MATTHEWCORDELLBLOGS

ANOTHER BROTHER out today!!

2012-01-31T10:42:00.001-06:00

Psyched to say that ANOTHER BROTHER, my second ever picture book both written and illustrated by yours truly, is out today! I hope you will seek out a copy for yourself and/or a loved one at your local indie bookshop or B+N or at your local library (or request it at either, if they haven't caught onto it yet!). Online shopping works too. Huzzah!

Below is the first ever signed copy. It went to our daughter's awesome pediatrician. Dr. Zwirn gets all of our books (free, of course). Like it or not...

ANOTHER BROTHER gets the book trailer treatment!

2012-01-26T16:37:00.000-06:00

Behold! My first ever book trailer. I have only admired others book trailers from afar, but this time I bit the bullet and made one of my own. Please sit back, crank the speaks, and feast your eyes and ears on Davy and his 12 little bros and my possibly hilarious (I mean, intentionally so...) attempt at a one-man-band. If you like, you may be better off going straight to YouTube, seeing as blogger don't take kindly to embedding the new widescreen format (sigh). Link: http://youtu.be/PtUw0Xd3S78

My 2012 offerings (and more) at 7-Imp!

2012-01-24T12:42:00.000-06:00

Please take a moment and head over to one of THE best kidlit blogs in the biz, 7 Impossible Things Before Breakfast. Today, Julie (Jules!) Danielson has posted an extensive interview that talks up and shows off the books I have coming out in 2012. As well as my road to publication, my process, my filthy cluttered studio, and a weird bit about turkey butts. Jules does an amazing job, and it always shows. Please have a look here and leave a comment if just to say, "what up, bruh?"!

ANOTHER BROTHER in NY TIMES!

2012-01-18T12:05:00.003-06:00

"Baby brothers may be a pain, but the havoc they create can be painfully funny." Excited to share this sweet review of ANOTHER BROTHER in today's NY Times. Davy and all 12 bros say "huzzah!" Thanks very much to Pamela Paul!

Check it out here.

ANOTHER BROTHER pulls down a second star!!

2011-12-20T11:15:00.001-06:00

Father Christmas and/or Hanukkah Harry have/has come early this year, folks! I just got wind that my forthcoming picture book (my second offering as both illustrator and author), ANOTHER BROTHER, has received a second starred review! This one from our friends at School Library Journal. Unbelievable. And a BIG thank you for getting it/me, Sara Lissa Paulson! Huzzah, good people and a happy holidays to you and yours!

CORDELL, Matthew. AnotherBrother. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Feiwel & Friends. Jan. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-312-64324-9. LC2011001135.

PreS-Gr 3–In the beginning, it was Mom, Dad, and Davy. For years, the little sheep basked in the love of his small family. Then along came Petey, then Mike, and then Stu. The formerly close-knit family eventually becomes a mob, and Davy is stuck with“12 WHOLE BROTHERS,” who nightmarishly copy his every move. Dad explains to Davy, “When they get older, your brothers will have their own interests. Then they won’t copy you.” It takes a while, but his father’s prediction eventually comes to pass, much to Davy’schagrin. The pen-and-ink and watercolor artwork is filled with humorous detail. Think Richard Scarry’s warmth and scale, with a minimalist approach to setting. The psychology of the oldest child is well chronicled here. With a delightfully fulfilling ending,Davy (and readers) realize that being the one and only sometimes means being alone, and lonely. The story is a great way to discuss life as a half-empty or half-full vessel, and the very human struggles of sibling rivalry.–Sara Lissa Paulson, American SignLanguage and English Lower School PS 347, New York City

ADVANCE BOOK BONANZA!!

2011-12-14T12:36:00.002-06:00

I just got two hot-off-the-press advance bound books that I illustrated and author'd-illustratrated! ANOTHER BROTHER is out January 1, 2012 (Feiwel and Friends) and BAT AND RAT is out May 1, 2012 (Abrams). For the love o' Pete please save them dates! Here's little taste of both... (click on pics to view larger)

BAT AND RAT in spring 2012

2011-11-11T11:04:00.001-06:00

I've noticed this cover's been popping up at various online booksellers, so I reckon it's safe to show here now. I love how this looks and I'm psyched about this picture book I illustrated by the great Patrick Jennings. It's been called a, sort of, modern, urban FROG AND TOAD (Lobel... sigh). Ask for it at your favorite bookseller when it's out May 1, 2012!

(click it, make it bigger)

Recent Acquisitions

2011-10-28T11:23:00.003-05:00

Last weekend, Julie and Romy and I happened upon a local library's used book sale. We picked up some little gems for Romy, of course (Meet Joe from Blue's Clues!), and I got lucky as well. Here are pics of two very incredible finds. I'm a huge fan of Ungerer and Burningham. These books are head-to-toe genius, so these are just covers and random samples (too hard to say or choose which pictures are the best). Now, and for the record, Burningham is officially my #1 guy. He never doesn't knock my socks off.

Reawaken your love for the picture book.

2011-10-26T12:12:00.001-05:00

The children's picture book is not doing so well. People aren't buying it like they should. I don't have all the facts and numbers (I'm not that guy), but I know enough to tell you that. Maybe it's because of tough economic times. Maybe it's because of e-bookery or general gadget-y (short attention span) distractions. Maybe it's because parents aren't reading to their kids enough. Maybe it's because education is accelerating young readers at a newer, faster pace, and rushing them over the picture book form. Maybe it's because it's been forgotten how important, irreplaceable, and (when stars align) how spiritual the picture book experience is to both children and adults.

If you think enough about it, you'll see the importance of and need for picture books. For one thing... reading to your kids is going to make them better. Period. It's going to build some solid ground to a solid person. It's going to build up their vocabulary, and make them smarter and more fun and more interesting to be around. And you'll be all the more prouder (of yourself and of them). That's the common sense thing. But beneath the surface is the more subtle stuff. Reading to your kids is going to make you better. Shared reading is an experience no parent or child should do without. A special bond between Mom or Dad and baby girl or baby boy that will never, ever be forgotten. And of course there's art appreciation. Picture books are painstakingly composed by writers who really, really, REALLY love what they are doing. Manuscripts are written and re-written, and thrown out and re-written and revised and picked apart and picked apart again so that every line counts, every word counts. And they are visually realized by artists who really, really, REALLY love what they are doing, developing characters, and sketching and re-sketching and re-sketching, and testing drawing approaches, painting approaches, digital illustration options, creating color palettes, and newer better color palettes (and throwing those out and creating the best color palettes). And then they are designed and typeset and polished and shaped and assembled and proofed and press-checked and assembled by people who really, really, REALLY care about the finished visual dynamics of the thing. Writing, art, design, printing, binding, packaging... to make just one perfectly produced book ready to digest and enjoy. (This visual distinction and quality control of image and package from top to bottom is why picture books can never truly translate to e-books, if you think about it. But that's another rant.)

This is my challenge to you, dear readers. Go into a book store (not a website, but a store with a roof, walls, people, books you can hold and browse over) and spend some time in the children's book section. Find something incredible (it ain't hard). Then, when you're all filled up, buy just one picture book. And in a week's time, repeat. Buy one picture book a week for your kid(s), some other kid(s) you love, or for yourself or some other grown-up you love. I can identify that it's hard to get, at first, but adults can also enjoy reading picture books. And if you absolutely can't swallow that concept, you can't escape appreciating them for the amazing artwork alone. It's like buying amazing art that can sit on your coffee table (or wherever you keep your favorite books with your favorite images) for, like, 16 bucks or whatever. Someone you know needs more picture books in her/his/their life/lives. You need to experience, again, what you loved when you read picture books as a kid.

(Okay, okay.... if you absolutely, seriously, truthfully can't get to or find a brick and mortar book store, buy your books online. But try this first.)

If you can't do a pic book a week, make it a pic book a month.

And if you can't do that (understood, times are tight).... Go into your most excellent local library and check out 10 picture books a week. If you can't do it every week, do it once a month.

Challenge issued.

Is this more preaching to the choir? Maybe so. But I'm not sure there's enough preaching going on. The picture book should be preached. It should be testified. We have to do more. We have to talk more. I can't do without it. And if you think about it, neither can you.

P.S. If you take this seriously, and I hope that you do, and you happen to be on Facebook, pledge to me, to yourself, and to everyone around you that you will do this by liking this Facebook page. Here. Now.

ANOTHER BROTHER pulls down a star!

2011-10-24T11:42:00.000-05:00

Good lawd, man! I just found out that my second picture book offering as author-illustrator, ANOTHER BROTHER, received a starred review from the most excellent Kirkus! Very exciting, friends. Here's how it reads, and here's a sample page (a personal favorite). ANO BRO is out 1/31/12 from my friends at Feiwel and Friends.

(click it, make it bigger)

Davy, a little sheep, has trouble adjusting to the arrival of not one but 12 baby brothers in this humorous twist on the tried and true new sibling theme.Although Davy was his parents’ adored only lamb, “things change.” In the space of two page openings, he suddenly has a dozen little brothers wagging their tails behind him. True to their ovine nature—and much to his chagrin—the little sheep copy Davy’s every move. When he complains, his exhausted parents say that his flock of siblings imitates him out of admiration, reassuring him that as they grow and find their own interests they will let him be. This can’t happen soon enough for poor, beleaguered Davy, who can’t even groan without a dozen echoes of “ugh” bleating forth—or can it? When the day comes that his brothers do stop mimicking him, Davy feels alone and bereft until he hears a voice echoing his once more—but this time it comes not from another brother, but from a new sister, a downright “darling ewe.” This is not just another new-baby book: Cordell’s humorous text and mischievously silly, expressive cartoon art will have readers bleating to read it again and again. (Picture book. 4-8)

Something else to look at

2011-10-11T13:48:00.000-05:00

Hey, guys. This is a little teaser image I'm posting for a great picture book I finished somewhat recently. It will be out May 1, 2012 from Abrams. Um... save this space? By the great, Patrick Jennings! (Click it, make it bigger.) Very, very fun.

Here's a link for ref. But for the love of Pete, please buy books from whatever local bookseller you've got!

Something to look at

2011-09-20T12:09:00.000-05:00

This is a piece for a book I'm currently working on. (click it, make it bigger) Super, super jazzed. It'll be my third author/illo pic book, this one with Hyperion. Out in a year. (sigh)

57th Street Book Fair

2011-09-15T12:22:00.004-05:00

Chicagoland friends, authors, and illustrators: I hope to see you on Sunday (September 18) at this year's 57th Street Book Fair down in Hyde Park. I'll be drawing for and with kiddos at a little art session I'm doing at 2pm. And then I'm signing books just after at 2:30. I was a guest at the fair a couple of years ago for TROUBLE GUM and it's a lotta, lotta fun. Not to be missed! Click here for all the info.

working

2011-09-01T12:02:00.001-05:00

Something new to keep the blog current. A color test (in progress) for a pic book (in progress). Some colors will change/swap, etc.

Why don't you blog anymore?

2011-08-11T11:41:00.002-05:00

Because I am, believe it or not, working on four picture books right now. And tying up loose ends on a jacket illustration for the sequel to JUSTIN CASE. I like to blog. I miss to blog. I miss having time to blog. If you're reading this whiny good-for-nothing blog post thanks for sticking with me. And here's a drawing of me drawing in my pajamas.

I'll be back... promise.

TROUBLE GUM in Korea!

2011-08-04T11:44:00.005-05:00

I'd heard about this some time ago and had been psyched to see a copy in print. Here it is! The Korean edition of TROUBLE GUM. I'm a big type dork, so it's a thrill to see it typeset in characters of another language. Of course, I have no idea what it says. I can only assume it basically translates the original text.... right?

Awesome!

ANOTHER BROTHER ARC

2011-07-19T11:14:00.005-05:00

This just in! New F+G's (folded, gathered), ARC's (advanced reader copy), ARE's (advanced reader edition) or whatever you wanna call 'em, of what will be my second author/illustrator picture book, ANOTHER BROTHER. (I noticed this at ALA, that Macmillan is now doing these snazzy advance pic book releases that are saddle-stiched and trimmed out. Pretty neat.) Officially released in hardcover from Feiwel and Friends January 31, 2012. Save this space, or whatever!

ALA! New Orleans! or Why I Love Facebook (sometimes)

2011-06-29T11:20:00.009-05:00

Julie, Romy, and I just got back from what was both family vacation and business trip out to the annual ALA (American Library Association, to those not in the know) conference in one of my favorite cities, New Orleans, LA. And the whole thing was a rousing success.

Backing up a bit... The only other time we've been to New Orleans was right after Katrina, the first major event held in the city was an ALA conference that summer. The summer after the storm. It was, as you'd expect, pretty desolate. But still, just a beautiful place with beautiful people and a curious, fascinating mix of cultures and history unlike any other place I've ever known.

This many years later, a lot has changed and a lot has bounced back. Though, from what I gather, many neighborhoods still sit in ruins and abandoned, sadly. But it was inspiring to see this city thriving much more than the way we saw it all those years back. Plus... two seasons of HBO's Treme later, and we are completely head-over-heels in love with New Orleans.

I won't blab on too much, but a great time was had by the whole family. We enjoyed as much leisure as we could grab while juggling the conference and the many needs of a wonderfully sweet 2 1/2 year old (though at times, yes, a "terrible two".... groan).

Now, regarding ALA. This was the best time I've ever had at an ALA conference. For two reasons. In the past year or so, I've totally changed my outlook on the biz and, kind of, on life. I mean, I've always completely loved the business of children's books, but I never threw myself into it socially. Never really stuck my neck out and tried to connect with other artists so much. I've always stayed in my tiny little pocket of things, which, I'd grown to feel was holding me back. I'm in Chicago (burbs) and most of the publishing world is New York, so that's isolating enough.

Enter a highly unlikely adversary.... Facebook. (Here forth may sound like I'll be spewing some sick brainwashy testimonial on you, but stick with it and you'll see where I'm going.) I stayed off of all social networking sites for a real long time. I'd sorta peek in from the sidelines as Julie dabbled in and around myspace and later Facebook. Years after, finally, I bit the bullet and opened a Facebook profile. A personal one. It starts out just as you'd think. It was fun and sort of strange reconnecting with people you never knew you'd ever see again. But mostly it was pretty ok.

