give Doug a hug.  There are other individuals, beings, you can hug, but you need to ask permission first.  This is a nod to their dignity.

What can you do if, like Doug, people don't want hugs?  Like Doug, they might like high fives.  Doug is a professional high fiver!  He has perfected all kinds of high fives like the 

elbow five, piggy five and spinny five.

How about you?

One of the first things you notice about the writing of this book is the upbeat narrative.  Carrie Finison exhibits great care in her word choices.  She supplies multiple examples in support of and to reinforce Doug's desires using rhyming and repetition.  In Doug's own words, after a series of statements, he jovially adds exactly what he means.  Here is a passage.

Can you hug Doug's

pet potbellied pig?

Ask!

"Can we hug your pet potbellied pig?"

Yes, she loves hugs!

But be gentle.

She's a little scared

of strangers.

It's easy to see when looking at the open and matching dust jacket and book case, the drawings, artwork, of Daniel Wiseman highly complement the story.  The buoyant color palette, body postures, and facial expressions are welcoming and warm.  To the left, on the back, a page of interior illustrations is featured.  They show Doug in four different situations.  The narrator is asking if these four kinds of hugs are okay and Doug, with his usual happy disposition, replies.  The backgrounds for all four shift from golden yellow to vibrant grass green, forest green, and then purple.  

On the opening endpapers is a bold green with bright, dark yellow polka-dots.  The same color combination is used on the closing endpapers.  This time it is horizontal stripes.  The basic design shown on the front of the jacket and case is replicated on the title page.  This time the canvas is a crisp white and the title text is blue.  Doug has another statement to make.

These digital drawings vary in size.  Some span two pages, others are grouped in panels on a single page, and sometimes full pages, edge to edge.  With every page turn you feel your happiness growing as you experience the merriment shown on the characters' faces and how they react to Doug and other beings. (Well, there is the slug grimace, though.)  Don't you just love Doug's red glasses?

The other children and adults mirror a variety of races and ages.  Frankenstein even makes an appearance.  There are animals and robots, too.  The dialogue, other than the narrator, is shown in speech balloons.

One of my many favorite illustrations is on a full page.  Doug is shown kneeling as he makes a drawing of his pet potbellied pig using colors from his chalk collection.  He is wearing his green and yellow-striped shirt, green pants, and miss-matched socks from his sock collection hanging on the wall behind him.  On his purple carpet are scattered pieces of chalk, his harmonica, a game controller, and a book titled ROCKS OF THE WORLD.  To the left of his sock collection is shelving with cubbies for his rocks.

You know when you read a book and it just feels right?  This book, Don't Hug Doug (He Doesn't Like It) written by Carrie Finison with drawings by Daniel Wiseman, is one of those books.  This is a book to share with everyone, individuals like Doug and others who need to understand the wishes of others.  It will promote healthy discussions.  This is a book about compassion and individuality you'll want to have in your professional and personal collections.  

To learn more about Carrie Finison and Daniel Wiseman and their other work, please access their respective websites by following the link attached to their names.  At Carrie Finison's site is a list of stops on her virtual tour for this book.  A couple are storytimes in the future.  Carrie Finison has accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.  Daniel Wiseman has accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.  

It Only Takes . . .

It only takes one.  One shy glance, one delectable taste, one resonating note, one gentle touch or one sweet smell to effect a change.  We never know how a simple act, freely given, can alter someone's life.

In those sensory moments, short or long, small or large, we are joined with another being.  It is a force for good.  One Hug (Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, December 10, 2019) written by Katrina Moore with illustrations by Julia Woolf explores a memorable day in the life of a family.  All kinds of hugs convey a range of emotions centered in love.

One hug.

A boy's day begins with a hug from his mother as they watch a plane pass by his bedroom window.  The hugging continues with an embrace from his father.  The boy hugs his sister right out of her bed.  Special hugs are given to the boy from his canine companion.

