Harry N. Abrams

April 2 – Peanut Butter and Jelly Day

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About the Holiday

Those Aztecs! Is there nothing they couldn’t invent? Culinary aficionados from kindergarten to gourmet chefs have the Aztecs to thank for peanut butter—that smooth (or chunky, or super chunky) concoction that is perfect by itself or as an ingredient in complex dishes. The Aztecs created their version by grounding roasted peanuts into a paste.

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are thought to have originated during the American Civil War, when soldiers combined their peanut butter ration with their jelly ration and slathered it all on bread. After the war peanut butter sales skyrocketed as everyone discovered what a delicious and nutritious delight this simple meal was. To celebrate today, make yourself a PB & J sandwich!

Peanut Butter & Jelly Brains: A Zombie Culinary Tale

Written by Joe McGee | Illustrated by Charles Santoso

 

Reginald was surrounded by culinary boredom. All “the other zombies wanted brains for breakfast, lunch, and dinner,” but Reginald really dug peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. The people of Quirkville weren’t too keen on the zombies’ preferred meal either. Whenever the zombies lumbered through town groaning “BRAINSSSSS,” everyone ran away screaming.

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Image copyright Charles Santoso, text copyright Joe McGee. Courtesy of Harry N. Abrams

Poor Reginald didn’t join the herd. His stomach was too rumbly and grumbly, “and all he could do was dream about a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. ‘Sweet jelly…,’ moaned Reginald. ‘Sticky peanut butter…’” Sakes alive! The other zombies couldn’t understand. “‘No BRAINSSSSS?’” they asked. Reginald tried to explain how delicious peanut butter and jelly was, but the other zombies wouldn’t listen.

Reginald tried to satisfy his craving at the local café, but the man behind the counter just pointed to a sign that said “No Zombies Allowed.” In the school cafeteria, the lunch lady just plopped “a hunk of meatloaf” on his plate that looked disturbingly like brains. Reginald even went to the store to buy the ingredients himself, but when he got to the cash register, he had no money. No money meant no peanut butter, no jelly, and no bread.

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Image copyright Charles Santoso, text copyright Joe McGee. Courtesy of Harry N. Abrams

Then Reginald spied Abigail Zink with a lunch bag in her grasp. He “recognized the familiar jelly stain that was seeping through the paper bag” and made his move. At the same time, the “zombie horde shuffled and shambled around the corner” straight for Abigail, who had her nose in a book and took no notice of the danger. The other townspeople froze, and in that moment Reginald dashed forward and grabbed Abigail’s sack. He could practically taste the deliciousness inside.

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Image copyright Charles Santoso, text copyright Joe McGee. Courtesy of Harry N. Abrams

“Little Abigail Zink let out a shriek, the mayor’s poodle yipped and yapped, and the townspeople all screamed, ‘ AHHHHH!’” Reginald knew that if the other zombies had just one taste of peanut butter and jelly, they would change their minds about brains. Reginald held Abigail’s sandwich aloft and yelled, “‘BRAINS!’” The zombies crowded around as Reginald tossed the sandwich in the air.

Reginald had been right. With one taste, the zombies declared peanut butter and jelly “‘better than brains.’” Suddenly, the townspeople realized that the zombies were just hungry. With peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in their tummies, the zombies became valued parts of Quirkville. The townspeople were happy, the zombies were happy, and Reginald? Well, he was still a little different. While the zombies now enjoyed PB and J, he “had moved on to…PIZZA.”

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Image copyright Charles Santoso, text copyright Joe McGee. Courtesy of Harry N. Abrams

Joe McGee’s tradition-bucking zombie offers a sweet wake-up call to anyone sleepwalking through life doing and liking the same things over and over while they follow the herd (or horde). McGee’s humorous descriptions of the marauding zombies and the townspeople’s reactions will have kids giggling all the way through the story. The resolution to Quirkville’s predicament is deliciously “brainy,” and Reginald’s continued individuality makes for a surprising and satisfying ending.

Charles Santoso knows that most families have one or two zombies of their own who latch onto a favorite food and won’t let go. His stitched up, shaggy haired, raggedy clothed child zombies are adorable, and kids will love finding their favorite among the horde. Clever touches, such as a pirate zombie and a zombie cat, as well as the screaming townspeople will make readers laugh.

For the walking hungry, Peanut Butter & Jelly Brains: A Zombie Culinary Tale is sure to be ordered from the book cupboard again and again for fun story times.

Ages 4 – 8

Harry N. Abrams, 2015 | ISBN 978-1419712470

Discover more about Joe McGee and his books on his website!

View a gallery of work by Charles Santoso on his website!

