Painting Bunnies

Furball Friday

2012-01-27T05:25:00.000-08:00

It showed up

2012-01-24T10:20:00.000-08:00

I've been back at writing regularly post-baby for a few weeks and feeling frustrated that it's taking so long to get in the flow. I feel like I've been writing and writing, but not getting anything done. Now this is not the first work I've done since I had Tilly a little over a year ago, but it's the first time we've had a babysitter. So I've had concentrated amounts of time to focus, which is totally different. I've been so anxious to get to this point, it feels like there is a big bubbling pot of ideas that will explode if I don't give it a way out.

But then there is the terror of that big blank screen. And as I said above, miles and miles of writing that seem to go nowhere. So I was chatting with Libby and she said, "don't worry, if you keep showing up, the work will show up." I've repeated that to myself several times in the past week and decided to just show up. It's all I can do to get back on track and it's what I have to do. So I have. And then, last Thursday, it showed up. I got so lost in writing that I barely noticed the baby coos and shrieks of excitement coming from downstairs. The hours flew by. And now I remember how it feels, and why I needed to get back here.

Even if my career goes in a very different direction now that I'm a mom, I'm committed to showing up and seeing what happens.

(Graphic from Ben Silbermann, the founder of Pinterest, photo by A Practical Wedding)

The results are in!

2012-01-23T08:32:00.000-08:00

Newbery Medal:

“Dead End in Norvelt,” written by Jack Gantos, is the 2012 Newbery Medal winner. The book is published by Farrar Straus Giroux.

Two Newbery Honor Books also were named: "Inside Out & Back Again," written by Thanhha Lai and published by HarperCollins Children’s Books, a division of HarperCollins Publishers; and "Breaking Stalin’s Nose,” written and illustrated by Eugene Yelchin, and published by Henry Holt and Company, LLC.

Caldecott Medal:

“A Ball for Daisy," illustrated and written by Chris Raschka, is the 2012 Caldecott Medal winner. The book is published by Schwartz & Wade Books, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Random House, Inc.

Three Caldecott Honor Books also were named: “Blackout,” illustrated and written by John Rocco, and published by Disney · Hyperion Books, an imprint of Disney Book Group; "Grandpa Green" illustrated and written by Lane Smith, and published by Roaring Brook Press, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing Holdings Limited Partnership; and “Me … Jane,” illustrated and written by Patrick McDonnell, and published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

Michael L. Printz Award:

“Where Things Come Back,” written by John Corey Whaley, is the 2012 Printz Award winner. The book is published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.

“Why We Broke Up,” written by Daniel Handler, art by Maira Kalman and published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group; “The Returning,” written by Christine Hinwood and published by Dial Books, an imprint of Penguin Group Young Readers Group USA; “Jasper Jones,” written by Craig Silvey and published by Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Random House, Inc.; and “The Scorpio Races,” written by Maggie Stiefvater and published by Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.

Coretta Scott King (Author):

Kadir Nelson, author and illustrator of “Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans,” is the King Author Book winner. The book is published by Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

Two King Author Honor Book recipients were selected: Eloise Greenfield, author of “The Great Migration: Journey to the North,” illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist and published by Amistad, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers; and Patricia C. McKissack, author of “Never Forgotten,” illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon and published by Schwartz & Wade Books, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Random House, Inc.

Coretta Scott King (Illustrator) Book Award:

Shane W. Evans, illustrator and author of “Underground: Finding the Light to Freedom,” is the King Illustrator Book winner. The book is a Neal Porter Book, published by Roaring Brook Press, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing Holdings Limited Partnership.

One King Illustrator Honor Book recipient was selected: Kadir Nelson, illustrator and author of “Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans,” published by Balzar + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

See the rest here. Congrats everyone!

Furball Friday

2012-01-20T05:32:00.000-08:00

Etsy re-launch

2012-01-09T12:53:00.000-08:00

It's been exactly one week since I've begun having official office hours again. It's been so great to be able to focus without distraction while little Tilda plays happily with her babysitter downstairs. Already I have gotten more done in the past week than in the past six months. Phew! One of the first things I had hoped to cross off my lengthy to-do list was a re-launch of my Etsy store. I've just filled it up with bunches of new prints from nearly all of my books for your shopping pleasure. Take a peek and let me know what you think! Below are a few of the my favorites...

The Montague Bookmill

2012-01-03T13:25:00.000-08:00

Happy new year all! This New Year's Eve we ventured out to a cozy spot I've been wanting to explore for awhile, The Montague Bookmill. I'd been spotting bumper stickers around town that said "books you don't need in a place you can't find", so naturally I was intrigued. The place lived up to it's great tag line.

