What is JacketFlap

  • JacketFlap connects you to the work of more than 200,000 authors, illustrators, publishers and other creators of books for Children and Young Adults. The site is updated daily with information about every book, author, illustrator, and publisher in the children's / young adult book industry. Members include published authors and illustrators, librarians, agents, editors, publicists, booksellers, publishers and fans.
    Join now (it's free).

Sort Blog Posts

Sort Posts by:

  • in
    from   

Suggest a Blog

Enter a Blog's Feed URL below and click Submit:

Most Commented Posts

In the past 7 days

Recent Comments

Recently Viewed

MyJacketFlap Blogs

  • Login or Register for free to create your own customized page of blog posts from your favorite blogs. You can also add blogs by clicking the "Add to MyJacketFlap" links next to the blog name in each post.

Blog Posts by Tag

In the past 30 days

Blog Posts by Date

Click days in this calendar to see posts by day or month
new posts in all blogs
Viewing Blog: the JJK blog, Most Recent at Top
Results 1 - 25 of 1,424
Visit This Blog | Login to Add to MyJacketFlap
Blog Banner
Blog of author/illustrator Jarrett J. Krosoczka. Author of Punk Farm.
Statistics for the JJK blog

Number of Readers that added this blog to their MyJacketFlap: 18
1. Help Raise Money for Arts Education! (& win a drawing lesson or another prize!)

I am auctioning off some exclusive artwork and opportunities to help raise money for arts education at the Worcester Art Museum. I'll definitely be able to help award art classes to a few kids, but if you help me spread the word (and maybe even bid), we'll be able to award art classes to a few DOZEN kids.

Bidding happens here: https://www.32auctions.com/organizati…/29326/auctions/35247…

Thanks so much!




0 Comments on Help Raise Money for Arts Education! (& win a drawing lesson or another prize!) as of 12/14/2016 5:05:00 AM
Add a Comment
2. Things are brewing...

All five Krosoczka family members stopped by to say hello to our book family. We can't say just what, but there are some awesome things brewing!

 

0 Comments on Things are brewing... as of 12/14/2016 3:25:00 AM
Add a Comment
3. Sometimes fan mail can be humbling...





0 Comments on Sometimes fan mail can be humbling... as of 12/14/2016 3:40:00 AM
Add a Comment
4. Commissioned Drawings Arriving!

Love this! Art is starting to arrive for people who ordered commissions on Etsy. I'll keep the shop up for a little while longer if you want to order a drawing.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/JJKDraws?ref=hdr_shop_menu




0 Comments on Commissioned Drawings Arriving! as of 12/14/2016 4:31:00 AM
Add a Comment
5. Bid to support art education!





As many of you know, my grandparents were tremendously supportive of my creative efforts when I was a kid. Every year at this time, I remember them through an online auction that will help give kids free art classes in their name at the Worcester Art Museum. I love the idea of Joe and Shirl continuing to connect kids to an arts education.
The Joseph and Shirley Krosoczka Memorial Youth Scholarships at the Worcester Art Museum provide free tuition for art courses to children in unique familial situations with limited financial means. These items can't be bought at a store, found anywhere else online and will only be available through these fundraising efforts.
My time at the Worcester Art Museum was profound for reasons beyond the fact that I grew up to be a professional artist. Art helped me make sense of my world and acted a means of escape from the hand that I was dealt. Thank you for helping me give that gift to kids in my hometown!


0 Comments on Bid to support art education! as of 12/14/2016 3:19:00 AM
Add a Comment
6. Small Business Saturday!

Although I was unable to get to my local indie bookshop this past Saturday, I wanted to support them just the same. If you are looking to get any of my books signed and personalized, please consider placing an order through the Broadside Bookshop website. 

http://www.broadsidebooks.com/search/apachesolr_search/Krosoczka



0 Comments on Small Business Saturday! as of 12/14/2016 1:57:00 AM
Add a Comment
7. Limited Commissions



If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I post a daily sketch there. After about a year of people asking, I'm opening up an Etsy shop where I will take a limited amount of commissions. This will probably only run for a few weeks, so if you ever wanted me to draw your kid or your pet, click on over to the link below. Thanks so much!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/JJKDraws?ref=hdr_shop_menu

0 Comments on Limited Commissions as of 12/14/2016 2:55:00 AM
Add a Comment
8. Reassuring art for kids

Over the last week, I've created a few images that I hoped would help lift spirits of the young ones at your school.

If you would like to hang these in your classroom, please feel free to print and hang.

This one is a quote from my daughter's classroom. They state this before class discussions.






0 Comments on Reassuring art for kids as of 1/1/1900
Add a Comment
9. Halloween Compilation!

It is an incredible honor when someone dresses up as one of my characters. This Halloween there were lots of great renditions (and some great pumpkins too)!