Each member of the family is busy, moving items from their home to their back yard.  Is it a picnic?  Is it a sleepover?  The letters on a banner spell WELCOME.  Soon shouts of happiness announce a long-awaited arrival.

A grandmother hugs her daughter.  An uncle hugs and whirls his nephew around as three cousins laugh and jump for joy.  The boy's sister, hesitant, joins the hugging jamboree when given some extra tender care.

A shared meal, catching-up conversations and the gentle capture of fireflies spread warmth inside the family members' hearts and a gentle glow outside as dusk descends.  Pajama-clad children build blanket beds inside a tent.  A grandmother's song envelops the nestled gals and guys as they end their day looking at a star-studded sky.


In her debut picture book, author Katrina Moore meticulously builds a narrative featuring enthusiastic embraces within a family.  Her selection of words creates a symphony of rhyming sounds; read aloud it sounds like a song.  Repetition of a refrain is a connecting chorus.  Here are two sentences.

Chasing, racing, to and fro,
sometimes hugs are on the go!

Open arms that swoop around,
some hugs whoosh you off the ground.


When you look at the open dust jacket (I'm working with an F & G. My hard copy is arriving soon.), one word comes to mind, bliss.  It is a bliss born of the embrace between a grandmother and her grandson reunited at last.  It is a bliss born of running at night among fireflies.  Notice the use of circles and loops in the design.  That's what hugs do.  By placing the grandmother and her grandson on the "o" it's as if they are seated on a crescent moon.  It makes a reference to the expression "over the moon."  All the elements on the blue are varnished.

To the left, on the back, the boy and his sister are standing together.  The boy holds his dog in his arms.  His sister is reaching out to hug the dog.  On the title page an interior image of the boy and his sister laughing and hugging is enlarged and placed between the text.

Rendered using

ArtPrint printers ink by Seawhite of Brighton and Photoshop

these digital illustrations by Julia Woolf depict all the delight found in a family whose affection for each other is expressed by hugging.  The close-up portraits of the family's faces when they are hugging supply readers with the sure knowledge of the shared contentment.  Careful readers will also find humor shown on some of those same faces.

Full color pictures are layered with the people and specific elements slightly darker than the background.  Details in the visuals show the blend of two cultures.  Julia Woolf shifts the sizes of the illustrations from full-page pictures, double-page pictures and several grouped together on a single page to heighten the cadence created by the narrative.

One of my many favorite illustrations is on a single page.  It's nighttime.  From the left a trunk of a tree forms a triangle in the upper corner.  A full moon shimmers as fireflies flutter on either side of the open-door tent.  The five children, now wearing pajamas, are getting ready to sleep in the tent.  The two boys are playing with their pillows and laughing.  A girl is laughing and dancing on the grass.  Another girl is hanging a lantern inside the tent.  The littlest girl, the boy's sister, is seated and yawning.  This is a picture you'll want to hug.


You can't read One Hug written by Katrina Moore with illustrations by Julia Woolf without smiling.  The charm of the combination of rhythmic words and images full of merriment surrounds you from beginning to end and long after the story is finished.  For a story time full of mirth pair this with The Runaway Hug, Hug Machine or Hug It Out!  I can't imagine a professional or personal collection without a copy of this book.

To learn more about Katrina Moore and Julia Woolf and their other work, please follow the link attached to their names to access their websites.  Katrina Moore has accounts on Instagram and Twitter.  Julia Woolf has accounts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.  At Harper Stacks Katrina Moore writes about one of her students and the beginning of this book.  Katrina Moore is featured at 12 x 12 Twelve Picture Books Twelve Months and KidLit411.  The cover reveal is hosted by teacher librarian Matthew C. Winner here.  At the publisher's website there are two pages of printable activities.

An Affectionate Answer

There will be days when a book makes its way into your reading life at the best possible moment.  Your heart is heavy and reading its story takes the weight away for just the right amount of time to allow you to step back.  The narrative strikes a chord in your mind.  You know you won't forget this book.

