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By: Bowie Style,
on 7/8/2012
britain may be having the wettest summer on record (thanks to the jet stream) but for those heading off to the sun paperchase currently have the perfect travel and accessory range - sunshine holiday. its ideal for children and those who like a cute character print as it features fun animals seen going off to the beach, sightseeing, on days out and jetting off for holidays.
By: Bowie Style,
on 7/8/2012
every summer paperchase produce a range of holiday and travel accessories including items such as passport holders, ticket wallets, luggage, camera cases and travel journals. strong themes this year included tickets and of course with the jubilee and olympics lots of london imagery. here are a few highlights from this years designs... Read the rest of this post
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By: Will Terry,
on 7/8/2012
By: Mai Kemble,
on 7/8/2012
I sure did a lot of painting this weekend!!! Two for the Christmas theme... and then a handful of Lou Lou... I will post one here that I especially liked painting... but not all... gotta save some for when its published! ;)
This time I received an inquiry from someone who claimed to find the posts on my blog engaging, but didn't name my blog other than the URL, didn't call me by name or say what they found so engaging about them or give any examples. In other words, the same email was sent to however many bloggers they thought might respond. They offered a guest post on changes in the English language connected with workplaces and said they worked for a "resource" but didn't name it. PUH-LEASE!
The topic of changes in the language might have been interesting and if this person had shown the slightest hint of having actually been reading my blog, they would at least have had a polite reply from me saying I appreciated the offer, but my guest posts are by invitation only and are connected with books and writing.I might have directed them to another blog which could help them. Or hell, I might even have asked them for further details.
As it was, I deleted without replying, and this is how I will respond in future to any such email. I agree with my friend Lan Chan that this is the only way to treat such inquiries.
By: Lisa Yee,
on 7/8/2012
The American Library Association (ALA) Conference is way extensive. If you don't believe me, look here and here.
So what does one do after they've conquered the conference floor?
(Photo courtesy of Roxyanne Young!)
Simple. They collapse.
(Above: San Francisco Librarian Carla Kozak naps with her favorite Peep.)
FunCarlaFact #1: She was on the Newbery committee that selected one of my favorite books as the winner, WALK TWO MOONS.
FunCarlaFact#2: She gave "Cousin Carla" to me. You can see Cousin Carla co-starring in this video.
(Disclaimer: No actual Peeps were injuring in the making and/or microwaving of this video.)
Now, even though everyone is exhausted after a full day of conferencing, there's not much time to recharge because the evenings are full of parties!
Scholastic had their annual ALA Family Dinner at a tres chic restaurant a couple of miles down the road. I opted to drive rather than board the bus Scholastic had rented. Only, I got stuck in traffic . . .
So I texted my pal Dan Santat to see if everyone on the bus was as frustrated with the traffic as I was . . .
That's when I learned that the "bus" was a Hummer limo!!!
Since I beat the limo to the restaurant, Peeps and I checked out the place . . .
By: penelope,
on 7/8/2012
Jill McDonald graduated from Rhode Island School of Design in 1998 with a degree in textile design. She then went on to work for Baby Gap as a print stylist in Gap’s Manhattan, NY design headquarters. After two years at Gap Jill made the decision to return to her hometown of Kansas City, Missouri where she joined Hallmark Cards working as an illustrator for three years.
In January 2004 Jill felt the time was right to strike out on her own and founded Jill McDonald Design. Jill specializes in surface design collections and illustrations oriented towards baby and kids. Jill has illustrated many children’s books, created bedding collections, Scrapbooking lines, Christmas collections, Stationary collections & Wall art. Jill is now working with her team on a line of products under her name.
By: Sophia Whitfield,
on 7/8/2012
By: Wendy Orr,
on 7/8/2012
I'm fascinated by how composers work - other people's art tends to sound much more romantic than your own– and so I'm delighted to hear that for practical purposes, it doesn't matter so much whether you're creating stories with musical notes, or with words: at some point you have to sit down, do it, and keep on doing it till you get it right. And of course that's easier with an animal around.Katy Abbott is an Australian classical composer: www.katyabbott.com She writes music for orchestras, chamber ensembles and choirs from all over Australia. https://www.facebook.com/KatyAbbottComposerHave you ever been inspired by an animal, or animals in general, in your life or art?Not specifically with music but having the dog in the studio with my while I compose generally keeps me in there longer and is a lovely (quiet) companion.I have recently had to say goodbye to my lovely old cat. She used to sit on my knee with her legs over my arms while I typed in notes. Not so helpful!
