National Poetry Month, April 2015

Numeroff, Hopkins, Stevenson, McCord, and Rossetti

I thought you might enjoy some of my favorite kids' books about poetry to start off National Poetry Month.

Pictured above are:
Sometimes I Wonder if Poodles Like Noodles, by Laura Numeroff and Tim Bowers
Side By Side, Poems to Read Together, collected by Lee Bennett Hopkins and illustrated by Hilary Knight
Candy Corn, by James Stevenson
All Day Long, by David McCord
Sing-Song and Other Poems for Children, by Christina Rossetti

More Influences: Scarry, Knight, Bates

Picture Book Month

Last week, I featured a trio of children's book illustrators who have had a big influence on my life and work. This week's illustrators are no less talented. I have no doubt at least one of them has impacted your artistic sensibilities as well.

Children's book legend Richard Scarry has a place in everyone's consciousness, I think. I only had a few of his early books, but sometime in the 70's I found Busytown and was hooked. I received the Puzzletown Farm for Christmas, and begged for all the sets, though my parents thought me a bit too old by then. I was enamored with the detail of the illustrations, the romantic depictions of everyday life in a small town, and the full-fledged world which made me want to jump into a book and linger there.

One of many Puzzletown playsets
featuring characters from Richard Scarry's books.

His books still delight readers, not for their nostalgia, but for their timelessness and relevance to children today, as evidenced by the reissuing and rebranding of his body of work.

 "I’m not interested in creating a book that is read once and then placed on the shelf and forgotten,” Richard Scarry once said. “I am very happy when people write that they have worn out my books, or that they are held together by Scotch tape. I consider that the ultimate compliment.” 

He evidently pioneered a method of transferring his drawings to board, called "blueboarding," not unlike how some modern illustrators print their scanned sketches directly to watercolor paper.

Which of Richard Scarry's books inspired you most?

Need to get in touch with your inner child? Download fun Busytown activities from Random House.

The Bunny Book, by Richard Scarry

Richard Scarry's brilliant vocabulary builders.

Richard Scarry's Busytown

Cricket Magazine
August 1984

At age 9, I discovered Hilary Knight. Wow. His work renders me speechless. (no easy feat!)


Perhaps it will come as a surprise that it was not Eloise who captured my attention. Truthfully, I didn't read Eloise until I was 30. I adored his soft colors, his storytelling, his imagination, and his masterful ability to distort the figure into the most expressive and graceful poses.

 It was only much later that I learned Hilary Knight has illustrated from Broadway to Sax Fifth Avenue and everywhere in between. Mr. Knight, who celebrated his 87th birthday recently, is as prolific as ever. And I still get paralyzed when I turn a corner and see his unmistakable artwork.

Hilary Knight's Cinderella

A French girl who looks remarkably like Eloise

A Walk in the Park, by Hilary Knight

The last inspiring illustrator for today is the incomparable, Amy June Bates.

Her work, like that of Hilary Knight, leaves me breathless each time I see it. I picked up an early reader about Susan B. Anthony because I couldn't stop staring at the art. It didn't take long for me to track down her various volumes. Amy's work is fresh and unique. Her subdued palette gives her illustrations emotional impact. Her characterizations are lively. In an age where smooth, digital style prevails, Amy's obvious brushwork seems even more outstanding. Amy seems like the kind of artist whose style will continue to evolve, which can only mean the best is yet to come.

Go to Julie Danielson's Seven Impossible Things interview for an absolute feast of Amy's work.

From I Will Rejoice,
by Karma Wilson

Amy June Bates sketch

Painting of boardwalk  by Amy June Bates

If you haven't yet discover these wonderful illustrators, I hope you will take the time to explore their work, and that you are inspired to greater artistic achievements.

You cawn't cawn't cawn't miss this!

What if Eloise moved to Brooklyn?  The irresistible brainchild of Kay Thompson and Hilary Knight moves to the Wythe.  Check out this witty update of a children's classic from New York Magazine. (Click the photo there to see the rest.)

Thanks to Joana Avillez, NY Magazine, and PW

PB 300 Update #3

Bear Snores On
By Karma Wilson
and Jane Chapman

Can't You Sleep, Little Bear?
By  Martin Waddell
and Barbara Firth

One Leaf Rides the Wind,
By Celeste Mannis
 and Susan Kathleen Hartung

All the World,
By Liz Garton Scanlon
 and Marla Frazee

Tiger Trouble!,
By Diane Goode

The Rice Bowl Pet,
By Patricia Miles Martin
and Ezra Jack Keats

The Twelve Days
 of Christmas,
By Hilary Knight

The Rainbabies,
By Laura Krauss Melmed
and Jim LaMarche

PBDummy Step 2

Not yet a participant?  Here's more info.

