{"id":1530,"date":"2008-12-14T00:01:17","date_gmt":"2008-12-14T06:01:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/?p=1530"},"modified":"2013-03-23T19:13:40","modified_gmt":"2013-03-24T01:13:40","slug":"7-imps-7-kicks-93-featuring-leslie-evans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/?p=1530","title":{"rendered":"7-Imp’s 7 Kicks #93: Featuring Leslie Evans"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Jules<\/strong>: Welcome to our 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. Absolutely anyone is welcome to list kicks, even if (or especially if) you’ve never done so before. <\/p>\n

Today we welcome illustrator Leslie Evans<\/strong><\/a>, whose linoleum block prints from Carole Gerber’s<\/strong><\/a> Winter Trees<\/strong><\/em><\/a> adorn our post today; thanks to Charlesbridge, who published this title this past June, we have some more spreads from this lovely book below. This book is all about the wonder of winter and its trees, as seen through the eyes of a young boy and his dog, taking a walk in the snow, exploring shapes and textures and colors and the life of the trees: “Trees that once had leaves are bare. \/ They’re dressed instead in lacy white. \/ Snow dusts their trunks \/ and coats their limbs \/ with flakes that outline them with light.” We see—through the boy’s eyes—the maple tree, the beech, birch, and oak, as well as the yellow poplar, evergreen, and more. The book even closes with a spread about how to identify trees in winter.<\/p>\n

It’s a quiet, little wonder, this book. The verse is uncluttered and reverent, and Leslie’s brightly-colored block prints, decorated with watercolor and collage (with some digital enhancement, as well), are striking. Kirkus Reviews<\/em> called it a “subtle, stylish wintry nature walk” and a “visually striking, cozy winter read,” and Booklist<\/em> wrote, “{t}he blend of play, science, poetry, and art is beautiful.”<\/p>\n

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Leslie, who graduated with a B.F.A. in printmaking from the Rhode Island School of Design<\/strong><\/a>, has her own letterpress studio, Sea Dog Press<\/strong><\/a>, in Watertown, Massachusetts. Her other children’s titles are listed here<\/strong><\/a> at the site. A lot of you may remember her block print illustrations from Hey There, Stink Bug!<\/strong><\/em><\/a> by Leslie Bulion<\/strong><\/a> (Charlesbridge, 2006) and The Leaf Jumpers<\/strong><\/em><\/a>, also by Carole Gerber<\/strong><\/a> (Charlesbridge, 2004). <\/p>\n

Leslie’s art work will next appear in Faces of the Moon<\/em>, written by Bob Crelin<\/strong><\/a>, and to be published by Charlesbridge in July 2009. Here is what Leslie had to say about it: <\/p>\n

The publication of this book has been timed to coincide with the International Year of Astronomy 2009<\/strong><\/a>. The International Year of Astronomy (IYA2009) will be a global celebration of astronomy and its contributions to society and culture, highlighted by the 400th anniversary of the first use of an astronomical telescope by Galileo Galilei…<\/p>\n

The book features a clever hands-on device by the author featuring the waxing and waning of the moon which I think children (and adults) will really enjoy. There is also additional material provided after the main text for readers to continue their exploration of the moon and space. The illustrations are hand-watercolored linoleum cut prints.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Pictured here is the “Full Moon rises at sunset and sets at sunrise” spread:<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

“The FULL Moon, big and bright and round,
\nwith not a shadow to be found,
\nnow rules the heavens all night long
\nand sets upon the break of dawn.”<\/font><\/center><\/p>\n

Many thanks to Leslie for stopping by, especially for our sneak peek at the new title, and to Charlesbridge for sharing the art. We’ll say goodbye to Leslie with her holiday greeting, Season’s Eatings<\/em> (methinks those cookies are doomed), and don’t forget to check out her site<\/strong><\/a> for more information and news: <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

* * * eisha’s kicks * * *<\/strong><\/font><\/center><\/p>\n

1* What fabulous art. I love linoleum block printing. The detail on the moon kills me. And that dog is definitely up to no good.<\/p>\n

No means NO, Santa! Serious!2* Speaking of up to no good… here’s my nephew, meeting Santa. I love the “WTF?? I DO NOT WANT YOUR CANDY CANE, YOU FREAKY OLD MAN” expression he’s got going on.<\/p>\n

3* Christmas shopping is mostly done and\/or decided.<\/p>\n

4* I got together with Dana<\/strong><\/a> last weekend to make some homemade gifts. I’m not usually Martha Stewarty, so that was a novel experience for me. Apologies in advance to the friends and\/or relatives who are doomed to receive my efforts.<\/p>\n

OMG, you would not believe how good these are. I mean, were.5* While purportedly shopping for others, I scored a very cute buttony tweed vest at H&M<\/strong><\/a> for myself. I’ve been wanting one for ages because of Dr. Cameron on House<\/em><\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