Animals inspire me. Domestic animals played a huge role in my childhood and I had many strong bonds with my animals over the years, particularly my first 20 years.
Hermione looking 'a bit too comfortable' in Katy's studio I had many pets as a child: dogs (Penny and Flossie), cats (Twopence and Homer), fish (Threepence, Fourpence), budgie (Blinky - so original!), horses (Dandy and Kalifa). I also had rabbits and mice but they didn't last so long I am afraid. However, a friend in my (suburban) street had a deer that slept on her bed and I always thought that sounded fabulous.Do you have an animal companion now? How did it get its name?I have an 11 month old chocolate Labradoodle named Hermione. She got her name from a popular children's book about a boy wizard. My children had just finished reading the first book when she came into our family. I would have liked to call her Gretel. But I was talked down. Her nickname is Eeny Meenie Miny Moe.(sp?)What would your pet tell us about you?My husband says that Hermione and I are soul mates. We are starting to look like each other. I am not sure what to make of this but she has the same brown hair as I do and as it grows we both get lighter on the ends.If you were an animal, what would you be?Ooh, that's tricky. I'd probably say a hermit crab as I like to sit in my studio and hide away writing music. It sounds romantic doesn't it? If only it were! In fact, it's often quite difficult. My favourite studio days are when I have the heater going on a dark Melbourne brooding day. I tend to work very well in the winter. So perhaps I should say I would be a Hermione, curled up by the fire.Favourite animal books?The Famous Five. I used to love Timmy the dog.
By: Ratha M.,
on 7/8/2012
Write Your Own Mystery or Fantasy
Today's Write On Writing Prompt is a great call out to all you aspiring writers. It comes to us from Fulafuj (who has the most awesome Profile Avatar I've ever seen). Fulafuj prompts:
Write your own mystery. Or fantasy. It has to be adventurous.
Since we wouldn't have room to post an entire story, we challenge you to write the first line of your epic mystery or fantasy. There are some great first lines to stories that suck you in. Like . . .
"It was a dark and stormy night." (from A Wrinkle in Time)
Or
"Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say they were perfectly normal, thank you very much." (from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone)
Got a great first line for a mystery or fantasy story? Or if you'd rather, post a summary paragraph for your story idea! Be as creative and crazy as you like. Thanks for the great prompt, Fulafuj!
—Ratha, Stacks Writer
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By: Kathy Temean,
on 7/8/2012
Tying Your Book to Academic Standards and
Using Academic Standards as a Key Marketing Tool
By: Jennifer Reinharz, M.S.Ed
Jane Kirkland is the creator of Take a Walk Books (www.takeawalk.com), a self published nature book series as well as an accomplished and award winning author, speaker, photographer and TV/radio personality.
When educators purchase books and materials to use in the classroom, they make sure their selections are aligned with the state’s academic standards. When writers market their work, they think about the best way to appeal to the audience.
By tying her books to academic standards, Ms. Kirkland has found a creative but practical way to bridge these two worlds. She recommends that writers try it as it is an opportunity to market one’s work, sell more books and programs, and gain a deeper understanding of the audience, school-aged children.
What are academic standards?
Academic standards are a list of learning goals that children must meet in every grade or every other grade. They are divided into two types: content standards or what a student needs to know and performance standards or how well a student can perform that goal.
Standards exist in each of the main content areas: English/Language Arts (ELA), Social Studies, Math and Science. The academic standards do not provide materials or assessment. It is the role of the teacher and administrators to determine the method or curriculum for teaching these goals.
Academic standards for students in grades K-12 continue to evolve. Standards typically vary by state and in some cases, by city. In 2010, the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices, Council of Chief State School Officers created a set of standards called the Common Core State Standards for Math and English/Language Arts (which includes literacy in Social Studies and Science). To date, 45 states have voluntarily adopted these standards. Effective September 2012, all of the school districts in these states will align their related curriculum with the new learning goals.
