By: Manelle Oliphant,
on 3/1/2016
Manelle Oliphant Illustration - Illustrator and Writer
March 1 is the exciting day! In The Wind is released. Here is my third and final speedpainting recording that I did from the book.
You can see the other two paintings on these posts.
And you can buy the book by following this link.
The post In the Wind Interior Speedpaint 2 appeared first on Manelle Oliphant Illustration.
By: Manelle Oliphant,
on 2/17/2016
Manelle Oliphant Illustration - Illustrator and Writer
Hello All,
My new book In the Wind is coming out March 1, 2016. It’s illustrated by me and written by Elizabeth Spurr.
When I was working on the books a few months ago I recorded myself painting some of the images. Here is the cover image recording.
I hope you enjoy it. You can also pick up the book on Amazon at this link. Or if you’d like to support your local book stores, which is a good thing to do, head over to one of them and have them pre-order it for you.
The post In The Wind Cover Speed Painting appeared first on Manelle Oliphant Illustration.
By: Manelle Oliphant,
on 10/29/2014
Manelle Oliphant Illustration - Illustrator and Writer
As a kid I loved Goodbumps, Bunnicula and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark which are all great series of scary stories for reluctant readers, but what else is there? This Halloween don’t miss some of these other fun ghost stories for middle graders.
By Mary Downing Hahn
I read it as an adult and thought it was the right amount of scary for kids who like scary.
by Chris Grabenstein
This one is a fun mystery tied up with a ghost story.
by Jennifer Allison
This is the first in the Gilda Joyce series. Gilda seriously cracks me up. Love this series.
By Neil Gaiman
This book won a Newberry Medal. It’s full of Ghosts but not too scary after the first scene.
By Ray Bradbury
This is a fun creepy story which I thoroughly enjoyed. It’s also a movie.
by Laura Amy Schlitz
This is probably my favorite book on the list. I wrote a whole review of it here.
A short story I wrote. You can read online or download by clicking here.
What are your favorite Ghost stories for kids? Did I miss any good ones?
Learn how you can support the artist by clicking here.
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By: Manelle Oliphant,
on 10/13/2014
Manelle Oliphant Illustration - Illustrator and Writer
I recently had had so much fun creating a short story called Princess and Dragon. But my love for dragon stories started years ago. Here are six of my favorites.
This book is classic in my mind. I still remember the friend that recommended it to me when I was in junior high-school. I’m forever grateful to her since I’ve loved the series and Patricia C. Wrede’s books ever since.
Speaking of Patricia C. Wrede, this is one of her new books. I love it. I really want to be best friends with Eff the main character. This book has dragons and tons of other magical creatures. It also has a fun historical element which grounds the story and makes it feel like it really happened.
This is a newer novel as well. It’s well crafted and fun. The dragons in it are different than dragons are normally depicted, and the story… I just can’t get over how much I loved it. I’m excited to read the sequel.
This book is similar to Dealing with Dragons in that the main character is a girl who challenges the status quo by refusing to be a damsel in distress. But the story its self is original and fun. (I’d say I love it again but I’ve said it a lot already. I do love it though.)
I have to be honest, I love this book for the pictures. They are beautiful. If you haven’t looked at PJ Lynch’s illustrations this is a good place to start.
This book won the caldecott medal in 1985. The illustrations by Trina Hyman have been a big influence on me. If you haven’t seen her art this is another good place to start.
Don’t forget to download my short story Princess and Dragon. You can download it by clicking any of the following links.
Did I miss any great dragon stories? Let me know what they are I’m always up for reading more about Dragons.
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By: Manelle Oliphant,
on 10/1/2014
Manelle Oliphant Illustration - Illustrator and Writer
Download this story for your devices as a mini ebook by clicking the links below
Hans My Hedgehog pdf (15) Hans My Hedgehog epub mobi (7)year ago I promised my father I would marry a hedgehog. Today I married him.
Father met him when he was lost in the forest. It frightened him to meet a man all hedgehog on his top half, but the hedgehog introduced himself as Hans and helped him find his way. In return, Father promised to give the hedgehog the first thing he met when he arrived home. He thought it would be his dogs or one of the servants but I raced ahead, and sealed my fate.
