Bad Dog Max!

Max, Marina and Anna are going to the Book Fest

Marina Windsor will be appearing at the Southern Kentucky Book Fest, just as soon as she wraps up her taxes, on April 16-17, in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

The Southern Kentucky Book Fest is a non-profit organization dedicated to our mission: to encourage reading and the love of books and to be a positive force in reducing the illiteracy in the region and state.

The Book Fest, presented by Western Kentucky University Libraries/Kentucky Museum, Bowling Green Public Library and Barnes & Noble Booksellers, is the state’s largest literary event.

The 2003 festival had a record attendance of over 10,000.

Held annually during National Library Week, the festival is a two-day event. Day 1 is devoted to schoolchildren. Children have the opportunity to meet their favorite authors, participate in dramatic and musical performances, and exercise their creativity in the make and do room.

For more information on the Book Fest, you can check out the official web site.

For the special children in your life

Here's what Sherri Allen had to say about Max at sherriallen.com:

"Bad Dog Max!" is a delightful tale about a little dog, Max, who just can't seem to stay out of trouble. Everyone who knows Max thinks she's bad, even her family's other pet! Finally, her family learns Max is not a bad dog, she just needs some extra attention. In the end, Max is a happy dog who is not always perfect, but is always loved.

The colorful illustrations show Max in action, creating mischief on nearly every page. The pictures are fun and engaging, complementing the story's words perfectly.

I recommend reading "Bad Dog Max!" with the special children in your life. It's a great way to remind them they are always loved, no matter what.

Lively Library gives Max a thumbs-up

Thanks to the folks at LivelyLibrary.com, who posted a complimentary review of Max recently:

Marina Windsor accurately catches the true nature of disobedient dogs and offers a viable solution to the problem by taking the dog to the vet. The vet gives excellent advice for the pet owners which, when carried out seems to minimize the dog's mischievous behavior. Realistically portrayed, love for the dog provides encouragement and acceptance for Max.

They also call the book ideal for young readers. We'd have to agree, but then again, we're biased.

Chicagoparent.com says "yes" to a book about "no"

Thanks to Chicago Parent magazine, which gave a nice review of Bad Dog Max! in its January, 2003 issue.

The review's scrolled offline, but you can see the Google cache here. They said, "Children will learn from this book that even though they often hear 'no,' the word is said for a reason and they are still loved."

Going back to school

Recently, Marina had the opportunity to go back to school, when she was invited by the fifth grade English class at The Calvert School in Baltimore to talk about the process of publishing a book.

Although the girls in this class are well beyond the reading level of "Max," they were interested to hear about the trials and travails of writing and pitching a children's book, and the happy ending of getting it produced by a major publisher, Chronicle Books.

In this picture, she can be seen with the girls from the class:

"Food for thought"

Thanks to the Children's Literature web site for reviewing "Bad Dog Max!"

The full review is available on the Barnes and Noble web site at the Bad Dog Max! page, however the full database of Children's Literature reviews are available only by subscription (you can sign up for a free 7-day trial here.)

Children's Literature - Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz

Our young narrator is concerned because Max, the dog, is always getting into trouble. Each double page shows Max doing something else wrong, making mommy, daddy, the neighbors, the mailman, even the cat, call her a "bad dog." But when the vet explains that dogs like Max have "lots of energy" and need long walks and playtime, everyone finds that Max can be a good dog, at least most of the time. Max clearly dominates each scene, with Haskamp supplying just a few contextual details to set the stage for the misbehavior. The acrylic paintings lack detail in their simplicity, but Max's emotions are clearly visible, particularly her eyes. The spare, simple text in large type offers food for thought about misbehavior of more than just young dogs. 2003, Chronicle Books, Ages 3 to 6.

Max is an "Exceptional" Book

According to eparent.com, "Bad Dog Max!" is one of 2003's "Books For All."

eparent.com is the web site of "Exceptional Parent," a magazine with "32 award-winning years of providing
information, support, ideas, encouragement and outreach for parentsand families of children with disabilities."

In their review, eparent.com says of Max:

Children who sometimes find themselves in trouble accidentally will enjoy joining Max as she learns that there are good ways and bad ways to be energetic, and that even when she is in trouble, she is still very much loved just like they are.

Thanks for the kind words from eparent.com!

ihelppets.com likes Max!

A recent review of Bad Dog Max! on ihelppets.com had this to say:

This endearing tale of the rascally Max will delight kids who often find themselves on the receiving end of the word "No!" The vivid illustrations and humorous text work together to reassure children that, even when they are in trouble, they are still loved.

Thanks for the nice review!

Max, Marina and Anna go to a book signing

On a recent Sunday night, Marina was one of about fifty Maryland authors to participate in a massive party/signing/fundraiser at the Towson Borders Books.

The night was a benefit for Baltimore Literacy Works, an independent group working to promote literacy in Maryland. Marina was ably assisted by daughter Anna.

Among the other authors at the event were Madison Smartt Bell, Laura Lippman and Jill Jonnes.

Quite a few copies of "Max" found new homes that night!