Timeless Thomas by Gene Barretta

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What do record players, batteries, and movie cameras have in common?

All these devices were created by the man known as The Wizard of Menlo Park: Thomas Edison.

Edison is most famous for inventing the incandescent lightbulb, but at his landmark laboratories in Menlo Park & West Orange, New Jersey, he also developed many other staples of modern technology.  Despite many failures, Edison persevered. And good for that, because it would be very difficult to go through a day without using one of his life-changing inventions. In this enlightening book, Gene Barretta enters the laboratories of one of America’s most important inventors.

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 Timeless Thomas by Gene Barretta is "a glowing tribute to the inventor who continues to influence modern life", according to a starred Kirkus and a "...useful tool to introduce history and inventions to reluctant readers or students…" according to School Library Journal

Book Trailer: The Monster Who Lost His Mean

The Monster Who Lost His Mean, written by Tiffany Strelitz Haber and illustrated by Kirstie Edmunds

Everyone knows that the M in “monster” stands for MEAN. But what happens when a monster can’t be mean any more? Is he still a monster at all?

One young monster's attempts to live up to his name go hilariously awry as he discovers—with a little help from new friends—that it's not what you're called but who you are that counts.

Out This Week! Monsters, YA and Thomas Edison

A round up of new books from Macmillan Children's Publishing Group out this week!

Picture Books

• Frankenstein written by Rick Walton and illustrated by Nathan Hale
• The Monster Who Lost His Mean written by Tiffany Strelitz and illustrated by Kirstie Edmunds
• Timeless Thomas by Gene Barretta
• Working Mummies written by Joan Horton and illustrated by Drazen Kozjan

Chapter Books

• Haunted Histories: Creepy Castles, Dark Dungeons, and Powerful Palaces by J.H. Everett and Marilyn Scott-Waters

Young Adult Books

• Before You Go by James Preller
• Holding On to Zoe by George Ella Lyon
• Moonbird by Phillip Hoose

Happy Spring!

We're feeling especially Spring-y today here in NYC, so we thought we'd share the AND THEN IT'S SPRING video with all of you!

What colors YOUR world? Same, Same but Different Craft + Contest!

A few months ago, I shared my new picture book, Same, Same but Different, with my long-time client Karen Capp of Oopsy Daisy Fine art for Kids. She had an idea to host a craft to connect young artists with my book and my travel-inspired Oopsy Daisy art, while encouraging children to create art about our world -- just as Elliot and Kailash share with each other in my book.

In addition, Oopsy Daisy generously decided to make it a contest for kids and schools with several of my Oopsy Daisy canvases and signed copies of my books as prizes!

Children 12 and under are invited to submit their art for the random drawing. Parents and teachers, this art project can be a great conversation starter for learning more about geography and world cultures, or even starting a pen pal exchange. Teachers, please note there is a special prize for the school with the most participants.

 So, how to play? I posted the craft and more about Same, Same but Different on Oopsy Daisy’s blog along with my daughter Tulsi’s and my painting of our world. The official contest guidelines are on their Budding Artists Contest page. Have fun! I am excited to see your art and hear your thoughts!

And make sure you visit Same, Same, But Different's book page to view some stunning interiors!