Wednesday, December 21, 2016

I LOVE YOU FOR MILES AND MILES Cover Reveal


Hello fellow PB readers and writers. I am excited to announce that Alison Goldberg has just revealed the cover for her debut picture book, I LOVE YOU FOR MILES AND MILES. Check it out, along with her fabulous interview!

https://hayleybarrettwrites.wordpress.com/2016/12/21/alison-goldbergs-big-moment/

Thursday, December 1, 2016

Manatee Academy


I want to give an extra special shout out to MANATEE ACADEMY and the amazing Debbie Remington! Thank you for letting me visit with your students. I had a blast presenting about writing, reading and of course, monkeys!
(Not pictured is my phone, which was blowing up with texts because my four year old daughter had jammed a bead up her nose at school and they could not get it out.**)

#mindyourmonsters
#authorvisit
#hypnosisharry

**If you ever are having a big presentation and your daughter jams beads up her nose and you get lots of texts about it and you can't freak out publicly and then you have to think on your feet and find a fast solution on the way to her school, try the Nose Frida, available at most Targets.

Friday, November 18, 2016

2016 Best Book Awards



I am super excited to announce that both MIND YOUR MONSTERS and HYPNOSIS HARRY were honored in the "Children's Picture Book: Hardcover Fiction" category of the 2016 Best Book Awards.

That's right. Both books. Two. Not one. Two. This is SO a donuts-all-day kind of celebration. 

Thank you to the Best Book Awards judges, and congratulations to my fellow winners!


For more information, please visit: 

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

St. Paul's School

If you are ever want to have your mind blown, go back to your alma matter as a grown up for a book fair and author visit. It was a such an awesome, amazing, occasionally teary-eyed, experience. 



Ya'll this is the third grade teacher who worked at St. Paul's when I went there! And he remembered me! and he laughed at all my jokes during my presentations! He is now my favorite person EVER.

 

See that pile-up of super cool kids? I'm in there somewhere signing bookmarks.




Barnes and Noble partnered with St. Paul's for this book fair and - man!- was it groovy. Thank you so SO much for having me join in all the hippie dippy fun. 

#hypnosisharry
#mindyourmonsters
#bookfair
#barnesandnoble

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Friday, October 28, 2016

Windmill Point Elementary





Thank you for inviting me to visit your school Windmill Point Elementary! I had a total blast presenting Brewing Up A Book, and Books Are Monster Fun, to your students. You guys are awesome to work with and I hope the kids (all 585 of them - wowza!) enjoyed it as much as I did.:) I can't wait to come back next year.

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

My job is amazing


Besides actually writing, what do children's authors do all day? Well, planning how to build a five foot tall, plywood lobster is part of it...

#LucyLovesSherman #coming2017 #lobsterlover

Friday, October 21, 2016

And now, coming to the stage...



Ya'll... I can't even... I have so many AHHHHMAZING events coming up, from school visits to charity events. So please forgve my blog-silence. I've been neck deep in work, crafting power points (with lots of cat and dog pictures from the internet, obviously) and readying crafts. Basically it's presentation-prep-madness over here. For example, I now I have enough bookmarks to wallpaper a small house.

Thursday, August 25, 2016

Literally FABULOUS!


I want to give a massive shout out to Lynne Marie, host of the amazing kidlit website www.literallylynnemarie.com. I guest posted on the site today about book launch parties. Thank you for having me Lynne !

You can view the post here: http://literallylynnemarie.blogspot.com/2016/08/its-party-time-launch-party-time-that.html

#booklaunchparty
#launchparty
#lynnemarie

Sunday, August 21, 2016

Trains Don't Sleep


Soexcited, soexcited, soexcited... Choo! Choo!

This sweet bedtime book is now available for pre-order at 

It's perfect for little train lovers, and a great study in how to write in rhyme. 

Friday, August 19, 2016

Big Fun Friday




New book alert! New Book alert!

