I want to thank Margie Myers-Culver for her thoughtful, detailed review of My Dog, Bob, posted on her terrific Librarian's Quest blog. It is so very gratifying to have such things said about one of my books. You can find her review by clicking here.
We Choose Respect Podcast
I recently got the opportunity to speak with Jed Doherty for his WE CHOOSE RESPECT podcast. Jed is a really amazing person who has traveled the country helping students (and parents) to develop positive attitudes and respect for themselves and those around them. While we talked about ALLY-SAURUS and my other books, we also spoke on broader topics like creativity and kids. I think you will enjoy listening to it as well as Jed's other podcasts.
To listen, click here
Yesterday Barnes & Noble started their special promotion of ALLY-SAURUS and the First Day of School...
....I'm honored just to be on the same table as WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE.
I Always Knew Drawing Was Good For You...
A wonderful article in The Atlantic touting the benefits of drawing, sketching, and doodling. From helping to commit mundane subjects to memory to stimulating creativity, The most important point-you DON'T need to know how to draw to get the benefits. I highly recommend reading the article....to do so click here.
Booklist Says "Ally-Saurus is an ebullient heroine-Her enthusiasm is infectious"!
Who knew?
Just discovered that my book BECAUSE (HarperCollins) was awarded a spot on The Children's Book Council/International Literacy Association's prestigious CHILDREN"S CHOICES READING LIST .....back in 2012!!!!!!!!!
Which begs the question, If you win an award but don't know about it, does it still count?
Best Review Yet For ALLY-SAURUS AND THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
Ally-Saurus & the First Day of School by Richard Torrey is a carefully crafted story about an imaginative young lady who leaves home to attend school for the first time. Her mother assures her that she will make friends once she gets there, buoyed by this, Ally heads off to school. She loves dinosaurs and imagines herself as one not only at home but at her new classroom as well. She greets her teacher as a dinosaur would and eats her lunch as a dino would.... Click here to read the entire review.
A KIRKUS STARRED REVIEW FOR MY DOG, BOB!
From Kirkus: "Bob is an unassuming sort, just a midsize, white dog with floppy ears and a big nose. His talents, however, are undeniable, as he can cook breakfast, drive the family to work and school, play golf, and help an archaeologist excavate a dinosaur bone...." Click here to read the rest of the review.
TOO COOL TO BRAG. TORREY’S MY DOG, BOB, INTRODUCES KIDS TO A DIFFERENT WAY TO BE GREAT
Quiet dignity is vastly underrated, but it’s a quality shared by those who are truly fortunate to have learned one of the best kept secrets of self-esteem -- that true success isn’t bragging about what you do, but being content to be proud of what you do well. Bob, the uniquely talented four-legged protagonist of Richard Torrey’s new book, My Dog, Bob, doesn’t show off – even though he does know how to cook a gourmet meal and drive a car – he just happily goes along enjoying himself and giving pleasure to those around him.... For the rest of the review, click here
Two New Books!
In the mail today I received an advanced copy of my next book, MY DOG, BOB (Holiday House) as well as the F & G's (fold and gather) of a book that will be coming out in February. It's called THE ALMOST TERRIBLE PLAYDATE (RandomHouse/Doubleday). An F & G (which sounds naughty when you say it out loud-try it) is just an unbound version a book. In other words, it's the cover, endpapers, and interior pages with nothing holding it together. I'll have more news about both books soon!
First, here is the advanced copy of MY DOG, BOB
And here is the front and back cover of THE ALMOST TERRIBLE PLAYDATE
From the Suffolk School Library Media Association Newsletter:
A Thoughtful Review of Ally-Saurus and the First Day of School
I really appreciate Michael Jung's warm and positive review of Ally-Saurus in Suite.IO. Click here to read it.
Read about my next book, MY DOG, BOB in School Library Journal
A Beautiful Day on Long Island's North Fork!
Delivered books to my friends at Cutchogue East Elementary school. Thank you Mary Charters, their awesome librarian, and special thanks to Mrs. Dickerson and her class for the amazing drawings they sent, and for allowing me to disrupt their classroom this morning!
Throwback Thursday
My dad and I just back from Vancouver where the Islanders swept the Vancouver Canucks winning their third straight Stanley Cup Hard to believe it's been 33 years!