Montague is an adorable little town tucked away on the Sawmill River. The old mill building turned book store/restaurant/art gallery is just what you'd expect; gorgeous exposed wood beams, giant windows looking out over the rapids, and great little architectural details all over the place.

We had brunch in The Lady Killigrew Cafe overlooking the water.

After brunch we explored the book store with it's large stacks and little reading nooks tucked away all over the place.

I picked up a new title by friend Leo Landry, can't wait to read it to Tilly when she's older.

She couldn't wait to get home to start reading.

I wonder who she takes after.

On our way out we went by The Night Kitchen Restaurant. They were closed but we're excited to check it out on our next visit!

Happy Christmas!

2011-12-25T15:33:00.001-08:00

Getting ready

2011-12-13T08:10:00.001-08:00

Apologies for the lack of posting, it's been a busy few weeks while we get ready for family visits and the holidays. This weekend we got our tree at a neighboring farm. It's been a lot of fun starting new traditions with a little one in tow.

On the work front I am most excited that we have just found a wonderful babysitter to come to our house so that I can at last have concentrated work hours again. Until now, Bruno and I have been trading off with the baby (he works at home too), and it's been nearly impossible to finish any of the projects on my list. I am hopeful that the new year will bring lots of productivity!

Until then, hope the coming weeks are filled with lots of holiday fun for you and yours...

Baby bobcat

2011-12-04T17:26:00.000-08:00

I have been obsessing about this ridiculously cute little guy for awhile now. He just never fails to make me happy. I mean LOOK at him. He's so pleasantly wistful. So contemplative. So approachable. I want to spend the afternoon with him (maybe longer).

(Photo by Sharon Montrose)

Furball Friday

2011-11-26T07:16:00.001-08:00

A birthday

2011-11-23T13:02:00.000-08:00

It's such a busy time of year with the holidays looming and lots to wrap up by the end of the year. But this weekend we got to take a step back to do some celebrating; it was little Tilda's first birthday! What a wonderful year it's been. Here are a few pictures from the weekend. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Mish mash

2011-11-15T09:31:00.000-08:00

Last week we lost our internet, a result of the big storm, so this week I am digging out of emails and catching up on this and that. Highlights of the week include a Skype visit with some first graders in Pennsylvania, beginning the somewhat daunting task of sewing a new slipcover for our sofa (my fingers bear the battle wounds of pinning velcro all night), and finally finishing a pair of baby legwarmers for Tilda.

On the agenda for this week: finishing the relaunch of my Etsy store, making some web site updates, and finishing the party decorations for Tilda's one year birthday.

Furball Friday

2011-11-11T10:20:00.001-08:00

Snowed in

2011-11-01T05:35:00.000-07:00

New England got hit with a big storm this weekend, some of us are still digging out! It took us a bit by surprise, it is October after all, so we were a bit underprepared for loosing our power and water. Still, it was very pretty out here in the country. Tilda just stared and stared.

That lump in the yard is a picnic table.

It was surreal seeing the yellow and red fall leaves underneath all that snow.

Hope you all are staying warm and cozy!

Furball Friday

2011-10-21T05:46:00.000-07:00

Sale

2011-10-18T10:05:00.000-07:00

The fall sale on Saturday was a lot of fun as usual; the main street that runs through the RISD campus was blocked off for the day and filled with alumni selling their wares. I had a table and sold prints as well as books. Below is my new display all set up. Sadly it did not last long before we had to take it down, the sale was hit with 30 mph gusts in some spots that sent many a book flying down the street. Thankfully Libby was on hand to help me hold things down (quite literally). We didn't have it as bad as some folks though, not the day to be a glass blower. Every so often the crowd was silenced by an explosion of shattering glass. Yikes!

I will have many of these new prints in my Etsy shop soon, stay tuned!

Fall RISD Sale this Saturday

2011-10-10T17:49:00.000-07:00

Just a note to let you know I will have a table at this Saturday's RISD Alumni Sale. There will be lots of fabulous handmade goodies at the sale: from hand-blown glass to fine art to knitwear and pottery. It's always a fun day signing books and meeting the other artists. Though the real reason I go may be to shop! It's hard not to covet all the beautiful handmade lovelies I'd like to take home and put around my house.

I'll be at table #149 selling books and prints. If you are in the area do come say hello!

Details:
Saturday the 15th from 10:00-4:00 pm
Benefit Street in Providence, in between Waterman and George Streets

Furball Friday

2011-10-07T07:00:00.000-07:00

Being Elmo

2011-10-04T06:27:00.000-07:00

Are you going to see the new documentary about Being Elmo? The trailer gave me goosebumps.

