Maria Gianferrari is really on a roll. Since July 2015, she has released four picture books, with today marking the release of her fourth. She's expecting multiple book babies from Little Bee, Boyds Mills Press, and Roaring Brook Press in 2018 and beyond. In the picture book world, that's a ton of success in a very small amount of time!
Can I get a standing ovation, please?
Maria is doing something very right, which makes her a great mentor to study. I recommend that you take some time to look back on the perspectives that Maria has shared with us during her journey. Explore the themes running through Officer Katz and Houndini and Penny & Jelly: The Sleepover, discover the research that went into Coyote Moon, and get inside her ReFoReMo 2016 thoughts about crossing genres. Dissect her books to research how great craft is applied.
In celebration of her newest book and appreciation of her service to us,
it's my honor to review Hello Goodbye Dog:
As seen through the eyes of Moose, a dog who can't bear to be separated from his girl Zara, hellos are the best of all. Especially when Zara's hello is a loving pat on the head and story time. But when goodbye is a closing door, a lonely backyard, and no scratch-time with Zara, Moose has a tough time being home without her. He knows his special place is with Zara and he always finds a way to break free and return to her side. Zara shares his sentiment and puts a plan in motion that might keep them together all through the school day. Maria Gianferrari relays an endearing story of the unconditional love that dogs offer humans and an author's note about the importance of therapy dogs. Patrice Barton's illustrations compliment this special bond with soft colors and strokes that relay acceptance and understanding from all who witness the special bond between Moose and Zara.
As you look at Maria's entire collection, it's pretty evident that she loves dogs. Just as dogs make great companions, they also make amazing characters. Maria has explored the anthropomorphic side with a magician dog (Houndini), a pet/best friend (Jelly), a wild dog (Coyote), and a therapy dog/pet (Moose). And she has more on the way; dogs, hawks, bobcats and more, some fiction and some nonfiction. When it comes to animals, there's not just one road to explore. Which road will you explore with your writing?
What are your favorite animal characters and what roles do they play?
Roaring Brook Press is sponsoring a giveaway of Hello Goodbye Dog for U.S. residents!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
More about Maria...
Maria Gianferrari is the author of the Penny & Jelly books, Officer Katz and Houdini, Coyote Moon, an ALA Notable Book, a Junior Library Guild Selection, and most recently, Hello Goodbye Dog. For Maria, hello is sunshine after a snowstorm, the scent of cinnamon, and happy greetings from her beloved mutt, Becca. Maria lives in northern Virginia with her dog, Becca, her scientist husband and her artist daughter. She has additional titles forthcoming from Roaring Brook Press, Boyds Mills Press, GP Putnam’s Sons and Little Bee. To learn more about Maria, visit her website: mariagianferrari.com, on Facebook and Instagram.
HELLO GOODBYE DOG BLOG TOUR!
GIVEAWAYS EVERY DAY!!
As someone who has trained a puppy to be an assistant service dog, I can't wait to read about moose! Congratulations on such success!
ReplyDeleteVery cool, Julie--that's wonderful! Dogs have healing (and heeling) power :)
DeleteMoose is on the loose. Happy Book Birthday, Maria. I can't wait to read this one!
ReplyDeleteLove that phrase--I just might have to steal it, Kathy! Thank you!! <3
DeleteCongrats! Can't wait to read your new book!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tracy. I hope you will enjoy it :)!
DeleteThis book has been on my radar. Can't wait to get a better look. Thanks.
ReplyDelete:), Joanne!!
DeleteMaria, yay!!! another pb about a special dog! I cannot wait to read it. Love every book of your so far. Congratulations on your success with them all. Looking forward to more from you. :)
ReplyDeleteYup, Traci--from one dog lover to another! I just can't help myself ;). Thanks for the very kind words, and your support!!
DeleteCongratulations Maria! All the best with your new boook. It looks wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mary!
DeleteI always loved the Berenstein Bears.
ReplyDeleteClassics, Beth!
