Booklist Review

"Harriet, Hildy, Henry, and Milo, three kittens and a baby elephant, want nothing more than to play uninterrupted. But various nuisances continue to sidetrack them. The biggest offender is bedtime, so the friends devise a secret plan to avoid it, which doesn’t quite work out as expected but is satisfying nonetheless. This is an enjoyable, inventive offering that incorporates single- and double-page spreads focused on the activity of the four friends, as well as comic-style acryllic illustrations that include crosssections of a townhouse that allow for multiple scenes to play out at the same time. In addition, speech bubbles that indicate parents calling for the young characters literally break into the text—and, consequently, the fun—and there is a certain conspiratorial amusement as the reader or listener is allowed in on the secret plan, as long as they “don’t tell.” Charming and genuinely funny, this will appeal to a wide audience."
- Booklist

Pink Me

A super cool review by Paula Willey of Pink Me:

"Milo the little elephant has great things going on with the kids next door, three kittens named Henry, Hildy, and Harriet. They make tin-can telephones. They build a house of cards, they play forts, and they dig for treasure. But JUST when they're about to uncover the chest full of loot, something intervenes. Something parental. Curses! Just when things are getting good, it's always lunch, or dinner, or even worse - BEDTIME.

They try everything to get around it. But hiding and sneaking aren't enough. They have to come up with a special secret plan. A plan that involves the fuzzy green monster feet from Milo's Halloween costume, and the cozy attic way upstairs.

This plot is VERY appealing to little kids. It has enough tension to keep them on the edge of their seats, but no actual consequences, as befitting a picture book. The details are adorable. The illustrations slyly extend the text, adding extra humor.

The design, especially the text layout, conspires with the other elements to give us tiptoeing, frustration, and being startled. It's almost concrete poetry.

The art, in its swishiness, somehow reminds me of Good Night, Gorilla. The sweetness, and the bedtime-circumvention plot, is like that too. And when I compare a book to Good Night, Gorilla, that is some of the highest praise I know."

That's so cool! Goodnight Gorilla is one of my favorite books! Thank you Paula! And the lovely text layout and book design of The Secret Plan are due to the talented Melissa Nelson.

Nice Things

Strollerderby recommends the Secret Plan!

It also received a really nice mention by Jane of Bear Pond Books in Montpelier, Vermont!

Book Launched!

Thanks to everyone who came to Hooray For Books for the launch party for The Secret Plan!



It was a great turn out and a lot of fun. I think the reading, drawing, signing, (and the cookies) went over well and a good time was had by all! Thanks to everyone who came from far and wide to celebrate the book with me. It was really wonderful to see some familiar faces.




Thanks to Trish Brown and everyone at Hooray For Books for a great event and to Mitchell Schneider and Adam Kesner for the excellent photography. And extra special thanks to my mom who threw a spectacular party!



Awesome elephant and cat cookies hot off the radiator from Mother's Macaroons!

Kiwi Magazine Recommends The Secret Plan

"Milo and Henry have devised the perfect plan to avoid going to bed. It’s fool proof! Well, it’s fool proof until they actually get so tired that they want to go to bed. The illustrations are delightfully playful, invigorating the text. Let’s hope the kids don’t get any ideas from this one!" - Kiwi Magazine

They're on to me! My devious bedtime overthrowing agenda is exposed!

Just kidding... Thank you Kiwi!

The Secret Plan Launch Party!

Come celebrate the launch of The Secret Plan this Saturday at 11:30 am at Hooray For Books in Alexandria, Virginia. I'll be reading, signing copies and there will be some party snacks!

Society of Illustrators Original Art Show

The Secret Plan was chosen for inclusion in the Society of Illustrators Original Art show! I'm completely thrilled. It's always a fantastic show and I am so excited that my book is included this year!

I was happy to find my picture in a Team Rodeen cluster next to two wonderful pieces by Lauren Castillo (That's Papa's Way) and Peter Brown (Curious Garden) too!

The show includes original art from 125 books as well as several amazing real, live works by Chris Van Allsburg (and at the opening there was real, live Chris Van Allsburg himself too.) There's a great piece from Brian Floca's beautiful Moonshot (which won a Silver medal!) And one of my favorite paintings from Shaun Tan's stunning Tales From Outer Suburbia is on display too. The show is up until November 25th (and free to get into) - I encourage everybody to stop by!