Rabbit & Squirrel - A Tale of War and Peas

Rabbit & Squirrel: A Tale of War and Peas
by Kara LaReau
Illustrated by Scott Magoon
Harcourt Children's Books
ISBN-13: 978-0152063078
www.LaReauSisters.com
www.ScottMagoon.com

Once upon a time, there was a lovely, fluffy pink and sparkly book about a happy rabbit named Rabbit and her best friend, Squirrel. This is NOT that book.

THANK GOODNESS!

We Chicks love sweet fluffiness in our cupcakes. We do NOT love sweet fluffiness pressed between the covers of a book. It makes the pages stick together and that makes us cranky.

We love books that tell us a good story in a funny, smart, and slightly mischievous way. Rabbit & Squirrel: A Tale of War and Peas is such a book. This new title is brought to us by Kara LaReau and Scott Magoon who recently collaborated on the wickedly dry underwater saga, Ugly Fish.

This is no corny tale of competition between friends. Rabbit and Squirrel are not friends. They are neighbors who barely notice each other until someone starts raiding their gardens. They jump to bad conclusions, blaming each other for the destruction. It is war!

Even when the true culprit is revealed, Rabbit and Squirrel can't let it go. They just don't know when to say when. Where will it end? (Sorry. You have to read the book to find out.)

LaReau's smart text is perfectly balanced with Magoon's nuanced illustrations which reveal Rabbit's and Squirrel's surprising breadth of emotion. If you've ever wondered what a vengeful rabbit or a suspicious squirrel might look like, this is the book for you. (If you haven't wondered that, what have you been doing with your spare time?)

Rabbit & Squirrel is no garden variety morality tale. It is a simple story that makes a big point without ever getting preachy or gooey. Exactly what we like to find between the covers of a book!

Woolbur

Woolbur
by Leslie Helakoski
Illustrated by Lee Harper
HarperCollins
ISBN: 978-0060847265

Woolbur was a little lamb whose fleece was white as snow...until, of course, he decided to dye himself a bright, snappy blue:

"You look unbelievable!" said Paa.

"I know," said Woolbur. "Isn't it great?"

"It will never wash out!" said Maa.

"I know, " said Woolbur. "Isn't it great?"

Whether he's carding, spinning, or weaving, Woolbur's uncoventional approach to wool causes his nervous parents to pull their own wool at night, waiting for the day when Woolbur will finally follow the flock. "It's what we sheep do," say Maa and Paa, begging him to change his ways.

But Woolbur's spirited individuality can't be sheared, and before long he has the rest of the flock following him. Woolbur is the perfect yarn to share with kids who dare to be different, as well as those who need a nudge to let their own light shine. Go Woolbur!

And the Winner is . . .

Hurray!

We have a winner to our contest! Jim, come on down! You're the winner of a copy of Andrea's new book, DOCTOR TED! Please send us an e-mail at Three_silly_chicks@yahoo.com with your snail mail and we'll send it right out for you!

Kara/Jenna, Donna, Tammi, and Kramerchronicle, e-mail us with your addy's, too, and we'll send you a token of our esteem. Or a steamed token. Or a steamed Tolkien!

Thanks to everyone who entered! We enjoyed your videos and jokes!

The Chicks

The Cow That Laid An Egg

Written by Andy Cutbill
Illustrated by Russell Ayto
HarperCollins
ISBN 978-00613772957

Just when you thought there couldn't possibly be another picture book set in a barnyard--Ta-da-MOO! A new, fresh barnyard story is hatched, thanks to Andy Cutbill and Russell Ayto!

Lovely Marjorie the cow (who is blessed with the kind of long, lush lashes that would make a mascara ad model green with envy) doesn't feel very special. After all, she can't ride bicycles or do handstands like the other cows at the farm. In an effort to cheer her up, the chickens plant an egg in her stall. Soon everyone on the farm is clucking about the egg that Marjorie laid-- except for the cows, who are suspicious. Will Marjorie be able to prove that she is indeed a special egg-laying cow?

This book incorporates the three important S's--Silly, Sweet and Succinct. The wild, zingy colors and whimsical illustrations add lots of panache to this funny tale.

And of course, we LOVE the fact that chickens are prominently featured! Ayto's chickens are almost as cute as we are.

April Fools' Contest!

It's April Fools' Day!

We LOVE April Fools' Day. It makes us feel all clever and sly and like such tricksy Hobbitses.

Who knows what mischief we might get into here at the Coop with our fresh vat of nacho cheese and a carton of stink bombs at our disposal!