6* I’ve been enjoying delicious homemade treats from co-workers and friends, like these insanely decadent chocolate thumbprint cookies<\/strong><\/a>, courtesy of Dana and Justin.<\/p>\n

7* I was very, deeply saddened to find out that my AppleCare extended warranty doesn’t cover accidents, since my new laptop encountered a bit of one recently. More bad news: they told me it would take 5-7 business days to repair. But the kicky part is that, after taking it in Wednesday afternoon, I got a call Friday that it was already fixed.<\/p>\n

8* BONUS KICK: Judy Blume<\/strong><\/a>!<\/p>\n

How ’bout you, Jules?<\/p>\n

* * * Jules’ kicks * * *<\/strong><\/font><\/center><\/p>\n

Eisha, I. LOVE. THAT. SANTA. PIC. And those cookies? Mmm. I want to pull one right off the screen and chow down. <\/p>\n

It’s nice to be joining together to list kicks with Eisha and with everyone this week. It always is, but I just feel, I dunno, wobbly this week. My husband’s work keeps laying off people; we’re both nervous about the economy; I feel really sad for people losing their jobs, especially at this time of year; my mother-in-law’s partner is very ill and hospitalized; and my girls and I got sick yet again this week. I don’t mean to be all gloomy; I’m just saying it’s nice to gather together all cyber-like and point out the positives. The Sunday kicks always help me find the little joys and remind me that our health and happiness is what really matters, as corny as that might sound. <\/p>\n

1). Because my oldest was ill this week, we missed the local library’s evening story-time event, in which you could come to the library in your PJs AND have holiday cookies AND meet the Snow Queen herself, which really bummed us all out. BUT, as it turns out, that very night we got a significant (for us) amount of snow! The four-year-old, who had<\/em> been ill, was well enough to go play in it the next morning. WOOT! It’s unusual in middle Tennessee to get snow before January. This picture here is right<\/em> before I got pelted with a (wee) snowball. <\/p>\n

2). I finished the novel We Need to Talk about Kevin<\/strong><\/a><\/em>, which had been recommended to me. And holy crap, it was terrifying. I have a new understanding now for what Zo\u00eb meant when she said<\/strong><\/a> that she read it when she was pregnant and that it was not unlike reading a horror novel. But the kick here is that Lionel Shriver<\/strong><\/a> is a really terrific writer (although, having read two of her novels lately, I’m going to move on to someone else.)<\/p>\n

3). My husband and I rented and watched Persepolis<\/strong><\/em><\/a>, and I highly recommend it. It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before, and the animation—with hints of shadow puppetry—is superb. You can see what I mean here<\/strong><\/a> with a small trailer (I’m doing my best to talk someone else into seeing it and talking with me about it.)<\/p>\n

4). Puppet shows with my girls this week. I captured this photo of the intense drama that was taking place, complete with an audience of stuffed kitty cats (not pictured), who were deeply absorbed in the show. My four-year-old gets the credit for the creative title of this particular production. (Before you ask, I’m not sure about this “chickety” breed of pig either.)<\/p>\n

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5). Stuffed versions of Max<\/strong><\/a> and George<\/strong><\/a> appear prominently in our Christmas card photos this year. In fact, my three-year-old is making almost the exact same mischievous face as Max. This is normal for her. <\/p>\n

6). I picked out Eisha’s Christmas gift. And her nice husband’s. <\/p>\n

7). Good books: I read Skim<\/a><\/em><\/strong>, written by Mariko Tamaki<\/strong><\/a> and illustrated by Jillian Tamaki<\/strong><\/a> (and that would be thanks to Susan’s November post<\/strong><\/a> about the New York Times Book Review’s<\/em> great slide show of Best Illustrated Children’s Books 2008); I’ve started Neil Gaiman’s<\/strong><\/a> Graveyard Book<\/strong><\/em><\/a>; and I’m reading Elisha Cooper’s<\/strong><\/a> memoir on his first year as a father<\/strong><\/a>. <\/p>\n

What are YOUR<\/font> kicks this week? <\/p>\n

* * * * * * *<\/center><\/p>\n

Illustrations from WINTER TREES. Text copyright \u00a9 2008 by Carole Gerber. Illustrations \u00a9 2008 by Leslie Evans. Reproduced by permission of the publisher, Charlesbridge, Watertown, MA. <\/p>\n

FACES OF THE MOON illustration reproduced with permission of the illustrator and publisher. All rights reserved and all that good stuff. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Jules: Welcome to our 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. Absolutely anyone is welcome to list kicks, even if (or especially if) you’ve never done so before. Today we welcome […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[21,26,2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1530","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-seven-good-things-before-monday","category-nonfiction","category-picture-books"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1530","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1530"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1530\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1530"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1530"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1530"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}