As Promised…

Cameron’s interview went great didn’t it? Want to know more about this cute little monster we call Trockle? Check out the other stops on the party tour, Trockle‘s blog, or Holly‘s blog.

The Party Stops: 

October 5:
 Joyce Anthony @ Books and Authors
http://joyceanthony.tripod.com/blog/

October 6:
 Joyce Anthony @ Books and Authors
http://joyceanthony.tripod.com/blog/

October 7:
 Janet @ Janet’s Book Nook
http://www.sheneedstoknow.com/booknook

October 9:
 Jen (Pantheistic Mom) @ My Terrene Reality

http://terrenereality.blogspot.com

October 10:
Elysabeth Eldering @ the Junior Geography Detective Squad
http://jgdsseries.blogspot.com/

October 11:
Ron Berry @ The Surreal Writer
http://unwriter1.wordpress.com/

October 12:
Lynne Thompson @ La Vida Es Un Sueno
http://suenogrande.blogspot.com/

October 13:
Wrap-up by Holly Jahangiri and Jordan M. Vinyard
http://blog.jahangiri.us

 
As promised we have a great prize for this party!!!
Grand Prize: A customized Halloween short story featuring your child (or grandchild, niece, nephew, or friend) with Trockle – written by Holly Jahangiri and illustrated by Jordan Vinyard.

Second Prize: A $20 gift certificate to Amazon.com.

To enter, complete the following steps:

(1) Purchase a copy of Trockle directly from 4RV Publishing (http://www.4rvpublishingllc.com/Store) between 12:00 AM October 5 and 11:59 PM October 13, and

(2) Send an email to president@4rvpublishingllc.com with your answer to the question posted at http://jahangiri.us/trockle-promo.html.

You may enter as often as you like, but all completed entries must be received before midnight on October 13!

Winners will be announced at http://blog.jahangiri.us and at http://www.4rvpublishingllc.com.

The winners will be chosen randomly from all correctly completed entries (see “To enter” above) and winners will be notified by email. IMPORTANT NOTE: The Grand Prize winner will need to work directly with the author and illustrator to create a memorable gift for that special child. To include the child’s likeness in the illustration, you will need to provide a digital photo upon notification that you have won. Every effort will be made to deliver the prize prior to Halloween, but circumstances beyond our control may prevent that and we do not guarantee that it will arrive by October 31.

STARRING………..THE MOMS!!!!!

Hi!  I’m Cameron (that’s my picture over on the left side with my Mom) and I LOVE my Mom.  So when we were invited to participate in Trockle’s party, I asked if we could change the focus a little and talk to Trockle and Stephen’s mom.   So I came up with my questions and Mom emailed them and below you’ll find their answers.  It’s amazing how both the mom of a human and the mom of a monster are so much alike. I hope you enjoy.

Interview with Trockle’s Mom

1. What is the hardest thing about being a monster’s mom?
Well, the first time your little one realizes he’s the terrible, fearsome creature the child upstairs is so afraid of – that can be hard. Of course, Trockle was afraid of Stephen, too – so not only did I have to help him understand why anyone would think HE was the scary one, I had to calm HIS fears so he could get to sleep. But I’ll tell you a secret, Cameron. We moms LOVE being moms. It’s hard work, but we enjoy it so much it seems easy, most days.

2.  Why do you call Trockle “Trockle Pie?”
Didn’t your mother ever call you Sweetie Pie or Pookie Bear or anything silly like that?  

3.  Why do you paint Trockle’s fingers green?
They’re naturally a little grayish green. Even when they’re clean, they look a little dingy. The green goes so well with his orange skin, don’t you think? He’s been wondering what to wear for Halloween – do you think he’d make a cute little pumpkin? 

4.  When Stephen cleans his room and there isn’t a dirty sock, what do you cover Trockle up with?
Oh, there are always socks! That’s why Stephen’s mother always ends up with a handful of mismatched socks, you know. Six or seven socks that don’t match up to anything, on laundry day. Because I keep a spare or three handy. But if I couldn’t find a sock, I could always drag Stephen’s Superman cape under the bed, or his stuffed kangaroo. He hardly ever plays with Roody the ‘Roo anymore, and the pouch is nice and fuzzy and full of lint. 

5.  Does Trockle have a Dad? Where does he live? 
Of course, dear. Trockle’s daddy and I live in the coat closet under the stairs. 

6. What do you and Trockle do for fun?
Trockle loves to play with Stephen’s toys. He used to have to wait until Stephen went to sleep. Sometimes, he comes out and plays while Stephen’s at school. And now, well…it’s very unusual, you know, for a human boy and an under-the-bed monster to SEE each other, let alone play together, but ever since the launch of the book… 

7. What and how do you cook for Trockle?
We don’t cook. I know that you kids think we under-the-bed monsters like to eat humans almost as much as you like to eat ice cream, but it’s not true. We eat candy, soda pop, leftovers, and occasionally – as a special treat – veggies like Brussels sprouts. Trockle does love veggies. I don’t encourage it, though.  

8.  Where do you and Trockles go if Stephen or his mom clean under the bed?
Oh, we all scurry down to the hall closet. There are so many passages in the walls that it’s quite easy to move all around the house quickly. 

9.  How big are you and Trockle?
About as big as a small basketball. 

10.  How big was Trockle when he was born?
Oh, my goodness! Trockle was such a tiny thing when he was born – just the size of a golf ball!

Interview with Stephen’s Mom

1. Where do you buy monster repellant?
Monster what? OH! Wal-Mart or Kroger, usually. CVS or Walgreens, in a pinch. 

2. What is in monster repellant?
A super-secret, magical formula that mostly never fails. Except for sometimes. Which is a good thing, I guess. If mine had worked, we wouldn’t have Trockle. 

3. What kind of stuff does Stephen say in his sleep?
Oh, he’d be so mad at me for telling you, but it’s mostly mumbling. Now and then he blurts out something like, “But Ms. Shaffer, my crocodile really did throw my homework under a bridge!” Or, “Not now! I need to wash my violin!” 

4.  Do you have any more children besides Stephen? If so, did they think there were monsters in their room?
Yes, Stephen has an older sister. She always insisted I tuck her feet into the sheet and the comforter as tightly as I could; she thought the monsters would reach out from under the bed, grab her by the ankle, and yank her under there with them. If she could only have seen how small they are, and how polite! 

5.  What are Stephen’s favorite snacks?
Stephen loves peanut butter and Nutella. He also likes Ramen soup, probably because his favorite anime character, Naruto, likes Ramen.

Shhh!!! Don’t Tell!!!

We were just getting ready to party when the Gremlins arrived.  All day today we’ve fought back and forth and bach and forth…..I thought they were going to succeed and ruin our party.  I even had to pull Cameron and Stephen in the fight (shh!!  Don’t tell his mom that I got him out of school!!!).  But alas, we have prevailed and the party is about to start!!!!  Stay tuned!!  Cameron is leading up this party, and she has some great things to share.