Then, it got a little ho hum. At which point, I began to realize I could use Facebook to reach out, as well, to people I don't know, but would like to know. Other illustrators who don't live near me (or do) and authors and art directors and editors, publishers, librarians, reviewers, etc. And I did this, and it has been phenomenal. So this is my main point of using Facebook now. To share my art, work-in-progress, updates, news, and so forth. And also to keep up on what other people like me are doing. And hopefully to get to know some people in the process. I've met a ton of other fine, friendly folk in the process. And yes, one does run into those who seem pretty disinterested in me (or maybe anyone else besides him/herself) but, of course, that's life.

Re-enter ALA-New Orleans. Knowing well in advance I was going to New Orleans, I found out by way of my publishers and by asking around on Facebook what other illustrators I'm Facebook friends with were going to be there. Before heading out, I tried to contact all editors and art directors I'd worked with to see who was going. In the process, Julie and I got hooked up with some sweet publisher party invitations, signings for our books, and I got an invitation to talk up a recent middle-grade title to a room full of distinguished ALA committee members. (Meanwhile, Julie was doing all of this, too, on her end... the reaching out to our peeps thing.)

Julie and Romy and I had a terrific time, meeting some incredibly talented, incredibly kind people. I won't disgust you all by dropping any names, or flashing any photos at you, but if you're reading this, and it's you, you know I'm talking about you. And thanks for humoring me with your kind conversation.

I never thought I'd be such an advocate of a social networking website. But it has really, really worked for me. Don't get me wrong. There are days when I despise Facebook for it's often narcissistic tendencies. There is a razor thin fine line between good-natured celebratory self-promo and, you know, bragging. Reading the news feed can make a boy incredibly jealous. Or incredibly nauseous. Or feel incredibly small or insignificant or untalented or insecure.

But, again, that's just life.

Meet me in New Orleans, ALA, etc.

2011-06-21T11:31:00.004-05:00

It's been a bit since I've posted anything, but it's not for lack of interest. More like lack of time. I'm juggling three projects at the same time right now. Plus the usual part time stay-at-home Dad duties. Getting a bit crazy up in here.

First, let me say that, by complete surprise, LEAP BACK HOME TO ME, got a sweet review from Leonard S. Marcus in the New York Times Book Review over the weekend. Here's a sample. I'm blown away!

Warmly reassuring rhyme which, with the buoyant lilt of a song lyric, reaffirms a mother frog’s love for her leapfrogging lad. Each time he hops to greater heights, his mother urges the wayfarer to “leap frog back to me!” With a mom like this, being green may be easy after all. Matthew Cordell’s nimble line-and-watercolor illustrations are loose-limbed, unaffected and suitably silly.

If interested, here's the full review which includes another sweet froggy pic book, 999 TADPOLES.

In other news, Julie, Romy and I are New Orleans bound for the annual ALA conference. We are both doing various stops and events around the weekend. If you are going, I hope you will come to one, if not both (!), of my signings.

Both are set for Sunday, June 26:

9:30-10am Simon and Schuster booth #1139-1140, signing copies of LEAP BACK HOME TO ME.
10:30-11:30 Macmillan/Feiwel and Friends booth #1115-1116, signing copies of TROUBLE GUM and JUSTIN CASE. (This is a double header signing--I'm doing this one with my best girl, author/wife Julie Halpern, talented YA author, who's signing copies of her GET WELL SOON, INTO THE WILD NERD YONDER, and brand new DON'T STOP NOW!)

Please do drop by, if you're going to be at ALA. I'd love to sign a copy of something for you, and draw something in your book too.

See you then!

Remember when?

2011-06-03T12:03:00.002-05:00

One of the biggest hits I get on my blog is this strip I did a few years back (I guess a lot of people search for "how to ollie") for an illustrated novel I've been wanting to do. I've been writing it in my head for the past 3-4 years. Daunting. Very daunting. Maybe one day I'll get it down on paper. I took another look at these drawings, and I have to say... these things really hold up. And I don't say that much.

(click images for better view)

Sleepwalker

2011-06-01T10:46:00.003-05:00

ITSY-BITSY F+G's!

2011-05-27T13:58:00.003-05:00

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?

2011-05-26T13:08:00.006-05:00

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!

2011-05-25T10:37:00.005-05:00

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

2011-05-23T11:36:00.012-05:00

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!

2011-05-05T13:31:00.003-05:00

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!

2011-05-03T11:10:00.004-05:00

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!

2 book release celebration April 30

2011-04-28T12:43:00.005-05:00

To all good folk in the Chicago area! I'll be appearing at one of my favorite local indie bookstores, The Book Stall, this Saturday. I'll be talking a bit about and reading from my two newest books. LIKE PICKLE JUICE ON A COOKIE (by author Julie Sternberg) and LEAP BACK HOME TO ME (by author, Lauren Thompson). I'll also conduct a little interactive drawing demo towards the end. I hope to see you there!

Here's the info:

Saturday, April 30
11am
The Book Stall
811 Elm Street
Winnetka, IL 60093
(847) 446-8880

LEAP BACK HOME TO ME out today!

2011-04-26T10:55:00.004-05:00

LEAP BACK HOME TO ME, my brand spanking new picture book by super-talent author Lauren Thompson is out today! It's a beautifully sweet story of the growing up experience that every loving parent and child contend with. It's exhilarating, and a wee bit heartbreaking, but mostly just wonderful. LEAP received two starred reviews, from Kirkus and Publisher's Weekly, and I hope you'll get a copy and like as much as they (and I) do.

Here's a link to my website, where you can click through a few sample spreads and bits of art.

Hop on over to your favorite brick and mortar bookstore or online retailer (if need be) and nab one for your favorite little froggy!

Peek

2011-04-25T11:54:00.003-05:00

Little peek at something I just finished. (click on images for zoom)

Night (sans stars):

Day:

Beckerman talks PICKLE

2011-04-22T10:12:00.004-05:00

Abrams creative director, Chad Beckerman, has a very nicely kept blog he calls Mishaps and Adventures. Lots of cool behind-the-scenes posting about book design and illustration. A regular theme is to show the evolution of a book cover, and today LIKE PICKLE JUICE ON A COOKIE gets the treatment. Head on over and see how the cover of PICKLE came to be!

My New Friend

2011-04-19T14:05:00.014-05:00

Recently I made an addition to the studio and process. The Epson WorkForce 1100 Color Inkjet Wide Format Printer. A large format inkjet printer that, by some miracle, prints in completely, unfailingly, blackest of the black-ingly waterproof ink.

Quickly backing up, I've been daydreaming for years about owning some sort of affordable, commercial desktop printer that can print heavy paper stock with a water resistant ink. Why the heavy stock? My final art is on 140 lb. watercolor paper. Why the waterproof print? Because I'm using watercolor, yeah?

Again, quickly backing up... You might not get this by looking at my sloppy, some may say (me), "ugly beautiful" art, but I'm a control freak. If a line is too squiggly, or not squiggly enough, I'm so messed up about it. I'm not kidding. I'm not exaggerating. It's just little unfortunate details in drawings that are, maybe, only noticeable to me, but I know it's "wrong" and it is so, so wrong. However, if a final drawing is completed, there may not be time to redraw because of a less than impressive squiggle.

Now. Why the printer? Two reasons.

REASON 1: I'd always thought, if I could draw and SCAN a finished drawing (to be later printed), I could rework/retouch in photoshop to my exact liking and then I have a MASTER drawing that can be printed and painted upon. CONTROL. By the way, pen and ink is typically, for me, losing control. *shudder* And we haven't even talked about COLOR yet.

Which brings us to REASON 2: Another quirk of mine is color. It's reliably love/hate. When it's good, it's good. But it can be so bad I'm weird for days (ask my very patient wife). If I have a finished "I'm happy with it" drawing that I can print countless times, I can mess up or experiment with color as much as necessary to get to a happy place. The only waste, at this point, would be in paper and time, with color. But the drawing is ALWAYS DONE, you see?

How'd I find out about this printer? I owe a debt of gratitude to an old college pal of mine, Ben Howson, who has, for years, created prints with these digital printers. He helped me out big in finding the right printer/right price for my needs. But, I FIRST discovered this printing possibility via a cool, smart, knows-his-stuff illustrator pal o' mine, who goes by Eric Rohmann. Eric was using an Epson like this that uses these special "durabrite" inks. He told me about his inkjet printer that printed waterproof ink and I sorta found it hard to believe. Any inkjet print I'd ever seen was... you get a drop of rain on it, or put a wet finger on it, and instantly it's smeared or washed (no matter how long it'd been dry). But Eric insisted it worked. Graciously, he helped me to experiment before I went and bought a printer of mine own, and all signs continued to point to "yes, this will work."

And it did.

And here's how I use it.

As always, when creating final art, I start with an approved sketch.

And, as always, using a light box I create my final drawing (below) by working over this approved image like a tracing, but with flair. In the case of this particular book, I used a pencil and not pen/ink. Why? Because I've been wanting to, for years, use pencil as my final black line. For it's versatility and coarse texture in line. Now that I could scan a pencil drawing (gray) and make it all black in Photoshop, I was good as gold.

So... drawing is drawn, and then scanned, and then made black in Photoshop (and darkness, etc. adjusted--this took a bit of time, actually) and it's ready to print. I load in a 13" x 19" sheet of 140# Arches hot pressed watercolor paper and print the image file from my computer. Hey: several of my daughter's toys have migrated to my studio. Always helps to have a magic wand handy in the studio. And a copy of WTWTA glaring up at you from the floor.

My computer is, by the way, on the other side of the room. I have a teeny bedroom/studio with little extra table or counter space to put this xtra wide printer (notice it's sitting on the floor?). As you can see, I've run a long usb cable from one end of the room to the other. Oh, and see Facebook open on the iMac? Keeps me sane during final art to see what's going on online, in little breaks here and there.

Then, here it is all printed out. OH! Let this baby dry for a bit before hitting with a brush. It is still, after all, ink, and ink needs dry time.

Next, to help prevent buckling from the watercolor (though it seems rather unavoidable... maybe I'm not doing it right...), I tape the print down with an archival masking tape to a piece of 1/8" masonite...

...and begin painting at the desk. Note the other finished pieces of art that I keep in view for color and vibe reference.

Some time later and... VIOLA! It's done. Well, it wasn't 100% done in this shot. I went back and tied up a few loose ends after, but you get the drift, man.

This printer is awesome and I can't wait to put to use again. One tiny drawback is the smallish full spread size of 13" x 19" (which is including room for bleed... I may try and experiment to see if I can somehow push the length out more...). But you cannot beat this thing for the price. And the price is unbelievable.

And there you have it. My new friend.

UPDATE! After a couple of hours of playing/troubleshooting, I figured out that this baby can print LONGER than 19". I cut my widest sheet down to 13" x 24" and just pulled a print that size! That's what I'm talkin'!!

Top Ten (February-March 2011)

2011-04-14T14:30:00.017-05:00

Dang, it's been two months since my last "monthly" Top Ten posting. Just met a big picture book deadline, you see. I don't reckon it was missed, but here I am to update you on my ten things of choice from the last month. Heck, let's make it the last two months.

As always, no particular order:

1. THE FIGHTER. Julie and I did a sweep of all the Oscar noms, and we seemed to really enjoy this one. Don't get confused... I don't like boxing. Not even a bit. But I liked the brothers. And Christian Bale was mind-blowing. And my heart was actually pounding at one point.

2. BLOOD ORANGES. Recently, some of the best oranges came into season. Julie's and my publisher, Feiwel and Friends, sent us a nice case of crazy-juicy-sweet Honeybells, and then my personal fave, the Blood showed up again in the produce section.

3. ELLA JENKINS. This living legend folk singer/child tamer, played for a small crowd of kids and parents recently in Oak Park, IL. Julie, Romy, and I were part of that lucky audience. Just perfect. Romy and self-concious ol' me actually went up and sang with a few other parents and kids. This is how amazing Ella Jenkins is.

4. LUNCH WITH TRAVIS. Sharp, friendly, fun kidlit blogger, Travis Jonker (of the great 100 Scope Notes) was in town for a book event and he had the excellent idea that we should meet up for lunch that weekend. How cool is that? We had an awesome time talking books, work, blogs and livin'. Thanks, Trav, it was great!

5. THIS COOL PW PIECE. Those in this biz probably saw this online Publisher's Weekly article buzzed about already on Facebook or otherwise (me included). It just hit the right spot for me. A handful of heavy-hitters (agents, editors, art directors, etc) offer up nuggets of wisdom and advice regarding the world of making books for kids.

6. BEST SPRINGSTEEN? For many years, I thought Springsteen was sorta corny. Maybe it's all that saxophone. I don't know. In recent years, I've grown to appreciate. The best, to me, was what he did in the 70's. He really nails nostalgia and youth. This song, and this vid, is perhaps his finest moment. Boss.

7. ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT/30 ROCK. Julie and I had, sort of, surfed around the perimeter of these two shows. We followed 30 Rock for 1-3 seasons. Then Romy came along and we quit it. Now my two latest Netflix Instant obsessions have been these two pitch-perfect comedies. I lean a bit more toward the AD, maybe because of the family dynamic (and I'm a sucker for underdogs). But both shows are quite bulletproof.

8. GHOST ADVENTURES. Julie and I stumbled upon this gem of a show on the Travel Channel. Another thing I'm a sucker for is the paranormal. I'm not crazy into it, but things that may/may not exist fascinate me. Anyhow, this is three funny dudes (and I do mean dudes) going from one haunted place to the next, locking themselves indoors, searching for undisputable proof. I'm a skeptic, so some findings are pretty iffy, but just enough will leave you scratching your head and watching for more.

9. J.J. SEMPE COVERS the NEW YORKER. How is anyone supposed to measure up when Sempé continues to bang out a flawless NY'er cover?

10. MY INCREDIBLE PRINTER. After meeting up with my illustrator crew, and talking to Eric Rohmann about this a few times, and an old college pal Ben Howson (who does a lot with digital printing), I took the plunge and bought this printer. It's a large format waterproof Epson inkjet printer. The important thing here is that it prints big and it prints waterproof. It has revolutionized my process. And it warrants a fully-explained and illustrated blog post of it's own. Coming soon...

LEAP gets a second star!

