July THINK QUICK with author Maria Gianferrari and Penny & Jelly: The School Show + Giveaway!

7/20/2015

Hi Maria! Congrats on the July 7th release of PENNY & JELLY: THE SCHOOL SHOW. I love how this story allows kids to internalize Penny’s persistence as she tries so hard to find a talent. All of the THINK QUICK themes below appear in your book. Let’s see which way you lean. Remember, THINK QUICK!

On Talent:
Stand out or blend in?

STAND OUT! Shine & be yourself!

On Trying Something New:
Give up quick or press on until it is mastered?

PRESS ON! As Dory says, “Keep swimming!” You never know where it will lead!

On Singing:
A second career or holding onto your day job?

A SECOND CAREER—opera, anyone, or back-up singer?

On Dancing:
Lead or follow? Or two left feet?

LEAD & FOLLOW—Be proactive, but know when it’s time to follow. Go with the flow and find the rhythm.

On Dogs:
Can’t live with ‘em or can’t live without ‘em?

CANNOT live without them, especially my dog, Becca. LOVE dogs!

On Problem Solving:
Work alone or consult others?

CONSULT OTHERS! Two heads and four eyes (or more) are better than one!

On Friends:
One best friend or many?

MORE THAN ONE, BUT NOT MANY.

On Instruments:
Kazoo or tuba?

TUBA!!!

On Personality:
Quiet observer or center of attention?

QUIET OBSERVER—I’m a watcher; I like being behind the scenes.

On Books:
Penny & Jelly or Penny & Jelly?

PENNY & JELLY and JELLY & PENNY!

Thanks for thinking quick with us! Enter the Rafflecopter drawing below for your chance to win a copy of Penny & Jelly from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt!

Click HERE for a review of Penny & Jelly: The School Show.
(Review by Carrie Charley Brown)

Thanks to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for sponsoring our giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Maria can't juggle, ride a unicycle or yodel, but she's pretty good at pancake flipping and cookie baking. She's especially good at making cookies disappear. Maria lives in northern Virginia with her best friend/husband, Niko, her artist daughter, Anya, her beloved dog, Becca, and lone rat, Lucia. This is her first book. For more information about Maria, please visit her website: mariagianferrari.com and the new Penny & Jelly website: http://www.pennyandjelly.com/

Maria's dog- Becca

23 Comments

shiela fuller

7/20/2015 11:19:53 pm

Hi Carrie: Thank you for sharing this interview. I connected with Maria as soon as I read she had a rat. Congratulations, Maria, on your debut book!

Maria Gianferrari link

7/21/2015 01:32:19 am

Thanks, Shiela!! You're a rat fan too? I'd love to hear about them! Our Lucia is two now, and loves to snuggle. If you go to my website, you can see pictures of all our rats, Sky, our first beloved rat (a dumbo blue), Nera (a berkshire) and Lucia (an albino).

Thank you for commenting & thanks so much for hosting me here, Carrie! :)

Nancy Tandon link

7/21/2015 01:42:38 am

Congrats on your new release! Looking forward to following Penny's adventures.

Maria Gianferrari link

7/21/2015 01:34:16 pm

Thank you so much, Nancy! Penny's adventures with Jelly continue in Slumber Under the Stars which releases next June :).

Rosie Pova

7/21/2015 02:52:48 am

Congratulations, sounds exciting!

maria gianferrari link

7/21/2015 01:35:01 pm

Many thanks, Rosie! I recognize your name from Tara's blog post :).

Kristi Veitenheimer link

7/21/2015 03:05:39 am

Congratulations! I can't wait to read the book.

Maria Gianferrari link

7/21/2015 01:35:41 pm

Thanks, Kristi!

Kirsti Call

7/21/2015 03:23:22 am

I can't wait to read PENNY and JELLY!

maria gianferrari link

7/21/2015 01:36:54 pm

Thanks very much, Kirsti!

You and Carrie really do look like sisters, but I guess you're literary sisters ;).

Angela Dahle link

7/21/2015 05:21:37 am

This looks like a fun read! I really love friendship mentor texts too.

maria gianferrari link

7/21/2015 01:37:29 pm

Thanks for your comment, Angela :).

Cassie Bentley

7/21/2015 06:03:56 am

Congratulations on your new book. Persistence pays. I cannot wait to read your next one.

maria gianferrari link

7/21/2015 01:38:11 pm

Perseverance is key! Thanks so much, Cassie!

Sue Heavenrich link

7/21/2015 08:40:05 am

great "quick thinking" post - would love to read this book!

maria gianferrari link

7/21/2015 01:38:48 pm

Thanks so much, Sue--nice to hear from you! I hope your writing is going well!

maria gianferrari link

7/21/2015 01:39:56 pm

Thanks again, Carrie & good luck everyone!!

Vivian Kirkfield link

7/21/2015 03:34:01 pm

Love the title! And love the call to action for kids! Congrats on the new book - what a positive empowering addition to bookshelves. ;)

maria gianferrari link

7/22/2015 03:55:39 am

Thanks for your kind words, Vivian!

Myrna Foster link

7/21/2015 04:37:05 pm

Thanks for the reminder that I wanted to pick this one up!

maria gianferrari link

7/22/2015 03:56:25 am

Thanks, Myrna! If you want a signed bookplate, just let me know :).

Penny Parker Klostermann link

7/21/2015 11:02:17 pm

I love your book, Maria! Congrats on such an amazing debut!

Don't enter me in the giveaway as I already have a copy :-) I just wanted to join in the party!!

maria gianferrari link

7/22/2015 03:57:15 am

<3 to you, Penny! So looking forward to your debut launch on Emu's Debuts too!! :)

Carrie Charley Brown

As a children’s writer, and a teacher, my goal is to help you carry on. Sometimes learning is challenging, so why go it alone? Your journey will be more meaningful and comfortable with friends to share it with. Together, we'll get up close and personal with authors, illustrators, and the best of picture books. If we work together, great things will follow!