Anonymous Scottish book art

2011-09-27T07:49:00.000-07:00

Isn't it lovely? More here.

Furball Friday: Guest Furball

2011-09-23T06:06:00.000-07:00

Lately Wilbur and George have been all "put the camera away woman, I can't pose for your blog like 24 hours a day". Thankfully there are other more accommodating furballs, such as this little fellow. His name is Walter III (aka Trip) and his sunny little forehead just calls out for some love. Thanks for visiting Trip!

Good-bye summer

2011-09-21T10:12:00.000-07:00

I know we still have two days, but it already feels like fall with the chilly nights and leaves starting to turn. I am still picking bouquets at our CSA, hoping to keep summer alive in our house a few weeks longer...

Long time no see

2011-09-20T09:45:00.000-07:00

While unpacking boxes, I recently came across a stack of books from my childhood that I haven't seen in years. I LOVED this series. The books originally belonged to my mom, they were first published in 1913. I can't wait to reread them! Finding them was perfect timing, as I've been working on my own chapter book of animal stories.

Furball Friday

2011-09-16T06:32:00.000-07:00

Once again, a move provides fabulous sleeping spots for Wilbur.

Settling down

2011-09-13T15:25:00.000-07:00

Please pardon the radio silence as I get unpacked in our new home (again). This time we're settling for awhile an it feels great. Most of our place is still in boxes, but the living room is shaping up nicely. The house we're renting feels like a little mountain lodge.

This is the view from the living room window:

And a little fellow my husband caught the other day:

The place is brimming with wildlife; there are hummingbirds, dragonflies, frogs, chipmunks, and deer all over the place (I'm told bears as well, though we haven't seen any yet). The woods are full of edible mushrooms, my husband had some for lunch today that looked like this:

It's been a really nice change from city life, and a big sigh of relief to unpack things that have been in storage for more than a year. I realized pretty quickly as we started sifting through boxes that the vast majority of my things fall into one of three categories: books (of course), art supplies, and angsty drawings from college like this one:

I'd love to purge and lighten our load but I find each of those things very hard to get rid of, for different reasons. The books because I want to remember them and reread them and use them for inspiring new stories. The art supplies because of all the projects I might need them for. And the drawings because the more time that passes since art school the more I forget where I started on the journey to becoming an author and illustrator. And it's good to remember that beginning and how much has changed since then.

A lovely review of Greta from School Library Journal

2011-08-29T04:43:00.000-07:00

"A bunny misses her photographer father when he’s gone on assignments. Sometimes she wishes she were the subject of his photo shoots. When he covers the circus, Greta imagines she is a circus performer. Then he photographs a country singer, and she plays the part in cowboy boots. When she aspires to have an important job like his, her father assures her that she already has the most important job–being his Greta. The short, sweet text offers young children reassurance as it follows the rabbit’s thoughts while she dreams of ways to be close to her dad. The acrylic paintings of an anthropomorphic rabbit family are reminiscent of those in Margaret Wise Brown’s Good Night Moon (HarperCollins, 1947) and verify the warmth of the narrative . . ."

–Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH

Thanks SLJ! Read more about A Photo for Greta here.

A house in the woods

2011-08-23T06:28:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy month with sadly not much writing or drawing going on. We are packing up for a move once again, this time to a little house in the country:

It's been a long time since I've lived in the woods, twenty years I guess? Since leaving home as a teenager I've lived in Richmond, Virginia, Providence, Boston, San Francisco, and most recently Northampton, Massachusetts. Lately though I've been feeling the strong urge to live in a remote, beautiful, quiet place. Maybe the work of taking care of a baby has become enough stimulation and I need more of a calm, relaxing environment. Or maybe I've just come full circle and want to raise Tilda in a place similar to where I grew up. Either way, I'm excited to see where the change of environment takes me personally and creatively.

More soon once we settle in!

9 months

2011-08-22T05:00:00.000-07:00

Tilda is 9 months old today. The time has passed so quickly, just like everyone said it would. I can already see the little girl she will grow into.

Advice

2011-08-15T19:14:00.000-07:00

I recently read this article for aspiring photographers by Cheryl Jacobs Nicolai. It struck me as very true for any creative professional. Some favorite excerpts:

"Don't look outward for your style; look inward."

"Never apologize for your own sense of beauty. Nobody can tell you what you should love. Do what you do brazenly and unapologetically. You cannot build your sense of aesthetics on a concensus."

