tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72489749269875353002024-03-13T08:50:41.282-07:00Matt Tavares BooksBeyond the pages with author-illustrator Matt TavaresMatt Tavareshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13852656731243464674noreply@blogger.comBlogger234125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248974926987535300.post-30568562020930248922023-06-02T11:09:00.000-07:002023-06-02T11:09:21.675-07:00I Still Have a Blog...?!<p>I'm not going to officially shut this blog down, since people still seem to find their way to old posts and hopefully some of it is still helpful and interesting. But I pretty much never post anything on here anymore. So for more up-to-date updates from me, please visit <a href="http://www.tavaresbooks.com">www.tavaresbooks.com</a> and follow me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/tavaresbooks" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/tavaresbooks" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tavaresbooks/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>. Thanks! </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBno5pS8VPZ1L0x5Ge9t3bz3m4Wf6gsEpFzUsl_zoccJLz80ywT6OKKAdbiusTg8nm88gxvEFq1znKI8Zyi_vuEFLxX4Ib8Q7r-tGvLfZGtuc-J4n4oQ-BqiCgU88S1T2NiuPzW_nMEInz7Cyv52P3kI6Ycp6gDKMDIiZXz3SClpyoAfrXf6YCjpKb/s2000/2000_1Matt_Tavares_Ogunguit_Studio_0158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBno5pS8VPZ1L0x5Ge9t3bz3m4Wf6gsEpFzUsl_zoccJLz80ywT6OKKAdbiusTg8nm88gxvEFq1znKI8Zyi_vuEFLxX4Ib8Q7r-tGvLfZGtuc-J4n4oQ-BqiCgU88S1T2NiuPzW_nMEInz7Cyv52P3kI6Ycp6gDKMDIiZXz3SClpyoAfrXf6YCjpKb/w640-h426/2000_1Matt_Tavares_Ogunguit_Studio_0158.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt Tavares in his studio in Maine, 2022, photo by Phyllis Graber Jensen<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>Matt Tavareshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13852656731243464674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248974926987535300.post-18698463075468972612021-12-08T06:07:00.003-08:002021-12-08T06:08:44.426-08:00Mini Dasher tour!<p>Here's where I'll be the next few days...<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eFlBs8ADtFw/YbC75U7dSoI/AAAAAAAEjEs/Drwv1C-3SqUBmcO5dI9R7I_I1OpuRyP9gCNcBGAsYHQ/s1080/Dasher_Tour_2021.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dasher by Matt Tavares" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eFlBs8ADtFw/YbC75U7dSoI/AAAAAAAEjEs/Drwv1C-3SqUBmcO5dI9R7I_I1OpuRyP9gCNcBGAsYHQ/w400-h400/Dasher_Tour_2021.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Matt Tavareshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13852656731243464674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248974926987535300.post-63141806585220900822020-03-16T05:25:00.001-07:002020-03-16T05:26:31.861-07:00Free Teachers Guides and Activity Kits<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="7b9j0" data-offset-key="1pv1h-0-0" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
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<span data-offset-key="1pv1h-0-0">For teachers and parents looking for book-related activities while school is closed, here's a roundup of links to free teachers guides and activity kits for my books.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> I hope they come in handy. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.candlewick.com/book_files/0763668249.btg.1.pdf" target="_blank"><span data-offset-key="7hqrm-0-0">Matt Tavares Baseball Biographies, Teachers' Guide</span></a></div>
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illustrated, Helen's Big World: The Life of Helen Keller, and Jack's
Path of Courage: The Life of John F Kennedy</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://candlewick.com/book_files/0763668230.btg.1.pdf" target="_blank"><span data-offset-key="7hqrm-0-0">Crossing Niagara Teacher's Guide</span></a><br />
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<a href="http://matttavares.com/LighterThanAir_TG.pdf" target="_blank"><span data-offset-key="7hqrm-0-0">Lighter Than Air, Teachers' Guide</span></a><br />
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<span data-offset-key="7hqrm-0-0"><a href="https://candlewick.com/book_files/0763625302.btg.1.pdf" target="_blank">Lady Liberty: A Biography, Teacher's Guide</a> </span><br />
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<a href="https://candlewick.com/book_files/1536201375.kit.1.pdf" target="_blank"><span data-offset-key="7hqrm-0-0">Dasher, Activity Kit</span></a><br />
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Matt Tavareshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13852656731243464674noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248974926987535300.post-71936130878202893862019-09-10T16:33:00.000-07:002019-09-10T16:37:16.122-07:00Dasher is available TODAY!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_hkRBtSyMpQ/XXgup3HSYTI/AAAAAAAEE9w/s7vqaUDM08E0JsXUdBala1IWZrjdgNAHwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DasherFinalJacketGoldRGB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1117" height="572" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_hkRBtSyMpQ/XXgup3HSYTI/AAAAAAAEE9w/s7vqaUDM08E0JsXUdBala1IWZrjdgNAHwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DasherFinalJacketGoldRGB.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://matttavares.com/dasher.html" target="_blank">Dasher</a> is a brave little doe with a wish in her heart. She spends her days with her family under the hot sun in a traveling circus, but she longs for a different life — one in which her hooves tread in soft, cold snow under the glow of the North Star.<br />
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And one day, when the opportunity arises, Dasher seizes her destiny and takes off in pursuit of the life she wants to live. It’s not too long before she meets a nice man in a red suit with a big sleigh. And soon, with the help of a powerful wish, Christmas will never be the same.<br />
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Here's the trailer...<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/g5VwRXkS2qU/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g5VwRXkS2qU?feature=player_embedded" width="640"></iframe></div>
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And for anyone who would like to buy a copy (please do!), here are some links:<br />
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<span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">Indiebound: </span><a class="css-4rbku5 css-18t94o4 css-901oao css-16my406 r-1n1174f r-1loqt21 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" data-focusable="true" dir="ltr" href="https://t.co/VJ17EEGdkU?amp=1" rel=" noopener noreferrer" role="link" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/2JedkzI"><span aria-hidden="true" class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-hiw28u r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">http://</span>bit.ly/2JedkzI</a><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"> </span><br />
<span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">Amazon: </span><a class="css-4rbku5 css-18t94o4 css-901oao css-16my406 r-1n1174f r-1loqt21 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" data-focusable="true" dir="ltr" href="https://t.co/7YPyrI0oKW?amp=1" rel=" noopener noreferrer" role="link" target="_blank" title="https://amzn.to/2W0m7vh"><span aria-hidden="true" class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-hiw28u r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">https://</span>amzn.to/2W0m7vh</a><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"> </span><br />
<span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">Books A Million: </span><a class="css-4rbku5 css-18t94o4 css-901oao css-16my406 r-1n1174f r-1loqt21 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" data-focusable="true" dir="ltr" href="https://t.co/TNgUUIXx3U?amp=1" rel=" noopener noreferrer" role="link" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/2YDofet"><span aria-hidden="true" class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-hiw28u r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">http://</span>bit.ly/2YDofet</a><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"> </span><br />
<span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">Barnes & Noble: </span><a class="css-4rbku5 css-18t94o4 css-901oao css-16my406 r-1n1174f r-1loqt21 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" data-focusable="true" dir="ltr" href="https://t.co/tXwVqgyaYg?amp=1" rel=" noopener noreferrer" role="link" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/2JulkMB"><span aria-hidden="true" class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-hiw28u r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">http://</span>bit.ly/2JulkMB</a><br />
