Book Hour - The Spiderwick Chronicles

Today on the show, Mindy interviewed Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi, the co-creators of The Spiderwick Chronicles. They talked about how they work as a team to create the books, coming up with the story together and going back and forth as they split off the write the story and draw the illustrations. They discussed the movie and their inspirations for the Spiderwick books.

On today's show, Holly and Tony discussed their latest book The Wyrm King by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi.

Peter Glassman from Books of Wonder

Peter Glassman from Books of Wonder was on the show today talking about all these great books!

My Father's Dragon by Ruth Gannett
The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet by Eleanor Cameron
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg (Newbery Winner)
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi (Newbery Honor Book)
The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis (Newbery Honor Book)
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle (Newbery Winner)
Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry & Ridley Pearson
Missing May by Cynthia Rylant (Newbery Winner)
The Book of Three (The Chronicles of Prydain Book 1) by Lloyd Alexander

Book Hour - Lunch Lady

On today's show, Mindy interviewed Jarrett J. Krosoczka, author of many books, including Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute.

Camille and I both loved the idea that the lunch lady has super cool spy tools, like a spork that is really a phone and a spatula that is a helicopter. I know we'll be keeping our eye out for the books.

Even more, our pals Recess Monkey has written a Lunch Lady Theme song that is available on the website www.lunchladycomics.com/.

Books of Wonder - Peter Glassman

On yesterday's show, Mindy interviewed Peter Glassman, the owner of Books of Wonder, "New York City's oldest and largest independent children's bookstore, as well as the city's leading specialist in children's literature both new and old."

They talked about a number of great series for kids to read. One series that he mentioned is the Oz Series books. Camille has read all 14 books in the original series, however, what was very interesting was to learn more about the history of the books, like that one came out every year right before Christmas, and giving these books turned into a Christmas tradition.

Another favorite of Peter's was Half-Magic by Edward Eager. Camille and I have enjoyed many of the books in this series as well. Even though the books were written in the 1950's, they are timeless in some sense.

Another series he talked about was Sluggers, which Chloe thinks sounds pretty awesome.

Camille and Chloe can't wait to get to NYC and visit Peter Glassman's Books of Wonder store!

Interview - Sally Ride

While we only caught part of the interview (we were up in the mountains where we had "shadows") with Sally Ride, my girls were left with a very lasting impression. I think that Mindy and Sally talking together is one of the absolute, very best things that we have ever heard on Kids Place Live, no kidding. While we love the music and book interviews, and even more the interviews with people with cool jobs (like that LEGO design guy), this one topped them all. Sally has been into outer space. And she shared it with the kids. The awesome, so called "immature" fun of being in space -- like juice balls in space.... along with her mom's fear of Sally's mission. I am always so happy to hear when adults with extremely interesting, high-pressure jobs can still find the fun and relate that fun to the kids.

So thank you Sally Ride and Mindy, for one of the most awesome KPL interviews ever.

Book Hour - Jennifer Ward

On Mindy's show today, she was joined by Jennifer Ward author of I Love Dirt!: 52 Activities to Help You and Your Kids Discover the Wonders of Nature.

The activities sound pretty interesting, although basic. My kids (who are likely older than the target) love to get outside and do their own thing and really don't like for me to direct them, so I'm not sure it would work for us. The advice given on the show is mostly "natural" to us already. But I will likely put it on my library list to peruse further before deciding on whether it would be useful to us.

Mindy made a great point : Kids can help us slow down and we need to be sure to slow down for them instead of asking them to speed up for us.

Again, so natural for us: Don't inhibit the play. Who cares if the clothes get dirty? My kids are almost never sick, and I have never been germ-wary. They have built up some great immunity, I believe.

Visit Authors for Earth Day
and Jennifer Ward's site.

Her newest book is for pre-teens Let's Go Outside.

Book Hour - JDRFI Doggie Treat Cook Book

Today Mindy interviewed j. Bernard Ralph, author of The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International Doggie Treat Cook Book.

He described many of the doggie treats in the book and talked about how he will write many more ....

Mindy and Zooglobble

Mindy "sneak attacked" Stefan Shepard from Zooglobble.com. Stefan is the "wizard" of kindie rock; keeping his ear to the ground, keeping everyone up-to-date on the latest news in kids' music.

Stefan talked about his recent "KidVid Tournament 2009" and how Secret Agent 23 Skidoo won against The Jimmies by, get this, 23 votes! Stefan and Mindy tried to Sneak Attack Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, but got the machine and left a rambling message (what else).

Stefan mentioned the new Ziggy Marley CD as well as the Renee and Jeremy CD coming soon -- we hope that KPL picks up a track from it.

Stefan mentioned that he loves the unpredictability of the Absolutely Mindy show, as do we.......

Book Hour - Horrid Henry

As we were flying today, we missed the interview, but Mindy was supposed to interview Francesca Simon author of the Horrid Henry books. The latest, Horrid Henry's Stinkbomb, is due to be released tomorrow.

Artist Appearance - Captain Bogg & Salty

Today, Mindy's show was invaded by pirates! Captain Bogg and Salty showed up and tried to claim Mindy's dresser drawer for themselves. In the end, everyone got along, singing and playing and joking! Great fun for all!

If you don't have it yet, their newest CD is called Emphatical Piratical. Check it out!

