It's Time To Learn

There are certain things we are expected to know.  These assumptions are usually based upon multiple variables, but age, lifetime experiences, and areas of expertise figure prominently.  You will learn, some earlier than others, it is impossible to know everything others believe you should.  

For a few, it is hard to admit this lack of knowledge and understanding.  In Wake Me Up in 20 Coconuts! (Christy Ottaviano Books, Little, Brown And Company, September 20, 2022) written and illustrated by Laurie Keller, the protagonist finds it impossible to confess his absence of comprehension.  In the adept hands of this creative author and illustrator, hilarity happens.

Opposite the dedication and verso page, an illustration of the four-floor apartment building where the protagonists lives in 2C, his expertise is demonstrated by seven questions asked by other residents and the intelligent answers he gives.  These conversations are shown in fourteen artfully spaced speech balloons.  Careful readers will notice the first two words of the narrative tucked into this image.

OH

NO!

This exclamation is spoken by the resident in apartment 2B upon discovering her alarm clock is broken.  She gets the attention of the occupant in 2C.  Without even thinking when asked if he will wake the being up in 2B in 20 coconuts, he replies in the affirmative.  (The resident in 1C just happens to be eavesdropping.)

Can you imagine the anxiety of the KNOW-IT-ALL neighbor when he realizes he has absolutely no idea what 20 coconuts means?  Knowing is a generational tradition that has never been broken until this moment!  He can ask 2B what 20 coconuts means, but then he will have to reveal his lack of knowing.  Yikes, what a dilemma!

As 2C is debating what to do, he discovers a sock and a 

BAAAWWWK!

chicken in his ear.  (Do you see what I mean about hilarity?) Perhaps, 2C did not hear 2B correctly.  The eavesdropping occupant in 1C says it was 20 coconuts.  Pretty soon, it seems other residents are speaking, through overheard conversations, in coconut time.  How is this possible?  2C believes his brain might be busted or, at the very least, it needs a cleaning.

Does the cleaning work?  Negative.  2C's phone is no help either.  The KNOW-IT-ALL neighbor is at his wit's end.  His shouting causes a neighbor's wig and another neighbor's bucket to land on his head.  But guess what?  2B is awake on time and thanks 2C.  She is so happy she asks 2C to do it tomorrow.  

The following discussion between neighbors 2B and 2C is one of compassion and truth.  The other apartment building residents listen in silence.  Now, you might think at this point a satisfying conclusion has been reached.  It has, BUT there is a comedic twist certain to have readers and listeners laughing like loons.

Told entirely in dialogue, author Laurie Keller sets the stage for one humorous moment after another humorous moment.  When the resident in 2C is trying to figure out what 20 coconuts means, his musings range from rational to ridiculous.  By repeating the word coconut over and over within the text, we feel the frustration of 2C increase along with the merriment.  Adding the voice of the chicken several times, elevates the laughter factor.  (It's not every day you pull a sock AND a chicken out of your ear!)  Here is a passage.

Why does

everyone

understand

coconut time

except ME?

Is my BRAIN

broken?

Did I break it

when I pulled out

the SOCK?

BAAAWWWK!

And the CHICKEN?

As you look at the right side, front, of the open dust jacket, artist Laurie Keller has included many elements important to the story.  We see residents of the apartment building in the four corners.  The window (brain) washer, Walter, is featured as is the nosey neighbor.  2B is dozing as 2C is trying to figure out when to wake her.  Of course, there are also a lot of coconuts.  This animated colorful invitation is certain to peak readers' interest.  When you run your hands over this image you will note the title text is raised.  The title text, 2B and 2C are varnished.

To the left of the spine, on the back, 2C is chatting with Walter.  As 2C leans out his window, Walter is washing the ISBN.  Walter asks what he is washing and the KNOW-IT-ALL neighbor explains.  (I love the cleverness of this, Laurie!)

On the book case, done in pale blue/green with rows of enlarged even paler blue/green dots, to the left of the spine is the chicken, looking small.  It says 

BAWK.

