Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast

“You are stardust.”
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This morning over at Kirkus, I take a look at Klaas Verplancke’s Applesauce, originally published in Belgium in 2010 and released here in the U.S. by Groundwood Books in July. That link is here.

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Last week at Kirkus, I wrote about Elin Kelsey’s You Are Stardust (Owlkids Books, September 2012), illustrated by Soyeon Kim. That link is here, if you missed it.

Below are more spreads from the book. I also included below a video that depicts the evolution of the book’s artwork (Soyeon’s dioramas).

Enjoy. Read the rest of this entry �

 

This morning over at Kirkus, I chat with author Judith Viorst about her very funny new chapter book for children, Lulu Walks the Dogs, the follow-up to Lulu and the Brontosaurus; the enduring popularity of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day; and her upcoming visit to Nashville’s Southern Festival of Books in October. When asked about her plan for the Festival, she said:

I’ll be reading from my second Lulu book, Lulu Walks the Dogs, and talking a bit about my vast admiration for writers like Sendak and Silverstein, who appreciate and give voice to children’s non-sweetie-pie selves — to their wicked thoughts, wild dreams, and untamed feelings. I, too, like to write about fresh, fierce kids, who maybe, probably, bear some resemblance to my own three sons and seven grandchildren—and to the little girl I once was.

I really like that.

The rest of the Q&A is here — and it includes (a tiny version of) Lane Smith’s wonderful illustration of Fleischman from the new Lulu book. Next week here at 7-Imp, I’ll have even more art and some sketches from Lane.

Have you read both Lulu books? So funny, these chapter books.

Enjoy.

“The night I got my new red shoes, I couldn’t wait to wear them to school. I was too excited to sleep, so I went outside and sat on the lawn. When I looked up, I shivered. The sky seemed so huge and cold. How many stars were in the sky? A million?
A billion? Maybe the number was as big as infinity. I started to feel very, very small. How could I even think about something as big as infinity?”
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As a child, I used to sit and think about infinity. And the universe. And how the universe might not have an end. And, if it did, what it could possibly look like. I have very distinct memories of wondering about this. If I wasn’t sitting and listening to my stack of 45s with my trusty record player at my side (think: Peaches & Herbs and Donna Summer), I could probably be found sitting there having my mind blown, wondering if the universe just falls off or if there’s a dividing line of some sort that points to hell-if-I-knew-what. (In between my 45s and ruminations on space and utter boundlessness, I watched an episode or two of The Price Is Right.)

This is not unusual. Children think about such abstract concepts, and many of us grown-ups find them difficult to explain. (I am still clueless about the universe’s end, and if I ever find out the answer, I doubt I’ll be able to report back here.) In Infinity and Me, which will be released by Carolrhoda Books next month, Kate Hosford (author) and Gabi Swiatkowska (illustrator) explore this notion — that something can exist with no limits. And they do it well. Read the rest of this entry �

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I would just like to take a moment, quickly, to squeal over the fact that there’s a new picture book illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski coming out next month, written by Mary Logue (published by Houghton Mifflin). I haven’t read this book yet. It’s not even in my hands at this time (though I see it’s gotten a starred review from Kirkus). But Pamela’s art is such that I get excited by merely the cover alone.

And I just found this out, so I’m squealing publicly.

More on the book soon, I’m sure—OF COURSE I’m going to try to find a copy, by hook or by crook—but I just wanted to share the cover.

Okay, squeal over now. Let us carry on with our day.

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Book jacket posted with permission of Pamela Zagarenski.

Here’s an illustration from artist Edward Hemingway’s forthcoming illustrated title, Tiny Pie, written by Mark Bailey and Michael Oatman and coming in May from Running Press Kids.

Edward, who paints with oils on canvas and wood, also saw the release this year of Bad Apple: A Tale of Friendship (G. P. Putnam’s Sons, August 2012), all about an apple and a worm who become good friends — and weather hard times, given the funny looks and mean comments they get for being friends in the first place. (Let us not forget the enduring wisdom of the popular mid-’90s bumper sticker.)

Edward is here today to talk a bit about his books, his paintings, and I also couldn’t resist briefly asking him about his heritage. Yes, he’s Ernest’s grandson.

Let’s get right to it, since Edward shares so many images today. And for that I thank him.