What does this mean for writers?
Administrators and teachers are and will continue to pay close attention to fiction and nonfiction materials purchased for the classroom to ensure that they fit with the academic standards.
By correlating one’s work to current standards, it becomes a viable teaching tool that helps to supplement curriculum. It also might become recommended or required reading. This can help sell more books.
By correlating school programs to the standards, a writer expands her funding sources beyond parent associations to include the school district and educational grants. It can also help to secure annual school visits and sell more programs.
Knowing the standards gives a writer a better understanding of what the reader is supposed to know and be able to do at his grade level.
Here’s an example:
With her Take a Walk Books in mind, Ms. Kirkland read the 4th grade Pennsylvania Science Standards. One 4th grade learning goal is that children must be able to compare lotic with lentic water systems. To help students understand this concept, she included the definitions of lotic and lentic in t
By: Tara Lazar,
on 7/8/2012
Allow me to reveal the cover of THE MONSTORE, my June 2013 picture book illustrated by James Burks!
It’s so fabulous I spend hours staring at it as if I’m a 7th grade dork in love with a 1981 poster of Rick Springfield.
Forget about wishing to be Jessie’s girl, I’d rather be James’s girl, ’cause the dude seriously knows how to whiz-bang-kaPOW a picture book cover. ( Oh, Rick, please don’t take it personally.)
That’s main character Zack front-and-center with his pesky little sister Gracie popping into the frame. The hulking orange guy is Manfred, the flying monster is Mookie, and that’s Mojo with the striped, wiggling arms and crooked horns. Peeper is the little eyeball perched on the Monstore sign, although he isn’t named in the book. He’s James’s invention!
That leaves the red broom guy. And guess what? He doesn’t have a name. Well, he does because James names all the character he draws, but this monster never gets mentioned in the story.
So here’s a monster of a contest for ya: try to guess the name James gave him! If you do, you’ll win an original, autographed monster sketch by the talented Mr. Burks. If no one guesses his correct name, or if there’s more than one correct answer, the ultimate winner will be decided by Random.org.
You get one entry for commenting and then one additional entry for each place you share THE MONSTORE cover—Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc. Just leave a comment letting us know!
Hope you love the cover!
And if Rick Springfield is out there, how about playing my book launch party?
Have your people call my monsters.
By: Medeia Sharif,
on 7/8/2012
By: Rebecca Ryals Russell,
on 7/8/2012
Awhile back I watched a great documentary about Dragons on the History Channel. It was different because it explored the scientific and historical findings that lead through civilizations. From Mesopotamia, Babylon, Egypt, Carthage, Scandinavia, China and Japan through the Middle Ages, across the ocean into Mexico with the Olmecs and Aztecs who performed human sacrifice to appease their dragon deity to Native North Americans and present day, the basic concept of the dragon has endured throughout millennia. The first evidence of dragons appeared in Mesopotamia 6000 years ago when the first written records were made. In this myth a good dragon, Marduk, slays the evil dragon, Tiamat, and uses the carcass to create all of the elements necessary for creation of the world. The question is why a dragon? Where did this concept originate? Why not a bear or wolf? Continue reading
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By: Maria Gill,
on 7/8/2012
Young Adult Novel
The Nature of Ash by Mandy Hager, Random House NZ
This excellent author has followed up her successful futuristic trilogy with an exciting, fast-moving thriller for teens, also set in a future New Zealand. But the timeframe of this novel isn’t as distant as the one in the trilogy – it’s a New Zealand very recognisable to our current generations, with a few nasty political developments thrown in. Ashley’s life turns to chaos when his father (a trade unionist) is killed by a bomb. He has to take responsibility for his younger brother Mikey, who has Downs Syndrome, and also for his grandmother who has dementia and lives in a rest-home. To add to his confusion, he discovers that his long-lost mother is still alive, but caught up in a terrorist group called Muru. Ash sets off to locate and confront his mother at the Muru secret hideaway, along with Mikey and two other teen friends. Their expedition ends in disaster and they only just escape with their lives. Further developments reveal that Ash and his friends are being used as pawns in a game controlled by much more powerful players. The plot races on relentlessly, the characters are believable, and the New Zealand of a few decades from now is chillingly credible. I couldn’t put the book down. Recommended for teens, especially boys.