"Accept critique, but don't apply it blindly. Just because someone said it does not make it so. Critiques are opinions, nothing more. Consider the advice, consider the perspective of the advice giver, consider your style and what you want to convey in your work. Implement only what makes sense to implement. That doesn't make you ungrateful, it makes you independent."

"Excellent technique is a great tool, but a terrible end product. The best thing your technique can do is not call attention to itself. Never let your technique upstage your subject."

"Never compare your journey with someone else's. It's a marathon with no finish line. Someone else may start out faster than you, may seem to progress more quickly than you, but every runner has his own pace. Your journey is your journey, not a competition. You will never "arrive". No one ever does."

And aren't her photographs lovely?

Posters

2011-08-08T18:32:00.000-07:00

Jules over at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast posted a link the other day to these amazing minimalist posters for various children's classics. I adore them! Trying to decide which one to put up in Tilda's nursery (probably not The Pied Piper).

ps. Happy 5th birthday 7-Imp!

Furball Friday

2011-08-05T05:44:00.000-07:00

Awesome

2011-08-03T09:43:00.000-07:00

"The first Penguin edition of EV Rieu's translation of Homer had a Greek sailor on the cover, with a disclaimer inside: "Not an authentic depiction of a Greek sailor". They then put a penguin on the cover instead – but forgot to change the disclaimer."

-from The Katharaine Whitehorn experience

Maybe I should start including disclaimers in my books, eg "not an authentic depiction of a rabbit photographer."

(Via Peonies and Polaroids)

Cupcakes and baby feet

2011-07-26T08:16:00.000-07:00

Some of us Blue Rose Girls got together this weekend to celebrate a number of birthdays, discuss books and publishing, and eat cupcakes prepared by guess who. This batch of chocolate gluten-free were delicious. It was so lovely to revive our weekend traditions (it has been a full year since I was able to attend a gathering since I was away). Thank you ladies!

This year there were some new attendees, my Tilda and Juniper (daughter of the über-talented Alissa Imre Geis). Juniper has bigger feet, but I believe Tilda has chunkier knees.

Furball Friday

2011-07-22T05:02:00.000-07:00

There's a baby behind me isn't there.

A new sketch

2011-07-20T18:08:00.000-07:00

A flower picking we will go

2011-07-14T11:46:00.000-07:00

Our CSA lets you pick your own flowers. I plan to fill the house with bouquets all summer long.

826 Valencia

2011-07-12T06:24:00.000-07:00

I meant to put this post up before I left SF, but didn't, so here it is belatedly. I wanted to share some pictures from my trip to the famous 826 Valencia Pirate Store. In case you haven't heard the story... Dave Eggers co-founded this fabulous writing center, with locations around the country. Each location has its own unique storefront (I used to live near Boston's Bigfoot Research Institute). I'd always wanted to see the Pirate Store in San Francisco and it was well worth the trip. Below are some photos from my adventure there.

There were lots of great activities for kids:

A wall full of drawers that you could pull out and spy inside:

Treasure maps of course:

A wall of mustaches on mirrors:

Lots of pirate paraphernalia:

And these great signs posted here and there (click to enlarge and read):

This is the writing center in the back of the store:

I would have loved to visit a place like this when I was a kid! Wouldn't you?

Furball Friday

2011-07-08T07:22:00.001-07:00

Real life old red shoes

2011-07-06T18:16:00.000-07:00

Turning old red shoes into planters is not just for kids. Grace's mom made these lovelies:

Broccoli house

2011-06-29T09:08:00.000-07:00

By Brock Davis.

He also made this, which I quite love:

A Photo for Greta art activity

2011-06-28T09:43:00.000-07:00

One of our Blue Rose Girl readers (Hi Naomi!) recently ran a lovely art activity with her students using A Photo for Greta. She had her students bring in a self portrait, then draw themselves as a character in a book (like I did here). Such a great idea, thanks for the pictures! I love seeing how kids and teachers use my books.

Furball Friday

2011-06-24T05:02:00.000-07:00

Please forgive the lack of Furball Firday posts lately. Baby photography has won out over cat photography (sorry George and Wilbur). Still, I do find time to capture their antics now and again...

Two visits and a review

2011-06-20T20:09:00.000-07:00

The past week has been a busy one! Here are a few highlights:

*On Father's Day I visited Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast to talk about the making of A Photo for Greta. A big thanks to Jules for having me! Read my post here.

