Jealous? I know. I would be, too, if I were you. But I’m me, happy, happy me, with my swag bag of buffalo goodies from the ultra-talented and super-generous Audrey Vernick!

Audrey is the author of a number of swell books, including two I’m crazy for: Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten? and Teach Your Buffalo to Play the Drums. (Both are illustrated by Daniel Jennewin and, from the looks of his art, he’s a pretty cool guy.) On her cool website (literaryfriendships.wordpress.com) Audrey had a contest for best/worst first day of school memory and guess who won the prize? Me! For bravely sharing my embarrassing memory of my first two days of kindergarten, I now have a signed copy of the Buffalo Kindergarten book, a nifty Buffalo Drum bag, and a Buffalo notebook!  (Wondering what I did on my first two days of kindergarten? Offer me something good and I’ll tell you.)

Audrey also has a new middle-grade novel out called Water Balloon that I can’t wait to get my hands on. The reviews have been stellar, and if it’s half as good as her Buffalo books, we’re all in for a real treat. Until then, I will slip my new Buffalo notebook out of its Buffalo bag and make a new list of must-read-and-share books for 2011. Keep the Buffalo books coming, Audrey, and thanks!