7-Imp’s 7 Kicks #649: Featuring Barbara McClintock
August 4th, 2019 by jules
Every now and then I like to check in with author-illustrator Barbara McClintock to see what’s she up to. Lucky me: She answered that question for me with this post, having sent some images (both sketches and final art) from a book she will see published this coming Spring (from Scholastic), The Three Little Kittens. (I’ve seen some Instagram posts from Barbara about this book, and I’m so happy to share some images here today.)
Now, let me say, though, in the name of first-things-first: Barbara has a glorious new picture book out now. It’s called Vroom!, and I reviewed it for the Horn Book. If they happen to post that review online, I’ll certainly link to it later here at 7-Imp. You definitely don’t want to this miss book, one of my very favorites from this year. More on that soon, I hope. Oh, and here’s the cover:
Now back to the kittens . . .
Barbara tells me: “I think I’d like to be a cat. The food is good; there’s lots of nap time interspersed with hunting; and who wouldn’t want all that quality lap time?” I am in agreement with her on this. Below are more of her sketches and art from next year’s Three Little Kittens. Let’s just sit back and take in the beauty and the energy, shall we? I thank her for sharing.
(Click to enlarge and notice the KITTY!)
Orlando (the Marmalade Cat) series
(Barbara: “I loved Marmalade when I was little and still do.”)
(Click to enlarge)
(Click to enlarge)
All images posted by permission of Barbara McClintock.
Note for any new readers: 7-Imp’s 7 Kicks is a weekly meeting ground for taking some time to reflect on Seven(ish) Exceptionally Fabulous, Beautiful, Interesting, Hilarious, or Otherwise Positive Noteworthy Things from the past week, whether book-related or not, that happened to you. New kickers are always welcome.
1) My daughters start school NEXT WEEK. The kick is: Savoring time with them this weekend.
2) I’m spoiled by good new books: I finished Colson Whitehead’s The Nickel Boys on Tuesday (feeling devastated by the ending while sitting on a plane and a pre-pubescent boy next to me was dancing to the Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack, frequently elbowing me); I finished Margaret Renkl’s also devastating and beautiful Late Migrations; and I finally started Ocean Vuong’s On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous.
3) New music coming from The New Pornographers:
4) And thanks to a tip from Little Willow, I know there is also new music coming from Elbow:
5) Beautiful Concord, Mass.
6) “A really good middle-grade novel … will supersede a lot of contemporary fiction in terms of economy, lucidity and grace.” — Jia Tolentino’s comment in this NYT profile. I mean, she’s saying what we already know, but still … hear! hear!
7) A reminder at Twitter from author Phil Bildner:
A back-to-school message for educators:#LGBTQ kids existence is not rated T for Teen. It’s not rated M for mature. Their existence is E for Everyone. Their existence is not inappropriate or controversial. Respect the humanity of their existence in your community. #LGBT
— 🏳️🌈Phil Bildner🏳️🌈 (@PhilBildner) August 2, 2019
What are YOUR kicks this week?
These three little kittens are much-needed bursts of colorful joyous fun this morning.
Jules – how is this summer almost over already? Glad you are getting to savor the time before school starts with your girls. Thanks for the book and music recs!
My kicks this week:
1) Took Daisy to her new swimming lesson – this is freestyle in a pool just for dogs – she did well but likely 2 more sessions until she’s ready to swim with just me and no instructor.
2) Writing outside with coffee, sunshine and a nice breeze.
3) A good work session with my team.
4) Discussions for new projects on the horizon.
5) Birthday drinks for a friend.
6) Completing small home improvement projects this week have made me feel a sense of accomplishment and make the house look nicer. Win – win.
7) Listening to The Highwomen and Dolly Parton singing.
7.5) Having the time to chill out with an old rom-com and Daisy and friends.
Have a great week Imps!
Hello, Imps and kittens! Hi, Barbara and Barbara’s adorable cat! What’s their name?
Jules: I hope they enjoy the rest of their summer break, then have a wonderful start to the new school year! Glad that you like the new Elbow song. It is, as the kids say, a mood. Speaking of elbows and kids, sorry that the kid next to you on the plane was elbowing you, though I’m glad he was so moved by music that he was dancing! Three cheers for that tweet.
Rachel: I’m now picturing a group of canine synchronized swimmers (all different types and sizes, all having the time of their lives) in matching outfits, complete with swim caps!
My kicks for the past week:
1) Offers
2) Acceptance
3) Performing
4) Explaining
5) Connecting
6) Joy
7) Hope
Thank you for sharing this process art from Barbara McClintock. And I need to get a copy of Vroom!, too. Thank you! I wish you loads of magical moments with your daughters before they return to school Jules.
Hooray for Daisy’s swimming accomplishments, Rachel.
I’m hanging onto hope, too, Little Willow.
My kicks:
Let me say, this week was a challenge. I will look for silver linings.
1. Emergency dental work with my dentist out-of-town. I survived (barely) with an unknown but recommended dentist. Kick is pain is gone.
2. A meeting with company people will hopefully lead to finally getting outside of this new home fixed.
3. Survived food poisoning. Kick is I lost weight.
4. Flower gardens are marvelous
5. Honeybees in abundance
6. Cool nights for sleeping
7. Walks and snuggles with Mulan
Have a wonderful week, everyone.
Rachel, those are good kicks, but I’m partial to #2. I’m eager to hear that whole Highwomen album, aren’t you? It’s exciting.
Little Willow, yes, I appreciated that kid’s dancing, even if he was elbowing me. It was just … surreal to read the ending of that book and have a hyper person immediately to my right. Definitely memorable. … Congrats on your offers + accepting!
Margie, oh no! Food poisoning AND emergency dental work? I’m impressed you found some kicks. Best of luck with the house plans and work. … We read “The House of Trix” last night. OH MY GOD. That was WILD!
House of Trix was terrifying. I could not read it without stopping. I can’t wait to hear (read) your thoughts at the end. I really do love this book.
Little Willow – I LOVE that image of the dogs synchronized swimming! The place we go to has 2 locations & 1 of them has a recreational swim that *might* look a little like that: http://www.pawsrehab.net/recreation.html
Congrats on the offers – love kicks 1-3 and 6 & 7 the most this week.
Margie – congrats on surviving that week! Here’s to more walks and snuggles with Mulan in the coming week.
Jules – I am very much lookiing forward to the Highwomen’s album, as well as new music from the Dixie Chicks.
Have a great week y’all!