As a princess, I knew it wasn’t likely I would marry for love. Only, marrying a royal stranger from a distant place to secure an alliance is easier to stomach than marrying someone not quite human.
When he arrived I watched from my tower room. He rode through the gate on his rooster and the guards admitted him to the castle. After about an hour my father sent up a message. All was in order and I was to prepare myself.
I dressed myself, hoping that by doing what’s right and keeping a promise, it would turn out well. I think that’s what faith is, doing what you know is right and trusting in God things will turn out well, even if it seems impossible they could.
Now I wait in my bedroom, wearing my night shift, the fire the only light. Hans enters. I see his silhouette in the doorway until he shuts the door.
“You are my wife now,” he says to me from the dark.
“It is true,” I say
“It is an ugly thing for a pretty girl like you to be married to me.”
I feel tears form behind my eyes but I blink them away. “Not as ugly as breaking a promise.”
I hear a little snort. “You are right, not so ugly as that.”
He takes a step closer. I see his large form in the firelight. I feel faint and place my hand on the mantel for support. He shakes and snorts and I see him slough off his coat of quills. He drops it in front of me. After a minute I kneel down and touch it. The quills are soft. I look up. A man stands in front of me, a normal, not-half-animal, man. I look at his eyes. They are brown and nice and pleading. The moment stretches out between us but he doesn’t speak. I open my mouth but he shakes his head.
He wants me to do something. I look around confused. I look back to him. He stands still, his brown eyes begging for something. I look at the coat of quills, the fire, and back to him. He looks relieved, and I know what he wants me to do. I grab the quills and throw them into the flames. As they burn he falls to the floor and cries out. I see his skin turning black.
Have I done wrong? I turn to pull the coat back out of the fire, but it’s burning fast and hot. The flames light up the whole room. Hans screams again, the black on his skin spreads. I glance around and see the wash basin by the bed. I grab it and pour it over the writhing man. For a second I am surrounded by steam. When it clears Hans is calm and the black has washed away. I kneel down next to him.
Hans groans, and turns his head toward me. “Thank you wife. You have freed me from a life-long curse.”
I smile. “You’re welcome.”
Hans sits up. I help him to the bed and fetch more water. He nods his thanks as he takes it. Our eyes meet. His are still kind. I can see he is a good man and we will have a happy life. I can’t explain how I know this but I feel the truth of it inside me. I smile at him and take his hand. He smiles back.
The End
If you enjoyed this story I hope you’ll tell your friends.
To support the artist and the creation of more stories like this visit my Patreon page
Prints of the image used in this story are available at http://www.manelleoliphant.com/shop-2
Text and illustrations © 2014 by Manelle Oliphant
Not to be sold without written permission
This short story is based off of the Brothers Grimm tale of the same name. To read the original story visit http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/grimm108.html
The post Hans My Hedgehog appeared first on Manelle Oliphant Illustration.
By: Manelle Oliphant,
on 9/25/2014
Manelle Oliphant Illustration - Illustrator and Writer
Hans My Hedgehog is a fairy tale about a girl who finds her true love because she keeps a promise to marry a beast. While working on this story I got to wondering how common that is for your average fairy tale maiden. So I called in an expert.
Alabaster Daisy
Mrs. Daisy has been studying the residents of the enchanted forest some years now. She has a FTD in the Habits of the Fairy Tale World, and has been featured in Forest Fairy Daily sharing her expert tips on life in a magical land. She’s here today to share with the ladies her tips for romance. Take it away Alabaster!
True Love’s kiss is the best way to find your love however, not every maiden wants to wander about kissing frogs hoping for the best. (Or should I say hopping for the best? Sometimes I crack myself up!) There are other useful ways for a lady to know she’s found it. Why I myself met my true love after falling to my doom from the top of a mountain of doom right into his arms. Don’t miss your chance at “hoppiness” by not knowing what they are.
Good luck on your journey to love ladies.
Thanks Alabaster! I know our readers will find that advice very helpful, and I hope we can host you as a guest in the future.
