I am so absolutely thrilled that BOY + BOT releases today because I’ve been waiting for it for a long, long time.
It’s the debut picture book by my good friend, Ame Dyckman—and get this—it’s illustrated by the hugely talented Dan Yaccarino! I mean, this has got to be the best picture book EVER with an author-illustrator team just as lovable as Boy and Bot themselves.
And for this very special day, I’ve got prizes to give away! One AFFIRMATIVELY AWESOME prize pack including BOY + BOT, stickers, bookmarks, and an *exclusive* BOT keychain clip made by author-zoologist-educator-sculptor Jess Keating!
So let’s get on with the fun!
TL: Ame, you and I have been friends for a few years now, after meeting at NJ-SCBWI first page sessions. (I knew I had to get to know you, with your spiky pink hair and Lego bracelet.) Is that how you began your kidlit career, attending SCBWI events?
AD: *laughing* Was my hair pink back then? I don’t remember my hair color at the time (it’s blue, now), but I remember thinking, “Wow! This Tara person is funny and nice and she really knows her kidlit! I like her!” BAM! Friends!
And yes, attending SCBWI events–YAY, NJ-SCBWI!–started everything for me! When I first joined, I knew I wanted to write picture books, but I didn’t know how. My first manuscripts were REALLY bad, but nobody made fun of me. Everybody was helpful. (YOU taught me how to page a PB, remember? I still have your diagram!) I went to as many events as I could—First Page Sessions, Mentoring Workshops, Networking Dinners, Annual Conferences, etc. I learned tons—still do!—and met lots of amazing industry professionals and made lots of wonderful friends. At the 2009 NJ SCBWI Annual Conference, I pitched BOY + BOT to Super Agent Scott Treimel, and he said, “I love it! Let’s work together!”
TL: I distinctly remember the 2009 conference and a certain editor making goo-goo eyes at you during lunch…but he had read your manuscript and was bonkers over BOY + BOT. I thought to myself, GO AME! You could feel the buzz about that manuscript at the event. You were in deep conversation with several agents.
So we want to know—how did this beep-worthy book idea come about?
AD: The short answer: I love robots! (I used to doodle robots instead of doing my math homework. Even in college!) The long answer: I love robots and unusual friendship stories and mirror stories always make me laugh, so I hoped mine would make other people laugh, too.
TL: So BOY + BOT is your debut and it has something like 347 starred industry reviews! Are you thrilled or what?
AD: I’m SO happy, and really grateful for all the reviewer love. Here’s hoping the little Boys (and Girls!) and Bots that Dan and I made the book for love it, too!
TL: We’re chatting on the eve of your book’s release. Will you be able to sleep tonight? It’s a little like Christmas Eve, isn’t it?
AD: It feels like Christmas Eve and Birthday Eve and Leaving-for-Disney-World-Tomorrow Eve all smooshed together! I was up until 3:45 this morning because I was so excited already! (But, I think I’d better try to nap later today—I just searched the fridge and then the entire house looking for the bag of baby carrots, only to find I’d put them in the clothes dryer!)
TL: How awesome was it to see Dan Yaccarino’s vision of your characters? Were they anything like you imagined?
AD: Seeing Dan’s first sketches was the greatest! My family gathered around, we clicked “Open,” and then we all shouted, “Look! Bot’s… BIG! That’s BRILLIANT!” (Up until then, we’d envisioned Boy and Bot being the same small size! I dunno why!) But a small Boy and a big Bot is GENIUS! We could already see all the wonderful humor and affection Dan was putting into the characters, and knew his final artwork would be amazing. When it came in, I loved it SO MUCH, I hugged my computer!
TL: *insert clever segue to Dan here*
Howdy Dan, Mr. Keeno Yaccarino! Tell me, when you read Ame’s manuscript, it was love at first sight, right? Kind of like BOY + BOT themselves, right? RIGHT?! (Say “affirmative,” Dan.)
DY: AFFIRMATIVE.
TL: Ame said said when the illustrations came in, she was surprised to see BOT was a big bot and not a small one, like Boy. Why did you make the friends different sizes?
DY: Hmmm. I’m not sure. I guess it was the vision that formed in my mind when I read the manuscript.
There is rarely a logical reason why I do things visually. I listen to my impulse and trust my vision. If it feels right and is right for the book, then I do it.
Then perhaps I’ll rationalize it later.
TL: OK, would you care to rationalize why the inventor is bald?
DY: All inventors should be bald!
TL: *spittake* You’ve got a point there. Plus he reminds me of a lightbulb, so that’s very clever.
And here’s something else that’s clever—our contest to win the AFFIRMATIVELY AWESOME prize pack (book, Bot clip, stickers & bookmarks) PLUS there’s also TWO MORE copies of BOY + BOT to give away!
