25% Off Any Order from Lulu.com!

Get 25% off when you use coupon code COUNTDOWN305 at Lulu.com.
Offer ends Dec. 14, so head on over to the Masked Pixie's Shop right away!

Buy 2 Get 1 Free!

Buy 2 books and get 1 free when you use coupon code BUY2GETONE305 at Lulu.com!
Offer ends Dec.7.
Go to the Masked Pixie's Shop now!

Ho! Ho! Ho! Free Shipping!

Use the coupon code SLEIGHRIDES and get free shipping when you purchase a book from Lulu.com!
Offer ends Dec. 6, so fly on over the Masked Pixie's Shop now!

Cyber Monday Sale!

Get 30% off any order from Lulu.com on Monday, Nov. 28 when you use the coupon code CYBERMONDAY.
Go to the Masked Pixie's Shop now!!!

Holiday Savings!

Books make great presents!  Save 25% on any purchase from Lulu.com when you use the coupon code BUYMYBOOK305.
Hurry! Offer ends Dec. 14.
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Free Shipping!

Just in time for the holidays . . . FREE SHIPPING from Lulu.com when you use the coupon code RUSH.
Hurry! Offer ends Nov. 23.
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Super Secret Sale!

Ssssh! Don't tell anyone . . . I'm just kidding. Tell everyone!
Buy one book at Lulu.com and get the second book 50% off when you use the coupon code SECRET305.
Hurry! Offer ends Nov. 18.
Click here to go to The Masked Pixie's Shop!

3 Day Sale!

Save 20% on orders from Lulu.com with the coupon code VETERANS305!
(Offer ends Nov. 11 at 11:59 pm.)
Click here to fly on over to the Masked Pixie's Shop!

Happy National Family Literacy Day!

November 1st is National Family Literacy Day. You can celebrate by reading with your family or doing some fun reading activities. Happy Reading!

Books for NOOK, iPad, and More!

Smart Cookie and Goldfish and Poodle are now available for NOOK from Barnes and Noble and for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch from Apple!

Spooky Savings!

Save 20% off any order from Lulu.com when you used the coupon code BURIED305!
Hurry, offer ends Oct. 28!
Click here to go to Masked Pixie's Shop!

Happy Birthday Crockett Johnson!

Crockett Johnson was born on October 20, 1906. He is best known for writing and illustrating the Harold book series. The first in the series, Harold and the Purple Crayon, was published in 1955. He also illustrated The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss in 1945. I think the the boy in The Carrot Seed looks like he could be Harold's big brother. What do you think?

Source

Source

Celebrate National Book Month!

October is National Book Month. If you want to get your school or local library involved, check out the National Book Foundation's suggestions. October 22nd is also National Read Aloud Day.
In honor of National Book Month and Read Aloud Day, here is a handy dandy Everybody Has a Cat Named Molly bookmark for you to use. Just click the picture to make it bigger and print it out.
Happy Reading!

These kitties love to read and they will be happy to save your spot in your book!

Huzzah! Free shipping!

Check out the Masked Pixie's Shop and get your books shipped for free!
From now until Oct. 20, you can get free shipping on orders from Lulu.com.
Just use the coupon code OCTGROUND.

15% Off Books on Lulu.com

Use coupon code TANGO305 to save 15% on any order from Lulu.com!

Hurry! Offer ends Friday, October 7.

Click here to fly on over to the Masked Pixie's Shop!

Fannie Fay's Find-a-Word: Clothes

Can you help Fannie Fay find all of her clothes and accessories?

Click on the Fannie Fay's Find-a-Word below, print it out, and get searching!

Click "Read more" to see the answers.

Fannie Fay's Find-a-Word: Describing Words

Can you help Fannie Fay find all the words that describe her?

Click on the Fannie Fay's Find-a-Word below, print it out, and get searching!

Click "Read more" to see the answers and the words' definitions.

Bookmaking with the Masked Pixie - Part 4: The Scroll

This is the fourth post in a series of instructions about making books. Check out Part 1: The Basic Book, Part 2: The Bow Book, and Part 3: The Accordion Book. Come back later to see Part 5.