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I'll be heading out on tour soon. Here's where I'll be...<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--ro8TdBfRlU/XXgyHRzerdI/AAAAAAAEE98/BkJ5t3M2V-8KSgzftAG-PlZFAn0y9esnwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Dasher_Tour_Graphic_rev2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--ro8TdBfRlU/XXgyHRzerdI/AAAAAAAEE98/BkJ5t3M2V-8KSgzftAG-PlZFAn0y9esnwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Dasher_Tour_Graphic_rev2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
For more information about Dasher, visit <a href="http://tavaresbooks.com/">tavaresbooks.com</a>. Thanks! Matt Tavareshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13852656731243464674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248974926987535300.post-33565695979791600132019-08-17T10:06:00.000-07:002019-08-17T10:06:09.201-07:00Dasher Tour!Looking forward to hitting the road soon for the <a href="http://matttavares.com/dasher.html" target="_blank">Dasher</a> book tour! If you're going to be near any of these places, come say hi!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8yBPV55uBko/XVgzSWeyBUI/AAAAAAAECtw/drrml4XBj84sV6xuijshoZTurHmmalLFwCLcBGAs/s1600/Dasher_Tour_Graphic_rev.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8yBPV55uBko/XVgzSWeyBUI/AAAAAAAECtw/drrml4XBj84sV6xuijshoZTurHmmalLFwCLcBGAs/s640/Dasher_Tour_Graphic_rev.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ah5ufEyO880/XVgzZmyPftI/AAAAAAAECt0/qPMlhK_vns0Iwhwj9B9sMKx_xZsz3HTOwCLcBGAs/s1600/DasherFinalJacketGoldRGB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1117" height="572" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ah5ufEyO880/XVgzZmyPftI/AAAAAAAECt0/qPMlhK_vns0Iwhwj9B9sMKx_xZsz3HTOwCLcBGAs/s640/DasherFinalJacketGoldRGB.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />Matt Tavareshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13852656731243464674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248974926987535300.post-70887187505409879792019-02-14T08:48:00.000-08:002019-02-14T08:48:22.202-08:00Dasher<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JdAuZAhbm8g/XGWaJ7rcL2I/AAAAAAADzno/utn3J-xq3T04o0y-xWaesgQ3LCFdmgLsgCLcBGAs/s1600/DasherCoverFinal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1433" data-original-width="1600" height="572" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JdAuZAhbm8g/XGWaJ7rcL2I/AAAAAAADzno/utn3J-xq3T04o0y-xWaesgQ3LCFdmgLsgCLcBGAs/s640/DasherCoverFinal.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm excited to share the cover of my next book, <a href="http://matttavares.com/dasher.html" target="_blank">Dasher</a>! </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I answered a few questions about it on the <a href="https://readingwithmrteut.wordpress.com/2019/02/11/cover-reveal-dasher-by-matt-tavares/" target="_blank">Mile High Reading</a> blog. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Dasher comes out on September 10, but for now it's available from pre-order<span style="font-size: small;"> from <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dasher-Little-Changed-Christmas-Forever/dp/1536201375/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1550160962&sr=8-3&keywords=matt+tavares">Amazon</a>,
<a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dasher-matt-tavares/1130336444?ean=9781536201376">Barnes
&
Noble</a>, or an <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781536201376">independent
bookstore
near
you</a>. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>Matt Tavareshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13852656731243464674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248974926987535300.post-54479805154743770532018-02-13T04:05:00.000-08:002018-02-13T04:05:57.905-08:0020 years ago today...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bn0WdZqCu5I/WoGs2MpbT7I/AAAAAAAByWE/6-idvza_fT09WwQWOa8Sotzmix-0ijv2gCLcBGAs/s1600/Tavaresbookspines20years.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bn0WdZqCu5I/WoGs2MpbT7I/AAAAAAAByWE/6-idvza_fT09WwQWOa8Sotzmix-0ijv2gCLcBGAs/s640/Tavaresbookspines20years.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Twenty years ago today, on February 13, 1998, I walked into the <a href="http://candlewick.com/" target="_blank">Candlewick Press</a>
office for the very first time. That was the
day I found out that Candlewick wanted to publish my first book. That was the day my dream of being a children's book author-illustrator came true. <br />
<br />
There were a few milestones in the months leading up to February 13, 1998. There was the day I met my agent, <a href="http://stimolaliterarystudio.com/" target="_blank">Rosemary Stimola</a>, in June of 1997. And the day when Rosemary emailed me in early February saying
that "something was happening" with Candlewick, but she "still had a bit
to go". But twenty years later, I think of that meeting at Candlewick
on February 13, 1998, as the day my career as an author-illustrator
began.<br />
<br />
It's been a pretty amazing twenty years. Of course, there have been ups and downs. It hasn't always been perfect. Not every book is a hit. Not every review is a star. But for the most part, it has been a dream. I get to spend my days making books and sharing them with young readers. Even after twenty years, I still can't believe I get to do this. <br />
<br />
So I just wanted to say a great big THANK YOU to all the great
people at Candlewick who I've had the pleasure of working with during
these past twenty years. The 42-year-old me is eternally grateful that you took a chance on the 22-year-old me. <br />
<br />
Twenty years is a long time, but I still feel like I'm just getting started. So here's to the next twenty!<br />
<br />
And hey, look at all these books we made together!<br />
<br />
Zachary's Ball, 2000 <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AUqTwVveqt8/URkL7fKLYOI/AAAAAAAAuLk/YnnivfZ3R_M/s1600/13239451.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="490" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AUqTwVveqt8/URkL7fKLYOI/AAAAAAAAuLk/YnnivfZ3R_M/s640/13239451.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
'Twas the Night Before Christmas, 2002 <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-alnpUwJfCx0/URkMDuPHzFI/AAAAAAAAuM4/8W37IpqCzLM/s1600/twas.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-alnpUwJfCx0/URkMDuPHzFI/AAAAAAAAuM4/8W37IpqCzLM/s640/twas.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
<br />
Oliver's Game, 2004 <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-twS1cWLtWtE/URkL9jp9VeI/AAAAAAAAuMY/DX4-FxWYeWI/s1600/oliversgame.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="592" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-twS1cWLtWtE/URkL9jp9VeI/AAAAAAAAuMY/DX4-FxWYeWI/s640/oliversgame.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Mudball, 2005<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2CE72-S8N1g/URkL9ZnbAwI/AAAAAAAAuMM/dFiStbwN8GU/s1600/mudball.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2CE72-S8N1g/URkL9ZnbAwI/AAAAAAAAuMM/dFiStbwN8GU/s640/mudball.jpg" width="552" /></a></div>
<br />
Jack and the Beanstalk, 2006<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kAcSv_kSoAY/URkL9CSwAII/AAAAAAAAuMA/_oIUMs0634U/s1600/jack.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kAcSv_kSoAY/URkL9CSwAII/AAAAAAAAuMA/_oIUMs0634U/s640/jack.jpg" width="460" /></a></div>
<br />
Iron Hans, 2007<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Ouh-VVom18/URkL9FhAg5I/AAAAAAAAuME/c9yb7tIaQAk/s1600/ironhans.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Ouh-VVom18/URkL9FhAg5I/AAAAAAAAuME/c9yb7tIaQAk/s640/ironhans.jpg" width="448" /></a></div>
<br />
Lady Liberty: A Biography, 2008<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xdSgkGRjZUg/URkL9f5xOsI/AAAAAAAAuMU/jWI5NOVN8xw/s1600/ladylibertycover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xdSgkGRjZUg/URkL9f5xOsI/AAAAAAAAuMU/jWI5NOVN8xw/s640/ladylibertycover.jpg" width="530" /></a></div>
<br />
The Gingerbread Pirates, 2009<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_UihYRD6p0A/URkL8K_rjzI/AAAAAAAAuLw/jI-Mv3B6oB8/s1600/gingerbreadpiratescover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_UihYRD6p0A/URkL8K_rjzI/AAAAAAAAuLw/jI-Mv3B6oB8/s640/gingerbreadpiratescover.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
<br />