WOWZA!
Enter by telling us what you think Boy’s real name is. Ame says she’s always wondered about it. So let her know!
You get one entry for commenting and then one entry for every share on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, etc. Just mention it when you comment!
Have fun and good luck! Comments will close the end of April 20 and winners will be announced on April 21.
87 comments
Comments feed for this article
April 10, 2012 at 11:26 am
Lynne Marie
Derek 🙂
April 10, 2012 at 11:28 am
Mary Z
Robert
April 10, 2012 at 11:29 am
lindamartinandersen
Rob
April 10, 2012 at 11:34 am
Priscilla Mizell
Frederick! (Dirk for short.)
April 10, 2012 at 11:34 am
Cathy Ballou Mealey
Robbie
And that is the *cuddliest* looking robot EVER!
April 10, 2012 at 11:36 am
Joyce
Finn
April 10, 2012 at 11:36 am
Sandy Brehl
Chip
April 10, 2012 at 11:50 am
Tara Lazar
Well played, Sandy, well played.
April 10, 2012 at 11:38 am
Melissa K.
I’m relatively sure his name is Edison Thomas – Eddie to his friends. 🙂
I can’t WAIT to add this to our library! Looks like a fantastic PB! Tara, thanks for the feature! Ame and Dan, thanks for the interview! Inspirational.
April 10, 2012 at 11:41 am
Brenda Huante
Sam
April 10, 2012 at 11:41 am
Jen M. (@jenmaschari)
I think the little boy’s name is Henry or Albert. I have also posted on Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/jenmaschari/status/189753533195747328 and Pinterest http://pinterest.com/pin/42291683970910821/
AND I totally love robots. 🙂
April 10, 2012 at 11:42 am
Melissa K.
(And then I Shared this on Facebook – because everyone should get to see this one!) btw, I’m especially fond of the Spit Take. Nicely timed. 😉
April 10, 2012 at 11:51 am
Stephanie Shaw
Dave. It just has to be Dave…
April 10, 2012 at 12:05 pm
Mika English
Max or Maxie (what his mommy calls him), just like a little boy I know who is robot crazy and has been fascinated by robots since age 2.
April 10, 2012 at 12:10 pm
Catherine Johnson
Ethan? (p.s. love the carrots in the dryer part, i’d do something like that :)) Congrats!
April 10, 2012 at 12:20 pm
Susan Halko
Roy
April 10, 2012 at 12:21 pm
10minutoscondios
ROB!
April 10, 2012 at 12:22 pm
Christie Wright Wild
Boy looks like a Robert to me. Thanks for the contest. What a great interview!
April 10, 2012 at 12:23 pm
Linda Lodding
Clive. Definitely Clive.
And a BIG congrats to Ame and Dan!!!
April 10, 2012 at 12:24 pm
NAtalia Managó
ROB
April 10, 2012 at 12:38 pm
Pat Zietlow Miller
Chico (Spanish for boy. I know, creative, right?)
April 10, 2012 at 12:41 pm
donnashepherd
Chip, most definitely. 🙂 Facebooked, Tweeted, Googled, Pinned.
April 10, 2012 at 1:08 pm
Claire Bartlett
How about Jeffrey?
April 10, 2012 at 1:14 pm
slpstanley
Howard. He is definately a Howard. The book looks terrific! Thanks for sharing.
April 10, 2012 at 1:16 pm
Boy + Bot Giveaway! | Jess Keating
[…] GO FORTH AND ENTER! […]
April 10, 2012 at 1:19 pm
Tammi Sauer
Ralph 🙂
Great interview, ladies! (I facebooked it.)
April 10, 2012 at 1:28 pm
Lori Alexander
Hal
Thanks for the great interview!
April 10, 2012 at 1:46 pm
Tara Lazar
Lori, I read this at leasat 5 times as “Ha!” and not Hal. LOL!
April 10, 2012 at 1:28 pm
annemariepace
Jeremy!
April 10, 2012 at 1:31 pm
Diandra Mae
Oooh, I shared on FB before I even knew what the prize was-score! Yup, FB, Twitter, pinned and comment here. Let’s see. Boy looks like an Evan. 😀
April 10, 2012 at 2:09 pm
Ashley Bankhead
I think his name is Oliver. Ollie for short.
April 10, 2012 at 2:17 pm
Julie Krantz
How about Roo?
FB-ed & Twittered, too.
April 10, 2012 at 2:18 pm
Dana Carey
Name: Beau (or is it spelled Bo? I like the Beau spelling!)
Congrats to all.
I tweeted this cuz it’s too much fun and Ame, you’re a blast.
April 10, 2012 at 2:18 pm
ninolesel
Thanks for a fun interview. Oh, and I think the boy’s name is Douglas. It’s the first name that came to my mind when I saw the illustrations.
