Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast

I don’t want to teach people anything with my books. I want to tell them unusual and hopefully fun stories about problems big and small — about fear, identity issues and other things that affect us humans, both children and adults.

Curious about the work of Argentinian illustrator Isol, who won the 2013 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award? Here’s an informative video about her work:

Meet Big Baddy, pictured above.

He comes from Tim Miller, who is visiting 7-Imp today, since it’s the first Sunday of the month, when I like to feature student or newly-graduated illustrators. Tim doesn’t have a website up, but that won’t stop me from showing you all some of his artwork anyway.

Tim calls himself a “satirical illustrator who specializes in Picture Books.” He studied at the School of Visual Arts, where he earned his Bachelor’s in Cartooning and his Master’s in Art Education. He is currently based in New York City. Wait, this illustration tells you what you need to know: Read the rest of this entry �

This morning at Kirkus, I write a bit about what it’s like to attend your first ALA conference, which I just did. And I share some thoughts on why this particular conference was so enjoyable. That link is here.

If you missed it last week at Kirkus, I chatted here with author/illustrator Divya Srinivasan. And on Friday, I wrote here about Charlotte Moundlic’s The Bathing Costume: Or The Worst Vacation of My Life (Enchanted Lion, May 2013), illustrated by Olivier Tallec and originally released in France in 2011.

Today here at 7-Imp, I’ve got art from The Bathing Costume, as well as art from Divya (some spreads from Octopus Alone, released in May from Viking; some spreads from Little Owl’s Night, released in 2011 from Viking; and a few portfolio pieces from Divya).

Enjoy. Read the rest of this entry �

I read this sad news today, that author/illustrator Holly Meade has left us at the age of 56.

Holly’s work was simply beautiful. Pictured above is a print from my 2009 interview with her. I’ve always really liked that piece of artwork, in particular.

Her artwork has also appeared here and here at 7-Imp. Her watercolor collages in Susan Campbell Bartoletti’s 2011 picture book, Naamah and the Ark at Night, was one reason it was one of my favorite picture books of 2011.

The book that won her a Caldecott Honor has always been a top picture book for me:

 

May her family find comfort during this difficult time, and may her legacy live on in her exceptional illustration work.

All images are posted from previous interviews or posts and were initially used with permission.

Hello, one and all. I am at ALA Chicago this weekend, but I would never leave my dear kickers hanging without some illustrations on a Sunday. I don’t really have any kicks this morning—unless you want to consider my first ALA conference kicks one to seven—but I do have art.

I have been writing picture book reviews, as of a couple months ago, for BookPage. Recently, I reviewed Drew Daywalt’s The Day the Crayons Quit (Philomel, June 2013), illustrated by Oliver Jeffers.

So, I’ll send you to the always informative BookPage for my thoughts on the book, and here at 7-Imp today I include some art.

And now it’s back to conferencing for me, but do tell me your kicks this week, if you’re so inclined. I may not get back to you all till Monday or Tuesday, but I’ll be back, I promise.

Here are some more spreads from Jeffers. Enjoy … Read the rest of this entry �

This morning over at Kirkus, I feature a French picture book import from Enchanted Lion Books, Charlotte Moundlic’s The Bathing Costume, illustrated by Olivier Tallec. That link is here today.

Last week, I wrote here about the beautiful Brush of the Gods, written by Lenore Look and illustrated by Meilo So. Today I have some spreads from the book. Enjoy. Read the rest of this entry �

I might be in the air right now, on my way to ALA Chicago, but due to the wonders of technology, I still have posts this week.

Today over at Kirkus, I chat with author/illustrator Divya Srinivasan about her work. Pictured right is an illustration from her newest picture book, Octopus Alone, which she discusses in our chat.

Next week here at 7-Imp, I’ll have some more art from Divya.

That Kirkus chat is here today.

Until tomorrow …

I’ve got to pack for ALA, and I will be back later this week, even though I’ll be in Chicago and away from 7-Imp Central (my very messy desk). But I leave you for now, as I head towards my suitcase with the best of intentions (though in reality I throw stuff in there about thirty minutes before I leave), with some art from Leo Lionni’s Swimmy, which received a 1964 Caldecott Honor. (This is fitting, since ALA will, in many ways, celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Caldecott at the conference this week.) Swimmy was in excellent company that year, what with Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are taking home the big gold.

For the 50th anniversary of Swimmy, Random House has just released a new edition with an opening tribute from Eric Carle. Here’s part of what he wrote, which I love:

Like all of Leo Lionni’s work, Swimmy is a magnificent blend of story and graphics. Here, I feel, he has been more daring than ever. Both childlike and sophisticated, the images in the underwater environment glide by like a film across the screen. The jellyfish halfway through the book is similar to a potato print done by a kindergartner and is as sophisticated as the best art of our time. … Lionni, ever inventive, using the ornamental edge on a napkin or doily, painted on it and made prints. The joy that Lionni must have felt while doing this couldn’t possibly escape the viewer.

Here’s a bit more art. Enjoy. Read the rest of this entry �

That link is here.

Last week, author/illustrator Bob Shea chatted with me about how humility is for losers. Today, he shares some early sketches and final art and such from his two latest picture books, Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great (Disney-Hyperion, June 2013) and Cheetah Can’t Lose (Balzer + Bray, February 2013).

He also gives a sneak peek at his forthcoming picture book, which he mentioned in last week’s Q&A, Buddy and the Bunnies in: Don’t Play with Your Food (to come from Hyperion, January 2014).

Let’s get to it, and I thank Bob for sharing. Read the rest of this entry �

Last week at Kirkus, I wrote about Yuyi Morales’ newest picture book, Niño Wrestles the World, published this month by Neal Porter/Roaring Brook. That link is here.

Today, Yuyi visits to share some early sketches, dummies, final art, etc. I thank her for sharing. Let’s get to it … Read the rest of this entry �