P.S. If you read below, you’ll see that this is a very special day for Edward … Read the rest of this entry �

“…Some blew / To the ground, / One lit on a rose, /
And a big one burst / On the kitten’s nose.”
— From Miriam Clark Potter’s The Golden Book of Little Verses,
originally published in 1953
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This morning at Kirkus, I write about a lovely picture book that popped up and surprised me, Elin Kelsey’s You Are Stardust, illustrated by Soyeon Kim. That link is here today.

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Last week, I wrote about A Mary Blair Treasury of Golden Books, released this August. That link is here, if you missed it. Above is a spread from the book, and below are a couple more.

Enjoy. Read the rest of this entry �

I do. I think, that is, that even the early versions—the sketches, the doodles, the brainstorms—of author/illustrator David Small’s illustrations are splendid. Above is one from his latest illustrated title, Sarah Stewart’s The Quiet Place, to be released next week by Margaret Ferguson Books/Farrar Straus Giroux.

Last week, I chatted with David and Sarah over at Kirkus. We talked about their new book and what’s next for them. They also discussed how they collaborate (or, more accurately, don’t collaborate). “David Small and I have a great marriage,” Sarah told me, “because we do not collaborate as artist and writer. I write every day. Occasionally, a story emerges –- sometimes, excerpts. I read it to him. If he likes it, I send the manuscript to my editor. If she likes it, she buys it. And then the words go to my sweetheart, who with his magic pens and paints deepens and broadens the story. I’m the luckiest picture book author on earth!”

Here is that Q&A, as well as more about The Quiet Place, if you missed it last week.

I’m here today at 7-Imp with a bit more art from the book, as well as some of David’s early sketches, since—as my readers know—I get twitchy until I’ve the chance to feature some artwork from the books about which I write.

Let us take a moment to appreciate one of my top-five favorite picture book spreads of 2012 — straight from Sarah’s and David’s book. You’ll see in the Q&A that I asked David specifically about this beautiful creation: Read the rest of this entry �

I’m happy to be having late-night coffee with author/illustrator Jane Breskin Zalben, who has created in her career more than fifty books for children. Most of those are picture books, but she’s also written YA novels, chapter books, and even cookbooks. She has also worked as an art director, as you can read below.

Jane’s latest book, released in August by Neal Porter/Roaring Brook, is called Mousterpiece and centers around a young mouse, named Janson. She lives in a museum and loves exploring it each night after dark. When she finally explores the famous paintings hanging in the museum, giving readers a glimpse of the world of contemporary art, “her little world opened.” She emulates the iconic paintings she sees, meeting some acclaim of her own — but eventually comes to understand that the artwork that expresses her own style, her own voice, is her favorite. Booklist calls this a “charming introduction to modern art and an inspiring starting point for young art students.”

“The book,” Jane tells me, “is dedicated to my mom. She was a children’s book librarian in Manhattan in a private school for children with learning disabilities and put together their first library. Years and years ago!”

I thank Jane for visiting today. I enjoyed the opportunity to ask her not only about this book, but also—given her lengthy career in this field—about children’s literature today and how it’s changed over the years, as well as what’s next for her. Read the rest of this entry �

 

Above: Artwork from Mary Uhles

 


 
One of Susan Eaddy’s portfolio pieces, Bad Bunny
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Do you know something I enjoy doing yet haven’t done as often as I’d like here at
7-Imp?

Pass out snacks? Why, yes. If I could pass out actual snacks, I would. But another thing is to feature local talent. Local, as in local to me, of course. Meaning, middle Tennessee. The Nashville area.

And I’m here to do that today.

Yup, it’s 7-Imp Local Talent Sunday. Read the rest of this entry �

“Mike picked them up one by one and put them on the ground. Then he spelled it out for them. ‘Big, tough dogs do not hang around with tiny, fuzzy bunnies, okay?
So beat it. Scram. And don’t come back!’
Mike found excuses not to use his car for the next few days.”
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This morning over at Kirkus, I take a look at A Mary Blair Treasury of Golden Books. That link is here today.

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Last week at Kirkus, I wrote about Aaron Reynolds’ Creepy Carrots! (Simon & Schuster, August 2012), illustrated by Peter Brown, and Michelle Knudsen’s Big Mean Mike (Candlewick, August 2012), illustrated by Scott Magoon. So, to read all about the two picture books, here is last week’s column. Today, I’ve got some art to share.

Enjoy. Read the rest of this entry �