ITSY-BITSY F+G's!

New F+G's I got in the mail for a sweet picture book I illustrated by author Michelle Meadows. Out March 6, 2012 from Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers!

You sound like THAT?

I was recently invited to contribute to what I feel is one of the coolest ideas I've seen (heard) in quite some time. It's oh so simple, yet oh so creative and fun. Danika Brubaker, of this wonderful TeachingBooks.net, asked me to phone in and leave a brief message simply saying how to pronounce my name, and maybe adding a little funny anecdote about my name. I went to the website, and found that TONS of other kids book authors and illustrators had contributed to this project. I spent lots of time listening to many of my faves and heroes speak words on to a voicemail message. If, like me, you geek out on kids books and their creators, I highly recommend you go here and listen. It's so much fun. And if you're still interested, check out my voice message. It's here.

JUSTIN CASE in paperback today!

The awesome middle grade novel I illustrated, JUSTIN CASE: SCHOOL, DROOL, AND OTHER DAILY DISASTERS, by most excellent author, Rachel Vail, is officially out in paperback today! To celebrate, Rachel is having a contest over at her blog to give away a FREE copy. You have to enter today as she's drawing the name of the lucky winner tonight. Get on over there and get in it to win it!

By the way, JC fans, I am currently reading RV's sequel manuscript and it is mighty good! Getting ready to start sketches. You're gonna love!

Up to the Moment

It feels as if I've neglected this blog. It's been about 2 and half weeks since my last post. Seems longer. I tend to use Facebook as my news poster these days, which, I'm not so sure, is even a good method to go about posting news (if you know much about the Facebook news feed, your post just keeps going down, down, down into the abyss of News Nowhere). But then again, who even pops on over here to the blog? At any rate, I'm probably coming across as negative here. Not my intention.

Here's a smattering of good, recent news to put forth:

Recently delivered art on a supercool picture book with Abrams, called BAT AND RAT, from supercool author Patrick Jennings! Here's a sample piece. (Click it, make it bigger. Oh and please ignore the levels/color balance. This is a crude photo I shot before shipping art.)




LEAP BACK HOME TO ME has been enjoying a bit of fun things around the web. Including this video spotlight on three pic books from local NYC news channel, NY1.

Love o' my life, and most talented author, Julie Halpern has a brand new young adult novel coming out called DON'T STOP NOW. It's really cool, really funny, really good. The fam was just up in Rochester, NY for Stephanie Squicciarini's TEEN BOOK FEST to promote DSN as well and other Halpern classics, GET WELL SOON, and INTO THE WILD NERD YONDER. A very fun family trip! Check out Julie's blog post from when she got her advance copy of DON'T STOP NOW. I love this cover!



I just sent in my first sketch dummy for what will be my THIRD written and illustrated picture book, called HELLO HELLO. This one's with Disney-Hyperion and I'm working with the wonderful Kevin Lewis! Super excited about this one. It's a bit of a departure for me, in that it's more serious than my previous offerings. A sneak peek sketch (click it, make it bigger):



And NOW, I'm reading the manuscript for the sequel to JUSTIN CASE by the dependably brilliant, Rachel Vail. Soon to be in sketches, with art to deliver later this summer! Love that JC!

Whew. Back to work.

p.s. If you read this blog, and are interested in "following" (which, I think, means you'd be notified when new posts are up), please check out the new widget-y thing I set up in the right sidebar. (Scroll around a bit and you'll find it.)

Show your Ma some love!

For any of you out there on the hunt for a last minute Mother's Day gift, this is the one! My newest picture book is the perfect tribute to a loving Mom. Particularly a loving Mom you know who's a Mom of a little one(s). If your local bookshop isn't stocking, order online today, get a quick ship and you're golden! Right Dads/kids/bros/sisses/Grandmas/Grandpas/Aunts/Uncles/other Moms/friends?

Hop to it!

Florida Reading Association likes TROUBLE GUM!

This just in--the Florida Reading Association has named TROUBLE GUM for their 2011 state book award! Not the TOP prize, but the honor position. Which is, like, runner-up. And I will take runner-up, thank you very much. TROUBLE was voted in by the kids of Florida as one of their favorite children's books of the year. Which is extra special, in that the real deal, the kids, made it a fave. Thank you kids, and thank you FRA! Keep on poppin', TROUBLE!