Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends. Today’s featured book is written by one of my Storm Literary Agency sisters who is also a local kid-lit friend. We don’t get together as often as we’d like because we live about an hour apart, but we have a plan in the works to meet or lunch in May. And I’m thrilled to help celebrate the launch of her debut picture book which flew into bookstores just two days ago!

PEW! THE STINKY LEGEN-DAIRY GIFT FROM COLONEL THOMAS S. MEACHAM

Written by Cathy Stefanec Ogren

Illustrated by Lesley Breen

Published by Sleeping Bear Press

Ages: 6-9

Themes: American history, determination, humor

Synopsis: From Amazon:
In 1835, Colonel Thomas S. Meacham wanted to give the president of the United States a present that celebrated the achievements of his upstate New York farming community. Believing that big is always better, he decided a colossal, legen-dairy gift was in order: a wheel of cheese measuring four feet in diameter, two feet thick, and weighing 1,400 pounds. Transporting the cheese to Washington D.C. was another big undertaking. It traveled by wagon and by ship, before being delivered to the White House on New Year’s Day in 1836. But with a big cheese comes a big smell, and after a year the president had a stinky situation on his hands. How can he get rid of this cheesy gift? Readers of all ages will enjoy this slice of American history. Back matter includes science facts on cheese making.

Why I Love This Book:
1. I love true stories that inform me.
2. The well-written text is engaging and funny.
3. The illustrations are fabulous.

I know we all love to find out what inspired an author to write about a particular topic – and lucky us! Author Cathy stopped by to chat and here’s what she said about that:

CATHY: Imagine one word that pulls you to a television program like a high-powered magnet – CHEESE. I’m a turophile – a cheese lover. I immediately knew something delicious was happening on that program. I learned about a 1,400-pound cheese that was given to the president of the United States in 1836. A cheesy idea for a picture book was born.

There you have it, folks! Ideas are everywhere…just follow your passion and your nose…or stomach will lead you there!

You can order PEW! The Stinky and Legen-Dairy Gift from Colonel Thomas S. Meacham from these websites.

Indiebound
Barnes & Noble
Bookshop
Amazon

And here a little bit about Cathy:
Cathy Stefanec Ogren believes in reading and writing books that spark curiosity and imagination. She grew up in a home surrounded by books and had parents who encouraged reading and frequent visits to the library. Before becoming a full-time writer, she was an elementary school teacher, working with second and third-grade students. Her last years in education were spent as a school librarian where she was passionate about introducing new and diverse books to her students. Surrounded by lots and lots of books, Cathy lives with her husband in their New Hampshire home and makes frequent visits to the library. Connect with Cathy below.
Website
Facebook
Twitter 
Instagram
Blog 

RELATED ACTIVITIES:
Cheesemaking at Home
Here is a YouTube video of a mom making cheese with her daughter – maybe some of you will give it a try:

And if you want a chance to win the giveaway copy that Cathy is offering, please leave a comment below. Maybe you can tell us about your favorite cheese! Who knows, maybe some of you have a funny cheese incident that will spark a new manuscript!
Please come back tomorrow for a special BOARD BOOK SATURDAY post celebrating the launch of Julie Abery’s latest two books in the Little Animals series, LITTLE WALRUS and LITTLE OTTER.