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.
The Creative Shift Podcast with Dan Blank
“If you are sharing work that is an extension of you, it will be your best work.”
Recently, I had the pleasure of talking with the ever-insightful Dan Blank of We Grow Media for an episode of his podcast “The Creative Shift.”
Dan has interviewed a slew of writers and artists, analyzing the rewards and challenges that come with choosing a creative path. We discuss my earliest inspirations, my long, winding journey to pursue the career I always wanted, the patchwork I have now to maintain it, and my personal theme for 2020.
About this drawing here…I mention in our talk that when I was a kid, my family lived down the street from New Yorker cartoonist, Donald Reilly—the first professional artist I remember meeting. This is a portrait he drew of me, pre-braces.
Thanks, Dan! “The Creative Shift” podcast is available on iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher, and by clicking here.
Photo by Symon Chow
“Anna Raff”, by Donald Reilly
A New York Public Library BEST BOOK of the YEAR!
This week, we received more stellar news about THE DAY THE UNIVERSE EXPLODED MY HEAD: the New York Public Library has named it one of the Best Books for Kids of 2019!
This list is such a wonderful collection of books of all genres, curated by a discerning group of librarians who are experts in their field. There’s something really special about getting recognition from your hometown library, especially when your hometown is the Big Apple. UNIVERSE was a labor of love—all whopping 56 pages of it. It is full of brilliant, hilarious poetry by author Allan Wolf, and beautifully designed by my Art Director, Lisa Rudden at Candlewick Press.
Perhaps what is most gratifying in having others appreciate this book which means it might make its way into the hands of more kids. I ❤️ NY and I ❤️ NYPL!
UNIVERSE is a Kirkus Best Book of the Year!
My head is officially exploding over the news that the ultra-discerning reviewers at Kirkus have named THE DAY THE UNIVERSE EXPLODED MY HEAD, by Allan Wolf and me a Best Poetry Picture Book of 2019!
”Poems about stars, planets, moons, and other astronomical wonders, accompanied by stylish anthropomorphic illustrations…A giddy ride through our stellar neighborhood and beyond.”
You can read all about it, and see the other wonderful books on the list. If with all of this news you find yourself suffering from FOMOoEH (Fear of Missing Out on Exploding Heads), you can procure a copy of the book here. I for one am over the moon!