LITTLE ELLIOT, BIG FUN by Mike Curato. It’s adorable. No, wait, it’s awwww-dorable. And funny. And charming. It tells the story of Little Elliot - a polka dotted elephant - and his best friend Mouse, and their day at the boardwalk. Ice cream, games, shows – sounds great right? Nope. Not if you are Little Elliot who sees the rides as too wet, too dizzy, and too fast. So what’s a mouse to do when his buddy has the jitters? Well you’ll have to read the book to find out of course. No spoilers here. 


There is so much to love about BIG FUN. The hilarious, not-at-all-fun Fun House. The heartwarming way that Mouse puts his little paw on Elliott’s knee. The plot that totally brings me back to my first ever amusement park where I was chased a giant swan… (Not any swan, by the way, but, like, a mutant GIANT swan. Possibly with fangs. I was four. It was terrifying. But I digress…)

Add gorgeous artwork that feels vintage and timeless, and this book is a total winner.  There’s even a spread that folds out, creating this amazing panorama over four pages – my kids especially liked that bit.



Whether you buy the book because you are a writer and need a good example of a great picture book, or because you’re a parent who needs to pick something awesome (and re-readable) for bedtime, check out LITTLE ELLIOT, BIG FUN.

And - also - beware of swans.

LITTLE ELLIOT, BIG FUN by Mike Curato, (Henry Holt, 2016)

#bigfun #littleelliot # littleelliotbigfun #PBreview

Sunday, August 7, 2016

"It's about that time...


... to bring forth the rhythm and the rhyme."
- Marky Mark & The Funky Bunch

Only one week left until school starts! Not that I am counting the days (I am actually counting the minutes),  but I am eager to get back to my quiet, peaceful office hours. I adore my little girls, but I have a stack of manuscripts that need mama's love too. 

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Blake Library






Thank you to all the kids, moms, dads, and teachers who joined me yesterday at Blake Library for our special story hour!

Saturday, June 25, 2016

Picture Book Pairings



In light of Barnes and Noble’s recent decision to serve alcohol in its stores, I created a list of wine and picture book pairings. And by “wine” I mean any alcohol really, because I don’t know that much about wine. After all, parents usually read to their kids at bedtime, so what’s wrong with a little nightcap to take the edge off?

(1) Good Night Moon & Merlot – Because honestly half way through either one, I feel drowsy.

(2) Any OLIVIA book & a handle of Vodka – These books are long so … you know… better come prepared.

(3) I Am a Bunny & Port – The cozy warmth of the dessert wine brings out the cuddliness of the main character. Warning: Both of these things will make you want a bunny, like at a Lennie-pet-the-rabbits kind of level.

(4) Where the Wild Things Are & four shots of Patron – Also known as “Things Mommy and Daddy Did Before The Baby,” this bold match up provides a wonderfully weird and wild experience that you won’t remember

(5) Go the F**k to Sleep & a crisp Pinot Gris – I love both of these things, so this one’s a no brainer.

(6) A Ball for Daisy & a Martini – Hey, it’s 8’o’clock at night after you worked all friggin’ day and your four year old, after loosing her blanket for an hour, and refusing to brush her teeth because the toothpaste all of sudden tastes “funny,” now demands that you make up a brand new, hilarious and – of course - loooong story to accompany the images from this wordless picture book. Oh and there HAS to be a princess in it. Yea. You’re gonna need a stiff drink.

(7) The Watermelon Seed & Chardonnay – This simple summer-y coupling will leave you smiling, even if you have to read the book over and over (which you would even sober because it’s an AWESOME book).

(8) All the Elephant and Piggie Books & a six pack of Corona – Mo Willems recently ended this series so by the end of the last book, and the last beer, you’ll be teary eyed with the memories of the “good times.” Don’t forget the limes.

(9) Hypnosis Harry & Diet Coke – Honestly this one’s a shameless plug because I wrote Hypnosis Harry, and I pretty much live off of Diet Coke. Toss in a donut and we’re basically the same person.

(10) Any Book & Champagne – Why champagne? Because you read to your kids, which officially makes them better little humans. And that‘s worth a glass of bubbly. So celebrate, books open and bottoms up!





