Happy Fall!

Today is the first day of Fall!

Getting Ready...

I'm so excited---

The Inventor's Secret, What Thomas Edison Told Henry Ford will be born on September 8, which is very, very soon. And it really does feel like having a baby.

A year of research and work went into its creation. Then lots of waiting and waiting. And in just a little over a week, I'll hold it in my hands.

Preparations are underway. Events are lined up, postcards are printing and I have some lovely bookmarks and bookplates. Two designs for bookmarks... I just couldn't decide?

The Inventor's Secret Teaser Trailer

Here's a trailer teaser for The Inventor's Secret. It's a picture book that I illustrated,

 written by the very talented Suzanne Slade and published by Charlesbridge Publishing. 

Check out this short video for a sneak peek!!!!

I'll be posting more soon about the research and fun involved in doing this project.

Stay tuned...

It's a book birthday for Footer Davis Probably is Crazy!

Today is release day for a wonderful middle grade book written by Susan Vaught and illustrated by me.

I didn't do that fabulous cover, but I did do 11 interior spot illustrations.

This was a really fun project and also a bit of a challenge. One of the best parts of the job was that I got to work with Mr. Laurent Linn, art director extraordinaire at Simon & Schuster.

When Laurent wrote to ask me about taking on this project, he mentioned that this story deals with some very difficult issues that are not typically found in a middle grade novel.

 Mental illness, murder, gun rights, child abuse, physical handicaps, etc.. 

He then supplied a list of needed illustrations which included;

A severed foot

Footer wiping snake guts off the bird feeder

A scary clown guy holding a knife dripping blood

Me? illustrate this?

Ahhhhh, 

but the illustrations were to look like Footer, an eleven year old girl, had drawn them herself.  

The project was a lot of fun. I just fell in love with Footer and her friends. Susan has written a very clever mystery with characters who navigate through some very difficult challenges. It's done with humor, tenderness, and keeps you guessing until the very end.

I am thrilled to be even a small part of such a poignant, funny, well crafted story.

Happy Book Birthday, Footer Davis! 

Happy Chanukah!

Happy Chanukah!

I'm not Jewish, but I absolutely loved learning about the Jewish holidays, customs, and traditions while working on Rabbi Benjamin's Buttons. The art director at Charlesbridge Publishing, Whitney Leader-Picone, is Jewish and was gracious enough to share her knowledge, passion, and personal stories with me.

Rabbi Benjamin's Buttons, written by Alice B. McGinty, was released in August and received a starred review from Publisher's Weekly. 

In the back are yummy recipes passed down from Alice's very own family members (now disguised as those of the Goldwassers and Muchnicks)!

Celebrate with Rabbi Benjamin and his loving congretion!

Happy Chanukah, everyone!!!!

(Rabbi B is available online, 

but please consider supporting your local bookstore if possible.)

"tis the Season

Here we go!!!!

xo

A Book Giveaway! And Illustrating Rabbi Benjamin's Buttons

Nothing like sending people from one blog to another. 

But, Yesterday I posted at The Picturebook Builders Blog a little about the process of illustrating Rabbi Benjamin's Buttons. 

Annnnnnnnnnd--- There's A book giveaway!!!!!!!!

So 'pop' on over there (here www.PictureBookBuilders.com) and leave a comment to be entered in the drawing. 

Also, if you are a picture book lover, please add your name to our email list and you'll receive notice of new posts on the site. 

Have a terrific day, Mazel tov!