Michael Cera is everywhere

There are a few movie adaptations that I've been paying close attention to because they're based on two of my favorite books. The first is Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist. The book is incredible. Rachel Cohn and David Levithan are both made of pure poetic genius. I got even more amped when I saw that Michael Cera was playing the part of Nick. Could that be any cooler?
Then, I saw a MySpace bulletin from Bryan Lee O'Malley, author and illustrator of the most awesome Scott Pilgrim graphic novel series. The director who brought us 'Shaun of the Dead' and 'Hot Fuzz' was tapped as helming a possible film project, which looks like a go, with who in the lead role? Yes, Michael Cera as Scott Pilgrim. Can this guy do no wrong? He'll be perfect. And what's more - he's Canadian, just like Scott.


So here's a pitch to Michael Cera's agents:

Michael Cera as Max?
What about Michael Cera as Baghead?


Slug?

Sketchbook Saturday

Speaking of my days as a Montserrat instructor.... Here are a series of sketches that I drew when I was teaching the Acrylic Painting Workshop. To fill my time while my students painted, I would draw them. (They would get annoyed by me if I made the rounds to check in with them too often...)

Montserrat, Montserrat, everywhere I look...

From 2000 to 2004, I taught illustration and painting classes at the Montserrat College of Art in Beverly, MA. It was an incredible experience. In those four years, I had the pleasure and honor to teach and mentor many talented young artists. And in the past few weeks, some of those fine illustrators have been popping up all around me.

It started when I logged on to the 7 Impossible Things Before Breakfast blog and saw the beautiful work of Tiffany Laurencio featured. It was great to see her work being gushed over by Jules & Eisha. It's only a matter of time before bloggers everywhere will be able to do the same over one of her books.

Then, just the other day, I was in Cambridge, MA for a great string of events (more on that soon) and when my hosting librarian and I (more on her awesomeness soon) walked into a local coffee house/cafe for a bite to eat and a bolt of caffeine, I stopped on a dime of recognition. There was a stack of postcards at the register, which were from the artist whose work adorned the walls. It was Greg Orfanos, who is crazy talented. And some of the work hanging on the wall was also by his wife Judy, who has killer work as well.


Then if all of that wasn't enough, I also recently received a package in the mail. I recognized the name on the return address; it was Nate Walker. I could feel that there was a book in the package. And I instantly knew - Nate had gotten a book published. I hurriedly opened the envelope and sure enough - there was a book inside with Nate's name splashed across the cover! How cool is that?Floaty Feet is available through its website - floatyfeet.com or through the many events that Nate and the author have lined up.

I love seeing where former students have taken their work. I look forward to seeing more of it in the world around me in the months and years to come!

Spring Snowboard

I was finally able to take a day and head to the mountain. The beauty of living in western Mass now is that some of the greatest mountains in Vermont are only an hour away. I spent the day riding with my little brother last Friday and the conditions were incredible. There was plenty of powder, a few icy spots, but not bad for the 2nd day of spring. Rich is an incredibly graceful rider. He takes too many risks with jumps for my taste (he's had the broken bones to prove it) but he glides down that mountain in style. My fear of the half-pipe is behind me, but I don't actually make air. (I have too many book deadlines coming up to risk anything.) Here's a pic of me riding down the slopes. And take note: I wear a helmet and wrist guards. (Richie was too fast for the mountain photographers.)

Hoppy Easter!

Boston on Tues & Weds

I have back to back events in Boston next week.

On Tuesday I will be at the Foundation for Children's Books' "Conversation With..." Seriers. This should be a lot of fun. Think "Inside the Actor's Studio" but with children's books. Pat Keough will be grilling me with the tough questions in front of an audience. I do believe she may even ask me to read a book or two. It all goes down at 7:30 PM at Walsh Hall at BC. ($15 admission or $5 if you're a college student)

On Wednesday at 6:30 PM I'll be at the Central Sq branch of the Cambridge Public Library for their Family Night. There will be free pizza. I repeat - FREE PIZZA. I'll be giving speaking, giving my slide show, reading and signing any books that have the word "Krosoczka" on the spine. Now, I haven't been to Central Sq in some time, I wonder if Little Joe Cook is still kickin' it down at the Cantab...

SW Florida Reading Fest

The SW Florida Reading Festival was phenomenal. Among the many clever aspects of the festival - the organizers had the intuition to hold the event in March, a time when authors from dreary New England towns will jump at the chance to travel south! I think that most of the authors on my shuttle bus had come down from Massachusetts, with a few from nearby Connecticut. And if I planned better, I would have realized ahead of time that our hometown team was also in town for spring training. Oh well, another time...

There were great crowds, great books and great temperatures all around.

The Fort Meyers News-Press had a great article on the event (and my sweater). Check it out here.

The Coolest Library Furniture

I have to say - this is the coolest library furniture that I have ever seen. I wish I had put something in the scene to give scale - but you can almost see someone's feet on the top of this page. The kids at Kilpatrick Elementary in Katy sure have it good!