2011-03-29T11:14:00.006-05:00

I was floored last week to hear that my upcoming pic book, LEAP BACK HOME TO ME, received a second starred review! This one from our friends at Kirkus. Thanks and congrats to my pal and collaborator, LEAP's author, Lauren Thompson, for writing such a beautiful story (it'll bring a tear to any loving parent's eye)! Thanks very much, Kirkus, and go, go, go little froggies! Here's what Kirkus has to say:

Veteran picture-book author Thompson teams with Cordell to create a deceptively simple instant classic.

Little frog and his mother share a warm lily-pad embrace on the cover. Then comes the action: "Leap frog over the ladybug. Leap frog over the bee. / Leap frog over the prickly clover, / then leap back home to me!" As the little amphibian takes each ever-more-ambitious jumping adventure, his mother happily welcomes him back. The rhyming text creates a loving refrain that young ones will enjoy repeating. Sound effects for alternating excursions add to the interactive fun, as frog goes, "PLIP! … SPROING! … WHEEEEE! … WHOOSH!" over clover, splashing beavers, rocky hilltops and roaming clouds. Cordell works his magic with pen, ink and vibrant watercolors to not only perfectly complement the text but also show little frog's growing confidence and sheer glee at each accomplishment as the day progresses. Mama frog patiently awaits her little one with smiles, crayons, a storybook, dinner and, finally, another hug as he does a "Leap frog over the sun. / Leap frog as high as you please. / Leap frog out to the farthest stars… / when you leap home, here I'll be." A sure delight to present to a preschool group or share one on one.

Hop to it and make sure this is on your shelf! (Picture book. 2-4)

PICKLE hits 7-Imp!

2011-03-23T10:31:00.008-05:00

Please take a moment and head over here to one of my all time fave kid book blogs, Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast. Today, the most excellent Jules Danielson has graciously invited Julie Sternberg and me to come together and talk about our new book, LIKE PICKLE JUICE ON A COOKIE. Ms. Sternberg does a very fine behind-the-scenes, followed by my extensive show/tell of how the art came together.

Please head over to 7-Imp and leave a comment, if you would, to let us know you've dropped in!

cityscape

2011-03-14T11:45:00.002-05:00

(click on image for zoom)

matthewcordell.com--fresh! new!

2011-03-04T12:07:00.002-06:00

Friends!

After much procrastination and after lots of work, I can now say I have a fully updated and overhauled website!

You know... It's weird. The website used to be the primary marketing tool here on the web. But now, for me, with the blog and Facebook profile, the website had sorta taken a back seat. It's just easier to maintain the blog and FB. But it's still important to keep a lively, professional online presence and portfolio via the website.

So, I've polished the design and added new sections for my books (reviews, acclaim, etc) and bio and artwork. I even figured out how to add a "favicon"! (the little icon that displays in the browser address bar and on tabs) This is all simple yeah, yeah. But I'm self-trained and it's me suffering through this junk, man. Please, please head over there and click around so all this hard work (and complaining) is not for nil!

http://www.matthewcordell.com

Of course.

Happy b-day, PICKLE!

2011-03-01T13:40:00.006-06:00

Happy birthday, dear PICKLE. Happy birthday to you.

Today my middle-grade novel with author Julie Sternberg, LIKE PICKLE JUICE ON A COOKIE, is out, born, and released to the world!

Very exciting. Here is the book (a super-cool size) and a few of my drawings to get us up and running. Let's go, PICKLE!

LEAP BACK HOME TO ME gets a STAR!

2011-02-24T12:39:00.003-06:00

I've been meaning to celebrate this on the blog. My upcoming picture book (April 26) with the most excellent Lauren Thompson, LEAP BACK HOME TO ME, just got a STARRED review in Publishers Weekly!! Very exciting. Here goes:

Leap Back Home to Me
Lauren Thompson, illus. by Matthew Cordell, S&S/McElderry, $15.99 (32p) ISBN 978-1-4169-0664-3

Sweet and simple, lively and expressive, this picture book provides a loving template for parents who want to encourage their children to explore an ever-widening world without losing their connection to home and family. A wise mother frog encourages her child to leap away in baby steps--"Leap frog over the ladybug./ Leap frog over the bee./ Leap frog over the tickly clover,/ then leap back home to me!" Cordell's (Trouble Gum) marvelous pen and ink with watercolor illustrations showcase the small frog's increasing confidence and joy in its independence (at one point, it rockets directly toward readers with a "wheeeee!"), while its mother patiently provides crayons, food, books, and love to welcome it back home. The mother's refrain ("then leap back home to me!") changes at the end, after the frog has leapt over mountains and even into outer space ("Leap frog as high as you please.... when you leap home, here I'll be"). Thompson (the Little Quack series) offers unconditional reassurance that, even as children leapfrog into their adult lives, nothing will sever a parent's love. Ages 2–6. (Apr.)

And I say, HUZZAH!!

Top Ten (January 2011)

2011-02-18T11:06:00.009-06:00

A new top ten. A new year.

From January, no particular order of importance.

1. FORGE. By Laurie Halse Anderson. As noted in last month's top ten, I was all about the previous LHA in this series, CHAINS. FORGE is a tremendous follow-up. I loved, immmediately, the swapping out of narrator. And the story gets richer, more intricate, more fascinating.

2. CLEVER JACK TAKES THE CAKE. I've been a fan of Candace Fleming for many years. And I've been a fan of Candace Fleming/G. Brian Karas collabs for just as long. Fine, fine picture book making here, enough said.

3. CHRIS WARE COVERS FORTUNE 500. And gets soundly rejected. Man this guy's got balls to pitch this. And I love everything about it. To get full zooms, details, and description, you MUST visit this Huffington Post link.

4. THE BEAR WITH THE SWORD. I found this book by way of internet research on Davide Cali. The illustrator, Gianluca Foli, is mad talented. I think I've been missing out big on international pic books and pic book art.

5. ARCHERS OF LOAF. This is a defunct Carolina-based rock band from my college yearz. Julie pulled out some of their old tunes and I got back into it too. Not too shabby. Weird! I just now found out they reunited at the Cat's Cradle in Carborro/Chapel Hill, NC last month. Seems like a lot of bands of this era are reuniting. Fans of mid-90's indie rock rejoice! When "indie rock" meant... well, indie.

6. TROLL 2. Julie was once (still is) a fine connoisseur of horror films and even bad horror films (maybe preferably so). She introduced me to TROLL 2, and it is so, so bad. Unbelievably bad. So-bad-it's-good bad. Then we followed that with this well-made documentary on TROLL 2 called BEST WORST MOVIE. Made by the lead child star of TROLL 2. Pure entertainment.

7. THE OFFICE. You know, I've never been one of those "I prefer the British version" guys. The American edition goes down much smoother. I did enjoy the original British incarnation, but it was just so dark. Anyways, Julie and I gave up on THE OFFICE (American) in the middle of season 5. To be fair, we gave up on TV in general because this was around the time Romy was born. Plus, I think we had a bit of OFFICE fatigue. But after I devoured PARKS AND REC on Netflix instant, I decided to give THE OFFICE another go, picking up where I left off. I was pleasantly surprised. I'd thought they were jumping the shark with the whole Jim/Pam wedding (Julie and I drifted off just before the wedding). Boy was I wrong. This show is pitch perfect. Laugh out loud great. The writing so sustains. Why do you have to leave Michael Scott? How will we do without you?

8. TRUE GRIT. Yes and yes, the Coens and Jeff Bridges have done it again. Not to mention that Hailee Steinfeld and that Matt Damon. Superb.

9. DISTRICT 9. I HIGHLY endorse this movie. Hands down, one of the best things I've seen in recent years. Flawless blend of humor, socio-political critique, sci-fi, CGI, action, fear, compassion, empathy, sadness, exhilaration. Just... WOW. Why'd it take me so long to watch it is all?

10. WHERE'S WALRUS? TRAILER. I'm a big fan of Stephen Savage's illustration. Pic books, editorial, and otherwise. His new book, WHERE'S WALRUS?, looks excellent (I've yet to see it). But this book trailer, ladies and gents, holds a new standard for how great book trailers will be measured. Well done, Walrus.

Fathers Read by our old friend Preller

2011-02-16T10:43:00.003-06:00

Pal, author, and collaborator, James Preller, (some of you may remember our modern classic MIGHTY CASEY?) has recently started a valiant project and blog called Fathers Read. There is a too short supply of boy readers out there and this is an interesting way to get the young males into books. So Preller invites and showcases DADS reading and showing interest in and talking about reading. It's a trickle down thing. And JP is doing a great job over there. Read more, in his better-worded description of the project here.

Today, I've been graciously invited to participate on Fathers Read. Please take a moment, and take a look. Go Dads!

PICKLE CONTEST--winners revealed!

2011-02-08T12:08:00.002-06:00

Thanks much to all who entered my little PICKLE JUICE ARC contest. I wish I had enough to give out to all entries, but I only have the three to go around.

The winners are:

Frank
Tonya
Jackie

Here's a look at the ARC you'll be getting in the mail.

Winners, please email me here, matthew@matthewcordell.com, your mailing address, or I'll try to hunt you down otherwise.

Leave

2011-02-03T11:20:00.002-06:00

More fun with the bamboo. Click for zoom.

PICKLE JUICE is imminent! Contest!

2011-02-01T12:12:00.005-06:00

Coming soon is LIKE PICKLE JUICE ON A COOKIE, a middle-grade novel (ages 8-10) written by Julie Sternberg and illustrated by yours truly. And by soon I mean it's available March 1 anywhere you can buy books. This marks my first book with Abrams/Amulet. It was a joy to work with the Abrams team and the finished book looks amazing! It's a really cool size and shape. And I love how the cover turned out. It's hard to see in the photo, but there's a sweet spot varnish that is just the icing on the cake.

Team PICKLE has been getting some early good buzz.

Publisher's Weekly says:

“Eleanor’s ingenuous free-verse monologue should strike a chord with readers, especially those who may have had to cope with the loss of a loved one.”

“Eleanor’s gradual warming to her new sitter is affectingly narrated, and Cordell’s halftone cartoons convey the story’s pathos and humor, as well as Eleanor’s changeable moods.”

“It seems certain that Eleanor’s September will be better than her August. Her fans will want to read about it.”

Booklist says:

"The phrase 'pickle juice on a cookie' is used at first to describe something tragic, and then something ridiculous, and fortunately, this title falls into neither category. It tells a simple, poignant story that will resonate with any child who has ever had to say good-bye."

"Cordell's winsome cartoon drawings complement the text without overcrowding the verse."

AND... we just found out that PICKLE has been chosen to appear on the Spring 2011 Kids' Indie Next List --- "Inspired Recommendations for Kids from Indie Booksellers" via the good people at IndieBound!

AND... Last but not least, for more fun news, I'd like to announce a giveaway. Abrams sent me a handful of Advance Reader Copies (paperback copies of the book sent out to reviewers) of PICKLE, some of which I'll be giving away here and now on the blog. All you have to do to enter the contest is submit a comment on this blog, on this post. In one week from now, Tuesday February 8, I will draw three names and those folks will be sent a copy of PICKLE, all on my dime. Enter your name to win!

Go PICKLE!

Stampede at Sunset

2011-01-26T10:51:00.008-06:00

For a better view, click on that image above. It's actually pretty big.

It's important to me to have a certain level of spontaneity in the look of my drawings. As an illustrator, this can be difficult. Final art is not created out of thin air. A first sketch is created out of thin air. A first sketch is completely spontaneous, but every step after can eliminate more and more of that look and vibe. Break it down:

A. Sketch 1--spontaneous
B. Revised sketch (a sketch based on a sketch)--most likely, less spontaneous
C. Final art (finished drawing based on a sketch of a sketch)--perhaps not very spontaneous

Add more revisions between B and C and spontaneity may be more and more corroded. I don't always have the courage or time or faith to experiment with this in contracted work, but I do like to play around between jobs and see how I might achieve more spontaneity in finished drawings.

For me, final art is pen/ink drawing with added watercolor. One way to reach this goal, is to eliminate the pencil drawing or planning stages (not possible, actually, in illustration) and draw right out of the gate in pen and ink (which, as we know, cannot be corrected). The drawing above was done with no planning whatsoever. No pencil ever touched this paper. (And, in spots, it certainly shows. But in my mind, these are some of it's best moments.) Also, very little image reference. Most of it came from memory and mental pictures.

More or less, this is pure spontaneity in final art. Does it work? Who's to say?

These are good little brain-limbering excercises that shall go unpublished. Good for the blog, though.

Confetti Mouse

2011-01-25T10:40:00.001-06:00

self-indulge

2011-01-21T10:14:00.004-06:00

After I finish a job, I find several of these laying around among the wreckage. Little sheets I keep to the side to do a few test strokes before touching nib to final art. Some of them, like this one, end up looking sort of interesting. In an accidental art kind of way.

Maybe posting this is a little self-indulgent? Eh... that's blogging.

Self-Port w/ glasses

2011-01-12T16:18:00.002-06:00

Top Ten (December 2010)

2011-01-09T22:25:00.014-06:00

1. TOWNES VAN ZANDT. I know I'd heard of this folk/blues/country legend by way of other folk/blues/country legends, but something happened last month that made me investigate the particulars of Townes Van Zandt. Good lawd, there is some good music here. I also caught the stunning doc, BE HERE TO LOVE ME. Dude was in it for real.

2. PARKS AND RECREATION. Over the holidaze, I had the good fortune of getting into this outstanding show via Netflix "watch instantly". Oh my, the laughs were streaming. Everything about this rules. I will say, the first couple of episodes of season 1 were a little dry and slow to go, but after that, I was hooked and how. What an incredible, perfect ensemble cast. My favorite characters kept changing as I watched through the two seasons. Love 'em all. Can't wait for season three to hit in a couple of weeks.

3. CHAINS. By Laurie Halse Anderson. If you read this blog, you will know that I recently enjoyed M.T. Anderson's Octavian Nothing books. Of course, as my lovely wife suggested, I had to read CHAINS. The life of brilliant, courageous, feisty Isabel, a slave at the time of the American Revolution. Amazing and beautiful and exciting and heartbreaking. Oh, and (spoiler alert!), I just finished the follow-up, FORGE, which will appear on January's Top Ten list, natch.