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By: Manelle Oliphant,
on 7/18/2014
Manelle Oliphant Illustration - Children's book illustrator and writer
This week’s coloring page is a Robot for you. Isn’t he cute.
First the bad news: This is the last coloring page (sort of). I’ve had a lot of fun doing it and it’s been a good experiment for the last couple years but it’s time to put my focus other places. There will still be pages in the future, especially when books come out, they just won’t be every Friday anymore. Don’t be too sad, the old pages will still be up and available to download.
That being said the tone and direction of this blog is going to change. There probably won’t be as much stuff for kids but there will still be some, and I hope to be posting a lot more art and fun stories.
Now the Good News: Just in Time books is hosting a fun contest this summer. The Utah history hunt. It’s for Utah residences only but maybe if it goes great we’ll be able to do it in other states later on. You can win prizes including sets of the books and lunch with the authors. Click the photo for more information.
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By: Manelle Oliphant,
on 7/11/2014
Manelle Oliphant Illustration - Children's book illustrator and writer
Just came home dirty and sunburned from a short camping trip. So I drew this for you.
Click the link below to download
The post Free Coloring Page Friday: Camping appeared first on Manelle Oliphant Illustration.
By: Manelle Oliphant,
on 6/27/2014
Manelle Oliphant Illustration - Children's book illustrator and writer
I have a coloring page double feature today. Next week is a patriotic week for North America. Canada day and Independence day (Have I mentioned this is my FAVORITE holiday?) are both next week. So I made a page for both. Have fun at parades and watching fireworks! (I love parades and fireworks) And don’t look for another coloring page until the Friday after the 4th.
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By: Manelle Oliphant,
on 6/20/2014
Manelle Oliphant Illustration - Children's book illustrator and writer
Sorry about last Friday guys, I was unexpectedly in the hospital. It was a bummer. But I’m recovering well and I have a page for you this week. It’s Sleeping Beauty. Have fun coloring!
Click the link below to download.
The post Free Coloring Page Friday: Sleeping Beauty appeared first on Manelle Oliphant Illustration.
By: Manelle Oliphant,
on 6/6/2014
Manelle Oliphant Illustration - Children's book illustrator and writer
School got out this week so I think we can safely call this summer. (The good part of summer before it gets to hot. I guess that’s because it’s technically still spring.) Have fun coloring this new summer page and enjoy the season.
Click the Link Below to Download
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By: Manelle Oliphant,
on 5/23/2014
Manelle Oliphant Illustration - Children's book illustrator and writer
We’ve had a lot of fun this week with the Just in Time book 3 launch. To see some of the fun photos check out the Just In Time facebook page. And don’t forget to get your copy of The Wizard of Menlo Park New Jersey!
Click the link below to download.
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By: Manelle Oliphant,
on 5/16/2014
Manelle Oliphant Illustration - Children's book illustrator and writer
As I mentioned last week Just in Time book three is coming out this month. (Get your copy!) To celebrate we have another just in time coloring page. This one is Crowe the villain who plays a pretty big role in this book.
Me the authors and the publishers all have fun talking about how we make the books in this interview. http://www.fromthemixedupfiles.com/tag/the-wizard-of-menlo-park/
The Address is: 58 North State Street Orem, UT 84057
The authors and I will be there from 6:00 to 7:30 and it’s going to be a fun party with cake and candy and some book giveaways!
We’ll be signing books at 6:00 p.m!
330 East 1300 South
Orem, UT 84058
801-229-1611
Hope to see you there.
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By: Manelle Oliphant,
on 5/9/2014
Manelle Oliphant Illustration - Children's book illustrator and writer
Just In Time Book Three is being released this Month. You can get your copy on Amazon. And while you are anxiously waiting to read it enjoy this coloring page download.
Along with the book release we have some fun events coming up. The one I have the most info on is May 20th we’ll be signing books at the Orem public library in the Storytelling Wing.
The Address is: 58 North State Street Orem, UT 84057
The authors and I will be there from 6:00 to 7:30.
Hope to see you there!
The post Free Coloring Page Friday: Bird Gracie appeared first on Manelle Oliphant Illustration.
