BONUS! Interview with the author/illustrator below!
Author/Illustrator: Edward Hemingway
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2014
Ages: 3-5yrs
Themes: apples, worms, friendship
Opening: The sun was rising. The crickets were chirping. And Mac and Will were getting ready for the perfect day.
Summary: (from the publisher) Mac the apple and Will the worm set out for a perfect day at the watering hole, and although little goes as they plan, friendship, imagination,and a sense of fun make everything turn out fine.
I like this book because: these two charming buds are back with a sequel (Check out my recommendation HERE). I am crazy for the end papers in this one (above), and for the color palette – simply sumptuous! The story promotes all my favorite things: creativity, imagination, story-telling and looking on the bright side of a rainy day. Living in Colorado I actually miss rain (yep!) but this year has been the moistest in the 16yrs I’ve been here. Still, there is nothing like a slate colored sky against green leaves – and apples if you’re lucky!
Resources/activities: read together with Bad Apple: A Tale of Friendship; go apple picking at an orchard nearby (for help finding one, click HERE); have your own Perfect Day Picnic; watch the book trailer below
Edward was kind enough to answer a few questions too:
JRZ: I’m going to skip the proverbial ‘what comes first for you as an author-illustrator’ question (unless you’d really like to answer that!), but would you share a bit of how Bad Apple came to be?
EH: I tend to come up with simple ideas/ titles first, and with Bad Apple it was no different. I was trying to convince my friend Brian Floca to come out to an orchard with me and my friend Sara Varon. I told him, “It could be inspirational. You could write a book about the tractors on the orchard, Sara could write a book about the goats, and I could write a book about a…bad apple.” It just came to me like that, and then I said to myself, hey, that’s not a bad idea. Then I started to think about what a “bad apple” could be. I decided it didn’t have to be bad, just misunderstood, and the story flowed from there.
JRZ: Do you use critique partners for your manuscript drafts, illustrations or initial ideas?
EH: Yes. It’s important to have artists and readers in your life with a critical eye, who aren’t afraid to give you honest, constructive criticism. I also like to put work away and come back to it after a week or so and approach it fresh.
JRZ: As you like to paint in oils, how difficult is it if there is an editorial change?
EH: By the time I am working on painted finishes, there is often little room for editorial change, as my sketched finishes are always very detailed. But I have been known to bring a brush to the offices and touch up pages at the request of and in front of my art director…
JRZ: Would you share one piece of advice you have received on your journey that stands out?
EH: ALWAYS be working on your NEXT project. Thanks Maira Kalman for giving me that advice!
JRZ: Is there something else that you do, a hobby perhaps, that you feel influences your writing or illustrating?
EH: I love reading and going to films, what better way is there to hone one’s own storywriting skills than by appreciating others?
*Read an extensive interview with the author/illustrator on Seven Impossible Things – HERE
AND we’ve got THREE copies of Bad Apple’s Perfect Day(courtesy of G.P. Putnam’s Sons) for a GIVEAWAY! Please comment below with your full name – by 12pmMST on Sept.18th – to enter. I’ll have a random couch potato teen – with earbuds – pick 3 names from a hat (rest assured, full attention will NOT be paid to the picking!) and reveal the winners next Friday, Sept.19th.
Perfect Picture Book Friday is BACK! There are still plenty of selections on a themed and alphabetized list, each with teacher/parent resources, on Susanna Hill’s blog HERE.
Oh my gosh. The Egyptian pyramid spread is cracking me up! Please enter me in the giveaway: Kirsten Larson
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Definitely a great book for builders, Kirsten!
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I love them apples! (and worms :-)) Great trailer! You picked another good one, Julie!
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Lowly Worm (Scarry) has some serious popularity competition, Iza.
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Bad Apple looks like a very good apple to me. I’d like to enter the giveaway, too! Giny McConathy
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Macintosh are my faves for a nice Apfelkuchen recipe, Giny, but don’t tell that to the mc!
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Wonderful! Don’t enter me I’m too far. I’ll pick it up from the library.
