Photo Coverage: Inside the Book Release of POPPY HAVILAND & THE SECRET OF THE LIVELY WIDOW
By: Genevieve Rafter Keddy Mar. 28, 2019
Lively McCabe Books, a division of Lively McCabe Entertainment, releases its debut publication, POPPY HAVILAND & THE SECRET OF THE LIVELY WIDOW. The tale of twelve-year-old Poppy Haviland, the practically invisible daughter of Broadway and Hollywood Mega-star Holly Haviland, POPPY HAVILAND & THE SECRET OF THE LIVELY WIDOW is the first in a series of middle grade adventure novels. Written by Michael Barra and nine year old daughter Annabel Lively Barra, POPPY HAVILAND & THE SECRET OF THE LIVELY WIDOW is published in partnership with Matador Books, an imprint of Troubador Publishing UK.
ABOUT LIVELY McCABE BOOKS:
Lively McCabe Books is a division of Lively McCabe Entertainment, which specializes in packaging and adapting iconic intellectual property into new stories for theater, film/TV, and book publishing. Founded in 2018 by Michael Barra and Katie Dietz, Lively McCabe Entertainment's development slate includes "Hey There, Delilah" (a movie musical project in partnership with Plain White Ts), the new Joe Iconis musical "Punk Rock Girl" (a collaboration with BMG and R&H Theatricals) and the musical stage adaptation of "Mystic Pizza" (featuring songs by Melissa Etheridge, in partnership with MGM and Concord Theatricals). Lively McCabe is represented by Brad Rosenfeld and Max Grossman at Abrams Artists Agency and Conrad Rippy at Levine Plotkin & Menin. Visit www.livelymccabe.com.
In POPPY HAVILAND & THE SECRET OF THE LIVELY WIDOW, the curtain opens on twelve-year-old aspiring actress Poppy Haviland's unexpected move from the bright lights of Broadway to a small town upstate, where the sudden appearance of her superstar mother takes the community by storm. While avoiding the ensuing chaos, Poppy discovers an old map hidden within her historic lodgings, and the adventure-seeker recruits her dearest old friend and the peculiar new neighbor boy to help her solve the document's clues which claim to point towards a legendary hidden treasure. The trio learns that their town was a key terminal on the Underground Railroad - the illegal passageway to freedom that played a major role in the termination of slavery in America - and that Poppy's family could have played an important role in that history. Will their efforts result in the discovery of the rumored, long-lost treasure, or will Poppy be relegated to a life sentence in her mother's impenetrable shadow?
"Our book is a contemporary middle grade adventure novel that takes place against the backdrop of fame; specifically being the child of a famous parent. Finding your place in the world is difficult enough for a twelve-year-old, but doing so while standing in the shadow of a giant is just unfair," explains Michael.
"It was also fun adding a treasure hunt based on real history like we all learn in school. Including the historical figures from The Underground Railroad adds realism to the story. Like the "National Treasure" movies, but with a sprinkle of my dad's favorite "The Goonies" too," added Annabel.
Speaking about the inspiration for their book, Michael says: "I started this story right when we learned my wife was pregnant with Annabel and our doctor explained that she just about the size of a poppy seed. Because of other responsibilities and projects over the years, this project was lovingly put in a drawer for a bit. On her 8th birthday, I presented voracious reader Annabel with a draft of an unfinished manuscript, and a letter asking her if she'd like to take on the project with me during her summer school break. Amazingly, when she did, the story was transformed, and the character of Poppy was finally given a voice that felt authentic."
Photo Credit: Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Poppy Haviland & The Secret of The Lively Widow
Poppy Haviland & The Secret of The Lively Widow
Poppy Haviland & The Secret of The Lively Widow
Annabel Lively Barra and Michael Barra
Annabel Lively Barra and Michael Barra
Annabel Lively Barra and Michael Barra
Katie Dietz Barra, Annabel Lively Barra, Michael Barra and Amelia McCabe Barra
Katie Dietz Barra, Annabel Lively Barra, Michael Barra and Amelia McCabe Barra
Annabel Lively Barra, Brenda Gelles and Michael Barra
Annabel Lively Barra, Brenda Gelles and Michael Barra
Annabel Lively Barra
Annabel Lively Barra and her pals-Myla Friedman, Sasha Friedman and Adina DiPolo
Annabel Lively Barra and her fans
Brenda Gelles, Annabel Lively Barra and Michael Barra
Brenda Gelles
Annabel Lively Barra
Annabel Lively Barra and Michael Barra
Annabel Lively Barra and Michael Barra
Michael Barra and Annabel Lively Barra
Michael Barra and Annabel Lively Barra
The girls already reading their autographed books
Annabel Lively Barra
Michael Barra and Annabel Lively Barra
Annabel Lively Barra
Michael Barra and Annabel Lively Barra
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