DeleteCongratulations! All of your books look fantastic! Can't wait to read them! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Angie!
DeleteMy favorite animal picture books are Pug Meets Pig, Won Ton, and Hazel.
ReplyDeleteWon Ton, and the follow up, Won Ton & Chopstick are among my very favorites, Danielle :)
DeleteLove Coyote Moon and look forward to reading your other titles, Maria. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteAww, thanks for the kind words, Charlotte! I really appreciate it! And you just won a copy of this on Vivian's blog :)
DeleteCongratulations Maria! So much to celebrate. This is on my list and I can't wait to get my hands on it. Have so enjoyed your other work. All the best to you!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Elizabeth! So funny that we have the Keene connection too :)
DeleteWow! An amazing flurry of books coming out!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Beth! Love the verb "flurry" since I'm a snow fan ;).
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ReplyDeleteCoyote Moon is still my favorite picture book by Maria. This week I also love Brayden Bunny in There's No One I Love Like You.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing another favorite animal book, Manju! I have not heard of that one!
DeleteManju--you are too kind--thank you so much!! I haven't heard of that one either. Will look for it. :)
DeleteAnd what is your creature book about?
DeleteI love dogs and Maria's books. Hope I win one.
ReplyDeleteOh--thanks for saying that, Susan! I really appreciate it :)!!
DeleteA favorite animal book is There's a Bear in My chair by Ross Collins. Love the bear and the mouse!
ReplyDeleteI've been meaning to get to that one--thanks for the reminder, Susan!
DeleteI love Coyote Moon, and I'm looking forward to reading Hello Goodbye Dog.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for saying so, Linda :)!! I hope you'll like Hello Goodbye Dog too.
DeleteCongratulations on your success, Maria! I can't wait to read your newest!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks, Cathy!! I hope you'll reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. And the best gift was seeing Patrice's amazing illustrations!
DeleteI look forward to using your work as a mentor. Congrats on your success and happy book birthday!!
ReplyDeleteThat would be an honor--thanks, Miss McCrary. Is that your teacher name??
DeleteThis is the book for my 40 yr old daughter. Ordering it now. I am impressed by her powerful production of such marvelous stories.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Damon!! May I ask why? Is she a dog fan? Of course, as a PB writer, I think PBs are timeless and for everyone!
DeleteYay for Moose--sounds like a BIG winner...and I also loved Coyote Moon!
ReplyDeleteThanks, fellow creature lover, Nancy <3!!
DeleteCongratulations. This looks like such a great book.
ReplyDeleteThank you, McMarshall :)
DeleteI am always drawn to books that feature animals (with a soft spot for dogs). Thank you for reviewing Maria's books! I can't wait to read Coyote Moon and Hello Goodbye Dog, as well as Officer Katz and Houndini. Currently, my favorite animal book is Ida, Always by Caron Levis and Charles Santoso.
ReplyDeleteI love Ida, Always, too! Thanks for sharing, Laura! Although it is hard to choose Coyote Moon is my favorite of Maria's.
DeleteIda, Always is so touching an beautiful. I am a fan of dog/and all animal books too (both fiction and nonfiction). Thanks for commenting, Laura!
DeleteWow! I love Coyote Moon and Penny & Jelly but haven't seen the others. Thanks for sharing this post.
ReplyDeleteMy all time FAVORITE animal picture book was Harry the Dirty Dog. Recently, the giraffe in SHY has captivated me
DeleteOooo, Wendy! I will have to look at SHY! Thanks for sharing!
DeleteI love Deborah Freedman's art too. Still have to read her new House book.
DeleteAnd thank you for the kind words about Coyote Moon + Penny & Jelly too :)
DeleteExcited to see books out about therapy dogs. Can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, MaDonna! :)
DeleteHappy Book Birthday! Dogs are my favorite characters in PB's. Can't wait to read Hello goodbye Dog!
ReplyDeleteMine too, Judy :). And elephants!