Mothers are a clever, strong, incredible group of human beings.  I know this because of my mother.  I know this because of all the mothers' children who have entered my libraries over the years.  I know this because of their willingness to speak out for what is right for today and tomorrow.  Hug It Out! (Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Macmillan Publishing Group, LLC, January 3, 2017) a debut picture book, written and illustrated by Louis Thomas, will have readers nodding knowingly and grinning from ear to ear because they can see themselves in this story.

It was a rainy Sunday afternoon.  Woody and Annie were playing inside.

Their imaginations were in high gear as the one designed an airport and the other constructed a community.  All was well until they both wanted the same thing, a toy car.  What's an airport or a town without vehicles?  Quickly yells to mom were heard.

When admonished to share, the siblings pinkie-promised their mother they would take turns using the car.  Seconds later the name calling began and then shouts to Mom joined the chorus.  Woody and Annie had to apologize for the name calling.  Before two heartbeats passed the kicking commenced.

Mom stormed into the room declaring there was to be no more fighting...at all.  In fact every time she so much as heard a whispered discord, they would have to

"...HUG IT OUT."

Wait a minute.  Hug it out?  Yikes!  Needless to say, this was not appreciated by the sister and brother.  They even had to practice before their mom left the room.  It was disgusting to them.

If you think they decided to play nicely after this declared new rule, you would be wrong.  Shouts of

"Hug it out!"

rang through the house repeatedly.  Finally Annie turned to Woody with a revelation.  Woody turned to Annie with an equally funny observation.  Several mutual agreements were reached.  It's a win for all.


With a clear knowledge of the lingo used by siblings, Louis Thomas has penned a story of truth, ingenuity and acceptance.  The combination of narrative and dialogue is guaranteed to make readers and listeners laugh out loud.  In true storytelling fashion there are three conflicts leading to the shocking proclamation by Mom.  Here is a sample passage.

"You kids need to apologize to each other," their mother said.
"I'm sorry," mumbled Annie.
"Me too," whispered Woody.
"You're not a dumb-dumb."
"And you're not a ding-dong.  Well, not a big one, anyway."
"Okay," said their mother.  "Good enough." 


You would never know what happens inside the covers of this book from the front of the matching dust jacket and book case.  We are seeing the results of one clever mom.  But if you look closely at the toys scattered about Annie and Woody, you get a hint of the events previous to this charming conclusion.  To the left on the back, the family cat is hugging an unlikely animal pal.  This small image is placed on a canvas of red; the same color as Woody's shirt.  The characters and text are varnished.  The opening and closing endpapers are sky blue.  On the title page the words are framed in flowers.  A teeny tiny being is sitting on the T in Thomas.  It is a very wise teeny tiny being.  Above the publication information is the family cat looking very startled.  On the dedication page the toy car which starts the day of squabbling is featured.

There is much to look at in each illustration rendered by Louis Thomas.  On the first page as the children play quietly, the cat is stretched sleeping next to the toy car.  Careful readers will see a teeny tiny visitor peeking from among the books on the shelf.  This creature and the cat have a separate story for readers to follow.

It's the wide eyes on all the characters and the exaggerated movements of the cat which will generate lots of giggles and grins.  Thomas alters his perspective during moments of heightened wildness on the part of the siblings.  The wordless double-page picture when Annie and Woody hear their mother's new rule is totally hilarious.  Fluid fine lines and brush strokes supply a feeling of realism.

One of my favorite illustrations of many is when the children's mother first comes to break up their argument about the car.  She is calmly kneeling in front of them on the right as they stand next to each other on the left, pinkie fingers entwined.  Between them is the toy car on the floor.  Unknown to the characters the cat is stretching out a long arm and paw to snag the car.


This is one book which is going to be enjoyed by all who read it or hear it.  I can already predict the calls of Hug It Out! in classrooms and homes.  Louis Thomas in his debut picture book is spot-on with sibling quarreling and a resolution worth shouting out loud as often as necessary.  I would pair this with Hug Machine written and illustrated by Scott Campbell and The Runaway Hug by Nick Bland with illustrations by Freya Blackwood.