4. WONDER BOYS. I read the book, by Michael Chabon, many years back. I found I could watch the movie (which I had not seen) on, yes, Netflix streaming. This is some good madcap academia. And I was, surprisingly, very fond of Michael Douglas's performance here. Very much enjoyed this flick.

5. A SICK DAY FOR AMOS MCGEE. Written by Philip C. Stead, illustrated by Erin E. Stead. This is one I kept seeing pop up on people's Caldecott contender lists. And best of lists. I finally got a look, and I whole-heartedly agree. It's got a sweet old school pic book vibe about it in both the story and the illustrations. But there is an inventiveness to both that is quite striking, springing AMOS into our modern book-making times. Without a doubt, one of my personal favorites of the year.

6. ILLUSTRATORS UNITE. It can be a lonely work environment as an illustrator, I tell ya. So I've been trying to hunt down some cool, fun, quality picture book illustrators in my area to hang with. Vent with. Talk shop and ideas with. After a lot of searching, emailing, hounding, and some planning, there was an inaugural sit-down in early December of illustrators, Larry Day, Jeff Newman, Aaron Renier, Eric Rohmann, and myself. Lots of art talk, book talk, in-between stuff talk, and a hint of Wisconsin bred heavy metal for good measure. An excellent night.

7. HELEN STEPHENS. I found this book, FLEABAG, at my local library. Boy am I glad I did. Ms. Stephens has a very nice touch. A very wonderful painterly, Bemelmans-y, easy, breezy, outstandingly loose and stylish look to her work. Looking forward to hunting down some more.

8. 200 CHRISTMASES. Julie passed this little gem along last month. Fans of classic 90210 or not, all shall enjoy and appreciate the absurdity of this. Have a look.

9. THIS OLD PHOTO. Yeah, for whatever reason, I ran across this old pic of me and Lou Ferrigno. Circa 2001. Got a new laugh out of it. You know how we do.

10. CHRISMUKKAH. Romy has now experienced her third Hanukkah and Christmas. She's two now and really starting to get things of this nature. And she's very verbal and very full-throttle excited about stuff. She did not hold back, and it was a real treat for Julie and me.

Unicorn Love

2010-12-29T22:03:00.003-06:00

Don't hate on the unicorn, bro.

Top Ten (November 2010)

2010-12-07T15:20:00.014-06:00

1. BINK AND GOLLIE. By Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee, Illustrated by Tony Fucile. I saw this pic book on many a list this year and just last month got a look at it. It's cool and quirky. And it's three short stories about two girls who are pals that do fun, weird things and seem to live alone without parents. Fresh. Liked it.

2. OCTAVIAN NOTHING BOOKS. By M. T. Anderson. Full disclosure: I must've picked up the first Octavian Nothing book and attempted to read it, oh, six... seven times. It is hard to get into. Finally, I put my head down and chewed into the first chapter. Glad I did. And then I chewed through the second, equally gratifying book. I won't say it wasn't hard for my puny brain to follow at times (the language is authentic (I can only assume) to the time--American Revolutionary War--and kinda tedious on my little head), but the payoff is good. Very, nicely well done.

3. GEORGE AND MARTHA. I read the original James Marshall again last month at my local library. A Halpern-Cordell house fave. I forgot how good it is. I like that James Marshall.

4. DAVIDE CALI BOOKS. I knew about THE ENEMY, but after a bit of online investigating, found out that Cali has some amazing looking books out there. Many of which are not in English (unfortunately for me).

5. JOHN SEGAL BOOKS. This guy has this super cool way of illustrating where he just uses watercolor and he uses the edges of the painted areas to define the form. No line, I mean. It's very sweet and inventive. I especially love SLEEPY HEAD and FAR FAR AWAY.

6. ZOHAR LAZAR. I think he (an illustrator, mostly editorial as much as I can tell) must've just recently gone onto facebook. When I saw his name suggested as a "friend", I was reminded to go check out his website again (I'm a fan, but haven't followed his work/website in quite some time). He just gets crazier and better and better. Good grief.

7. J CHURCH. A west coast punk (pop-punk?) band I was into in the college years. Sadly, the singer and frontman, Lance Hahn, passed away in recent years. I was somehow reminded of these guys and have been listening to them online again.

8. DON'T STOP NOW. Huzzah! M'lady, YA scribe Julie Halpern, has a new book coming out in June ('11)! Her third novel, and I got to read the brand new Advance Readers Copy (ARC). So funny, so good, and a fun road trip romp with a bit of mystery woven in. Loved it.

9. THE DRONES. Australian rock band. Raw and rough around the edges good. Highly recommended.

10. CIRCUS. Did you catch this miniseries doc on PBS last month? It was quite fascinating. Circus culture is not what one might expect. Not what I expected anyhow. This was a really neat look in and out of the big top. What goes into making a show. An act. A circus life. Specifically that of the respectable Big Apple Circus. And did you know people still actually "run off and join the circus"? Fascinating.

Young Chicago Authors

2010-12-01T12:08:00.005-06:00

Julie and I are guests at this year's Young Chicago Authors (YCA) Holiday Book Bash. We'll be hobnobbing with some of Chicago's finest authors, book enthusiasts, and past and present students and faculty of YCA. We'll also be there signing and selling books. I love a fine holiday party and I have not been to this before. Sounds awesome. If you are in the area, please come out and party down. Here's a link to the list of authors and where to purchase your tickets.

And, of course, the info:

Friday, December 3
6-9pm
Egan Center at DePaul
1 E. Jackson Blvd.

Happy Holidays!

Bikes, Flowers

2010-11-29T09:41:00.003-06:00

(as always, if you like, click image to zoom)

Top Ten (October 2010)

2010-11-13T22:23:00.019-06:00

Hey. Here's my ten faves from last month.

1. SCHOOL VISIT. Some may know that public speaking is not on the top of my list of junk to do. But I think I may have changed my tune. I had a really great day out in Naperville, Illinois at Chesterbrook Academy speaking to a couple of groups of kids. With lots of help and encouragement, I put together a sweet powerpoint presentation and had much fun. Now I'm ready for more!

2. PAVEMENT. There was this piece on Pavement last month in the New Yorker. About the band in general, I think, but also on the recent reunion tour and also because Pitchfork, or somebody there, made some sort of "best rock band of the 90's" claim. (Really?) Anyway, it got me listening to some early Pavement stuff again. Certainly brought back some varied memories.

3. DISNEYWORLD. We took Romy, our two-year-old sweetness, on her very first trip down to Disneyworld. Good times were had by all!

4. FEED. I'd heard of M. T. Anderson before, but hadn't read anything of his. Julie suggested this. I was not disappointed. A perfectly dismal prospect of a world future. It ain't pretty.

5. BAMBOO PEN. My ma bought me a few of these a couple years back, think it was, and I had not given them a whirl. I did recently and was pleasantly surprised at what they bring. It's not very easy to figure out or to control. Probably because I have no idea what I'm doing. But I think I may be onto something?

6. BETWEEN TWO FERNS. I was a fan of Zach Galafianakis already, mostly from BORED TO DEATH, but after getting wind of these celebrity interviews he does for Funny Or Die, I'm totally hooked. Something quite funny here in a low budget setup of one celeb mock taking the mickey out of another. Absolutely hilarious.

7. LITTLE NOTHINGS vol. 3. I've been a fan of Lewis Trondheim since I first discovered the NIMROD stuff Fantagraphics was doing in English translation. I really like his slice-of-life autobio stuff. I like how he draws people as animals and I very much like his sly subtle sense of humor. Julie and I saw him at Comic-con a couple years back and he's much like his books. Good stuff.

8. THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG. I'm not huge on the whole Disney princess thing, but this movie's got some good stuff going for it. Quality, traditional animation (gasp!), New Orleans backdrop (with characters from many different N.O. influences/backgrounds which is great), and a "princess" who's just not all princessy. I have to say I really enjoyed it.

9. HARRY BLISS ON FACEBOOK. I guess when you think of a celebrated children's book artist and cartoonist, you don't necessarily think of a foul-mouthed, cocky, dirty, so-and-so. This is the hilarity that is Harry Bliss's facebook profile. Not for kids. And not for some adults. His 200+ self-shot short vids, scripted or not, are keeping me laughing.

10. PHINEAS AND FERB. Ok, ok. This is my third Disney plug in this list. I maybe need to chill. But it's just coincidence really. The Disney Borgs dis not assimilate down in Florida. I don't think. Anyways, I like this cartoon. It's about kids. It's kid-friendly and clever. And it's old school animation (I think) and old school fun. There don't seem to be much like it on tv anymore.

Some New Drawings

2010-11-10T11:16:00.005-06:00

Playing with style/contrast. Drawings with quill. Drawing with a bamboo. Loving the bamboo!

Click images for better views:

ITSY-BITSY

2010-11-08T10:00:00.005-06:00

Here we have, ladies and gents, a slightly blurry photo of a scattered stack of final illustrations for a newly finished picture book. This one is called ITSY-BITSY BABY MOUSE, by author Michelle Meadows. To be published by Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers in, if memory serves, spring 2012. Don't hold me to that. I mostly just remember my deadlines. For me pub dates usually come to light closer to pub date. And I digress.

Huzzah!

c-c-c-color...

2010-10-27T11:41:00.009-05:00

Makes me shake in my boots. My shoes. My moccasin slippers. That's right, I rock those.

One of these days, I'll get more guts when it comes to starting color. Anyhow, thought I'd share some of my color studies for current final art I'm finishing up. I'm happy with these three. My team--Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers (S+S BFYR)--chose one direction. Guess which?

See Me. Feel Me. Touch Me. Heal Me.

2010-10-24T20:21:00.006-05:00

Just really wanted to say a few things pertaining to... Me.

Talented author/illustrator, Sergio Ruzzier, had the great idea last week to ask a single question around the kidlit community. What are your top ten favorite picture books of all time? I had the honor of being the first post in this series (I think I was maybe just the biggest nerd who went and turned his answers in first). Find out what my tops are right here. And, you know, there's already been a few more posts since mine. Authors Emily Jenkins and Marc Tyler Nobleman. And one of our favorite bloggers, Julie Danielson of Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast. Very much looking forward to seeing more of these lists!

Next up... I just reformatted my blog. It looks pretty much exactly as it did before, but it's allowed me to "label" all of my posts (see the snazzy list o' labels at the column to our right). So, for instance, if you had any desire whatsoever to read all of my "Top Ten" columns, you can click the label titled (what else) "top ten" and you're golden.

I've also added all links to all interviews, and the like, that I've done to the right. So you can read (or reread!) all kinds of stuff about me. Yours truly. This guy.

One more thing. Regarding me.

Here's a new self-portrait.

Top Ten (September 2010)

2010-10-18T20:00:00.010-05:00

Perhaps you'll notice, I'm half a month late in getting my monthly list out. Did anyone care?

Working on final art for a pic book plus sketches for a poetry book, plus back-of-brain stuff on two forthcoming pic books. Waters are a little choppy at the moment.

Ten of my faves from last month:

1. GIANTS SUNFLOWER SEEDS. I've been a seed fanatic since I was, maybe, 12 or something. I've always been a David man, but I ran across these last month in a Wisconsin grocery store. The name does not lie. The seeds are, in fact, giant. Steroids? The "salt and pepper" ones are quite nice.

2. BIRTHDAY GIFT. Last month, I celebrated another birthday. I'm... thirty-something. I got a spectacular gift for this one. Julie and a few other kind relatives put together some moneys to afford me this laptop. It has been sweet. I take it to the library when I'm working there on stories, and I used it for a school visit already (and more to come, I hope!).

3. DOMINIC. Read this super cool William Steig chapter book last month. Another excellent little known Steig discovery (for me).

4. THE HEART AND THE BOTTLE. I saw this one by Oliver Jeffers sitting face out at the library last month. I liked art and story enough to use a b+n gift card to buy a copy.

5. TOY STORY 3, A LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK. We found this book at our local grocer's. Little Golden rolls like that. The art is superb. Do not discount the LGB.

6. JULIET, NAKED. Looking for something to read, I read another Hornby. Again, I was impressed. I like that guy's style. And I like that this is sorta/kinda playing off Dylan/Dylanology/Dylanmania. It's funny. Cool cover too.

7. BORED TO DEATH. We are now in Season 2. And I love this show. Danson (awesome), Galifianakis, Schwartzman, et al. The writing is sharp and funny as heck. I love how they joke-check things like the Amazon sales rank and the New Yorker cartoon caption contest. Where else will you find that?

8. POMEGRANATE PIZZAZZ. To serious tea drinkers, these Bigelow bags are probably trash. But I came across this one last month and I shall endorse it. It's got built-in juice, man!

9. OUR JONATHANS. We have a Jonathan apple tree in our backyard. It yields a massive crop every fall, and last month the apples were popping and dropping, kids. It was fun to go back there with a ladder and fill bag after bag. Although, I did get tapped square in the eye by a renegade Jonny. Risk you run.

10. THE SUBURBS. The newest offering from indie darlings, Arcade Fire. Though I still like the debut best, this is good and has had copious listens in the studio.

If Stranded at Sea...

2010-09-27T13:04:00.002-05:00

...my worst nightmare.

UNICORNSTAR

2010-09-20T20:25:00.003-05:00

Top Ten (August 2010)

2010-09-12T20:26:00.015-05:00

Top ten of my favorite things from last month (as always, in no particular order):

1. THE WALKMEN. Anyone who reads this blog regularly might know my keeping current with music has completely lapsed over recent years. I still listen to plenty of music, but I just can't be bothered to keep my ear to the ground anymore. Anyhow...I had heard bits of songs from this band here and there and thought they were cool. A while back, it was. Something made me remember so I took a closer look. Old suspicions confirmed. They are good.

2. SCOTT MAGOON. Was there ever a better name built for a children's book illustrator? OK... Dr. Seuss. Richard Scarry. I get it, there are others. But Magoon is up there too, right? And his art absolutely does that good name justice. Last month I got a look at his newish title, GRANNY GOMEZ AND JIGSAW. And this, folks, is top notch Magoon.

3. SEMPE COVERS THE NEW YORKER. Jean-Jacques Sempé, you can do no wrong.

4. THE UNSINKABLE WALKER BEAN. Aaron Renier's new one--his debut with First Second. This is the most perfect, most exciting work of comics I have read all year. Amazing.