But we're not the only clever ones around!

As readers of our blog, you have proven yourselves quite the smartcicles.

So, are you up for a contest?

Here's the deal: Leave us a message and tell us about a clever trick you have pulled on someone or had pulled upon you or even just one that you heard about.

Or . . .

Tell us a joke or a riddle! We love jokes and riddles!

Or . . .

Leave us a link to a silly website or video! You know how we love silly!

On April 8, 2008 we will pick winners from all those who entered. The grand prize (drawn randomly) will be an autographed copy of Andrea's Brand-Spanking NEW picture book, DOCTOR TED!!!!!!


(Note: While saying that DOCTOR TED is brand-spanking new, we do not in any way imply that he spanks any brands. However, he does administer fine medical advice and has been known to administer cookies as needed and can diagnose measles, gingivitis, and foot odor.)

Here's a great review where you can learn more about Ted. This one includes some fabulous pics from DOCTOR TED. Here's another. And a podcast, too! But wait... we digress! That happens when we get to talking about bears with stethoscopes. We'll post more about DOCTOR TED very soon!


Meanwhile, back to the contest . . .

Five other lucky winners will receive mystery prizes to be named when we figure out what that stuff is in the back of our refrigerator and if it can be legally shipped via the US Postal Service!!!!

These winners will be selected by being funny, clever, or just lucky that everyone else was playing bunco and forgot to enter. Hey, it's all good!

You can play early and play often!

In the Coop with Jon Scieszka

<--- Jon and friend, David Shannon! Sometimes, you just know an author is destined for greatness the very first time you read one of their books. We knew that about Jon Scieszka when we read The Stinky Cheese Man so long ago and blew lemonade out our beaks. Lesson learned: Lemonade hurts when you blow it out your beak. Other lesson learned: Jon Scieszka rocks! We were thrilled earlier this year when Jon was named the first ever National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature! He is simply the perfect choice for this award.

So, Everyone, cover your beaks, raise your lemonades high and let's all welcome Jon to the Coop!

Congratulations on being named the first ever National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. Why is this role important?

Someone needs to be wearing the crown and sash and epaulettes! It is also spectacular that we finally got a little more national attention for kids' books. We get stuck in the back pages too often.

When your term as National Ambassador for Young People's Literature ends, would you like to become ambassador (or President for Life) of a real country? If so, which one?

What do you mean, "ends"? As I understand it, I maintain my Ambassadorial privileges for life. Though it might be more fun to rule my charges from Monaco, or maybe Tahiti.

How do you know when what you write is funny??

You never know for sure. Plenty of things I've written have amused me, but no one else. And it's always interesting to see what makes different audiences laugh. Something like SQUIDS WILL BE SQUIDS is a great test of what kids find funny . . . or not at all. Some kids tell me that is their favorite. Other kids say they didn't "get" any of it.

Do you have any tips for writing funny books?

It's all in the rewriting. And in the timing. The best test is to go out and read what you've written to a couple different groups of kids. You will know right away if it's funny or not.

Has being funny ever gotten you into or out of trouble?

Both. I went to catholic schools for elementary. And the nuns were not to thrilled with the guys (me and my friends) who sat in the back of the class telling jokes. The first laughs would get me in trouble with the teacher. But then when I told the joke to everyone else on the playground -- I was a hero.

What are some of your favorite funny books?????

I love the old New Yorker guys like S.J. Perleman, Thurber, Benchley, Will Cuppy. Terry Pratchett's Discworld books are some of the funniest things out there too.

If you could live in one of your books, which one would you choose?

Wow. That's a scary thought. Hanging out with a storytelling wolf? A little man made of bad smelling cheese? Talking squids? That's a nightmare. I think I would choose to live in someone else's book. How about the Swiss Family Robinson? I always loved how they found absolutely everything on that island and on their ship that got wrecked. And living in a tree! Spectacular. Though Father was a bit of a preachy kind of guy. Now that's sounding kind of hellish too. Okay, never mind. I want to live in Go, Dog Go!

Do you prefer The Marx Bros or Three Stooges?

Both. For different reasons. Groucho and company for their snappy patter. Mo and the boys for smack-you-on-the-head funny.

What was your best Halloween costume ever?

Bum. I was a pretty good witch. And a scary bunny rabbit. But I was an excellent bum -- I had the black marker whisker stubble, baggy suitcoat, and no mask. Beauty.

What is your Dream Job for a Day?

I've already got it. I sit around and think up funny stories for kids.

