8.7.2015: Readings and Festivals and Giveaways, Oh My!

Attention, friends in Downeast Maine, greater Atlanta, and New York City (and also, friends on the internet): 

Anna, Banana, and I are gearing up for some fun events in the next two months, and we'd love to see you there! We're also booking a few free Skype visits with classrooms and libraries for the fall. For more information on both those things, please see below.

But first: Anna, Banana, and the Big-Mouth Bet comes out on September 8th, and I'm giving away five beautiful hardcovers. Please click here to enter the Goodreads giveaway. The book is also available for pre-order: You can find it on Indiebound, B&N, BAM, iTunes, Target, or Amazon, or ask for it at your local bookstore or library. Thanks for your support.

Doubly exciting: Books one and two recently went into their second printings! Thank you to all the friends and readers who helped make that happen.

Upcoming events:

August 15th: Stonington Public Library

Join me at the Stonington Public Library in Stonington, Maine (my hometown!) on Saturday, August 15th at 1pm, for an hour of reading, storytelling, activities, and fun. Perfect for kid lit fans of all ages, especially children ages 5-10. The event is free; books will be available for sale (and for signing).

September 5th: AJC Decatur Book Festival

Join authors Terra Elan McVoy (Drive Me Crazy), Abby Hanlon (Dory Fantastmagory), and me for the Best Friends Forever panel at the AJC Decatur Book Festival in Decatur, Georgia on Saturday, September 5th. We'll be speaking on the Children's Stage from 3:15 to 3:45pm and signing books afterward.

September 19th: Brooklyn Book Festival Children's Day

I'm honored to be moderating a panel of three fabulous authors at the Brooklyn Book Festival on Saturday, September 19th, at 11am, at MetroTech Commons in downtown Brooklyn. Here's the official panel description:

WHAT A CHARACTER!: Lovable, laughable, and unforgettable, favorite chapter book characters always have the most engaging personalities--and the most memorable names. Authors Abby Hanlon (Dory Fantasmagory), Lenore Look (Alvin Ho and Ruby Lu), and Jon Scieszka (Frank Einstein) come together to discuss their inspiration behind creating--and naming--their beloved characters. Moderated by Anica Rissi (Anna, Banana).

If you've got a question for the authors on the panel, let me know and I might ask it!

Skype visits:

I'm offering a select number of free Skype visits with elementary school classrooms and libraries this fall. If you're interested in having me Skype with your school, please send me an email at anicamroserissi at gmail dot com. These 30-minute interactive Skype presentations are best for students in 2nd or 3rd grade.

(I do in-person school visits too! Those can be slightly trickier to schedule, but if you'd like me to come to your school this year, I'd be delighted to try to make it work.)

7.7.2015: The Monkey in the Middle is Here!

Oh boy oh boy oh boy oh boy

Book two in the Anna, Banana series is out today and I might be a wee bit excited:

Anna, Banana, and the Monkey in the Middle is set at the zoo, and all the friendship dynamics and animal antics were so much fun to write.

For more information, including flap copy and reviews, click here. If you'd like to order the book, please follow these links to Indiebound, B&N, BAM, iTunes, Target, or Amazon, or ask for it at your local bookstore or library. (Thank you!) You can also find (and review!) the book on Goodreads.

Here's a taste from Chapter Nine: More Than Meets the Eye.

"Let's check out the displays," Sadie said, pulling me away from the elephants.

But at the same time, Isabel said, "Ooh, look!" and tugged me in the opposite direction.

"Ack!" I cried. "Wait!"

Sadie and Isabel froze, each holding one of my stretched-out arms. I felt ridiculous.

"You're going to rip me apart!" I said.

"Hey, good idea," Sadie joked. "Pull harder, Isabel. Then we each get half!"

Sadie and Isabel yanked on my limbs, pretending they wanted to split me in two. I knew they were just goofing around. It was funny.

But part of me worried it was also a little bit true.

Thank you to all the readers, librarians, booksellers, educators, parents, bloggers, and friends who have been so wonderfully supportive of Anna, Banana, and me so far. And hugs and high fives to editrix Kristin Ostby, illustrator Meg Park, art director Laurent Linn, and my agent, Meredith Kaffel Simonoff. 

Happy reading!

6.25.2015: Puppy Parade Cover Reveal

Introducing...Anna, Banana, and the Puppy Parade!

I'm tail-waggingly excited to share the cover of Anna, Banana, and the Puppy Parade. This fourth book in the series is the most puppy-ful Anna, Banana book yet—I can't wait for you to see all the a-dog-able illustrations inside. But first, here's the cover:

Here's the flap copy:

Anna can’t wait for the Puppy Parade. She’s certain Banana will win. Soon Banana will be famous—and that means Anna will be famous too!

But when Sadie and Isabel suggest they all enter the parade together, Anna starts feeling a little unsure about sharing her dog—and the spotlight—with her friends.

How can Anna be Best in Show and be a good best friend?

The book comes out on January 19, 2016, but it's available for pre-order now. Here are the links: B&N | Amazon | BAM | iTunes | Indiebound 

To add the book on Goodreads, click here.

Thanks for your support! And big thanks to illustrator Meg Park, art director Laurent Linn, and editrix Kristin Ostby for making all this cuteness happen.

6.21.2015: Birds of a Feather

"When people ask me what my father is like, I tell them about the geese."

In honor of Father's Day, I'm reposting an essay I published in the NYTimes last fall about geese, family, and love (and my dad's sense of humor). Here it is.

6.8.2015: Monkey in the Middle Giveaway

Book 2 is almost here!

