Matt Novak

Author / Illustrator

Appearance Information and Press Kit

MATT NOVAK Biographical Information

Matt has been making up stories and pictures as long as he can remember. He grew up in the small town of Sheppton, Pennsylvania where he spent a lot of time daydreaming. He loved to watch cartoons and even made some animated films with his little super-8 movie camera. In sixth grade he formed an animation company with a friend and had great dreams for their future productions. Nothing ever really materialized from this, but Matt always kept the dream that someday he would grow up to be an artist. Matt has always enjoyed making people laugh. He put on puppet shows that he wrote for his elementary school classmates, and when he went to high school he had the opportunity to perform in many stage plays, both in school and professionally. When he graduated from high school he attended Kutztown State University in Kutztown, Pa. and also the School of Visual Arts in New York City, where he learned how much fun it was to write and illustrate books for children. As an adult Matt channels his quirky humor and artistic talents into creating lighthearted picture books for children that have been praised for their ability to combine humor with a useful message. Alligators, salamanders, mice, and a little bear named Jazzbo are the stars of several of his books, and Novak’s wacky tales focus on everything from earthshaking thunderclaps and favorite television shows to plastic flip-flops and a raucous monster party. His first book entitled Rolling was praised by the “New York Times Book Review” and the “American Library Association Booklist.” Among his many titles are The Pillow War, The Last Christmas Present, and Elmer Blunt’s Open House, just to name a few. For more than 20 years Matt has been creating books that make him laugh, and he hopes kids will get a good chuckle out of them too. In addition to writing and illustrating his own books, Novak has also created pictures for stories by other writers, such as Susan Hightower’s Twelve Snails to One Lizard and Heather Lowenberg’s Little Slugger. Some of Matt’s books have received awards. Mouse TV was a “School Library Journal” Best Book of the Year and a Parent’s Choice Honor recipient. Newt received the IRA Children’s Choice Award. Matt has worked as a puppeteer, a teacher, and a Disney artist. While at Disney he worked on such films as “Rescuers Down Under,” “Rollercoaster Rabbit,” and “Beauty and the Beast.”  He and his family now live in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Writings for Children Author and Illustrator

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Little Robot, Nootron Press, 2013 A Wish for You, Greenwillow Books, 2010 The Everything Machine, Roaring Brook Press, 2009 My Froggy Valentine, Roaring Brook Press, 2008 Flip Flop Bop, Roaring Book Press, 2005 Rock-a-bye Christmas, Roaring Brook Press, 2007 Too Many Bunnies, Roaring Book Press), 2005 No Zombies Allowed, Atheneum, 2001 On Halloween Street (lift-the-flap book), Little Simon , 2001 Jazzbo and Googy, Hyperion, 2000 Little Wolf, Big Wolf, HarperCollins, 2000 Jazzbo and Friends, Hyperion, 1999 Jazzbo Goes to School, Hyperion, 1999 The Robobots, DK Publishing, 1998 The Pillow War, Orchard Books, 1997 Newt, HarperCollins, 1996 Gertie and Gumbo, Orchard Books, 1995 Mouse TV, Orchard Books, 1994 The Last Christmas Present, Orchard Books, 1993 Elmer Blunt’s Open House, Orchard Books, 1992 While the Shepherd Slept, Orchard Books, 1991 Mr. Floop’s Lunch, Orchard Books, 1990 Claude and Sun, Bradbury Press, 1987 Rolling, Bradbury Press, 1986

Illustrator



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Jessica Nickelson, Dinosaur Sleep: Glow-in-the-Dark Googly Eyes!, Little Simon, 2003 Jessica Nickelson, Five Little Monsters: Glow-in-the-Dark Googly Eyes!, Little Simon, 2003 Heather Lowenberg, Little Slugger, Random House, 1997 Susan Hightower, Twelve Snails to One Lizard: A Tale of Mischief and Measurement, Simon & Schuster, 1997 Dayle Ann Dodds, Ghost and Pete, Random House, 1995 Lee Bennett Hopkins, It’s about Time: Poems, Simon & Schuster, 1993 Pat Upton, Who Does This Job?, Bell Books, 1991.

