On the front of the book case are huge letters in purple spelling

YOU

ARE

SMART!

In the letter "o" of you, is 2C, looking a bit concerned.  A brain, standing on the exclamation point, is saying

Even if you say

"I DON'T KNOW!

The opening and closing endpapers are the same color as 2C, a bright blue.  On the title page, three coconuts offer commentary about what they see there.  These illustrations by Laurie Keller 

were done in acrylic markers, watercolor collage, and Photoshop.

Every page is filled with energy, the elements are ready to jump off the pages and come to life in our spaces.  Laurie Keller alternates between single page images, to two images on a single page, or large dramatic visuals spread on both sides of the gutter.  Sometimes she will have several images on a single page to show the passage of time.  

We are brought close to the action, making this pictorial interpretation of the text a personal experience.  The text is shown in speech balloons or larger than life on the pages.  The expressions on the characters' faces leave no doubt as to their emotional state at any given time.  Readers will meticulously look at every image finding comedy in the smallest details.

One of my many favorite illustrations is for the above highlighted text.  2C takes up half of the left side.  His eyes are huge and his brows are up because of worry.  His hands are placed on either side of his head.  It is the classic "what do I do now" look.  At the bottom of the page, just to the right of 2C is the chicken.  All we can see is most of the head with the beak wide open.  (I'm laughing!) 

No matter how many times you read Wake Me Up In 20 Coconuts! written and illustrated by Laurie Keller, you will find yourself unable to stop grinning or laughing and nodding in agreement.  This book is an absolute delight to read aloud.  Trust me when I say, it will be a favorite by readers and listeners alike.  At the close of the book a page is dedicated to A Note from Some Brains.  They talk about it being perfectly all right to not know everything.  To them and all of us who don't know everything, finding out answers is what makes life so much fun.  I highly recommend this title for your personal and professional collections.

To learn more about Laurie Keller and her other work, please follow the link attached to her name to access her website. Laurie Keller has accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.  At the publisher's website, you can download a four page storytime kit.  At Travis Jonker's 100 Scope Notes, he hosts Instagramming an Author Visit: Laurie Keller!

Laurie Keller Presents WAKE ME UP IN 20 COCONUTS from LB School on Vimeo.

A Delightful Doughut Duo

A circle is much more than a geometric shape.  Symbolically, it has more than one interpretation.  When we are seated in a circle, no one is more important than another.  All are equal.  A circle is said to represent eternity, having no beginning or no ending.  It depicts wholeness.

It signifies perfection.  For those who love the sweet fried circles known as doughnuts, this meaning rings true.  Two book publications at the end of September focus on this delicious pastry.  Donut Feed The Squirrels (A Norma And Belly Book)(RH Graphic, an imprint of Random House Children's Books, September 29, 2020) written and illustrated by Mika Song is a charming and comical, five chapter graphic novel about two best friends who develop an obsession for doughnuts.

Belly!

Wake up.

I'm making 

pancakes!

You are?

I am.

Yes!

Yesss!

The problem is Belly and Norma are so excited about their pancake breakfast, the pancakes burn to a crisp.  Belly suggests chestnuts for their morning meal.  This is their plan until Norma gets a whiff of 

crispy, sugar, oil,

and a hint of 

linden flowers.

Belly and Norma plus the entire squirrel population in their community smell it.  It's a doughnut food truck.  Now they all want doughnuts.  Norma and Belly have another scheme.

It seems the cook and owner of the truck does not consider chestnuts a good form of payment.  Norma and Belly end up soaking wet after being sprayed.  They dry out so fluffy their mentor, Gramps, thinks they resemble dandelions.  Gramps, Norma, Belly, and another youngster devise a strategy to get inside the truck and gather a bunch of doughnuts.

As with many ventures, things do not go smoothly.  One hilarious incident, inside and outside the truck, after another are certain to have you laughing and cheering at the same time.  Later, while a festive squirrel gathering is happening, the frustrated food truck baker makes a startling discovery.  Surprises come in all shapes and sizes.  Yum!

