Just found out that Even Monsters Need Haircuts has been nominated for the Indiana Young Hoosier Book Award state list. Thanks, Indiana!
Rochester Children’s Book Festival
Just back from a great day at the Rochester Children’s Book Festival, where I caught up with some old friends who also happen to be amazing writers. (Pictured, left to right: Dan Mahoney, some hack, Larry Tuxbury, Jeff Mack, Tedd Arnold, and in the front, Andrew Seniawski)
Backbeard sighted at Split Rock Elementary
The hairy pirate Backbeard was spotted this past Halloween at Split Rock Elementary school, dressed in his principal Todd Freeman costume. Outstanding job, Backbeard!
Texas Bluebonnet List
I just found out that Benjamin Franklinstein Lives! has just been named to the 2012-13 Texas Bluebonnet list. Thanks to all the Texas librarians who supported the book and nominated it for the award!
The world’s coolest art room
At a visit to the University School in Milwaukee this week I had a chance to visit what might be the most interesting, inspiring art room I’ve ever seen. The art teacher, Mr. Geniusz (pronounced “genius”) has created a classroom that’s a work of art in and of itself. The picture above doesn’t begin to do it justice.
I saw an inflatable banana filled with air from 1963. I saw towers and bridges made from popsicle sticks and a life-sized cow designed to fit over a bike. And I saw trains everywhere. One train ran back and forth along a wall-length art history timeline, while others circled overhead in the rafters. Some were part of sculptures, others were sculptures themselves. Everywhere I looked there was something new to discover, and everything in the room looked like it would be fun to try to make.
I can’t tell you how much I wanted to sit down at one of those tables and get to work.
Geekdad and the Fright Brothers
The good people over at Geek Dad have just posted a really nice interview with me and Larry about Benjamin Franklinstein Meets the Fright Brothers.
Eagle Point Elementary
An awesome Backbeard picture from my visit to Eagle Point Elementary today.
The Fright Brothers Arrive!
Yesterday, the UPS man arrived with the first copy of Benjamin Franklinstein Meets The Fright Brothers, hot off the presses. (Larry doesn’t even have his copy yet.) I’m very excited about this one!
It picks up where the first book left off, but I think we were really able to take it in some interesting new directions. Look for it in stores in just a couple weeks.
Even Monsters are Brazilian
Here’s something cool that arrived in my inbox this week: the layout for the new Brazilian edition of Even Monsters Need Haircuts, which is just about to go to press. (Click to see the full image.) I know our world keeps getting smaller, but this sort of thing never fails to blow me away.
Hey Brazilian elementary schools – anyone interested in an author visit?
Librarian’s Choices 2010
Just found out that Benjamin Franklinstein Lives! made the Texas Librarian’s Choices list for 2010. A big thank y’all to those fine Texas librarians!
How Books Were Made In The Olden Days
I just came across this fascinating look at the typesetting, printing, and production of books from the days before digital typesetting. Amazing!
Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast
Don’t know how I missed this one before, but Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast is a really fun and inspiring blog about all things books, including a wealth of terrific illustrator interviews. Check it out!
Upcoming book signing events
Larry and I will be at two upcoming events, signing books and looking handsome. If you’d like to pick up a signed, personalized copy of Even Monsters Need Haircuts or Benjamin Franklinstein Lives in time for Halloween, here’s your chance. Plus, even if you don’t buy a book, we’ll look a lot less lonely if you swing by and pretend to talk to us. It’s win-win!
Sunday, Sept. 19
Celebrate Children’s Books Day
Washington Irving’s Sunnyside, Tarrytown, NY
Washington Irving’s Sunnyside is the storybook setting for one of HHV’s most popular events, a day-long festival for young readers, families, and friends, who can meet more than sixty of their favorite authors and illustrators including Jules Feiffer, Rebecca Stead (last year’s Newberry winner), Jerry Pinkney, and more.
Sunday, Sept. 26, 2:00pm
The Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza
1475 Western Avenue, Albany NY
(518) 489 – 4761
The Book House is a terrific independent bookstore, one of the best I know. Larry and I will be there signing from 2:00pm until the line dies down, probably around 2:02pm, maybe even later. Even if you don’t feel like buying one of our books, why not swing by and pick up something else?
The Lion’s Share in Asia
The Lion’s Share has sold foreign rights to several Asian countries, and this week I received a package in the mail containing my author’s copies from Japan, Korea, and China. My mind was seriously blown.
Just by looking at the covers, can you tell which one is which? (Answer below)
The covers, in order from top to bottom, are China, Japan, and Korea.
How well did you do?
Deposit Elementary
As much as I wish I could write about every author visit I do, there just isn’t time. I did a string of great visits these past few weeks, and each had its own terrific story.
I’m going to have to pick just one. I visited Deposit Elementary for the second time in three years, and the return visit was just as great as the first one.