Bingo's Journal - It's October and Halloween is Coming

Since Halloween is coming at the end of this month I wanted to talk a little about my friend Lucky.  He's a black cat and black cats are NOT bad luck.  Black cats get a bad rap in some parts of the world and I want to say NO to that.  Black cats are awesome!  See how peaceful we hang out together.

And Lucky is a favorite of our little humans. He plays with them and tolerates their   games without question.  I think he is good luck since he gets such a nice response from the little humans!

I want all cats, especially black cats to feel safe and secure in their world like our Lucky!  I think black cats are just as "lucky" as any other cat!  So let's remember that black cats are not bad luck on Halloween.

While thinking about the fall, I took some time to reflect upon the long shadows at the afternoon's end.  I watched the human boy playing in the dirt. I think playing in the dirt is a great thing.  He's using his paws to DO stuff.  Kids need to just get dirty some times!  And adult humans just need to say YES to dirt too!

I was also thinking about how I get teased by this titmouse at the bird feeder - ALL THE TIME!   I sit and watch him and he screams at me!!!  Birds.....I'm just sayin' . . . they frustrate me.  

Bye for now,
Bingo the Mighty Adventurer

Bingo's Journal - I am Eclipsed with Summer Fun

I have been hiding a little bit this summer.  Maybe it is because summer has been stalking me slowly this year. The easy warm up to the longest days of the year are lovely cause I get more time to roam my property in search of adventure.  Because I am a cat, I can tell that there is something or someone watching me all the time . . . 

Then, there was this day a few weeks ago when the shadows were strange.  They looked like little half moons cast across the country side as the afternoon faded and the sun fell behind the trees.  I was awestruck by the beauty of the eclipse . . . for that is what the Tall Lady told me it was.  

But then I found the pool had been put out for me!  Whee!

Oh, how I love to get in that water and take fresh sips of cool refreshing H2O!

I can even find a few moments to reflect in my pool.  You know, ponder on what has come and gone and what will be.

Then I solved a very important mystery which has been on the top of my mind.  I kept hearing this saying over and over and over.  And I confirmed the truth.  

So, indeed the boy is composed from snips and snails and puppy dog tails!  He is a rascal like me.  I am not surprised to see his secret ingredients.  I have a few secret ingredients myself . . .  Greasy, grimy gopher guts, that's what little cats are made from . . . or is it something else?  Hmmmmmm.

Bye for now,
Bingo

Bingo's Journal - They Won't Stop Following Me

So, being a "Mighty Adventurer" I can claim much action and excitement in my daily life.  I explore, I hunt, I run, I hide. This picture, for example, shows my ability to evade be captured by human children.  I regret that they are always getting into my business.

But in exchange for the loving embrace that some children bless me with, I am a cat who is the master of this . . . amazing countryside.

And I am a cat who get to take naps under blooming shrubs where bees and insects gather nectar.  Somehow, there are quite a few pictures of me lazing around our property when I should be out doing something exciting.  But I must rest sometimes . . .

But then again, there is a line which I must draw.  I declair that if the Tall Lady takes just one more picture of me, her camera will break!  Yes BREAK!!

So to help her NOT damage her camera, I quietly crawl into my own little cat house and sleep where I can escape the paparazzi . . . well sort of.

Bye for now,

Bingo the cat, aka the Mighty Adventurer

Publishers Weekly Reviewed Bingo Explores the Farm!

We are happy to share that Publishers Weekly Select reviewed Bingo Explores the Farm.  A total of 221 titles were entered for review during this period and 52 were chosen for review.  Only three children's picture books made the full review section, so I am happy . . . my book was chosen this quarter for their self published review magazine!  I am so glad we made the cut!

Publisher Weekly Select said, "In this mild, meandering story, the feline star of Bingo's Big Adventure roams the farm in search of adventure. Loquacious narrator Bingo first tries unsuccessfully to start a toy car: "Oh dear, I am not a mechanic. I am only a cat. I do not have hands or tools either. I must admit my adventure is not starting well." When he wanders into an empty barn, Bingo thinks he has stumbled upon his adventure: "It is solving the mystery of who lives in this building!" Back outside, the cat discovers a horse, but "Tall Lady," his "human," warns Bingo that he's too small to play with the animal. Finally, Bingo finds a perfect companion (and an adventure) in "the Boy," who entertains the cat with a stick and gently pets him. The overly wordy narration and slow pacing (eight pages are devoted to Bingo's inability to start the toy car) drag this tale down; King's candid photographs of Bingo and his farm surroundings are the stronger part of the story. A farm q&a and some search-and-find activities are also included. Ages 3–8."

