The Grass Is Always Greener

It was undeniably a rite of passage in our neighborhood.  As each child reached a certain age, when the first cutting of the lawn came in the spring, you could see them proudly pushing a mower.  If the yards were bigger and they were older you might see them riding on a big green John Deere.

Even today there is something satisfying about the lines made in a freshly mowed lawn and the memory-laden smell of the cut grass.  Humans are not the only ones taking pleasure in mowing.  An exceptional amphibian singles out a special day each week to complete his task.  McToad Mows Tiny Island (Abrams Books For Young Readers, September 1, 2015) a transportation tale by Tom Angleberger with pictures by John Hendrix is an extraordinary journey filled with amazement and laughter.

McToad likes Thursdays.

McToad is fond of Thursday because this is the day he gets to mow Tiny Island.  His home is on Big Island.  On Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday he mows Big Island.  

It's no easy hop, skip and a jump to get to Tiny Island.  In fact, it's quite a process to arrive at this destination.  To begin McToad fires up his red riding lawn mower moving it from the shed up a plank into the back of HIS McToad Lawn Care truck.

With the ease of a true expert McToad loads his mower from the truck using a forklift to the flat bed car of HIS train.  This train soon arrives at the airport.  (I don't know about you but at this point I am wondering how big Big Island is.)  A handy dandy conveyor belt takes his faithful grass cutter to HIS airplane.

Three vehicles, one machine and a structure of wood later, the mower and McToad land on Tiny Island.  Our audacious landscaper thoroughly enjoys his time on this plot of land in the middle of the ocean; even pausing to sip a lemonade drink.  With an equally involved return trip home the caretaker and his machine come to rest as the sun slowly sinks on the horizon.


With the first three words Tom Angleberger has our attention.  We can't help but wonder why McToad likes Thursdays.  Sentence by sentence he builds an and then kind of story.  We can feel the anticipation growing.  That's what makes the sentence in the narrative which matches the title utterly fantastic.  If you don't burst out laughing, you're probably not breathing.


Opening up the dust jacket readers can readily see John Hendrix has created another illustrative masterpiece in color, design and typography.  His use of rich reds, vibrant greens and golden yellows are warm and inviting.  McToad looks pleased beyond measure as he does what he loves best.  We want to join him.

On the back, to the left, a series of wide red arrows point out the pathway, transfers and stops McToad and his mower make on the return excursion home.  Pages from an account book with the noted property, date and amount columns filled in carefully cover the book case.  The opening endpapers feature McToad beginning a lawn with several diagonal strips indicating his progress as he faces the reader.  On the closing endpapers his work is nearly done as he putts along wearing his patched worn hat with his back to us.

Before the title page, which hints at future events, McToad stands wiping his brow, holding a walking stick with his hat on top of it.  Rendered in pen and ink with fluid acrylic washes on Strathmore Bristol vellum most of the illustrations span two pages, edge to edge.  When the narrative asks us to pause Hendrix shifts to single pages for pacing and impact.

Attentive readers will note Hendrix's nod to his children and his The Holy Ghost graphic episodes and to Tom Angleberger's middle grade novel characters.  His close-ups of McToad as he stands in front of the map in his shed and adjusts the mirror in his truck as well as when he mows Tiny Island convey pure contentment.  One of my many favorite illustrations is of McToad flying HIS helicopter to a large boat moored to a dock.  Both hands are gripping the controls as he carries the mower hanging in a tarp from the bottom of the vehicle.  He is, of course, wearing goggles.  From left to right the perspective shifts from in the air with McToad to a bird's eye view of the land.


For pure entertainment McToad Mows Tiny Island with words by Tom Angleberger and pictures by John Hendrix is unlike any other transportation tale you've read.  You can't help but feel the fun in the blend of text and images these two stellar artists must have had bringing this story to readers.  Start your engines everyone, it's time to get going and mowing.

To discover more about Tom Angleberger and John Hendrix please visit their websites by following the links attached to their names.  John Hendrix has a page dedicated to this book here.  If you go to Twitter and search under the title of the book, many people have sent out messages about this book.  I will include some of them below.  Tom Angleberger is interviewed at Reading Rockets in a series of videos.  Teacher librarian, Travis Jonker, reviews this title on his blog 100 Scope Notes at the School Library Journal site.  John Hendrix is a guest at teacher librarian, Matthew C. Winner's Let's Get Busy Podcast #186.  UPDATE:  November 20, 2015 Author, reviewer and blogger, Julie Danielson, features art from this title on her blog, Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast,  along with a link to her discussion of the book at Kirkus last week.