Clown V. Mime Deathmatch.? Pick your winner.

Total clown. The mime is all about thinking he is a fine artist. The clown has been in situations and seen things you don't want to know. He is ripping through the white-faced silent guy in the first round, then celebrating with a shot of bourbon and a quick cigar before his next birthday party gig.

Funniest dead person you'd like to meet??

I have to agree with Mo Willems -- dead people are not all that funny. Mostly stiff, in fact. But a guy I would have liked to joke around with when he was alive? Robert Benchley.

Monkey with a Tool Belt

Monkey with a Tool Belt
by Chris Monroe
Carolrhoda Books
ISBN: 978-0-8225-7631-0
We love monkeys. We especially love funky monkeys. But give us a funky monkey with a tool belt, and we go ape! Enter Chico Bon Bon--an extra cool funky monkey with a tool belt. Here are some of Chico's tools: Screwdriver, nut driver, nutcracker, squeegee, ouija, planer, strainer, grease container, bungee hammer, scrunchy hammer, monkey wrench, turkey wrench, and donkey wrench. And what's more, Chico Bon Bon doesn't just have these tools, he knows how to use them, too.

Every day, he fixes something or creates something for his friends. Until one day, he is trapped by a nefarious organ-grinder whose old monkey, Bobo, had run away with the help of several circus tigers. Hey! Tigers are sneakier than they look!

Fortunately for Chico (and us), the organ-grinder doesn't notice Chico's tool belt. The clever monkey uses all his wits (and tools) to escape and save the day. Otherwise, how could he live to have another adventure, which we certainly hope he does. (Hint, hint, Mr. Publisher!) We love the very detailed but cartoonish illustrations which reveal new jokes and silliness at every viewing. We especially love the maze-like scene in which the organ-grinder takes Chico on a long-long ride over hill and dale and through the city. (Think of a funky-monkey-Richard-Scarry kind of trip.)

Monkey with a Tool Belt is a book kids will enjoy mightily. It's all that and a banana hammer!

Beware the Ides of March

We know what people say, "Beware! Beware! Beware the Ides of March!"

But we say, Poppycock and wish a Happy Ides of March to one and all. (Even tu, Brute.)

Why, you ask? Because--we answer--it's Julia's birthday! Happy, Happy birthday, Chickie! May you have many, many, many, many more!

You're a Bad Man, Mr. Gum!

You're a Bad Man, Mr. Gum!
by Andy Stanton
HarperCollins
ISBN: 978-0061152405

Mr. Gum really is a bad man. He's slimy and gross and mean to children. But there's this little fairy who whacks him on the head with a frying pan whenever he neglects his garden. As a result, Mr. Gum's garden is the "prettiest, greeniest, floweriest, gardeniest garden in the whole of Lamonic Bibber." Lamonic Bibber is a town. (This book takes place in England, you see, where pan-whacking fairies and strange town names are the norm.) Anyhoo, enter Jake, "a massive whopper of a dog," who wreaks havoc on Mr. Gum's garden with a conga line of moles in party hats. Needless to say, Mr. Gum is not pleased. In fact, he is mightily bruised from the enormous pan-whacking that ensues. So our scowling villain decides to do away with Jake in a most heinous, hideous way. Fortunately, along comes Polly, a "girl worth liking," who's determined to foil Mr. Gum's plan even if she has to team up with a questionable old hero named Friday O'Leary.

And you know what? We think we'll just stop here and let you read it for yourself. You really should. It's a whopper and a half. And then pass it on to any kid you know who enjoys books by Bruce Hale, Jim Benton, or Jon Scieszka. Or any a kid you know who needs a laugh. Or any adult, for that matter. Wafflemongers especially.

Big Bad Bunny

Big Bad Bunny
By Franny Billingsley
Illustrated by G. Brian Karas
Simon & Schuster
ISBN-13 9781416906018


If you didn't at least smile when you read the title Big Bad Bunny then perhaps you should take your pulse, because it's possible you are dead. Or you've broken your funny bone. Or both. Please call your doctor right away.

Award-winning novelist Franny Billingsley has put on her playful, picture-book writing hat here to write a story that is both funny and suspenseful. On the very first page readers meet Big Bad Bunny, a fearsome creature with long sharp claws and pointy yellow teeth. Big Bad Bunny ka-sploshes through rushing streams! She crashes through thick, tangly brush! Nothing can stop Big Bad Bunny!