When a kid dresses up as a Star Wars character... And it's a Star Wars character YOU invented!
Thanks Lillian, you make for an awesome Artemis Aphooine!



My friend Dana in Texas served up justice this Halloween!



Thank you to third-grader Izzy for making this awesome Platypus Police Squad pumpkin! Detective Zengo looks great!



The lunch ladies at Eiic Knowlton School in Berwick, Maine served up more justice!



Detective Rick Zengo never looked so good!
Photo via @WordNerd80 on Twitter.



Lunch Lady at Willard School looks grate! (See what I did there?)
Photo via @willard_lib on Twitter.



Detective Rick Zengo of the Platypus Police Squad looks gourd-geous.
Photo via @booksandbytes on Twitter.



Sorry, but the pirate is no match for Lunch Lady's wits and fish stick nunchucks.
Photo via @twilibrarian on Twitter.


And finally, one from home...

You squirrels couldn't have waited until November 1st?! And you monsters...you only had one job!

Hope everyone had a wonderful & spooky Halloween!


0 Comments on Halloween Compilation! as of 11/7/2016 10:47:00 AM
Add a Comment
10. Forbes Library Mural and Collaboration with Kids!

Earlier this fall, I transformed the stairwell leading to the children's department in Forbes Library. Here's a look! I wanted to design a space that would inspire young readers and celebrate the city of Northampton. I celebrated with the community this past Saturday, complete with comically oversized scissors for the ribbon cutting!



Each window in the mural offers a glimpse of a book by an author who has lived in Western Mass.



Kids who came to the ribbon cutting ceremony got to help me finish the mural by drawing flowers on the Library Lawn! With the addition of flowers drawn by the youngest patrons of Forbes Library, the mural is complete!







P.S. Here's a before picture, to remind you what the stairwell used to look like...


And voila!




To see the full photo album on facebook, click here!

0 Comments on Forbes Library Mural and Collaboration with Kids! as of 11/7/2016 10:47:00 AM
Add a Comment
11. Let All the Children Boogie!

I'm proud to have illustrated the album cover for LET ALL THE CHILDREN BOOGIE: A TRIBUTE TO DAVID BOWIE. Not only is this a fantastic collection of reinterpretations of Bowie's songs by some of the top indie musicians for kids and grown-ups, but the proceeds benefit the It Gets Better Project.

Album drops on November 18. It's been getting some great buzz, even appeared in The New York Times!

And huge thanks to my friends at Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child for inviting me on!


0 Comments on Let All the Children Boogie! as of 10/31/2016 2:39:00 PM
Add a Comment
12. The Day I Spoke at the White House

Why I visited The White House on October 19, 2016.

It was an immense privilege and honor to travel to Washington D.C. to be a part of the launch of Changing Minds, a new campaign that empowers adults to support children who have trauma and violence in their homes. The science behind this program is fascinating—the toxic stress released in the developing brain can create permanent adverse affects. But teachers, librarians, couches, counselors, lunch ladies—anyone working with children can help change that course with five daily gestures.

∙ Celebrate
∙ Comfort
∙ Collaborate
∙ Listen
∙ Inspire

You can literally change their minds.

I shared stories of my childhood and told tales of the teachers who made an immense difference in my life.

Changing Minds is a partnership between The United States Department of Justice, Ad Council and Futures Without Violence. I am so humbled that they invited me.

If you'd like to learn more, please check out their website: http://changingmindsnow.org

And former Attorney General Eric Holder was every bit as kind as you would imagine.










0 Comments on The Day I Spoke at the White House as of 10/31/2016 2:39:00 PM
Add a Comment
13. Creative Galaxy Art Consultant

It's not every day that you get to appear on your kids' favorite TV show!
Season 2 of Creative Galaxy has been released, and I am in it! I make an on-camera appearance in two episodes, but I also served as Art Consultant for the entire season. I'm excited to share some art concepts with such a large audience.
My kids LOVED season 1. After every episode, they wanted to turn off the television and make whichever art project that was introduced in that story. 
Creative Galaxy is created by the amazingly talented folks behind Blue's Clues and Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood. It was an honor to work with this talented crew!
Creative Galaxy is streaming now on Amazon Prime. I'm in episodes 7 and 8, but check out the entire season with your young artists. 
Also—Jason Priestly voices a talking pencil. What more could you ask for?


0 Comments on Creative Galaxy Art Consultant as of 9/19/2016 11:06:00 AM
Add a Comment
14. Forbes Library Mural


This is a composite of photos of the stairwell leading to the children's department at the Forbes Library, the main branch here in the city of Northampton. I'm so honored that Jude, the head librarian, asked me if I'd be interested in transforming this space. 
Imagine that? Coming up with something that could inspire generations of young readers as they enter the library.



I posted a slew of work-in-progress photos over on the Instagrams. 

