By: Donna J. Shepherd,
on 5/9/2016
I LOVE it when I get pics of children reading "Ava's Secret Tea Party." This one has all the elements of a tea party on a boat - pearls, pink shoes, cool shades with bling (of course!) and ruffles. Precious!
By: Mayra Calvani,
on 3/16/2016
By: Petrina Case,
on 2/21/2016
By: ARIS,
on 2/15/2016
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By: Becca Fowler (PivotBookReviews),
on 1/4/2016
From Becca's Shelves... Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke & The Bookish. This week's topic is TOP TEN RESOLUTIONS I HAVE FOR 2016 aka "I resolve to finally FINISH reading these 10 books" (or a special edition of READ or DITCH for TTT). Because as everyone knows, Becca's reading year in 2015 is better known as the Year of the BIGGEST Book Slump of Mankind. So I kind of, sort of
By: Maryam Tabatabaei,
on 12/31/2015
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By: Kim Sponaugle,
on 12/9/2015
By: ARIS,
on 11/30/2015
By: Jessica Lanan,
on 11/18/2015
Hello, dear readers! Today I have a mishmash of a post to share with you, so I hope you’ll bear with me. (Ha.)
I have been on a bit of a quest lately to loosen up my technique. If you also struggle with this, know that you are not alone. It takes an enormous amount of practice to get the “quick and effortless” look instead of the “catastrophic disaster” look, so we watercolorists often get very tight and controlled in order to compensate. Of course, there are many different ways to work with watercolor and some artists do the “controlled” thing extremely well, but if you’re looking to loosen up, here are a few techniques I’ve stolen from other artists over the years that I’ve found helpful:
I hope those help someone out there just as they helped me!
In other news, copies of The Story I’ll Tell are here, so I can also do that second giveaway that I promised you several weeks ago.
The post office didn't do the best job ever on this one
Fortunately, the books are unscathed!
Leave a comment below if you’d like a chance to win a signed book! I’ll announce the winner next Wednesday.
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By: Maryam Tabatabaei,
on 11/10/2015
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By: Sara Burrier,
on 10/15/2015
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By: Zoe,
on 9/22/2015
When you look at your bookshelves what do you see beyond the spines and the dust on the shelves?
For many of the books which matter most to me I see virtual maps leading out of them; Paths and journeys that have ended up or – more often – begun with the book in front of me.
Some books have come in to my life by chance but have then spun me round with such a force it feels like my route onwards has been changed for ever more. Others have have been handed to me with a story of their own and with much love, building ties, threads and colourful strands between me and the giver that can’t ever be broken, however much changes in my life, and even within my relationship with that person.
Picturing these adventures that have brought the books to my shelves, or that have introduced new horizons for my own journeying, I am also aware that there are many directions and destinations and starting points I haven’t tried, that I don’t even know about.
This makes me a very hopeful reader.
Every book has the possibility of becoming that bend in the road, the crest of a hill where a whole new vista suddenly opens out in front of you and takes your breath away.
And so when I read Jake Hayes’ article, 50 Children’s Books to Save My Life earlier this summer when adventuring was in the air, I decided it was time to go exploring.
However, rather than choosing the route myself, I decided to ask friends, family and book-loving colleagues I admire to suggest interesting paths to take.
By signposting their own journeys, not only would I make some amazing bookish discoveries, I’d also build ties and strengthen friendships; reading a book may be a solitary activity, but reading a book loved by someone else starts conversations, brings understanding and builds empathy.
So now I can present to you my forthcoming reading journey.
All of these are books – at the time of asking for suggestions – which I had not previously read (you’ll no doubt raise your eyebrows at some of the classics which appear below). It’s an eclectic and marvellous list, the result of asking for books which meant a lot to the person suggesting them, either a children’s book, or a book which they had read as a child or teenager (even if it was technically something which might be found on a publisher’s adult list).
I wonder what you will make of this list…
In fact this list is only half the story; Several contributors couldn’t stop at just one recommendation, so I have a secondary list which is almost as long again!
I’ve begun gathering and reading my way through these books, inscribing books I buy (I’m trying to buy only from bricks and mortar shops, often second hand, so I have a copy of the list with me in my purse) with the name of the person who suggested it and a note on where I bought it (this was partly the reason behind my trip to Hay last month). I’m gradually building up a very special bookshelf.
Whilst I have enough to read to keep me out of trouble for many months, if you would like to recommend a book to me, please do so. I already know I would love to read it.
By: Donna J. Shepherd,
on 9/16/2015
Another adorable coloring page featuring characters in "Where is Salami?" (by Donna J. Shepherd, illustrated by Jack Foster).
By: Paula Becker,
on 9/1/2015
I did some illustrations for a cool series of educational/learning books from Cloverleaf books. This one is called “My Language, Your Language”. Samples below.
By: Thomas James,
on 8/5/2015
Illustrator Nigel Sussman is developing a really cool book project, and he needs your help!
“I am calling the project Alphabet Compendium; An Illustrated A-Z of Things. It will be an extensive illustrated alphabet book of objects. For each of the twenty-six letters there will be a visual representation creating an organic composition devoted to each character; even the color choices correspond with their respective letters. The entire book is basically a giant visual alliteration.”
Support Nigel’s project on Kickstarter here.
By: Darcy Pattison,
on 7/30/2015
As writers, we put our books out into the world, and they take on a life of their own, apart from us. But sometimes, we get an echo back about what the book is doing, who is reading it and how they are affected. This week, I had one of those incredible, amazing and powerful moments.