Well what can I say?  I am a talker . . . I can't think in short sentences and I like to use big words!  What else makes kids better readers than introducing them to more words to make them learn.  I am me and "me" means words.  I don't want to make books that are too simple for the smart kids and parents who will be reading them.

Recently, the Tall Lady heard a "big time" publisher say at a conference that all children's picture books should be under 1000 words.  She was shocked!  (My book is about 1300 words by comparison)  Then the speaker then said, "What parent wants to read more than one short book before bedtime to their kids?"   Whoa!  That was blasphemous to the Tall Lady.  Don't the publishers know about reading 20 minutes a day to your kids who are under 5 years of age?  Bed time is the perfect time to give your kids quality reading when they are calming down for the evening.  The Tall Lady reads up to 30 minutes with her kids every day and usually that takes two or three books.  It's a perfect way to end the day and bond and cover new ground with the stories in the books!

Now when PW says "the first eight pages," it really means the first four page couplets.  And in that section, I try to drive my car, I try to fix it, I get help from Jimmy, and I make an important decision NOT to fight or argue with Jimmy.  All of that in four page pairs with huge pictures!  This dragging down stuff I am not sure about.

Even though there was some mild criticism which will always be present in life, I guess my final word is that I am certainly happy, feel grateful, and am thrilled that my 2nd book - Bingo Explores the Farm - made it to the category of books that merited review in PW Select Magazine and for that I thank Publishers Weekly!

Bye for now,
Bingo

Bingo's Journal - New Book Update and iPad Apps Coming for Both My Books

Good news!  My book is off to the printers!  Now it's only a matter of a few weeks before it is available for kids to read and touch!  It will be available for delivery through Amazon and other wholesale distributors at the end of May.

Also . . . other news.  The Tall Lady - my personal human - will have the iPad app for both of my books available within the next two weeks!  So if you want to read my book on your iPad you can!  It is formatted just for the iPad and has real voices telling my story.  And the voices are special . . . real kids who read well AND who can speak in my voice AND tell my tale in a way other kids can relate too.

More updates coming soon!

UPDATE: MY BOOK IS AVAILABLE FOR THE iPAD UNDER "SALE" ON THE RIGHT MARGIN!  MEW!

Bye for now,
Bingo

Saint Patrick's Day Sillies

As a cat I really like Saint Patrick's Day because it celebrates green.

I love all the greenery outside!  

I love to chew on new grass.  

I love hiding in the grass.

I love running through the grass.
I love playing hide and seek in the grass.

It's fun thinking of the fresh green landscape, and that maybe leprechauns are there hiding . . . with their pot of gold!

I had the Tall Lady make up a silly picture of me for the occasion.  Enjoy!

Bye for now,
Bingo

Bingo's Journal - Can You Find the Leprechaun in my St. Patty's Day Picture

Just a little game for St Patrick's Day!

Can you find the little mischief maker?  And no he is not "me."

Just click on the picture to enlarge and find him!

Bingo's Journal - First Review for Bingo Explores the Farm - Kirkus

Greetings Humans!

I am please to be able to post the first review I got back for Bingo Explores the Farm by Kirkus!  Yeah!

"A cat named Bingo searches for adventure and finds a lesson in self-discovery—as well as a new friend—in King’s thoughtful picture book.

The story begins with Bingo introducing himself as an explorer who is searching for a way to repair a tiny, rusted car so that he can drive it around the farm that he lives on and, presumably, get into some mischief.

Bright photographs of Bingo, a real cat with gray stripes, climbing all over the cat-sized car fill the pages as we see Bingo unsuccessfully inspect the engine, steering wheel and gas pedal. Just as Bingo’s chance at adventure seems to diminish, his best friend Jimmy, a yellowish-orange cat, reluctantly agrees to try and get the car started. But Jimmy wants to be in charge, and he snaps at Bingo for getting in the way. Rather than fight, Bingo abandons the car and explores the farm on his own. He wanders into an empty barn and has a look around, trying to figure out what sorts of animals live there by examining the clues left behind.