To learn more about Louis Thomas and view his other work please follow the link attached to his name to access his blog.  At the publisher's website you can view interior images.  There is an activity kit and a dedicated website for this title.

It's Free!

For those with experience in working with younger children or students, this is easy to visualize.  They have gathered in the area designated for story times, eagerly awaiting you and your selection.  Today you do something different.  You don't begin with the Wiggle Your Fingers, Wiggle Your Toes song to get them settled.  You walk up, hold your arms out wide at your sides and shout out, who wants a hug?

I can pretty much guarantee you will be mobbed by eager huggers.  These little guys and gals are full of optimism, warmth and ready to share a hug.  Who Wants a Hug? (Harper, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, January 6, 2014) written and illustrated by Jeff Mack introduces readers to one of the happiest inhabitants of the forest, Bear.

Everyone liked Bear.

How can you not like someone walking around holding a sign reading,

FREE HUGS?

On the other hand, no one likes Skunk.  It might have something to do with his sign reading,

FREE SLUGS.

Not to be deterred by Skunk's less than friendly attitude, Bear asks him if he wants a hug.  Sir Grump proceeds to make several negative comments.  Bear merrily informs him as he walks away, there is a hug waiting for him when he is ready.

Skunk becomes even grouchier by Bear's cheerfulness.  He hatches a plan and puts stage one into action.  Phew!  That is one fetid fish.  Like a boomerang his trick backfires.  Of course, Bear offers him a hug again which makes him even angrier.

A bag of rank refuse on a rope with an avian assist falls at the wrong time on the wrong critter.  How much stink can a skunk take?  Bear is even more willing to give this guy a friendly squeeze.

As his final, absolute attempt to discourage Bear's perky outlook Skunk lays a trap on Bear's resting stump.  When the other animals notice, they head for the hills.  The unforeseen results (to Skunk but not readers) take all the cantankerous out of the striped curmudgeon.  There is only one cure for this mishap.  With a narrative twist Bear exclaims his favorite mantra to Skunk.


With the first two sentences Jeff Mack sets the stage for the ying and yang forces at work in this story.  Told entirely in dialog and voiced thoughts, the outrageous and decidedly smelly attempts by Skunk to put a damper on Bear's sunny disposition contrast with purposeful comedic pacing.  Repetition of phrases by both parties creates an opportunity for audience participation.  Here is a sample passage.

"Poor Skunk," said Bear.
"You look like you need a hug."

"A SKUNK NEVER HUGS!" cried Skunk.

"It's okay," said Bear.
"I'll save you one for later.


Readers will be able to see by looking at the front dust jacket and matching book case Bear is beloved by his forest friends.  A disgruntled Skunk, looking like Snidely Whiplash in his top hat and crinkly mustache, is lurking in the background.  On the back on a background of white, Skunk is walking toward the right snarling, carrying his Super Stinky Tricks suitcase with puffs of whiffiness trailing behind him.  Two shades of a mint green on the opening and closing endpapers feature smelly clouds with hearts sprinkled among them.  The title page and verso spotlight Bear standing in a hilly clearing in the woods arms ready for a hug.

The altered illustration sizes by Jeff Mack complement his narrative wonderfully, shifting our perspective.  On several of the images the only words are big, bold sounds like you would see in a comic book.  The color palette will attract the intended readers, natural shades for the setting and animals with pops of pink, purple and red.  The expressions on the animals' faces are surefire grin and giggle generators.

One of my many favorite illustrations (so many are hilarious) is when Skunk is putting his first trick into action.  That fish is so smelly he has a clothespin on HIS nose.  The slingshot has been released.  In horror Skunk watches the fish whiz by his target, hit a bush and come straight back toward him with a loud BOING! Bear and a little purple bird on his shoulder are gazing upward.