McToad buttons for the launch of "McToad Mows Tiny Island" tonight at @subbooks 5:30pm! pic.twitter.com/CWYryiVgyf

— John Hendrix (@hendrixart) September 29, 2015

Behind the scenes peek at McToad Mows Tiny Island! Secret screen tests that @hendrixart and I used to… https://t.co/ovyA9N4UUY

— OrigamiYoda (@OrigamiYoda) September 1, 2015

#Bookaday McToad Mows Tiny Island by @OrigamiYoda & @hendrixart https://t.co/4DJ3ShdBh9. I want McToad Lawn Care to cut my grass!

— John Schu (@MrSchuReads) August 21, 2015

Valentine's Day Eve Skype-Tom Angleberger

This is a short post to extend our utmost thanks to author Tom Angleberger for generously offering up free thirty minute Skype visits to the galaxy last month.  I could hardly believe my good fortune at seeing his tweet.  After a quick text to a colleague to confirm her class's availability, I was able to secure a spot for us on his calendar.

As the class entered the library today, you could sense the excitement.  From the moment Tom Angleberger appeared on screen he entertained and engaged our students.  The air was supercharged with his energy.  He spoke about his books, talked about his favorite books by other authors, made a list of the students' favorite books, taught us how to make Origami Yoda and answered student questions.

I know it will be a day for all the students to remember.  I know their teacher, Mrs. Madison, and I will not forget it.  Amazing you are, Tom Angleberger!

A Slice Of Patriotic Life

For the first time I had the good fortune to attend the American Library Association Annual Conference & Exhibition held this year in Chicago.  While I met many amazing authors and illustrators this weekend, two stand out for their cheerful sincerity. They are a match made in heaven; their warmth for the people they meet and for one another is a joy to experience.

It came as no surprise that their most recent collaboration is a reflection of the zest they have for life; upbeat and full of humor.  Crankee Doodle (Clarion Books, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company) written by Tom Angleberger with illustrations by Cece Bell sheds new light on the man and his pony made famous by a tune straight out of Americana. It gives readers a unique glimpse into the personalities of the Red-White-and-Blue duo.

Mr. Yankee Doodle: I'm bored.
Pony:  We could go to town.

Immediately Mr. Doodle responds with a verbose list of reasons why the idea of going to town is not in his repertoire of favorite places to go.  When pony suggests they could go shopping, Doodle's answer proceeds to point out how he already has too many possessions, the workmanship nowadays leaves much to be desired and the cost,

I might as well throw my money in an outhouse hole!

Pony, however, is not deterred. His next bright idea involves a feather.

Doodle is downright flabbergasted by the thought of placing something from a bird in his hat. Pony proceeds to elaborate by telling him macaroni would be a good name for his hat adorned with a feather.  This newest idea has Doodle working himself into a proper colonial tizzy. Hats don't need plumage and macaroni isn't even his preferred pasta.

When pony politely points out that macaroni can be defined as fancy, Doodle doesn't hesitate to expound on the finer points of a truly fancy member of the noodle family.  Easy-going pony has the perfect reply.

At that Mr. Crankee Doodle looses all sense of civility.  He tosses his so-called worthless headgear into the garbage followed by a first class tirade. Clearly pony wants to go to town. But his offered mode of transportation is met with scornful rudeness aimed at his body odor.

Silent glances are exchanged.  Pony's poignant, truthful sentiments crack Crankee. With a surprising twist the friends linked together through history and song ride off in spirited companionship. Destination...well-known.


As I noted in a review of a previous Tom Angleberger book, The Secret of Fortune Wookiee, his adept ability to shift between narrative styles is a marvel.  Through dialogue alone, two very distinctive individuals emerge.  Instantly we willingly abandon any sense of reality, embracing this conversation between the talking pony and Yankee Doodle, who seems to have gone over to the Dark Side for the day.

It's in the portrayal of the two as total opposites where the humor will have you holding your sides and bursting into laughter.  The pony proposes in single sentences versus Mr. Doodle ranting in a string of emphatic statements. While the conversation seems to be in the present based on word choice, Angleberger inserts references to the historic time period which adds to the overall hilarity.