Young readers will have fun helping Bingo decipher the clues, and they’ll probably relate to how Bingo feels when he finally gets a close-up view of the horses who live in the barn. Bingo likes the sweet smell of the horses, and the long whiskers on their noses, but their enormous heads block out the sun, making him feel tiny. The photos emphasize the size difference and give readers a cat’s-eye view of the enormous animals. Just as Bingo begins to worry that the horses may harm him, he hears a familiar voice calling; it’s the little boy who lives on the farm and, like Bingo, he’s looking for a playmate. The boy knows just what kind of adventure Bingo has been looking for, and Bingo realizes that a true friend isn’t someone who bosses you around or who makes you feel small.

King’s universal message comes through in the numerous photos, showing Jimmy snapping at Bingo, Bingo’s hair standing up when he realizes how powerful the horses are and, at the end, the boy gently petting Bingo. Curious readers will enjoy the extras at the end that invite them to go back and take a closer look at hidden details in the photos.

Bingo leads young readers on a farm adventure that does not disappoint." -Kirkus Reviews, February 27, 2012.

Order Bingo Explores the Farm in advance from Baker & Taylor, Ingram, Quality Books Inc, and Follett Library Resources.  Publication date for Bingo Explores the Farm is May 1, 2012.

For any other inquiry regarding retail purchase contact bingoadventures@yahoo.com.

Bingo's Journal - Great Children's Picture Books

Because I am a cat who likes books, I am an avid reader of the children's picture book genre! This list includes my favorites which span in publication from the 1960's through 2012. These book recommendations are for kids ages 3-8. This children's picture book list is my super fabulous, must read, top 75+ list. Click on pictures to go to Amazon if you want to see more about the book or purchase it.  And don't forget to check your local library!

Bingo the Cat recommends reading the following stories in any order:



Hamlet and the Magnificent Sand Castle - Bravery, face challenges, fun images.

Cowboy Bunnies - Simple story with cowboy "kids" as wranglers.

The Gardener - Beautiful thoughts about transformation and the future during Great Depression times.

The Legend of the Golden Snail - Fun find games and liberating theme.

Oxcart Man - Handmade trade in "olden" days with work hard theme to get reward.

Sailing Home - Tale of time gone by with sailing vessel and ocean life.

My Dog is as Smelly as Dirty Socks - Good silly stinky fun.

Fleas! - Journey in "trades" earns farmer a dog.

The Honeybee Man - Fascinating details on what a bee would do in the city.

Cornfield Hide and Seek - Fun on the farm with hide and seek.

Little Tom Turkey - Rhyming story of turkey polt growth to adult Tom.

Finklehopper Frog - Rhyming tale of jogging frog.

Cesar Takes a Break - Iguana roams the halls at school during vacation.

Way Out in the Desert - Rhyming desert tale with native fauna.

The Color Kittens - Classic Wise-Brown.

Mammoths on the Move - Rhyming migration tale with awesome imagery.

Hotel Deep - Gorgeous illustrations and mini story within book. "Shakespeare" like with story within story."

Go Track a Yak! - Silly story with mean old witch and a baby.

Dex - Little guy proves he's powerful through his hard work.

The Cheese - Fantastic spin on the farmer in the dell.

Hurry! - How hay used to be harvested.

Sugaring - How maple syrup is harvested and processed.

Story Time for Little Porcupine - Three great tales of "why" stuff happens in the universe.

Grumpy Cat - Mean cat learns to be nice with help from kitten.

Cat Kong - Fun parody of King Kong with mice and cats.

Hurry and the Monarch - Life cycle of monarch butterfly told from ancient tortoise view.

Beatrice's Goat - How goats in Africa are helping families raise their standard of living.

Why Mosquitos Buzz in Peoples Ears - Tale of pesky mosquito causing cascade of problems.

Johnny Appleseed - Beautiful rhyming story of the apple pioneer.

The Surprise Family - Chicken raises brood of ducks and faces challenges.

The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes - Bunny mom shows she can do anything.

Clarence Goes Out West and Meets a Purple Horse - Pig goes to dude ranch and rescues an older horse.