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You are too far for me to stop by, but I still have high hopes of meeting someday, and I’ll enter for your kids if you won’t!
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Okay then 😉 Would love to meet up!
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Well! I must enter this giveaway if the winner is to be picked by a couch potato teen! 😀 Maybe I’ll win one in time for our (meager) apple harvest this year. Last year, we had a bumper crop…our trees were crazy loaded, but we went away for 2 months in the fall and missed it all. So sad; I had visions of making enough apple sauce to last us until 2018. This year, the harvest is miniscule, but I still look forward to some pies and general eating.
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And I think the tree branches here are might break under the weight. Time to come to Colorado, Teresa!
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This book is right up my apple, Julie. I mean, I am preparing to make applesauce and apple butter. This book MUST be my destiny. So even if I don’t win it, I shall buy it. It’s a MUST have on the farm. Hmm, couch potato, earbuds and a teen. YUP. I’m in the loop. *wink*
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I read the first one on a honey-crisp sort of day, Robyn. What kind are you growing?
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This book looks adorable! And I love how he paints in oils… amazing!
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You will most certainly enjoy the rich colors, Kim.
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I want to join in the bonanza giveaway just for the random non-concentrating teen selection!!!! Great interview and i love that skyline spread!
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There is one random teen whose hair covers the eyes MORE than enough for assurance!
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Definitely not a bad apple in this bunch! AND the picking’s look great! And that’s probably enough puns for me today. 🙂
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Gotta love mouth-watering selections, Cathy!
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Please drop my name in the hat, I love this, love the trailer. Great interview, and this book looks gorgeous and fun.
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As you understand color so well, I am sure you’ll like this, Wendy!
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I love Eddie Hemingway’s work, and he’s a great person to boot. I’d love to win a copy to share with my daughter or her school!
Melissa Guion
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Thanks for stopping by, Melissa. We all love your penguins, but I hope we get to se your birdcopters in a book too – soon!
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I loved the first one and I can’t wait to read this one! And winning a copy (winner chosen randomly by headphone wearing draw-er) would just be icing on the apple! Great review. Nice interview. Cute trailer!
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Caramel- or candy icing, Penny?
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Either..,I’m all about sugar!
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Another great Julie share. I really enjoyed the story and the trailer. The interview with Edward was really interesting. I enjoyed hearing how stories evolved. Glad there was a sequel. Yes, please enter me.
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Wouldn’t want to upset the cart with a sour one, eh, Patricia?
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I’m so glad there’s a wonderful sequel! (Rushes off to library…)
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Cathy, I bet you one of those people who take the distance to the library into consideration when choosing a home too!
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Oh my goodness I think I’m in love! Bad Apple is simply adorable. I need to get my hands on the first one!
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Isn’t he? Thanks for stopping by for a slice, Sarah!
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Love, love , love to hear author’s talk about how they get their ideas for stories. Thanks for the interview and I am looking forward to reading more about Bad Apple.
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I bet you are a fan of ‘bonus features’ too – like me!
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Yes, count me in. Hope he doesn’t throw back names he recognizes like other teens I know 😉
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The ‘culprit’ was younger then, teen-aging may have mellowed him!
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Okay, I’ll bite! I’m joining this giveaway! Thanks for introducing us to this charming and tasty PB, Julie! 😀
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Glad you stopped in for a taste, Edna!
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Adorable trailer! Can’t wait to get the book this weekend! Please enter me too, Julie! Great interview by the way. ;0)
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Will do, Donna!
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Sounds like a great book – – so, pick me! pick me!!!
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Put your wish to the universe, Christine – there is no telling a teen what to do!
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My favorite part was learning the inspiration for this book. Sometimes it’s the most random, flighty idea that is THE one–as is the case here.
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I may well ALAWYS be the case, Pat!
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Soo adorable! Terrific interview, Julie & Edward!
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I love your illustrations, Julie
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Thanks for the kind words, and for stopping by, Lindsay!
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I like the advice to always be working on “the seeds” of your next project. You can’t put all your “apples” in one basket!
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I suppose that would depend on the amt of apples and the basket. LOL. (Comes from wishing I had planted an apple instead of a crabapple in my yard – despite the beautiful blooms!)
