I’ve been so lucky to have been kept incredibly busy over the last 7 months. Between illustrating a number of books for publishers that I’ve always wanted to work with, and doing book store appearances and accompanying food drives for local food pantries, and attending book shows and DIY book and comic shows like MOCCA and TCAF— I haven’t really had time for much else. Happily, because we homeschool, our kids were able to go with us to all of our events, either selling their own books at shows, or just getting to know a new city. And I won’t complain- I swear, we had a blast. The last book store we visited was the way way cool Librarie Drawn and Quarterly in Montreal, and we had an awesome turn out. Here are some pics from the event.
But now we put our suitcases away and things will get quiet. We’ll get reacquainted with friends, chickens and weed the already unruly garden. And soon start working on some new books, inspired by all the beautiful work we’ve seen, people we’ve met and places we’ve seen!
Feel like doing something GOOD today? How about sending some books to teenagers who don't have any? Check out
this massively cool initiative over at Guys Lit Wire to find how you can. I sent two copies of National Audubon Society's FIELD GUIDE TO INSECTS AND SPIDERS because, well, because there are kids at Ojo Encino Day School and Alchesay High School that wanted it. And I was in a position to make it happen.
Many thanks to the folks at Guys Lit Wire for giving us a chance to put books in the hands of kids who need them. You people ROCK.
Lifted in toto from Scott’s blog (Scott’s pal DT’s brother is one of the people behind this project):
This is a campaign called “One Home Many Hopes,” organized to ask people to consider donating $10 in an effort to raise $20,000 in 30 days.
”One Home Many Hopes” is a charity Jon Tapper, who owns a public relations firm in Boston called Melwood Global, helped put together last year after a good friend of his was moved to action by the poverty he saw in Mtwapa, Kenya.
In short, there is an orphanage, Mudzini Kwetu, which takes care of 35 girls, all of whom were rescued from the Mtwapa streets, where they searched through trash piles for food. Mudzini Kwetu not only gives these girls a home they didn’t previously have, it has also given them a childhood.
So the gist is that we’re trying to raise a lot of money—$20,000—in tiny donations by November 23. People can become a part of it by visiting Raceto20K.org to make a donation, as well as telling friends, families and colleagues about the effort.
They can also visit One Home, Many Hopes to learn more about this amazing organization.
There is absolutely no overhead for this charity—every last penny you give you will go directly to the girls.
Thanks to everyone who considers participating.
A couple of summers ago, on a weekend ramble through the neighborhood, the ALP and I stumbled on signs directing us to a used book sale at the Methodist Church. We followed them, of course, and found ourselves in a basement full of the best castoffs Park Slope had to offer. The ALP, who has an astounding memory, remembers purchasing Death Ship by B. Travern (author of Treasure of the Sierra Madre), and a hardcover edition of a little-known Victor Hugo novel called 'Ninety-Three; I think I bought an early Joan Silber novel whose title I can't remember (holy cow, get your hands on a galley of her new novel if you can, or reserve it for when it comes out in June), and another find or two.
So I was delighted to get an email from book sale coordinator Nancy letting me know that it's Methodist Book Sale time again! I'm just pasting the whole press release below. If you're a Brooklynite or can make it out here this weekend, it's a great chance not only to find some great treasures, but actually to cull your own book collection. Maybe we'll see you there!
* * *
The fabulous 15th annual BOOK SALE at Park Slope United Methodist Church is almost here!
* SATURDAY, Feb. 23 (8:30am to 4pm)
* SUNDAY, Feb. 24 (afternoon only – 1pm to 4pm)
As always, there will be thousands of new & used books as well as DVDs, CDs, records & tapes. Also a terrific Children’s Corner with books, games, videos & puzzles.
Books will be replenished throughout the day. This year we have a special collection of hundreds of early 20th century German language books (fiction & nonfiction), numerous French books, and lots of first editions of English and American fiction, drama & poetry. A browsers paradise!
Great prices! Cash only.
The church is on 6th Avenue at the corner of 8th Street in Park Slope.
We are still accepting donations (excellent condition only), on the following days:
* Monday, Feb. 18: noon to 7pm (Presidents Day)
* Thurs., Feb. 21: 7pm to 10pm
* Friday, Feb. 22: 10am to 9pm
No magazines or textbooks, please! To arrange a car pickup (Park Slope & vicinity only), please call Rick at 347.538.7604.
Evangeline Mudd and The Golden Haired Apes of the Ikkinasti Jungle
Author: David Elliott
Illustrator: Andrea Wesson
Publisher: Candlewick Press
ISBN-10: 0763618764
ISBN-13: 978-0763618766
Recommended for grades 2-4
When I was growing up, one of my favorite characters was Pippi Longstocking. I read all of Astrid Lindgren’s wonderful books over and over and over again. The things I loved so much about Pippi was that she was different, strong and forged her own path all the while being kind, good and caring.
Thank God for Pippi because she taught me to forge my own path, to turn away from what should have been my life and create something that I wanted rather than what I felt I should be stuck with. Evangeline Mudd is just such a character. She’s strong, she’s different, she forges her own path while being a kind and caring soul.
Evangline Mudd’s parents are primotologists (people who study apes and monkeys). They specialize in the Golden Haired Apes of the Ikkinasti Jungle. They also have a homey little cottage with a lovely garden back in England. They decide to raise their future child as much like the apes they study as possible. Once decided, Evangline is born right there in the garden. She grows up eating peanut butter sandwiches with her feet, swinging from chandeliers and taking a bath just every so often. She does have some non-ape type training, like learning the piano, wearing diapers and going to school.
Evangline and her parents have the ideal life and a lot of love till the day Dr. Aphrodite Pikkaflee needs the doctors Mudd to go back into the Ikkinasti Jungle on an emergency. Evangline is sent to stay with her father's "second cousin, twice removed" and his wife who was once a prima ballerina. They turn out to be horrible people and Evangeline is miserable and longing for the day her beloved parents will return.
When months go by and they do not, she fears the worst and sets off with the famous Dr. Pikkaflee into the Ikkinasti Jungle to find her parents. They meet up with Dadoo the headhunter, last of his kind who joins them in their quest. They battle an evil villain who just so happens to be Dr. Pikkaflee’s brother and various dangers of the jungle.
Evangeline Mudd and the Golden Haired Apes of the Ikkinasti Jungle is a fun and adventurous romp of a book. There’s a strong message about the ecology and saving nature and animals. Evangeline is a character to love. She’s bright and beautiful, clever and strong. Her independence and determination as well as her kindness make her a wonderful role model for any child.
The illustrations are wonderful and remind me of the Pippi books as does the story where the drawings just capture the heart and soul of the characters and environment.
That is so cool that you are illustrator. I love this drawing (I hope I called it the right thing).
That is soooo cool!
Thank you!!!
you totally called it the right thing- and thank you!!