Tuesday, November 26, 2013

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!












Tuesday, November 19, 2013

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....

Saturday, November 16, 2013

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

Thursday, November 14, 2013

"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



Friday, November 08, 2013

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.**

Thursday, November 07, 2013

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.


Saturday, November 02, 2013

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!