It’s my birthday, but I’d rather not be reminded, because I’m slipping ever so closer to eligibility for the “AARP Junior” card, as my father likes to josh. (Thanks, Pops.)
Last year on my birthday, something fun happened—my agent and I announced the acquisition of LITTLE RED GLIDING HOOD by Heidi Kilgras at Random House Children’s. And this year, Meredith Mundy and Merideth Harte of Sterling have stepped up to the birthday cake. They have acquired NORMAL NORMAN, a story that began with just the quirky title. (Always have pen and paper on you, folks. I jotted it down on the grocery check-out line.)
Many thanks again to Ammi-Joan Paquette for brokering the deal. Here’s the full scoop:
Who here has yet to pay a visit to THE MONSTORE? It’s okay, we’ll wait. (You won’t regret it!)
Once you’ve stopped off to visit Tara Lazar’s deliciously quirky debut picture book, you will of course want to know what else she has on the horizon. And the answer is: much, much more! The next book to drop will be I THOUGHT THIS WAS A BEAR BOOK, coming from Aladdin in summer 2015.
And today, I’ve got still more good news—which is really the reason we’re here today. Tara Lazar’s brand new picture book, NORMAL NORMAN, tells the story of Norman, a little creature who does not want to do all the normal things that creatures do. He wants to be different! Unique! Unexpected! Not everyone likes this plan… not at all. What is a think-outside-the-box creature to do?
I’m delighted to say that NORMAL NORMAN has been acquired by Meredith Mundy and Merideth Harte at Sterling, and that an illustrator is already on board: the talented Stephan Britt. Congratulations, Tara—and here’s to Norman!
–Joan
What’s interesting about Norman is that I never specify what kind of animal he is in the text nor the art notes. I leave it completely to S.Britt. So I’m excited to see what animal he chooses–if Norman’s even a real animal at all!
That’s why it’s fun to keep yourself open to possibilities in your manuscript and never dictate too much in the art notes. Norman being an amorphous being leaves plenty of room for the illustrator to go wild! This kind of freedom will no doubt lend an extra layer of fun to the book.
51 comments
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June 21, 2014 at 12:14 pm
Wendy Greenley
Congratulations, Tara! I thought something was up when Mandy Yates posted yesterday, but I wanted to hear it from the horse’s mouth! You must have great birthday celebrations. 🙂
June 21, 2014 at 12:20 pm
Ann Ingalls
This is fantastic news, Birthday Girl!! So happy for you and the children who will get to read your books.
June 21, 2014 at 12:22 pm
Becky Fyfe
Congratulations and happy birthday! 🙂
June 21, 2014 at 12:25 pm
Robyn Campbell
Huge congrads and a very MERRY birthday.
June 21, 2014 at 12:25 pm
Carrie Brown
YAY, Tara! You are on fire! Great job and Happy Birthday!
June 21, 2014 at 12:35 pm
Rosi Hollinbeck
Good for you, Tara! That’s great news. Happy birthday.
June 21, 2014 at 12:40 pm
kamikinard
Woo-hoo! Congrats Tara!
June 21, 2014 at 12:44 pm
Tracey M. Cox
I got my dancing shoes on!!!
~~~SNOOPY DANCE~~~
Congratulations, my friend! Keep on truckin’!
June 21, 2014 at 12:45 pm
Patricia Toht
Double-whammy celebration! Woohoo!
June 21, 2014 at 12:50 pm
lindamartinandersen
All the best to one of the best!
June 21, 2014 at 12:57 pm
cathy john biggerstaff
Congratulations, Tara! I’m so excited for you. Praying for much success for you and Norman.
June 21, 2014 at 1:03 pm
barlouca
What an outstanding birthday present! YEA, Tara! So proud of you.
June 21, 2014 at 1:16 pm
Rebecca
Congratulations! And happy happy birthday!
June 21, 2014 at 1:36 pm
thiskidreviewsbooks
YAY another book to look forward to! HEY – today is my mom’s birthday too! 🙂 First day of summer too! 🙂 Happy birthday and congratulations! 🙂
June 21, 2014 at 2:04 pm
Pat Miller
I see a pattern here, Birthday Girl. With acquisitions occurring on your birthdays, I think you should begin celebrating your half-birthdays as well! Hope this is a fabulous year coming up for you!
June 21, 2014 at 3:23 pm
jheitman22
Super congrats, Tara!
June 21, 2014 at 3:47 pm
Amy
Happy Birthday, Tara. Lots to celebrate!
June 21, 2014 at 4:15 pm
Sharon k Mayhew
Congratulations, Tara! What a great birthday tradition you are building.
June 21, 2014 at 5:20 pm
LeslieG
Hurrah, huzzah! Go, Tara!