This scroll was created in the Byzantine Empire during the 10th century.
Source

Scrolls are a very old kind of book. Many scrolls were made in Ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome and China. Those old scrolls were made of papyrus and parchment, but you can make one now with paper and cardboard.

Celebrate Banned Books Week!

Celebrate free speech and the freedom to read this week!
You can find out more about Banned Books Week (Sept. 24 - Oct. 1) and banned/challenged books here and here.

Festive Savings!

It's still September, but if you use the coupon code OKTOBERFEST305 you can save 15% on any order from Lulu.com! The offer ends Sept. 23, so hurry up and head on over to the Masked Pixie's Shop!
The offer has been extended to Sept. 26!!!

Bookmaking with the Masked Pixie - Part 3: The Accordion Book

This is the third post in a series of instructions about making books. Check out Part 1: The Basic Book and Part 2: The Bow Book. Come back later to see Part 4.

This book can squeeze and stretch like an accordion! One of the cool things about an accordion book is that you can stretch it out and see all the pages at the same time.

Your book will look a bit like this . . .
but with words and pictures.
Source

This is a very old way of making books that has been used in parts of Mexico, South America, and Asia.

The Dresden Codex is an ancient Mayan text about astronomy.
It is about 1,000 years old!

September Savings!

Use coupon code SEPTEMBER305 and save 20% on any order from Lulu.com!
Hurry! Offer ends Sept. 9.
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Awesome Savings!

Use coupon code AWESOME305 to save 15% on your order from Lulu.com!
Hurry! Offer ends Sept. 30.
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Bookmaking with the Masked Pixie - Part 2: The Bow Book

This is the second post in a series of instructions about making books. Check out Part 1 to make a Basic Book and come back later to see Part 3.
This book makes a nice gift because the bows make it look like a present!

Ready to make a book? Let's go! . . .

Bookmaking with the Masked Pixie - Part 1: The Basic Book

This is the first post in a series of instructions about making books. Come back later for Part 2: The Bow Book.

Before we start, let's go over the parts of a book . . .

There are two more important words to know: author and illustrator.
The author is the person who writes the story.
The illustrator is the person who draws the pictures for the story.
Sometimes one person writes and draws and sometimes two or more people work on the book together.
You can make this book on your own or with someone else.

Let's get started . . .

Back to School Savings

Today only get 20% off any book order from Lulu.com when you use coupon code SCHOOLED.

20% Off Any Order from Lulu.com

Enter coupon code SINK305 and get 20% off when you order any book from Lulu.com!


Hurry! Offer ends Friday, August 12 at 11:59 PM.

Happy Birthday Jan Berenstain!



Jan Berenstain was born on July 26, 1923. Jan and her husband Stan created the Berenstain Bears family - Mama Bear, Papa Bear, Brother Bear, and Sister Bear. The first Bear family book, The Big Honey Hunt, was published in 1962. Jan is still working on new books with her son Michael.

25% Off Any Order from Lulu.com

From now until July 29 you can get 25% off Smart Cookie, Everybody Has a Cat Named Molly, Goldfish and Poodle, and Fannie Fay Gets Dressed. Just use coupon code TIME305.

Five Fun Flamingo Facts with Fannie Fay Flamingo!

Hi everybody! My name is Fannie Fay. To celebrate the new book Fannie Fay Gets Dressed, I'm going to share some flamingo facts with you! Let's do this countdown style and start with number 5 . . .

5. Pretty in pink!
Baby flamingos are gray when they hatch. They become pink when they grow up. Adult flamingos can range in color from light pink to red to orange.

 Source

4. Fun fun fun in the sun sun sun!
Flamingos live in lakes in tropical areas. You can find flamingos in Brazil, India, the Caribbean, and other warm places. They live on every continent except Australia and Antarctica. These birds might look like they're sunburned, but that's not the reason they are pink. Why are they pink? Keep reading and you'll find out . . .

15% Off Fannie Fay!

From now until August 15 you can get 15% off Fannie Fay Gets Dressed at Lulu.com!
Just use coupon code MYBOOK305.

Meet Fannie Fay Flamingo!