If you want to hear laughter read Who Wants A Hug? written and illustrated by Jeff Mack.  If you want to hear the best phrase there is, Read it again, please, pretty please, Who Wants A Hug? is the book for you.  Watching and reading about Skunk trying to rain on Bear's parade when Bear always has an umbrella handy is like revisiting a beloved classic cartoon.  Hugs win the day as long as clothespins are included.  All is forgiven with a hug.

For more information about Jeff Mack and his other titles please visit his website by following the link embedded in his name.  For posts about his books, AH HA! and Duck In The Fridge follow the links attached to the titles.   

An Armful Of Love

When working with elementary school children you quickly become acquainted with a phenomenon distinctly unique to them and them alone.  You can't walk down a hallway, into the cafeteria or gymnasium, a classroom or the library without encountering it.  You had better be prepared because it is highly contagious.

They are more than willing to pass it on; sharing with the generosity for which they are so well known.  Of course I am speaking about hugs.  Hug Machine (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, August 26, 2014) written and illustrated by Scott Campbell shadows the effervescent sharing of one such boy.

Whoa!
Here I come!
I am the Hug Machine!

This little guy doesn't just hug, he declares to the world about his stellar skills.  No one escapes his hugs.  His family is first on his list.

His hugs serve purposes other than caring and kindness; bringing peace and joy as well as driving people crazy.  Stationary objects are the recipients of his welcoming arms.  Large growing things like trees and bears...you read that right...bears, do not escape this child's squeezes.

His hugs change the way those hugged feel; lifting them up.  All kinds of textures and shapes get his hugs.  Tears vanish and smiles appear after one of his hugs.  His inventiveness allows him to approach those avoided by all others.

When his stamina begins to wan, he recharges with his favorite food; its roundness similar to the shape of his arms as he cuddles all the people and items of his affection.  Everything in his path earns an embrace.  As the day draws to a close, this likable lad starts to feel totally tuckered out.

He simply can't hold out his arms.  He simply can't wrap himself around one more person or thing.  He simply can't. Oh, wait.  He is the

Hug Machine.


With every sentence Scott Campbell builds on the exuberance of his character.  Each voiced expression is an exercise in optimism.  His word choices are filled with confidence; good, best, no one can resist.  His character sees the value in all things no matter their size or physical characteristics.  With each series of phrases Campbell follows with

I am the Hug Machine!  

creating an expectation in readers and a request to join in the boy's journey.  No challenge is too difficult for him to overcome; an answer is there for each question.


The dusty rose background on the matching dust jacket and book case supplies the backdrop for the complimentary colors on the boy, his clothing and the postal box.  You easily want to hug this book; affection and warmth surround you when you look at it.  On the back a small image of the dog and turtle hugging is placed above the ISBN.  The same color with a tad bit of orange shading is used on the opening and closing endpapers.  They each feature a Hug Checklist written in a child's handwriting.  Beside each drawn person or thing to hug is, at first, an empty check box.  At the end each has received a check mark.  Beneath the title, Scott Campbell has placed his huggable hero lifting weights to make his arms stronger.

White space is a key element in all of the illustrations rendered in watercolor throughout this book.  Campbell may choose to extend his picture across two pages, edge to edge or create a series of smaller ones over the next several pages to provide pacing.  At times we see soft dashes which designate the boy's path as his hugs are given.

We may be given a broad perspective of his adventure or a close-up of how his hugs make a difference.  When we read words like soft, hard, square, long, spiky or too big his pictured examples are familiar and fun.  One of my favorite illustrations is of the boy hugging the porcupine.  It's a close-up across two pages with the boy and the porcupine embracing with eyes closed.  His attire clearly demonstrates his willingness to give everything a hug.  It's a superb visual for the words

They are missing out!


This first title Scott Campbell has both written and illustrated, Hug Machine, is as lovable as a favorite stuffed toy.  His portrayal of this boy, who represents many younger children, is sure to elicit smiles because it's the truth.  I think it would pair very well with The Runaway Hug by Nick Bland with illustrations by Freya Blackwood.

