Make a Book Mock-Up!

Have you ever wondered how a book mockup is made? Or what a book mockup is for?

Before finished book copies are available from the printer, publishers will often create a dummy version of a book for photographs to get readers and bookstores excited about what’s to come. This fascinating video from the brilliant team at @chroniclebooks and @chroniclekidsbooks gives you an inside glimpse into how the mockups for Garbage Crew To The Rescue! were created.

And don’t worry, finished books will be landing in stores everywhere on September 24th, so we’ll be able to let this super special mockup take a well-deserved rest.😀

Now in Paperback!!

Our favorite helicopter heroes and the stars of a rip-roaring rescue are flying into bookstores in a brand new paperback edition for the very first time! They’re braver than brave, tougher than tough, and nothing will stop this firefighting crew from completing their mission and letting young reader’s imaginations soar!

The Garbage Crew Book Tour!

The Garbage Crew and I will be rolling into schools this fall and stopping by some of our favorite bookstores to sign books along the way. These won't be public signing events, but the stores will have signed copies available to purchase. I can't wait for you all to share the book with the little readers in your lives, and I hope you'll share their reactions with me, too!

My Boys

Kid 1: Double undergrad major, tech obsessed, bound for law school.

Kid 2: Champion kart racer, heading to NASCAR Tech Institute.

When I stop and think about it, I guess not much has changed.

Meet a New Character from Garbage Crew

I'll be introducing the new members of the crew featured in Construction Site: Garbage Crew to the Rescue! all month long.

It's Time to Meet The Garbage Crew! Up first: Roll-off Truck, with his powerful hoist!

The second member of the Garbage Crew. It's Mighty Flatbed Coming Through!

No cleanup crew is complete without Flatbed, who knows that teamwork gets the job done.

The third member of the team is Frontloader. The mightiest member of the garbage crew! His incredible strength can lift the heaviest loads, and he's always ready to use his skills to help the team.

There's one more member of the crew to introduce! Meet Container Delivery Truck, who can always be trusted to bring the crew everything they need to get the job done.


And don't forget to preorder before it goes on sale on September 24th! with links on my BOOKS page!

The Garbage Crew is almost ready for their debut! Learn more about the book at the link in my website.

Enter to Win!

I'm thrilled to announce a special giveaway of some of my all-time favorite picture books: One VERY lucky winner will win this collection of Llama Llama titles, plus the adorable Llama plush.

Anna Dewdney’s loving voice and incredible talent echo from every page of every sweet book. On a personal note, “Red Pajama” was my go-to reference for how to create a perfectly rhyming picture book, and it will forever own a place in my heart. I hope you’ll check out the rest of this series — and her other titles as well. Each one is an endearing treasure.

To enter: 1. Follow my account, 2. Like this post, 3. Comment and TAG TWO FRIENDS by 11:59 PM EDT on July 25th. Winners will be announced here on my Instagram! US only please.

Barnes and Noble Pre-Order

Construction Site fans, the Barnes & Noble Preorder Sale is back! Today through July 17th, if you preorder your copy of Construction Site: Garbage Crew to the Rescue through @barnesandnoble you can receive 25% off, using code PREORDER25! Valid for Premium and Rewards Members. Premium members also get double stamps AND an additional 10% off. #saleforthepages

Garbage Crew to the Rescue!

When the fireworks are done
And the barbecues, too
Their work has just begun
It's the mighty GARBAGE CREW!

I hope you had a wonderful 4th of July! 🇺🇸 But, don’t forget: When our festivities end, their work is just beginning. So, here's a MIGHTY, BIG THANK-YOU to all of the workers out there who clean up after the celebrations are over!

Book Signing

Garbage Crew To The Rescue! Illustrated by the incredibly talented (and also incredibly nice) AG Ford. 😃 Big jobs are much more fun with a friend!