If you had x-ray vision, you’d know that I have a soft spot in my heart for early readers. You know what I’m talking about:

When I learned that Mac Barnett and Greg Pizzoli were teaming up for a new early reader series about a mischievous monkey called Hi Jack! I was happy to hear the news. I feel like the form is in good hands with those two. Barnett’s been circling early readers with his clear, concise writing in books like Sam & Dave Dig a Hole and Triangle, and Pizzoli has a Theodor Geisel medal and honor (an award that often goes to early reader books) to his name.

So, for the very first time, let’s have a look at covers of the first two books in the Jack series, Hi Jack! and Jack at Bat:

(Click to enlarge)

I had a few questions about the series, including:

• How many bananas did Pizzoli draw for the books?
• What is the perfect ripeness at which to enjoy a banana?
• What are these books about?
• How do you make an early reader?

I decided to get some answers by trying something I’ve never tried before: a Google hangout.

Thank you Mac Barnett, Greg Pizzoli, and Bridget Hartzler.