Having lived in Wellington, I am familiar with the coastline where Rachael set this story, and must congratulate her for using the landscape so well to create the wild and slightly threatening atmosphere. I also admired her initiative in creating a New Zealand version of the old selkie legend. The story is interesting and mysterious – and extremely well-written. Jake enjoys wandering the wind-swept beaches and rocks, but his life changes dramatically when he discovers a sealskin hidden in a rocky cleft and ta
By: Dan Rude,
on 7/8/2012
Summer can be fun, but it can also be productive! You have a million things going on, but trust me, you can always squeeze in an ALSC webinar. It’s just an hour!
An hour, you say? Yes! An hour chock-full of great ideas and topics on which you crave more information! ALSC webinars are hosted by great instructors who have been there and know what sort of challenges you face today. Take a look at some of the upcoming webinars this summer:
July
Give Me Something to Read! When Social Networking Meets Readers Advisory
Tues., July 10, 2012, 6 – 7 PM CT
Instructor: Joella Peterson, Children’s Librarian, Tumwater (Wash.) Timberland Regional Library
Caldecott Uncovered: What Youve Always Wanted to Know About the Caldecott Medal
Thurs., July 12, 2012, 6 – 7 PM CT [FULL]
Instructor: Rita Auerbach, former Caldecott Award Chair
August
Give Me Something to Read! When Social Networking Meets Readers Advisory
Thurs., Aug. 9, 2012, 10 11 AM CT
Instructor: Joella Peterson, Children’s Librarian, Tumwater (Wash.) Timberland Regional Library
September
The Fine Art of Childrens Book Illustration*
Tues., Sept. 18, 2012, 3 4 PM CT
Instructor: Dilys Evans, author and artist
November
The Fine Art of Childrens Book Illustration*
Thurs, Nov. 8, 2012, 3 4 PM CT
Instructor: Dilys Evans, author and artist
*This webinar is being offered free to personal ALSC members. Registration for non-members is $55.
Archived Webinars
Missed a webinar you wanted to attend? Dont worry! ALSC presents archived versions of webinars, which are offered at a discounted price. Archived webinars cost only $25. Please note that recorded versions are not available until all of the live sessions of that webinar have taken place. See the complete list of archived webinars at: http://www.ala.org/alsc/edcareeers/profdevelopment/alscweb/webinars
ALSC Online Education Proposals
Have an idea for an ALSC webinar or online course? The ALSC Education Committee is adding to ALSC’s online course and webinar offerings. If you are interested in teaching a course or webinar, please fill out the online education proposal form found at ALSC’s website: http://www.ala.org/alsc/online-education-proposal
By: Betsy Bird,
on 7/8/2012
If we feel like getting technical about it the mid-year point really would have been around the time of the last ALA Conference. Alas, I’ve put it off until now. No longer! With my ear planted firmly to the ground I’ve been snuffling about (weirdo mixed metaphor alert), talking to folks, trying to get a sense of where the buzz lies. Buzz is a pitch poor method of predicting this award, but it’s all we’ve got, guys. It’s all we’ve got.
On to the maybes!!!
Newbery 2013
Let’s break this up in a new way, this time around. Usually I just like to list the names and the books and leave it at that. But a wave of creativity has crested over me and what the hey. Let’s go with the flow. It is summer, after all.
Early Contenders
In my last prediction post I listed five books with real potential. Of those titles, only two came out in the spring. The first of these, and the one that folks mention the most often, was of course, Wonder. Usually when a book of this caliber gets this much attention early in a year (heck, it even appeared on my Top 100 Chapter Books Poll at #65) then there’s a backlash to contend with. In this particular case, Wonder hasn’t had to deal with the kind of scrutiny a book like Okay for Now had to suffer. That said, before he died Peter Sieruta came up with a list of questions that we need to seriously ask before we just hand a Newbery over to Wonder, no holds barred. Still, even after we consider that list, nothing has quite toppled Wonder from its throne . . . and yet . . .
