Princess Puffybottom...and Darryl

Written by Susin Nielsen

Illustrated by Olivia Chin Mueller

Tundra Books

978-1-101-91925-5

32 pp.

Ages 4-7

February 2019 

Oh, she is truly royalty! Princess Puffybottom rules over her household, getting her subjects to cater to her needs and whims. In return, she might allow them to pet her and play with her. Then Darryl arrives and everything changes.

From Princess Puffybottom...and Darryl by Susin Nielsen, illus. by Olivia Chin Mueller

When her humans bring home the eager puppy, Princess Puffybottom sees only a horrible, disgusting animal but she is convinced that she just needs to wait for him to be banished. When her subjects leave with Darryl and are gone a long time, she is certain that they have taken him to a faraway kingdom and she is ready to celebrate.

From Princess Puffybottom...and Darryl by Susin Nielsen, illus. by Olivia Chin Mueller

But then the two return with Darryl sporting an Elizabethan collar. Princess Puffybottom has no choice but to work towards getting Darryl ejected. But her efforts are futile and, at a party, Princess Puffybottom realizes that she is no longer adored as she once was. Only Darryl recognizes her sadness and gives her the attention she desires. Finally the cat appreciates his regard and efforts as valuable. It's a good thing because there's a new addition coming and it's sure to be another surprise for Princess Puffybottom.

From Princess Puffybottom...and Darryl by Susin Nielsen, illus. by Olivia Chin Mueller

Most readers will recognize Susin Nielsen's name from her authorship of middle-grade and young adult novels like Word Nerd (Tundra, 2008), We Are All Made of Molecules (Tundra, 2015) and Optimists Die First (Tundra, 2017). She tells important stories about real kids but writes them with humour to lighten the angst. With Princess Puffybottom...and Darryl, Susan Nielsen brings that same humour but in a story with an animal perspective though the circumstances could be human. No one likes to be neglected or usurped by another, whether it be a sibling, a friend, a competitor or another pet. But, for a cat, this is especially heinous since many of them look down on everyone. (Winston Churchill is quoted as saying, in justification for his fondness for pigs, that dogs look up at humans, cats look down on us, and pigs would look you straight in the eye.) Having to share her humans with a lowly canine may not be acceptable to Princess Puffybottom but at least she is able to recognize that she doesn't have to compete with Darryl; instead, she can let him worship her.  Darryl gets a friend, Princess Puffybottom gets a devotee, and the household is copacetic once again.

Compliments of  Olivia Chin Mueller's digital illustrations, Princess Puffybottom and Darryl are adorable rivals for their peoples' affections. They are soft and cuddly though Princess Puffybottom's air of superiority gives her an aloof appearance whereas frisky Darryl is completely unfettered in his liveliness. Together they become the furry symbol of acceptance and companionship, even if Princess Puffybottom still believes she rules all.

From Princess Puffybottom...and Darryl by Susin Nielsen, illus. by Olivia Chin Mueller

A Bedtime Yarn: Book launch (Hamilton, ON)

Picture book author

Nicola Winstanley

Cinnamon Baby illus. by Janice Nadeau (Kids Can Press, 2011)

The Pirate's Bed illus. by Matt James (Tundra, 2015)

launches her new book

A Bedtime Yarn

Written by Nicola Winstanley

Illustrated by Olivia Chin Mueller

Tundra Books

978-1-10191808-1

32 pp.

Ages 3-7

Release September 2017

on

 Saturday September 30, 2017

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

at

Epic Books

226 Locke Street South

Hamilton, ON

This darling tale is described as:

Frankie is a little bear who has a hard time falling asleep. The dark is scary, and he hates to be alone. So his mother gives him a ball of yarn to hold when he goes to bed, and she keeps the other end in the next room, working it into a surprise for Frankie. 

Every few nights the yarn color changes, and Frankie dreams in all the colors that he and his mother pick out. One night he's swimming in turquoise water, another night he's in a cool gray fog. He plays with a marmalade kitten and eats delicious chocolate cake. Eventually Frankie and his mother create something special--and Frankie learns that he's always connected to those he loves, even when he's alone in the dark.

A beautiful story of love and crafting, A Bedtime Yarn will appeal to knitters, sleepy little bears and any parents dealing with their child's fear of the dark.

Retrieved from Penguin Random House site at http://penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/534052/bedtime-yarn#9781101918081

on September 12, 2017.

This book launch has all the hallmarks of a great event:

•  treats

•  crafts

•  story reading

•  book signing by the author

Do attend!