April 10, 2012 at 3:02 pm
3 pups in a pop-up
Boyd. Oh, and I FB, Tweeted and Pinned it!
April 10, 2012 at 3:03 pm
sabrina
Hogarth Hughes 🙂
Can’t wait to order the book; the story already seemed so sweet, but after having seen the trailer, i want it, i want it, i want it 🙂
PS the name was inspired by the one cartoon that always makes my hubbie cry 🙂
April 10, 2012 at 3:23 pm
Leslie G
Jamie!
April 10, 2012 at 3:30 pm
Jennifer Kirkeby
Loved this interview! It’s clear why you are friends! Congratulations Ame!
Oh, and I am pretty sure the boy’s name is Boswell. 😉
April 10, 2012 at 3:35 pm
Penny Klostermann
I have to go with Ames. (for Ame) And because now that I’ve called him that…it’s stuck. Oh, and I checked with Bot… he thinks it’s a winner!
Pinterest Pinned
FB-personal page and 2 groups
Twittered
April 10, 2012 at 3:39 pm
Julie
The boy’s name is Oliver for sure! 🙂 Great interview!!
April 10, 2012 at 3:41 pm
Elizabeth Stevens Omlor
Well, I asked my son, he of course said Elmo. But he is also a huge Thomas fan. So we went with Thomas. I think he looks like a Thomas! Don’t you? 🙂 I will share this on FB and Twitter if I can figure out how to tweet (still learning!). GREAT interview! Thanks so much and congratulations Ame and Dan! P.S. I think there is something in that NJ water. There seems to be a plethora of children’s authors residing in that state…
April 10, 2012 at 4:01 pm
childrenslitcrossroads
Walter
April 10, 2012 at 4:02 pm
Ellen L. Ramsey
Perhaps Roy to rhyme with Boy. Sounds like a marvelously funny book!
April 10, 2012 at 4:39 pm
Lori Mozdzierz
Otto [automation]
Congrats Ame and Dan!!
Great trailer and the music is catchy!!
Ame, soooo love the carrots in the dryer. LOL!
April 10, 2012 at 5:13 pm
Kirsten Larson
Boys name is most definitely Coop. I’m off to tweet about the book. Congrats Ame and Dan! (FYI Dan’s “If I Had a Robot” is a favorite around here.) Thanks for hosting Ame, Tara.
April 10, 2012 at 5:38 pm
carterhiggins
I think he’s a Hugh. And tweet, tweet, here I come!
April 10, 2012 at 6:59 pm
Jennifer Rumberger
What a fun looking book! I think the boy’s name is Bobby. He looked like a Bobby.
April 10, 2012 at 7:39 pm
thiskidreviewsbooks
Buddy
I tweeted and FB 🙂
April 10, 2012 at 7:51 pm
Donna Martin
I’m from the south so I’d have to say…wait for it…taaaa daaaa…BILLY BOB BOTTOMS! ;0)
April 10, 2012 at 8:08 pm
Charlotte
I think the boy’s name must be Nemoy 🙂
April 10, 2012 at 8:35 pm
laurimeyers
I am feeling Eliot.
April 10, 2012 at 9:32 pm
karadhya
What fun interviews! I will definitely be looking for this book in the book store…if I don’t win a copy here, that is. I think the boy’s name is Bob…or at least something that starts with a B. I just tweeted about the giveaway, too 🙂
April 10, 2012 at 9:45 pm
Colleen Kosinski
I’d call the boy Amos (the most similar to Ame I could come up with).
Yay, Ame! I’m so excited for you!
April 10, 2012 at 9:56 pm
Sharon K Mayhew
Fun interview. Congratulations on the book release and 347 reviews already!
My guess for the name is Ralph. 🙂
April 10, 2012 at 10:11 pm
Tracy
This looks so adorable, and I love robot books! I tweeted 🙂 I think the boy’s name is Jasper.
A2ZMommy and What’s In Between
April 10, 2012 at 10:25 pm
tinamcho
Super interview! I love reading about how each author started or how books came about. My son thinks the boy’s name should be John.
April 10, 2012 at 10:36 pm
Heather Ayris Burnell
Yay! I’ve been so waiting for this book to come out. Great interview!
The consenus here is that Boy’s name is definitely Carl.
I tweeted & facebooked.
April 10, 2012 at 11:01 pm
Ame Dyckman
FANTASTIC answers, everybody! I loved reading them! FANTASTIC post, Tara! Thanks so much for having us on your awesome blog, my friend! BOY: “Thank you, Ms. Tara!” BOT: “Thank-you-Tara-Lazar!” Do we love you? “AFFIRMATIVE!”
