Off and hopping

Hi everyone,

AND THE BULLFROGS SING is off to a good start. As of this morning it ranks #30 among frog and toad books. This opening surge may not last but it’s fun for now. Of the 29 titles ahead of mine, all but five are fictionalized stories, including a good many FROG AND TOAD books by Arnold Lobel, so I’m happy about the early running of my science-based telling of the life cycle of bullfrogs. That’s a good sign that informational books on this subject may be hard to find. I’m grateful to Grace Maccarone at Holiday House for working with me on this one and to artist Kate Cosgrove for making these frogs nearly hop off the pages into your lap.

To everyone who has been kind enough to post pictures and early news about receiving your books, thank you! As we all know, early hype makes a world of difference in how a book will eventually perform. Reviews from Kirkus and Publishers Weekly are helping, and I hope to see more professional as well as reader reviews begin to come in. It’s all a process and one must wait step by step for it all to happen.

Yesterday I finished a new science-based nonfiction book and sent it off to my agent. I also added some final requested tweaks to the manuscript of my next book, which will come out in spring 2020. It’s shaping up to be a beautiful book. Once again I’m being blessed with a splendid artist.

Get in the frog pool

Hi everyone,

Just a reminder today. If you would like to put your name in the drawing for a free copy of AND THE BULLFROGS SING, A LIFE CYCLE BEGINS, there’s still time to go to Kathy Temean’s blog and leave a comment. The list is growing but your chances are still good. And naturally I appreciate the help in promoting the book. Thanks.
https://kathytemean.wordpress.com/2019/04/30/book-giveaway-and-the-bullfrogs-sing-by-david-harrison/

You are invited to a frog party so hop to it

Hi everyone,

This coming Tuesday, May 14, is publication day for AND THE BULLFROGS SING. I’ll visit two schools that afternoon, David Harrison Elementary and McBride Elementary, and that evening I’ll present a program at The Library Center in Springfield.

The program starts at 6:30 with well known folk singer/guitarist Judy Domeny singing froggy songs. Friends from Dickerson Park Zoo are coming on next to display and talk about the Fire-Bellied Toad
and African Clawed Frog.

Next on the program will be singers from David Harrison Elementary singing/performing one of my poems: “Chorus of Four Frogs.”

While we admire the artwork posted on the walls of young frog artists we’ll hold a hopping contest to see if we have a champion in the audience.

I’ll wind up the evening by reading the new book and answering questions.

Refreshments will served, a specialty of any frog host: buggy-wuggy cookies and swamp water punch.

I’ll plan to sign books from 6:00 – 6:30 and again following the program.

If you live in the area or know someone who does, I hope you’ll consider coming and spreading the word to others. We’ll be in the auditorium at The Library Center on South Campbell. The room holds 170 so plan to arrive early to enjoy the sounds of frogs playing in the background while you wait.

New recognition for A PLACE TO START A FAMILY

Hi everyone,

The annual ILA Teachers’ Choices Reading List is out for 2019 and I’m happy to say that A PLACE TO START A FAMILY is one of ten titles in the K-2 category chosen by teachers nationwide.

Way to illustrate, Giles Laroche! Way to edit, Karen Boss! Thanks, Charlesbridge!

Book Giveaway: AND THE BULLFROGS SING

Hi everyone,

Here’s a second post today. I didn’t realize that Kathy Temean’s feature of AND THE BULLFROGS SING went up today on her site at https://kathytemean.wordpress.com/2019/04/30/book-giveaway-and-the-bullfrogs-sing-by-david-harrison/?fbclid=IwAR1TSwEbzzHJ0qEdY5EQLFdCG4n9WgTcr3CvVICI2tYXIzfYiw3bQphAnTQ

It’ a lovely interview/article about the journey my new frog book took from concept to reality and introduces anyone who might know her to Kate Cosgrove, the gifted artist on the book. It also takes you to a new interview elsewhere with Kate so you can learn more about her.

AND, if you follow Kathy’s suggestions, you might be the one who wins a free signed copy of AND THE BULLFROGS SING.

Please take a minute to visit Kathy’s site and leave a comment if you’d like to have your name in the hat for the drawing.