Henry Aaron's Dream, 2010<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eIsLukHr5AI/URkL8po9xrI/AAAAAAAAuL8/HWGWefJ60dE/s1600/henryaaroncover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eIsLukHr5AI/URkL8po9xrI/AAAAAAAAuL8/HWGWefJ60dE/s640/henryaaroncover.jpg" width="528" /></a></div>
<br />
Over the River and Through the Wood, 2011<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--15Q3Tgo_mk/URkL-abP5OI/AAAAAAAAuMo/ts5QVy7W7O4/s1600/overtherivercover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--15Q3Tgo_mk/URkL-abP5OI/AAAAAAAAuMo/ts5QVy7W7O4/s640/overtherivercover.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
<br />
There Goes Ted Williams, 2012<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Um1iRe7Vrvg/URkMDlF1YGI/AAAAAAAAuM0/qE2Vl8zTgDU/s1600/theregoestedcover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Um1iRe7Vrvg/URkMDlF1YGI/AAAAAAAAuM0/qE2Vl8zTgDU/s640/theregoestedcover.jpg" width="536" /></a></div>
<br />
Becoming Babe Ruth, 2013<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nCeCQbMKPvY/URkL7rb8ekI/AAAAAAAAuLs/eS0d_QG0BDQ/s1600/babecover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nCeCQbMKPvY/URkL7rb8ekI/AAAAAAAAuLs/eS0d_QG0BDQ/s640/babecover.jpg" width="536" /></a></div>
<br />
Jubilee, 2014<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PuoYnk4dQB0/WoGo4d0BcrI/AAAAAAAByVc/_fwpfhjAknkhJOLEIdRcpJE9kltpYYczACLcBGAs/s1600/0763658561-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="765" height="542" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PuoYnk4dQB0/WoGo4d0BcrI/AAAAAAAByVc/_fwpfhjAknkhJOLEIdRcpJE9kltpYYczACLcBGAs/s640/0763658561-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Growing Up Pedro, 2015<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Sk5iEOD2BU/WoGpA1Ffa_I/AAAAAAAByVg/DImFZ1td3pEw94NV-wBkZnzX52oZG2kHwCLcBGAs/s1600/Growing_Up_Pedro_Orbis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1345" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Sk5iEOD2BU/WoGpA1Ffa_I/AAAAAAAByVg/DImFZ1td3pEw94NV-wBkZnzX52oZG2kHwCLcBGAs/s640/Growing_Up_Pedro_Orbis.jpg" width="538" /></a></div>
<br />
Crossing Niagara, 2016<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bbZ5SHQAI9w/WoGpK5TVEjI/AAAAAAAByVk/kvRuYLQDGBYLl0oA0tRT_XjS1J4-PJ0UgCLcBGAs/s1600/0763668230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="536" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bbZ5SHQAI9w/WoGpK5TVEjI/AAAAAAAByVk/kvRuYLQDGBYLl0oA0tRT_XjS1J4-PJ0UgCLcBGAs/s640/0763668230.jpg" width="528" /></a></div>
<br />
Lighter Than Air, 2017<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jRVJOK6lVy0/WoGpSLi00kI/AAAAAAAByVo/vpZEFcvbNj49gvUplMjxoxNt9SK5S8AvACLcBGAs/s1600/LighterThanAir1000w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jRVJOK6lVy0/WoGpSLi00kI/AAAAAAAByVo/vpZEFcvbNj49gvUplMjxoxNt9SK5S8AvACLcBGAs/s640/LighterThanAir1000w.jpg" width="458" /></a></div>
<br />
Red & Lulu, 2017<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BC9I9mJI9d0/WoGpZ7B9BwI/AAAAAAAByVs/o6YL-EtNu-oG_fGDDwth3-l5olEcTVWpQCLcBGAs/s1600/REDLULU_RGB%2Bcopy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1433" data-original-width="1600" height="572" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BC9I9mJI9d0/WoGpZ7B9BwI/AAAAAAAByVs/o6YL-EtNu-oG_fGDDwth3-l5olEcTVWpQCLcBGAs/s640/REDLULU_RGB%2Bcopy.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I won't ramble on any longer, because I'm busy working on my next Candlewick book RIGHT NOW!Matt Tavareshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13852656731243464674noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248974926987535300.post-79268807309672533972018-02-02T09:44:00.001-08:002018-02-02T09:44:55.593-08:00Thank youI love seeing that people are still reading Red & Lulu, even after
the holiday season is over. I've heard from so many teachers, librarians, parents and kids who have enjoyed the book, and every time it makes my day. <br />
<br />
Thank you to everyone who has helped this
book soar.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lal4FfbPSFM/WnSiTJNVNHI/AAAAAAABxvg/05qMotyQPGkgdKLvYE00hB-ztAWQaG60ACLcBGAs/s1600/RedLuluQuoteAd1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1560" height="614" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lal4FfbPSFM/WnSiTJNVNHI/AAAAAAABxvg/05qMotyQPGkgdKLvYE00hB-ztAWQaG60ACLcBGAs/s640/RedLuluQuoteAd1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Matt Tavareshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13852656731243464674noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248974926987535300.post-54986396283901823442017-12-18T09:54:00.001-08:002017-12-18T09:54:19.128-08:002017 SIBA holiday catalog coverCheck out the cover of the <a href="http://sibaweb.com/" target="_blank">Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance</a>'s
2017 holiday catalog cover, featuring artwork from <a href="http://matttavares.com/redandlulu.html" target="_blank">Red & Lulu</a>. Such an honor to know that nearly a million
customers across the southern United States will see/have seen this.
Thanks, SIBA!<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HdE6HB703VE/WjgAXklQE9I/AAAAAAABv5g/FDV_C8o_ctMRrq7b1i1n0jFsaOucexCpgCLcBGAs/s1600/SIBAHolidayCatalog2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1572" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HdE6HB703VE/WjgAXklQE9I/AAAAAAABv5g/FDV_C8o_ctMRrq7b1i1n0jFsaOucexCpgCLcBGAs/s640/SIBAHolidayCatalog2017.jpg" title="" width="628" /></a></div>
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<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>Matt Tavareshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13852656731243464674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248974926987535300.post-60278285170230020662017-12-13T09:34:00.000-08:002017-12-13T09:34:49.284-08:00Indiebound National Bestseller List, 12/13/17<a href="http://matttavares.com/redandlulu.html" target="_blank">Red & Lulu</a> made the <a href="http://bookweb.org/national-indie-bestsellers_childrens-illustrated/2017-12-13%2000%3A00%3A00" target="_blank">Indiebound National Bestseller List</a> for the 3rd consecutive week! It's at #6 this week, right between Chelsea Clinton and Goodnight Moon. Awesome. What a fun ride this has been.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XKT7Gaif9zs/WjFj7Aj3j5I/AAAAAAABvk8/eSxrkHvBN-I1xRzLvhlpCDRpYXP5O_TWQCLcBGAs/s1600/RedLuluBestseller121317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="994" data-original-width="1385" height="458" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XKT7Gaif9zs/WjFj7Aj3j5I/AAAAAAABvk8/eSxrkHvBN-I1xRzLvhlpCDRpYXP5O_TWQCLcBGAs/s640/RedLuluBestseller121317.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Matt Tavareshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13852656731243464674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248974926987535300.post-48216402805694480802017-12-08T13:40:00.001-08:002017-12-08T13:40:15.400-08:00Red & Lulu hits #5 on the Indiebound National Bestseller List!Wow. Number FIVE! This is really exciting. It's such an honor to see my book on <a href="http://www.bookweb.org/national-indie-bestsellers_childrens-illustrated/2017-12-06%2000%3A00%3A00" target="_blank">this list</a>.<br />
<br />
Thank you, independent bookstores!<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oLmhUZc-Q0g/WisGNIFcGxI/AAAAAAABvYc/CiUYq6lRkDwqMPqFxM9Suzw8GA9oxr-kwCLcBGAs/s1600/Indiebound120617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="897" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oLmhUZc-Q0g/WisGNIFcGxI/AAAAAAABvYc/CiUYq6lRkDwqMPqFxM9Suzw8GA9oxr-kwCLcBGAs/s640/Indiebound120617.jpg" width="498" /></a></div>
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<br />Matt Tavareshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13852656731243464674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248974926987535300.post-33441394861097309862017-11-30T06:34:00.005-08:002017-12-01T04:20:32.183-08:00Where to find signed copies of Red & Lulu...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='640' height='360' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw-c6JGYxdg4-Yc53iraibwa-oQatzW2UpZsgCufxLuaOhYQOj7IOTlbQF5EJKeVazroKvO29Z_BHmbWWRiig' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now that December is here and the holiday season is in full swing, I've been getting lots of messages lately from people looking for signed copies of Red & Lulu. Here are a few easy ways for people to find signed copies...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My friends at <a href="https://gwillikerstoyshop.com/collections/local-authors/products/red-lulu" target="_blank">G. Willikers</a> in Portsmouth, NH always have plenty of signed copies of my books, including Red & Lulu. You can order online or give them a call at (603) 436-7746, and they'll send the book to you. Or if you're near Portsmouth, stop in and visit their awesome store!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You can also find signed copies at <a href="http://animalinstinct.com/index.php" target="_blank">Animal Instinct</a> in Ogunquit, Maine. Whenever they get a new batch of books in, I walk over there and sign them. Give them a call at (207) 646-7728.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Another way to get signed books (if you can't come to one of my signings) is to pre-order from one of the stores or museums I'll be visiting between now and Christmas. Here's where I'll be:</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Dec 3 </b><a href="http://booksofwonder.com/sundaydecember3rd1-3pmholidaypicturebookbonanza.aspx" target="_blank">Books of Wonder</a>, both locations, New York, NY, (212) 989-3270</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Dec
