With my PhD thesis out the door, I've actually been reading for fun - shocking! I get sent a lot of ARCs and have the chance to preview a lot of titles because of this blog. I just haven't been able to take advantage of all that much in the last few years. So, I have a lot of reading to make up for. Here are some titles I've finally gotten to and thoroughly recommend...
THE SHADOW AND BONE TRILOGY by Leigh Bardugo. OMG! This is an immersive fantasy series that I wish I'd never had to lift my attention away from. I hear they're making a movie out of the series - be sure to read it first!
THE CRUEL PRINCE by Holly Black. This is the first in a series that is just so much fun! Jude is a kick-ass human heroine living in the world of fae. I listened to this series on audio and just loved it!
GONE TO THE WOODS by Gary Paulsen. You may know Paulsen's classic title, HATCHET. Reading Gary's work is like eating an endless bowl of chocolate pudding. His words roll around your mind, cool and satisfying. I'm sure he could make the phone book sound good, but when he adds such a wonderful story as this one, which is actually an autobiography - WOW. What a childhood he had, and no wonder he wrote so many survival stories. He himself was a survivor. It's an inspiring tale.
New cards for friends
I've been playing with some new paint brushes from Artsy and water-based oils to make my latest cards for friends. The seahorses were for Jane Yolen's birthday, and the mermaid was for my trumpet-playing friend, Elisa. I'll post a video of painting them soon.
Redbubble: Let's Talk!
I especially love my latest design - Let's Talk! We've been so polarized in the US. It's time to talk, find what we agree on, and try to move forward - TOGETHER. I've made it available on all sorts of items on Redubble - you can even choose to put it on different colors. Click the images to see it in my Redbubble store:
Shoreline of Infinity, Jane Yolen, and Me
The Science Fiction Publicaton, Shoreline of Infinity recently published their first single author book of poetry: The Last Robot by Jane Yolen. As part of the Shoreline of Infinity Event Horizon launch party, Shoreline included two creative collaboration projects with my illustrations, Jane's poetry, and cello music by Atzi. Click the image below to watch the launch.
Sleeping Knight at 7:30
Merlin at the Window 43:16
But watch the whole thing to hear Jane read several poems from the new collection The Last Robot.
Sleeping Knight at 7:30
Merlin at the Window 43:16
But watch the whole thing to hear Jane read several poems from the new collection The Last Robot.
Valentine's Day Love
I have a sweet hubbie. What more could I wish for on Valentine's Day? Oh, peel and eat shrimp for dinner - that's what! YUM.
I Love Every Little Thing About You!
Happy Valentine's Day! I made a sweet design for those you love - available on lots of products on Redbubble. Click the image to go see.
Video: Giant Xylophone in a Japanese Forest
This is an amazing project. Mori Inc. created an enormous xylophone that plays Bach's Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring. You have to see/hear it to believe it. Click the image to watch and read more about it at Good News Network.
Friday Links List - 12 Feb 2021
From Brightly:
21 Books That Celebrate Lesser-Known African Americans and Their Contributions to History
Great Reads to Celebrate Black History Month with Kids and Teens
Why Reading the Same Book Repeatedly Is Good for Kids (Even If It Drives You Nuts)
From The Bookseller: Big Five named as defendants in US e-book price-fixing suit
From We Need Diverse Books: Why Every State Should Require LGBTQ+ History Be Taught in Public K-12 Schools
From Publishers Weekly:
'The Unbearable Whiteness of Publishing' Revisited
Authors Guild Asks DoJ to Stop PRH Purchase of S&S
From The American Library Association (ALA): ALA announces 2021 Youth Media Awards
From SLJ's 100 Scope Notes: Books on Film: Weston Woods Films on Amazon Prime
From SCBWI (May Need Membership to Read): A Tale of Two Imprints: How Denene Millner Books and Bright Brown Baby Are Making Change in the Industry
From The Thesis Whisperer: HOW TO WRITE A MORE COMPELLING SENTENCE
From NBC News: Reading picture books to my son felt repetitive — but that helped me see how brilliant they were
From MiniEdition Books: Love completes us!
ILLUSTRATORS' TREEHOUSE NEWS
Do you know about the 2021 Philip Leverhulme Prizes in Visual and Performing Arts
From SCBWI British Isles Words and Pictures: Illustration Feature - Dummy Talk!
From CommArts:
The National Toy Hall of Fame posters (Great project idea for typography classes!)
Type and Protest
Unity Place Installation: The installation for Santander Bank’s new tech hub utilizes layered Morse Code to reference Milton Keynes’ rich history of technology. (Very cool!
