Hello, Picture Book Builders people!
I am very happy to announce Mary is back!
In her first book, she brought some glam to her school.
In her second book, she came up with a plan to improve her neighborhood.
This time around she spreads the joy of music by orchestrating a jam session with her friends.
Here’s a little description:
Fashion-forward Mary is known for adding flair everywhere she goes. One day, while strumming her ukulele, she decides to make music on a grander scale. And she knows she can use her stylish talent to organize a fabulous band. Soon she’s rehearsing with her friends. When the group strikes some wrong notes and chaos ensues, Mary steps up, takes the lead, and restores harmony—just in time for a big performance.
I first got the idea to write Mary Had a Little Jam by brainstorming. For the book’s title, I needed something that sounded very much like “lamb” to tie this book back to the nursery rhyme. When I landed on ‘jam’, I knew this was the perfect fit for book three. I have always thought of Vanessa Brantley-Newton, the illustrator of this series, as the grownup version of Mary, and, let me tell you, Vanessa loves music. Years ago, she sang our book Mary Had a Little Glam at the National Book Festival. She also told me her husband rapped the book. With information like that, this book had no choice but to focus on the joy of music!
Working on the MARY books has brought me so much happiness. I loved spending time in Mary’s shoes (stylish ones of course!) and helping her to figure out how to make things around her better. She’s a little kid who makes a big difference! And who wouldn’t want to hang out in the vibrant, sunshine-y world Vanessa created?!
I am extra grateful to Mary because she basically forced me to write rhymers! Me! RHYMERS!!! Previously, I was too intimidated to even give that a try. But when the title Mary Had a Little Glam popped into my head all those years ago, I had no choice but to be brave, develop the necessary skills, and give Mary the rhythm and the rhymes she deserved.
These books have been such a gift to me. And I’m so glad this latest one especially celebrates bringing some harmony into the world.
Want to spend MORE time with Mary? Well, you are in luck. Please visit these past Picture Book Builders’ posts that feature Mary Had a Little Glam and Mary Had a Little Plan.
GIVEAWAY:
I am giving away a signed copy of Mary Had a Little Jam. Is that music to your ears or what? For a chance to win, leave a comment. For an extra chance to win, please share this post on Bluesky. Make sure to tag me at @tammisauer.bsky.social.
Wow! How fun that Mary is back making music!!
Congratulations on your wonderful new book!
What fun! A great addition to this series! Congratulations, Tami & Vanessa! Sharing on BlueSky.
Thank you, Tammi and Vanessa, for bringing “some harmony into the world.” The cover sings! Can’t wait to read the latest in your series.
As a musician, this book will be fun to read. I enjoyed the previous two Mary books and can’t wait to read this one too.
I love these books, and can’t wait for Mary’s newest adventure! Congrats, Tammi, and Vanessa!
So stoked for this one! (And need to find video of Vanessa singing “Mary Had a Little Glam!”)
OMG! I hadn’t heard of these books until now! Just the titles themselves made me chuckle!. I am so excited to check these out!
Hooray for a new Mary book! I look forward to jamming along 🙂 Congrats, Tammi and Vanessa!
I love it! Such clever word play and musicality! Congratulations, Tammi and Vanessa!
I am so excited to get this title and share it with my classes and my grands! We all love Ms. Tammi Sauer!
Hooray – another Tami Sauer book! I love that Mary is back, too. What will she be up to next???
The cover just exudes JOY! How wonderful!
My heart is strumming a beat in anticipation of reading this new book. Best of luck with it!
Tammi had a little rhyme
Which old a tale of Mary,
Whose sense of style and big ideas
Have grown to “legendary!”
We’ve come to love this spunky girl,
Her bling and fancy dresses…
She’s come alive through Tammi’s words
(The pictures are Vanessa’s!)
And now we’re up to volume three!
There’s so much joy to cram in,
Can’t wait to read the newest book,
Sounds awesome! They’ll be jammin’!🎵🤗
Big congrats to Tammi and Vanessa! 📚💛
Big CONGRATULATIONS to you and Vanessa for this adorable sequel!
Another excellent “Mary had…” book – great read aloud!