7 </b>4:00-6:00
pm, The <a href="http://www.wenhammuseum.org/">Wenham
Museum</a> in Wenham, MA, (978) 468-2377</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Dec
9</b> 6:00
pm, <a href="http://www.odysseybks.com/">The Odyssey
Bookshop</a> in South Hadley, MA, (413) 534-7307</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Dec 10 </b></span></span><span style="font-family: "avenir";"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">2:00
pm, <a href="http://www.carlemuseum.org/">The Eric
Carle Museum of Picture Book Art</a> in
Amherst, MA, (413) 559-6300</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "avenir";"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">And of course, if you can make it to any of my signings, that would be awesome! Visit <a href="http://matttavares.com/events.html" target="_blank">my events page</a> for details and full list of events.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "avenir";"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thanks, and happy holidays!</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "avenir";"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "avenir";"> </span> <br />
<br />Matt Tavareshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13852656731243464674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248974926987535300.post-64941218949483929732017-11-29T11:17:00.000-08:002017-11-29T11:17:46.481-08:00National Indiebound Bestsellers List!Great news: Red & Lulu just made its debut at #10 on the <a href="http://www.bookweb.org/national-indie-bestsellers_childrens-illustrated/2017-11-29%2000%3A00%3A00" target="_blank">National Indiebound Bestsellers List</a>!<br />
<br />
I am so grateful to everyone who has bought a copy, and to independent bookstores across the country. It's such an honor to see my book alongside so many classic picture books and so many authors and illustrators whose work I have admired for years. Cheers!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Hgb2rqYttQ/Wh8HVuYEt6I/AAAAAAABups/XppNO1HaFbUHQfVFIm3YGA3LEE_nLcpKACLcBGAs/s1600/IndieBestsellers112917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="936" data-original-width="858" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Hgb2rqYttQ/Wh8HVuYEt6I/AAAAAAABups/XppNO1HaFbUHQfVFIm3YGA3LEE_nLcpKACLcBGAs/s640/IndieBestsellers112917.jpg" width="586" /></a></div>
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<br />Matt Tavareshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13852656731243464674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248974926987535300.post-89853808615567204502017-10-06T07:07:00.000-07:002017-10-06T07:19:35.580-07:00Making Red & Lulu: One Last Minute Change<style>
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</style><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Spoiler Alert:</b> This post contains information about stuff
that happens toward the end of Red & Lulu.<b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Caveat to the Spoiler Alert:</b> But one thing I realized while working on
this book is that I don’t think spoilers really apply to picture books in the
same way they apply to, say, novels or movies. A picture book might take five
minutes to read, but if all goes right, a kid is going to want to read it again
and again, even though they know exactly what is going to happen after that
first 5-minute read. That’s why I feel okay sharing some details that might be
considered “spoilers”. Hey, you might even say there’s even a big, sparkly spoiler right on the front
cover of the book...</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--2bF-9Vn-K8/WddzvbnKZUI/AAAAAAABsNg/ruV9_HCZYn8Fyij40Vfw8kff1orsIpiAACEwYBhgL/s1600/RedandLuluGIveaway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--2bF-9Vn-K8/WddzvbnKZUI/AAAAAAABsNg/ruV9_HCZYn8Fyij40Vfw8kff1orsIpiAACEwYBhgL/s640/RedandLuluGIveaway.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Red & Lulu is my
nineteenth book as illustrator, and my ninth as author-illustrator. You might
think that after two decades of making picture books, I would pretty much have
it figured out by now. But unfortunately, you would be wrong. I’m still learning how picture books
work, and I learned a lot working on this one. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
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<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here’s something I
learned on this, my nineteenth picture book: sometimes you need to let the
reader do some of the work.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Before Red & Lulu was even printed, I decided to try it out at a couple school
visits, to see how it worked as a read-aloud. Over the past few years I had shared many versions of Red & Lulu with friends, family, and a few fellow author-illustrator types, so I had gotten plenty of helpful feedback. But this would be the first time sharing the final book, as it would appear in print.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At this point, first proofs had been printed, and stapled review copies were ready to send out. So this was very late in the process. I had digital files of all the
spreads, so even though I didn't have a physical copy of the book, I could
easily share it with an audience as a slide presentation.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So I read it to a
few groups of kids, and it went really well. But there was one part that didn’t
feel quite right, and I wasn’t sure why. In a pivotal scene toward the end of
the story, where Red finally finds the tree and is reunited with Lulu, kids
didn’t seem to be reacting the way I expected them to. Here are the pages I’m
talking about.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_mT8hjT3cgE/Wddz-9THmXI/AAAAAAABsNY/Hho5Qbow8OwWLXIQAVia6CJvlyR4fIVbwCLcBGAs/s1600/RL1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="708" data-original-width="1600" height="282" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_mT8hjT3cgE/Wddz-9THmXI/AAAAAAABsNY/Hho5Qbow8OwWLXIQAVia6CJvlyR4fIVbwCLcBGAs/s640/RL1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And then you turn
the page...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-en-JLCgjaMg/Wdd0IDNbOMI/AAAAAAABsNc/1bWZdyIRFuc-EK6IXspf7WWnYWuLdThoACLcBGAs/s1600/RL2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="1600" height="284" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-en-JLCgjaMg/Wdd0IDNbOMI/AAAAAAABsNc/1bWZdyIRFuc-EK6IXspf7WWnYWuLdThoACLcBGAs/s640/RL2.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I read the
words “Their tree! More sparkly than ever, but definitely theirs!” I expected to
get some sort of reaction from the crowd– cheers, gasps, some sign of joy or
excitement. But it seemed like as I read those words, I was the only one who was really excited about it. It felt weird. </span></span><br />
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<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One night, I was laying awake in the middle of the night thinking about this, going through the words and the page turns, trying to figure out what the problem was, and I had an idea. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At my next school visit, I tried
something different. When I turned the page after the words, <i>Then he turned the corner</i>, instead of
saying <i>Their tree!, </i>I didn’t say
anything. I just waited for a bit and let the kids look at the picture.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And something really
awesome happened. There was this great moment when some of the kids realized
that this might, in fact, be Red and Lulu's tree. I heard a few little gasps,
and quiet whispers of “Their tree!” and “I think that’s their tree!”.
