This week I spread all the
Moose book art out on my dining room table to check for consistency and final touch-ups. Sometimes it's
really hard to know if a piece is finished. At this point I usually go through a round of neurotic panic... What if it's awful? Should I have done it differently? Should I chuck it all and go work at some big box store?...
Then my husband laughs at me and says I do this after every project. He's right. And in talking to my artist friends it seems we all go through this to some extent. Phew! I must be normal.
Here's a rough sketch from the Moose book. I'm deep into final art right now and having a blast drawing the huge variety of critters in this book– birds, bugs, marine life, mammals– and, of course, Moose!
Here's a snippet of a sketch from the
book I'm working on now. I'm loving this Moose who likes to hide in plain sight!
According to the Web site, Recess, this month we also celebrate Kindergarten Day, in honor of Friedrich Froebel who was born on April 21, 1782, and who started the first Kindergarten in Germany in 1837. The school was built upon a series of innovative principles that used the innate curiosity and interests of children to guide them to see what Froebel believed to be the harmonious, interconnectedness of all things -- through song and play (which was unheard of in earlier schools); daily lessons in drawing, design, and other artistic activities; and learning through active doing and close contacts with the natural world -- many of the kindergartens actually had real gardens attached to them that the children tended and in doing so, Froebel believed, cultivated their own inner lives.
I attended kindergarten in Germany, long before I knew the connection between Froebel, Germany and kindergarten. This just happened to be where my grandparents lived and where we were staying when I was 5. What are my memories of kindergarten? My best friend’s name was Christina and when I received a beautiful doll that Christmas, I named the doll after her. (I still have that doll!) I remember the annual Christmas program and singing carols in German by candlelight. I remember being scolded for being too loud and giggly (a recurring theme throughout my life!). I remember being equal parts exhilarated and intimidated by this new setting and experience.
Kindergarten is such a big step for the young child. A step away from home and into the world of others—without the comfort of family beside you. Here’s a poem to celebrate this momentous life experience.
“How are you today?”
by Stephanie Calmenson
Good morning!
Who’s sleepy?
Who’s sniffly?
Who’s jumpy?
Who’s grumpy?
Who’s silly?
Who’s happy?
Who’s listening?
Who’s ready to learn?
Who’s ready to play?
Who’s ready to start
Our kindergarten day?
From: Calmenson, Stephanie. 2005. Kindergarten Kids: Riddles, Rebuses, Wiggles, Giggles, and More! New York, NY. HarperCollins Publishers.
*This poem begs to be read with pantomimed motions and expressions: sleepy, sniffly, jumpy, grumpy, silly, happy, listening, learning. Brainstorm which gestures and expressions to use together and then re-read the poem with accompanying actions.
*To follow up: Kids can discuss their first day of kindergarten. Was it a positive or negative experience? Were they happy or sad, excited or afraid? What about other memorable days or experiences in kindergarten? Any fun photos or drawings to share?
[With thanks to Nora Sanchez for finding and sharing this poem.]
Picture credit: Me in kindergarten in Germany
Author: Stephanie Calmenson (on JOMB)
Illustrator: Justin Sutcliffe
Published: 1994 Clarion Books (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0395654777 Chapters.ca Amazon.com
Crisp, candid photographs and friendly, fact-filled text tell the true tale of an exceptionally lovable dog who, through the generosity, skill and hard work of herself, her master, her trainers and vet, brings joy and companionship to strangers.
More stories about the impact of visiting dogs:
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Stephanie Calmenson
Author: Stephanie Calmenson
Illustrator: Jan Ormerod
Published: 2007 Clarion Books (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0618510346 Chapters.ca Amazon.com
Three adorable dogs and plenty of vicarious petting cleverly disguise the delivery of essential, clearly stated instructions for dealing with dogs — friendly and otherwise. If only instruction manuals were all so thrilling.
Other safety books mentioned:
More Dogs on JOMB:
Check out the full list of non-fiction picture books nominated for the 2007 Cybils Awards here.
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By Anatoly Liberman
Even though etymology rests on the solid foundation of the comparative method, its conclusions are tentative, like those of all sciences dealing with reconstruction. Knowledge of sound correspondences and historical facts may prevent researchers from making silly mistakes, but it often fails to point the way to the best solution. In tracing the prehistory of words, serendipity and inspiration still play (and will always play) a role. The next two essays on this blog owe their existence to a happy coincidence. In some British dialects, pimp means “small bundle of firewood.” This fact (recorded in the OED) has been celebrated, to use a trendy word, in several books on language, though I am not aware of anyone’s attempt to explain the second meaning. Nor did I intend to delve into this problem, but, when I read about pimp “bundle,” I decided, out of curiosity, to look it up in several dictionaries. One definition struck me as nearly incredible: pimp “faggot.” Faggot, it will be recalled, besides being an insult, means “bundle of sticks.” How could one opprobrious word become the definition of another? This is what made me study both of them. My conclusions have a few holes, but perhaps they will partly dispel the obscurity enveloping the etymology of pimp and faggot. At the moment, all dictionaries say: “Pimp. Origin unknown.” (more…)
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Wow! Congratulations!!! And your work is always lovely. I'm sure it's just the usual panic. Books are such an investment of work and emotion, it's hard to NOT have those doubtful moments. Oh, and any book about a Moose ends up on my shelf - can't wait to see YOURS.
Aw, Gina! Thanks so much! It really is like sending a child out in to the world... scary and exciting at the same time. And I'm glad you like Moose(s)! :-)
Wow... it's really impressive seeing them all piled on the table that way! We already know the quality will be high... but the sheer quantity, unbound! You don't see that everyday!!
Carry on the good work!!!
Jennifer, having seen your sketches and other books you've illustrated, I have total faith in you. Thank you for working so hard to bring my words to life!
M-- Thank you!
Stephanie-- Thank you for the vote of confidence! I absolutely love your story, with its layers of learning AND humor! It's truly been a joy to work on. Hope we get a chance to meet some time! :-)
I have the feeling a certain Moose is going to introduce us sometime. I look forward to it.
Me too, Stephanie!
Hi Jennifer - I'm new to your site. Love your work - so delightful and full of movement. I think most artists feel the way you do - whenever I see a past work of mine I think, why didn't I do this - or add that? It's just the creativity gene and the additional life experiences that want to be added to our work. I wonder what Davinci would say about Mona Lisa---I should have made her smile....? I'll be checking back in (P.S. love your cats in hats--made me smile.
Laura Anne-- Thanks for stopping by and for your kind words! I think doubt is part of creative process for sure... but good, if it keeps us exploring. Love thinking about the creative process. :-)