5. THE STRANGE CASE OF ORIGAMI YODA. I first heard of this book on Chad Beckerman's (my uber-talented Abrams art director) blog. Then I saw it face out at my library. After a minute of hesitation, it got checked out by some other patron. Then whoever checked it out let it go way overdue. Then I finally got to read it. And... good it was. Very well done, Tom Angleberger. Well worth the wait.

6. HARPS AND ANGELS. I can never tell if I'm outing myself as uncool for saying, um, "I like Randy Newman". (Sorry, Randy. Yeah, you're not reading this.) I mean he does all that sappy-pappy stuff for Hollywood. But, best I can tell, that's not him. That's just his way of bringing home bacon. After listening to his albums (the good stuff) I knew then that ol' Randy has a seriously dark, twisted, brilliant mind. HARPS is no exception to this, seeing as he strikes, head-on, America and it's less-than-perfect current (current-ish... this album's from 2008, if you feel me) state of affairs. Oh, what fun could he have with today's political climate?

7. MY DAY WITH TOM. Now that I work from home, I've become quite the shut-in. Not quite Nicholson in The Shining. But it's time to not let that happen. So I've been on the lookout for fellow illustrators in my area. Chicago and it's suburbs. Last month, I elbowed my way into Tom Lichtenheld's home/studio and we had a great day of good, solid author/illo talk. He's a super nice, super talented fellow and he gave me crazy-good advice and guidance on my first big upcoming school visit. Thanks for putting up with me Tom!

8. DEATH COMES TO TOWN. The Kids in the Hall are back, and with a vengeance. With a twisted (as ever) new mini-series about Death dropping in on a small Canadian town called Shuckton. Fortunately we now have cable and we caught the U.S. run on the Independent Film Channel (IFC). Awesome.

9. FACEBOOK. Last month, I set up a "professional" profile on Facebook. (Which basically means, a place where I don't have to feel guilty plugging my new books, or new drawings, or good publishing news.) This sorta goes back to my #7 in this list. My present attempts to connect with other illustrators. Maybe if I lived in the NYC area, setting up an often pow-wow with a cool, friendly kid book illustrator would be like shooting fish in a barrel. Since I don't live in the NYC area, "friending" people who live in New York and all over has been my next best thing. And it's cool to see what other artists are doing day-to-day without always having to visit a hundred different blogs around the net. And much as I can tell, kid book makers are good people. And I'm happy I did this.

10. RENAISSANCE FAIRE. Just north of us is one of those merry and weird Renaissance Faires. You know the ones. Where people dress up like fairies and knights and wenches and what not. It can get a little awkward at times, but when you take an almost 2-year-old (in a tutu and a crown), it's a stroke o' genius. Last month, we went twice. Huzzah!

Pigs, Bikes

2010-08-23T11:21:00.003-05:00

New Face(book)

2010-08-19T10:16:00.003-05:00

For any blog readers who are also Facebook users who are not also Facebook friends with me, Matthew Cordell... I just opened a new illustrator profile on Facebook. I had a Facebook "group" listed under the same moniker, but found out it was pretty limited in usability. I couldn't post updates and news into feeds and what not. I know. B-o-o-o-ring.

Anyways, if you are reading this and are also on Facebook and are not already one of my Facebook friends.... Please, let us be friends? This link oughtta get you there.

Look for the pig on the bicycle.

There Will Be Blood... er, Sketches.

2010-08-16T11:40:00.003-05:00

I just finished up the first round of sketches for a new book I'm working on. This book is a book of poems written by the uber-talented, critically acclaimed novelist Gail Carson Levine (!). The publisher, HarperCollins (my first with them).

Anyhow... the first thing I do before sketching is... panic. Then procrastinate. Then read and re-read the manuscript and panic and procrastinate. Drawing, I've said, is a scary, scary thing. OK. Cue that "world's smallest violin".

Then, I'm ready. I pull up a cup of coffee and print off the manuscript. In this case, the manuscript has been very graciously laid out by my wonderful art director here, Martha Rago. Type is set and placed and paginated. This is very helpful.

For less distraction, I usually do my sketches offsite. So I need to assemble my arsenal. First, I grab a ream of the finest drawing paper a guy can buy (koff-koff).

Yeah, it's just flimsy old printer/copy paper. But I've found this to be the best for sketching. For the following reasons: a) if I scrap a sheet (it happens), it's not gonna break some bank; b) it's semi-translucent and good for a quick trace should I need to trace something I've just sketched to rework, overlay, etc.; and c) it's the perfect size for my flatbed scanner (more on this later).

I will also be needing a pencil... your everyday Dixon Ticonderoga HB will do (those "no. 2" pencils they asked you to bring when you took the SAT's). And a new favorite, the click eraser.

Last, not least, I need a trusty portable pencil sharpener. I bought mine at one of those "everything's a dollar" stores when I was a senior in high school. Apparently Disney ordered way too much Rescue Rangers merchandise so a lot got dumped into the ol' dollar bins. This little guy's done me good (more than he might say for me--looks like he took a dip in some ink sometime, somewhere).

Weeks (if not months) later, I end up with a pile of paper (51 sheets to be exact), a nubbier pencil and quite a few clicks taken off the eraser.

Exhibit A: Let's take a look at a sample. What I needed was a drawing of a cow chewing away at a tall, tall plant that stretches high up into the sky. You may be able to see, at the bottom of the sheet, several failed attempts at a cow's face and head. By the time I got it right, I was up at the top left corner of the page. So I drew the rest of the plant off to the right. Instead of re-drawing the whole thing as one successful piece. This is the digital age, brothers and sisters, and that would be a waste of time. I will scan and splice the two successful pieces together later on the computer.

Exhibit B: Occasionally, while sketching, I may rethink my choices on a face. Or position. Proportion. If I've got a basically good drawing, instead of starting all over with the pencil, I'll draw a better face or make notes off to the side on how I should rework (cut/paste, resize, etc.) this on the computer, after it's all scanned in. Digital. Age.

Below is my spliced, resized, reworked sketch in place of a finished layout. I blurred GCL's poem cause it ain't mine to share.

And below is that other sketch reworked.

Stepping back a minute... This desk is where I bring that pile of 51 pages of sketches. Power up the computer and scanner and settle in for a marathon scanning session. Followed by a marathon Photoshop (for dummies) session.

My not-very-fancy-but-does-just-fine desktop scanner. Thank you for being you, lil' guy.

And when I'm done, after, I'm sure several rounds of sketch revisions, when everyone is happy and ready to proceed to final art, I will move everything over here. The drawing table.

And yeah, I know what you're thinking. I should probably go clean up this place now.

DylanPoodle

2010-08-10T23:12:00.006-05:00

A few new things from the sketchbook.

Top Ten (July 2010)

2010-08-06T22:46:00.014-05:00

My favorite things from last month...

1. THE DREAMER. I picked up this new one at the library. It was face out on display at our library. The cover alone was striking enough to pique interest. Always awesome Peter Sis illustrates this superb Pam Muñoz Ryan telling (with some creative liberties, I take it?) of celebrated poet Pablo Neruda's defining childhood years. Wonderfully written and illustrated.

2. TOMIE DePAOLA. Somehow I managed to never see a Tomie DePaola book for this many years. Then, a couple of months ago, I found a copy of THE POPCORN BOOK in with some of Julie's old childhood book collection. Loved it. Little by little I've worked my way through his books. My faves are, of course, STREGA NONA as well as the autobiographical pic books he's done. I also especially love the art in THE KNIGHT AND THE DRAGON. His work has a sweet style. Very stylish and very approachable.

3. ABE LINCOLN CROSSES A CREEK. I really like John Hendrix's work. And I really like how this book's written, by Deborah Hopkinson. I like how it reads. It's a neat boyhood tale of Abraham Lincoln. And it's almost like some old dude is sitting on the porch of a log cabin out in the woods spinning off this story. That's the voice of it. Real cool.

4. HUNGER GAMES. If you haven't read the HUNGER GAMES books, now is the perfect time to do it. The third and last (correct me if I'm wrong) book comes out in a few short weeks. Last month, I was poking around for something new to read. Turns out I'd somehow missed the brilliance of Suzanne Collins. Julie recommended these to me (as she does most all that I read) and they are G-O-O-O-O-D.

5. THIS CITY by STEVE EARLE. This song closed up the first season of TREME. He wrote it just for the show. After it ended I looked all around the internet to try and hear it again. Last month, it popped up on YouTube.

6. POP CHIPS. Don't know if these are healthier than the standard greasy crisps (I think they are, somewhat), but they are crunchy tasty salt bombs.

7. SLAM. I have only read one other Nick Hornby, HIGH FIDELITY. I liked it. I also liked the movie adaptation of ABOUT A BOY (not having read that one). At some point last month, I came across SLAM. It had me laughing out loud in parts. About midway through it takes a turn for the somewhat unexpected. And by the end, it leaves you feeling like, "well... not great, but that's what would likely happen in real life". And for all these reasons, I totally dug it.

8. JETS TO BRAZIL. This now defunct post-punk (correct me if I'm wrong), post-Jawbreaker rock band was all up in my ears back around '99 and '00. One day while sketching around at the library, I dialed into this music again on my ancient 2nd generation iPod. Takes me back in a good way.

9. HOT NEW NIB. As previously mentioned, I'm all about these new Dormer-donated nibs. Can't wait to see what else I can get outta these boys.

10. ICE CREAM MAKER. I wonder if every married couple registers for a gift, receives it after the wedding and never uses it. This was destined to be Julie's and mine of that nature. One day, Julie had an itch to crack the seal on the box and to read the manual and to see how some homemade ice cream might taste. Dang. It's good.

Nib Love

2010-08-02T22:37:00.007-05:00

A few months back, talented kid book author/illustrator and e-pal o' mine Frank Dormer, read a line on my blog where I was whining on about the love/hate relationship I have for my nibs of choice. He very graciously offered to send me a fistful of the nibs he's had good luck with. I got Frank's nibs in the mail and was ever so thankful, but had to set them aside to keep up work with the sketches, sketches, sketches (the pencil, not the pen).

Fast forward to now and I finally had a minute to settle down with these new nibs. Man they are like butter! Glide across the paper. Ink flows like dang water. Line thickness is all over the place (that's a good thing) and ever so easy to control. I asked Frank where he got these and he said he bought a box at an art supply shop 20 years ago. Gulp. Better handle these babies with care.

Below is a sample of how they drive. Plus another drawing I did with a brush from my dirty ink water (used to wash up the pen afterward). Just for kicks.

Thanks again, Frank! Us pen/inkers gotta stick together for sure.

SCBWI-ing

2010-07-30T14:08:00.003-05:00

Last Friday, Julie and I sat in on a Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) event panel of four authors to discuss the topic "What's the worst that could happen?". Rounding out the panel were two more Chicagoland authors, the excellent Stephanie Kuehnert and James Kennedy. We fielded questions like, "what if you had a reading/signing and no one came?" or "what if your editor quit or left the co. mid-way through a book?". Stuff like that.

The panel discuss was held in cool indie bookshop, 57th Street Books, put on by their fab resident book buyer and book connoisseur, Angela Sherrill, and mediated by Illinois Chapter SCBWI-er Kate Hannigan. (Readers of this blog may/may not remember I was invited down there last fall for a very cool children's book fair.)

Julie and I wondered on our drive down, "what if no one showed up to this event?". Wouldn't that've been ironic? Luckily a sizeable crowd turned up and a lively discussion ensued.

Angela used her powers and influence and somehow got this mentioned at Publisher's Weekly! Thanks to Angela and Kate for getting Julie and me on board. Twas a nice evening.

Harvey Pekar

2010-07-14T13:11:00.005-05:00

For the past couple of days, I keep remembering off and on that Harvey Pekar is no longer with us. I never met him, or even saw him in person. However, the openness of his books, the humor, the sincerity, raw reality and the sometimes bleakness, you really feel like you get to know him.

The world of comics and the world in general will be a little less interesting without him and updates of American Splendor in it. Here's just a handful of people and places around the web who are remembering "our man" and his work.

Allison Bechdel

Jeff Smith

Anthony Bourdain

Tom Spurgeon

The New York Times

Cleveland

I got this.

2010-07-13T22:42:00.004-05:00

I want you to know I appreciate you for periodically returning to this space to see if I've blogged. I want you to know that I have been busy and this is why I have not blogged. I want to show you some proof so that you do not think I'm lame. (I mean, if the "proof" is lame, well, there's just not a lot I can do about that.) But a couple of excerpts from days and nights past:

I'll be back.

Top Ten (June 2010)

2010-07-06T12:03:00.017-05:00

My favorite things from last month, in no particular order.

1. GOLDEN LEGACY: ORIGINAL ART FROM 65 YEARS OF GOLDEN BOOKS. Checked out this traveling exhibit at a local museum. Absolutely freaking cool. Original artwork from Golden Books classic creators like Garth Williams, Mary Blair, Martin Provensen and Gustaf Tenggren. Afterwards, Romy had some kicking play time in the kid-friendly, Golden-inspired activities space set up by the museum. Wow.

2. ZEITOUN. In keeping with my New Orleans and post-Katrina New Orleans fascination, Julie picked up this newish Dave Eggers nonfiction for my second Father's Day. Very, very well told account of Syrian born, New Orleans contractor Abdulrahman Zeitoun. Beyond Zeitoun's epic storm and flood survival, it's a scary (perhaps cautionary) tale of some outrageous immigrant discrimination.

3. DIARY OF A WIMPY KID. These words, "diary of a wimpy kid" have been buzzing around my ears for some time now. Finally, I know why. Incredibly funny. Incredibly well-written. I was pleasantly surprised to see that these books showcase some clean and superstylish cartooning and outstanding graphic design. Jeff Kinney, I am officially recruited.

4. WIPEOUT. Despite Julie's "over it" attitude, I can never get enough of an everyman taking solid hits and falls on the most insane obstacle course in the country. As a kid, I LOVED Nickelodeon's "Double Dare". Anybody else? Genius!

5. THE BIRD NEST. A mama robin set up a nest atop a hanging flower basket on our front porch. I could've tossed the nest and been done with it, but it was such a beautiful nest and it went up so freakin fast. I have been obsessed with watching this whole show go down. Eggs, baby birds, now adolescents. The whole thing only took a few weeks! Only two babes seem to be left in the nest now. They grow up so fast.