April 10, 2012 at 11:08 pm
Tara Lazar
I have a feeling BOT thinks my last name is “Laser” and maybe that’s why he loves me so much. LOL
April 11, 2012 at 12:55 am
carterhiggins
Totally just snort laughed at that one. That rules.
April 10, 2012 at 11:46 pm
katiemillsgiorgio
I don’t know why but that adorable little boy looks like a Charlie to me. Can’t wait to meet him and Bot! Also shared on Facebook. THANKS!
April 11, 2012 at 5:49 am
Kim Murray
I saw Boy + Bot on the library shelf last night and immediately grabbed it. Did I love it? Affirmative! Terrific book! Great interview. Oh, and Boy’s name is Jeff.
April 11, 2012 at 7:56 am
Brenda
I can’t wait to read it and drool at the illustrations. 🙂 A boy who loves robots should be called Dan! What else? As in Dan Yaccarino. 😉
April 11, 2012 at 8:30 am
The Year of the Picture Book - Boy and Bot by Ame Dyckman | There's A Book
[…] about this fantastic new book from Ame Dyckman and Dan Yaccarino right away! First of all, author Tara Lazar is holding a very creative and incredibly fun contest you shouldn’t miss! Secondly, you do not want to miss Ame Dyckman’s website! It’s […]
April 11, 2012 at 9:10 am
desiree
Getting a vibe for Norton. 🙂
April 11, 2012 at 10:19 am
Rebecca Van Slyke
He looks like Will Robinson, another boy who hung out with a ‘bot in the 60s!
April 11, 2012 at 11:35 am
dianamurray
Floyd.
April 11, 2012 at 12:25 pm
patientdreamer
I too think his name should be Bob and I have posted on FB.
April 11, 2012 at 4:53 pm
maria gianferrari
He looks like a Toby to me, Tob for short (the opposite of Bot!) It looks like such a fun book, I can’t wait to read it!
April 11, 2012 at 9:28 pm
Stephanie Shaw
Hmmm. Posted early this morning but it didn’t seem to send!
I love this book. Congratulations to both Ame and Dan.
I’m thinking the boy’s name is DAVE:)
April 11, 2012 at 9:30 pm
Stephanie Shaw
Well, sure. Now my original comment shows up. Sorry for the duplication although the congratulations are deserved many times over.
April 12, 2012 at 12:43 am
Jan O'Neil
I’m thinking Amedan, goes by Ed for short.
April 12, 2012 at 8:19 am
KatherineR
How about Tommy?
April 12, 2012 at 8:35 am
Ame Dyckman
You guys are coming up with FABULOUS names! Next time I get Writer’s Block, I’m calling ALL of you! 🙂
April 12, 2012 at 8:45 am
Bridgette Booth (@Bridgette_Booth)
What a great story behind the book! Love it. My guess – Henry.
April 12, 2012 at 2:13 pm
Tara Lazar
My daughter and her friend think it’s Floyd. Or Chip.
April 12, 2012 at 2:47 pm
Karen Kallis Cheesman
I can’t believe none of you got it yet. The boy is a total nerd. His name is POINDEXTER!
April 13, 2012 at 11:07 am
kdhuxman
This sounds like a wonderful picture book. I’m going to my library’s website now to make sure they buy a copy!
April 13, 2012 at 3:21 pm
Cari Meister
Edgar
April 13, 2012 at 7:32 pm
Abby Beal
Hi Ame, 🙂
A BIG Congratulations! to You! I loved the Birthday Eve, Christmas Eve and Leaving for Disney World Eve description. 🙂
I wonder if Boy’s name is Toby? That is like Bot, b-o-t, but with a “y” on the end. Wishing you great success with your writing and creative projects.
🙂 Abigail
April 15, 2012 at 8:11 am
Penny Morrison
His name is Zeke.
I hope I can buy Boy + Bot in Australia. At least in time for my robot-obsessed son’s birthday.
I’m facebooking.
April 16, 2012 at 4:47 am
Deborah Wood
His name is Ben. I can’t wait to be able to buy this book!
April 16, 2012 at 4:49 am
Deborah Wood
I shared on facebook too
April 16, 2012 at 3:49 pm
Sally
Love Boy+Bot. I am sure the boy’s real name is Russell. He looks like a Russell to me 🙂
April 20, 2012 at 4:22 pm
Cathy Ballou Mealey
No one claimed Elroy?
April 27, 2012 at 6:03 pm
Penny Morrison
I can hardly wait to read this book, but it won’t be in Australia until June. At least that’s in time for my Boy’s birthday.
January 11, 2013 at 2:32 am
Boy + Bot by Ame Dyckman and Illustrated by Dan Yaccarino | The Picture Book Review
[…] https://taralazar.com/2012/04/10/boy-bot-you-laughing-you-loving-you-winning/ […]