From CGMasterAcademy: Free Tutorial: Character Design for Animation
From Muddy Colors:
How I Retouch My Work with Steven Belledin
American Caricature with Arnie Fenner
Why Try New Things with Vanessa Lemen
[Creating the] Augury Raven with Jesper Ejsing
The Sketch vs the Final with Cory Godbey
From the University of Glasgow's City of Lost Books: Magic Houses at a Time of Covid
From Urban Sketchers: Drawing Attention February 2021
This is some groovy new software from Creative Critique (good for teachers who don't have other program options)
From Print and Pattern:
Homeware - habitat ss21
TEXTILES - eleanor pritchard
From The Art Room Plant: Zuzanna Celej
OFF TOPIC BUT INTERESTING
From Formr: Furniture made by former prisoners having a tough time getting work. I love the overLAP - I want one in orange!
From SmithsonianEnv: Otters playing in the snow
From The Chronicle of Higher Education: Teaching: The Workload Conundrum Some Colleges Revamped the Academic Calendar in Response to the Pandemic. Here’s What They Learned.
Reading Recommendations - February 2021
With my PhD thesis out the door, I've actually been reading for fun - shocking! I get sent a lot of ARCs and have the chance to preview a lot of titles because of this blog. I just haven't been able to take advantage of all that much in the last few years. So, I have a lot of reading to make up for. Here are some titles I started with that I thoroughly enjoyed and recommend...
THIRTEEN WITCHES: THE MEMORY THIEF by Jodi Lynn Anderson. It's been a while since Jodi's wonderful May Bird series, so I loved getting into the bewitching story. The witches and magical characters had some wonderful new tropes to them that I hadn't read before, so I loved the imaginative approach of a young witch hunter learning who she really is.
THE SILVER BOX: AN ENCHANTMENT LAKE series book by Margie Preus. This isn't the first book in the series. After enjoying this one so much, I want to go back and start from the beginning with ENCHANTMENT LAKE: A NORTHWOODS MYSTERY. Francie is a marvelous new heroine, a Nancy Drew for modern times.
JUST LIKE THAT by Gary D. Schmidt. I try to read all of Gary's books - he's one of my all-time favorite writers. He wowed me again with Meryl Lee Kowalski and Matt - two young people's whose paths slowly wind together in the most interesting way with the beautiful backdrop of Maine. Don't let the descriptions deceive you - they can't share much without giving the plot away. I won't either, just trust me - it's wonderful.
WARRIOR QUEENS, written by Vicky Alvear Shecter, illustrated by Bill Mayer. Vicky is one of my closest friends and a fabulous writer too. And Bill is a friend and colleague. Put them together with some kick-butt women, and wowsa are you in for a treat!
I'll share more soon!
THIRTEEN WITCHES: THE MEMORY THIEF by Jodi Lynn Anderson. It's been a while since Jodi's wonderful May Bird series, so I loved getting into the bewitching story. The witches and magical characters had some wonderful new tropes to them that I hadn't read before, so I loved the imaginative approach of a young witch hunter learning who she really is.
THE SILVER BOX: AN ENCHANTMENT LAKE series book by Margie Preus. This isn't the first book in the series. After enjoying this one so much, I want to go back and start from the beginning with ENCHANTMENT LAKE: A NORTHWOODS MYSTERY. Francie is a marvelous new heroine, a Nancy Drew for modern times.
JUST LIKE THAT by Gary D. Schmidt. I try to read all of Gary's books - he's one of my all-time favorite writers. He wowed me again with Meryl Lee Kowalski and Matt - two young people's whose paths slowly wind together in the most interesting way with the beautiful backdrop of Maine. Don't let the descriptions deceive you - they can't share much without giving the plot away. I won't either, just trust me - it's wonderful.
WARRIOR QUEENS, written by Vicky Alvear Shecter, illustrated by Bill Mayer. Vicky is one of my closest friends and a fabulous writer too. And Bill is a friend and colleague. Put them together with some kick-butt women, and wowsa are you in for a treat!
I'll share more soon!
Coloring Page Tuesday - Seahorses in Love
CLICK HERE for more coloring pages.
Remember, I create my coloring pages to draw your attention to my books!
For instance, my board book Merbaby's Lullaby! If my news and images add value to your life, won't you please
Just love this one image? Consider a one-time donation...
I create my coloring pages for teachers, librarians, booksellers, and parents to enjoy for free with their children, but you can also purchase rights to an image for commercial use, please contact me. If you have questions about usage, please visit my Angel Policy page.
Coloring Page Tuesday - Goldfish Love
CLICK HERE for more coloring pages.
Remember, I create my coloring pages to draw your attention to my books!
For instance, I'm celebrating the new illustrated (by me) edition of A BIRD ON WATER STREET! My debut novel won me "Georgia Author of the Year!"Booklist said it's "A book deserving of a wide readership, recommended for all libraries."
If my news and images add value to your life, won't you please
Just love this one image? Consider a one-time donation...
I create my coloring pages for teachers, librarians, booksellers, and parents to enjoy for free with their children, but you can also purchase rights to an image for commercial use, please contact me. If you have questions about usage, please visit my Angel Policy page.
Adidas Thinks Differently
I found this promo video on Communication Arts. They like it for its innovative presentation. I like it for its future thinking of creating products going forward. Either way, I think it's hopeful and inspiring! Click the image to watch on CommArts' website.