But they didn’t know for sure. There was still some mystery and wonder. <i>That</i> is what I was missing before.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There is a thrill
in realizing that this might possibly be the right tree. But by starting that page off
with “Their tree! More sparkly than ever, but definitely theirs!”, I was telling
the reader with absolute certainly that this was definitely their tree, and I
was robbing the reader of that moment of discovery.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So I wrote to my
editor and art director and explained the situation, along with this image,
showing my suggested changes:</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v3wdabAHg6o/WdeQxeKuXcI/AAAAAAABsOA/YHcGOSy2PH49vbqjSliMotstTpbBf6ozACLcBGAs/s1600/RedLulu2627lastminuteedit1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="710" data-original-width="1600" height="284" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v3wdabAHg6o/WdeQxeKuXcI/AAAAAAABsOA/YHcGOSy2PH49vbqjSliMotstTpbBf6ozACLcBGAs/s640/RedLulu2627lastminuteedit1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This was very late
in the process to be making changes, so I wasn't sure how thrilled they would be about my suggestion. But they agreed, and
we made the change. Here’s how those pages ended up in the actual book: </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_mT8hjT3cgE/Wddz-9THmXI/AAAAAAABsNg/dzBSAxLjkfQHd8UmH09gCGQN5MK4wneAwCEwYBhgL/s1600/RL1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="708" data-original-width="1600" height="282" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_mT8hjT3cgE/Wddz-9THmXI/AAAAAAABsNg/dzBSAxLjkfQHd8UmH09gCGQN5MK4wneAwCEwYBhgL/s640/RL1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then you turn the
page<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">...</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p_ByLpRxaiQ/WdeIHSmRHRI/AAAAAAABsNw/mdZMIY5hKAwoPTvWXHEFreWUTL6yjlYiQCLcBGAs/s1600/RL4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="1600" height="284" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p_ByLpRxaiQ/WdeIHSmRHRI/AAAAAAABsNw/mdZMIY5hKAwoPTvWXHEFreWUTL6yjlYiQCLcBGAs/s640/RL4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now, the picture
does more of the storytelling, and there is a feeling of wonder as you head to
the next page. By removing the words, “Their tree! More sparkly than ever, but
definitely theirs,” I am asking the reader to do more of the work, and providing the reader with that moment of discovery that I was robbing them of before. Clearly
Red thinks this is his tree- he is chirping with glee. But we don’t completely
know for sure until we turn the page.</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What happens next?
You’ll have to read the book to find out!<b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Spoiler alert:</b> It all turns out okay in the end.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/IKKTgYFGuA4/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IKKTgYFGuA4?feature=player_embedded" width="640"></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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Matt Tavareshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13852656731243464674noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248974926987535300.post-59638018389871144932017-10-04T08:31:00.000-07:002017-10-04T12:13:10.213-07:00Making Red & Lulu: A few things readers might not notice (but I hope they do!)<style>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DHlFHWnhuBg/WdTop7W-N8I/AAAAAAABsKk/Trk1Hvrx0yAntc5Y_Z7vTTBc2LpdifSuACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DHlFHWnhuBg/WdTop7W-N8I/AAAAAAABsKk/Trk1Hvrx0yAntc5Y_Z7vTTBc2LpdifSuACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_9726.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Every
picture book creator has probably experienced this at some point:</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">You’re
at a book signing, sitting at a table. On the table is a stack of hardcover
copies of your brand-new book, hot off the presses. You spent a whole year
working on it, and years before that thinking about it, and planning it. You
poured your heart into it. And now it’s here. You’re proud of this book, and so
excited to finally share it with readers.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A
customer walks up to the table. She flips through your masterpiece in about twenty
seconds, then looks at you, smiles, and says, “Cute!”</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A
part of you dies inside.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It’s
a strange thing, spending months, or even years, creating something that can be
flipped through in twenty seconds, or read completely in five minutes. I know that plenty of people will read <a href="http://matttavares.com/redandlulu.html" target="_blank"><i>Red & Lulu</i></a> quickly and not
think much about it, and that's totally fine. I hope those people still enjoy it. But I also hope that some people slow down, take their time with it, and dig a little deeper into the story.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And when they do, here are a few things I hope they’ll notice.</span><i><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span></i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Note:</b>
Since you’re reading this, you’re probably not one of those people who’s going
to flip through my book in 20 seconds! So for you, whether you're a teacher, librarian, parent, illustration student, or anyone else, hopefully these are a few points you might find interesting and/or helpful when you’re sharing the book
with kids, or just for yourself. Thanks!</span></i><b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">1. The
role that the evergreen tree plays in the story...</span></b><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Red
& Lulu</i> is a story about change. Cardinals, like humans, are creatures of
habit. They mate for life. They do not fly south for the winter. Some even make
their nests in the same tree year after year. Red and Lulu live in a big,
beautiful evergreen. It is the center of their world, the foundation of their
lives.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
felt that the evergreen was the perfect symbol for this story about dealing with change,
because even its name, <i>evergreen</i>, implies permanence. But of course, it is a
living thing, and as unthinkable as it is for Red and Lulu, it is temporary. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">To me, the tree in <a href="http://matttavares.com/redandlulu.html" target="_blank"><i>Red & Lulu</i></a> represents all that stuff in our lives that seems really important, but actually isn't. Maybe it's the house where we live, or the work we spend our days focused on. The tree brings great joy to Red & Lulu, and ultimately it is the tree, and their shared love of music, which leads Red back to Lulu. But in the end, they are okay without it, as long as they have each other.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span><b><span style="font-size: small;">2. The
role that the song <i>O Christmas Tree</i> plays in the story...</span></b><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Red
and Lulu’s favorite time of year is winter, when people decorate their tree
with lights, and gather near and sing:</span><i><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">O
Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Thy
leaves are so unchanging…</span></i><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">These
lyrics are repeated a few times throughout the story. I chose this song not only because it is probably the most famous song
ever written about a Christmas tree, but also because it reinforces the idea of
this tree seeming permanent to Red & Lulu, making it all the more
unthinkable when their tree is taken away.</span><i><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Thy
leaves are so unchanging…</span></i></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nkYNwHO-XtA/WdT0c8lwmJI/AAAAAAABsLM/6U_HW9vBr5YaQVUozAvjHKk2KIpdrNsCQCLcBGAs/s1600/RedandLulu24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1600" height="384" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nkYNwHO-XtA/WdT0c8lwmJI/AAAAAAABsLM/6U_HW9vBr5YaQVUozAvjHKk2KIpdrNsCQCLcBGAs/s640/RedandLulu24.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Red stands out against an almost monochromatic color palate</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">3. The
role that color plays in the story</span></b></span></div>
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</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">On the first pages of Red & Lulu, color is used to help show the passage of time
through changing seasons– cool blues of winter, warm yellows of spring and summer, orange and browns of autumn. But once the tree is taken away, the color palate is very limited. As Red ventures into
unfamiliar territory in his quest to find Lulu, I wanted him to stand out against a nearly monochromatic background.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But
when Red finally finds Lulu, their reunion is celebrated with an explosion of color, thanks to the bright multi-colored lights on their tree.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vb38b2rSYzQ/WdT1JR2h1II/AAAAAAABsLU/y6mih-9BEi4xHtESM4F9m1SgSHH5orhKQCLcBGAs/s1600/RedLulu3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vb38b2rSYzQ/WdT1JR2h1II/AAAAAAABsLU/y6mih-9BEi4xHtESM4F9m1SgSHH5orhKQCLcBGAs/s640/RedLulu3.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In early
drafts of Red & Lulu, I debated the extent to which the family who lives in the house next to
the tree would be a part of the story. Would they notice Red and Lulu in their
yard? Would they notice when the birds were gone? Would they see Red and Lulu in the city,
and wonder if those might be the same birds? In the end, I decided to make the
people’s connection to the birds more like I’ve experienced in my life.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They
try their best to keep the bird feeders full. But sometimes they forget. And
one day a squirrel makes his way to the feeder and eats all the bird seed, as squirrels do.