Fannie Fay Gets Dressed is now available in print and downloadable PDF on Lulu.com!*

Do you like flamingos? Do you like fashion? Do you like fun rhyming stories? Then chances are you will love Fannie Fay Gets Dressed, an illustrated poem about a fancy flamingo who spends a looong time getting dressed.

*This book is only available from Lulu.com for now. It will be available from Amazon.com in about two months.

20% Off Any Order from Lulu.com

Use the coupon code BIG305 to get 20% off Goldfish and Poodle, Smart Cookie, and Everybody Has a Cat Named Molly at Lulu.com!
Hurry! Offer ends July 15.

New Book Coming Soon!

Coming soon . . . Fannie Fay Flamingo starring in Fannie Fay Gets Dressed! . . . More details to come . . .

Happy Birthday Eric Carle!

Now the very hungry caterpillar can eat itself.
(Image from teachingheart.net)

Eric Carle was born on June 25, 1929. He's best known for writing and illustrating The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Very Lonely Firefly, The Very Quiet Cricket, The Very Busy Spider, and The Grouchy Ladybug . . . there's definitely a theme here. I wonder why the ladybug was only "grouchy," not "very grouchy." He also illustrated Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? - required reading for every kindergartener. Since 1967 he has illustrated over 70 books with his cool collages! He also founded The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, Massachusetts.

20% Off Any Order from Lulu.com

Let the sunshine in! Use the coupon code SUNSHINE305 to get 20% off Smart Cookie, Goldfish and Poodle, and Everybody Has a Cat Named Molly.
Offer expires June 30.

Happy Birthday Maurice Sendak!

Maurice Sendak was born on June 10, 1928. You probably know him best as the writer and illustrator of Where the Wild Things Are and Chicken Soup with Rice, but did you know he also illustrated the Little Bear book series by Else Holmelund Minarik?

20% Off Any Order from Lulu.com

Summer is  a great time for reading! From now until June 13th you can get 20% off when you purchase Smart Cookie, Goldfish and Poodle, or Everybody Has a Cat Named Molly from Lulu.com.
Just use coupon code TOP305

25% Off Any Order from Lulu

From now until May 31 you can get 25% off Smart Cookie, Everybody Has a Cat Named Molly, or Goldfish and Poodle from Lulu.com! Just use coupon code CYBERMAY.

Free Shipping!

From now until May 31st you can get free shipping when you purchase two or more books from Lulu.com! Just use the coupon code FREESHIP.

Super Cute Pom Pom Poodle Craft

Check out this Poodle-approved craft from the TLC website. All you need are some pom poms and pipe cleaners and you can make your own little poodle, chihuahua, or dachshund.
The poodle in the sample is black, but you can make a pink one like our good ol' pal Poodle. You can make her a tiny scarf, too. All you need is a small scrap of fabric or a ribbon.
Happy crafting!

Lucky You!

It might be Friday the 13th, but you're in luck! You can get 20% off any order from Lulu.com when you use the coupon code LUCKY.
Offer ends Monday, May 16.

Happy Birthday to Curious George's Mom!

It's Margret Rey's birthday today! 

Margret Rey was born on May 10th, 1906. She created Curious George with her husband, H. A. Rey, and they co-wrote and illustrated Curious George's seven original adventures. 

Did you know that the first Curious George book was published in 1941? That monkey is 70-years-old!

Happy Birthday Roger Hargreaves!

Roger Hargreaves was born on May 9, 1935. He created, wrote, and illustrated the awesome Mr. Men and Little Miss book series. Did you know there are 48 Mr. Men books and 42 Little Miss books?! Check out the Mr. Men and Little Miss-inspired Google doodles!

15% Off Books on Lulu.com

Use the coupon code MAYSAVE305 to save 15% on Smart Cookie, Goldfish and Poodle, and Everybody Has a Cat Named Molly.
Hurry! Offer ends May 31.

20% Off Any Order from Lulu.com

Use coupon code HOP and save 20% when you order Everybody Has a Cat Named Molly, Smart Cookie, or Goldfish and Poodle from Lulu.com!
Offer ends on Tuesday, April 26.

Free Shipping!

Use coupon code APRILMAIL305 to get free mail shipping from Lulu.com when you order Smart Cookie, Goldfish and Poodle, or Everybody Has a Cat Named Molly.
Offer ends April 30, 2011 at 11:59 PM.