*I had a lovely school visit in Newton, the first after taking some time off for maternity leave. It was a lot of fun to read my new book to a group of kids at last (I've read it during some Skype visits this spring, but this was the first time in person). When I tell kids about the book making process, I describe how I made a watercolor "test" of my palette in order to choose which colors I will use in the illustrations. I usually show them this palette, which I made for Francine's Day:

When I got home I was greeted by a sweet email from the organizer, whose son attended my talk. When he arrived home he pulled out his watercolors and made his own paint palette, then proceeded to paint all of his stuffed animals:

Such a talented artist, nice work Jared! I hope you will keep painting and visit the library often.

*Publisher's Weekly gave A Photo for Greta this lovely review. A snippet: "As she did in Disappearing Desmond, Alter displays notable sensitivity to children’s insecurities and doubts, while providing reassurance of their worth." Thanks PW!

*And lastly, Tilda is now eating butternut squash, which she prefers to feed herself. Next thing you know she will be applying to college.

Happy Father's Day

2011-06-19T09:34:00.000-07:00

I hope you are all having a fabulous Father's Day! To celebrate today I visited the fabulous kidlit blog Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast to talk about the making of A Photo for Greta and growing up with a photographer father. Go check out the post for some behind the scenes, making-of-the-book action!

Still not sure what to give for Father's Day?

2011-06-14T06:47:00.000-07:00

I can help you there. A Photo for Greta makes the perfect Father's Day gift. After all, The New York Times called it a "paean to paternal love", what better recommendation do you need?

Okay, enough advertising. Happy Father's Day everyone! Hope you spend Sunday celebrating all the great dads you know. I will be celebrating the guy below with a beer tasting, Indian take-out, and letting him sleep in while I take the baby at 6 am (for once).

Review of A Photo for Greta from Publisher's Weekly

2011-06-13T06:19:00.000-07:00

This review of A Photo for Greta just in from Publisher's Weekly. Thanks PW!

"Greta, a young rabbit, loves her father, a photographer who “travels all around the world taking pictures of very important people.” Admiring the framed pictures he’s taken of NASA astronauts, an Olympic gold medalist, musicians, and a winner of a gold-bunny “Oscar,” she wishes to be famous and photo-ready herself. So when her father is away taking pictures of a circus and a ballet, Greta dresses like an acrobat and ballerina, and her father takes her picture when he returns home. And when he’s photographing a country music band, a cowboy boot–wearing Greta plucks “a sad and lonely tune on her guitar,” because he won’t be back until after she is asleep. As she did in Disappearing Desmond, Alter displays notable sensitivity to children’s insecurities and doubts, while providing reassurance of their worth. Her acrylics have a comforting sturdiness, and readers who similarly take pride in their parents’ professions, even as they miss them in their absence, will relate both to Greta’s role-playing when her father is away and their tender time together when he comes home."

Getting settled

2011-06-06T18:46:00.001-07:00

Right now life is a bit chaotic, so I just thought I'd give a quick update on all the settling in going on now that I am back on the East Coast. First off, this is what my office looks like:

Nice, huh? There is much to be done. But as I said a couple weeks ago, it feels good to go through all my things once again and purge. I feel like I'm wiping the slate clean and preparing for a new phase of life.

In between the unpacking and sorting I recently made a quick trip down to Mystic to see Linda's incredible play and visit with Libby, Alissa and her family. It was a lovely day involving a picnic and stroll by the water in Stonington, CT. Tilda enjoyed the fresh sea air and playing with Libby's hair.

When the mess in my office or stress of making a home *again* gets to be too much, I sit with Tilda and remember how lucky I am to have her (or more accurately, belong to her). I can't even imagine life without her at this point.

Thats all for now! Will be back to books as soon as those boxes disappear...

Home

2011-05-24T07:53:00.000-07:00

After 12 hours of travel that began at 4 am and involved a small mountain of luggage, two large, weary cats, and one large, cheerful baby we have at last landed back in Massachusetts! Spending the year in San Francisco was incredible experience I will never forget, but it feels really good to be home.

I was pretty nervous about the trip since I've never flown with a baby and we had so much stuff with us (toys! diapers! three cameras! 5 pounds of cat food!), but it all went off without a hitch. Tilda didn't cry even once. Her main complaint in life is being put down, so she was pretty psyched to be held for 6 hours straight. She flirted with everyone around us and napped happily to the white noise of the plane. Here she is playing airplane on the airplane:

And just hanging out:

While we were gone we subletted our apartment and left all our furniture and household items, including most of my studio. Coming back to our things after being away from them so long has been strange. I am not attached to anything and kind of want to throw it all away and start new. Maybe it has something to do with life being so different now that I'm a mother, that I need my space to reflect that change. But its funny, we writers and artists always say we need our "stuff" around us to be productive, or at least thats how I usually feel. After not having my stuff for so long it all seems totally unnecessary. Like on Clean House when a family swears up and down they can't function with out some raggedy old dishtowel that has sentimental value. Did I really need all those stacks of magazines and old paint brushes? Nope! Right now I feel like I need to get rid of it all. I'm sure once I'm absorbed in working on a new project I won't care either way, but til then I will be busy wiping the slate clean for the next phase: being a parent and getting back to work.