Told entirely in dialogue with some sound effects, author Mika Song prepares a textual feast for readers.  The snappy conversations between Belly and Norma and the other characters are tinged with friendship, love of community, humor and valuable insights on life.  Characters' traits are revealed through these exchanges.  Here are two adjoining passages.

Yuck.

I hate being wet.

It's sunny---we'll dry

in no time.

See!

Mr. Spritzer

better hold on to 

his donuts.

Let's just play

Frisbee and

forget about

the donuts.

I can smell

them, Belly.

Come on! I have a plan.

Have you ever seen more animated, happy-go-lucky looking squirrels than Norma and Belly on the front of the open book case?  You know based on the title and the placement of a doughnut above them, escapades are in the offing.  To the left, on the back, Norma and Belly are placed on the upper portion with words reading:

Norma and Belly

Would Really Really Really Really Like

A Dounut.

The bottom portion contains text you would usually find on a front flap of a dust jacket.  On the back the colors are reversed, green on top and yellow on the bottom.

The same green is used for the opening and closing endpapers.  Norma and Belly in lively positions are shown on both title pages.  On the dedication page, the food truck is on its way to the park.

Rendered

with pencils, sumi brushes, sumi ink, and watercolor on watercolor paper

the illustrations in the various sizes of panels depict warmth, a form of casual coziness.  Mika Song changes the perspectives to further engage readers in the intimate details of the story.  There is a narrow black line framing the panels and the speech bubbles.  Many of the panels are wordless and guaranteed to make you laugh out loud.

Two of my many, many favorite illustrations are after Norma and Belly dry out from being spritzed and when Belly is inside the food truck.  The first one is a half-page picture.  It's when we first see the duo after they are dried.  Their fur is so fluffy, their size is doubled.  They are extra-poufy, everywhere.  In the second image, a bit larger than a half page, Belly has started up one of the machines.  The doughnuts are moving up on a belt.  One moves off the top into the air.  Belly is riding it and screaming

Wheee!

Readers will be reading Donut Feed The Squirrels (A Norma And Belly Book) written and illustrated by Mika Song repeatedly.  They will be thrilled to know Apple Of My Pie is the second planned adventure with this twosome.  You'll want to have several copies of this book in your professional collections and at least one in your personal collection.

To learn more about Mika Song and her other work, please follow the link attached to her name to access her website.  Mika Song has accounts on Instagram and Twitter.  At the publisher's website you can view multiple pages.  Mika Song reads all five chapters aloud.  Below you can view the first one where she presents it in 

Kamishibai-style using her original watercolor pages.

More than seventeen years ago, readers met an irresistible character with appealing opinions.  This effervescent personality is coated in chocolate and colorful candy sprinkles.  His name is Arnie, and he is a doughnut.  In HELLO ARNIE!: An Arnie The Doughnut Story (Christy Ottaviano Books, Henry Holt And Company, September 29, 2020) written and illustrated by Laurie Keller readers are treated to a bit of a mystery. 

Hi, Plain!

Good

morning,

Glazed!

Hey,

Long John!

Arnie is moving through the bakery shouting greetings to all his pastry pals.  And they reply in one loud chorus.  Arnie is proud he knows everyone in the bakery until Cinnamon Twist points out he does not know everyone.  He does not know the reader.  YIKES!

Arnie is quick to point out that the reader (you) is the largest doughnut he has ever seen.  In fact, he makes several references as to how big you are.  His thinking then evolves to the type of doughnut you are.  

He is eager to help you find your proper place on the doughnut trays.  Through a series of comparisons, Arnie reaches an astonishing conclusion.  (He does take a few moments to discuss the virtues of sprinkles and the lack of them on you, the reader.)

Arnie decides, rather reluctantly, you are not a doughnut.  How is this possible?  Well then, what are you?  Is it possible you are a __________________!?  

