Issue # 11 January 2000
		SMART PIGGY'S NEWSLETTER By Audrey Wood Compiled by Heath Uliasz January 2000 Issue #11 Dear Friends, The Millennium and the future of Picture Books - Whenever I visit schools, bookstores, libraries or conferences, I’m always asked my opinion on the future of books. Will children’s books, in their present form, survive the challenges technology will offer? Or will books, like vinyl records, become antiquated oddities gathering dust on special collector’s shelves? Many doomsayers are predicting the death of the book, as we know it. According to their vision, all books will be read electronically on hand-held computers. Every child will carry an e-book home and to school. Teachers will download books, assignments and internet information into classroom computers and, in turn, children will download the information into their e-books. In the future, children who grow up reading electronic books will no longer want to browse through library shelves, much less hold a cloth bound book to read! As printing technology improves children will be able to order a book overnight from an online publishing house or their neighborhood specialty-printing store. The book they order will be printed on demand (one at a time) and be specific to their needs. They’ll be able to choose the paper quality (high, low or standard), whether they want illustrations and if the illustrations should be printed in black or white or color. They’ll even have a choice of binding according to the price they are able to pay. As we enter the new millennium, a few of the above scenarios are already practical. Do I therefore believe that the end of children’s books, as we know them, is nigh? No! My feeling is that the necessity for children’s books and for literacy itself will dramatically increase in the next century. Children’s literature will be more accessible and important than it has ever been before. There will continue to be many ways to read and enjoy stories and books. Some are already here; new technologies will develop rapidly. Diversity and accessibility will catapult reading into the new millennium creating a more literate world. Children will enjoy a plethora of online books, print on demand books, clothbound books, books on tape, CD-ROM, book games, DVD with movies and author interviews and much more. Children will read not because they have to, but because they will not want to be left out of the exciting, animated, and colorful world of print! But what about the good OLE clothbound picture book? Will it find its way into these brave new worlds? Will the children of the future ever smell the ink, feel the paper, and turn the pages of a real book? My answer to that perplexing question is some will and some won’t. The child who is read her favorite book every night will bond with the cloth bound edition and, like a favorite toy or doll, she will want to hold her book in her hands and turn its pages many times. A mother once wrote us that her daughter refused to go to sleep at night unless her favorite book, Heckedey Peg, was tucked securely under her pillow. The book’s physical presence was important. On the other hand, a boy in the inner city, or far out in the country away from libraries and bookstores, whose single mother cannot afford the luxury of a bookshelf stocked with full-color book editions, won’t be left out of sharing stories at home. She can refer her son to the internet, or print on demand paperback editions. Picture books are expensive for many to buy. Paperback editions and new technologies will allow more children to have access to authors’ works. No one will to be left out due to his or her economic standings. The bottom line is that I believe the more ways we can devise to read and enjoy a good story, the better. -AW *********************************************************************** 12 YEAR OLD EDITOR AND CHIEF! This being our first newsletter of the millennium, we decided to make it a "Blast from the Past" newsletter. Once upon a time, before e-mail, we had to send correspondences via snail mail (postal mail). In those days we used to send out a yearly newsletter to schools, libraries, and bookstores. The newsletter was called "WoodHaven Press," and was usually written by Don and I. One year we decided to let our son, Bruce Robert Wood, write the newsletter, and the result was, we thought, very refreshing. Bruce’s honest and humorous newsletter answered many questions fans had probably been wondering about, but were too polite to ask. The following is the "WoodHaven Press" newsletter that Bruce wrote when he was 12 years old and had just begun Junior High. Bruce is now 26 years old and has illustrated one children’s book with another on the way. *********************************************************************** WOODHAVEN PRESS Written by Bruce Robert Wood WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE PAGE? If all you people out there are wondering whatever happened to "the page" who starred in KING BIDGOOD’S IN THE BATHTUB, well, "the page" turned. Although still alive, he is now too old to model for most picture books the way he used to when he was a little runt. Now his cousins are taking over his old job. But "the page" still has his old glory. He still signs books, goes to school, and writes newspapers. Your friend, *THE PAGE* *********************************************************************** WHAT IT’S LIKE TO BE AN AUTHOR’S SON! Well, I’ll tell you, Audrey is the one who cooks, and when she is on deadline, I really get to know the fast food life. Just the other day, my mom opened a can of soup for me and put it in the microwave. Then, about five minutes later, she opens another can and asks me if I want something to eat. Another thing, she is always asking me to read all of these picture books. Some of them are very good, but I guess she doesn’t know I’m not a three year old anymore. But there are some advantages. I get to travel a lot. This Easter I spent nearly 3 weeks in England and Italy. (My parents were visiting their British publisher, Child’s Play, in England. We also went to the Bologna Book Fair in Italy.) *********************************************************************** INTERVIEW WITH THE EDITOR! WHAT IS THE WORST PART OF HAVING PARENTS WHO WRITE AND ILLUSTRATE CHILDREN’S BOOKS? They are always home. WHAT IS BEST ABOUT IT? Well, there is always paint and paper around (but never any pencils) and I like