6. AT-AT DAY AFTERNOON. Creator of this viral vid, Patrick Boivin, says, "When I was a kid, there are two things I wanted badly and never got... A real dog and a Kenner AT-AT Walker." Love this. I never got my AT-AT either!

7. FUNNY PEOPLE. I don't care what the critics said, I liked this movie. Sandler's George Simmons kinda reminds me of an old burned out Dylan. If Dylan made crappy comedies. There's some unlikeable souls in this flick for sure (tho Seth Rogen's Ira Wright was a sweet loveable loser for me), but I'm guessing it's pretty true to life. Extreme success has a way of creating an unlikeable soul. "How would you know?" you may ask. Fair enough.

8. SOUTHER SALAZAR'S TIME LAPSE ASSEMBLAGE OF "ALEJANDRO AND THE IDEA MACHINE". I'm sorry, but Souther Salazar and this vid (and music!) are out-of-control cool.

9. TOY STORY 3. This is the best movie I have seen (will see?) this year.

10. RICHARD THOMPSON AT COMICS REPORTER. I'm pretty sure that Richard Thompson is the sweetest, coolest, smartest, funniest, humblest, most talented syndicated cartoonist working today. Man he is good. And in this interview with Tom Spurgeon at The Comics Reporter (my favorite comics news source!) you get it all. Here's an excerpt about why he chose pre-schoolers as characters for his masterpiece, CUL DE SAC.

My daughters were in pre-school. I remember one day in particular. My daughter was four maybe, and my younger daughter was one. My wife was taking me to the train station, I was going up to New York for a weekend. This is back ten years ago or something like that. The kids were running around loose, it was kind of a frantic day for everyone. I was there for like 15 minutes and there was one mom dropping off her daughter. She was like a single mom with her daughter and she could not handle her daughter too well. They had this hamster ball thing, where the hamster could roll in this ball. The kid was chasing it around. The mother picked it up and said, "Oh my God, it's alive!" and dropped it. [laughter] It was like, "I gotta go to work, get me out of here!" I looked around and there was all this action and nothing was meshing at all.

Top Ten (May 2010)

2010-06-09T22:36:00.019-05:00

As always, in no particular order:

1. THE ENEMY. Serge Bloch is awesome. I'm not sure who this book is for. Poignantly written by Davide Cali. Perfectly illustrated by Bloch. It's the format of a picture book and it's published (American) by Schwartz + Wade (kid bookers, though they certainly do some interesting, edgy stuff--I'm a big fan). It's about two soldiers fighting each other in war (ultimately, it's peace). I think the word "kill" is used more than once. For kids? Pretty brutal, methinks, for young 'uns, but I'm really digging it. And anything Bloch's doing, I'm all over it.

2. MIKE AND IKE BUBBLE GUM. It's no secret--I like gum. I found this new gum. It's the best of two candy worlds. Classic bubb gum, with the flavors of original Mike and Ike chewy candies. Have you ever had those awesome "hot dog" gums? It's like that. But fruity flavor. Oh yes.

3. THE CARDTURNER. The best way to describe this new book by Louis Sachar is, simply put, ballsy. Sachar has taken a chance here and written a book for young readers that is heavily about a game of cards called bridge. I didn't know much about bridge before I read this (still don't), but what I knew is that old people like it. I believe this may be true, but can't say for sure. Anyhow, it's a ballsy book and it's got a cool core of characters, twisty plot, and a very weird, overly complicated game of cards (plus a very unique and clever way to get around the card stuff if it absolutely don't interest you).

4. MEMORIAL DAY PICNIC. For Memorial Day weekend, many of Julie's fam flew in from various corners of the country to pay homage to the late, great family matriarch, Sylvia Halpern. It was a wonderful weekend, as many of us now have varying ages of wee babes. And we see so little of each other. Very fun.

5. THIS TREME VID: As reported last month, Julie and I have been swept up by HBO's new drama, Treme. I simply cannot say enough good about this show. It's so freakin right. Sometimes it just chills you right to the bone. This is one of those moments. In New Orleans, even a funeral procession (2nd line) can be drop dead gorgeous. Here, it's beautifully shot. Beautifully edited. Just plain beautiful.

6. REBIRTH BRASS BAND (in the vid w/ TROMBONE SHORTY). TREME has inspired me to dig around for some New Orleans music. It helps that the show has lots of great music and easy leads to kick off from. Rebirth, for one, is a good place to start.

7. KALA. Better late than never? I just heard this not-so-new album from M.I.A. Like her first one, it's a crazy combo of hard-hitting politics and hard-hitting hip hop (dance?--forgive me, I'm old). Liking it.

8. DRUMS, GIRLS, & DANGEROUS PIE. It's so cool being married to a librarian. And Julie is amazing at finding the right book for the right person. In fact, she's gifted. I actually had heard of this book, by talented Jordan Sonnenblick, years ago, but never got close enough to it to read. All along, I thought it was just another book about a teenager who goes through the usual "stuff". Little did I know it is not.

9. OOH POO PAH DOO. One more TREME nod this month. One of those chilling moments is when an airport band performs this New Orleans classic. I wish I could find a vid snapshot someplace, but I could not. Here it is done up old school, by Jessie Hill. Great song.

10. WILSON. I am not a HUGE Daniel Clowes fan. Don't get me wrong, I am certainly a fan. He is an amazing cartoonist. But what separates me from huge and average fandom is the gut-wrenching bleakness of his stuff. Man can get you down. But I definitely enjoyed this book. I had many laugh-out-loud moments while reading. Pretty bleak. But pretty funny. I'm sick.

The Art of Shipping Art

2010-06-02T00:11:00.017-05:00

Yesterday, I finished up a batch of original art for my next picture book. I'm really pumped about this particular book. But that's not actually why I'm here today.

I'd like to share a part of the illustration process that's likely been neglected. Too boring? I guess. But I take it very seriously. It's the part of the process when the art is completely done, yes, but it still needs to make it to the publisher. Seeing as this illustrator lives nowhere near his publisher, the art has got to be shipped.

What to do? What sort of packaging is worthy enough to hold these precious pieces of paper I've lived, loved, and screamed at for the past several months?

Here's how I do it.

Exhibit A: The "original art". As you can see, my work is done on paper. And that, my friends, is why it's gotta be shipped. If I worked new-fangley and on the computer (think J. Otto Seibold), I could just zip it all out via email. But I don't roll that way.

Here's the whole book. I think for this particular one, there's about 45 or 50 originals in this pile. I need to divide this up so I can get it in a not so shuffley state.

So, first I separate the big pile into little piles by size. At the end here, I usually have a variety of paper sizes to accommodate for different size drawings--smaller stuff (spot illustrations), medium size (one pagers), and big ones (full spread drawings). Hmm. Looking at this picture, it sure looks rather insignificant. Hard to believe there's about a year's time laying there on the rug. Ah, well. Moving on...

Once the piles are stacked and jogged, I unroll a large roll of white butcher paper...

...and tightly wrap up each stack like little Christmas gifts (Hanukkah ones, for my Jewish family). Tightly wrapped because I do not want any papers sliding around, rubbing ink or color up on each other. That could get ugly.

Then, I'm off to find some large pieces of cardboard.

Luckily, with a 19 month young babe running around the house, we've had lots of recent purchases that came in large cardboard boxes. Large panels of cardboard I've hoarded for just these occasions. I cut down four identical oversized panels of cardboard and set them aside.

On one piece of board, I then slap strip after strip of white paper tape to each xmas gift, securing each into an unmovable position. I don't want anything sliding around in transit. Like I said, no papers sliding around rubbing ink or color together. And none of those xmas gifts should be sliding around either, getting knocked corners or bruises. I sometimes include a full set of the latest round of sketch revisions for the art director to refer to when laying out the book. I did that here. And I always include a letter with some (meddling?) notes to my A.D..

Next, I squeeze all four cardboard pieces together like a tasty sandwich--two boards on each side of the art, for extra-double protection. Then tape, and, tape, and tape some more. Re-re-reinforce.

All that's left is to slap the shipping label on the top of this hopefully-sturdy-enough, custom-made carton.

The package is dropped off at the shipping center by my house. A whole lotta faith. A little bit of prayer.

And there you have it. Tomorrow, I will be tracking the package to check for its delivery, followed by an email or two to my lovely editor, Liz, until I know the mailroom has brought it up for a final stop at her desk.

But now, for some much-needed studio clean-up time. What a dump.

State of the State

2010-05-25T00:58:00.004-05:00

I'm almost done with illustrations for my second written/illustrated picture book (it's about sheep). So close, so close. What's that they say about "close"? Only counts with hand grenades and horseshoes? Is that how it goes? And what weirdo came up with that?

Here's what my desk looks like when I work on one picture book followed immediately by another one. I have another lined up right after this. What will my desk look like then?

I'll let you know.

Children's Book Week, The Book Stall

2010-05-20T12:54:00.007-05:00

While Romy's napping, I'm gonna attempt to post some pics from the panel discussion last Saturday at The Book Stall as part of Children's Book Week.

Distinguished panelists (L to R): Me, Aaron Renier, Amy Krouse Rosenthal, Janice M. DelNegro. I showed some early JUSTIN CASE character sketches I worked on with my editor, Liz Szabla, and Rachel Vail, JUSTIN's mighty scribe. Apparently no one was comfortable enough to sit directly in front of me.

One more like before, sans J.M. DelNegro.

Afterward, we signed some books. Fastest hand in the midwest.

There would've been more pics, but our photographer, my lovely wife Julie Halpern, was mostly doing her best to keep up with our 18 mth old, who, at one point, burst into the panel to greet Aaron Renier.

Special thanks to Robert McDonald from the Book Stall and the folks at the Children's Book Council and Macmillan who helped me get in on this! Lots of fun.

Top Ten (April 2010)

2010-05-16T14:07:00.014-05:00

Top ten things I was into, month of April.

1. TREME. The new HBO David Simon drama about post-Katrina New Orleans. And also just about New Orleans. Brill-i-ant. A big focus is the tremendously fascinating distinctive music and culture of New Orleans, which I knew only a little about. Julie and I visited New Orleans shortly after Katrina for an ALA conference (the first large event scheduled in the city after the storm). Perfect time and place to film and write about. Awesome cast, real musicians, sweet cameos and top notch writing. Love this show.

2. WHEN YOU REACH ME. I'm usually late on stuff like this. But ain't it cool to be late to the party? For those not in the know, this took the Newbery for '09. Being married to a school librarian, I just noticed it laying on the floor one day and gave it a read. Really cool. Sort of a new-school mystery. I like how it was all twisted up and the characters and writing were not all babied down. Nicely done. I don't read a whole lot of middle-grade fiction. And I don't review books. Can you tell?

3. CROW QUILL. I have held a grudge against these nibs for many, many years. Hunt 102, crow quill. It may have been my first experience with pen and ink. College. A self-teach session. I promptly broke a couple of the nibs by bearing down too hard. (Amateur.) Ink in the face. Never went back. But lately, I've decided to change up my line for the art I'm currently working on. Still loose, but fine, fine and fine. Nothing heavy here. Took another stab at the crow. I ain't mad atcha.

4. THE BOYS. This is my pal Jeff Newman's newest opus. This pic book came out in late February, but I had not seen Jeff or a finished book until recently when he handed over a signed copy. This dude's a dang talent! Congrats, Jeff.

5. SKYPE. Seeing as my folks (and most of the fam) live about halfway across the country from me... seeing as they don't often get to see their one and only grandbaby... seeing as this whole web cam thing has been around for..how long?... it was about time we got plugged into the internet streaming video phone thing. How cool is this? Not to sound like a total n00b (did I use that right?), but it really is the next best thing to being in the same room. Thank you, Oprah.

6. ORIGINAL WEDDING BAND. Last month, I lost my wedding band. (Not, like, cheesy cover music wedding band. I mean my wedding ring.) Julie's and mine--matching white gold with Mark Twain inscriptions. I was seriously, seriously bummed. Losing something that small, you really feel like you'll never find it. And it wasn't like I took it off. Somehow, at some point, it slipped off. And to get a replacement, it ain't the same (plus the cost has more than doubled in the last 7 years!) Anyhow... long story short, I found it! What a relief. Like a part of my soul that got clipped out, just got spliced back in.

7. CHILI MANGO JELLY BEAN. This new flavored bean from Jelly Belly is an absolute new fave. Spicy and sweet. It is currently in second to my reigning champion bean, the Black Licorice.

8. TUBE W/C PAINTS. After being completely loyal to my ¢heapo pans, I finally bit the bullet and paid up and bought a full pallette of tube watercolors. Now... I did not rock out with the Winsor/Newton Artists', but I'm at the next best place. And I like it! Full disclosure: I still am using some of the pan. Don't hate.

9. ELVIS COSTELLO, SNL. I do not recall how I stumbled on this musical moment in time last month. Apparently, in 1977, Saturday Night Live needed a last minute replacement for the Sex Pistols. Elvis Costello and the Attractions stepped in. I guess they wanted to play Radio Radio and were told not to (since that song is kinda giving the finger to "the state"). They agreed, it seemed, and started up with another tune. But seconds in, Elvis cut it off, shouted back to the band and they pounded out Radio Radio instead. I don't know if any of this is true, I was never much of a fan, but I thought it cool.

10. HENRY IN LOVE. I really like where Peter McCarty is going with his newest picture books. Sparse. Experimenting with line and with background elements (loose v. tight). Drawing focus to certain areas with intense attention to detail. JEREMY DRAWS A MONSTER is another of similar appeal. Cool.

JUSTIN CASE drawings, pt III.

2010-05-14T11:21:00.008-05:00

The third and final installment of favorite drawings from the all new JUSTIN CASE: SCHOOL, DROOL, AND OTHER DAILY DISASTERS. My latest, greatest, collab with author Rachel Vail. Speaking of Ms. Vail, head over to her excellent interview just posted with Publisher's Weekly. Find out how JUSTIN came to be!

Now for some drawings (click on images to zoom in)...