The other spring release I mentioned was The One and Only Ivan. Sadly, Ivan’s not getting the support needed for a true Newbery break for the gold. Early good word sustained it for a while, but the buzz has at the moment died down significantly. Seems that there are other books out there from the spring getting more attention. Books like . . .
Summer of the Gypsy Moths by Sara Pennypacker. I’m woefully behind in my reviews or I would have tackled this one already. Regardless, this book’s really remarkable from start to finish. I like to hold up the cover and then pronounce, “It’s about two girls who bury a corpse in their backyard. It’s Shallow Grave for kids”, which is a kickin’ description, if not ent
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By: CHRISTOPHER CHENG,
on 7/8/2012
Posted on 7/8/2012
Okay, how can you not love a literary prize where an article about it notes:
But since the case of Weiss, "everyone is just waiting for someone to at least eat their manuscript again," said Doris Moser.That's from The scandalous history of the Ingeborg Bachmann Prize by Marlis Schaum and Dirk Ulrich Kaufmann at Deutsche Welle -- who note that:
The list of controversies at the literary competition in Klagenfurt is long and bizarre. From the indigestible to the unspeakable, nothing is too unappetizing to be omitted. Following one reading, the author Philipp Weiss ate his manuscript. During his presentation, young author Rainald Goetz cut open his forehead with a razorblade, and continued to read while covered in blood. And the Swiss author Urs Allemann ventured to read a text entitled Baby Fucker.But, alas, audiences waited in vain for anyone to pull out a knife and fork (or razorblade) this year again. Indeed. as they note:
This year's reading competition for the Ingeborg Bachmann Prize has been unusually trouble-free. There's been no cursing or spilling of blood.And they've now announced (only in German so far, last I checked) that Olga Martynova's text, Ich werde sagen Hi ('I'll say 'Hi''; not available at the site in English translation this year, unfortunately) took this year's prize; see also some of the (German) jury discussion.
Posted on 7/8/2012
In Czech diplomat's literary diplomacy in The Korea Times Kim Se-jeong profiles admirably activist Czech ambassador to South Korea Jaroslav Olša, jr..
Apparently:
Since 2010, 10 new Czech books have been published in Korea. And "Three more are on their way," he said.Hey, can we get this guy posted to the US (or UK) ?
One of his books, Modern Arti of Zimbabwe was even published in Korean in 2010.(Yes, he spent six years as ambassador to Zimbabwe.) Add a Comment
Posted on 7/8/2012
The most recent addition to the complete review is my review of Kees van Deemter writing In Praise of Vagueness, in Not Exactly.
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By: ADK,
on 7/8/2012
Welcome!
Thanks for visiting the official site of children’s author Artie Knapp!
Where Alligators Bowl, Roosters Moo, and Elephants work at car washes!
COPYRIGHT © 2012 ARTIE KNAPP
Use of any of the content on this website without permission is prohibited by federal law
By: Jerry Beck,
on 7/8/2012
From Marty to McHale to… Mermaidman. Ernie Borgnine was one of my favorite actors, whether playing super-hero or super-villain.
Borgnine died today at age 95 in Los Angeles. In addition to his semi-regular role on Spongebob Squarepants, in animation Borgnine lent his unique vocal talents to characters in All Dogs Go To Heaven (#2 and the TV series), Pinky and The Brain, The Simpsons (as himself), and in Joe Dante’s Small Soldiers. He made so many people happy with his many many on-camera performances. He was one of the best. Rest In Peace, sir.
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By: Ann Evans,
on 7/8/2012
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Excellent advice, Will! I have you to thank for teaching me how to work digitally.
the more I know, the more I realize I don't know. I guess when you don't know much, it seems like there's not much you don't know. Sad but true but I too see it every semester. There's always a student who is resistant and thinks they know better, even though I have been doing this for 20 years and I am just trying to share what little I have figured out in that time. Go figure...