the traveling. ARE YOU OFTEN ASKED IF YOU WANT TO BE AN ARTIST OR A WRITER WHEN YOU GROW UP? Yes, quite often. I usually answer "no," unless I’m in a creative mood. HAVE YOU EVER HELPED WITH ANY OF YOUR PARENTS’ BOOKS? Yes, I helped my mom solve the ending to her book, TUGFORD WANTED TO BE BAD, plus I help my dad with ideas for his paintings. *********************************************************************** BEHIND THE SCENES! Lately I’ve been wondering about my mom and dad’s latest book (which I can’t reveal the title of). It’s a very realistic and adventurous book with lots of excitement. If you liked the coziness of THE NAPPING HOUSE, and the daring adventures of the page in KING BIDGOOD’S IN THE BATHTUB, then you’ll love the book HEC . . . oops, sorry, I almost blew it. Last winter, my mom was usually free, but my dad was working seven days a week. The only time I got to do stuff with him was on Saturdays when he went to my All-Star Soccer games, and every once in a while when he played on my computer. Boy I’ll tell you, it is difficult being an artist’s son. *********************************************************************** AT THE AUTHOR’S HOUSE! AN INTERVIEW! Everyone knows she writes books, but let’s get personal – WHEN DID YOU START LIKING ANIMALS? Ummmm. I’ve had an animal ever since I remember being alive. WHY DID YOU KEEP A TORTOISE UNDER THE BATHTUB? I was hoping she would go into hibernation in the darkness under the tub. Then I would move her to her winter nest. WHAT ABOUT YOUR PARROT OLIVER, THE CANNIBAL? If you are referring to his tendency to bite everyone but me, I’m working on it. *********************************************************************** REVIEWS! GOOD NEWS! Another book, THREE SISTERS, is now out by Dial Press. It’s an extremely funny book with sagas from my mother’s childhood. My mom was very excited when this book got good reviews. She has two other sisters, just like in the story. In the book, THREE SISTERS, Audrey is the character Babs. Look for this book in your local bookstore before it’s sold out. AN OLDIE BUT A GOODIE! MOONFLUTE, now published by HBJ, is one of my favorite books. I found the model for the book. I was her age then, and she was a friend. I think she lives in Idaho now. Originally published by Green Tiger, MOONFLUTE is in a whole new form. I think the book looks a lot better. Audrey took out some of the longer words so little kids can understand it. *********************************************************************** THE END! I hope you enjoyed Bruce’s first newsletter, at age 12, I know we got a kick out of it. If you would like to learn more about Bruce and Audrey’s book, THE CHRISTMAS ADVENTURE OF SPACE ELF SAM, then: Enter The clubhouse at www.audreywood.com and click on the "Meet The Artists" link. Then click on the "Bruce Wood" link. *********************************************************************** AND THE WINNER IS... Congratulations to E.J. Curtis of Louisville, Kentucky! E.J. won a free autographed copy of THE CHRISTMAS ADVENTURE OF SPACE ELF SAM from Audrey and Don Wood! THE DECEMBER CONTEST QUESTION WAS: In the book THE CHRISTMAS ADVENTURE OF SPACE ELF SAM, what did the princess place on the tip-top of the Teeble? ANSWER: The gold star from Space Elf Sam’s belt! Thanks for all of your entries. Enter our January contest and you could win an autographed copy of the book, THE NAPPING HOUSE. *********************************************************************** JANUARY CONTEST!!!!!!!!! DON'T MISS OUT! This month one lucky person will win an autographed copy of THE NAPPING HOUSE. To enter the contest go to the CLUBHOUSE at www.audreywood.com and click on the "Contest" banner. If you answer the question correctly you will be entered into a random drawing. The winner will be drawn at the end of the month. Good Luck! *********************************************************************** NEW SUBSCRIBERS! If you would like to check out past Smart Piggy's Newsletters, go to THE CLUBHOUSE at http://www.audreywood.com and click on the "Parents and Teachers" link or the "Fun Bag" link, then click on "Smart Piggy's Newsletter Past Issues" link. *********************************************************************** Keep your questions and suggestions coming! Warmest Regards, Audrey Wood Info@audreywood.com http://www.audreywood.com *********************************************************************** Third in the Series from THE HORRIBLE HOLIDAYS Copyright 1987 By Audrey Wood "THE UNHAPPY NEW YEAR" It was almost time for the party to begin. "I’m sick," Alf said. "Where?" his mother asked. "My stomach," Alf said. "I think I’m dying." "Maybe it’s just gas," his mother said. Alf flopped on the sofa and acted sicker. His mother put him to bed. Ding, dong, the doorbell rang. "Yoo hoo!" Aunt Ida called. "Happy New Year!" "The gang’s all here!" Uncle Hube called. "Where’s Alf?" Alf smiled. He would not have to join the party. He would not have to be with Mert. Soon more guests arrived. Alf tried to read but the party was too loud. Everyone was laughing and singing. Just then Mert walked in wearing a silly hat. Toweet! She blew a horn at Alf. "Close your eyes," she said. Alf closed his eyes. Mert cracked an egg filled with confetti on Alf’s head. Confetti flew everywhere. "Too bad you are sick, dude," she said. Mert blew her horn again, then ran out. Alf thought about chasing Mert. He wanted to crack a confetti egg on her head. Mert walked back in with a plate of cake and ice cream. "Too bad you can’t have any, dude," she said. Alf acted like he didn’t care. He pretended to read. But he saw Mert eat every bite. "I’ll be back," Mert said. Alf listened to the party. He heard them play musical chairs and pop-the-balloon. He heard them shout "Happy New Year!" Mert walked back in. "The party’s over," she said. This time Mert handed Alf a present. "For me?" he said. Alf opened the present. It was the Spacecraft Radio. "Happy New Year," said Mert. Alf tried to turn the radio on. But it did not work. "Too bad I lost the knob," said Mert. Alf took the Musical Doll from under his pillow. "Merry Christmas, Mert," he said. "Wow, thanks!" said Mert. "I will play it every night before I go to sleep." "Mert!" Uncle Hube called. "Let’s go home!" Alf watched them drive away. Then he reached into his pocket. He took out the gold key. "See you next year, dude," he said with a smile. At last Alf rolled over and fell asleep.