AUTHOR VISIT Q&A WHAT TYPES OF VISITS ARE YOU AVAILABLE FOR? Give me a call. I’m comfortable in front of small groups or large. You name it, and I’m sure we can work something out. I’m pretty flexible. Family nights are always fun to plan in conjunction with a day visit. I also enjoy visiting libraries, bookstores, and other venues. I just recently presented outdoors at the Philadelphia Zoo. It was a hoot! (Yes, I did see owls there.) Schools It’s a high energy program with A LOT of audience participation. The emphasis is on imagination and using it to create a story from start to finish. Improvisation, silly voices, and goofy jokes pull it all together. I’m available for assemblies, classroom visits, art and writing workshops, parent nights, book signings and everything else in between. Workshops Writing and art workshops are available for any type of group. I’ll work with you to develop a hands on project oriented experience for elementary or college students, writers, families, illustrators, or educators. Contact me with your needs, and I’m sure we can develop a valuable experience. Artist In Residence Need me for 3 to 5 days or longer to work with students in an intensive and fun environment to develop deeper understandings of the writing or artistic process? Give me a holler! I am also available for ANIMATION in-residence workshops. All in-residence programs stress teamwork and imagination. Libraries An author event at your library is an excellent way to attract kids and families. Whether it’s a formal presentation, a book reading, book signing, or workshop I’d be willing to work with you to create an exciting day or evening program to get your community revved-up about reading. Conferences I have been a guest speaker at many national, state, and local conferences. ALA, ABA, PaLA, PSLA, SCBWI, KSRA, and IRA to name a few. I enjoy sharing my twenty plus years of publishing experiences with teachers, librarians, and reading specialists as well as sharing with them some fun ways to use my books as teaching aids WHAT EXACTLY DO YOU DO AT YOUR SCHOOL PRESENTATIONS? It is a high energy program. There is alot of audience participation. The emphasis is on imagination and using it to create a story from start to finish. I draw at every session and also get the children to join me in creating some artwork of their own. Along the way we see how words and pictures can work together to bring a story to life. I use a lot of improvisation techniques and a repertoire of silly voices, zany mannerisms, and goofy jokes to pull it all together. Hopefully the children will leave with more ideas than they came in with. WHAT CAN THE STUDENTS HOPE TO GAIN FROM YOUR VISIT?
 It’s a fun and informative day for the students. Many students walk away from the presentations excited about writing and illustrating. I expose them to some out of the box thinking techniques that can be applied to many areas of their life. The presentation is structured, yet filled with a lot of improvisation. It’s never boring, and each one is different from the others. I also gear presentations to various age groups. I’m a bit sillier with the younger groups (Grades K-3) than the older groups (Grades 4-6) where we deal with writing and book publishing a bit more in depth. No matter the age group I am confident I will be able to hold their attention, keep them laughing, and send them away with valuable information. HOW LONG IS THE PRESENTATION?
 Presentation lengths can vary according to your needs. Anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour is the usual time span. I can adjust the presentation to fit your schedule. I always try to build in question and answer time at the end. SINCE YOU WORKED AS A DISNEY ARTIST ARE YOU AVAILABLE TO SPEAK ABOUT ANIMATION? I would love to speak with you about presentations, workshops, in-residences etc... dealing with this topic. It is a great way to expose children and teens to not only the fun of creating animation but also the importance of teamwork. WHAT ARE YOUR FEES?
 My usual fee is $500 for a full day. That includes all travel expenses if the appearance is within a 3 hour drive. (Anything beyond that, additional travel expenses will apply.) $1000 for full day requiring air travel and overnight stay. Team up with a neighboring school to save money and
share expenses!
$300 for a half day (half day equals two 
presentations. Generally, I only work half days if they are within driving distance.
Additional $250 for after school or evening 
sessions (only in conjunction with a full day visit).
 WHAT SORT OF EQUIPMENT DO YOU NEED? If the size of the group is over 50 students I will need a microphone of some sort, (Cordless is great but a microphone with a long cord also works well), I need a small table to set things on, and I will also need some water to drink. I bring along my own easle and drawing supplies.

CAN YOU PROVIDE REFERENCES? Yes. Here are just a few. I can provide more if you like. “You were definitely a hit. Students are still asking to check out your books and relating back to things that you said in your shows. Thanks for providing the inspiration that we needed. I will not hesitate to recommend you to other media specialists who are looking for an author-illustrator to visit their schools.”

Pat Lakin, Media Specialist South Ocala Elementary School

“The day my students and I had the opportunity to experience with you was everything I had hoped for - and more. All of us greatly appreciated your wonderful sense of humor.”