DeleteI love, love, love this cover & can't wait to read Hello Goodbye Dog to my own two pups. My favorite animal characters are Mudge in the Henry & Mudge early reader series, and the rabbit of Velveteen Rabbit fame.
ReplyDeleteThese are great selections, Patricia! Thanks for sharing!
DeleteHenry & Mudge are classics, Patricia! I adore this cover too. Patrice's art is paw-fect for the book ;)!!
DeleteBeautiful cover hinting at a lovely story - can't wait to check it out.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Angela! That is the work of the lovely Patrice Barton!! Her work is amazing!
DeleteThanks for the tips on writing and studying Maria's books. Can't wait to check her books out!
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting, Darlene!
DeleteYou are welcome, Darlene! Enjoy your research!
DeleteI love the variety in Maria's work. I'm so happy for her success.
ReplyDeleteSo kind of you to say--thank you, David :)!
DeleteOH, I can hardly wait to read this book! As a woman who uses a wheelchair, with a sweet devoted service dog, I love the theme!
ReplyDeleteDogs are the best! What is your dog's name, Carole? In this book, Moose is a therapy/reading dog :)
DeleteOne of my all-time favorites was one I found out about during the Writing with the Stars mentor application process. It's "Ragweed's Farm Dog Handbook" by Anne Kennedy. I cannot tell you how much I LOVE that book!
ReplyDeleteI was stunned by Coyote Moon, so I must catch up on reading all of the others. Congrats to Maria for getting the recognition she deserves for all her hard work!
Jilanne--I LOVE Ragweed! Isn't it hilarious?! The text/voice is so funny, and I just love the vibrant art so much.
DeleteI hope you were stunned by Coyote Moon in a good way ;)!!
Thanks for the kind words too!
I haven't read Ragweed's Farm Dog Handbook yet, Jilanne! Thanks for the rec!
DeleteI'm looking forward to reading Hello Goodbye Dog, Maria. Congratulations on its publication! I enjoy the hamsters in Susanna Leonard Hill's Not Yet, Rose. Rose is the impatient sister waiting for her new sibling to be born.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read that one yet--will check it out. Thanks for the rec!
DeleteThanks for sharing an animal recommendation with us!
DeleteApplause for Maria! Hello Goodbye Dog looks wonderful--can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteMerci, Jennifer :)!
DeleteMy students love Penny and Jelly. Thanks, Maria!
ReplyDeleteOh--that's so wonderful to here, Leah!! Thank you for saying so! Do you know that there are two free crafts on my pennyandjelly website? One is a talent show kit and the other is a constellation craft. Please feel free to use them and thank you again!!
DeleteCongrats, Maria! Can't wait to read it ☺
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rosie!
DeleteLove all the new books!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Terri!
DeleteSo many different takes on dogs. It's interesting to see the threads running through an author's works. Congratulations, Maria.
ReplyDeleteYup--I'm a little bit obsessed with dogs, Anne ;)! Thank you!
DeleteCarrie--thank you so much for welcoming and supporting me, and for featuring Hello Goodbye Dog here with this lovely post. I am so grateful!! <3
ReplyDeleteWe are honored to feature your awesome work, Maria!
DeleteI'd never have guessed that Maria loves dogs...LOL! This looks like an absolutely delightful book, like all her other books. :)
ReplyDeleteI know, Teresa--so hard to believe, right ;)!! <3
DeleteCongratulations, Maria. Wishing you many more book successes!
ReplyDeleteLikewise, Carol!! :)
DeleteMy little one loves the Picture Fit Board Books: A Parade of Animals: A Clever Counting Book
ReplyDeletedigicats {at} sbcglobal {dot} net
:)
DeleteMaria is THE best!!! She wins my daughter's heart every time she reads one of her books! In person, she opened her heart to my daughter and inspired her to keep reading and writing!she can't wait to read your new book! She is going to have to wait till Saturday to do so though ♡
ReplyDeleteIs that you, Pilar?? Many hugs to you & Isabella!!!! Looking forward to seeing you & your family again!! :) <3
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