The Annual Joe and Shirl Scholarships Auction is now LIVE!

"But how did you grow up to be so well-adjusted?"

This is a question, in various iterations, that I get asked often. Regardless of how the inquiry is posed, I have the same one-syllable, three-letter answer every time.

"Art."

Art was a transformative force in my life. It was a life-line during a time that I needed it most. When life at home was hectic, my sketchbook acted as a portal to any world, any reality of my making. I happened to make art my vocation, but not every kid does, and that's OK. Regardless of where one decides to take their talents, a strong education in the arts is integral to their development—as individuals and as learners. Having access to quality arts education not only helped me through difficult times, it also helped me become a creative problem solver. The jobs that our children will someday hold haven't even been invented yet, and that is just one of many reasons why we must provide our youth with adequate access to the arts.

When public funding eliminated the arts education in public schools in the 1980's, I was lucky enough to get sent to classes at the Worcester Art Museum. I was lucky because my grandparents, who raised me, could afford the tuition. At the Worcester Art Museum my world was opened up to classes in life drawing, cartooning and animation, amongst many others. And I gained camaraderie with peers who shared a similar passion for creativity—I was not alone! 

I realize that some kids in my hometown may have a unique familial setup as I did, but whose caretakers may not have the resources to afford that tuition. I'm proud to continue to connect those kids with an arts education at the Worcester Art Museum with the 4th annual auction in support of the Joseph and Shirley Krosoczka Memorial Youth Scholarships at the Worcester Art Museum. 

Photos courtesy Worcester Art Museum.

Here are the items up for bid in the 2013 auction, which will run until the evening of Sunday, December 8. You won't find items like this anywhere else. Every year I strive to offer something that is unique, and I never repeat items in consecutive years. So please, bid early and bid often—and thank you for helping me support art education!

BID!

BID!

BID!

BID!

BID!

BID!

#IndiesFirst on Cyber Monday

Cyber Monday is tomorrow, but we can still be #IndiesFirst. Two great local bookshops have the ability to take orders online, and I'll sign books purchased through their websites. (Just specify personalization under the customer comments field.)

The Odyssey Bookshop: http://www.odysseybks.com/search/apachesolr_search/Krosoczka

Broadside Bookshop: http://www.broadsidebooks.com/search/apachesolr_search/Krosoczka

Three exhibits currently on view

There are currently three ways to catch the original works from my books. You will be able to spot my work at. . .




Annual Illustration Exhibit at R. Michelson Galleries - Northampton, MA
This show will run through January 15th. The art on exhibit at this gallery is for sale. If you can't make it into Northampton to see the work in person, you can find a small sampling of what they have for sale here.

BAM! It's a Picture Book: The Art Behind Graphic Novels - Abilene, TX


11.14.13 - 02.28.14: National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature
(This show will later travel to the Joslyn Art Museum from 11.08.14 - 03.08.15.)


Featuring artists Raina Telgemeier, Mark Crilley, Matthew Holm,
Jarrett J. Krosoczka, & Lincoln Peirce


I will be on hand to discuss my comics and sign books on January 11, 2014 at 10:00 am.





The Art of Story - Boston, MA
A great exhibit/event is happening at Boston Children's Hospital on Saturday Dec. 7th from 1-4 pm. Check out their newly renovated space featuring an exhibit of some great children's book art! I'm sad that I won't be able to attend, but many artists will be on hand. Lots of great folks in this permanent exhibit!

See you at #NCTE13!

I am insanely excited to address the crowd at the Elementary Section Get-Together on Thursday at the NCTE conference.

Here is the info:

THURSDAY:
4:30 – 6:00 PM

Elementary Get-Together
Hynes Convention Center, Room 306, Level Three

I will give a 45 minute talk about creativity and it's place in the classroom, and I will breakdown my creative process in crafting characters and stories.

Then, we'll all go over and hear Tony Danza. Because - c'mon! Tony Danza! (A name that has been in the running should we ever get a 2nd pug.)


Here's my signing schedule at NCTE:

FRIDAY:

12:00 – 1:00 PM HarperCollins Booth #1012

3:00 – 4:00 PM Random House Booth #907





UPDATE: Tony Danza had to cancel last minute. Judy Blume is now the opening speaker. So after all this time, it's neither Tony, Angela or Mona, but Judy who is the boss....