Dr. Alexa L. Sandman, Director Sandberg Children’s Literature Institute University of Toledo

“Feedback from students, teachers, and schools has been overwhelmingly positive in response to your presentations. You conveyed your enthusiasm about your work in a way that will encourage students to read, write, and enjoy your literature, as well as that of other authors. Mary Davis Fournier, Author Liaison Miami Book Fair international How do we contact you? Website: www.mattnovak.com E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 717-241-4028

SFUL VISITS SUCCES

The most important element to a successful event is the student’s familiarity with the books I have written. It is important that the teachers make the books available to the children and make sure that they are read and discussed. THIS WILL MAKE THE DAY MUCH MORE IMPORTANT AND VALUABLE TO THE KIDS.

SOM OTHER SUGGESTIONS E -Related art and writing projects -Possible questions for me can be discussed with the children ahead of time -Teachers and aids are welcome to attend the sessions so they can have follow-up discussions and activities -Parents are welcome R A GREAT VISIT GENERAL TIPS FO 1. Please prepare the audience ahead of time with the author’s/illustrator’s books. To order books, please e-mail or call the author. Also, try and publicize the event in advance with displays and classroom activities. Every student who is going to hear the author speak should have read or heard read to him or her, at least one of their books. Preferably several. 2. Please do not leave the author/illustrator alone with the audience during the presentations. 3. If the author/illustrator is required to stay overnight, please be sure to ask whether he/she prefers to stay in a hotel or a private home (most prefer some quiet time in a local hotel). Also, please be sure to keep in mind the timing of the appearance(s) vs. the author/illustrator’s arrival/ departure times. For instance, you would want the author/ illustrator to arrive on the day prior to the appearance if the appearance is scheduled to begin in the morning. 4. If you are planning a dinner that involves the author/illustrator, check that he/she will be up for it after a long day of appearances. Also, please ask the author/illustrator about any dietary restrictions.

5. Please schedule an ample amount of extra time around the appearance so the author/illustrator can take necessary breaks, such as for lunch and a restroom stop. 6. Make sure any equipment needed for the author’s/ illustrator’s presentation is working properly. 7. Do everything you can to make your special guest feel at home. Try and have someone meet the author/ illustrator to take him or her to the event(s)-this is especially appreciated after a long flight! Please remember that although you are familiar with the author/ illustrator, he/she probably doesn’t know what you look like so please bring a copy of his/her book as a recognizable sign. 8. Please pay the author/illustrator on the day of the event and send reimbursement for expenses as quickly as possible. If you cannot pay him/her on the day of the appearance, please notify the author/illustrator ahead of time and work out a payment schedule with him/her. And of course, don’t forget the key elements on your part that will ensure a successful appearance: ORGANIZATION and ENTHUSIASM.

PROJECT IDEAS FOR YOUR CLASSROOM DISCUSSIONS OF BOOKS BY MATT NOVAK

THE EVERYTHING MACHINE TEACHING LESSONS: Using your gifts. 1) Build your own machine. Work as a team or individually. 2) Study basic technologies such as levers, pulleys, etc... TWELVE SNAILS TO ONE LIZARD TEACHING LESSONS: Measurement 1) Study different units of measurement. http://jmathpage.com/JIMSMeasurementpage.html 2) Study all about beavers. FLIP FLOP BOP 1) Make your perfect Flip Flop out of construction paper, cardboard, or whatever you can find. 2) Build things with mud (Clay may be substituted) 3) Have a Flip Flop Day. Kids wear their favorite flip flops to school. 4) Beach Party NO ZOMBIES ALLOWED 1) Plan a fun party. Give everyone a different job. 2) Create your own monster and, in story form, tell how annoying he is. 3) Put on a play version of NO ZOMBIES ALLOWED 4) Make a fun witch hat. 5) Tell a story with a series of photos. (Could be part of a photo workshop) MOUSE TV TEACHING LESSON: Compromise 1) Use each page to discuss a different subject. i.e. Use “Where-to” channel page to discuss different places in the world Use “History” channel to discuss different periods in history, etc... 2) Make a list of things you would do if your TV broke down or do a web. 3) If mice ran the world what would it be like? 4) If you had your own TV station what would you put on it? 5) Use a small box (shoebox or tissue box) to make a diorama. (Cut out a window like a TV set and glue paper cut- outs inside) 6) Story Starter “The repair shop called and said it would take a week to fix the TV” 7)POSTER “What I Did Instead of Watching TV”