National Drop Everything and Read Day

April 12th is National Drop Everything and Read Day, or D.E.A.R. Day. It's a day for kids and their families to read together.  You can learn more about D.E.A.R. Day from the official website.
Happy Reading!

20% Off Any Order from Lulu.com

Use coupon code SPLISH to save 20% when you purchase Everybody Has a Cat Named Molly, Smart Cookie, or Goldfish and Poodle from Lulu.com!
Offer ends Thursday, March 31, 2011.  Offer extended to April 4, 2011!

Take the Smart Cookie Quiz!

So you think you're a smart cookie, eh? . . .
Take the Smart Cookie quiz at funtrivia.com and see how well you know the book!
Are you up for the challenge?

Free Shipping from Lulu.com

Get free ground shipping on any order from Lulu.com!
Use coupon code GROUND305.
Offer is good until 3/21/2011.

Poodle Joke!

What do you get when you put a dog and a rooster in a hot tub?

National Read Across America Day

National Read Across America Day is March 2nd! You can learn more this day at the official website.

Here is a free printable bookmark for you! It features some of the cats from Everybody Has a Cat Named Molly.
Click the image to view a bigger version that you can print.

Happy Reading!



Cat Facts with Luis: All the Presidents' Cats

Luis Lincoln!

 In this installment of Cat Facts with Luis we are going to celebrate Presidents Day by taking a look at the Commander in Chiefs' cats!

20% Off Any Order from Lulu.com

Happy! Happy! Happy! :)
Use the coupon code HAPPY to save 20% on any order from Lulu.com!
Hurry! Offer ends 2/21/2011!

20% Off Any Order from Lulu.com

Happy Groundhog Day!
Use the code NOSHADOW305 to save 20% at Lulu.com!
Hurry - the offer is good through 2/3/2011.

Cat Facts with Luis: Incredible Kitties

Welcome to another installment of Cat Facts with Luis! Today we are going to take a look at some extraordinary cats.

• Lucy is the oldest cat in the world. She's 39 years old. That's 172 in human years!
• Almond has been living in a tree since June 2010. He was born there and has never set a single paw on the ground!
• Oscar is a cat with bionic legs. He lost his hind legs in an accident, but now he can run and jump again with his new prosthetic paws. Hurray for Oscar and hurray for science!

Cat Facts with Luis: Cat Tales

This installment of Cat Facts with Luis is all about cats in stories! Felines can be found in modern books and old folktales from long ago. Here are some cool cats to read about. (Don't be jealous, Molly. You will always be Luis's #1 favorite cat.)

Make a Goldfish Bowl

You can make a fish bowl just like Goldfish's, 

and you don't even need any water!

Poodle Joke!

What do dogs use to wash their hair?

(Click "Read more" for the answer.)

20% Off Any Order from Lulu.com

Starting today you can get 20% off of Everybody Has a Cat Named Molly,Goldfish and Poodle, and Smart Cookie at Lulu.com!
Just use coupon code TREASURE
Offer ends 1/17/2011

Poodle Joke!

What do you get when you cross a fluffy pink dog with a little stuffed bear who likes honey?

(Click "Read more" for the answer.)

Animal Families

Even though Goldfish is a goldfish and Poodle is a poodle, they feel like they are sisters.

Sometimes animals from different species join together to make families in the real world, too.  Usually one animal acts like a mom or dad to another young animal from a different species.

For instance, an old tortoise named Mzee adopted an orphaned baby hippopotamus named Owen in 2004.  You can see some cute family photos here.

Check out this article to see videos of other interesting animal families from around the world.

Cat Facts with Luis

Luis always has cats on his mind and he is happy to share his knowledge with you!

Did you know . . .
The longest cat in the world is 123 cm (48.5 inches) long.
Cats were domesticated in Egypt around 2000 B.C.E.
Cats (usually) land on their feet.  Their skeletons are built in a special way that lets them turn their bodies as they fall.
The offspring of a male lion and a female tiger is called a liger.  Ligers are huge!
Not all cat-owners are human.  The famous gorilla Koko has had pet cats named All Ball, Lipstick, and Smoky.