0 Comments on Forbes Library Mural as of 9/19/2016 11:06:00 AM
Add a Comment
15. Grace Lin and the National Book Awards Longlist

I'm excited for all of the nominees, but I am especially excited to see Grace Lin on the National Book Awards Longlist!
When the Sea Turned to Silver is a beautiful book and while it won't hit bookshelves until next month, I can tell you it will be worth the wait! 


0 Comments on Grace Lin and the National Book Awards Longlist as of 9/19/2016 11:06:00 AM
Add a Comment
16. Anna Dewdney

The children's book world lost a beloved member this weekend. Anna Dewdney was as kind and gentle as the llama she wrote about. I really am without words here. 
Anna's final request sums up the heart of the woman behind Llama Llama Red Pajama...
"She requested that in lieu of a funeral service that people read to a child instead."


6/29/14.ALA. Judy Schachner, Anna Dewdney & I sneaked out the back door of the convention center & ate baked potatoes. We talked about writing, illustrating and the book business in general. It's a great memory.



0 Comments on Anna Dewdney as of 1/1/1900
Add a Comment
17. Observational sketches by the shore and family draw time.

When I was a kid, my grandfather had me convinced that there were two seagulls named Stanley and Leroy. We'd visit them every time we went to the beach. And we spotted good ol' Stanley and Leroy this afternoon!






0 Comments on Observational sketches by the shore and family draw time. as of 1/1/1900
Add a Comment
18. Weekly Sketch Roundup

Every day I post a sketch to social media, this is my favorite this week!

Saturday night #DadLife

To see more visit http://www.studiojjk.com/dailysketch.html

0 Comments on Weekly Sketch Roundup as of 1/1/1900
Add a Comment
19. Weekly Sketch Roundup

Every day I post a sketch to social media, this is my favorite this week!



The dude at the airport who is sporting a hat that reads "old fart" is setting new life goals for me.

To see more visit http://www.studiojjk.com/dailysketch.html

0 Comments on Weekly Sketch Roundup as of 8/18/2016 10:02:00 AM
Add a Comment
20. NAPTASTROPHE!

I can't wait for you to meet Lucy in NAPTASTROPHE!, my next picture book. On bookshelves May 2, 2017.


0 Comments on NAPTASTROPHE! as of 8/18/2016 10:02:00 AM
Add a Comment
21. Weekly Sketch Roundup

Every day I post a sketch to social media, this is my favorite this week!


When your friends visit, you hand their kid a book, and this happens...

To see more visit http://www.studiojjk.com/dailysketch.html

0 Comments on Weekly Sketch Roundup as of 1/1/1900
Add a Comment
22. A New Class

What a thrill to chat with James Floyd on the official Star Wars site! Check out our discussion on A New Class here: 


0 Comments on A New Class as of 1/1/1900
Add a Comment
23. Giveaway! Copy of Jedi Academy: A New Class with endpapers filled with doodles.




I'll be giving away five copies of Jedi Academy: A New Class with endpapers filled with original drawings!

This is a contest where you will literally get bonus points for supporting your local bookshop. Please see the details below.

Contest is for ages 18 plus. Entries will be accepted through the end of the day on Monday, August 2nd.

Thanks so much and may the Force be with you!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

0 Comments on Giveaway! Copy of Jedi Academy: A New Class with endpapers filled with doodles. as of 1/1/1900
Add a Comment
24. A NEW CLASS

Imagine my surprise when, two years back, I received a message from an editor at Scholastic. Jeffrey Brown, a graphic novelist who I admire immensely, was stepping away from Jedi Academy, and would I like to write new books for the series? It was actually rather intimidating. It’s Star Wars, a world that is so rich with history that is so very iconic. It’s Jedi Academy, a hugely popular book series. But it was the very daunting nature of the proposition that motivated me to step up and grab hold of the lightsaber. I was being invited for what I do, so I knew early on that the only way this would work would be for me to create something that was very much me. 
I hope that you enjoy A NEW CLASS as much as I enjoyed writing and illustrating the book. I listened to the John Williams Star Wars score to pump me up throughout the entire creative process. I got to write lines for and draw Yoda! It’s like being handed the keys of a vintage, mint-condition swamp-green sports car. I also got to create my own droid, P-10! And of course, I created an entire cast of young characters for that galaxy far, far away. What an honor and a privilege.
May the Force be with you and please look for A NEW CLASS at your local bookshop.


0 Comments on A NEW CLASS as of 7/27/2016 6:19:00 PM
Add a Comment
25. XJK

Our little man is here! XJK arrived safely last Tuesday. Both baby and Mom are both doing great! As are the big sisters. We are all just floating. 
I'll largely be off social media, but will likely keep posting daily sketches over at Instagram.com/StudioJJK.


0 Comments on XJK as of 1/1/1900
Add a Comment

View Next 25 Posts