NEWT TEACHING LESSONS: Making Friends, Fear of the Unknown 1) What is a newt? Learn about newts. 2) Draw pictures of the things you do with your best friends 3) Compare/Contrast Venn Diagrams Salamanders / Newts / Lizards 4) Internet Research on Newts 5) Fantasy / Reality chart for newts 6) Book Club Animal theme 7) Brainstorm a list of things you do with your best friend THE ROBOBOTS TEACHING LESSON: Accepting differences 1) Make your own robots out of junk. Paper cups, milk jugs, etc... 2) Learn about robots. Internet / Encyclopedia etc..... 3) Make poster of a robot and name it. 4) Story Starter: “My next door neighbor is a robot” JAZZBO GOES TO SCHOOL TEACHING LESSON: Looking forward to the first day of school 1) Invent your own school. What would be your favorite school? What would be in it? 2) Create your own bow-ties. Using whatever materials you have available or making them out of paper and decorating each one uniquely. 3) “Do the Book” role playing 4) Time line “My Day at School” 5) Story Starter “The Best School in the World” JAZZBO AND GOOGY TEACHING LESSON: Making friends 1) Put on a puppet show like Jazzbo and Googy do. 2) How do you make people happy? How do others make you happy? 3) Draw a picture of you and your best friend doing something together. 4) Have a teddy bear day ELMER BLUNT’S OPEN HOUSE TEACHING LESSON: Being Responsible 1) Write a related story MR. / MRS. / MS. ---------------’s OPEN SCHOOL inserting the name of your principal as the main character. What would happen if the school was left open? 2) Book has many little pictures that tell the progression of the story. Talk about storyboards and how they make movies using different scenes. Maybe have the kids make their own storyboards using three panels to tell the beginning the middle and the end of the story. 3) Discuss comic books. Have kids make their own comic books. Or a short comic strip It could be titled “One Day of My Life” 4) Story Starter “One School Morning My Mom Overslept”

LITTLE WOLF / BIG WOLF 1) Learn about wolves. 2) Discuss opposites THE LAST CHRISTMAS PRESENT TEACHING LESSON: Responsibility 1) Use the cover art as a guide to make a Christmas ornament 2) Book has many little pictures that tell the progression of the story. Talk about storyboards and how they make movies using different scenes. Maybe have the kids make their own storyboards using three panels to tell the beginning the middle and the end of a christmas story of their own. 3) Discuss comic books. Have kids make their own comic books. 4) Story starter: “This year I helped Santa deliver all the Christmas presents” 5) Write a different ending for the story GERTIE AND GUMBO TEACHING LESSON: Loneliness, using your abilities 1) Learn about alligators. 2) Invent an alligator dance. (How would an alligator dance?) Put on your own production. 3) Story starter “This morning I found a baby alligator in my closet” 4) Internet research “Alligators” 5) Fantasy / Reality chart “Alligators” 6) Problem / Solution chart (K) (W) (L) Prior Knowledge What You want to learn What you learned THE PILLOW WAR TEACHING LESSON: Sharing, Getting along with each other 1) Discuss how to resolve a disagreement without hurting each other. 2) Make and decorate your own pillow. This can be as simple as a paper bag stuffed with torn paper or as elaborate as a real pillow. 3) Story Starter: “Last night it snowed feathers....” 4) Fighting cause / effect chart problem / solution chart 5) Write a different ending for the story 6) Draw a picture of a favorite pet or animal GHOST AND PETE 1) Make a Ballloon Ghost. (Or a ghost craft of some sort) Great Halloween craft ideas at http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/halloween/ 2) Story starter. “We moved into a new house today and found ......”

TOO MANY BUNNIES 1) Any sort of bunny related craft. Fun ideas at http://www.dltk-kids.com/animals/rabbits.html 2) Story starter. “When I got home today there were too many _________ in my house so I had to ...” MY FROGGY VALENTINE 1) Any sort of Valentine related craft. Fun ideas at http://www.allcrafts.net/valentines.htm 2) Read the Frog Prince and have kids do a retelling of their own. ROCK-A-BYE CHRISTMAS 1) Any sort of Christmas craft. Fun ideas at http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/christmas_crafts.htm 2) Story starter. “One night the sound of ______________ kept me up so I had to ...

