The Reading Warehouse

Bernard has never been to dinner at a friend's house before. His mother gives him quite the list of rules to follow--no elbows on the table, put your napkin on your lap, don't talk with food in your mouth, and so on. But Bernard isn't prepared to discover that the Goldsmiths think the table is the best place for elbows and feet, never put their napkins on their laps, and talk with food in their mouths How will Bernard survive dinner with such an obnoxious crew?

Kimberly Willis Holt's funny picture book about manners and etiquette turns the idea of good manners upside-down. The fresh point of view in Dinner with the Highbrows will be appreciated by both kids and their parents.

A Christy Ottaviano Book

Twenty three years ago Kimberly Willis Holt stopped talking about wanting to be a writer and started to pursue her dream. Because of her family's Louisiana roots she considers herself a southerner, but her father's military career took her to places beyond the South, including Paris and Guam.

She's the author of more than fifteen books for a wide range of ages, many of which have won awards and honors. Her third novel, When Zachary Beaver Came to Town won the National Book Award for Young People's Literature. She writes and gardens in Texas.

I was born in Illinois, and I grew up in western Canada (Edmonton and Calgary, Alberta). I have always loved drawing and painting, but didn't think I could make a career out of it, so I studied interior design at the University of Manitoba and graduated in 1985. After working a short period as an interior designer, I decided I'd never be happy unless I gave illustration a shot. I enrolled in the illustration associate degree program at Pratt Institute in 1989. I have worked as a freelance illustrator since graduating in 1991.

Kyrsten Brooker previously collaborated on Henry's Amazing Machine, which Kirkus Reviews praised, saying "readers will be mesmerized," and School Library Journal said "begs to be read aloud." Ms. Brooker lives in Edmonton, Canada.