#picturebookpairings #drinkingwhilereadingtochildren #nightnightnightcap #picturebooks #boozeandbooks #barnesandnoble #mindyourmonsters #hypnosisharry #iamabunny #elephantandpiggie #thewatermelonseed #gothef**tosleep #aballfordaisy #olivia #goodnightmoon #wherethewildthingsare #picturebookpairing #pbpairing #dietcoke #pbpairings

Friday, June 24, 2016

Awesome, AWESOME writing tips



A great article by a fabulous artist (Fred Koehler) about leaving room for the illustrations in picture books - and it includes suggestions for a specific writing exercise. Check it out!

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

NEW STORE - Midtown Reader


A new indie bookstore is opening in 
Tallahassee, Florida so - you know - YIPPEEE!!

For more information, please visit: 

#iloveindiebookstores
#sallybradshaw
#midtownreader
#bookstore
#readlocal

Saturday, June 18, 2016

Orlando Book Fair



Thank you Sarah Fisk and all the organizers at today's ‪#‎orlandobookfestival‬
What a fabulous event! 
(And looky! Some of the attendees were actually shorter than me - lol!)

Sunday, May 29, 2016

Spotted in New York!


I had to share this picture which my fabulous editor posted on Facebook. There's our HYPNOSIS HARRY in Rochester, NY, (thank you Nicole & Sarita!), hanging out next to MIRA FORECASTS THE FUTURE, a wonderful book by my friend Kell.

#hypnosisharry
#barnesandnoble

Thursday, May 26, 2016

Highlight's High Five Magazine


My little action rhyme made it into the June issue 
of Highlights' High Five magazine. Wheee!

Friday, May 13, 2016

Spotted in Virginia!


Thank you to Miss Fabulous Jessica for sending me a picture of 
MIND YOUR MONSTERS in Richmond. 
What a thrill to see my little book traveling the states! :) 

#mindyourmonsters
#sterlingpublishing

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

A Bookish Nook


Wonder why I'm grinning and giggling and over-the-moon happy? Because Hypnosis Harry just received an AH-mazingly nice review on A Bookish Nook (take a look at the link below). *sigh* Today is just so awesome. Thank you very much Jen!!


#hypnosisharry
#abookishnook



Monday, May 9, 2016

Frances K Sweet Elementary



Thank you Frances K Sweet Elementary for letting me help honor your book award students
(and talk about "bumfuzzle"). Congratulations to all the winners!

Saturday, May 7, 2016

Mini-Book Tour Stop #3


Thank you for hosting me Inkwood Books! I'm looking forward to next time 
‪#‎hypnosisharry‬
#booktour
#mindyourmonsters

Friday, May 6, 2016

Mini-Book Tour Stop #2


Is there anything as fun as seeing familiar faces at your home town book launch? 
Nope. There is not! Thank you to everyone who turned out 
to support me and my books at the Clearwater Barnes and Noble!

#hypnosisharry
#mindyourmonsters
#booktour
#barnesandnoble

Thursday, May 5, 2016

Mini-Book Tour Stop #1


Thank you so much for having me spend the day with you Safety Harbor Montessori! I loved meeting your students - from the youngest little readers to your oldest story tellers :)

#hypnosisharry
#booktour
#mindyourmonsters
#schoolvisit

Friday, April 29, 2016

Store AND School Visit :D!!



Thank you, thank you Vero Beach Book Store for having me visit again. And an extra special thank you to the students of Suncoast Elementary for coming ahead of time for your field trip 

I can't wait to read all your letters!

#hypnosisharry
#mindyourmonsters
#verobeachbookstore

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

I am SOOOO Lucky


Just look at these amazing figures by the uber-talented 
Sarita Rich - the illustrator for HYPNSOIS HARRY. 
I mean, c'MON!
I still can't believe I got to work with her :D!

#hypnosisharry
#picturebookart

Friday, April 15, 2016

Spotted in Thomasville!


Thank you for sharing this HYPNOSIS HARRY sighting Carla!

#hypnosisharry
#instoresnow