Booklist Status Update

Eeek!  I just looked at my calendar.  The end of November is here and I'm a little behind on my reading schedule.  Back in March, I challenged you all to read along with me as we devour 50 books in 2012.  I've been so focused on writing, reading, and drawing picture books this month that I let my book list slide.  I counted 43 to date, so my plan is to get back on track by finishing the books below before month's end.

Tales for the Third Ear,
by Verna Aardema,
art by Ib Ohlsson

Chancey and
The Grand Rascal,
by Sid Fleischman,
Art by 
Eric von Schmidt

The Dagger Quick,
by Brian Eames,
cover by
Amy June Bates

Rain Is Not
 My Indian Name,
 by Cynthia 
Leitich Smith
Cover art by Lori Earley

If you have a reading goal for this year, why not take the time to evaluate and get back on the wagon, or the bookmobile, as the case may be?

Clockpunk SkADaMo

I promised to post a few more sketches from my November SkADaMo attempts.  Here are three clockpunk contraptions.  I actually used my sketch-a-day to refine some designs I was working on for my entry in the Songs for a Machine Age contest.  I'll post my final design next Tuesday.

Clockpunk contraption
by Joanne Roberts

clockpunk beast and friends
by Joanne Roberts

Bug Buggy
by Joanne Roberts

Interestingly, James Gurney also posted some concept sketches today for a steampunk digging machine he designed back in the 80's.

Reading in the Loo

"Even now, if I visit a strange bathroom in which someone has been inconsiderate enough not to have provided books to read, I'll read the label on the toiletries."

-J. K. Rowling

Bookplate of Herman Wardwell Liebert
for books in his bathroom.
Thanks to Lew Jaffe

SkADaMo Revealed

When I agreed to participate in SkADaMo, I wasn't prepared to scan my sketches every day.  My computer equipment is from the Dark Ages.  When I realized other participants had been posting their drawings, I began the arduous process of digitizing my work, but there was something else I wasn't prepared for.  I wasn't prepared for the emotional punch in the stomach that I received when I thought about actually letting my peers see my sketches.

I had been happily cruising along in my PiBoIdMo notebook, alternating lists of ideas with doodles to get the creative juices flowing.  I had rehearsed my new battle cry: Silence The Inner Critic.  Up to now, it had been working.

As I paged through the first dozen drawings, my critic resurfaced.

He cried, "Ewww, not that one!"

He shouted, "You can do better than that!"

He fairly screamed, "Aren't you embarassed?"

I have agonized these last nine days over putting pencil to paper.  I have struggled with wanting to experiment, to stretch myself, to enjoy the process versus being willing to allow myself to be exposed as anything less than polished.

My solution is simple, but not easy:
When my Inner Critic shouts, his voice is drowned out by a murmuring chorus.

I hear Robert Weinstock mutter, "Embrace your lostness."

I hear Deborah Freedman whisper, "Occupy til there is no more shouting and it is quiet."

I remember Kelly Light telling me not to sink into the pit of self-doubt.

I obey Debbie Ridpath Ohi when she says take a deep breath, stop obsessing, and eat chocolate.

And I hear all the voices of all the talented book-making, book-loving people like Tara Lazar who support each other on the journey to Becoming.  This is what I am thankful for this November.

sketches by Joanne Roberts

Every Great Literature

"Every great literature has always been allegorical - allegorical of some view of the whole universe."

-G. K. Chesterton

University Society Editorial Board
Boys and Girls Bookshelf, 1920
Thanks to Educational Technology Clearinghouse

Lucky's 24 Hour Garage

Lucky's 24 Hour Garage
Hyperion Books for Children

On our last trip to the library, our youngest brought home Lucky's 24 hour Garage, by Daniel Kirk.  OK, I admit it.  I would never have picked up this book without a little prodding.   It appeared interesting enough and has a great retro style, but I'm a fairy tale kinda gal.  Yikes!  I have never been more wrong about a book.  I love every inch of Lucky's 24 Hour Garage, from the cherry red gas pumps to Angelo's navy blue hat.

Art courtesy Daniel Kirk from Lucky's 24 Hour Garage

   Many of you may be familiar with Daniel Kirk.  His picture book illustrations for Chugga-Chugga Choo-Choo and My Truck is Stuck!, both by Kevin Lewis, brought him national acclaim.  But back in 1996, Mr. Kirk authored and illustrated this little beauty.  His meticulous research shows in the lavishly painted spreads which seem to have a warm incandescent glow.  The reader is introduced to an increasingly interesting cast of characters even as he (or she!) is immersed in urban America, 1939.  The author manages to exude nostalgia without getting one bit sappy.  And the lilting text on the final page leaves me with a satisfied sigh.

In an industry that is begging for better "boys" books, this gem is sure to fit the bill.  But don't overlook its charm for all ages and genders.

So my apologies to Daniel Kirk.  I should have known better.

Daniel Kirk also made an appearance at the Lititz Kid-Lit Festival last weekend, hosted by Aaron's Books.  Check out this report from Erik at ThisKidReviewsBooks.

Fairy Country

"You can cover a great deal of country in books."

- Andrew Lang

Available from
IrishPirateQueen
on Zazzle