The Bee Tree - Adventure on finding a wild bee hive and harvesting honey.

Every Cowgirl needs a Horse - Girl finds a bicycle can be her "horse" and is happy!

Rooster's Revenge - Wordless story with funky characters and cool pictures to make up your own tale.  Dragon eggs involved!

Purplishous - Mean girls tease Pinkalishous but she finds a friend who likes pink.  Pink is a powerful color.

An Egg is Quiet - How eggs look, hide, and hatch into birds, fish, insects or other creatures.  Gorgeous.

Black and White - Four part tale of strange cattle heist/bank robber escape.

The Wonderful House - Funky wonky weird in a good way story about house with animals inside.

The Sleepy Book - How animals get ready for sleep.

The Two Little Gardeners - Detail of how to plant a garden, care for it, and see it grow.

Mister Dog - Boy and dog team up for chow and comfort.

The Friendly Book - ? Just great.

Lost! - Bear gets lost in city. Boy helps him find home.  Boy gets lost.  Bear helps him back.

Iron Horses - Train perils during construction of the transcontinental rail road.

Flat Foot Fox Series
Brambly Hedge Series
Little Rat Series

Elmer - Checkerboard elephant fools herd by painting himself gray.

Luka's Quilt - Girl learns beauty in simplicity.

Conejito - Crazy rabbit story.  Rabbit tricks predators.

Thunder Cake - Grandma teaches granddaughter how to bake during storm to make you feel better.

Max's Chocolate Chicken - Max fools sister Ruby and eats Easter candy.  Silly fun.

When the Moon is Full - Poems about moon cycle.

Twenty-one Elephants - Girl wishes to have elephants go over Brooklyn Bridge to prove it is safe for her family to cross.

Nine for California - Family takes stagecoach ride for 21 days to reach the gold fields of California.

Boomtown - How frontier towns grew during early California history.

Emily and the Golden Acorn - Old oak tree is a sailing vessel.

Steeeeam Boat A-comin' - Mississippi river history in motion.

The Animal Hedge - Father with three sons helps them figure out their future.

Buffalo Music - Frontier woman saves baby buffalo which helps save the species from extinction.

Possum's Harvest Moon - Party at possum's house!!

The Bird's Gift - Birds rescued from early snow and give Easter gift in spring.

Songs of Freedom - Tale of family traveling on the underground rail road.

Rainbowfish and the Sea Monsters Cave - Fish team up to conquer fears and help a friend.

Zella, Zack and Zodiac - Pay it forward story.  Zebra saves ostrich chick.  Ostrich chick pays back the favor.

Kermit the Hermit - Old geezer crab pays back boy who saves his life.

The Pinkish, Purplish, Bluish Egg - Don't fear something just because you have been told tales about it.

Wump World - If we pollute our planet it will be destroyed....

Zen Shorts - Life lessons about "letting it go", "kindness to those less fortunate than you", and "good and bad luck."

Beetle Bop - Simple rhyming about beautiful bugs!

Squirrel and John Muir - Young girl and John Muir in Yosemite talk about natural history, change and mighty glaciers.

The Ant and The Elephant - Classic pay it forward.  Fabulous.

Robert the Rose Horse - Silly story about sneezing horse.

Because a Little Bug Went Kachoo - How little actions can have a ripple effect.

The Three Little Javelinas - Great twist on the Three Little Pigs.

Turtle Bay  - Kids watch for special arrival of turtles on their beach who lay eggs with wise elder.

Sparrow Girl - Story of bird killing in China and how it led to locust outbreaks and famine.  

The Sea, the Storm and the Mangrove Tangle - Life cycle of mangroves in delicate beauty and detail.

Nature's Paintbox - Wonderful descriptions and depiction of seasons with different paint techniques and colors.

Patty's Pumpkin Patch - A, B, C's through the growing season of the pumpkin patch.

Bingo's Big Adventure - Cat explores farm for the first time finding pesky rooster challenging.

Bingo Explores the Farm - Bingo looks for new adventures with cats, horses and a boy.

Stellaluna - Baby bat falls into birds nest and grows up "bird."  Later bat discovers she's a "BAT" and finds her kin but recognizes the friendship the birds provide.