James Preller's Blog

James Preller Reads SCARY TALES: GOOD NIGHT, ZOMBIE

September 24, 2026 / jimmy / No comments

–

During the pandemic, if you can recall that strange period in our lives, many authors and illustrators wrestled with the appropriate response. We felt for those students at home. We felt for the teachers and parents, too. We wanted to do something. But what?

In my case, I read a couple of books and put them on Youtube. Did a few other book talks, also on Youtube. Sort of: “Here, for free.”

I don’t look at numbers, don’t chase clicks, and I don’t expect that many people found my videos, or cared. But, hey, I did a small thing and maybe it was good for somebody.

Here’s the first of four or five videos, where I read the entirety of SCARY TALES: Good Night, Zombie.

It’s that time of year. Enjoy.

There’s also a complete reading of the first (and therefore best) Jigsaw Jones title, The Case of Hermie the Missing Hamster. It’s been out of print forever, despite being the most popular book. I always wished it would be made into a graphic novel, but . . . no dice. You can find it all on Youtube.

Category: Scary Tales / Tags: A great book for Halloween, Good night Zombie, James Preller Reads Scary Tales, Video of James Preller

Where’s Echo: Level 4, Advanced

September 19, 2026 / jimmy / No comments

–

I don’t believe I’ve ever done this here at Ye Olde Blog, but on Facebook from time to time I’ll pass along a photo of my dog Echo “hidden” in various landscapes. There are various levels of difficulty.

Yesterday we hiked Big Slide in the ADKs, a 9-mile loop trail via The Brothers. Early in the hike, I snapped this shot.

Where’s Echo?

–

I’ll wait.

Echo is a dog who is almost never on a leash, though he is always under control. I am the leash. He’s a very smart dog who wants to be good, which is an unbeatable combination. A rescue from down South, his mother was a border collie.

Anyway, done looking?

I’ll give it another minute.

Okay.

Here you go . . .

–

Or, okay, bigger . . .

–

For those of you who’ve never had a good look at him, here’s another random shot, from a different day, so you can get a gander . . .

–

LOVE THAT DOG!

–

By the way, I have a picture book coming out sometime in the Summer of 2027, titled What Dogs Don’t Know, illustrated by the remarkable Laura Sandoval Herrera. I’m super happy with this book and love — adore, worship — what Laura’s done with it. Feeling very lucky about this one.

Category: What Dogs Don't Know / Tags: James Preller dog, Laura Sandoval Herrera, What Dogs Don't Know, Where's Dog?

A Soccer Book for Soccer Season!

September 15, 2026 / jimmy / 2 comments

–

It’s soccer season — Shaken is a book

about a 7th grade soccer player

who suffers from a serious concussion.

It throws her life, and sense of identity,

up in the air.

–

Fun, right?

–

Bank Street Center for Children’s Literature named it one of the Best Children’s Books for 2025 (of books published in 2024).

–

It was not a widely reviewed book, which has become a serious problem for me, and others, and for certain types of literature in general. It’s a failure of the industry overall, for a variety of reasons. I don’t think a lot of folks have read SHAKEN. Oh, well. Maybe it’s just not that kind of book. Maybe it’s simply very hard for quiet books to cut through an increasingly cluttered marketplace.

–

Here’s the Kirkus review:

–

>> Life changes quickly for a middle schooler after an accident forces her to slow down and reevaluate who she is.

–

Thirteen-year-old Kristy Barrett has always attracted attention on the soccer field: As a 4-year-old, people saw her playing and just knew there was something different about her, from her focus to her speed. She was special. This phrase has been repeated her whole life. Now, as a seventh grader, Kristy is starting on the varsity girls’ soccer team, dominating players who are several years older than she. Soccer isn’t just her passion, it’s her identity, the thing that people notice her for—and she loves it. But after she’s kicked in the head while diving for the ball, she suffers a traumatic concussion. Suddenly, Kristy is a different person—and no one seems to understand her or what she needs or even how to talk to her now that she’s not that special soccer player. Preller’s careful pacing matches the fuzziness and slow healing of Kristy’s brain, introducing readers to the realities of the pain, loss, and feelings of isolation that dedicated athletes often experience when they can no longer play. The somber tone of the story is lightened by the presence of two minor characters who bring levity and humor. Strong themes of healing (both physical and emotional), family, and friendship abound. Main characters cued white.

–

An introspective and realistic coming-of-age story about rediscovering oneself. (Fiction. Ages 9-13.) <<

–

Category: Shaken / Tags: Bank Street College Best Children's Books of the Year, Books for soccer girls, Concussions in children's books, Shaken by James Preller