DOUBLE FEATURE! It's Season's Readings with Della Ross Ferreri!

Hello readers, writers, and fellow buffet enthusiasts like us! Today we’re serving up a delicious double feature with another fabulous Sleeping Bear Press author, and this book is almost too sweet to believe. Della Ross Ferreri is here to share her festive and scrumptious new title, The Mouse Buffet - A Christmas Treat.

Set on the night before Christmas, when all should be quiet and still, one cozy house is anything but! A lively group of mice is wide awake and on the hunt for holiday treats, of course.

Want to learn more about Della, her delightful new book, AND enter to win either a personalized copy or a free 30-minute Zoom/story time to an elementary classroom or library group? Read on… 🐭🎄

Q: Hi, Della! Thanks for joining #SeasonsOfKidLit for our Season’s Readings Event! We’re thrilled to have you and hear all about your book that’s a magical read for the season. Can you share more about yourself, your writing journey, your work, and how you got into KidLit?

A: First, thank you so much for hosting me and for featuring my new Christmas book! I’m really excited to be here. It’s hard to believe, but my writing journey has been going on for 25 years now. In that time, I’ve also been teaching, raising a family and juggling the usual ‘day-to-day!’ 

I’m sure my love of stories began with my Mom reading to me when I was little. Years later, reading picture books to my own children rekindled that love of books and sparked the desire to create my own children’s stories. I jumped in by joining SCBWI, taking writing classes, and working with supportive critique groups and writing friends. There was definitely a learning curve over the years, but along the way I had several poems and short stories published in children’s magazines, followed by two paperback easy readers, then my first trade picture book, HOW WILL I EVER SLEEP IN THIS BED? with Sterling Publishing. Fast forward to today, and I now have 8 books published with another on the way in 2028. My latest book is out this year from Sleeping Bear Press, just in time for the holidays - THE MOUSE BUFFET: A CHRISTMAS TREAT.

Q: I’d love to hear more about the reason behind your book, The Mouse Buffet. I mean, really - a Mouse Buffet? Could it get any cuter?! Where did you come up with the idea for this story and what was the writing/editing process like? And what was working with Tim Bowers like?

A: Aww, thank you! It was a lot of fun to write (and rewrite!) In the beginning, with the first crumb of an idea, The Mouse Buffet wasn’t a holiday book at all. Just a group of sneaky mice raiding the dinner table - probably, at its core, a nod to my own kids sneaking treats! It was suggested to make the food buffet a more specific setting - like a birthday or holiday to give it an additional ‘hook.’ I opted for a Christmas theme and had fun revising to make it more festive, adding Christmas cookies, candy canes, a gingerbread house, and my favorite addition - the gingerbread man! I’m glad you asked about Tim Bowers…isn’t his art work terrific?! He created such adorable mice and a buffet that makes you want to eat the pages! 

Q: And speaking of Tim Bower’s art, do you have a favorite spread and why?

A: I love all the art in The Mouse Buffet, but if I had to pick one favorite spread, it would be the scene when the cat is awake and the mice are scrambling to hide inside the cake: Stay right there. I have a plan —Hide behind the gingerbread man. 

Tim really brings out the mice personalities here -  the way the “leader” mouse bravely darts out to grab the gingerbread man as a shield, while the others huddle together inside the cake, two of them hugging each other. And I have to mention the little mouse butt sticking out…what a cute, funny detail. But perhaps what I find the most clever is the gingerbread man’s different facial expressions. They add a whole other level of fun, humor and energy to the climax of the story. I just know little readers will have a great time poring over all the illustration details throughout the book.

Q: What do you hope young readers take away from your story? Why is this a perfect gift for the season? 

A. The Mouse Buffet is a story with both humor and heart. I hope kids love the humorous rhyming story and take away the sweet message of sharing at Christmastime. When reading to children at schools or libraries, I enjoy watching their faces as the story unfolds. They’re on the edge of their seats, so eager to see what happens to those mischievous mice when the cat wakes up. Spoiler alert: No tail or whisker was injured in the making of this book. So yes, the cat and mice share a happy ending.

Children’s books make perfect gifts for the holidays. They promote togetherness and a way to escape the hustle and bustle. The lively rhyme in The Mouse Buffet, with its delectable illustrations and positive take-away, makes it a sweet holiday gift for little ones, ages 4 -7. Oh, and Sleeping Bear Press has ‘Teacher Resources’ for parents and teachers to download for free. Here’s the link for The Mouse Buffet activity sheets: https://sleepingbearpress.com/teaching_guides/588 

Q: What’s one way you spread holiday cheer to those around you?

A : I love spreading holiday cheer by reading The Mouse Buffet at library story times and other community events. There’s something special about reading it aloud and watching kids react to the silly moments, predict what will happen next, and excitedly share their favorite parts. 

It’s great when the librarians take it even further with fun activities - gingerbread house decorating, scavenger hunts, crafts, or mouse-themed games and snacks - which helps children connect with the story in a hands-on way. Seeing families come together and enjoy the holiday spirit with my book is the sweetest kind of cheer to spread.

Q: BONUS: What’s your favorite way to celebrate the season? I.e. is it watching movies, decorating trees, baking?

A. I love the holiday season! For my family, cutting down a Christmas tree over Thanksgiving weekend is a special way to kick it off. The entire family gathers to pick out a tree at a local Christmas tree farm. Sometimes I think I’ve found the “perfect tree” in the first ten minutes, but, of course, the kids have to walk through all the rows and fields to make sure there’s not a better option! For me, it’s the nice triangular shape and soft needles that don’t prick. My husband likes a nice, plump tree that fills half the room. And believe me - the kids have their own opinions! It’s quite the adventure that we look forward to every year.

Q: Would you like to leave a tip or a treat for our readers?

A: A treat! I'd love to offer a signed, personalized copy of The Mouse Buffet: A Christmas Treat - just in time for Christmas! OR I offer a free 30-minute Zoom/story time to an elementary classroom or library group. Winner’s choice!

Woah! What a delectable treat! Thanks again for joining us, Della. It was a pleasure featuring you and your new tale.

Giveaway Details: Readers, to enter Della's giveaway, 1) leave a comment below to thank her for stopping by and 2) share her post on social media. Mice-filled GIFs are a fun treat, too. The winner of this giveaway will be drawn and announced on or about 12/17. 

Giveaways will be shipped within the U.S. only.

Note: Heather and Lynne Marie are also giving away three holiday gifts! Those who comment on and share each post on social media will be eligible to win their choice of one of three Rate Your Story Speed Passes or one of three ten-minute AMA sessions with Editor Lynne Marie.

About Della Ross Ferreri:

Della Ross Ferreri is a children’s writer and former teacher. She is the author of picture books, board books and early readers, as well as magazine stories, poems and action rhymes. Della loves spending time with her husband and three children, reading, writing, movies, traveling, playing disc golf, and taking leisurely walks. She lives with her husband in the beautiful Hudson Valley in New York. For more information about Della and her school visit programs, please visit her website: dellarossferreri.com.

For more about Della and her books, check out the below links:

Della’s website: https://www.dellarossferreri.com/

IG: @dellarossferreri   

Amazon link for book purchases/reviews: Amazon.com: The Mouse Buffet: A Christmas Treat

Sleeping Bear Press website: https://sleepingbearpress.com/shop/show/54285 

IG: @sleepingbearpress

Tim Bower’s website: https://timbowers.com/childrens-books 

IG: @timbowersart

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