Peanut Butter and Jelly Day Activity

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Peanut Butter and Jelly Muffins, recipe from Erica’s Sweet Tooth, ericasweettooth.com.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Muffins from Erica’s Sweet Tooth

 

Searching for a delicious alternative to a peanut butter and jelly sandwich—one that’s perfect for breakfast, lunch, or as an in between sweet? Look no further than this scrumptious recipe from Erica’s Sweet Tooth! Made with creamy peanut butter, your favorite berry preserves, and a luscious crumble, these muffins will satisfy your PB & J cravings.

Click here for Erica’s Sweet Tooth Peanut Butter and Jelly Muffins

Picture Book Review

February 24 – National Engineering Week

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About the Holiday

National Engineering Week was established to promote a better understanding of and appreciation for engineering and technical careers to ensure a diverse and well-educated workforce for the future. Several programs throughout the week highlight communication between engineers and the public, the work of young professional and student engineers, and a future-city contest for middle school students. Our future depends on our having talented engineers to solve problems and create new solutions.

Tinyville Town Gets to Work!

By Brian Biggs

 

It seems there’s trouble in Tinyville Town! Every day the baker creates delicious treats, the trash collectors pick up trash, the bus driver takes riders to their various jobs, and everyone else goes to work and school or runs errands. But today the bus is late, and when Mayor Murphy tries to find out why, he also discovers that the trash collectors can’t haul the trash away and the bakery can’t open it’s doors. Why? Because there’s an enormous traffic jam on the Tinyville Town bridge.

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Image and text copyright Brian Biggs, courtesy of Harry N. Abrams

“‘We need a new bridge!’” the townspeople shout. “Mayor Murphy knows just what to do. He meets with Tinyville Town’s engineer and city planner.” The engineer tells the mayor that “‘the old bridge was built when Tinyville Town was much smaller.” Now they need “‘a bridge that is wider so that more cars, trucks, and buses can get across.’” The city planner agrees and adds that the bridge should be stronger.He also assures the mayor that they can also make it beautiful by adding large steel arches.

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Image and text copyright Brian Biggs, courtesy of Harry N. Abrams

Mayor Murphy announces the plan to the news media and invites the citizens to “get to work!” First the excavation crew digs deep holes near the banks of the river so a strong foundation can be laid for the piers. Then a crane operator lifts heavy stones so the stonemasons can put them into place on the piers. Next it’s time for the ironworkers to join in. They build the structure and the big steel arches that “look beautiful and make the bridge much stronger than the old one.” Finally, the road crew paves the road and paints lines to mark the lanes for the cars, trucks, and buses that will drive over it.

When the bridge is finished everyone in Tinyville Town comes out to watch Mayor Murphy cut the ribbon and open the bridge. “‘Hurray!’” they all cheer as they cross over their shiny new bridge.

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Image and text copyright Brian Biggs, courtesy of Harry N. Abrams

Little would-be engineers and builders as well as any town or city citizens will be captivated by Brian Biggs’ introduction to the inner workings of a town in need of a new bridge. With infrastructure and road work going on in most towns and cities throughout the year, Biggs’ accessible story is a perfect way to explain to youngest readers the whys and hows of the construction work they see as they travel from place to place. The diversity of workers provides welcome inclusiveness and role models for children. The upbeat philosophy of this little town is even reflected in the book’s title, in which the phrase “Gets to Work” can be read two ways.

Biggs’ friendly town on the banks of a river is homey and cute and immediately inviting to his young audience. With bright colors, crisp details, and smiling people, Tinyville Town is a place kids will want to visit again and again. Tinyville Town Gets to Work is one of three in this new series that also includes Tinyville Town: I’m a Veterinarian and Tinyville Town: I’m a Firefighter.

Ages 2 – 5

Harry N. Abrams, 2016 | ISBN 978-1419721335

You’ll find a world of books, drawings, comics, and more on Brian Biggs’ website!

Visit Tinyville Town with this Tinyville Town Gets to Work book trailer!

National Engineering Week Activity

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Build a Remarkable Recycled Bridge

 

You don’t need fancy blocks and construction materials to build a bridge! Little ones will be fascinated to put together a bridge made out of items you already have at home or that may even be slated for the recycle bin. Spaghetti boxes make great roadways, and cut-up egg cartons can be used as supports. Want to build a whole town? Cereal boxes and pasta boxes make skyscrapers, apartment buildings, fire stations, and more. Need a farm silo? Grab a peanut butter jar or aluminum can. You can use them as is or—if your kids are sticklers for a little more detail—add a little paint! So look around, use your imagination, and get creative!

Picture Book Review