By using Arnie's voice as narrator, author Laurie Keller, places readers directly in his story.  His genuine commentary, questions and answers strike the center of readers' hearts.  You'll probably be laughing, too.  His brief conversations with Cinnamon Twist and Long John and the choral responses of the entire bakery of doughnuts add extra sweetness to this tasty tale.  Here is a passage.

What kind of

giant doughnut

ARE you anyway?

WHAT?!

You don't 

know what 

kind?

The tiny, printed pattern (mini doughnuts) spreads across the front, spine, and back of the open dust jacket.  The hues of those small forms shift from teal to purple and to pink, almost like reflected sunlight.  Arnie with his wide-eyed look, open mouth, and animated arms and legs is in his full glory.  He makes an appearance on the back to talk about this book and to point out the four other books in which he stars.  On both the front and the back of the dust jacket, Arnie is varnished, along with the thumbnails of the other titles, and the main title text on the front.  This text is also raised.

The book case back is identical to the dust jacket.  On the front we have moved closer to Arnie.  His face fills the entire front of the book case, his grin lighting up our lives.

On a white background, the opening and closing endpapers are covered in red, yellow, blue, pink, and green sprinkles.  On the verso, dedication, and title pages, illustrator Laurie Keller has created a double-page picture of a doughnut machine and a large dough bowl with a curved chute dropping doughnuts into hot oil.  Can you spy a character from another of her popular books walking across the top of the title page?

Each illustration rendered

with markers, colored pencils, pen and ink, acrylic paint, collage, and digital drawing

is highly animated spanning either two pages, single pages, or two smaller visuals on a single page.  The backgrounds shift through a series of pastel shades or feature the checkered colors of the bakery.  Sometimes there are two different backgrounds on a single page like panels to separate moments.  Laurie Keller's collage technique is fabulous.

One of my many, many favorite illustrations covers two-thirds of a page.  Arnie is looking closer at the reader, at you.  In his left hand he is carrying a clip board and blue pencil.  This is how he is keeping track of observations.  His left eye is closed in concentration.  In his right hand he is holding a magnifying glass held up to his right eye.  This eye, as seen through that glass, is HUGE!  He is trying to see if you have filling coming out of your head.

Written and illustrated by Laurie Keller, HELLO ARNIE!: An Arnie The Doughnut Story shows us a character at his personal best.  He tackles the mystery of who we are with his usual exuberance.  When he reaches a conclusion, he embraces it with his truth.  Arnie is a character to love.  I know you will want to have a copy for your professional and personal collections.  (And wouldn't it be great if there was an Arnie The Doughnut plush toy?)

To discover more about Laurie Keller and her other work, please follow the link attached to her name to access her website.  Laurie Keller has accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.  At the publisher's website you can view interior images.  Laurie Keller was recently featured at Only Picture Books and author Tara Lazar's Writing For Kids (While Raising Them).  Enjoy the charming book trailer.

Duds Dismay

Dreamed into reality in 1949, it is still in existence today.  In 1952 it was the first toy to be advertised on television.  Within months it garnered four million dollars for the company.  Most of the households in my neighborhood as a child owned at least one.  It was a star in the 1995 movie, Toy Story.  (And it might be the reason potatoes are my favorite food.)  Mr. Potato Head was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame in 2000.

For the vivid and active imaginations of children (and children at heart), adding ears, eyes, a mouth, feet, arms and hands, a nose, and a variety of hats to a potato opens whole new worlds.  Potato Pants! (Christy Ottaviano Books, Henry Holt and Company, October 2, 2018) written and illustrated by Laurie Keller brings to readers a tuber-ific tale of excitement, dread, and compassion liberally loaded with hilarity.  How can you even think the title words without laughing?

POTATO IS EXCITED!
(That's why he's doing the Robot.)

I call it
the PO-bot
because I'm a
PO-tato.