And because of that, Red needs to venture out one chilly morning to find some
food. And because of that, he’s not around when the trucks arrive to take their
tree away.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nobody in the story is doing anything wrong, from the family deciding to donate their tree to Rockefeller Center, to the workers doing their job by chopping down the tree, to the squirrel trying to find some food. But all of these actions effect others in ways they never know. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Anyway, I could probably ramble on for longer, but I'll stop there. Thanks for taking the time to read this. I hope it helps you enjoy <a href="http://matttavares.com/redandlulu.html" target="_blank"><i>Red & Lulu</i></a> a little bit more. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In my next post, I'll share a story about a <i>very</i> last minute change I made to <i>Red & Lulu</i>, after reading it to an audience of kids at a school visit and realizing something wasn't quite right. </span></span></span></div>
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Matt Tavareshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13852656731243464674noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248974926987535300.post-68852279773799392442017-09-19T09:22:00.000-07:002017-09-19T09:24:44.186-07:00Red & Lulu is available TODAY!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iUArZ0BwBC0/WcFAscBe55I/AAAAAAABrzg/_7akgBckHn4mn8aA8qz_K3jp-joLEGLXgCLcBGAs/s1600/RedandLuluGIveaway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iUArZ0BwBC0/WcFAscBe55I/AAAAAAABrzg/_7akgBckHn4mn8aA8qz_K3jp-joLEGLXgCLcBGAs/s640/RedandLuluGIveaway.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Hooray! It's <a href="http://matttavares.com/redandlulu.html" target="_blank">Red & Lulu</a>'s book birthday!<br />
<br />
This book has been part of my life, in one form or another, for the past 6 years. I'm really proud of how it came out, and it's very exciting to know that it's finally out in the world.<br />
<br />
The response so far has been great. It got a <a href="https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-7636-7733-6" target="_blank">starred review</a> in Publishers Weekly, and I got word from <a href="http://www.candlewick.com/cat.asp?mode=book&isbn=0763677337&browse=Title" target="_blank">Candlewick</a> that it's already in its second printing! So far, so good...<br />
<br />
For anyone who would like to buy a copy (please do!), here are some links to order it from a local bookstore or online:<br />
<br />
Amazon: <a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="async" data-lynx-uri="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2FRedandLulu&h=ATNLSfQIP73svkXhW8OZQt-9-vOX0C5ZU__tjQmStiJpYC9dGeqMhXwy_zZQqhcBNGg3yQOFIYUysXgPNe9OYKxIkoDbX3WsYPLKwwP2t21jZ1Ehm44lG3806Nj5IyL9sgrrwh4sjWuIM6lSmxcTL37iDnFKe1PSfIPZ98W3hgVjhLJrqN2CgoyKFTyPzorkA-tX01nFnrSWGQPac1fmM7ZHeapeDCqs4eSwQw5KnnCfxOJkOmvwCVyUz6hmVpAuGZEw_MSOt8fQ-Afd3sl24WiY3QJrpfz8ALTCutp2iQ" href="http://bit.ly/RedandLulu" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/RedandLulu</a><br />
Barnes & Noble: <a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="async" data-lynx-uri="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2FBNRedLulu&h=ATNwfTgCZRU58f1k1AGypdIBPE3OHEij7kpcmcH9iZ7otTSY3-qWjToKGhT-0JnwaeqEZkbLZIptZK5-5BrelmaU0fYNny3yuDdJ8g0pvvy8bJc4lSAFW6ED1bA-WejxJn2BKSJWyVh9N8eHz07x94ANgemZd0QFpciGGTYCgd9T_S_IKITUaOOJw5viXwKx2rr2XAmp8az7JgIvlymq6uY3erp9lyRkUDxrgp6IsOVhN8BbIGHhvulELxBvFCfkzjVFp7JaCrgPGI4Y09MvuGgEwzK1Cqx5UbtxF1HLlw" href="http://bit.ly/BNRedLulu" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/BNRedLulu</a><br />
Indiebound: <a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="async" data-lynx-uri="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2FIndieRedLulu&h=ATPoxEuhC4Eb1_YSgm5A3aFjtISOhlFhbPLh9mJBUCfv0XQHcEDKUkX7peqHx5vvVRG0GFUuj5q8O0YHrP18N9A8IOB9qlqG1dJsNkjoJx-7ZzVew2mSH4vuAp6jIV6bCcd_Xf6Q8J7pUqf0kAwrS3XPsUqIVPpM4Y-K854wPvz0j9e3RWresAms8Wkt0IVc6vyEV7qgt4ADdqbBIjhzph4CKieLUunl5fY9sBtPhepsHQLEBIt52fOI9v_HE8cXiTOXkurl0FGkfMRCN4aZ1JdHxt2ufdcDtS-NpCpY9A" href="http://bit.ly/IndieRedLulu" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/IndieRedLulu</a><br />
<span class="_5mfr _47e3"></span><br />
Here's the book trailer:<br />
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<br />
I'll be traveling around quite a bit between now and Christmas, promoting Red & Lulu. If you're near any of these places, come say hi!<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gabys9CJRTQ/WcFCflsGF1I/AAAAAAABrzs/HKhjymzqxW8-c3V3qKKg2ks8xv_xJ2ULQCLcBGAs/s1600/RedLuluTour2017update.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gabys9CJRTQ/WcFCflsGF1I/AAAAAAABrzs/HKhjymzqxW8-c3V3qKKg2ks8xv_xJ2ULQCLcBGAs/s640/RedLuluTour2017update.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
For more about Red & Lulu, and for a full list of events, visit <a href="http://tavaresbooks.com/">tavaresbooks.com</a>.<br />
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<br />Matt Tavareshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13852656731243464674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248974926987535300.post-64850694224051769742017-09-14T15:05:00.000-07:002017-09-14T15:05:33.874-07:00The Original Art 2017Good news! <a href="http://matttavares.com/redandlulu.html" target="_blank"><i>Red & Lulu</i></a> was chosen for the 2017 <a href="https://www.societyillustrators.org/exhibits/original-art-2017-exhibit" target="_blank">Society of Illustrators</a> Original Art show! The exhibit will run from November 1 through December 23. Looking forward to celebrating in NYC.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VRVbYijWNpI/Wbr8sdwUEfI/AAAAAAABrok/AH8Q_Onvmhs2Nt8hErDw8V0KrfMYjQxrgCLcBGAs/s1600/RedandLulu24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1600" height="384" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VRVbYijWNpI/Wbr8sdwUEfI/AAAAAAABrok/AH8Q_Onvmhs2Nt8hErDw8V0KrfMYjQxrgCLcBGAs/s640/RedandLulu24.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Matt Tavareshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13852656731243464674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248974926987535300.post-40076849164631534712017-06-20T09:40:00.001-07:002017-06-20T09:40:53.284-07:00Thanks for another great school year!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Last week I wrapped up my <a href="http://matttavares.com/schoolvisits.html" target="_blank">school year</a> with two presentations at
Stratton Elementary School in Arlington, Massachusetts. This was one of the busiest years of school visits I've ever had- I did 127 presentations at 49
schools, from Fredericksburg, Virginia, to Westfield, New Jersey, to Cumberland,
Maine...<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ffPyE46SIRg/WUlOmVgqigI/AAAAAAABmWw/F5wpjkXxM9cUoNQ6FH6QQ655nsH6M1-wgCEwYBhgL/s1600/tavaresschoolvisit4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ffPyE46SIRg/WUlOmVgqigI/AAAAAAABmWw/F5wpjkXxM9cUoNQ6FH6QQ655nsH6M1-wgCEwYBhgL/s640/tavaresschoolvisit4.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
I've gotten so much great feedback from teachers, librarians, parents,
and students. And I just wanted to use this space to say a great big
THANK YOU to all the people who made this such a great school year for
me. I know it takes a lot of work form a lot of people to make a
successful school visit- from the parent volunteers who organize the
book orders, to the librarians who read my books to the kids leading up
to the big day, and all the teachers who follow up my presentations with
fun writing and art projects. <br />
<br />
When I set out to be a children's book author-illustrator, I had no idea
I'd end up spending so much time talking in front of large groups of
people. And as someone who used to dread getting up in front of the
class to speak, I never imagined how much I would enjoy it. It truly is one of the best parts of my job. <br />
<br />
So thanks! Looking forward to another great school year in 2017-18. If you're interested in <a href="http://matttavares.com/schoolvisits.html" target="_blank">planning a visit</a>, <a href="http://matttavares.com/contact.html" target="_blank">let me know</a>.<br />
<br />
Have a great summer!<br />
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Matt Tavareshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13852656731243464674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248974926987535300.post-88380338062414515532017-03-17T11:18:00.000-07:002017-03-17T11:18:00.538-07:00Lighter Than Air!My new book, <a href="http://matttavares.com/lighterthanair.html" target="_blank">Lighter Than Air</a>, is now available. Written by <a href="http://www.matthewclarksmith.com/" target="_blank">Matthew Clark Smith</a>, illustrated by me, Lighter Than Air tells the story of Sophie Blanchard, the world's first woman pilot. I really enjoyed working on this book, and I'm excited to be able to share Sophie's inspiring story with young readers. Here's the cover...<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCxZAzvXoz9SEx6GsXDwKtTc6GQZ-pdO7l_VH5TrJ81EHo4XjJT_q_Z4cMfhafMaBAx_r4mmKfEV7nIarCbwFva1QuKQ8rsjlIRdpht43FL1AeSDA24zAFAIHWekKdtqBS1SzMmbcP4kWu/s1600/LighterThanAir1000w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCxZAzvXoz9SEx6GsXDwKtTc6GQZ-pdO7l_VH5TrJ81EHo4XjJT_q_Z4cMfhafMaBAx_r4mmKfEV7nIarCbwFva1QuKQ8rsjlIRdpht43FL1AeSDA24zAFAIHWekKdtqBS1SzMmbcP4kWu/s640/LighterThanAir1000w.jpg" width="458" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">And here's a quick peek inside the book...</span><br />
<blockquote class="twitter-video" data-lang="en">
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Here's a peek inside LIGHTER THAN AIR, which comes out today. <a href="https://twitter.com/Candlewick">@candlewick</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bookbirthday?src=hash">#bookbirthday</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kidlit?src=hash">#kidlit</a> <a href="https://t.co/LdqpYFeIpl">pic.twitter.com/LdqpYFeIpl</a></div>
— Matt Tavares (@tavaresbooks) <a href="https://twitter.com/tavaresbooks/status/841658780538589184">March 14, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lighter Than Air is available now,
from <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lighter-than-Air-Sophie-Blanchard/dp/0763677329/ref=sr_1_1/168-2405349-9407619?ie=UTF8&qid=1481559641&sr=8-1&keywords=lighter+than+air+tavares">Amazon</a>,
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lighter-than-air-matthew-clark-smith/1124083940;jsessionid=922D1281DCD8C66E6D0CAFDE0C48A61B.prodny_store01-atgap04?ean=9780763677329#productInfoTabs">Barnes
&
Noble</a>, or an <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780763677329">independent
bookstore
near
you</a>. Or
order a signed copy from my friends at <a href="http://matttavares.com/shop.html">G.
