Happy Holidays.

Here's a blast from the past with some printables for this holiday:

From 2007

A little gift…

Here’s a little something for the holiday season: a Pigeon bookplate.

Click on the image to enlarge, print, fill in the name of a friend, and voila!

Goes well with all kinds of books. Except maybe Jon Scieszka books. I don’t think they’ll work with Jon Scieszka books.

Happy holidays.

From 2008

Holiday Desk Bunny!

It’s time for me to thank you for your support this year with a little gift. Last year’s Pigeon Book Plate was such a hit, I thought I’d up the ante this year with a printable, cutable, personal Knuffle Bunny Holiday Desk Bunny!



Just click on the image to enlarge, print out, follow the instructions and voila!* You’ve got your own personal desk bunny to keep you company this holiday season.

*After you've cut out your desk bunny, why not try some designs of your own? It's fun!

We'll see you in the new year!

Speaking of closing out the year, the Scripps Howard reviewer liked Hooray for Amanda and Her Alligator this year and the Maryland Gazette liked Cat the Cat.

And thanks to all those Nerds out there who gave 2 Elephant and Piggie books Nerdies!

Thanks!

I'd like to take a moment to thank you, my supporters and readers, who are the bow on my happy package of family, health, and a rewarding job.

The end of the year is a time to reflect on one's good fortune and to find ways, however small, to ease the path for those with less opportunities.

Here are some groups both national and local whose work I admire:

One of the highest indicators of future financial and career success in life is having books in your home during childhood.  The number of Americans who don't have any books is both alarming and depressing.  Consequently most of my favorite groups' goals are to get as many books in as many hands as possible.

First Book supplies literally millions of books to kids around the nation who otherwise would not have them.  Innovations include a marketplace where registered charities and qualifying schools can get books at no-or-low cost.

First Book is also the Knuffle Studio's partner in the Friendiversary celebration that puts special First Book editions of Elephant & Piggie Books into the hands of every title 1 2nd grader in New Orleans, LA, Springfield, MA, and beyond. (More on this and how you can join the celebration next year).

First Book also works with Bess The Book Bus, a scrappy and awesome team that drives around the country distributing books to all sorts of folks.  It is the only bus the Pigeon is allowed to (try) to drive!

The Pigeon tries to get to the steering wheel

Reader to Reader also distributes books, focusing often on Native American communities and libraries damaged by inclement weather. Pal Norton Juster is a huge supporter of this gang of fine folks who roped me into making a logo for them.

Food insecurity is also a depressingly large problem for our country's children.  I'm sure your local food pantry would love any help whether it be donations, financial, or giving some time.  Our local pantry rocks and is filled with warm, fun people.

If you have the wherewithall or inclination, consider supporting one or all of these groups this year.

Thanks.

On a less dire, yet no less worthwhile note, you can easily support the awesome Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art by buying books 'n stuff from them.


Have a wonderful holiday with your family and friends!

DON'T LET THE PIGEON PLAY WITH THE CHEETAH! (Dec. Fan Mail Faves)

Let's end the year off with some fan mail favorites.  A great batch came in this month.  I was especially appreciative of the many kind notes from teachers about what they're doing with (and to) my characters to get kids READING and CREATING.

Without further ado: (Click to enlarge)

My favorite of the batch is this collaborative effort between 2 girls named Sophie entitled: DON'T LET THE PIGEON PLAY WITH THE CHEETAH!

Nice to see Edwina.  You'll be seeing more of her in 2012 in an animated short.

Bees!

Love the "Fake Blood"

Perfect simplicity

Love the word bubble bend in this one. Plus, I've never been so thin.

A: YES.

That is one upset Pigeon!

Flying!

Cliff Notes for the Pigeon Wants a Puppy.

Dance Concert!

Piggie is so awesome in this.

Thinking of their favorite things.

I love that they FIND a time machine.  Whoever misplaced their time machine is going to be really upset.

A nice spring image for the long winter.

An odd disconnect, but I also love 40.

This is the best word bubble EVER.

Any time...

Love this inverted Knuffle Bunny assignment. Take a picture of yourself, then draw the background. Lovely!

Piggie is so happy.

A zoo filled with my characters!

"The clothes make the mole"!

A future surrealist master.  Love this.

Huzzah! Thanks for all the great mail!

If you or your class wants to share some awesomeness, please send it to:

Mo Willems Fan Mail
c/o Laura Schreiber
Hyperion Books for Children and Pigeons
114 5th Ave 14th fl. New York, NY 10011

Please be patient as it takes a while to get the mail forwarded to me.

Teachers, a cover letter with the grade of your students is appreciated. Please send class letters in one envelope rather than individually.

Please note, I cannot accept packages or books to be signed and returned. 



In more great news, PARENTS MAGAZINE named Elephant and Piggie's SHOULD I SHARE MY ICE CREAM? as one of their favorite books of 2011 with this great quote from a 6 year old: "The happy ending completely too me by surprise." Awesome!

Knuffle Bunny's final run...

Tomorrow Knuffle Bunny: a Cautionary Musical will begin its final run at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, where the show opened in May of 2010.  After @ 18 months of travel, the show comes home from Dec. 17 - January 8.

There have now been 3 casts for this show and it's amazing and interesting to see how different the show becomes as each set of actors brings their own sense to the show.

The Washington Post has a nice article about the run and interview with some of the actors here.

I'm looking forward to attending the January 7, 11 am show (there will be a book signing after the show in the theater lobby)

You can get tickets here.

And the original cast soundtrack is available either as an album or in a special edition book.

It was real fun to work on.

Here are some documentary clips about the show and it's conception from the KC.

Here's a piece with interviews from PBS: