Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast

This image here is a development sketch that author/illustrator Scott Magoon sent out with a manuscript called The Boy Who Cried Bigfoot!, back when he was looking for a publisher for it. I love it.

The book was picked up, indeed, by Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books and published just last week.

In this entertaining story, an unidentified (at least for a while, that is) narrator introduces us to Ben, a “tenacious little fellow,” who likes to tell elaborate stories. His favorite tall tale, it seems, is about Bigfoot. Ben’s seen him, you see; at least that’s what he tells folks. But we readers are privy to his little secrets. For one, he uses props. (Ben is particularly adept at simulating very sasquatch-esque footsteps, as you can probably guess by spotting his giant, hand-constructed prop up above in that development sketch, as well as the title page illustration, below-left.)

The townsfolk, who appear to live in times past (“I just love going back in time a bit is all,” Scott told me, “especially old bikes and cameras”), are intrigued for a while, but they eventually give up on determined Ben, not believing his cries of wolf, so to speak. It was fun while it lasted, though. Ben clearly enjoys putting on a show. Read the rest of this entry �

Dear Imps, I am really very sorry that I don’t have art for you today, but I seem to have the flu that is making its way ’round the country. I was actually in Boston this week (yes, I adjusted my flight in time and made it back before the big blizzard hit), but right before I left, I got sick—there’s nothing like flying while having the stomach flu, and I hope this hasn’t happened to any of you—and I’m still fighting it off.

But, since I can’t not post at least one image, here’s one for you.

While in Boston, I had dinner with illustrators Sean and Belt Hilts (left), who visited 7-Imp in July and who are as nice as they are talented, as well as author/illustrator Scott Magoon (front). The woman next to me is a kicker, you all! It is very exciting when I get to meet one of you kickers in person. It’s Moira Swiatkowski, featured here last July, and she met us all the way out from Cape Cod. Read the rest of this entry �

Last Friday over at Kirkus, I wrote here about two recent reissues illustrated by Maurice Sendak — Janice May Udry’s The Moon Jumpers, originally released in 1959 from HarperCollins, as well as I Saw Esau: The Schoolchild’s Pocket Book, edited by the great Iona and Peter Opie.

I Saw Esau was reissued by Candlewick Press at the end of 2012 in honor of the book’s 20th anniversary.

Pictured above is a spread from I Saw Esau.

Today at Kirkus, I weigh in on Dan Yaccarino’s newest picture book, Doug Unplugged. That link is here.

Until later …

Read the rest of this entry �

Today over at Kirkus, I chat with Herman Parish. Herman is the nephew of Peggy Parish, the creator of the character Amelia Bedelia. Greenwillow/HarperCollins recently reissued Amelia’s first-ever tale, Amelia Bedelia, pictured below, published in 1963 and illustrated by Fritz Siebel. This 50th anniversary edition is filled with back matter about Parish and Siebel and the book’s creation, even including images of the book in its dummy stage. (I’ll have more on that next week here at 7-Imp).

The Q&A is here today. Enjoy.

I’ve featured a lot of student or brand-new illustrators lately and have yet another today. It’s the first Sunday of February, and the first Sundays of each month are devoted to the new folks, so I keep my promise today.

And I’m happy to welcome Colin Sutherland, whom I’d be pleased to tell you all about, but I’m going to hand 7-Imp over to him so that he can tell you about himself. He’s also sharing some art, of course, and my personal favorite is pictured above.

[Note: Colin and I would both like to point out that Bear Hunt, pictured below in this post, is—in Colin’s words—“a little graphic and upsetting.” Consider yourselves notified, dear Imps.] Read the rest of this entry �

Yes, lots of folks are visiting today.

First up, today over at Kirkus, I write a bit about two Maurice Sendak reissues. That link is here. (Just yesterday a friend sent me this link, too. Wow.)

Last week at Kirkus was “Going Beyond Black History Month.” Today, I share art from the books mentioned in that column, but I’ve got two added-extras: Author Charles R. Smith Jr. visits briefly to talk some about Brick by Brick, and I’ve also got some woodcuts from Andrea Cheng’s Etched in Clay: The Life of Dave, Enslaved Potter and Poet. This is a collection of free verse poems about the life of the potter, which was just released last month by Lee & Low Books. The book is filled with Andrea’s stark, beautiful woodcuts. I’m still reading this one — and enjoying it. Here is Kirkus’ starred review of the book. Read the rest of this entry �