WIllikers!</a></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">And for any educators out there, Candlewick Press put together this amazing (and free!) <a href="http://matttavares.com/LighterThanAir_TG.pdf" target="_blank">teachers' guide</a>. Enjoy!</span><br />
<br />
<br />Matt Tavareshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13852656731243464674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248974926987535300.post-40863894728501780932017-01-25T14:50:00.000-08:002017-01-25T14:50:07.065-08:00A star for Lighter Than Air!Good news: <a href="http://matttavares.com/lighterthanair.html" target="_blank">Lighter Than Air </a>got a starred review in <a href="https://www.booklistonline.com/" target="_blank">Booklist</a>! Written by <a href="http://www.matthewclarksmith.com/" target="_blank">Matthew Clark Smith</a>, illustrated by me, published by <a href="http://candlewick.com/" target="_blank">Candlewick Press</a>, Lighter Than Air will be in stores March 14.<br />
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<br />Matt Tavareshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13852656731243464674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248974926987535300.post-64702959258760004452016-11-02T12:22:00.002-07:002016-11-06T05:44:14.888-08:00Fly the W for Lennie Merullo, the last 1945 Chicago Cub!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LfFGiHWHXuY/WBo3byK-W2I/AAAAAAABcYw/2muIfrbWSuoILOPOEmwvdfBKccWzEcbdACLcB/s1600/merulloobit2-master1050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LfFGiHWHXuY/WBo3byK-W2I/AAAAAAABcYw/2muIfrbWSuoILOPOEmwvdfBKccWzEcbdACLcB/s640/merulloobit2-master1050.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lennie Merullo, Shortstop, Chicago Cubs, 1941-1947</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
About fifteen years ago, I was doing some research for my book, <a href="http://matttavares.com/oliversgame.html" target="_blank">Oliver’s Game</a>, when I came across a familiar name: Lennie Merullo. This <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/merulle01.shtml" target="_blank">Lennie Merullo</a> played shortstop for the <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/1945.shtml" target="_blank">1945 Chicago Cubs</a>, the last time the Cubs made it to the World Series. But the Lennie Merullo I knew was my elementary school gym teacher.<br />
<br />
So I tracked down my old gym teacher, and he confirmed that the Chicago Cub Lennie Merullo was, in fact, his uncle. Not only that, but he was still around, and lived a couple towns over from me. Lennie Merullo, the gym teacher, even gave me his uncle's phone number.<br />
<br />
So I called Lennie Merullo, the shortstop, hoping he might agree to meet with me to answer a few questions. He was very nice, and offered to stop by my apartment for a visit, which was perfect, because I hoped that if the interview went well, he might be willing to pose for me as one of the main characters in the book, Grandpa Hall. I had built a fake baseball card store in my basement to use as the setting for my story (Grandpa Hall ran a store called Hall's Nostalgia). Having an actual member of the 1945 Cubs pose in the baseball card store I had created sounded too good to be true!<br />
<br />
I had some questions prepared, but as soon as Lennie walked in and saw all the old memorabilia, especially the 1942 Cubs jersey, he just started talking. He told amazing, vivid stories about his playing days, stuff I would never have thought to ask about. I don’t think I even ended up asking any questions. I just listened.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LXwo_Qo7ChM/WBo1Hpdo8rI/AAAAAAABcYk/xqPhWaug5dg50476MYqWmb-x8YP9sI-QQCLcB/s1600/img008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LXwo_Qo7ChM/WBo1Hpdo8rI/AAAAAAABcYk/xqPhWaug5dg50476MYqWmb-x8YP9sI-QQCLcB/s640/img008.jpg" width="442" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lennie Merullo talking to Cord, who posed as the grandson in Oliver's Game</td></tr>
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He had met Babe Ruth and come up to bat against Satchel Paige. He had once committed 4 errors in the same inning, but he had a good excuse: he had just learned that his wife had given birth to their first child.<br />
<br />
He brought an old gym bag filled with all kinds of things, including an authentic Wrigley Field “W” flag, which came with a funny story I don’t completely remember about a goofy teammate who thought the "W" stood for “weather”. I remember Lennie cracking up, saying, “He thought it meant ‘Weather Flag!”. <br />
<br />
He was happy to pose as Grandpa Hall (though he was mildly offended when I asked him to use a cane as a prop). I realized quickly that I didn’t even have to explain who this character was. Grandpa Hall was a man who loved baseball to his core, even years after his ability to play the game had been taken away from him. Grandpa Hall said that every item in his shop had a story to tell. I didn't need to describe the character to Lennie Merullo because he <i>was</i> the character. It was magical.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fs9zUOMg6-4/WBo45Qv8BCI/AAAAAAABcY4/AE95CfBR_d4SFVpRikcFpyovaxezlG7zwCLcB/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2016-11-02%2Bat%2B1.52.03%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fs9zUOMg6-4/WBo45Qv8BCI/AAAAAAABcY4/AE95CfBR_d4SFVpRikcFpyovaxezlG7zwCLcB/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2016-11-02%2Bat%2B1.52.03%2BPM.png" width="518" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another picture of Lennie Merullo telling stories</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When Oliver's Game was published, Lennie and his wife came to the book release party. He even signed some books, if I remember correctly. Over the years he surprised me at a few other book events. It was always great to see him, and he never got tired of talking about baseball.<br />
<br />
When Lennie passed away last year at the age of 98, he was the last remaining member of the 1945 Chicago Cubs World Series team. I wish he could have stuck around one more year. I’ll be thinking of him tonight, when the Cubs play in game 7 of the World Series. <br />
<br />
Go Cubs! <br />
<br />
Fly the Weather Flag!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandpa Hall and Oliver, from Oliver's Game, Candlewick Press, 2004</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Matt Tavareshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13852656731243464674noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248974926987535300.post-25332012868679000772016-11-01T08:29:00.000-07:002016-11-01T08:29:50.594-07:00Matt Tavares @ G. WIllikers!<br />
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-huZKSQhD9Ug/WBizcv2VHzI/AAAAAAABcXY/fC5CH9ZNTk4_5h0mGxLjm2fMGYegkOcaQCLcB/s640/gwillikerstavares2.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: small;"><b>Signed
Matt
Tavares
books
from G. WIllikers!</b><br />
<br />
I'm very excited about my new partnership with
my friends at <a href="http://www.gwillikers.com/">G.
