Independent bookstores are having a tough time of it these days, but children’s book creators, Ruth Chan and Elisha Cooper came up with a great idea: what if a band of children’s book illustrators created a little something that the stores could slip into the books people ordered? Behold #kidlitsurprise! It’s a great way to thank both the stores and readers who have been so supportive over the years. As for these creatures pictured here, if you order something from Split Rock Books in Cold Spring, NY, The Curious Reader in Glen Rock, NJ, or Rakestraw Books in Danville, CA, you might wind up with a fancy-frocked hippo, a stripey snake, a self-satisfied pooch, a suspicious cat, or my specialty, a freaked out bird. Thanks indie bookstores, and thanks Ruth and Elisha for organizing us!
A Pandemic Sketchbook
I don’t know about you, but with everything that’s been going on in the world, I haven’t felt much like being creative. At the start of the pandemic, we temporarily relocated from our small NYC apartment to my brother’s house in Providence, RI where we had a little more space. It took me weeks to pick up a pencil or brush, but after a while I found inspiration in our daily social distancing walks around town. We’re back home now, and I thought I’d share few of these paintings in a sketchbook section here. Thanks for stopping by—I hope you are staying safe and healthy out there.