Using a bold, patriotic palette Cece Bell renders the illustrations with gouache.  The jacket and cover set the mood for the entire book.  The pony looking hopefully happy at Crankee Doodle, who is on the verge of loosing any patience, however slim, he may have.  It's a study in opposites. How can you help not grinning?

Opening and closing endpapers are patterned in soft, golden macaroni on a darker background.  In the title page Crankee is framed looking thoroughly disgusted with the hint of the pony's mouth leaning in by his left ear.  A rather idyllic scene of the two sleeping in the meadow is featured on the verso and dedication pages.  All of the illustrations are double page spreads with the exception of two; employing a unique framing design.

Shifts in color and texture, grass, sky and trees, macaroni, another fancy pasta, and a series of buildings, illuminate the characters and their emotions as well as the flow of the story.  There's something about the pony's mouth with his exposed teeth, the eyes on both the pony and Crankee and the facial shapes, that elevate the comedy.  Little details such as the language of the period appearing on items and buildings which are clearly from the future (as opposed to the Revolutionary years) are further evidence of contrasts.  For readers such decisions equal all-out fun.


Tom Angleberger's debut picture book with illustrations by Cece Bell, Crankee Doodle will definitely have you singing the song quietly in your mind as you are laughing at the grump and his persistent pal.  It's understood this will be read and read again...at the same sitting.  Be sure to give each of the characters their own voice.  The narrative and illustrations invite readers to do so.  The pony adds his two-pence worth at the end in a historical note, finally singing as Crankee Doodle plugs his ears.

Please follow the links to Tom Angleberger's and Cece Bell's websites embedded in their names. (Cece has posted the actual notes from their car trip used to write this book.) Here is an interview between Tom and Cece that came out on Kirby Larson's blog after this post. In this video Tom talks about the idea for the book and the collaboration between him and Cece, their first.




UPDATE:  Be sure you check out this link loaded with artwork posted at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast.  Cece Bell gives readers the inside scoop on her process.

The Force Was With Us!

For nearly ninety weeks the virtues of Twitter have been extolled through the Saturday posts titled Twitterville Talk on this blog.  Twitter is a source of collective wisdom, inspiration, shared experiences and unconditional support.  Of the educators, publishing people, authors and illustrators who are followers and who I am following, there is a spirit of incredible generosity.

This was never more apparent than this past Monday morning when I saw this tweet.

Free SCHOOL Skype Visit Tomorrow? Due to a mix-up there is a free Skype slot open tomorrow at 10:30 AM EASTERN time. Let me know ASAP!
— OrigamiYoda (@OrigamiYoda) February 4, 2013

After a moment of stunned disbelief the following exchange took place.

@loveofxena Not yet...
— OrigamiYoda (@OrigamiYoda) February 4, 2013

I quickly contacted one of my fifth grade teacher colleagues. Before I knew it, a dream was on it's way to becoming a reality.

@loveofxena Excellent! Send me an email and I'll send you the details... tom (at) origamiyoda.com
— OrigamiYoda (@OrigamiYoda) February 4, 2013

As a fan of Horton Halfpott: Or, The Fiendish Mystery of Smugwick Manor; or, The Loosening of M'Lady Luggertuck's Corset, Fake Mustache: Or, How Jodie O'Rodeo and Her Wonder Horse (and Some Nerdy Kid) Saved the U. S. Presidential Election from a Mad Genius Criminal Mastermind, The Strange Case of Origami Yoda, Darth Paper Strikes Back: An Origami Yoda Book and The Secret of the Fortune Wookie: An Origami Yoda Book I was beside myself with joyful anticipation.  There is a reason authors and illustrators are called "rock stars" by educators. We've seen first hand the effect their books have on our readers.

As another sign of the huge hearts of many authors and illustrators, Tom Angleberger agreed to Skype with the entire fifth grade rather than a single class.  All three classes filed into the library and sat waiting for the connection.  What Angleberger did not know was all the students were wearing fake mustaches (so were one of the teachers and myself).

When he looked out at his audience and saw a sea of black paper mustaches he immediately tried to conjure up one for himself.  At this point the energy in the room was high and full of happiness.  Tom Angleberger then produced a parade of origami Star Wars figures to the delight of our students.

He held up examples of his books that had been published in other countries asking students which of them they had read.  (He tricked us once, which we laughed about along with him.) He then spoke about the process behind the writing of Fake Moustache and The Strange Case of Origami Yoda.  Our students hung on his every word.