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When I worked on the story of an orphaned puma cub from Brazil, the scientists involved were incredibly generous with their time and information. Dr. Marcia Goncalves Rodrigues and Sergio A.P. Ferreira made this book possible. With the publication of the Brazilian translation, they are able to go into the schools with Project Abayomi and do education of teachers and students. Recently, over 500 teachers listened the story of the plight of pumas and other wildlife in urban areas of Brazil.
That’s exciting news, for sure. To see a book travel to a different country and start to make a difference is amazing.
And then, I received this special version of the Portuguese version of the book. What’s so special about it? Why am I grinning so crazily?
Because Abayomi himself signed this book. When the puma was receiving a regular medical checkup, Sergio inked his paw and added his paw print to my book. This is one of those teary moments when you realize that a book isn’t JUST a book. It’s an idea. Pumas face very real dangers from loss of habitat and urban encroachment on their habitat. It’a a small thing to write a book; but a small book can have a huge impact. Thanks, Marcia and Sergio for allowing me the privilege of having a small part in Abayomi’s story. It’s been incredible.
By: Heidi MacDonald,
on 6/3/2015
“James Robinson” himself, being assigned the Airboy comic for a reboot
For starters, this work is not for kids, and there might be a plot spoiler. With that out of the way, let’s review!
Airboy was originally made during the boom of super hero comics in the World War II era, where America dreamed of spandex clad heroes fighting not only super villains, but of the likes of Hitler and the entire Nazi army. One of the things that set him apart was that Airboy flew a plane with wings that flapped much like a bird’s. Even stranger, a Franciscan monk made both the plane and the superhero costume.
Aside from sharing the same name, that’s where the buck stops in this book. What we are instead given is a fast and illicit trip through one’s insecurities, and case of writer’s block.
Through the first few pages, it’s not the WWII flying ace that we see, but rather we are treated to a modern day man sitting on a toilet. Namely, we see writer “James Robinson” himself, being assigned the Airboy comic for a reboot. The story follows him, and later on artist Greg Hinkle, through a night of alcohol and drug fueled mayhem. Amid a wicked hangover, everything crescendos with a very “unlikely” visitor.
I must admit, it was weird seeing things from other end of the drawing board. Within the first couple of panels, confusion set in, and I read on wondering when this “Airboy” was going to make the scene. A number of pages later, all expectations of him and his flapping plane disappeared. I felt like some cardinal rule was getting broken. But as someone said some time long ago, rules are made to be broken.
The visuals reminded me a lot of “The Fifth Beatle” spliced with a Lewis Carroll drug trip. The use of solid colors as opposed to shading makes the art style unique
The story follows him, and later on artist Greg Hinkle, through a night of alcohol and drug fueled mayhemand pleasing to the eye. The drawing style is both clean and whimsical, making this story a fun and easy read.
Disregarding the art and the surprise twist at the end, the writing alone will keep any down to earth reader keep on reading. The frank, clear dialogue helps us relate to the characters it many ways, from their concerns and feelings, to the insane situations they are involved in.
All-in-all, I loved this story so far. It took me a few heartbeats to get passed my great confusion over the story title, but after that it was a good time. The humor and situations are very adult, so don’t be too shocked when you see male genitalia. Yup, you heard me.
This is a must read that should be picked up at your local retailer.
Airboy by Image Comics is available for sale as of today, June 3rd.
By: Donna J. Shepherd,
on 5/14/2015
Dotty's Topsy Tale - Now Available for Kindle! Dotty's Topsy Tale features Dotty, a pink hippo that doesn't quite fit in. With help from her best friend, Chizzy, she finds she can be happy with herself no matter what her color. The book introduces a purple baby hippo, Violet, to gently explore the topics of bullying and discrimination.
By: Mike Cressy,
on 4/4/2015
By: Donna J. Shepherd,
on 3/25/2015
(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.0"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk')); Reading Miss Emma Ant to 2nd Graders - Be sure to click through to a sampling of the letters and artwork
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By: andrea joseph,
on 3/19/2015
By: Donna J. Shepherd,
on 3/8/2015
My newest picture book for children is here! "Miss Emma Ant" tells the story of talented, hard-working Emma, the architect for her colony's anthills. Ants in the colony, not recognizing their own special skills, grow jealous of Emma, and taunt her until she quits her job. Chaos ensues! Will pleas from apologetic ants convince Emma to return to work? Vibrant, expressive illustrations and fun
By: Donna J. Shepherd,
on 2/19/2015
The picture book is coming soon! (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));Post by Donna J. Shepherd, Writer, Speaker, Singer.
Okay, so I'll post some work from old to new. Day 1 - Some work from early in my career.
By: Maryam Tabatabaei,
on 1/11/2015
What a Beautiful idea! I’m jealous of your adventures. My contribution is Moondial by Helen Cresswell which I absolutely adored as a child. Or, if you’ve read that one, then Just Nuffin by Colin Dann or The Runaway Summer by Nina Bawden. Both have fond childhood memories attached. Enjoy your journey! I’m looking forward to living it vicariously x
Carmen, I haven’t read any of these (in a way I feel lucky – I’m sure I’m going to enjoy reading them, and anticipation is such a delicious thing) – thank you so very much for suggestions. I’ve added them to my list in my purse now!
What a wonderful list. I too loved Conrad, the Factory Made Boy and The Phantom Tollbooth. I have thought long and hard about what I would recommend. There are so many. I love Pearl Buck’s The Big Wave and as a child Across the Barricades by Joan Lingard lingered with me for a long time and was the reason I needed to go to Belfast while I was in the UK recently.