Meanwhile Mama Mouse, who is pretty fierce herself, searches for her little Baby Boo Boo. (How much do you love the name Baby Boo Boo?) She rushes through the same rushing streams and tangly brush to find her sweet baby. Will she find Baby Boo Boo before Big Bad Bunny does?

Readers will be happily surprised to find out the true identity of Big Bad Bunny. And teachers everywhere will love making Big Bad Bunny masks with their students. G. Brian Karas's fun, whimsical style is the perfect match for this tightly-written, lively tale. Watch out, Easter Bunny! There's a Big Bad Bunny in town, and she is oh-so-funny!

Three Angry Chicks

As those of you who have met us know, we are mild-mannered chicks. We are silly and full of good cheer . . . and bean dip . . . and a little salsa . . . and some really yummy cupcakes we got on sale at Trader Joe's. But mostly, we are silly.

However, today, we are not feeling silly. Why? Why, you ask?

It's because someone--some Rotten No-Goodnick Nere-do-well has done us wrong. They hijacked our e-mail address and used it to send horrible spam to unsuspecting people. LOTS and LOTS and LOTS of unsuspecting people.

Now, we like spam when we go camping as much as the next chicken, but we do not think it is appropriate to send cans of spam with nasty, nasty messages through the interwebs to complete strangers. No, WE DO NOT!

We apologize to anyone who might have received such horrible messages with our name attached and want to suggest that you ignore any recommendations contained within those spam cans. We are pretty sure that following the instructions contained within them will NOT increase any of your body parts and will not help any Nigerian Princes out of catastrophic circumstances. We are sure, however, that they will annoy you and make you angry much as they have made us.

To illustrate how angry we are, we are including the following movie to show how we feel. Imagine, if you will, Three Angry Chicks pursuing a spammer. It would take more than fancy shoes for him to get away! Yeah! That'd show 'em!

Lulu Atlantis and the Quest for True Blue Love

Lulu Atlantis and the Quest for True Blue Love
By Patricia Martin
Schwartz & Wade Books
ISBN 13: 978-0-375-84016-6

There are many things in this world that make our fluffy yellow hearts sing. Bean dip and salsa. Dancing the Cha-Cha. Malted milk eggs with that speckled candy coating. And characters. True blue characters.

We love characters who are complete from the moment we meet them. Characters who make us feel as if we have been dropped down into their life in progress and who make us glad to be there.

Such a character is Miss Lulu Atlantis. We meet Lulu on the day her mother comes home from the hospital with her baby brother. It’s the same day Lulu decides to run away. Wouldn’t you? All that racket from her mom singing lullabies to the baby. And those horrible loud snuffly noises the baby makes when he’s sleeping. It’s more than a girl can take!

What Lulu needs is true blue love. But where to find it?

Luckily, Lulu has a true blue friend to help on her quest. Harry, the top-hat-clad spider accompanies her on her adventures, dispensing advice (which is usually ignored) and worrying about the dietary habits of some of Lulu’s other friends like Yogurt Skunk. Skunks eat spiders, don’t they?

Lulu Atlantis and the Quest for True Blue Love is a gentle, satisfying, funny read which leaves us feeling as if we have a new true blue friend of our own.

In the Coop with Bruce Hale

Author Bruce Hale won us over long ago with his snort-out-loud-funny Chet Gecko series, about an intrepid reptilian detective with great taste in snacks (stinkbug pie, anyone?) and sidekicks (e.g. Natalie Attired, one of the coolest sidechicks of all time). Who can resist the allure of titles such as The Malted Falcon and The Big Nap? Not us, dear readers, not us. We are fools for that gecko.

And now Mr. Hale has brought us a brand-new series called Underwhere to keep feeding our need for silly. The Prince of Underwhere, the first title in this half-novel, half-comic book series, truly has something for everyone: zombies, spies, talking cats, science experiments, rappers, and of course, lots and lots of undies.

Ladies and Gents, please help us welcome Bruce Hale to the coop!

How do you know when what you write is funny?

If it makes me laugh, grin, or feel a tickle in my funny bone, I think it's funny.

Do you have any tips for writing funny books?

Write what YOU find humorous. Everyone's tastes in humor are different. I may love Monty Python, you like the Three Stooges, and we both wonder what *she* sees in Adam Sandler. Follow your tastes.

What are some of your favorite funny books?

I love so many of them. Here are a few...

BUCKING THE SARGE by Christopher Paul Curtis
FLAT STANLEY by Jeff Brown
DEALING WITH DRAGONS by Patricia Wrede
WHALES ON STILTS by MT Anderson

Do you prefer The Marx Bros or Three Stooges?