I agree, the older I get, the more I realize how much I need to learn. I don't ever want to be complacent! There's such a wealth of information that my friends share (online as well as flesh and bone folks), if I didn't leave myself open to all of it, I'd miss so much awesomeness out there. I've worked with people who saw that as a sign of weakness, that if you don't know something you're somehow making yourself vulnerable. I don't see it that way, I see it as allowing someone to give you a gift that has great value. When you let someone teach you, they feel valued and you've made an investment in yourself, and others to whom you'll share! Excellent post as always, Will!
a : )
Totally thought I commented on this but long story short: Be teachable, if you're not, become that way
Rob - it's rare that the student ever gets to help the teacher out so I'm glad I could do a little to even the score :)
This person just left an email address...don't know if it was intentional so I just deleted it as it didn't offer anything...sorry Stew - nothing juicy :)
I think the plan is that we get to live just long enough to figure out that we're all morons. :)
Right on... :)
"people who saw that as a sign of weakness"...yup...I know them too...they're getting passed by in most cases...or nobody can stand to be talked at by them.
Great post Will. 80 and learning to paint digitally, fabulous! I just love that. Proof that we are never too old to learn. :D
Hey Will, I totally agree with your take on being teachable. The example you used of the 80 year old artist was a great way to enforce your point. For instance when I went to design school, I was taught how to draft manually, then to use autocad...when I rendered it was by hand in marker and coloured pencil, just as I graduated (2004) there was a shift in how things were done in the industy, and computer aided became the be-all and end all for presentation. But as I work digitally now (primarily self-taught) I can see how knowledge of traditional rendering techiques can be easily transfered to achieve simular effects, if one is willing to learn a whole new medium. Another great post! Keep learning so we can learn from you!!!
I also learned this from an 80 year old woman who was in my sculpture class in college. We had lunch after class that semester and even though I learned so much about life from her, she constantly reminded me that she was gaining just as much from me. I don't know that I believe her... But I've always admired her ability to absorb experiences like that.
On the Photoshop note... I would be interested in knowing how you handle layers now. I have heard of other illustrators creating backgrounds separate of character for animation purposes... But your early videos don't show you doing that. Just curious if your layering methods have changed since then.
Amen!
Right on...I think we're only in danger if we ever think we've figured it all out. It's tempting to get comfortable and think you have it dialed in but that's the first sign that you've stopped progressing right?
Hey Andi - you caught me! Just when I thought I had it figured out I realized that I needed to learn a whole new process in photoshop. So in my tutorials I never separated out any characters or objects from the background - never needed to for straight illustration assignments.
Even on my ebooks I didn't treat anything to it's own special layer.
Enter the app - Screeetch! Now I'm putting just about everything on it's own layer so that it can be animated. I'll be sharing more of that process in the future. I'm learning so much about making rudimentary animations and it's so much fun! I never saw this coming - even 3 years ago!
Hi Will,
What great thoughts on being teachable (or humble). Sadly, I worked in the design world for many years, where Jurassic sized egos still exist. Even as an AD, I would weigh a job candidate's worthiness more on his humility and teachability than on his past experience and portfolio. I never liked a know-it-all attitude -- huge turn off.
I've been so blessed in my life to have amazing "teachers" from all walks of life share with me little jewels of wisdom, creativity, technique and insight. I feel we can learn astounding lessons even from our students, as you brought out in your article.
I always believed that a natural sense of curiosity was key for a creative person to thrive. Curiosity is all about asking questions and being willing to accept the answers from where they come from. Then, it's your responsibility to do something with those answers...make something of them and share your art with others.
Keep on posting your awesome thoughts and those great tutorial videos. I loved your digital series on Folioacademy.com. I've been working digitally for more than a decade and still learned a lot of things I'd never even thought of. Some of your techniques helped me speed up my workflow by eliminating unnecessary steps.
I can't wait to see those upcoming posts on working with photoshop for apps.
Take care!
Thank you Tami - I can't tell you how therapeutic blogging has been for me. To connect with like minded people like you! All we can do is set the example of being open minded and hope it rubs off on others.
This was an awesome article...I only discovered your blog recently but I've definitely found it inspiring!
I am going through a transitional period in trying to become an illustrator and was having doubts that perhaps it's too late for me...but clearly, there's hope for me yet, as I'm told that I'm quite teachable. Once I am employed again I am also going to check out your courses - thank you for sharing, and keep on writing!