Taking flight

2011-05-18T11:12:00.000-07:00

At long last we are packing up George, Wilbur, and tiny Tilda and flying back east to our home in Massachusetts. The blog will be a little quiet over the next week as we pack up and settle in, be back soon!

Greta in The New York Times!

2011-05-11T15:25:00.000-07:00

Great news: A Photo for Greta was reviewed in this Sunday's New York Times Book Review, along with Grandma's Wedding Album (they called them both "heartfelt and personal" books about family photography). Yay! An excerpt:

"Alter’s paean to paternal love, strong despite the demands of the road, is at the same time a portrait of an only child who yearns for the limelight of her father’s attention. When Greta’s dad gives his daughter her own photo shoot, 'It was the best day she could remember.'"

A Photo for Greta is out today!

2011-05-10T08:44:00.000-07:00

At last, A Photo for Greta is out in stores, hurray!

We've talked a lot in the past on Blue Rose Girls about the quiet birth of of a children's book, how you work at a story for months and years and when it finally comes out it can be a little anticlimactic. Trumpets do not sound unless you, yourself, get a trumpet to play. But today does feel kind of special. Maybe its because this is a personal book I wrote about my dad or maybe sometimes you just need to find a reason to celebrate. Or maybe I am just very excited to be back at work at last after many months of being at home with baby. But I am excited.

I've been working at redesigning parts of my web site, and just launched a page for Greta here. There you will find a curriculum guide, art activities based on the book, coloring sheets and some other goodies. There is also a handy new feature where you can click on thumbnails of the illustrations for a closer look. Take a look and let me know what you think! And stay tuned for a Father's Day book giveaway coming soon...

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-08T06:02:00.000-07:00

"I think I'm going to have it,"
I said, joking between pains.
The midwife rolled competent
sleeves over corpulent milky arms.
"Dear, you never have it, we deliver it."
A judgment years proved true.
Certainly I've never had you
as you still have me, Caroline.
Why does a mother need a daughter?
Heart's needle, hostage to fortune,
freedom's end. Yet nothing's more perfect
than that bleating, razor-shaped cry
that delivers a mother to her baby.
The bloodcord snaps that held
their sphere together. The child,
tiny and alone, creates the mother.

A woman's life is her own
until it is taken away
by a first particular cry.
Then she is not alone
but part of the premises
of everything there is:
a time, a tribe, a war.
When we belong to the world
we become what we are.

From Anne Stevenson
Poems 1955 - 2005
©2005 Bloodaxe Books

(Via Peonies and Polaroids)

Furball Friday

2011-05-06T10:18:00.000-07:00

Curled up with a good kid's book: Desmond review

2011-05-05T11:49:00.000-07:00

Thanks for the lovely review of Disappearing Desmond!

"By applying a little baby powder to his fur, Desmond the cat can blend in with the statues at the museum. When he wears clothes to match the color of a chalkboard or tree, Desmond can be inconspicuous in the classroom and on the school grounds. Masks and props have kept Desmond invisible for a very long time.

Desmond’s days of hiding are over, though, when Gloria the rabbit moves into town. Not only can she see him - she talks to him. As their friendship grows, so does Desmond’s self-confidence. He starts wearing brightly colored clothes, plays the part of a cactus on stage and interacts with others while at the park or in school.

Alter’s acrylic illustrations add humor to this sensitive story about shyness. Desmond is hidden in funny ways throughout most of the book, with only patches of gray fur peeking out. A double-page spread ends the book with a smile by revealing how Desmond’s transformation influences 'almost everyone.'

Anna Alter studied illustration at the Rhode Island School of Design. She is the author and illustrator of the picture books What Can You Do with an Old Red Shoe? and Abigail Spells. She lives in Massachusetts."

Getting ready: Greta coloring sheets

2011-05-03T09:28:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned a couple weeks ago, my new book A Photo for Greta will be out in a week's time, so I've been making some goodies for free download on my web site. Soon these coloring sheets will go up:

Its been a lot of fun working on promo for this book, long in the making. I'll have more fun free stuff soon!