Inviting students to come forward and ask him questions revealed the true spirit of Tom Angleberger.  Through his humorous and truthful responses he put every single student at ease.  For the moments they were speaking with him, he focused on them completely.  It was heartwarming to watch this best-selling author speaking to our students as if they were good friends.  As an educator these are the times you treasure.

Due to technical difficulties we were unable to complete the visit with each student making Origami Yoda but Tom Angleberger did message us with the final words of May the Force Be with You.  Trust me Tom, it was.  It was you.


Here are some of the comments from students about the Skype visit.

I thought the Skype visit with Mr. Angleberger was extraordinary.  I really loved when I got to go up there to the camera and he called me Larry.  Then some other kids went up there and he called them Larry too.  It was hilarious.   Maggie

First I love your BOOK and I would read it a million times.  Caeden

I think that the Skype visit with Tom Angleberger was very exciting because we got to ask him questions about his latest books and new upcoming books he's planning to write.  His books are great because they are fun, laugh-out-loud kind of books.  The Skype visit with Tom Angleberger was a BLAST!  Abby P

I am going to try to start the Fake Mustache.  That was one of my favorite video chats we have done this year and will probably always be.  Abby S

I'm guessing he really liked when we all had mustaches.  Catherine

I liked when he showed us the origami Star Wars figures.  Robin

It was great!  Tom Angleberger is a really nice person and has a good imagination.  Logan

This was a morning which will remain in the memories of our students, their teachers and myself for a long time.  Tom Angleberger is as full of life, fun, and a keen sense of adventure as his books.  We all are grateful for his generosity.  The link embedded in his name above takes you to his website which, not surprisingly, is a world of wonder for his fans.

Enjoy the book trailers and origami instructions below.

The Force Is Still With Us-Stronger Than Ever

There are two, of many, things that have stood the test of time: Star Wars and the Japanese art of paper folding, origami.  The first's popularity has never diminished in thirty-five years and the love of shaping the latter has continued for centuries.  What these two cultural icons of human history have in common is the widely and wildly popular middle grade book series created by the mind of Tom Angleberger; an energetic, innovative look at a group of middle school students.

Now a little more than two years after the publication of the first book, The Strange Case of Origami Yoda in March of 2010, followed by Darth Paper Strikes Back in August of 2011, the third volume, The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee (Amulet Books), amid much anticipation, was released this month. Consumed in a single sitting (I could not stop reading.), this book makes one of my Dad's favorite sayings, "Anticipation is greater than realization" not ring true in any way, shape or form.  The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee far exceeds what I might have imagined it to be.

Even if readers have not read the previous two books in the series, the first four pages offer an explanation of events up to this point in an upbeat, conversational tone.

Every case file begins with a question....
The first time it was "Is Origami Yoda real?"
Then "Will Darth Paper destroy Origami Yoda?"
It looked like THIS case file was going to start-and end-with the question:
How can you have a case file without Dwight?

The entire cast of characters at McQuarrie Middle School has returned minus Dwight.  Dwight, the guy with the origami Yoda finger puppet, eccentric but seeming to get to the heart of any situation through the voice of Yoda, is attending Tippett Academy having been suspended from McQuarrie until January.  On the second day sans Dwight, the crew has gathered in the library, before morning classes, contemplating their boredom when Sara, a neighbor of Dwight's and Tommy's crush, strolls in with big news.  That morning Dwight tossed a plastic baggie out his bedroom window containing another finger puppet--a Wookiee, Fortune Wookiee, a cootie catcher like none other.

This newest member of the paper Star Wars menagerie is to only be used for emergencies per Dwight's instructions to Sara.  Plus without the intercession of the school librarian, Mrs. Calhoun, Principal Rabbski nearly had Fortune Wookiee banned.  It gets even better when Sara reveals Han Foldo, another puppet who will interpret Chewbacca's unique language.

What follows is a book jam-packed with episodes as one student after another presents Sara with problems needing answers that typically might plague students; a boy worried a secret will be revealed, a sixth grade girl who has a crush on a boy who doesn't even know she exists, or a boy terrified of eating his grandmother's traditional Thanksgiving culinary speciality.  As in the previous two titles each chapter is written in the voice of a specific character with comments by Tommy and Harvey at the end.  Interspersed among these are chapters about worrisome changes in Dwight.

Something not quite right is in the air at McQuarrie Middle School.  The mystery of Dwight's apparent new normalcy is not the only "game afoot".  In an ending where characters readers have come to know and yes, love, the Force is strong...and as we know, Yoda is never wrong.