Be sure to follow the link embedded in Scott Campbell's name to visit his website.  This link takes you to the publisher's website where you can view interior pages.  Enjoy the video.

Energetic Embrace

When teaching in an elementary school for the first time after being at the middle school and high school level for twenty plus years, the first thing you notice is the joyful openness of the students. Their exuberance for nearly everything is astounding, heartwarming and life-affirming.  Another thing for which they are most highly skilled is hugging.  They want to embrace someone the way they embrace life, freely and without reservation.

Australian author Nick Bland's and illustrator Freya Blackwood's first collaboration has already garnered The Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Award, Early Childhood 2012.  In late December 2013 The Runaway Hug (Random House) appeared on shelves as the first American edition.  It would seem someone has forgotten the rules of this bedtime ritual.

"Mommy," said Lucy.  "Can I have a hug before I go to bed?"
"Oh, dear," said Mommy.  "I only have one left.  It's my very last hug."
"Can I borrow it?" said Lucy.  "I promise I'll give it back."

Now the recipient of her mother's final hug, Lucy darts away to locate her dad.  Lucy asks him if he would like a hug.  There is one condition though, he must give it back.  After all, it is her mommy's last one.

Hugs exchanged Lucy charges into another part of the house to continue her give-and-take routine.  First she finds the less than eager older twins.  Next in the kitchen Little Lily is more than willing.  Then she seeks Annie, the mischievous household dog.  Annie's woof to Lucy's question is all she needs to deliver the affectionate embrace.

Oh, oh!  Annie races from the room taking the cherished squeeze with her.  Up and down and all around the house Lucy goes in search of Annie and the hug.  That rascal Annie is hiding. The tears are starting to come.  Dogs will have their way.  Settled in bed for the night Annie has a final request for her mother.


Using a mix of dialogue and personal narrative Nick Bland demonstrates his understanding of a child's gifted imagination.  There is a sense of security and warmth in his portrayals of this shift toward slumber by all the members of the family.  Each time Lucy gets a hug she describes it as long and soft, twice as big, or smelled like peanut butter.  The repetition of a certain phrase creates a gentle cadence.  Here is a single passage.

Daddy picked her up and squeezed her as tight as a knot.
The hug was stronger than before, but just as nice.


If ever a dust jacket and book case exuded warmth, Freya Blackwood's work on this book does.  How can you not love the way the text wraps around the word HUG as a pajama-clad Lucy embraces the G?  Do you notice the extra glow around Lucy's face?  That same glow surrounds her and Lily hugging on the back.  Both the opening and closing endpapers are patterned in Lucy's pajama fabric.

When the first page is turned we are in the bathroom with Lucy and Annie as she gets ready for bed doing three separate activities.  This two page spread is the initial title page.  With another page turn we have the verso and formal title page.  There are six Lucy figures as she gets into her pajamas.  After four pages readers will already find Lucy nestling into their hearts.

A creamy background provides a canvas for these and all the remaining pictures.  Blackwood alters perspective and position depicting the cozy flow of this family in the evening.  She crosses the gutter frequently to great effect.   You will be unable to keep yourself from smiling at the rumpled, cluttered scenes featured.  There is something about her sketchy outlines which are welcoming, conveying the necessary emotions.

In the two pages when Lucy has lost the hug you can really feel her sense of loss with only Lucy, the zebra toy and an article of clothing in the picture.  One of my favorite illustrations is of Lucy running throughout the house looking for Annie.  We can see Annie just ahead of her and hiding.  Blackwood manages to show us the whole layout in these pages.  And I dare anyone not to sigh at the final wordless page.


Oh how I adore this book!  Make sure you share The Runaway Hug written by Nick Bland with illustrations by Freya Blackwood with your children and students.  Everyone needs the hug this book offers.

Please take a moment to follow the links embedded in Freya Blackwood's names to visit her website and blog.  She has more illustrations from this book on her blog.  Here is the link to an interview of Nick Bland at the Creative Kids Tales website.