Willikers</a>, a family-owned and operated
book and toy store in the heart of downtown
Portsmouth, New Hampshire.<br />
<br />
Now when you purchase signed books <a href="http://www.matttavares.com/shop.html" target="_blank">through my website</a>, you'll be getting way better customer
service than I could ever provide, and you'll be
supporting an awesome local business. <br />
<br />
To buy signed books, you can <a href="http://gwillikerstoyshop.com/collections/matt-tavares-books">shop
online</a> or just give Bob and Jody a call
and they'll
be happy to help you out. They are super nice
and they'll make sure you find just what you're
looking for. <br />
<br />
<b>Call </b><b>G.
Willikers</b><b> at (603) 436-7746 or <a href="http://gwillikerstoyshop.com/collections/matt-tavares-books">order
online</a>.</b></span><br />
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Matt Tavareshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13852656731243464674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248974926987535300.post-23101053124271852632016-09-21T07:15:00.002-07:002016-09-21T07:15:39.426-07:0052 Great Reads, 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kWzwUXhkfdk/V-KSULaDzII/AAAAAAABa6E/_FkFJd7eY-U9Y9lPJZ96_WUlZKpRsL6SgCLcB/s1600/52greatreads2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kWzwUXhkfdk/V-KSULaDzII/AAAAAAABa6E/_FkFJd7eY-U9Y9lPJZ96_WUlZKpRsL6SgCLcB/s640/52greatreads2016.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
Every year, each state's Center for the Book selects one book to represent their state at the <a href="http://www.loc.gov/bookfest/" target="_blank">Library of Congress National Book Festival</a> in Washington D.C. The call it <a href="https://www.loc.gov/bookfest/kids-teachers/educators/greatreads.html" target="_blank">"52 Great Reads"</a>, with books from each of the 50 states plus Washington D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. I'm thrilled to share the news that this year, the <a href="http://massbook.org/" target="_blank">Massachusetts Center for the Book</a> chose my book, <a href="http://matttavares.com/growinguppedro.html" target="_blank">Growing Up Pedro</a>!<br />
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So if you happen to be at the National Book Festival this weekend, stop by the Pavilion of the States and say hi to the nice folks in the Massachusetts booth, and tell them I say thanks (since I won't be there to thank them in person)!<br />
<br />
And while you're there, check out my friends' books who were chosen by other states- <a href="https://karalareau.com/" target="_blank">Kara LaReau</a>'s <a href="http://candlewick.com/cat.asp?browse=Title&mode=book&isbn=0763676365&pix=y" target="_blank">The Infamous Ratsos</a>, representing Rhode Island; <a href="http://www.lorenlong.com/" target="_blank">Loren Long</a>'s <a href="http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/313574/little-tree-by-loren-long-illustrated-by-loren-long/9780399163975/" target="_blank">Little Tree</a>, representing Ohio; and <a href="http://hazardoustales.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Nathan Hale</a>'s <a href="http://www.abramsbooks.com/product/one-dead-spy-nathan-hales-hazardous-tales-1_9781419703966/" target="_blank">One Dead Spy</a>, representing Utah. Congrats all around!<br />
<br />
Here's the <a href="https://www.loc.gov/bookfest/kids-teachers/educators/greatreads.html" target="_blank">full list of books</a>.<br />
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<br />Matt Tavareshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13852656731243464674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248974926987535300.post-64947842292015605802016-07-06T05:40:00.000-07:002016-07-06T05:40:56.276-07:00The Growing Up Pedro Boston Public Library Tour, 2016Just want to spread the word about a bunch of fun events I have coming up later this month in Boston. I'll be visiting 14 branches of the <a href="http://www.bpl.org/summer/read-your-way-to-fenway/" target="_blank">Boston Public Library</a> over 5 days- my own literary version of the Boston Marathon! I did this <a href="http://matttavaresbooks.blogspot.com/2015/06/the-growing-up-pedro-boston-public.html" target="_blank">last summer</a> (9 libraries over 3 days) and it was a blast.<br />
<br />
Each event will
include a presentation about my book, <a href="http://matttavares.com/growinguppedro.html" target="_blank">Growing Up Pedro</a>,
followed by a fun art project for kids. And here's the best part:<br />
<br />
<b>Every
participating child will get a free hardcover copy of Growing Up Pedro! </b><br />
<br />
Seriously! The Boston Public Library bought 375 copies of Growing Up Pedro, and I get to give them all away. How great is that!<b></b>
<br />
<br />
This is all part of the <a href="http://www.bpl.org/summer/read-your-way-to-fenway/" target="_blank">Boston Public Library</a>'s excellent <a href="http://www.bpl.org/summer/read-your-way-to-fenway/" target="_blank">Read Your Way to Fenway </a>program,
which I am honored to involved with. Registration is required, and space is
limited. Contact your local branch for details.<br />
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Matt Tavareshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13852656731243464674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248974926987535300.post-78410308954156671952016-04-12T04:30:00.000-07:002016-04-12T04:30:11.852-07:00Crossing Niagara comes out TODAY!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Jd2a0XYuRE/VwrTPTUZXpI/AAAAAAABS7I/6XtBqswl6KMKUYtA8Eh_oXQovVdjRhU9Q/s1600/CrossingNiagaraPromo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Jd2a0XYuRE/VwrTPTUZXpI/AAAAAAABS7I/6XtBqswl6KMKUYtA8Eh_oXQovVdjRhU9Q/s640/CrossingNiagaraPromo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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My new book, <a href="http://matttavares.com/crossingniagara.html" target="_blank">Crossing Niagara</a>, comes out today! Look for it on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Crossing-Niagara-Death-Defying-Tightrope-Adventures/dp/0763668230/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1460330351&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/crossing-niagara-matt-tavares/1122359818?ean=9780763668235" target="_blank">Barnes and Noble</a>, or at <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780763668235?aff=PublishersWeekly" target="_blank">an independent bookstore near you</a>.<br />
<br />
This is the seventeenth book I've illustrated, and the eighth book I've written. This one was a lot of fun to work on. As part of my research, I took a trip to Niagara Falls with my family. It was awe-inspiring to see it up close, to stand next right to the falls. We got drenched on the Maid of the Mist...<br />
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... and ventured out to the end of the observation platform at Prospect Point. I tried to imagine what it must have felt like for the Great Blondin to be right near that very spot, unthinkably high above the raging river, walking on a rope just three inches wide. (It was scary enough standing on a twenty-foot-wide platform!)<br />
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I really enjoyed working on this book. I hope you enjoy reading it!<br />
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Here is a free <a href="http://www.candlewick.com/book_files/0763668230.btg.1.pdf" target="_blank">Crossing Niagara teachers' guide</a> Candlewick Press put together. <br />
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I have a bunch of events in the works for the spring and summer. Here are <a href="http://matttavares.com/events.html" target="_blank">some of the places I'll be</a> reading and signing <a href="http://matttavares.com/crossingniagara.html" target="_blank">Crossing Niagara</a>:<br />
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<b>April 12 </b>3:00-5:00 pm, Winchester Town Hall in Winchester, MA, part of Authorfest 2016. <br />
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<b>April 23</b> 2:30 pm, <a href="http://www.niagarafallspubliclib.org/" target="_blank">Niagara Falls Public Library</a> in Niagara Falls, NY.<br />
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<b>May 14</b> (time TBA) G. Willikers in Portsmouth, NH<br />
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<b>June 4</b> (time TBA) <a href="http://bookendswinchester.com/" target="_blank">Book Ends </a>in Winchester, MA.<br />
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<b>June 4</b> (time TBA) <a href="http://hubbubfest.org/" target="_blank">The Boston Book Festival presents "Hubbub"</a>. I'll be doing a book signing and a hands-on illustration workshop as part of this fun all-day family festival.<br />
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And here's a full list of <a href="http://matttavares.com/events.html" target="_blank">events</a>. <br />
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<br />Matt Tavareshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13852656731243464674noreply@blogger.com0