In less than a month, Anna, Banana, and the Monkey in the Middle goes on sale. Most of the book takes place during a class trip to the zoo, so it's chock full of cute animal illustrations (and, I admit, more than one elephant-poop joke). Now through July 7, you may enter the Goodreads giveaway to win one of five signed hardcovers. But why leave it to chance? Monkey in the Middle is also available for pre-order in both hardcover and ebook, and copies should start shipping soon. Here's where to find it: Indiebound | B&N | BAM | iTunes | Amazon. 

I had so much fun writing this book. I can't wait for you to read it!

5.29.2015: A Dog of One's Own

"Good Enough for Now was proving to be good—so why did I sometimes want out?"

I wrote an essay for the NYTimes Menagerie series about dogs, love, and the Theory of Essential Acceptability—and how difficult it can be to find the strength to walk away. Here's the link. Thanks for reading!

5.5.2015: It's a book!

Welcome to the world, Anna, Banana.

Dear friends,

Anna, Banana, and the Friendship Split was born early this morning, after more than 2 1/2 years of labor. She's a beautiful and healthy 7.5" x 5.5" and weighs 7.5 ounces. Illustrator Meg Park and I are so proud--we can't wait for you to meet her! 

If you're in the New York City area, please come celebrate with me (and get a signed copy of the book!) at BookCourt in Brooklyn this Saturday, May 9, at 4pm. There will be activities for kids, prosecco for adults, and home-baked treats (plus cheese) for all.

If you can't make it to the party but would still like a signed copy of the book, please contact BookCourt to order one. You can order a not-signed copy of the hardcover or ebook here: Indiebound | B&N | BAM | iTunes | Target | Amazon, or ask for it at your local bookstore or library. Thanks so much for your support.

For more information about the book, including flap copy and reviews, click here. There's also a book trailer to watch!

Here's a sneak peek from Chapter Seven: Pretty Please with a Pony on Top.

I watched in horror as Sadie leaned over her desk and whispered something to Amanda. Amanda glanced at me, then whispered back to Sadie. Sadie giggled softly.

I couldn’t believe it. Sadie never whispered with Amanda. Sadie hardly ever even talked to Amanda. Amanda sometimes picked her nose in public! My best friend was whispering with a known nose-picker and she refused to even look at me. It felt like I’d swallowed a bucket of rocks.

I had to do something.

Huge thanks to midwife Kristin Ostby, doula Meredith Kaffel, and head nurse Laurent Linn! (And thank you to the wonderful night staff at New London Hospital who assisted with these photos.) 

4.17.2015: Take a Ballerina Card

Dear friends and colleagues,

Today is my last day at HarperCollins. After more than thirteen years as an editrix, I am taking a break from this job I love in order to write full-time.

Before I go, I want to say thank you: Thanks to all of you who have shared your stories with me over the years. Thank you for the privilege of being part of your creative lives, and for the innumerable ways you’ve shaped mine. I am so grateful to be part of this community of book lovers.

See you in the next chapter.

Always,

Anica

Image from What Shall I Be?: The Exciting Game of Career Girls (2009 custom edition by Terra Elan McVoy)

4.15.2015 Friendship Split Giveaway(s)

Enter to Win!

Now through May 5, enter the Goodreads giveaway to win one of five signed hardcovers of my debut novel, Anna, Banana, and the Friendship Split. Perfect for kid lit fans of all ages, especially readers ages 6-10.

Here's the giveaway link. If you'd prefer to just buy a copy, the hardcover and ebook editions are available for pre-order (and should start shipping any day now): 

Indiebound | B&N | BAM | iTunes | Amazon

Speaking of giveaways, I have a few Anna, Banana shelf-talkers left. If you'd like one for your home, classroom, or office (or for your bookstore or library!), please email me your address and I'll happily send one your way.

*throws confetti*      Yay, books!

P.S. Have you seen the Anna, Banana book trailer yet? Click here to watch it. (Thanks, Mr. Schu, for hosting its premiere!)

4.8.2015: Five Fab New Reads

Totally Biased Book Recs

If you're looking for a great new read, here are five upcoming novels that I highly, wholeheartedly recommend (with thanks to all of these authors for the honor and pleasure of being their editrix!). Click on the titles below to find the books on Indiebound, on the images to find them on Goodreads, and on the authors' names to view their websites.

Invincible by Amy Reed (on sale April 28)

The Fault in Our Stars meets Go Ask Alice in this heartbreaking novel about a teenage girl who survives a terminal cancer diagnosis...only to get trapped in the deadly spiral of addiction. A raw, honest, emotional read with so much heart and depth. 

Drive Me Crazy by Terra Elan McVoy (on sale April 28)

Buckle up for a fun story about two 12-year-old girls stuck together on a road trip with their honeymooning grandparents. The bumpy road to friendship is full of unexpected twists and turns in what promises to be the adventure of a lifetime.

Making Pretty by Corey Ann Haydu (on sale May 12)

This gorgeously-spun novel has all the heat, grit, and intensity of summer in New York City. An intoxicating new friendship, an all-consuming romance, and an unexpected family announcement send Montana spinning into the most important summer of her life.

Vanished by E. E. Cooper (on sale May 12)

Gone Girl meets Pretty Little Liars in this delicious, fast-paced, YA psychological thriller about three friends: one missing, one dead, and one left behind to untangle the deceptions and reveal the unthinkable truth.

A Sense of the Infinite by Hilary T. Smith (on sale May 19)

A breathtakingly beautiful coming-of-age story about the bonds of friendship, the weight of secrets, and the healing power of nature.

Happy reading!