Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: Coming January 6, 2009.
It's about a naked mole rat named Wilbur who likes to wear clothes. I saw a sample page in the catalog... it was pure Mo. I'm hoping to get my hands on an advance copy in the near future.Also, two new Elephant and Piggie books are being published soon.
Are You Ready to Play Outside? Coming October 28, 2008.
Watch Me Throw the Ball!: Coming March 17, 2009.
As I've mentioned before on this blog, I'm a big Mo Willems fan. (For a goofy picture of me standing next to Mo, see this post). And I've noticed that I get two kinds of reactions to Mo at the toy/book store where I work. About half the customers are huge fans of Mo, and the other half haven't heard of him.Why are so many people not aware of him? Because he's so new to the children's book scene.
His first book: Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus was published in March, 2003. That was only five years ago. Take a quick look at his complete bibliography, and see what he's published since.
2003
2004
2005
- Leonardo the Terrible Monster
- Time to Say Please!
- The Pigeon Loves Things That Go! board book
- The Pigeon Has Feelings Too! board book
- Edwina the Dinosaur Who Didn't Know She Was Extinct
- Don't Let the Pigeon Stay up Late!
- Knuffle Bunny video (2007 Carnegie Medal Winner)
- You Can Never Find a Rickshaw When it Monsoons (illustrated travel journal for adults)
- Knuffle Bunny Too (2008 Caldecott Honor book)
- Elephant and Piggie: Today I Will Fly!
- Elephant and Piggie: My Friend is Sad!
- Elephant and Piggie: There is a Bird on Your Head! (2008 Geisel Award winner)
- Elephant and Piggie: I Am Invited to a Party!
- The Pigeon Wants a Puppy!
- Elephant and Piggie: I Will Surprise My Friend!
- Elephant and Piggie: I Love My New Toy!
- Elephant and Piggie: Are You Ready to Play Outside?
- Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed
- Elephant and Piggie: Watch Me Throw the Ball!
By the spring of 2009, Mo will have published twenty one books. And, he's won five major awards along the way: 3 Caldecott honors, 1 Gesiel, and 1 Carnegie. Plus, the majority of his books are bestsellers. It takes many writers and illustrators a lifetime to do what he's done in five years. And let's not dismiss the six Emmys he won as an animator for Sesame Street.
Pretty unbelievable, isn't it?
Which of his books do you like? See the poll in the sidebar.
I can't wait to see Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed! I love, love, love Leonardo the Terrible Monster. I think this may be my all time favorite picture book ever!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the heads-up on these! :) Now I have them all situated in my preorders. :)
ReplyDeleteSQUEE!!! Can't wait to see them!
ReplyDeleteHey, have you heard Mo Willems "radio cartoons" on NPR? It's an interesting concept! NPR story
ReplyDelete