Nose-to-Nose

August 25, 2010

Art © Dave Horowitz 2008

At first Fuzz felt a bit self-conscious talking to an egg. But he soon relaxed when he discovered that Humpty Dumpty was a very funny egg. Humpty Dumpty is from the very funny book Humpty Dumpty Climbs Again, written and illustrated by the very funny Dave Horowitz, and published by the very funny G. P. Putnam's Sons, in the very funny year 2008. Herrrrrreeeee's Fuzz!

Fuzz: Mr. Dumpty, you are the first egg I've interviewed. What happens when you open your mouth to answer my questions? Isn't that like making a crack in your shell?

Humpty: Feel free to call me Humpty. That’s a silly question, Fuzz. Although I can “crack a smile,” opening my mouth is no big deal. You see, there are many types of eggs in this world — there are Chicken Eggs, Goose Eggs and Crocodile Eggs — but I’m what you’d call an Anthropomorphic Egg. Just like you, we Anthropomorphic Eggs are born with mouths and noses and knees and everything. Can you imagine talking to a Chicken Egg? Ridiculous.

Fuzz: I'm an Anthropomorphic? I thought I was a possum! Wait until I tell Cork! Anyway, after the You-Know-What happened to you, and all the King's Men couldn't put you back together again, you sat around in your underwear and felt sad. Do you know if they make underwear for possums or muskrats?

Humpty: I sure hope so! Wait… are you telling me you’re not wearing underwear? Gross, dude.

Fuzz: You are confusing me! First you tell me I'm an Anthro-poor-something, and now you say I'm a dude! I am a possum! Oh, nevermind. Tell me, why did the dish run away with the spoon?

Humpty: Well, around here, everyone is super into fitness. So when I stopped climbing, The Dish got into long distance running… you know, like marathons and stuff. Personally I think running is lame, but whatever.

Fuzz: The King's favorite horse, Milt, got stuck on a ledge way up high on a rock wall. How did he get up there?

Humpty: You know, Fuzz, it’s funny, I never thought about it. I’m just glad I was able to help. I suspect he just started climbing and then got stuck. After all, climbing up is way easier than climbing down; just ask the next cat you see stuck in a tree.

Fuzz: What do eggs eat for breakfast?

Humpty: I can’t speak for all eggs, but I usually just have a bagel with cream cheese, and some coffee.

Is that the end of the interview, Fuzz? That was really fun. If you and Cork ever feel like giving rock climbing a try, I hope you'll give me a call. Of course, I will ask that you at least wear some underwear. That’s just how I roll.

Fuzz: Well, it isn't easy for anthro-poor-possums to even find underwear! So I'll have to roll like I always do. Bottom's up.

Thank you, Humpty! (And thank you, Dave!)

tee hee

Note: All answers are given by either the author or illustrator of the interviewed character. While Cork and Fuzz have an endless supply of questions, they rarely have any answers. They're not all that smart.
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August 18, 2010

Don't Call Me Sidney cover

Art © Renata Gallio

Cork meets Sidney, a pretty poetic pig, who wants to change his name because there are no good rhymes for Sidney, in Jane Sutton's new picture book, Don't Call Me Sidney, illustrated by Renata Gallio, and published by Dial Books for Young Readers, 2010. Impressionable Cork is now wondering if he should change his name, too.

Cork: You are a very poetic pig. You wrote a birthday poem for your best friend, Gabie. How did you get to be best friends with a duck?

Sidney: Yes, Gabie and I are best, best friends, just like you and Fuzz. And just as Fuzz is way taller than you, I am way taller (and wider) than Gabie. We met a long time ago when our mothers took us to a playground. I was on one end of the seesaw, and Gabie and eleven other ducklings were on the other. It was the beginning of a beautiful, well-balanced friendship.

Cork: You wanted to change your name because there were no good rhymes for Sidney. Can anyone just change their name if they want to?

Sidney: Sure, you can. But you’re lucky, Cork. Your name already rhymes with Fork and Pork and Stork. I’d mention Dork, but that might not be polite.

Cork: Well, thank you for not mentioning Dork. I've noticed that you are a very big pig. You must eat a lot. What are your favorite foods?

Sidney: Yes, I do like to eat. And I like to cook. In the book about me, I cook pancakes and I make green beans mixed with watermelon, which my visiting mother finds quite delicious.

Cork: You had to go to pick up your mother. Do pig mothers fly coach? Or do they have to be in a crate in the luggage compartment?

Sidney: I don’t know about all pig mothers, but my mother always flies first class because the seats are wider.

Cork: I did see the picture of your mother in the book, and I guess she does need a wide seat Ummm... I'm not saying she's fat or anything... she... she just wants to be comfortable. I think I'd better say Thank You now. Thank you, Sidney. (And thank you, Jane!)

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August 12, 2010

PrincessSaysGoodnightcoverart

Art © David Small 2010

Cork is on his best behavior because he's going to meet royalty! And because he's going to interview a princess, he's combed out his fur with a pinecone, scraped the mud off his tail, and is putting his best foot forward (which in Cork's case, is his right front foot.) The princess is from Naomi Howland's delightful picture book, Princess Says Goodnight, illustrated by David Small, and published by HarperCollins, 2010. Take it away, Cork!

Cork: Are you a real girl pretending to be a princess, or are you a real princess pretending to be a girl?
Princess: I’m a real princess on the inside. Sometimes it shows on the outside, too.

Cork: Is it okay for a muskrat to curtsy and can you teach me how? I have really short legs.
Princess: Anyone can curtsy; it is a polite way to greet royalty. To curtsy, cross one leg in front of the other and then bend your knees and dip. Hold your skirt out, if you are wearing one. I don’t know if you have knees. Try not to fall over - it ruins the pretty effect.

Cork: Oh. Okay. I think I'll practice later. How come your bed has curtains all over it?
Princess: The curtains are there for the ultimate in fancy decoration. They are purple which is my favorite color after pink.

Cork: Is your frog really a prince?
Princess: My frog’s name is Prince so he really is a prince. Also, because he is very thoughtful, I would say he is a prince among frogs.

Cork: The story says you have ladies-in-waiting. What are they waiting for?
Princess: They are waiting for me to become queen.

Cork: I think they might have a long wait. But it will be worth it. Thank you, Princess! Thank you, Naomi! I think I'll go practice curtsying now... behind a bush... where no one can see me.

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July 28, 2010

Art (c) David McPhail 2010

Cork, being a sweet creature, is often drawn to others of the same nature, so he politely asked to interview the little lamb from Lezlie Evans book, Who Loves the Little Lamb, illustrated by David McPhail, published by Disney Hyperion 2010. This is a perfect book for a new baby!

Cork: There are a lot of different animals in your book. Are they all friends of yours?
Little Lamb: I have the most in common with Pouty Calf. We are good friends and like to play hide-n-go-seek together. That is when I am not feeling too fussy and he is not off pouting. I also like to eat lunch with my friend Bumbling Boar down the road. He is always spilling his milk, but his mama just pours him more and says, “That’s all right, there’s plenty more. Mama loves her little Boar.” Why don’t you and Fuzz come have lunch with us next week?

Cork: Could we really? That would be so nice! But first I want to know about the noisy bird in your book. There is a noisy bird in my neighborhood that wakes me up too early in the morning. Do you think it's the same bird, and how can I get him to sleep later?
Little Lamb: I do not know of a way to get the noisy bird to sleep late. He practically beats the sun up each and every morning! Then he starts chirping away! His Mama does her best to sweeten his song though. She is often reminding him to, “Sing sweetly, please, you’ll still be heard.”

Cork: Your book is all about love. I really like the sound of that word – love. It feels nice in my mouth when I say it. Do you know any other words that feel nice in your mouth?
Little Lamb: “L” words are wonderful. Little Lamb starts with “L”. So does the word “love”. When my mama says, “No more crying, here I am. Mama loves her little lamb,” it makes me tingle all over. I love, love, love the letter “L” and all of the luscious, luminous, lovely, likable, lick able, letter “L” words.

Cork: Hmmm. But maybe not the word LIVER. I like how all the mamas have good ideas and know what to do and what to say. But it makes me sad, too, because I never see my mama anymore. Could you sing me a song to cheer me up?
Little Lamb: I would be happy to sing you a song, Cork.

You are my muskrat, my only muskrat.

You make me happy when skies are grey.

You’ll never know, Cork, how much I love you.

Please don’t feel sad and lonely today.

Cork: That's a beautiful song! Thanks! Your book makes me feel good in my heart when I read it, like strawberries feel good in my stomach when I eat them. Do you happen to have any strawberries with you?
Little Lamb: My mama says that strawberries will stain my yellow shirt and I should be very careful when I eat them. Would you like to come and share a strawberry with me, Cork? I know my mama will wash and cut some strawberries for us because she loves me “from dawn till after day is done”. That’s what she says in my book anyway. Even when I am a fussy little lamb, my mama loves me. Just like I love you and Fuzz! I am so glad we are friends.

Cork: It would be fun to come for strawberries. I have to see if I can find Fuzz first. He said he was going to hunt for potato chip bags. That could take a long time. Thank you, Little Lamb. Thank you, Lezlie.
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July 8, 2010

Llama, Llama, Mad at Mama

When there's a book that involves food (even if in a small way) Fuzz waves his hand frantically and yells, "I'll do it! Let me do the interview!" So, because food is his passion, we'll let him interview the little llama from the fun book written and illustrated by Anna Dewdney, Llama Llama Mad at Mama, Viking 2007.