Tom Angleberger is one of those authors who nails life and the special lingo in a middle school setting with perfection.  The dialogue could not be better, capturing the sense of urgency and importance of these situations and events to the students involved.  The play on words, the references to Star Wars, enhances his "Super" command of pacing, plot and language.

Here are a couple of passages.

"I can see you haven't learned one thing about not acting like animals since you were in my class! That was a new level of embarrassment! What on earth were you hardheads doing, anyway?"
"Tommy just blew his nose on my snowtrooper!"
"Correction," whispered Kellen. "Snot trooper."
"SHUT UP," I hissed.  If Kellen made me laugh, Howell would explode all over again.   ...

...We got to the office before Rabbski, so we had to sit in there and wait.
"Nice going!" I said.
And Harvey goes, "Me? You did it!"
"Yeah, I played a LITTLE joke.  You're the one that acted like a BIG baby, made us all look like idiots, and got us in trouble!"
"Yeah," said Kellen, "and I didn't even---"
The door opened.  ...

(As an aside here I need to also point out the versatility of Angleberger as a writer.  I have read his other books outside this series, Fake Mustache and Horton Halfpott: Or, The Fiendish Mystery of Smugwick Manor; or, The Loosening of M'Lady Luggertuck's Corset.  His ability at descriptions, creating a sense of place and time and again, the dialogue between the characters, shifts splendidly between the types of story as it should with all well written books.)

The cover and front matter art for The Secret of Fortune Wookiee was done by Jason Rosenstock, Cece Bell (Angleberger's wife, also an author and illustrator) and Tom Angleberger.  Throughout the remainder of the book all the small sketches in the borders of the pages as well as the larger pictures were done by Angleberger adding to the feel of this being a true "case file" crafted by middle school students.  The acknowledgments at the book's end are well worth reading.

Fans of the earlier Origami Yoda volumes will read The Secret of Fortune Wookiee by Tom Angleberger eagerly and repeatedly but so will anyone wanting to read a great story with unforgettable characters.  Will there be another in the series?  You'll have to listen to Yoda.

Follow the link to Tom Angleberger's name above to enjoy all the excellent pluses of his website.  Follow this link to an interview given at The Seattle Times by Angleberger. 

Horton Who?

What happened to the Luggertuck diamond?
Why is a group of swashbuckling pirates landlocked without a ship?
Who meets with Old Lord Emberly in the library at night?
What happens when the Purple Bell rings?
Will Horton Halfpott be free?

Are Bump, Blight, and Blemish a disease or first rate sleuths?
Will  Miss Neversly continue to be the spoon wielding kitchen witch or will Cupid's arrow pierce her heart?
Why is the evil Luther Luggertuck lurking in secret passages?
Will detective Portnoy St. Pomfrey solve the mysteries or will he continue to shovel anchovy stuffed deviled eggs into his mouth at every opportunity?
Who will catch Celia's fancy?
What is a corset and why did M'Lady Luggertuck loosen hers?

There is only one place where all these questions can be answered; in a very special book, of course.

Tom Angleberger, author of the bestselling The Strange Case of Origami Yoda, has another sure fire winner,
Horton Halfpott or The Fiendish Mystery of Smugwick Manor or The Loosening of M'Lady Luggertuck's Corset.  As an unseen narrator addresses Dear Reader a tale unravels replete with a cast of characters that boggle the mind, employing a Dickens' inspired style of narration revealing mad-cap mystery and suspense liberally laced with humor. 

The short lively chapters use language that rolls off the tongue whether in the reader's mind or a listener's ear.  It propels the plot forward in a manner that engages the reader completely urging them to discover what is happening next to whom.  I found myself turning the pages quickly.  At each chapter's end I was smiling if not quietly laughing. 

Here are just a few examples of Angleberger's use of words.

Crotty was a tiny old thing, but she could pull those corset strings tighter than a hangman's noose.

And in the kitchen...the iron rule of law was felt to be just a little rusty.

Love---yes, Love---was about to buffet the weathered stone of the manor; whose musty corridors had gone many fine years without it.

Tom Angleberger's distinctive artwork that decorates the endpapers, chapter beginnings, a cast of characters and a map of Smugwick Manor and Environs is the whipped cream and cherry on top of a book that reads like a finely wrought play; a mind-watering dessert sensation.  When it comes to meals, my students and I like to eat dessert first.