By: Manelle Oliphant,
on 5/2/2014
Manelle Oliphant Illustration - Children's book illustrator and writer
This week I’m finishing up the sketches for Just in Time book 4. I took a break to make this coloring page of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Have fun with it.
Click the link below to download.
Just In Time Book 3 is released May 20. Pre order your copy today.
The post Free Coloring Page Friday: Three Bears appeared first on Manelle Oliphant Illustration.
By: Manelle Oliphant,
on 4/25/2014
Manelle Oliphant Illustration - Children's book illustrator and writer
Hello guys. It’s been two weeks since my last coloring page. Last week I was at Salt Lake Comic Con Fan experience selling prints. It was a fun weekend talking to everyone, and the don’t blink coloring page was a hit, as you can imagine. I also almost got ran over by Patrick Stewart riding on a golf cart, which I have to say pretty much made the weekend for me. I had no idea I’d be that giddy about being 8 ft away from Patrick Stewart but apparently I am. I always imagined I’d be cool and collected around celebrities, but really what I do it stare quietly and then freak out afterwards.
It’s good to know these type of things about yourself. Don’t you think?
This week’s coloring page is a Sloth.
Click the link below to download.
The post Free Coloring Page Friday: Sloth appeared first on Manelle Oliphant Illustration.
By: Manelle Oliphant,
on 4/11/2014
Manelle Oliphant Illustration - Children's book illustrator and writer
It’s been great weather here, and my husband and I had fun buying fruit trees for our backyard. Comic con fanX is next week and I’m almost ready, and Illustrations for Just In Time book 4 are getting into full swing. There are also some fun events planned for the launch of book 3. More info below.
This week’s coloring page is the Easter bunny. 
Click the link below to download, print, and color!
Mark your calendars May 20th we’ll be signing books at the Orem public library in the Storytelling Room.
The Address is: 58 North State Street Orem, UT 84057
The authors and I will be there from 6:00 to 7:30.
Hope to see you there!
The post Free Coloring Page Friday: Easter Bunny appeared first on Manelle Oliphant Illustration.
By: Manelle Oliphant,
on 4/4/2014
Manelle Oliphant Illustration - Children's book illustrator and writer
March went out like a lion here. We had about six inches of snow. Luckily it melted in just a few days and according to the walk I took today we are onto spring. With spring comes Easter.
Click the link below to download print and color
There are lots of other fun things going on around here. One of them is this interview I took part in. It’s about the Just in Time books and working with a small press. If you want to know more about working with a small press, or just more about the books head on over. Me, the authors of the series, the designer, and the publisher all take part. I enjoyed reading it.
The post Free Coloring Page Friday: Easter Eggs appeared first on Manelle Oliphant Illustration.
By: Manelle Oliphant,
on 3/28/2014
Manelle Oliphant Illustration - Children's book illustrator and writer
If you were unaware I’m now informing you that Doctor Who is my favorite TV show. Sometimes I forget because I don’t get to constantly indulge my thirst for new episodes… but then I remember. 
I am aware that the show is pretty ridiculous and nothing really makes sense but when I’m watching an episode it doesn’t really matter. Since Salt Lake Comic Con FanX is just around the corner, and they just announced Karen Gillian as one of the guests I’ve created this little baby for you to color. I’ll probably have some to give away at the show too. I’ll be at artist alley table D2.
Have fun coloring.
Click the Link Below to download, print and color.
The post Free Coloring Page Friday: Don’t Blink appeared first on Manelle Oliphant Illustration.
By: Manelle Oliphant,
on 3/21/2014
Manelle Oliphant Illustration - Children's book illustrator and writer
Today I felt the need to draw a troll. Here it is. I hope you feel the need to color it.
Click the link to download, print and color.
It’s been a crazy few weeks. Mostly because I broke my tooth, which wasn’t real, and had to get it replaced. It’s not my favorite thing to go around with a missing tooth for a week but I survived.
This week I’ve also started on Just in Time book 4. The manuscript is great fun and I’ve started thumbnail sketches for the cover. It’s gonna be good.