I hope you've been following the PBDummy challenge.  If you have, then your story should be underway.  If you're behind, then it's time to get started on your manuscript.  There's still plenty of time to write and polish.
As always, you can stop by KidLitArt or Dog-eared Sketchbook for ideas on how to get started.  If you're in need of a bit more tinder, maybe these thoughts from Pat Mora will spark something.

1. Remember your child-self, your feelings, childhood memories, worries and pleasures. (Most picture books are for 3-10 year olds.)
2. Create your writing time and mull--about what to write, about how to write it, about how to be daring. Among your key resources are your love of stories and language, your spirit, imagination and persistence.
3. Be welcoming of your writing. Welcome your ideas as you would welcome a guest. Resist thinking negatively about
4. Read picture books both old and new.

I won't be posting my work online, as I'm hoping to see it published, but I will say I'm tackling a rhyming text.  WHAT AM I THINKING?!?  I do not recommend poetic text unless you're really good at it.  I am not, but no matter how many times I write this story, it inevitably comes out in rhyme.  Who am I to argue with my muse?

If you need some poetic inspiration, try these classics:

Piping Down the Valleys Wild
Ed. Nancy Lamb

Side By Side
Poems to Read Together
Lee Bennett Hopkins

Sheep In A Jeep
Written by Nancy Shaw

Bear Snores On
Written by Karma Wilson

Happy New Year, 2013!

Trina Schart Hyman from The Everything Book

Today is the first day of January, 2013.

One year ago I was making career plans and heading into uncharted territory. This year, it's full-steam ahead.  We may have had a year of ups and downs, but through it all, God has been good.
I'm not much for resolutions, but I'm a list-making fool.  Accordingly, this year I've got improved plans for reading, study, painting, work, play, travel, diet, exercise, remodeling, and general improvement.
"I press toward the mark . . ."

Last night, a friend shared these funny resolutions he found online, (Shown here, slightly tweaked):

RESOLUTION #1:

2007: I will read at least 20 good books a year.
2008: I will read at least 10 books a year.
2009: I will read 5 books a year.
2010: I will finish The Light Between Oceans
2011: I will read some articles in the newspaper this year.
2012: I will read at least one article this year.
2013: I will try and finish the comics section this year.

RESOLUTION #2:

2007: I will get my weight down below 180.
2008: I will watch my calories until I get below 190.
2009: I will follow my new diet religiously until I get below 200.
2010: I will try to develop a realistic attitude about my weight.
2011: I will work out 5 days a week.
2012: I will work out 3 days a week.
2013: I will try to drive past a gym at least once a week.

Thanks to Alex and Nick.

I hope you fared better with your goals than this guy.  But don't worry if you didn't complete as much as you'd hoped.  Focus on moving forward from where you are right now!

What will you accomplish this year?

Hilary Knight from Side By Side

Hilary Knight's Circus

The Circus Is Coming, by Hilary Knight was originally published in 1978.  Nearly thirty years later it was reissued and included a new spread.  This picture book is as fresh as if it had rolled off the artist's brush yesterday.  The Circus contains all the elements one would expect from a Hilary Knight production:  outstanding drawing, inventiveness, amazing color, adorable animals, exotic people, beautiful design, and a host of children following devotedly.  In short, the same things one would expect from the circus itself.  I highly recommend you buy your ticket before the show moves on.           

        

     

Sketchbook Essentials

Sketching from life should be routine for every illustrator.  It is essential to variety and life in your illustrations.  Keep a sketchbook and use it everyday.  Don't let the white space intimidate you.  Cram it full of the details of your environment.  Challenge yourself to capture moods as well as details.  My drawings are always fresher when I've spent some time out and about documenting the world.  You'll be surprised to discover how many nuances appear in your current work which are borrowed from a previous, unrelated scribble. 



Don't know how to get started?  Grab a copy of The Artists' Guide to Sketching, by James Gurney and Thomas Kinkade.  You won't believe how emboldened you are.


Here are a few doodles to inspire you.

David Small

James Gurney

Glen Keane

Hilary Knight