Workman Publishing Blog » Video

Start Your Monday Off Right with Adorable Unlikely Animal Friends

avery — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:12:15 +0000

It’s Monday morning—woof. Instead of worrying about the week ahead, watch this video of a boxer puppy meeting some cows! It’s sure to melt your heart (and your anxieties).

Click here to view the embedded video.

For more charming stories of unusual animal pairings, pick up a copy of Unlikely Friendships by Jennifer S. Holland.

A Very Splendid Spotted Snake Piñata!

angie — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:37:38 +0000

As a publicity intern at Workman, my regular work includes putting together press kits and mailings. But every once in awhile, I get a task that’s a little more out of the ordinary! Like when I was recently asked to find a snake piñata for a Splendid Spotted Snake event.

After some brief research, I became determined to make a piñata myself. When I left work that day, I had my mind set on a large, snake-like balloon and papier-mâché piñata, which I would then paint and cover with crepe paper. Once I arrived home and consulted my mother, however, my plan quickly changed after she wisely reminded me that papier-mâché has never been my artistic medium. (To bring you up to speed, I’ve had some scarring formative papier-mâché experiences: Picture a bespectacled third grader attempting to make a festive paper bowl with just a balloon, newspaper, glue, and a dream. Now imagine a loud balloon pop, a crumpled blob of gluey newspaper, and a newly disillusioned third grader. You get the picture.) Not to mention, my mother was also careful to point out that the piñatas of my youth were radically unsafe (thanks, Mom), and that newer piñatas are equipped with colorful strings that, when pulled, open a secret trap door in the body of the piñata. The candy is then released into the ecstatic and, most importantly, uninjured group of waiting children. Oh, the wonders of modern piñata technology!

My very splendid, very spotted piñata!

I decided to go to Home Depot to look for a wide pipe of sorts that I could cover with a splendid spotted exterior. Luckily I found one that was lightweight and somewhat flexible. The downside: it was black and ribbed. I bought it anyway, took it home, and cut a hole for the trap door in its “belly.” To cover it, I wrapped it in a taut layer of plaster (the type used to make casts for broken bones — this can actually be found in craft supply stores). This step got rid of the ribs, giving me a splendidly smooth snake body, and covered the black exterior. For the head, I used this same plaster over a balloon (almost too close to the aforementioned bad experience for comfort) and for the tail, I wrapped the plaster over a freehand newspaper cone. Then I waited patiently for these parts to dry and attached it all with yellow duct tape.

Instead of painting it, I decided to give the snake texture by wrapping it in yellow crepe paper. I sprayed the snake with adhesive and then wrapped the snake in strips of the crepe paper.

Lest you think it was ALL about the piñata...there were lots of activities to keep kids entertained!

So now I had a yellow snake with a big hole in its belly! I crafted the spots and face out of felt, and glued them all on with tacky glue. To keep with the theme, I then filled the snake with: gummy worms (like little snakes), gold and red Mardi Gras-type necklaces, and confetti (aka flying spots).

Spots, spots, and more spots! Kids decorated their own spotted snake art.

SPOTTED at the event: Authors Betty Ann Schwartz and Alexander Wilensky!

To seal the great beast’s belly, I sewed one ribbon onto a big sheet of felt, and taped 15 or so ribbons to that same sheet. These were the trick ribbons! Only the magic ribbon would unleash gummy worm joy onto the children. So once the snake’s cavity was stuffed, I fitted the felt into the hole and my snake was complete!

After about 7 hours of crafting, a few haunting childhood memories, and a major glue meltdown, I was done! I drove my masterpiece into the magical land of New York City, and led it into the magical offices of Workman Publishing, where my efforts were recognized with the esteemed title of “Intern Extraordinaire”!

The Splendid Spotted Snake piñata made its grand appearance at an event at McNally Jackson in NYC on Saturday, November 5, 2011 where it was a big “hit”–or pull, as the case may be. Thanks again to everyone involved in the success of this event!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pTOVym-6KQ

Cartoonists from The New Yorker Finally Get the Help They Need. Plus, a Signed Book Giveaway!

megan — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 17:45:22 +0000

In the summer of 2011, several cartoonists from The New Yorker magazine were invited to participate in a group therapy session. Let’s just say it did not go well….

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wdts_HG7e2Y

A little bit dark, a little bit twisted, a little bit weird, a little bit dumb, and little bit naughty (who wants to give all the nice presents around the holidays anyway?) — from cartoonist Matthew Diffee, it’s the absolutely brilliant Best of the Rejection Collection, the funniest cartoons you’ll never see in The New Yorker.

And, it can all be yours! We’re giving away one copy of the book, signed by author Matt Diffee and several of his colleagues and co-stars from the trailer above. Just leave a comment below or at the Workman Facebook page telling us about a holiday gift that you rejected (aka returned for something way cooler). Each person is allowed two entries (one in each comment section!). The giveaway will be closed and a winner will be chosen at random at noon EST on Wednesday December 14, 2011.

Happy Holiday Interim Period!