How to Make It Once You've "Made It"

If you have an hour to kill and want to know more about a career in children's books, the lecture I gave at RISD's Entrepeneur MindShare is now online. In it, I retrace my steps from my first book submission in 1997 to where I am today.

http://mindshare.risd.edu/speakers/jkrosoczka.php

And in case you're curious, that last quote that is made illegible by the reproduction:

"I'm not a businessman, I'm a business, man." - Jay-Z

"Always a Place for Picture Books"

I'm delighted to return to Engage, the blog of the International Reading Association, to share my insight on the reading lives of our young ones.

You can read my piece, "Always a Place for Picture Books," here: http://www.reading.org/general/Publications/blog/engage/engage-single-post/engage/2013/11/14/always-a-place-for-picture-books#.UoTzdBB5mSO

CT Children's Book Fair - THIS SUNDAY!

I'll be at the Connecticut Children's Book Fair on Sunday at UConn! http://bookfair.uconn.edu/

There will be a ton of authors on hand, including Tomie dePaola!

Here is my full schedule:

Presentation: 12:15pm
Autographings:10:00am-11:00am; 12:45pm-1:45pm

**Because this is a fundraiser, the organization asks that books be purchased at the fair.**

A surprise visit from an old friend.

What an incredible surprise to see my high school art teacher today! Mr. Shilale, who has long been retired, continues to sub in the art classes in his hometown and heard I was visiting one of the schools. We got to spend the day together, reminisce and catch up - and I got to tell him in person that his reassuring words made a big difference in my life.

You can trace the origins of my book BAGHEAD back to an art assignment Mr. Shilale gave us in high school. I have shared this slide in thousands of lectures in the past twelve years.

An embarrassment of riches this Halloween!

I received an embarrassment of riches this Halloween. Some wonderful photos of folks dressed as my characters came through over social media. It's just beyond anything I could have ever imagined. I am so honored that folks took the time to put together these fantastic costumes!

Check out the awesomeness below!


Not only does Kairi make a fierce Lunch Lady, but she also has the creativity of Betty -- when she couldn't find a yellow apron, she made one! Color me impressed!

Spotted on Martha's Vineyard -- a Punk Farm scarecrow! I love it!!!

Public librarian Laura Lintz donned a yellow apron for Halloween, but nothing could top Ulysses the Pug's performance as Betty. I can certify that this is the first canine interpretation of one of my characters! My pug is jealous that he didn't think of that! (He has no shame, and will do anything for extra treats.)

Detectives Corey O'Malley and Rick Zengo turned up at the HarperCollins Halloween party. And just in case things got out of hand, Sergeant Plazinski was on hand to ensure that the Platypus Police Squad stayed in line. (The attention to detail here is mind-boggling!)

School librarian Cyndi Shinn has been a big supporter of the Lunch Lady books out in Nebraska. And on Halloween, she took it to the next level!

Check out Stella and her sister, Rosie! They are just adorable! (And the littlest lunch ladies that I ever did see!) I also appreciate their parents' dedication to theme by painting their walls yellow...

Andrew kept his neighborhood streets safe by serving justice and serving lunch in the Sunshine State! I love this costume!

Check out these INCREDIBLE story pumpkins!



4th grader Liam made this incredibly creative Lunch Lady pumpkin. I love the use of a mop head for the hair!

This Platypus Police Squad pumpkin looks so much like Detective Rick Zengo! Made by a 2nd grader at Sterling Community School, it is a perfectly shaped pumpkin for this character!

This was sent in by Mattea in Arizona. Mattea did a fantastic job on her pumpkin book report! I love it! Thank you so much, Mattea!

If you dressed up as one of my characters, or themed a story pumpkin around one of my books, I'd love to see photos!

Happy Halloween!

Lancaster, MA on Tuesday at 7 p.m.!

If you live near Lancaster, MA you should stop by the Thayer Memorial Library tomorrow night at 7 p.m.! I will be giving a presentation on my books, and picking up the Chandler Reward of Merit. It's an honor to be recognized, especially giving the award's description. From the Thayer Memorial Library's website:

This reward recognizes Krosockzka  for his work as an author and illustrator of books that entertain and encourage young readers to follow their dreams and tackle problems with imagination and humor.

This award was put on a 21-year hiatus, but was recently reinstated in celebration of the library's 150th anniversary. I was in awe to learn of the past recipients, which include Ed Emberly, Jane Yolen and Maurice Sendak.

Read more about the event in this great article from The Item.