Jamie Michalak is the author of the highly praised Joe and Sparky
early reader series, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz — Joe and Sparky Get
New Wheels; Joe and Sparky, Superstars!; Joe and Sparky Go to School; and Joe
and Sparky, Party Animals!
In the forthcoming Joe and
Sparky, Party Animals! (Candlewick Press, August 2017), the endearingly mismatched duo has their hands full
when a surprise party for a worm goes comically awry.
About her dot, Jamie writes:
“This bandaged dot was inspired
by a mysterious guest in Joe and Sparky, Party Animals! Nobody knows his
name, but this guy is the life of the party! He always wears a smile on his
face. Even after an unfortunate dancing incident involving a porcupine in
Chapter Three.
I can’t help but admire his
resiliency and positive attitude.”
Jamie shared this story about reading "The Dot" before it became a book:
"Long ago I was fortunate to work for Peter Reynolds's editor, Mary Lee Donovan. As her assistant, I often read her submissions first to help organize them. I vividly remember the moment I opened an envelope from Peter Reynolds and read his latest submission called THE DOT. It was inspiring and beautiful. The ending made me want to read the story over again. But what struck me the most was how effortless it all seemed, like a fully formed, perfect story had sprung right out of his head and onto the page. Like he was born to write that book.
I also remember immediately walking the [book] dummy over to Mary Lee's desk. "Is it good?" she asked. I nodded with a big smile and handed it to her. Then she quickly found out for herself.
"Long ago I was fortunate to work for Peter Reynolds's editor, Mary Lee Donovan. As her assistant, I often read her submissions first to help organize them. I vividly remember the moment I opened an envelope from Peter Reynolds and read his latest submission called THE DOT. It was inspiring and beautiful. The ending made me want to read the story over again. But what struck me the most was how effortless it all seemed, like a fully formed, perfect story had sprung right out of his head and onto the page. Like he was born to write that book.
I also remember immediately walking the [book] dummy over to Mary Lee's desk. "Is it good?" she asked. I nodded with a big smile and handed it to her. Then she quickly found out for herself.
Learn more about Jamie on her
website.
