In my opinion, some of the very best picture books are the ones that pay attention to language—which not only tell a great story but are also a ton of fun to read aloud. Well, when it comes to a Carol Brendler picture book, linguistic excellence is ALWAYS a given . . . and never more so than in her latest.

Carol's brand new picture book, THE PICKWICKS' PICNIC, is an epic, traffic-heavy comedy of errors, featuring a couple of kids and their parents who are just trying to get out of town for a picnic—but as the blockage at the bridge builds up, the kids are going to have to come up with their own solution.

I am delighted to say that editor extraordinaire Anne Hoppe, of Clarion Books, fell just as hard for this text as I did, and quickly snapped it up. The talented Renee Kurilla has been tapped to illustrate, and the whole package is scheduled to show up on your very bookshelf in fall 2017.

Hooray and huge congrats, Carol!

- Joan