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This is my first time to your site, Julie. I love it! Great review of a fantastic-looking book. Please enter me in the giveaway: Sandy Perlic.
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For sure, Sandy! Glad you stopped by. Would love to have a real visit if you’re ever in the Fort!
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Too adorable! I’ll have to read it to my kids out in our apple orchard.
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Wish I could read in your orchard too!
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Sweet review, interview, and trailer! My son would like Mac to meet Pink Lady, his favorite variety of apple. There might be a PB in there somewhere! 😀
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Love Pink Lady too. Thanks for stopping by, Jilanne.
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Hi Julie, Did the author paint the 3 giveaway sign for you? This entire post is delightful. I insist you draw my name. What a great looking book. I love the illustrations and your review. Very nice.
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Pyramids. Rockets. It looks like that bad apple has a pretty adventurous day.
Linda Hofke
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Imagination is so affordable too!
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No, I whipped that sign up (proving bad grammar skills)! Thanks for stopping by!
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Bad Grammar? Nah, you did a great job.
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I love the title! And would love to win. Please enter my name to the mix.
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Entered! Thanks for stopping by, Freeda!
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Thanks, Julie!
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YAY … love Bad Apple … didn’t know there was a sequel. Sooooooo excited to add this title to my collections … thanks! Awesome that you got to interview the author!
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Thanks for popping in, Barbara!
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GREAT book choice! I already have it and absolutely love it. So glad you shared it!
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Sweet!
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Thanks for introducing me to this wonderful book! I can’t wait to read it, Julie. The fact that the apple’s name is Mac cracks me up. Edward’s advice on “always work on the next project” is great advice!
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‘Tis! Thanks for stopping by, Romelle!
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Sounds like this sequel is as good as the original! And thanks for the wonderful giveaway. 🙂 I was interested to read in the comments that Teresa’s apple harvest was lousy this year, because the NJ one (my mom’s) is too! Inquiring minds want to know why?
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Hmmm, and the apples are bending the branches here – go figure!
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Yay! This book sounds awesome! As you may know, my full name is – Erik Weibel. 🙂
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You forgot THE GREAT in the middle!
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My goodness, you’re popular Julie! Here I am, late to the party, and I had to scroll down for half and hour to find the comment box 🙂 What a wonderful book, and how great to hear from Edward himself about how it came to be. And I like Jilanne’s idea of introducing Mac to Pink Lady 🙂 Thanks for sharing this book which is sure to be as great as its sequel!
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Julie – you have one of the best blogs around! I love your banner heading. 🙂 Thanks for an awesome interview – kudos to Edward on taking an idea and turning it into a great book! I appreciate the advice to always be working on the next story. I’d LOVE to win a copy – I do eat an apple a day (hopefully, not a bad one) – please enter me: Vivian Kirkfield
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That’s quite the compliment from someone who has such agreat and informative blog herself! Thank you!
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Supersqueelicious! I just put this book on hold at my library Thursday, and BAM it shows up on PPBF the next day. Great interview Julie, and thanks for sharing more about the book. Lauri Meyers
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That word should be a poem title, Lauri!
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Can’t be a totally Bad Apple if it’s the subject of a picture book…and shaped like a Dot (sorta kinda!), so SWEET! ~ Joy
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You’ve gotta read the first one to find out for sure!
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Sheepishly raises hands and waves frantically – pick me! pick me. What a fun beginning for the book. Thanks for the interview and the book.
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Oops. I forgot to put my name in the comment. Stacy S. Jensen. Ready for my name to be in the drawing.
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Good luck – for Enzo!
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Oh my! Stacy reads VERY closely! (Good thing I’m still stalking the comments!)
I’m coming back to leave my full name.
Penny Len Parker Klostermann!
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I figured I’m not the only skimmer in our community!
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I loved the book trailer and the adorable illustrations. Sounds like a great book. I enjoyed reading your interview Julie. Would like to enter the comp but might be too far away – Australia! 🙂
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You’re in!
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Awesome! Thanks.
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