Author: Terri Fields
Illustrator: Laura Jacques
Publisher: Sylvan Dell
About the Book: Dangerous animals from all over the world gather for the "Most Dangerous Animal of All" Contest. Snakes, spiders, sharks. . . who will the winner be? Deadly poison, huge teeth, razor-sharp horns, and fearsome feet are just a few of the ways that animals kill. Predators mean to kill. Prey simply defend themselves. And yet, the unexpected "Most Dangerous Animal" doesn't mean any harm! Don't let the suspense kill you.
My thoughts: What kid doesn't like scary looking animals? (in the pages of a book, of course!) This book is full of them. As well as interesting facts about each one of them. From the great white shark, to the Brazilian wandering spider to - hold on to your hats - the mosquito! (Okay, you laugh, but who doesn't cover themselves in bug spray, swat the little buggers and do what they can not to get bit?!) Well, in addition to the facts there is also a cute story about all of the animals gathering together to see who will be declared "The Most Dangerous". There are great illustrations as well. In the back of the book is a section that gives some more information on how some animals kill their prey and whether or not they are prey or predator. You also get a world map that shows where the animals discussed in the book live.
Blog Tour information for The Most Dangerous
October 5th
October 8th
October 9th
October 10th
October 11th
October 13th
While not on a blog, on October 13th, I’ll be doing a workshop at Worlds of Words at the University of Arizona. The event is held on Saturday mornings from 10:00-12:00, and draws children and families. If you’re in the Tucson area, do come!
Terri kindly stopped by and answered some questions for me! Please enjoy her answers!
1. How do you typically write? Do you plot it all out beforehand or do you just let the story pour out?
In a picture book, it’s very easy for me to know exactly where it’s going. However, in my two YA novels, Holdup and My Father’s Son, I wasn’t sure, myself, how they would end. I knew I wanted both books to have kind of twist at the end, but exactly what? I struggled and struggled. I wrote and rewrote a lot!
2. Do you have a favorite place to write or “must haves” while writing? Because I began writing and being published when I had two children and a full-time job as a teacher, I learned to write whenever and wherever I had a spare minute.
3. Do you have much say in the title or covers of you books?
Sometimes I do, and sometimes, I don’t have any say. In one book, the main character had bright red curly hair. I didn’t see the cover until I got my author’s copies, and to my surprise, the artist had drawn her with straight black hair. I got lots of letters from kids asking why. However, I do love the cover of my newest book The Most Dangerous.
4. Was there anything (or anyone) while growing up which helped you decide you wanted to be a writer?
I am so lucky that my mother loved to read and began to take me to the library before I ever started school. I thought I was so grown up when I was finally old enough to get my very own library card! It seemed a natural extension from loving to read stories to wanting to write my own.
5. Do you have a favorite quote?
“Think you can or think you can’t; either way, you’re right!”
6. In one sentence, why should we read your book?
Snakes, spiders, sharks…deadly poison, huge teeth, razor sharp horns; which is the most dangerous animal—the suspense ends with quite a surprise.
7. How does your family feel about having a writer in the family? Do they read your books?
I wrote for adults until my then six-year-old son insisted I write something “good,” which translated to something for kids. My son claims he’s the one who inspired my change in writing direction, and nineteen published books later, he still looks for his name in each dedication.
8. Is there anything else that you would like my readers to know?
As a former teacher, I’m always excited to see a book that is a fun-to-read tale for kids and also a launch pad for discussion and further learning. The Most Dangerous has a host of interactive curricular activities at its end and on the Sylvan Dell website.
9. What else is new about this book?
It’s the first of my books to be simultaneously brought out in Spanish, hardback, paperback, and e-book.
10. What’s a vivid memory you have as an author?
I love doing school visits, and I’ve done hundreds of them throughout the US and other countries. In one of them, I worked a lot with one of my YA books entitled After the Death of Anna Gonzales, which is a book about a girl who commits suicide because she thinks no one will even notice. I later got a letter from a girl at the school I’d worked with saying After the Death of Anna Gonzales had saved her friend’s life.
11. Do you have any hidden talents?
I’m sure I must, but they have remained hidden.
12. If you could live in a literary world - what world would that be and why?
Oh, just one! How could I pick? Wouldn’t it be fun to be able to travel to a different one each week! Actually, when I get really involved in a book, I feel as if I’ve done just that!
The Most Dangerous
Publisher/Publication Date
ISBN: 978-1-60718-5352
Ages 4-9