Furball Friday

2011-04-29T07:40:00.000-07:00

A Blue Rose visit

2011-04-28T20:23:00.000-07:00

This week we had our last visitor before heading back east, fellow Blue Rose Girl Grace came out to meet baby Tilda and do a little business. She remembered to take many more pictures than I did (I've got some serious mama brain), but here are a few highlights.

On Monday we went into Chronicle Books. I am a fan of their books, stationary, and journals so it was a thrill to see where they are made (our baby book came from them and we adore it so).

We met with the lovely Melissa Manlove, who chatted with us about upcoming projects and gave us a tour of the incredible offices there (Melissa and Grace below).

The first floor has several retail spaces where you can check out their new titles (that is me trying to restrain myself from buying mountains of books for Tilly).

I wish I got a picture of the clever way they displayed many of the books... they used reclaimed wood beams that looked like they were from nearby piers, turned on their ends, with books set on top. Maybe Grace got a picture? So cool. The offices were so modern and hip, it looked like a really fun place to go to work every day. They actually had a construction room with a sewing machine and other tools... it was sort of like an art school studio.

There were also celebrities just hanging out in some of the editor's cubes (can you spot Johnny Depp below?).

Then we packed up the baby and headed to Chinatown.

We wandered through alleyways looking for a fortune cookie factory Grace read about (she'll have better pictures here too).

After a lovely lunch (not just fortune cookies, though they were delicious), we meandered into an amazing tea shop, filled floor to ceiling with a million kinds of tea.

We sat at the bar and were treated to samples of many exotic flavors by our host, who seemed to know everything there is to know about every tea in existence. We tried Chrysanthemum seed, Lychee, Jasmine Pearl, Ginseng, Coconut, and a sweet buttery tea that smelled like popcorn.

They even had a rose tea brewed using the entire blossom.

Though the fanciest of all was called Cloudy Mist Iron Goddess, it was $800 a pound! Personally I liked the Lychee better. But then I know nothing about tea.

Once we were nice and caffeinated, we headed over to the Embarcadero to the TCHO Chocolate factory. There we tried a "chocolate shot", it is something like drinking chocolate lava. YUM.

All in all a lovely, rejuvenating visit. Every time we have a new guest we get to be tourists in this town we've been staying in and see something new.

A Photo for Greta on the way

2011-04-25T05:49:00.000-07:00

In a few short weeks my new book, A Photo for Greta, will be out at last! You might remember some of the paintings I posted as I was working on it last summer here , here, and here.

While the illustrations were done last summer, the book has been in progress for a long time. Its a story I've always wanted to write about growing up with a dad who is a photographer (which mine was). Here is a photo he took of me when I was about 4, which we used on the jacket flap:

I painted a version of it on the endpapers:

I've been putting together some promotional materials for schools (more on that soon) and some behind the scenes peeks of the making of the book on my web site. This weekend I made this little painting in progress "movie" out of photos of one of the illustrations. I hope it will make the painting process clear to kids who watch it...

Happy Earth Day!

2011-04-22T11:37:00.000-07:00

I hope you're doing something fun to celebrate! I'll be heading to Earth Day SF tomorrow to check out the festivities.

If you have kids at home and want to host your own festivities, don't forget What Can You Do with an Old Red Shoe? has lots of ideas for demonstrating reuse to the little ones in a simple, low-key, creative way. Visit the free stuff page for coloring pages, activity sheets, and a curriculum guide for download.

BooksForKidsBlog review

2011-04-20T16:40:00.000-07:00

For the full review click here.

"With intriguing patterned backgrounds among which our hero and his shy cohorts find refuge, Alter's nicely illustrated Disappearing Desmond provides a bit of visual fun spotting the elusive Desmond and his bashful mates, while providing an easy-going bit of bibliotherapy for the group gifted with the undiscovered riches of the shy classmate. As School Library Journal remarks, 'a reassuring tale of friendship that gives voice to young wallflowers and their secret desire to connect with others.'"

Furball Friday

2011-04-15T16:14:00.000-07:00

A good story

2011-04-12T12:22:00.000-07:00

A few days ago I had a friend visiting who told me a story about one of my books. During the holidays this past year she visited a family whose kids have a mountain of toys. She was warned not to give them anything, that they had more than enough. But of course you can't show up empty handed, so she brought along a copy of What Can You Do with an Old Red Shoe? and gave it to their little girl, who then disappeared into her room.

Later on in the evening she was found dragging a big box of toys down the stairs. "What are you doing?" asked her mom. "The book said if you have too many toys you should give them away." And in fact it does. The last activity in the book begins with a poem about this fellow, who has too many toys:

What can you do with too many toys? You can pile them up and give them away to people who need them:

Her story made my day. With Earth Day coming up next week I thought it was worth sharing. Now I'm off to pile up all the baby stuff we no longer need and make a trip to good will.

