Books take forever and the waiting is *not* the hardest part.
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Just for fun, Audrey Vernick and I started writing together about 10 years ago — we bonded over our love of James Marshall’s “George and Martha” books. We worked on and off and, though we finished more than a dozen stories, never succeeded in getting anything published. Sometimes we took breaks; sometimes we got newly energized, moving in unexpected directions. We laughed and learned as we went. About our craft and about each other. And after a long while, it became clear we’d probably never get anything published together. Just wasn’t in the cards. And it truly didn’t matter. Because in the process, we became really good friends. I’m crazy about Audrey & grateful she puts up with me.–
And then one day, out of the blue, we were offered a three-book contract in a new format for us, a marriage between an early reader and a graphic novel. The first book comes out in February, the day after my 66th birthday. It is hilariously illustrated by Joëlle Dreidemy, who is exactly the French punk-rock illustrator our project needed.
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As Basho wisely wrote, “The journey itself is home.”
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The journey has been more than enough. We never needed to “get there.” There will be no massive paychecks. But I’m so glad we’ll get a few books out of the trip!
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OFFICIAL INFO ABOUT THE TITLES from Simon & Schuster . . .
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>> Star Chapter Books are the perfect bridge for kids moving beyond beginning readers but not yet ready for longer chapter books. With short chapters, bold two-color illustrations, and fast-paced, funny stories, these confidence-building books make reading fun and rewarding.Meet Bigfoot, a real-live bigfoot! Meet Dodo, a real-live dodo bird. That’s right—two creatures thought not to exist!
But these two kooky characters make for a daffy and delightful duo who discover the only way to feed their endless love of cupcakes is to find gainful employment, a.k.a. a job! Who will ever hire this hairbrained pair?
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Each Star Chapter Book is 112 pages long, divided into six to eight short chapters with illustrated panels on every page to keep kids engaged from start to finish. This highly visual early chapter book format supports the transition from leveled readers to chapter books, making Star Chapter Books a perfect fit for independent reading, classroom libraries, or shared story time. <<