Marx Brothers, no contest.

What was your best Halloween costume ever?

One year, I went as the Wolfman, complete with torn shirt and spirit-gummed hair sprouting from my face. I was quite a sight, riding to the party on a friend's moped.

What is your Dream Job for a Day?

Being a chocolate chip cookie taster.

Clown V. Mime Deathmatch.? Pick your winner.

Clowns rule. I think Bozo could kick a mime's butt any day.

Funniest dead person you'd like to meet?

It's a tie between Mark Twain and James Thurber. Although they wouldn't be much for conversation after all these years.

BONUS QUESTION: Hanes or Fruit of the Loom?

Neither. I'm a Calvin Klein kind of guy.

Ma, There's Nothing To Do Here! A Word From Your Baby-in-Waiting

Ma, There's Nothing To Do Here! A Word From Your Baby-in-Waiting
written by Barbara Park
illustrated by Viviana Garofoli
Random House
ISBN 0375838521

Have we mentioned lately how much we adore Barbara Park? Or how we sometimes daydream about having tea with her at the Drake Hotel? And how in this daydream Barbara (or "Babs" as we like to call her) says things like, "Oh, you're so funny, you chicks!" and then we say, "Oh, no Babs, you're the funny one!" and then we all do a group hug and Babs pays the tab?

You mean we haven't mentioned that? Oh, well, we do it all the time. So of course we were delighted when we saw that our BFF had a new picture book out, which is filled with nonstop giggles and grins. The young protagonist in this book is a baby in utero. The poor thing is, quite simply, bored out of his gourd. After all, what's a guy (or girl, the text doesn't say which) to do in "a womb with no view?"

I'm all in a heap here.
My feet are asleep here.
I'm flat out of space.
I've got knees in my face.
And I'm totally bored with this dumb bungee cord...

Can you say absolutely perfect baby shower gift? We thought you could. We also think it's a wonderful book to share with the older brother or sister who is waiting for the big event. They might even be inspired to create their own book after looking at Viviana Garofoli's lively illustrations.

Oh, and Babs, if you're reading this, please, don't worry. If we ever have tea at The Drake we will totally pick up the tab.

Quick Chick Picks: Books for the Young (and the Restless)

This week, we received a query from a friend. Our friend was looking for funny books for a 2-year-old.

Two-year olds are at a very specific age. (Two to be exact, but let us not dwell upon the obvious.) They have learned that books are not just for chewing and throwing. Two-year-olds know that books are for chewing, throwing, AND reading! And sometimes, they are even funny!

This was a tough challenge. But we are tough chicks. (Not to be confused with tough old birds, thank you!) We put our beaks together and came up with a few titles for this young age.

But we'd really like to hear YOUR favorites. What books do you recommend for the young tots in your world?

Here's our Quick Chicks Picks:

WHO HOPS? and WHO HOOTS? by Katie Davis
JAMBERRY by Bruce Degen
Goodnight Gorilla by Peggy Rathman
Sandra Boynton pick a title, any title!
Ten Hungry Monsters by Susan Heyber O'Keefe
Go Away, Big Green Monster by Ed Emberly
Not a Box and Not a Stick by Antoinette Portis
Who is Driving? by Leo Timmers
Don't let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems

And, of course, we LOVE Julia's Cha Cha Chimps

Millie Waits for the Mail

Millie Waits for the Mail
by Alexander Steffensmeier
Walker & Company
ISBN: 978-0802796622
www.alexandersteffensmeier.de

Oh, how we love a good barnyard book, and -- could it be? -- we may have found our favorite of all time in this winsome tale. Millie is a milk cow with a penchant for mischief: her favorite hobby is to scare the stuffing out of the poor mail carrier, resulting in a string of damaged deliveries to one irritated farmer lady. The bedraggled mailman finally comes up with an ingenious plan, but things quickly go awry, leading to a crazy chase scene that leaves everyone a little worse for wear. Will Millie redeem herself? Let's just say Millie's got a few surprises to deliver! (And while Millie may be the milk cow with the mostest, check out her chicken friends, who do their best to steal the show.)

Millie Waits for the Mail is a German import, originally titled Lieselotte lauert. From Alexander Steffensmeier's website we see that another Millie book has been published in Germany, called Lieselotte im Schnee. We have no idea what that means (Sprechen zie Deutsch, anyone?), but we want that book! Walker & Company, hear our cry! More Millie, more Millie, more Millie! Pretty please?