Lastly, a little reminder to please come out this weekend to The Book Stall in Winnetka. I will be on a panel of authors (Amy Krouse Rosenthal, Matthew Cordell, Aaron Renier, and Janice M. Del Negro) talking about JUSTIN CASE and children's books in general. I mean, they aren't talking about JUSTIN CASE. They are talking about their books.

Here's the info:

Saturday, May 15, 11am

THE BOOK STALL
811 Elm Street
Winnetka, IL 60093
(847) 446-8880

I got a new haircut yesterday, special for the occasion. Julie said I was looking, "fluffy". So you'll come, you'll get a look at my new haircut.

See you there!

Plugging JUSTIN CASE and books May 15

2010-05-11T12:49:00.006-05:00

Saturday, May 15, at 11am, I will be on a panel of distinguished kid book authors discussing, what else? Kid books. For those in the Chicago area, or willing to drive long hours to get there, here is the full press release for the event:

In celebration of Children’s Book Week, The Book Stall at Chestnut Court welcomes a quartet of authors: Amy Krouse Rosenthal, Matthew Cordell, Aaron Renier, and Janice M. Del Negro for a panel discussion about the joys and challenges of creating books for children on Saturday, May 15th at 11 am. This event is co-sponsored by The Children’s Book Council , who will be giving away free canvas tote bags (containing books and classroom materials provided by The Book Stall) to audience members as long as supplies last. The authors will be signing their books. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Robert McDonald, The Bookstall at Chestnut Court, robmc1002@yahoo.com

www.thebookstall.com 811 Elm Street, Winnetka , IL 60093, 847.446.8880

Hope to see you there!

JUSTIN CASE drawings, pt II.

2010-05-04T12:27:00.008-05:00

To continue the showcase of my newest book with author Rachel Vail, JUSTIN CASE, here are a handful more of my favorite drawings within. From a whopping total of 60 pieces in the book. Click on images to zoom in.

"What's on the end of that stick?" you might ask. Poop.

One more batch to come!

JUSTIN CASE, out today!

2010-04-26T22:25:00.011-05:00

As touched on here before, my brand new book (a middle-grade novel--ages 7-9) with fabulous author and pal, Rachel Vail, JUSTIN CASE: SCHOOL DROOL AND OTHER DAILY DISASTERS, is out today! Officially dropped.

Lots of insanely good stuff has been swirling around about it already. Just to hit a few of the finer points...

STARRED review in Kirkus!

JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD Premier Selection for Spring 2010!

Stellar reviews in both School Library Journal and Publisher's Weekly!

Glowing recommendation (or "blurb" as they say in the biz) from prolific and beloved novelist, Avi!

It's all very exciting, and I'm thrilled to have gotten the chance to work with Rachel again (our first collab was picture book, RIGHTY AND LEFTY, back in 2007).

Anyhow... thought I'd kick off the celebration by sharing a few favorite pieces from the book. I'll actually break this into a few blog posts, so as not to blow all the fun in one shebang. Here's the first installment. Please click on images to get better, closer, looks.

GO, JUSTIN! More to come...

My Nightmare

2010-04-22T12:23:00.005-05:00

Welcome to my nightmare. After about three solid days of stressin, fightin, wrasslin, whinin, and cryin, I got to a place where I'm sorta comfortable with a color scheme for my next author-illustrator picture book. Color. This Drama Queen was not so nice to be around for those past few days. Sorry, Julie.

Here's where the chips fell (not shown: dozens of scraps, rejects, shreds, and general evidence of a growed up cry-baby).

Number 1 it is. Onward!!!!!

Top Ten (March 2010)

2010-04-15T12:24:00.007-05:00

Ten things I was into last month:

1. DAVID EZRA STEIN. Of course this wasn't the first time I'd heard of this picture book author and illustrator. But it was the first time I really took a serious look at his books. He has a real talent for qualities loose and expressive in his art. And his text is perfectly sparse and clever and ever so subtle in humor. I particularly like LEAVES and POUCH!.

2. THE SECRET LANGUAGE. I continue to work my way through the books of Ursula Nordstrom. This is the one and only novel she wrote herself. As I understand it, a sequel was all but finished, but she couldn't get comfortable with an ending and she burned the manuscript before she died. This book is innocent and sweet and reminds me of books I read when I was a kid. Took me back there. I can't believe my library had a copy of this in original hardcover. What a find!

3. GORILLAZ. I'm not much for contemporary pop music, and I never really gave Gorillaz much of a chance since their inception. But I heard some clips off their new album, Plastic Beach, and was quite impressed. Collabs with Snoop Dogg, Mark E Smith, and Lou Reed, to name a few. I dug a little deeper into the other albums and was not disappointed. I particularly like it when they seek out international talent, like "Latin Simone (Que Pasa Contiga) with the late, great Ibrahim Ferrer.

4. WOODY HARRELSON in ZOMBIELAND. This movie was funny and pretty, pretty well-executed. The absolute standout was Woody Harrelson. Very funny, very well-played. Good Wood.

5. PARENTHOOD. This new hour-long dramedy on NBC is a reincarnation of the 1989 movie. Apparently in 1990 there was a previous failed attempt to make the movie into a tv series. The 2010 take, I like it. I think it strikes a chord in me, a new dad. All the kids are older than mine, but I'm already thinking, "that's gonna be me and Julie". I'm a sap, I'm a sucker. And I like the cast. One of those big ensemble ones. Somebody from Gilmore Girls, somebody from Six Feet Under, Craig T. Nelson. Good all-arounds. I hope people are watching and it keeps it's momentum.

6. RUTH KRAUSS. More from the Ursula Nordstrom era. I love Ruth Krauss. Her stuff is very strange and very deep and intellectual, I think. But it also feels like it totally relates to kid minds. Wonderful, sharp, weird writing. I'm eating it up.

7. ABEL'S ISLAND. I don't know how I came on this. I was aware of it for years now, but didn't think a William Steig novel would be any good. I mean, it got a Newbery nod, but I still hesitated. Anyhow, I ended up reading it last month, and so glad I did. The drawings, of course, are stellar. But he takes a very simple premise--a mouse stranded on an island--and just Steigs the heck out of it. He uses big words in a funny way and really gets to the meat of the matter. Gets a good story out of it. And who else but Steig would write a line about how Abel goes behind a rock to "defecate".

8. MY LIBRARY. I love my local library. I use it for inspiration, work, books, music, and just for a general peaceful getaway sometimes. It kills me to hear funds are being openly slashed for libraries and librarians around the country. I think in a time where there's not much money, the library is more essential than ever. Long live books! Long live PRINT! Long live the library!

9. CELEBRITY FIT CLUB. I was toying with not including this in my list. Like, I'm too high brow for this sort of thing. But... yeah right. This season (the only one we've watched--honestly) was like a "reality" genre godsend. Sebastian Bach, Jay McCarroll, Bobby Brown, K-Fed AND Shar Jackson. Watch them try to shed pounds! Watch them work out their personal demons in front of a film crew! How could I not?

10. ROMY WALKS, v. 2. Romy is now walking independently. Not all day. She still likes the security of a hand hold from her Mom or Dad. But every day, for stretches at a time. It's crazy to see these milestones come along like this. Visually, this one is huge. Proud of ya, kiddo!

What's the deal?

2010-04-14T12:32:00.006-05:00

It feels like a dang fortnight since I blogged last. The thing is, I've been fully absorbed. Julie had surprise surgery last week--an appendectomy. I lost my wedding ring--have yet to find (a complete mystery). I've got a big picture book deadline on my shoulders--my second author illo. And just usual, you know, living. It's been wild.

As promised, my blog url has changed. If you made it this far, you got the news. And thank you.

In the coming weeks, I will be thoroughly flogging my next book, titled, JUSTIN CASE: SCHOOL, DROOL, AND OTHER DAILY DISASTERS. A middle-grade novel written by none other than Ms. Rachel Vail. Pictures provided by me. Published by Feiwel and Friends and readily available on April 27. A very fun one, do say so myself. Here is a more formal description from the pub:

It’s the start of the school year, and nothing feels right to Justin. He didn’t get the teacher he wanted, he’s not in the same class as his best friend, and his little sister, Elizabeth, is starting kindergarten at his school. Elizabeth doesn’t seem nervous at all. Justin is very nervous about third grade. And to top it off, he’s lost his favorite stuffed animal, but he can’t tell anyone, because technically he’s too old to still have stuffed animals. Right?

Here is third grade in all its complicated glory—the friendships, the fears, and the advanced math. Acclaimed author Rachel Vail captures third grade with a perfect pitch, and Matthew Cordell’s line art is both humorous and touching. As Justin bravely tries to step out of his shell, he will step into readers’ hearts.

I'll be showing some of my drawings in the coming weeks. And I'm gonna do one of my patented contests (win a book!... or something), so stay tuned. For now, here's the cover (click it, make it bigger)!

This blog has moved

2010-04-14T12:22:00.001-05:00

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Moving Day

2010-03-29T22:29:00.003-05:00

Dear Readers,

This is not much of a blog post, but I'm only here to let you know that the url for my blog will soon be changed. This is all terribly boring, but you see, my blog is supported by Blogger and is currently uploaded via FTP. This allows me to publish to my own website with my own url. For reasons I simply cannot understand, Blogger is dropping support for FTP publishing. So my blog will, soon, be something like matthewcordell.blogspot.com. Instead of the existing matthewcordell.com/blog.

Like I said, this is all just awfully boring and I do apologize. I only wanted to give fair warning that I'll soon be making the switch.

While we wait, here is a sketch of a big sheep on a bicycle being chased by 12 small sheep on tricycles.

More soon,

MC

TROUBLE at Warren Newport Public Library II

2010-03-17T12:05:00.001-05:00

Julie and I forgot to bring our camera to the reading on Sunday. But luckily, WNPL's graphic artist, Nancy Matson, was on the scene and snapped some terrific pictures. Thanks, Nancy, for handing these over!

This one really captures the vibe of the day. Really nice, warm Moms and Dads there having fun with the kids.

I love this little guy. I had no idea anyone ever took me so seriously.

TROUBLE at Warren Newport Public Library

2010-03-15T22:34:00.011-05:00

This past Sunday (March 14) I was a guest at Warren Newport Public Library in Gurnee, IL. Yours truly stood before a nice-sized (!) crowd of kids and parents to read TROUBLE GUM, talk pigs (my favorite thing to anthropomorphize) and do some drawing and what not. In a nutshell, I told the kids about how the pig is probably my favorite animal to draw. Because pigs are intelligent and funny, and just easy to hang human characteristics on. Then, I asked the kids what their favorite animals were, and I'd try to draw 'em. One by one, I fumbled through big (giant sketch pad on an easel, for all to see) sketches-on-command of a lion, a koala, a panda, a horse, and an ostrich. It was lots of fun.

The kids also had paper and could draw the same animals to play along. I asked if they would leave some of their drawings with me so I could share on the blog. A couple of the kiddos were kind enough to part with the following beauties.

Anika Agashe, 4 1/2 yrs old. I love this interpretation of Ruben from TROUBLE GUM. Complete with hand-lettered title type treatment in the corner!

Anika Agashe, 4 1/2 yrs old. Sweet renditions of a lion and a koala. Thanks, Anika!

Spencer, 5 yrs old. Spencer rocked this awesome cheetah, even though I didn't even draw one myself.

Spencer, 5 yrs old. Another very cool one of Ruben. Thank you, Spencer!

And thank you to Patty Sawin at WNPL for helping pull this together. I had a blast.

Top Ten (February 2010)

2010-03-11T12:39:00.012-06:00

Yes, I am slow in getting this list out. Yes, it matters not cause it ain't like anybody's biting nails in anticipation here.

1. GRANT WOOD, NORMAN ROCKWELL. In prep for my current book work (my 2nd author-illustrator picture book), I've decided to go with an old school rural backdrop (a la Virgina Lee Burton). Buried in my subconcious for rolling hills, small towns and humble living, were these two painters. Wood's take, a slightly high brow one. Rockwell is the obvious everyman. I was surprised at how much and how well I responded to seeing this work again. Wood, is neat and surreal about it. Rockwell takes a sometime knee slap approach. I don't like it too much when he got silly with the rubbery faces. But wow, what a painter! And I do love an artist who makes for the people. I like it when you find something years, years later that you thought you never liked, and now you like it.

2. DEAR GENIUS: THE LETTERS OF URSULA NORDSTROM. Julie gave me this for Valentine's Day. A must read for any author, illustrator, editor, agent (or aspiring all of the above) working in the world of children's books. I will be long affected by this book. What an amazing peek inside the world of children's book publishing in a very turning-point time of the 50's, 60's, 70's. And by a central turning-point player, legendary kid book editor, Ursula Nordstrom. Responsible for groundbreakers and classics like and from Margaret Wise Brown, Maurice Sendak, E.B. White, and many others of this golden era of books. I would've liked to have known her. One cool, hip, sweet, hard (when need be) lady.

3. ABIDE. Another gift from m'lady. This shirt (an obvious tip 'o the hat to Shepard Fairey's Obama poster) pays homage to one of my all-time favorite movies, The Big Lebowski.

4. DRAWN! I've been following this illustration and cartooning blog for years. The contributors always have something very worthy to share. And I like that it's Canadian.

5. AVATAR. I know. How boring, to come here and talk up Avatar. But I did like it. The plot was, at times, very Hollywood formula, but what I most responded to was Pandora. I love Pandora. I want to go to Pandora and plug into an Avatar and hang with the Na'vi and be one with nature and fly giant bird-dragon things.

6. CRISPIN. My first Avi novel. Avi being, for those not in the know, the one-named versatile and beloved kids novelist. I was reading this in anticipation of seeing him speak at kid lit pal, Esme Raji Codell's bookroom. Alas, it didn't work out with the babysitter and I missed it. But I'm glad it made me read CRISPIN.

7. CHARLOTTE'S WEB. I'm now reading several books mentioned in DEAR GENIUS. And I started here. When I was a kid, the movie (1973, animated) left a huge mark on me. It was deeply saddening. I only watched it once. That really says something when something can move you like that. Reading it really took me back there. Beautiful, beautiful book with beautiful, beautiful classic pen/ink work by Garth Williams. And yes, (spoiler alert!) I cried when Charlotte died.

