Author/illustrator Darren Farrell took his debut picture book, Doug-Dennis and the Flyaway Fib (Dial, March 2010), out for its first spin in the classroom this week. The rest of what follows is Darren's report of Doug's unveiling, pictures included:

I successfully completed Doug reading number one yesterday at Woodside Preschool on the Upper West Side. The class was full of four year olds. They really liked the book, plus had some hilarious things to say.

Hilarious Thing One: "But his real name's not Dougy…"

This occurred as I read the very first page. I said, yes, that's right. His real name is Doug-Dennis, but I think some of his best friends like to call him Dougy.

Hilarious Thing Two: 

"I know a rhyme." 

"Well let's hear it."

"Liar. Liar. Pants on Fire."

To which I said… "Wow, that's a good one. Maybe in book two, Doug's pants will have to catch on fire." And they all laughed. Except for the one boy from Hilarious Thing One. He proceeded to make the most hilarious statement of all...

Hilarious Thing Three: "But Doug-Dennis isn't wearing pants."

Ah…kids!

The cherry on the day was an email from the teacher. Her hardest to please child, whom you might remember from hilarious comments one and three, came up to her on the playground and told her that he thinks the book is: "Fantastic Infinity."

Which is a phrase I will soon be stealing from him.