Justin — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 13:00:36 +0000

Now that Thanksgiving’s over and the family has scattered (at least for now), there’s a good chance they somehow manage not to feel so far away. Between FaceTime, Skype, email, and other modern modes of conversation, it’s fairly likely you’re not missing a beat — either you’re texting them or, more likely, they’re texting you. So, in celebration of this in-between holiday time and the When Parents Text blog’s 1^st year anniversary (a holiday in itself!), we present you with this lovely video:

Click here to view the embedded video.

60-second Pup Check-Up

krestyna — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:05:29 +0000

Dogs, dogs, dogs! We can’t get enough of them here. And as all dog people know, your most important responsibility is making sure your pup is in tip-top shape. After all, a healthy dog is the happiest dog! In the final installment of our family-friendly My Dog! video series, author and dog expert Michael J. Rosen takes you through a basic 60-second check-up to make sure your pooch is feeling fabulous.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Simple, right? Give it a try — and then go whip up some Liver Lover’s “Brownies” to thank your dog for being so awesome. Trust us, despite your human “eww-that-sounds-gross!” bias, your dog will love ‘em!

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For even more tips, crafts, recipes, and games, check out the official My Dog! website. And make sure to like the My Dog! Facebook page and follow Michael J. Rosen on Twitter (@fidosopher) to keep up on all the latest My Dog! news.

Photos of Fido

krestyna — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 16:05:24 +0000

We’ve already established how much we love dogs. But you know what we love most of all? Pictures of pups (either of the gorgeous or hilarious variety)! You, too?! Want to elevate your canine picture-taking game? Let’s turn once again to dog expert, and author of My Dog!, Michael J. Rosen for some picture-perfect tips.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Got it? Now get out there and start snapping some cool canine pics!

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Cooking for My Dog!

krestyna — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 17:00:03 +0000

So, you love dogs. (We do, too.) You want to make a special treat for your furry best bud–maybe it’s his birthday, or she mastered the “stay” command, or it’s just a Tuesday and you feel like baking something yummy. How does a dog-friendly peanut butter carrot cake sound? Amazing?! Great! Check out the video below, where Chef Josh teaches you how, with a little help from guest sous-chef (and author of My Dog! A Kids’ Guide to Keeping a Happy and Healthy Pet), Michael J. Rosen.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Mmmmmmmm. Want the full recipe? Head on over to the “My Dog! Delights” section of the the My Dog! website.

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What’s the perfect dog for you?

krestyna — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 16:05:23 +0000

It’s no secret that we love dogs. Pretty pups, bad doggies, and those that need a little training to bring out their best–by which we mean all of them. And now we’re welcoming a new breed into the mix: My Dog! A Kids’ Guide to Keeping a Happy and Healthy Pet. It’s the ultimate family owner’s manual that teaches everything you need to know about your pet, from choosing a family dog to training, care, feeding, games, and more.

So, what’s the first step? Figuring out what breed might be right for your family. Let’s turn to the expert, author Michael J. Rosen, who breaks it down in a handy little video to help you learn about different breeds for different needs.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Unless you DO plan on asking your dog to herd reindeer or rescue you from a snow drift, any well-trained dog should fit perfectly in your family! Now go out there and adopt the large/tiny/fuzzy/hairless/regal/smush-faced pup you’ve always wanted!

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Dorothy’s Ruby Red Slippers Go to Auction! (And to Your Bookstore.)

liz — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:37:16 +0000

What fan of Judy Garland’s hasn’t once coveted something sparkly and ruby red?

If you’re in the market for an authentic icon of Oz paraphernalia, you can take a chance at your very own pair of Dorothy’s slippers when this rare gem goes to auction on December 15.

According to the article, the slippers up for grabs are “one of only four pairs of screen-used ruby slippers known to have survived since the making of the 1939 film. One pair is at the Smithsonian, one is in private hands and a third pair was stolen from the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minn.” My stars!

But if you’re looking for something with all the sparkle but sans the hefty price tag, may we present to you the glittery and glam Wizard of Oz: A Scanimation Book, by Rufus Butler Seder, which debuted on the New York Times bestsellers list at #5 (on 10/9; it will make its appearance for the second week as #9 on the 10/16 list)! Check out the video below to see the collector’s item in action.

And now, the test: Can you click your heels and move the pages of this book at the same time?

Sheep Befriends Dog, Becomes Sheepdog

avery — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 17:47:33 +0000

We’ve brought you lots of stories about all sorts of unlikely animal friendships: Elephant dotes on dog. Deer protects goose. Puppy plays with pony. But today’s story, which comes to us from the U.K.’s Daily Mail, takes things to a whole new level. Not only is Jack the sheep best friends with a sheepdog—he thinks he is one!

Watch below to learn the story of Jack, a lamb who was born on a farm and raised alongside his owners’ springer spaniel named Jesse. Just like his canine brother, Jack loves to chase sticks and go for walks on a leash. He even helps out when it’s time to herd the other sheep!

For more awwww-inspiring stories of interspecies buddies, pick up a copy of Jennifer S. Holland’s New York Times bestselling book Unlikely Friendships.