8. OLYMPICS. There's something comforting about the Olympic Games. Watching countries from around the globe come together and play nice (that's the idea anyhow). And many of the things they do (both summer and winter) are, well, insane. I also very much enjoyed watching Neil Young play out the flames at the closing ceremony. With a song he wrote, allegedly, for his car.

9. ANDERSON'S BOOKSHOP CHILDREN'S LITERATURE BREAKFAST. Every year, local bookstore Anderson's hosts an awesome breakfast inviting hundreds of Chicago-area educators, librarians, and book lovers, as well as Illinois-based authors and illustrators of books for children. They also always have wonderful speakers. Highlights this year were Françoise Mouly and Richard Peck.

10. ROMY WALKS! Romy has initiated Phase I of walking sequence. Meaning she is now standing up independently and attempts to move forward and then...plunk. But she confidently walks hand in hand with her Mama or her Dada or with both. It's new and exciting to us and to her, as she constantly demands to "walk!".

Coupla sketches

2010-02-24T16:42:00.002-06:00

"What are you working on?" Perhaps you have asked. Maybe (probably) not. But what I am working on is my second written and illustrated picture book titled, tentatively (?), ANOTHER BROTHER. I haven't talked much about it, but I did talk a little about it here, at my recent interview with Travis Jonker of 100 Scope Notes. Dare I say more?

I'm about 98% done with a picture book written by Lauren Thompson titled, newly (?), LEAP BACK HOME TO ME. A lovely story about a mama frog and a baby frog. I'm just finishing one last jacket illustration now. Very cool.

In the meantime, here are two random sketches I found to post. I kinda (used to) have a thing for elephants.

Anderson's Children's Lit Breakfast

2010-02-21T10:17:00.003-06:00

To anyone who may have bought copies of any of my books to be signed at the Anderson's kids book Breakfast (always fun--great people, great speakers): My apologies, but we had to leave early. Our 15mth old's Grandma (our babysitter) was a last minute cancellation due to being sick and we had to bring Romy with. By around 11 am, she was being crazy cranky/tired and we had to leave early.

If you wanted/needed something signed by me, please just contact me and we could maybe work something out?

matthew@matthewcordell.com

Interview at 100 Scope Notes

2010-02-16T10:09:00.004-06:00

Please take a moment to head on over to the awesome children's lit blog, 100 Scope Notes, and check out this interview I just did with Travis Jonker. Travis found this weird website, Twiddla, that acts like a collaborative computer sketch pad. We did some interview-style mouse doodling together (alongside the more traditional q/a interview questions), and the results are something else. A cool idea, Trav. Drop a comment and let him know you stopped by!

Travis also just redesigned the blog and it looks great. The new home page, here.

Thanks for having me at 100 Scope Notes, Travis. Lots of fun.

Top Ten (January 2010)

2010-02-08T12:16:00.002-06:00

That time again. My favorite things from the month previous.

1. BOB DYLAN: BEHIND THE SHADES REVISITED. From what I can tell this is the most comprehensive and accurate bio on the man who is well-known to not like to be well-known. It's very dense (long) but was quite the page turner. I mean, you gotta like you some Dylan to want to turn these pages, and I really liked it. As my pal and fellow Dylanologist, James Preller said, "it helps connect the dots." My favorite period remains the controversial "going electric" one. Coming to a loud, loud crash with the world tour of '66.

While I'm on topic, I just discovered this nasty, nasty performance from the '02 Grammy Awards. Circa Love and Theft. Freakin amazing.

2. LATE NIGHT WARS. I'm not much on Late Night TV these days. And I'm not much on bickering matches (especially in this political climate). But I have to say I was entertained by what went on this past month. I think it peaked when Jimmy Kimmel soundly eviscerated Leno at his own table. Oomph.

3. SESAME STREET: A CELEBRATION OF 40 YEARS OF LIFE ON THE STREET. This book was one that I got for xmas but had not yet cracked til a week or so ago. They did an AMAZING job with this. The amount of detail, history, behind-the-scenes info is incredible. Ever wonder how Big Bird is brought to life? You'd be amazed. Anybody who grew up with SESAME would find it hard not to get a little misty when thumbing through this beautifully illustrated document. Especially in the Mr. Hooper section. Sniff.

4. THE DAY AFTER RECOVERING FROM STOMACH FLU. Act I: day of getting hammered in the stomach for hours accompanied by unspeakable acts of purging. Act II: it abruptly ends and you discover what it is to "have your health" again. Being of sound health the very day after being ill--It is a beautiful reminder that even the worst days of some (stomach flu) will never be as bad as the best days of others (serious illness, poverty, famine...). As the late great Mr. Rogers used to say, "It's such a good feeling to know you're alive." Straight truth.

5. MOON MAN. Phaidon is reprinting a lot of classic Tomi Ungerer picture books. I say they're classic cause this one is from 1966. Not that I'd ever heard of them or him. But I have now, and I've started with MOON MAN, and I am impressed. I don't know if it's any relation, but it has that whole Yellow Submarine vibe to the art. Loose pen and ink line and wash. Very nice.

6. MEZZETTA GARLIC AND DILL GOLDEN GREEK PEPPERONCINI. I love salty foods. I love salty, pickled foods. I love salty, spicy, pickled foods. I love salty, spicy foods pickled with garlic and dill.

7. MUPPET WHAT NOT. I am, it seems, some kinda Henson nut. I mean, somewhat yes. But mostly, there's just been a lot of it going around with Sesame's 40th. But a while back, Julie discovered that FAO Schwarz offers a build-your-own Muppet program (much like the more commercial Bear Workshop out there). How amazing is this? If you can't get to NYC to do it in person (which, by the way, looks awesome!), you can assemble and order the whole thing online. For Romy's Xmas/Hanukkah gift, we got her one of these. Well, it's supposed to be for her.

8. 100 SCOPE NOTES. This blog, by Travis Jonker, is one of a handful of kidlit blogs that are constant abuzz. I really like the tone of it and Trav always finds new and creative ways to present himself (e.g., he sometimes reviews in the form of a comic strip). I actually met Travis at an ALA Conference (he's also a librarian) not too long ago in Chicago. A very nice guy.

9. GIBBY from iCARLY. Now that we have cable television, I've become a bit of a connoisseur of the tween comedy. I don't like much of what Disney has to offer, except Wizards of Waverly Place is pretty funny despite it's shameless hopping on of bandwagon. iCarly trumps them all. There's this old jaded codger side of me that cringes from time to time when they get all tweeny but I'm not exactly the intended audience. Anyways, the best part of the show is this kid Gibby, a secondary player. He is positively built for physical comedy (no offense, Gibbs). Man, that dude is funny.

10. MAN V. FOOD. Another recent cable TV fascination. This time from the Travel Channel. A dude goes around the country taking up local restaurants on insane eating challenges. Like, "eat this gigantic steak in under an hour and you get a free t-shirt." Or, "eat this disturbingly spicy sandwich (made with "ghost" peppers...?!) and you get a free t-shirt." If it sounds ridiculous, it is. And it is also both disgusting and appetizing at the same time. Weird.

From Korea with Love

2010-02-03T11:41:00.002-06:00

Just got wind of this. TROUBLE GUM is gonna get a Korean edition, from one of their publishers, Forever Books! How awesome is that? I think it's especially cool since not too long ago, one of my earlier pic books, RIGHTY AND LEFTY (written by Ms. Rachel Vail) also got a pick-up from a Korean pub. Cool, cool.

(I did a quick online translation of TROUBLE GUM from English to Korean. Below. I doubt it's an accurate trans, seeing as TROUBLE GUM is my made up thing, and those online translators usually end up being wack. Hopefully this ain't nothing too vulgar, at least.)

More About Me.

2010-01-21T22:23:00.003-06:00

Ever wonder what nibs I use? What I collect? My pre-drawing rituals? Favorite comic strip? Musical instrument I play?

I have answered these questions and many more here, at David-Wasting-Paper, the blog of cartoonist/cartoon enthusiast David Paccia. David has sought out and Q/A'd some of the coolest in the cartoon/illustration biz. Bob Staake, Bill Griffith, Shannon Wheeler, and fellow Feiwel and Friends illustrator, Greg Ruth (also a fellow James Preller collaborator) to name a few.

Not sure what his motivation is, but he's getting some cool people to contribute. Thanks for including me, David.

(Up next is Rick Geary. Nice!)

TROUBLE GUM studies, etc. at new MacKids blog

2010-01-18T12:43:00.004-06:00

Macmillan Children's has an awesome new blog up. It's a lot of behind-the-curtain type of stuff played out by various Macmillan Children's personnel. And for those not in the know, Macmillan is the great big pub that's home to imprints Feiwel and Friends, Henry Holt, Roaring Brook, Priddy, First Second, Roaring Brook, and Square Fish.

Already, I've read a cool piece by Nicole Moulaison, Production Manager for F+F and Squarefish, about color-correcting scanned art for print. And another cool piece by Reka Simonsen, Senior Editor, Henry Holt Books for Young Readers. A "what's on my desk" fun one.

For my part, I was asked to send in some early stuff I did for TROUBLE GUM. Not finished art, but just sketches, thought process, color study work I did before the final art came around (like the drawing I did way back when, below, as a color test). Please do have a look at this, and please do have a look at this hip new blog!

The Letterman

2010-01-15T12:27:00.004-06:00

I suppose it's the fact that my BFA was made in design, but I love hand-lettering. In some (most?) cases, I prefer it. For any readers who have seen any of my previous book covers, you may have noticed some bit of hand-lettering going on--or not, depending on how much you appreciate such a thing.

It's fun to draw letters. I guess, in part, it's cause they don't judge. A "T" is a T. Just cause you draw it one way or another, doesn't make it not a T. I think, from now on, when someone asks what is my favorite thing to draw, I will say "Letters.". So, there.

Below are some sketches I whipped up for possible hand drawn title treatments for author Rachel Vail's and my forthcoming middle-grade one.

Below, below, is the standing font treatment. We'll see what happens.

Top Ten (December 2009)

2010-01-09T12:40:00.012-06:00

1. GOOGLE'S HOMAGE TO E.C. SEGAR. Someone at Google has good taste. First they get it with Sesame Street, now they mark Segar's b-day (115!) with this one. Nice job.

2. RICHARD THOMPSON'S ANECDOTE REGARDING BRANT PARKER. I really enjoyed reading this blog post from the great Richard Thompson about when he was a young, aspiring writer/cartoonist and he met cartoonist Brant Paker--creator of THE WIZARD OF ID. A very vivid memory. Just cool.

3. GRIT COOKBOOK. The Grit, in Athens, GA, is the best vegetarian restaurant that I've never been to. (Whatever that means.) I got this cookbook for xmas and it's got some cool, savory stuff to do with tofu. Some of it looks fancy-complicated, but I'm game. We kicked it off with a dang tasty tofu ruben sandwich last week.

4. JOHN BURNINGHAM. Genius, genius, genius. How have I gone this long without knowing about the children's books of John Burningham? All I can say is this guy has got GUTS.

5. GOOGLE IMAGES. Just finished drawings for a pic book, and Google Images was with me all the way (apologies for two Google endorsements in one Ten). Whenever I need an image ref, Google Images is the place to go.

6. FROM THE MOUTHS OF BABES BY OLD CALIFORNIO. A Facebook friend posted this video. I had never heard of Old Californio, but it seems that they are an up-and-coming CA band. This song--I like it.

7. MAP OF MY HEART. John Porcellino's King Cat is the king of the zine and mini-comic. When I first moved to Chicago in '99, I discovered his books at Quimby's. His drawings are so elegant, and his observations just sweet, simple, and often heartbreaking. Drawn and Quarterly has been so good as to reprint King Cat in book form. This is the second collection of such.

8. STONEWALL'S JERQUEE. Who'd a thunk it? Vegetarian "beef" jerky that actually tastes like beef jerky. I was a fool for some jerky growing up. But once I hit 18, I went vegetarian and never touched the stuff. When I turned a ripe 34, I started eating the occasional bit of bird. No beef, no pork, no fish. As weird as it sounds, this stuff is good (and frighteningly addictive).

9. WHALE TALK. Julie gave me a stack of YA novels to read recently-- one of which was this one from Chris Crutcher. My first Chris Crutcher. Very intense story about swimming, bullying, racism, and tearing stereotype to shreds. Really good. Hurts to read something like this, but it's good to hurt sometimes.

10. ROMY'S EVER-EXPANDING VOCAB. Hi, light, bottle, night-night, Mama, Dada, girl, good girl, num-num, bye-bye, more, more please, purse, wow, cat. And she's a heck of a mimicker. Babies are cool, man.

ring-a-ding-ding.

2010-01-04T21:32:00.005-06:00

Let's ring in 2010, here on the blog, with a little bit of "whatchu know good?". Down south, where I'm from, that roughly translates to "what's the good word?". Here's some latest and greatest in word.

1. Just finished finals (all but jacket) on my latest illustrated picture book. Titled LEAP FROG. Written by Lauren Thompson, illo'd by yours true. I'm quite happy with the end drawings. A very sweet book, this one, and thrilled to have been invited.

2. Julie's new one, INTO THE WILD NERD YONDER, just got short-listed for the CYBILS (Children's and Young Adult Bloggers Literary Awards) best YA fiction. Only a handful left in the running, in this category, and I think my babe should win. Git er done, CYBs?

3. One of my previous collaborative pic books, RIGHTY AND LEFTY, (written by my pal, Rachel Vail--we also recently teamed up on her über-cool forthcoming middle-grade novel, JUSTIN CASE) just got picked up by a Korean publisher. Which means it'll be getting some fancy Korean type-treatment for this foreign release. Can't wait to get a look at this!

4. Currently kicked into high gear for my next author/illustrator picture book. The text is mainly wrapped. Just a few tweaks left to tweak. Which means now I'm off and into sketches. Super-psyched here. Pumped.

These are the highlights of the moment. Shall we start this new year? We shall, and right. Onward, folks!

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-23T12:38:00.004-06:00

Julie, Romy, and I are about to head down south for some holiday festivity. For those who do not know, my people are from South Carolina. We were planning on boarding a flight that left Chicago this afternoon, but it's been canceled due to some snow. A white Christmas cancels flights, people.

But looking forward to a fried turkey and various other southern-style (probably not good for my cholesterol issues) sides and desserts.

Happy Holidays to all, and to all a great 2010!