Fuzz: I love books on how to get food because I'm always hungry! But I didn't know there is a place called Shop-O-Rama that is filled with food! What a great idea! Who invented that?
Llama Llama: I don’t know who invented it, but it is a strange place. Yes, it has food…it has everything! I don’t know how they get everything in the world to fit into one big store! I don’t really like it too much…it is too confusing for me. But my Mama needs to shop there, so we do it together.

Fuzz: Can I only go to the Shop-O-Rama with my Mama? Or can I go by myself (because I don't know where my Mama is.)Llama Llama: I think you would be really confused if you went to Shop-O-Rama by yourself. I know I wouldn’t want to do it

Fuzz: Your Mama put lots of food in that square trash can with wheels that you were riding in. Do you ever park that trash can near the woods? (After it's filled with food?)
Llama Llama: That isn’t a trash can, silly! That’s a shopping cart! Hey, you don’t do a lot of shopping at the mall, do you? And I think they’d get really mad if we took the shopping cart away from Shop-O-Rama and put it in the woods!

Fuzz: Oh, nuts! I thought is was a good plan anyway. What are Cheezee Puffs?
Llama Llama: Cheezee Puffs are super-yummy cheesy, crunchy treats. They leave orange yucky stuff all over my hooves, though. Wow…I’ll bet you would really like Cheezee Puffs!

Fuzz: Yes! Yes! I would really like some Cheezee Puffs! Can I go shopping with you sometime? Can we eat as much as we want?
Llama Llama: Hey, any time you want to go shopping with me and with Mama, you are welcome to go. You’ll have to ride in a car seat or a booster seat, though…my Mama ALWAYS straps me in. And then maybe you can try Cheezee Puffs!

Fuzz: Errr... I don't know if I'd like to be tied down with anything. Maybe I can just ride on the top of your Mama's car?

Dori: Psst! Say "Thank you," Fuzz.

Fuzz: Thank you, Little Llama. And thank you, Anna! (Next time bring Cheezee Puffs, please.)

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June 9, 2010

Because he's never been on anything with wheels, Cork is fascinated with the book Hot Rod Hamster, written by Cynthia Lord, illustrated by Derek Anderson, and published by Scholastic Press 2010. Cork has never been on anything faster than his rear end sliding down a mud slick, so he hopes to find out what it's like to be in a speeding race car!

Cork : What made you decide to be in a hot rod race?
Hamster: I saw a sign that said, “Race Today! At 4-Paws Speedway !” I like to race, and I have four paws! So it was perfect for me! So I went to the junkyard and told my friend, Bulldog, “I need a hot rod.” You have four paws, Cork. Do you like to race? I know some mice that could help you build a hot rod, too.

Cork : I'll need to think about that. But first I want to know why they call a racing car a hot rod?
Hamster: Because it’s fiery-fast!

Cork : Did you have to pay an entrance fee to get in the race?
Hamster: No, because someone named Rust E. Hydrants sponsored the race. Here’s what I needed:

A car (just my size).
Four wheels (to squeal).
One gleaming engine (Vroom! Vroom!).
FLAMES! (painted on the front).
A helmet.
Bravery (Grrr!).

Cork : Weren't you afraid you'd get run over by all those big cars?
Hamster: I’m build for speed! I was surprised how big the dogs and their cars were, but just because you’re little, it doesn’t mean you can’t be first.

Cork : What are you going to do with all your trophies?
Hamster: I have them in my living room! I feel proud and happy every time I see them. Would you like to wear my crown?

Cork: Oh! Can I? Please, please, please? WOW! Thank you, Hamster! (And thank you, Cynthia!)

Cork is a firm believer in a good night's sleep. So when he heard the story of Sleep, Big Bear, Sleep, he was fascinated with the bear who kept misinterpreting nature's signals. This book is written by Maureen Wright, illustrated by Will Hillenbrand, and published by Marshall Cavendish 2009. No yawns here (except for one tired bear!)

Cork : Old Man Winter kept telling you to go to sleep, but you always heard his words wrong. Why was that? Was there something in your ears?
Big Bear: In the beginning of the story, I didn’t hear Old Man Winter because I wasn’t paying attention. I saw this wonderful beehive in a tree and all I could think about was eating delicious honey! After that, I just kept getting more mixed-up, probably because I was so tired. Sometimes it’s hard to concentrate when a person, or a bear, needs a nap.

Cork : When Old Man Winter told you to sleep, you thought he said jeep, so you found a jeep and drove it around. How did you learn to drive?
Big Bear: I had never driven a vehicle before, but I wasn’t worried because my friend, Little Rabbit, was sitting on the hood of the jeep giving me directions. I’ve found that difficult situations in life are always a little easier when you have one good friend at your side – or in front of you on the hood of a jeep.

Cork : I like the pages in the book where you were diving to the bottom of the deep lake. What's it like to dive in a lake when it's snowing outside?
Big Bear: Oh, was it snowing outside? I was so tired I didn’t even notice. I just stumbled to the lake with my eyes half shut and dove in.

Cork : I almost cried for you when you were sitting on the mountaintop in the cold wind and snow, wishing for a warm blanket. Did you ever feel like crying?
Big Bear: Everyone feels like crying now and then. It’s okay to cry when you’re sad. I wasn’t sad when I was on the mountaintop, just very tired. And it was so cold out, if I had cried I think the tears would have frozen on my face!

Cork : What's it like to hibernate? Don’t you get hungry and thirsty?
Big Bear: I’m always hungry! It takes a lot of food to fill a Big Bear like me. So I really stuff myself before I settle in for the winter. It’s fun to hibernate because I sure do love a good nap, and of course, I always dream about honey!

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There's no predicting what Cork or Fuzz will do, and today is no exception. Instead of interviewing another book character, today they're interviewing their own illustrator, Lisa McCue! The newest book in the series is The Babysitters and will be released in May. Lisa is now working on the art for seventh Cork and Fuzz book The Swimming Lesson, by Viking Children's Books.

Cork: You're always making pictures of us. How do you know what we look like? Are you spying on us or something?
Lisa: Define spying. If you mean standing on the edge of the pond hiding in the reeds with a pair of binoculars, camera, and a sketchbook, well…. yes. But I prefer to call it gathering reference.

As for Fuzz, there's a possum that's picking through my garbage pail looking for food scraps every night. Fuzz is that you?

With all the banging and clanging going on I always know when I can sneak out and take some candid shots for reference. It’s a little dark though. Kind of hard to see. But it is you, Fuzz, isn’t it?

Anyway, using my reference pictures, and some general muskrat and possum pictures from the Internet, mixed with the author Dori Chaconas’s detailed description of your personalities, I have a pretty good idea what you look like.

Fuzz: I would really like a red vest. Maybe you would watch me better if you gave me a red vest. Did you ever think of that?
Lisa: Stop digging in my garbage pail and we’ll talk.

Cork: How come you draw me so short and fat, while you make Fuzz tall and handsome?
Lisa: As the illustrator I must follow what the author writes in the story. If the author writes that you are a short fat muskrat, well my hands are tied, a short fat muskrat I must draw. Talk to the author, maybe she will consider changing you to a tall handsome giraffe.

Fuzz: How come you draw me so tall and gawky, while you make Cork small and cute?
Lisa: If I drew you small and cute, you would be a mouse.

Fuzz: Do you think you could draw in more food in the books – like banana cream pie or jelly sandwiches? I get so hungry!
Lisa: Hmmmm…. I’ll make you a deal. I’ll sneak you an extra donut in your next book The Swimming Lesson if my garbage pail is left alone.

Fuzz: Whoa just a minute! What swimming lesson? Who's going to get a swimming lesson? Not me! No, no, no way! I don't do water. So just put the donut into your garbage pail and save all of us a lot of trouble, okay?

Where there's food, there's Fuzz. So when Chicks and Salsa came across our desk, Fuzz sat on it until I agreed to let him interview the rooster. The book is written by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Paulette Bogan, published by BloomsburyUSA 2005. Little does Fuzz know that while the book is about food, there's no actual food in the book. Life's realities can be tough.

Fuzz: You and the chickens got tired of eating chicken feed. What exactly is chicken feed?
Rooster: Hard to say. Ground up corn mostly, I think. But if you’re going to eat corn, it should at least be in tortilla chip form, don’t you agree?

Fuzz: "Olé" is a fun word to say. What does it mean?
Rooster: I just saw the guy on Food Network say it, so I picked it up. I wasn’t sure what it meant, so I Googled it. Technically, it’s just a cry of excited approval. And when it comes to salsa, I approve excitedly. Olé!

Fuzz: "Guacamole" is another fun word to say. I'd like to know where those ducks got the avocados.
Rooster: There’s this rat that pops up on Nuthatcher Farm whenever we run short on hard-to-find ingredients. Handy, that rat. Who knows where he gets his stuff, like avocados. Sam’s Club possibly.

Fuzz: I like the recipes in your book. Have you thought of making up a whole cookbook of your own?
Rooster: I was working on a French cookbook until I realized how many eggs are involved in French cooking. Now I’m in the doghouse with the whole henhouse.

Fuzz: You know how to make salsa, and nachos, and guacamole. Would you make a recipe called Enchilada del pollo?
Rooster: Please don’t talk about that dish. That’s exactly how my Uncle Ira died…it’s still a very tender subject for me. Poor Uncle Ira.

Fuzz: Oh. Sorry. Thank you, Rooster. Thank you, Aaron Reynolds. But next time please bring real food. Okay? Olé!