In the Coop with Jessica Swaim

Today we are forgoing our usual cluck-cluck-clucking to give up a mighty AH-ROOOO in honor of our guest, Jessica Swaim , author of that dog-gone hilarious book, Hound from the Pound. She also has the world's best bio:

"Short-haired and feisty, Jessica Swaim is part Jack Russell terrier, so is it any wonder that every book she writes has a dog or dog relative (fox, werewolf, etc.) in it? Jessica's favorite activities include long walks on a loose leash, napping in front of the fire, and rolling belly-up in the grass. When irritated, she yips at the top of her lungs and has been known to bite the mailman for delivering rejection letters. When Jessica jumps the fence in search of adventure, she invariably finds it, but the best part is always coming back home."

Without further ah-roos and ado, onward to the interview!

How do you know when what you write is funny?

I write to amuse myself, which is a pretty simple task.

Do you have any tips for writing funny books?

Not a one. Do you?

Has being funny ever gotten you into or out of trouble?

No. But lying has.

What are some of your favorite funny books?

Diary of a Worm and Diary of a Spider by Doreen Cronin
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
anything by Lisa Wheeler
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems

If you could live in one of your books, which one would you choose?

Since my most brilliant books are not yet published, I would choose The Hound From the Pound. It's a fantasy of mine to be owned by an unlimited number of dogs and not get arrested.

Do you prefer the Marx Bros or Three Stooges?

Monty Python, please.

What was your best Halloween costume ever?

When I was in first grade, my mom made me a little Red Riding Hood costume. The red crepe paper cape lasted slightly longer than the basket of cookies.

What is your Dream Job for a day?

It's a toss-up between dog trainer on a movie set or taste tester at the Cadbury chocolate factory.

Clown v. mime deathmatch. Pick your winner.

My father always said, "You can't run a circus without clowns," so I'd let the clown win. At least the mime would suffer silently.

Funniest dead person you'd like to meet.

Mark Twain, who said, "Be good and you will be lonesome."

BONUS QUESTION: What is your favorite funny dog breed?

Wiener dog. Love those faces, love those buns.

Tap Dancing on the Roof

Tap Dancing on the Roof: Sijo (Poems)
by Linda Sue Park
illustrated by Istvan Banyai
Clarion Books
ISBN 978-0618234837
www.lindasuepark.com

Yes, yes, we know we're not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but it's tough to gaze upon the whimsical dust jacket of Tap Dancing on the Roof without feeling hopefully giddy about the pages inside. Happily for us and you and children of all ages, the poems within more than live up to the promise of that little red-dressed girl and her very large scissors.

As explained in the Author's Note (a gold mine of information and tips for readers, writers, and teachers alike), sijo is a form of Korean poetry with a fixed number of stressed syllables and a surprise joke or twist at the end. Poem after poem, Linda Sue Park serves up witty observations about everything from long division to bedtime snacks, with plenty of unexpected surprises along the way. Istvan Banyai's playful illustrations -- rendered mostly in gray tones with dashes of color here and there -- wisely complement the poems without ever overwhelming the text. It's the book equivalent of a hot fudge sundae with a cherry on top. Perfect!

Crowing from the Rooftop...

...to congratulate two of our all-time favorite writer chicks, whom we adore as much in person as we do on the page:

Tracie Vaughn Zimmer, winner of the Schneider Family Award for Reaching for Sun; and

Lisa Wheeler, winner of the Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Award for Jazz Baby! (Read our interview with Lisa here.)

And let us not forget our double duty man Mo Willems, who pulled down a Caldecott Honor Award for Knuffle Bunny Too and the Geisel Award for There Is a Bird on Your Head! (Read our interview with Mo here.)

We are celebrating with a grand party here in the coop, complete with kazoos, whoopie cushions, eggsploding won tons, and a posse of Shriner guys in little cars and fezzes.

Three cheers for Tracie, Lisa, Mo, and all the 2008 ALA Award winners!

Survey Says...

Andrea had the pet chicken and does the Popeye.

Carolyn had the Uncle Bobby and channeled Snoopy, Templeton, and Jesus on stage.

Julia had (and still has) selachophobia and JackBlackalacka.

(If you have no idea what we're talking about, scroll down a few posts or click here!)

As such, thusly, and therefore, the official CHICK PICK winners are:

1st place: Sara
2nd place: Jo Knowles
3rd place (3-way tie!): Brenda Ferber, Carol Grannick, and Wild About Words

Winners, please send an email to three_silly_chicks AT yahoo DOT com and let us know where to send your fowl prizes!