That's Right

Today Mindy interview Alan katz, author of Going, Going, Gone!: And Other Silly Dilly Sports Songs.

The book is full of parodies on familiar songs, telling new stories based on songs that we know.

Just before the interview, Dr. Wrongo (alan Katz) played a couple of rounds of "That's Right, That's Wrong" with some of Mindy's imaginary friends.

Tree House Guests - Trout Fishing in America

Tonight, Keith and Ezra from Trout Fishing in America climbed up into the Real Tall Tree to join Robbie on the show. Next week, they will be taking over Mindy's show on Thursday (3/19) and they've also recorded a Tree House Jam that will air in April (3-5). Wow!

Chloe was the first to call, but due to a technical difficulty (we'll blame that on Mindy, okay?), she was not able to hear what Keith and Ezra were saying to her. I had shown her a photo of Ezra's treehouse (here in the New York Times or on the Trout website), and she wanted to know more about it.

Another caller talked about the time that she drove (argh, can't remember which) one of them in a golf cart to where he needed to be and she requested one of my favorite songs (Back When I Could Fly).

Keith and Ezra also talked about their new book My Name is Chicken Joe, which is coming out in April.

Book Hour - Amy Krouse Rosenthal

On today's show, Mindy interviewed Amy Krouse Rosenthal author of Little Pea and Little Hoot. Her new book is called Duck! Rabbit! in is based around an optical illusion that the illustrator Tom Lichtenheld. Amy has another new book coming out soon called Little Oink, in her "Little" series.

Games will be available soon on Chronicle Books.

I Want To Be Like You

Mindy is running a new segment where her imaginary friends interview grownups that have jobs that they think they'd like to have.

Contact Mindy if your child has an idea of what kind of job you would like and want to interview someone who has that job.

LegoLuke wants to be a Lego Master Builder on day and Mindy has found the Lego Master Builder in charge of the Star Wars Lego Sets for him to interview, this Thursday.

Book Hour - Selina Alko

On today's show, mindy interviewed Selina Alko, author of I'm Your Peanut Butter Big Brother.

[Ed Note: At this point my sad, overworked computer decided it was time for us to take a coffee break, and I missed the entire interview.]

For more information, visit Selina Alko's website.

Barbie's Birthday Party

As I have never owned a Barbie and never really liked her all that much, I didn't pay much attention to the show yesterday, sorry Mindy. I do know that Mindy talked to some folks at Mattel, but I just could not get excited about a life-sized Barbie Dream House.

But it sounded like the show was great fun for those that love Barbie. I loved the one caller whose sister built her a dream house out of cardboard boxes and other boxes and cans. THAT sounded pretty cool...

Did Mindy play "Barbie's Head is Missing" from Bill Harley? Or what's that other one? "Ken Lost His Head" from the Candy band?

Game Time - Lynn Brunelle

Today Mindy interviewed Lynn Brunelle, creator of the World Almanac for Kids Puzzler Decks.
They are fun and amusing, and you even learn lots of new things while you play them. There are 20 puzzler decks now, for many age groups and contents. There are science, math, reading, vocabulary, geography, and lots of other topics.

Mindy and Lynn did some quizzers with listeners; lots of fun!

Learn more at Chronicle Books.

Book Hour - Neil DeGrassi Tyson

Danny joined Mindy in interviewing Neil deGrasse Tyson, author of The Pluto Files. They started out talking about Danny's superhero Scrap Metal. Neil asked about Scrap Metal's planet, and told Danny about some of the planets that have been discovered recently.

The celebrates how people reacted to the "demotion" of Pluto. Neil talked about gravity, the spinning of the earth and so much more. Quite an interesting interview!

Book Hour - Jeff Foxworthy

Mindy played a couple Lunch Money tunes as we drove through Columbia, SC, then, as we drove through rural Georgia, she interviewed Jeff Foxworthy about his new book. While I enjoyed the interview, I didn't take any notes as we drove down the highway.

Jeff read some excerpts from his book Silly Street by Jeff Foxworthy. She talked to him about how he came up with the ideas for the book and about how he got into comedy.

IT was a fun interview that kept us entertained as we watched the miles roll past!

Book Hour - Jenny Ryan

On today's show, Mindy's guest was Jenny Ryan author of Sew Darn Cute: 30 Sweet & Simple Projects to Sew & Embellish. Mindy said that the projects look really fun and the photos are amazing. The projects tend to focus on recycled materials, including old clothes. One idea is to make a soft snake or draft stopper out of layers of old sweaters. Others include using colorful patches on sweaters and making button embellishments. Fun projects also include dainty doll quilts.

For many of the projects, it does help to know how to sew with a sewing machine, but some you can do by hand sewing.

Kids can be involved in various ways such as picking out the fabrics for the embellishments. Another place where kids can help is by drawing the patterns to be used on cafe curtains. Or they can iron on a "monogram" on a baby shirt and then stitch it on with embroidery stitches.

Hand sewing is a good place for kids to start to sew. Making pet toys can also be a great way to introduce kids to projects involving fabric.

Jenny stated that every house should have a button jar. I strongly agree. I love our button jar.

I am so sad that I missed part of the interview and Camille missed most of it. I know she would have loved it. She could probably do a lot of the projects on her own, so I'm sending her over to Jenny's website at sewdarncute.com.