2013 RI Festival of Children’s Books and Authors


This year’s Book Festival at Lincoln School in Providence was fabulous- just full to the brim with great presenters, and very well-attended by a huge crowd.


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Here’s Jarret Krosoczka with one of his first books, and whipping out a Lunch lady drawing. I like how he is so candid with kids and adults about the non-direct path to publication. And he happens to be a great guy, too.

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Kate Messner was there. I had never heard her talk before- she is truly a natural speaker and I loved her approach to writing and life in general.

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Laurie Keller is a big favorite of ours, and she led the mixed audience of kids and adults in drawing otters.4_keller1
5_keller2(Just check out that concentration!)

Kim Newton Fusco gave a great talk about her path, and finding your own path and voice. She has a beautiful and slow approach to honing her books to be the best they can be. 
6_fuscoThis is Lemony Snicket. I think. Otherwise, he sent some guy named Daniel Handler to handle the ginormous crowd that was there for him.

7_snicket1(he had the crowd in stitches,and also occasional headlocks).  

 

8_snicket2Marin, Steve and Lesley get their book signed- he takes time to harass everyone in the line, it’s sweet!
9_wildWild Thing, I think I looove you.

Here’s Chris Van Allsburg signing one of his amazing books.

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Susannah Richards “interviewed” Sharon Creech in a casual discussion about her writing path, and getting the Newbury call.

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Dan Santat- the hardest workin’ man in illustration, and one of the best!
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Some new book loot. What, it’s not like I could just NOT buy SOME books. 🙂


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As always, a great time- looking forward to next year, already!

 

Keepin’ It Glassy in Shanghai!

Here’s something I didn’t ever expect to happen- four of my glass designs are currently on display in Shanghai, China. The Shanghai Museum of Glass contacted me a few months ago for information regarding these glass items (which I designed for the FRED company).

 

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They are appearing in an exhibit called “Keep It Glassy”, featuring all kinds of glass works from around the world. It’s an honor to have my designs on display there, though I will not likely manage to see them in person! Check out the place:

 

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Here’s one of the exhibit posters:

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There’s me!

You never know where art will end up. It’s exciting to think some of mine is on display on the other side of the earth!

Pewter Plate Cover of the Year Award!

I received an unexpected package from Highlights the other day. I do a lot of work for them, but I couldn’t figure out what might be in this mysterious box.
It was THIS!

It’s the 2009 High Five Cover of the Year Award, a.k.a. a Pewter Plate Award. I know you can’t see it in the picture, but it’s all specially engraved for me, mentioning the specific cover shown here, “Let’s Read!”

I am very honored to receive this, because frankly, there is a LOT of beautiful art on and between the covers in any given Highlights/ High Five issue. Thank you, Highlights staff!