In addition to the books you may be ordering through other suppliers you can also order the following titles directly from Matt Novak. LITTLE ROBOT - (New for 2014) When Toby Tibbles opens an amazing birthday present he gets more than he ever could have imagined. Little Robot is very helpful...sometimes too much. One thing leads to another and before they know it, Little Robot and Toby are having a VERY BIG adventure. Along the way Toby discovers that what he really got for his birthday was the best friend anyone could ask for. This is the first book in a new series. THE EVERYTHING MACHINE - Starred Review Kirkus “The mix of comic panels, word bubbles and bird’s-eye tableaux is terrific. Dystopian allegory, lively storytelling, giggle-worthy pictures,yup: Everything’s here.” A WISH FOR YOU - From School Library Journal In this bouncy story, a man and woman meet, court, marry, and prepare for their new baby. Spot illustrations quickly wrap up the premarriage scenes, and a couple of spreads show the pair enjoying their time together before “Two sometimes felt blue,” so they “wished for you.” Novak’s soft-edged digitally enhanced artwork perfectly portrays the merry mood of his pudgy characters. This is a great choice for cozy sharing with a beloved child. FLIP FLOP BOP - From School Library Journal On the last day of school, three smiling children head, to the Flip Flop Shop, where they kick off shoes and socks and don warm-weather footwear. Jiving down the street to a “Flip Flop Bop,” they join other kids and adults in a happy celebration of summer. Skipping, hopping, dripping, dropping, the youngsters finally slide on home where they trade their sandals for bunny slippers and wind down with a “Sleepy Time Bop.” THE LAST CHRISTMAS PRESENT AN AMERICAN BOOKSELLER PICK OF THE LISTS This year, one present has missed Santa’s sleigh. What is Irwin, the smallest elf to do? “Go to bed chucklehead!” say the others. But not Irwin! He’s got to try delivering the present in spite of an avalanche, wolves, thin ice...and an abominable snowman. MOUSE TV - School Library Journal Best Book of the Year The mouse family can’t agree on what to watch on TV. One night, the TV doesn’t work, and the rodents find ways to get the same kinds of entertainment without it. And without the TV, the family enjoys each activity together...with no commercials. The cartoon illustrations are delightful, and children will love identifying the mouse-related humor in many of them. NEWT - From School Library Journal Youngsters will enjoy making the acquaintance of Newt in these three easy-to-read adventures. In the first episode, the sportily dressed salamander learns to appreciate the wonders of nature and discovers the beauty of friendship. Then the newt finds a strange, fuzzy insect on his doorstep and, after much speculation, realizes that the bug has some positive qualities. In the final vignette, Newt strikes up a conversation with the rising moon, allaying its fears and paving the way for a peaceful sleep. The bright and lively artwork and straightforward text make this reassuring easy reader a winner. LITTLE WOLF BIG WOLF - From School Library Journal The three stories feature two wolves that meet in the first tale. Little Wolf and Big Wolf approach the world very differently. One likes daisies because of their smell; the other likes them because of their taste. In the second story, Little Wolf makes his home comfortable for his new friend by making it sparkle, but Big Wolf only finds comfort after he messes it up. The party that they plan together in the third and last tale plays on the double meaning of “having” someone for dinner.

ORDER FORM FOR MATT NOVAK’S BOOKS PURCHASER’S NAME TEACHER’S NAME Book Title

Number of Copies

Price per Copy

Total

HARDCOVER TITLES LITTLE ROBOT

15.00

FLIP FLOP BOP

15.00

THE EVERYTHING MACHINE MOUSE TV NO ZOMBIES ALLOWED THE LAST CHRISTMAS PRESENT A WISH FOR YOU

15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00

PAPERBACK TITLES THE EVERYTHING MACHINE MOUSE TV THE LAST CHRISTMAS PRESENT NEWT LITTLE WOLF BIG WOLF

10.00 10.00 10.00 10.00 10.00

Please indicate in this box the name(s) the book(s) should be autographed to.... Book Title

Autograph to

PARENTS AND TEACHERS: If paying Matt Novak directly for books CASH ONLY PLEASE. NO CHECKS.

The School or PTO may choose to have money and checks go through them and write Matt one check for the full amount.

IF THE SCHOOL OR PTO IS HANDLING BOOK ORDERS FOLLOW THEIR DIRECTIONS BELOW.

ALL PAYMENTS ARE DUE THE DAY OF THE VISIT UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE.