Posts Tagged ‘picture books’

A Visit with Eric Rohmann

Friday, October 14th, 2011

This past summer, while participating in the Highlights Foundation Summer Institute at Chautauqua, I had the opportunity to chat with Caldecott-winning author/illustrator Eric Rohmann.

I think that some will say that Eric’s new book, Bone Dog, is perfect for Halloween, and they would be correct. But I think it’s perfect for any time of the year.

Here’s let’s hear about it from Eric himself:

Just a few notes, my homies . . . it’s not out of the realm for a picture book to have at its very heart the death of a beloved pet. But in so many cases, those books can often be heart-crushing. One of the things that sets Mr. Rohmann’s story apart is not only its straightforward nature, but its respect for the way that children cling to the notion of “forever.” I love that most about this book. And I also love the wordplay, the humor (“skeleton crew” anyone?), and the art is just right.

This is a story for all of us. It’s tender, a little scary, and funny, with the perfectest ending ever. Savor it.

Calloo, callay!

Liz Garton Scanlon: Noodle and Lou

Friday, June 3rd, 2011

Have you ever read a book that makes you want to hug it?

That’s how I feel when I pick up Liz Garton Scanlon’s new picture book, Noodle and Lou. Illustrated by Arthur Howard, this is the story of Noodle, an earthworm who is having a very hard time figuring out his place in the world.
Thank goodness for the ineffable Lou, Noodle’s excellent buddy.

I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Liz to talk about her unlikely friends. Enjoy!

Wasn’t that fun!

And for all you teacher types, Liz has a very groovy curriculum guide on her website. Check it out.

Many thanks to Cyn and Greg for allowing us to use their dining room for our recording studio.

Calloo, callay, worm fans!

P.S. I confess that while I appreciate all those hard-working worms, these are my favorite species:

Merry Christmas, Merry Crow!

Tuesday, December 14th, 2010

Morning everyone!

It’s the season, and to celebrate I thought I’d take a few moments to read my picture book, Merry Christmas, Merry Crow, which is beautifully illustrated by Jon Goodell..

Okay, I bobbled a couple of the lines, but it’s not that easy reading to yourself in the mirror image of my laptop. Give a girl a break.

And I also know that the video truly doesn’t do justice to the beautiful art that Jon created for this book. Here’s a better look at the cover:

Jon also illustrated my book, Alley Cat’s Meow, and as a bonus, here’s one of the spreads from that:

So here’s to reading a great picture book to the little and big ones in your family. Is there anything better than that? I think not.

Calloo, callay y’all!

Uma Krishnaswami–”Out of the Way! Out of the Way!”

Sunday, August 1st, 2010

While I was still in Vermont, I was able to catch my colleague, the amazing Uma Krishnaswami, to chat about her brand new picture book, Out of the Way! Out of the Way!, which is illustrated by…ahem…Uma Krishnaswamy. No, they’re not the same person with variations on the spelling of their last names. But they have joined together to create an utterly charming new book, one that has all the makings of a classic.

Uma is the author of several picture books and novels for children. She lives with her family, which includes four cats, in Aztec, NM. She is also the author the wonderful blog, Writing With A Broken Tusk, a blog about “story, overlapping geographies, and the creation of books for children.”

Out of the Way! Out of the Way! is published in nine different languages by Tulika Books in India, and will soon be released by the Canadian publishers Groundwood Books.

Uma teaches at Vermont College of Fine Arts. I’m so fortunate to call Uma my friend.

The Flying Pig

Sunday, July 25th, 2010

While we were in Vermont, Ken and I visited the world-famous Flying Pig Bookstore in Shelburne. One of the owners, Elizabeth Bluemle, is a graduate of the MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults and Vermont College of Fine Arts. We found a copy of her book, Dogs on the Bed, among the thousands of picture books displayed there.

What a wonderful bookstore!

And while you’re in Shelburne, be sure to drop in to Bistro Sauce and enjoy their wonderful cuisine.

Good things are happening in Shelburne, VT.

Calloo, callay!