Kid quotes, y'all

Hey y'all... Wait - what was that I said? "Y'all"? It can only mean one thing - I've been spending a lot of time in the South. Yes, I have been zig-zagging the South for school visits recently. Don't believe me, well then check out the proof here and here. I've hung out with some great students, great librarians - two who are authors (Hi Jackie Hopkins and Pat Miller!) and one who is a blogger (Hi BookMoot!). And of course I didn't bring my camera, but in Alabama the librarians there made a crazy awesome Punk Farm van.

In Texas, my friends brought me to the rodeo. Man those bulls are aggressive beasts!


But the true highlights of these trips are the things that come out of the kids' mouths.... Here are the best of the best:

KID #1: "Do you drive a Lamborghini?"
ME: "No."
KID #2: "Do you have a jet ski?"
ME: (laughing) "No."
KID #3: "I thought you were supposed to be rich. Don't you at least have a plasma TV?"

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"Do you like Taco Bell?"

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"Are you the author?"

(This was asked after my 45 minute presentation on being an author, how I've been an author since I was a kid, how I came up with ideas behind certain books, etc, etc....)

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"You should write Punk Farm on Ice."

Not a bad idea. When I was a kid, I saw Snorks on Ice. For reals....

Sketchbook Saturday

Here are some more character design sketches from Punk Farm on Tour.

Ralph Macchio outfit of the day

This one is from back in December.

We wish this still fit him.....

March events (updated)

Here is an updated list of where I'll be this March. Come out and say hi!

Kid Lit Fest '08 - Humble ISD
Katy, TX
March 8 8AM - 1PM
Atasocita High School

Southwest Florida Reading Fest
Fort Meyers, FL
March 15 11:15 AM

Foundation for Children's Books
Conversations with...Author/Illustrator Series
Boston, MA
March 25 7:30 PM
Vanderslice Hall, Boston College

Cambridge Public Library Family Night
Central Square Branch
Cambridge, MA
March 26 6:30 PM
(free pizza!)

PF vans by kids

Kids design the coolest Punk Farm vans.

Do you know anyone who drew any Punk Farm vans? I would love to see them! I receive mail at:

Jarrett Krosoczka

PO Box 60155

Florence, MA 01062

Rock n Romp ROCKED

Studio JJK is all about deadlines these days, BUT - I wanted to write a quick write up on how AWESOME Rock n Romp was last Sunday. Never did I ever think I would see my name on the bill outside of a bar.

It was a great day filled with cool kids who had cool parents. To read a more detailed account of the day (and from a parent's perspective), check out what Scurvyann had to say here. And since I didn't have a camera (above pic was taken with my phone), I did a search on Flickr to see if anyone posted any pictures of the RnR and sure enough - someone did.

If you have a Rock n Romp near you, GO! I can't wait to get to more of them.

Parade o' Slugs

This picture just came in from a Kindergarten class in Boston. They chose Slug to be their theme for their school's character parade.

How cool is this?! Big ups to all my slugs...

Hey Boston - THIS SUNDAY - Come out and Rock and Romp

This Sunday, come out and Rock and Romp at the inaugural Boston chapter of Rock -n- Romp. What is Rock -n- Romp? It's a stellar program that allows parents to remember what it was like to go see shows while their kids can be introduced to rock while they run wild. Neal Pollock, author of Alternadad will be in attendance as well as two great local Boston bands.

Need more info? Boston Now just wrote up an article on the event. Check it out here.

Sketchbook Saturday

I don't know what the weather has been like in your neck of the woods, but here in New England it's been cold, rainy and icy. Here is a spread from a sketchbook dated around 2004. A watercolor created at a beach, I think somewhere on Cape Cod. I wish that I could be there now! (Well, be there and have it be summer...)

Headin' to the movies....

It's rare that I get to see movies in an actual theater these days, but I couldn't be more excited to head to the cinemas tonight. The Spiderwick Chronicles was released yesterday and I am pumped! If you're looking for something to do this weekend, go see Spiderwick at least a few times. I hope it's a huge success! Three cheers for Tony and Holly! Their vision looks like it has received a stellar translation to the silver screen.

Public events

I have a few public events lined up for this spring. (Well, February isn't exactly spring, but you know what I'm getting at...) Come on out and say hi!


Rock -n- Romp Boston
Allston, MA
February 24th 3:00 PM
Great Scott (1222 Comm Ave.)

Kid Lit Fest '08 - Humble ISD
Katy, TX
March 8 8AM - 1PM
Atasocita High School

Foundation for Children's Books
Conversations with...Author/Illustrator Series
Boston, MA
March 25 7:30 PM
Vanderslice Hall, Boston College

Southwest Florida Reading Fest
Fort Meyers, FL
March 15 11:15 AM

Texas Library Association
Dallas, TX
April 17 8AM
Mockingbirds and Armadillos: Local Elementary Reading Programs
11 AM
Signing at the Random House Children's Books' booth

Happy Valentines's Day - from Ralph

Ralph Macchio has been enjoying heart shaped dog treats as of late. He's also been sporting a T-shirt that says "I chase tail".

Ralph was also disappointed to see the pugs get shut out of the Westminster Dog Show, but congratulates beagles heartily.

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!