June 21, 2014 at 5:43 pm
Donna L. Sadd
That is so cool. Congratulations and Happy Birthday, Tara! :0)
June 21, 2014 at 6:21 pm
Jennifer Rumberger
Congrats and happy birthday!
June 21, 2014 at 6:32 pm
Susanne Whitehouse
Wonderful news Tara! Can’t wait to see what you have in store for us on your next birthday!
June 21, 2014 at 6:50 pm
naomimgruer
Yay, Congrats and Happy Birthday!!
June 21, 2014 at 7:32 pm
KidLitReviews
Congratulations Tara. I cannot wait to review each and every book you write. Monstore brightened up Kid Lit Reviews the entire time it ran. I can tell when someone has opened the post up — little bits of monster brightness stays on the home page for a while. It is nice. Again, much congratulations!!
June 21, 2014 at 7:35 pm
tinamcho
Congratulations! One of the best birthday presents! Maybe you should write an actual birthday story next. 🙂
June 21, 2014 at 7:39 pm
Susanna Leonard Hill
Congratulations, Tara, and happy birthday 🙂
June 21, 2014 at 7:42 pm
Romelle Broas
Congratulations, Tara! Love your titles. And I love the premise of Normal Norman. Some people dread birthdays, but if I had great news like yours on my birthday, I’d be looking forward to it every year. (Though I really don’t mind birthdays) can’t wait to read your lastest 2 books. I love monstore!
June 21, 2014 at 8:08 pm
Kerry Aradhya
Wow, Tara. Happy birthday, and congratulations! I took a workshop with Meredith Mundy once, and she seems like she would be so great to work with 🙂
June 21, 2014 at 9:56 pm
Andria
Best birthday present ever! Congrats. Tara!!!
June 21, 2014 at 10:08 pm
Elizabeth McBride
Congratulations Tara! You sure know how to celebrate and make the ‘better, not older’ thing come true! This is great news and well-deserved. Enjoy!!
June 22, 2014 at 12:35 am
deborahholtwilliams
Yay! I love it when good things happen to good people–especially on their birthday!
June 22, 2014 at 4:16 am
Linda E.H.
Congrats!
June 22, 2014 at 7:41 am
Carleen Tjader
Love the title…..can’t wait to read it!
June 22, 2014 at 8:30 am
yangmommy
What a great surprise, esp on your birthday! Congratulations
June 22, 2014 at 8:57 am
Lori Mozdzierz
Wahoo! Happy Birthday to you 😀 Congrats on the sell!
June 22, 2014 at 12:46 pm
Darshana
Congratulations! Belated Happy Birthday!
June 22, 2014 at 12:57 pm
Sheri Radovich
So excited for your new books and can’t wait to read them. Your birthday brings special excitement for you. Happy happy b-day.
June 22, 2014 at 10:29 pm
Penny Parker Klostermann
Sooooo happy for you, Tara 🙂
June 23, 2014 at 4:14 pm
Catherine Johnson
Happy Birthday! I love the sound of Normal Norman. Congratulations!
June 23, 2014 at 6:17 pm
Mary McClellan
Wonderful news!! Congratulations and Happy Birthday!
June 24, 2014 at 5:25 pm
itchtowrite
Great news! Congratulations!!
June 24, 2014 at 6:32 pm
Maria Gianferrari
Happy belated birthday, and happy book birthday–what a way to celebrate!! Congratulations, Tara!!
June 24, 2014 at 7:01 pm
darlenebeckjacobson
Awesome News and what a great birthday gift! Congratulations!
June 24, 2014 at 7:02 pm
darlenebeckjacobson
Reblogged this on Darlene Beck-Jacobson and commented:
Congratulations to my writer friend Tara Lazar.
June 24, 2014 at 7:07 pm
rnewman504
Happy birthday and mega congrats!
June 24, 2014 at 8:04 pm
storyfairy
Congratulations, Tara! That’s awesome!
I have been greatly inspired by your blog, and so I would like to nominate you for “The Very Inspiring Blogger” award. Here is a link explaining that award:
http://thestoryfairyslibrary.wordpress.com/2014/06/24/the-very-inspiring-blogger-award/
June 25, 2014 at 9:44 am
Tara Lazar
Thanks so much!
June 26, 2014 at 3:12 pm
Quinn Cole
You continue to inspire the rest of us. Congratulations!
June 30, 2014 at 8:47 pm
Pam Miller
Tara, Happy belated Birthday, and congratulations on another book and ALL your awesome titles.
July 6, 2014 at 4:57 pm
Barbara Jayson
So proud of you…Aunt Barbara
July 8, 2014 at 9:10 pm
Lauri Meyers
Can’t wait to read about this amorphous being! Are there animals you are scared of? y’know you’ll see the art and say “AHH! Did it have to be a tarantula? I mean really?”