I’ve also made progress on my broccoli story and will be ready to submit soon. (I think I said that last week. It’s still true today) I plan on creating a post about what and how I submit it. Then I can tell you all about how great it is to get a manuscript accepted… or not. It should be fun.
The post Free coloring page Friday: Troll appeared first on Manelle Oliphant Illustration.
By: Manelle Oliphant,
on 3/14/2014
Manelle Oliphant Illustration - Children's book illustrator and writer
Today it PI day. We like to celebrate in high style by making and eating lots of pies. That is how I spent most of my day, and here is one for you.
Click the link below to download print and color.
The post Free Coloring Page Friday: Pie appeared first on Manelle Oliphant Illustration.
By: Manelle Oliphant,
on 3/13/2014
Manelle Oliphant Illustration - Children's book illustrator and writer
About a month ago we held our annual SCBWI illustrators conference here in Salt Lake. One of our Speakers was Kristyn Crow the author of Zombelina.
I had never taken the time to read Zombelina before but Kristyn’s talk on creating a great story, as well as the fact that it’s illustrated by Molly Idle who just won the Caldecott honor for Flora and the Flamingo made me want to take a closer look.
I have to say I really enjoyed it.
The story is great. Kristyn really knows her stuff when it comes to story and language. She is fantastic at creating rhyming books. If you are a picture book author and you want to know how to create a rhyming book that rocks read Kristyn’s stuff. There is no one better.
The rhymes don’t get in the way of the story. The plot is really solid, and I’m not surprised. At our conference Kristyn gave a fantastic talk on how to write a great story. She used points from the book Save the Cat to tell us how to write a story that really works.
The illustrations are fantastic too. I have to admit that I didn’t read this book for a long time because the cover image didn’t appeal to me. Now I’m glad I gave it a chance. My favorite part about the pictures are the characters. They are charming. The designs are fun and their emotions and gestures are really solid. The pictures add to the story showing us fun things that aren’t in the text. This is what great picture book art is supposed to do. I can see why Molly is winning awards.
The post Book Recommendation: Zombelina appeared first on Manelle Oliphant Illustration.
By: Manelle Oliphant,
on 3/7/2014
Manelle Oliphant Illustration - Children's book illustrator and writer
In like a lion out like a lamb is the saying but our March is turning out to start more like a feisty cat than a lion. Either way enjoy downloading and coloring this new page.
Click the link below to download, print, and color.
This week had been a full week as I’m getting my broccoli book nearer to submission ready. I have the sketches done and now I need to finish a few illustrations before I start the submission process.
I’ve also been planning for Salt Lake Comic Con FanX. I’ve got a better plan for what I’ll be selling at my table. I hope if some of you are there you will stop by my table and say Hi. I plan on having some fun free stuff too.
One last thing that’s happening is WIFYR. I’ll be teaching an afternoon session on building websites. There is so much great stuff that happens at this conference. If your interested in writing or illustrating for kids or teens go sign up for it. You can sign up for the whole conference, the afternoon, or a mini session. It’s one of my favorite conferences.
The post Free Coloring Page Friday: March appeared first on Manelle Oliphant Illustration.
By: Manelle Oliphant,
on 2/28/2014
Manelle Oliphant Illustration - Children's book illustrator and writer
Things are feeling decidedly spring-y here. I saw tulip spouts in my flower bed outside and even though there are some weeks to go before they bloom I wanted to post this coloring page. It could still snow here at any time but for now I’ll enjoy the warmness.
I spent last weekend in New York attending the SCBWI winter conference. I learned a lot and have spent this week refining my broccoli book. I’m now almost at draft 70 with the writing and feeling pretty good as it just keeps getting better. The manuscript is around 350 words now. I often think it’s as good as I can get it but then I learn something new and revise it and it just gets better. I hope to be ready to start submitting soon.
I also have a few other things in the making. I’ll be selling books and prints at Salt Lake Comic-con FanX so if you are attending look for me. I’ll be at table D2 with my friend Kim.
And soon I’ll be starting illustrations for Just in Time Book four. Book three is scheduled to come out in May. You can visit the Just in Time website and keep an eye out for those.
Have fun coloring.
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ight Ghost
