Thursday, July 30, 2015

First Book- Manhattan


If you like Dr. Seuss and enjoy supporting First Book - Manhattan, you may want to save the date for this December event. I am delighted to be returning to Symphony Space to host this celebration and fundraiser. There will a cavalcade of talented actors on hand to read from the works of Dr. Seuss—this is not to be missed!

It's Tough to Lose Your Balloon

I'll never forget the unexpected thrill I got when I first saw my last name on the spine of a published book. For whatever reason, I had anticipated seeing it on the cover and title page, but not the spine. It's Tough to Lose Your Balloon marks the 30th time I've experienced this—and seeing my family name printed on the spine of a book is as thrilling as ever! (And you'll be able to see for yourself on September 8th, when Balloon launches!)
My new life goal is to see that consonant-heavy name printed horizontally on the spine of a book!

Princeton Children's Book Festival

I'm incredibly honored to have created the artwork for the 2015 Princeton Children's Book Festival! It's their 10th anniversary, and I can't wait to join in on the festivities on September 19!

A Pleasant Surprise

Last night, my 10th grade English teacher, Mrs. Frances Fedor, surprised me at my presentation at the Walpole Public Library! I remember her class vividly, especially the big term project. Students were put into groups, and we needed to make a movie or play based on a book. My group chose Stephen King's Misery. Somehow I convinced my group to make an animated adaptation, everybody colored in the hundreds of drawings and supplied voices—it was a ton of work. (And you can find the movie at https://youtu.be/LfTAbv0iRPA) There's no doubt that project was a precursor to what I do now. 
Mrs. Fedor also chaperoned my senior year trip to Camp Sunshine. My work with the campers there, all families dealing with pediatric cancer, had a tremendous impact on my life. I can still feel the ripples from that week today! 
Oh, and I also happened to have a slide of The Picture of Dorian Gray in my slideshow—Mrs. Fedor's assigned summer reading in 1992. How appropriate!

Book Recommendations


If you were to put a Roald Dahl book and a Beverly Cleary book in a blender, you'd get Dory Fantasamagory. We LOVED reading this chapter book in my house. 
I recommended this book on my weekly segment on SiriusXM Kids Place Live. Listen for me every Tuesday at 8 and 10 AM. 
And find an archive of the books I talk about on air via the Pinterest. http://t.co/YhzqNTsLJB http://t.co/nVPchG61HN

Peanut Butter and Jellyfish Audiobook


Did you know that I recorded an audiobook of Peanut Butter and Jellyfish? Weston Woods & Scholastic Audio also made a spiffy animated adaptation. 
I just received my first review for my voiceover work. I'm used to getting taken to task for my words and pictures, but it was so surreal to read a review of my "acting." It was a really nice review!

It's Tough to Lose Your Balloon Book Trailer


Here is the book trailer for It's Tough to Lose Your Balloon! 
Kids' problems can sometimes feel trivial to us, but when we get down to their level and watch that balloon float away...man, it is indeed tough. 
It's Tough to Lose Your Balloon will be on bookshelves everywhere on September 8th!

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Punk Farm on Tour Paperback

Punk Farm on Tour is out in paperback!
Back when the book published in 2007, I launched a faux-social media site for the fans in the book.
It'll make you nostalgic for MySpace, and you can follow the other characters as they get to the concerts.

Pug Life

All dogs do this, right?  ‪#‎pugs‬


Ralph can't even.


Totally Tardy Marty


PRO TIP: If the clothes on your floor don't smell, they're ready to wear! Sketch to finish for ‪#‎TotallyTardyMarty‬

Wednesday, July 08, 2015

Watertown Free Public Library Summer Reading Kickoff



Watch this great piece that New England Cable News produced about the Watertown Free Public Library summer reading kickoff. 
I'm flattered by their words!


Totally Tardy Marty

Are you typically tardy, like Marty, or never late, like Kate?
Totally Tardy Marty is a story about hall monitors, big ideas and friendship. Written by Erica S. Perl, illustrated by me, and on bookshelves now!




Totally Tardy Marty and Never-Late Kate's friendship was brought to life through Erica S. Perl's words and a mix of traditional and digital media. Not to mention the superlative design work by Chad Beckerman, the editing skills of Susan Van Metre and everyone at Abrams!
I created the art for Totally Tardy Marty using paint, crayons, pens, my Surface Pro 3 and toast....


The manuscript for Erica S. Perl's Totally Tardy Marty included a dog for the main character, so I drew a pug.



Here is a sketch-to-finish animated gif: 



Best Book Friends

Lunch with wonderful people who make wonderful books! Grace Lin and Kelly Light are two of my BBFs (Best Book Friends).

Big Thanks!

Thank you to all who came out to Watertown Free Public Library for the summer reading kick-off! Thank you to the librarians for hosting me, and thanks to State Trooper Zengo, Officer McGrath and Officer Kelly for reading!


ALA


Sadly I'm not at ALA, but my books are!
Look for Totally Tardy Marty at ABRAMS Books booth 1022. Erica S. Perl is signing Sunday at 10 am!
It's Tough to Lose Your Balloon won't be out until Sept 8 but at ‪#‎alaac15‬you'll find it at Random House Children's Books booth 3001 ðŸŽˆ



Summer Reading with Bowling Green Police Department!

Every Thursday this summer, members of Bowling Green Police Department are spending time listening to kids read at the public library.
Librarian Maria Simon created this series, inspired by resources we have for download here: http://www.walden.com/platypus-police-academy/
I'm humbled and honored by this. And to think — it all started with a children's book, Platypus Police Squad.