Betty Birney’s Blog

Well, Humphrey didn’t actually make the deal – I did. It happened awhile ago but the press releases just went out. Here’s the first bit of news:

http://www.kidscreen.com/articles/news/20110121/telegael.html

That doesn’t mean it will necessarily get on T.V. but it’s a solid first step. I’ve worked with Telegael before and like the company a lot.

Of course, Humphrey’s already a star!

And that’s all I can say as I return to writing Book 8.

It will be an unsqueakably big year for Humphrey – but a little complicated. SCHOOL ACCORDING TO HUMPHREY comes out in the U.K. on February 3.

But the U.S. version, SCHOOL DAYS ACCORDING TO HUMPHREY, will be published in July. (This is just due to the traditional release date for back to school books in the U.S.)

SUMMER ACCORDING TO HUMPHREY comes out in the paperback in the U.S. this spring.

There will be three in a new series for younger readers in the U.K. only. HUMPHREY’S TINY TALES launches on World Book Day (March 3) with a World Book Day Book: MY TREASURE HUNT TROUBLE. On the same date, another TINY TALES comes out: MY PET SHOW PANIC. More about the new series and about World Book Day soon!

In April, HUMPHREY’S HA-HA-HA JOKE BOOK comes out in the U.K.

June brings a third TINY TALE book to the U.K.: MY SUMMER FAIR SURPRISE.

In October, HUMPHREY’S WORLD OF PETS, a pet care book, will be published in the U.K.

I’ll keep everyone posted on the schedule.

I hope everyone had a hamster-iffic holiday and that the year ahead brings a word full of wonders!

Hang on – it’s a Humphrey weekend next Saturday and Sunday!

On Saturday, October 9, I’ll be speaking at the 4-H Pet Symposium in Los Angeles. For animal lovers and Humphrey lovers alike, here’s the inside scoop:

Saturday, Oct. 9, kids and teenagers from ages 5 to 19 are invited to take part in the 2010 4-H Pet Symposium at the University of California Cooperative Extension office, 4800 E. Cesar E. Chavez Ave. in L.A., from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Participants will learn about pet care and ways to help animals in their communities; talk to adults whose work involves animals, like veterinarians, academic experts and members of the pet-rescue community; and listen to a talk by featured speaker Betty G. Birney, the author of the “Humphrey” children’s book series. More information at the UC Cooperative Extension’s website.  http://celosangeles.ucdavis.edu/4H_Youth_Development_Programs/Pet_Symposium.htm

I’ll also be signing books – I’ll have some for sale or bring your own from home and I’ll sign it.

Sunday, October 10, I’ll be speaking at the LaJolla Art and Wine Festival in LaJolla. For art and wine lovers and Humphrey lovers alike. I’ll talk and read a little at 3:00 at the Children’s Stage in the Geppetto’s Family Art Center – then I’ll sign books! Sponsored by Warwick’s Books.

Educator and author Esme Raji Codell has a nice plug for Summer According to Humphrey on her blog. If you love children’s books, you probably already read her. (You’ll have to scroll down a bit on the blog to get to Humphrey.)

Brand new in the UK: Humphrey’s Book of FUN-FUN-FUN! This is a Humphrey activity book done in conjunction with Amanda Li who was delightful to work with and, well, FUN-FUN-FUN! I was so happy to get to meet her in London last October.

Sorry the book is not available in the US but if you absolutely have to have it, you can order it from amazon.co.uk. Just be aware that the pound is about one and a half times a dollar (roughly, changing day by day) and that the shipping will be more to the US.