In case you are wondering (a) why a potato is talking and (b) why he's excited, the local pants shop is having a spectacular one-day event.  The owner, Lance Vance, is selling trousers designed particularly for potatoes.  Potato is trying not to panic but the advertisement says

ONCE THEY'RE GONE,
THEY'RE GONE!

He's early to avoid the spud stampede but his cheer turns to fear when he sees a pineapple-patterned- pant-wearing eggplant standing inside.  He's frozen outside remembering how this very eggplant shoved him into a garbage bin yesterday.  How is he going to get his perfect pair of pants? Potatoes are coming and going and each is wearing new designer duds.

A passerby gives him an idea but a call to a grocery store yields negative results.  Trying to decide what to do next, Potato learns there is only one pair left.  Desire overcomes dismay, he rushes into the store only to discover the pants are gone.  Potato explodes at the injustice.

His anger is short-lived when he learns of damage he caused in his haste to acquire his perfect pair of pants.  His purple nemesis approaches.  In a twist of tater-tastic scope, Potato and Eggplant leave Lance Vance's Fancy Pants Store wiser.


Only someone with a brilliant sense of humor could write a story filled with this much fun.  Laurie Keller has a knack for knowing which words to use to create an exact comedic effect.  Rhyming, alliteration, repetition, and puns heighten the narrative and the conversations of Potato, the other characters and Eggplant.  Here is a passage.

Poor Potato.  It's not easy for him
to watch all the other potatoes walk
by in their new Potato Pants.

I LOVE my new
POTATO PANTS!

We love
OURS,
too!

Mine have 
polka dots
and 
ruffles!

Mine have
BIG
pockets!

Mine are kind of
SCRATCHY.  I may need some
POTATO UNDERPANTS!


The background seen on the opened dust jacket is like the bags used to package potatoes.  This is very clever.  The smaller images around Potato on the front, right, give readers hints as to the incidents in the story.  One look at the face of Potato on the front is guaranteed to bring on giggles and grins.  It also will have readers wondering why Potato appears frightened.  To the left, on the back, within a potato shape Potato is watching an ad on television announcing the Potato Pants event.

A bright sky blue covers the book case.  Etched in a darker blue Potato does his famous PO-Bot from left to right.  The opening and closing endpapers are a rich, rusty red.  On the title page Potato's perfect pair of pants, the stripey ones with the stripey suspenders are featured.  From the lower right-hand corner an eyeglass-wearing potato, Tuberto, has a few words to say.

Rendered with markers, colored pencils, pen and ink, acrylic paint, potato stamps, collage, and digital drawing the illustrations feature characters looking as if they could leap off the pages.  The large eyes, stick-like hands, arms and feet add to the total funniness of each scene.  Laurie Keller uses a combination of double-page, full page and a collection of smaller illustrations to provide exemplary pacing.

One of my favorite illustrations is of Potato frantically making a phone call.  He is standing on a white canvas framed by speech balloons and text at the top.  He is holding a rather large cell phone with a brand name of Spud Phone to his left ear.  His expression is one of extreme urgency with raised eyebrows, wide eyes, and a large mouth.  His three tufts of hair are standing up.

Potato Pants! written and illustrated by Laurie Keller will generate marvelous merriment for listeners and readers of all ages.  The entire premise promises pure entertainment but there is also a gift for readers in the story.  It's the gift of understanding and truth.  I highly recommend this title for your personal and professional collections.

To learn more about Laurie Keller and her other work, please follow the link attached to her name to access her website.  The cover reveal is found at Publishers Weekly along with a discussion of her professional work with Christy Ottaviano.  At the Nerdy Book Club Laurie talks about the process for writing this book and it's also the premiere of the book trailer.  Laurie has a radio interview about this title on WVXU.  Laurie has an account on Twitter and Instagram.  At the publisher's website you can view interior images. They also have a Teacher's Guide.  

(I was doing a search on Pinterest for potato printing and believe me there are lots of ideas for fun using those vegetables but I discovered something else.  Laurie Keller has 188 boards filled with art and things she adores.)