The Book Show

This past spring, I stepped down from my teaching position in the Illustration as Visual Essay MFA at the School of Visual Arts. It was a heart-wrenching choice given that I am a graduate of the same program. Years ago, I was asked to join the faculty by its founder, the late Marshall Arisman, who was a mentor to me and countless others. It has been an honor to be a small influence in the careers of so many burgeoning artists over the years. But I’ve struggled to find the time for my own work, so this year’s “Book Show,” now on view in the SVA Gramercy Gallery, is my last.

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

And what a show it is! The Class of 2026 created a diverse array of picture books, children’s books, comics, visual essays and we’ve even got one pop-up book. I hope you get a chance to see it before it comes down on December 13th. Also on view in the front room is the work of Lillian Ansell, who was my student a few years ago.

The SVA Gramercy Gallery is located at 209 East 23rd Street. For more information on the exhibition and the MFA Illustration program, click here.

Images from left to right, beginning with top row: Bernardo Bagulho, Casey Grenier, K Downs, Mansai Patankar, Kailee Finn, Nancy Xi Nan, Yiou Zheng Miki, Yuan Peng, Sitong Liu.

A Mini NJ/NY Book-Signing Tour

This week, my husband and I set out on an impromptu mini book-signing tour to the Garden State and New York City. On a lark and in inclement weather, we visited several New Jersey locations that were selling PARTY ANIMALS. One of the shops was even closed for the day, but the salesperson was happy to unlock the door and welcome us in out of the rain for a private signing. 

Everyone was so lovely—even at the big chain stores. They made me feel like a rock star, like I’d really brightened their day, and they couldn’t wait to track down a sharpie and their “Autographed Copy” stickers. 

In this job that can be somewhat isolating, there’s no replacement for meeting booksellers, librarians, educators, and (especially) readers face to face. It just goes to show, there’s nothing quite like community. And I’m proud to be part of the community of book lovers. 

Also, it’s amazing where a supportive spouse, the love of books, and a voucher for a free car rental day will take you!😅❤️📚

It's a Book! Two New Books!

View fullsize

My advance copies of YOU MAKE ME SNEEZE! and the paperback edition of YOU ARE NOT A CAT! arrived this week. Both books will officially be released on February 20th by Astra Young Readers.

Unboxing a year’s worth of hard work, seeing it glued and bound together as a book never gets old. I had the pleasure of sharing a sneak peek of YOU MAKE ME SNEEZE with some classrooms this week for World Read Aloud Day, and I’m happy to report: the jokes landed!

The lovely folks at Astra also created a very fun promotion for SNEEZE at this year’s ALA conference: tissue packs! They’ve sent me a bunch that I am looking forward to sharing with readers at some upcoming children’s book festivals this Spring and Fall. For more information on my appearance, scroll down this page to the Events section.

I also collaborated with Astra to create coloring pages based on a few of our favorite images from SNEEZE. Those are free for download here and on Astra’s website.

If you’d like to order a copy of one (or both) books, click here. ACHOO!

KANGAROO & Dolly Parton‘s Imagination Library

Since 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has been sending free picture books to children from birth to age five. (Yes, you heard that right—free books!) Launched as a benefit for kids in her home county in East Tennessee, over the years the program has grown to include five countries: USA, UK, Australia, Canada, and the Republic of Ireland. To date, they’ve registered 1.4 million kids, and mailed out 117,920,187 books!

A few weeks ago, I received some photos from a friend in Nashville, TN whose three-year-old son had just gotten some exciting mail: an Imagination Library edition of IF I WERE A KANGAROO, by Mylisa Larsen and me! Even better news is that the Library has decided to include it for a second year.

To learn more about this amazing program, visit the Imagination Library website. Thanks, Dolly! If you’re over the age of five and would like a copy of KANGAROO, click here.