Embroidered book covers

2011-04-04T10:10:00.000-07:00

SO gorgeous. These covers were redesigned and hand embroidered by Jillian Tamaki.

(Via A Cup of Jo)

Furball Friday

2011-04-01T11:02:00.000-07:00

(No Wilbur, you can't come in to the baby's room)

Skype visits

2011-03-29T13:56:00.000-07:00

Spring is usually my busy time for school visits (by usually I mean when I am on the east coast and not juggling a new baby), this year I had to make some changes. Lately I've been loving doing skype school visits. You can visit schools all over the place (next month I'm skyping with a school in Alaska!) without having to get on a plane, which is a lot more convenient now that I'm a mother. I plan to resume regular visits soon, but in the mean time its been a great solution. Kids get excited about the new technology (a couple of times its started some interesting discussions about time zones) and I get to talk with kids about books from home. The other day I got an awesome package of thank you notes from a skype visit in Masbeth, New York:

(Sorry about the hard questions Lindsey)

Sometimes there are technical issues, Skype can freeze or pixelate if you have a bad connection. I'm hoping the technology evolves soon. I've heard googlechat is pretty good quality, though I don't know how it would look when blown up by a projector. If anyone has had some experience with it or any other video chat I'd love to know what you think!

Operating Instructions

2011-03-22T11:36:00.000-07:00

For the past couple months when I have a few minutes I've been reading Operating Instructions by Anne Lamott. The book is a journal of her first year with her son, Sam, and how it changed her life. It is dark and funny and brutally honest. When I've had two hours sleep and am covered in spit-up and pacing the apartment trying to get baby to sleep its helps to hear about motherhood from a writer's perspective- she spares no detail good or bad. This is part of an entry when her son was 7 months old:

"I wish I felt more like writing. I don't particularly feel like I have anything to say these days. I feel like the propulsion is missing. All that emptiness and desire and craving and feeling and need to achieve used to keep me at the typewriter. Now there's me and Sam, and it feels like there's not any steam in my pressure cooker. Whenever I teach, I tell my students about that line of Doctorow's, that when you're writing a novel, its like driving in a tulle fog: you can only see about as far as the headlights, but that's enough; it's as far as you have to see. And I tell them that this probably applies to real life, too. But right now I feel like I'm just sitting in the car with Sam, not really going anywhere, just getting to know each other, both of us looking out through the window at what passes by, and then at each other again."

This is how I feel today. Writing and painting feel very far away.

Furball Friday

2011-03-18T13:22:00.001-07:00

Dream job

2011-03-15T13:07:00.000-07:00

Our neighborhood here in San Francisco is teeming with families and the accompanying stores full of kid stuff, especially clothes and toys. I spend a lot of time taking baby on long walks and window shopping. Last week I wandered into a lovely store called Speesees a few blocks from our apartment. Everything is organic and fair trade and I just love the design. I can't wait til Tilda is old enough to wear this:

Or these:

They had some stuffed toys too:

I got to chatting with the owner and designer who is also a painter. When she found our I illustrated children's books she exclaimed that was her dream job. Its funny how the grass is always greener. I love my job but designing kids clothes sounds like a dream job to me!

Furball Friday

2011-03-11T09:48:00.001-08:00

First books

2011-03-08T10:28:00.000-08:00

This weekend I was delighted to receive the first copies of A Photo for Greta, my new book due out in May.

I completed the illustrations last summer, though it feels like a million years ago since so much has happened between now and then. It was great to hold the book in my hands at last. We tried reading it to baby, but as the pages are not chewable she was a little less than interested.

Furball Friday

2011-03-05T11:43:00.000-08:00

Time well spent

2011-03-01T12:11:00.001-08:00

I loved Alvina's post last week about people in publishing pursuing creative goals outside of their day to day work life. As a creative professional you have to find ways to re-engage with your creative instincts or you will surely burn out fast. Being home with a new baby has made me think about this all the more. Because my time to work is extremely limited at the moment its important that the time I do have is spent well. To me that means not wasting time with procrastination and self-doubt, but getting to the heart of what I want to say. I hope that spirit carries through to the time when I have more hours at the computer.

In the meantime, I will keep keep chipping away at manuscripts in the making. And when I can't get to the keyboard, I'll look for other ways to express myself. Right now that means this:

It may be 60 degrees and sunny in California (don't hate me east coasters), but knitting is something I can do a little at a time. And every stitch makes me more excited about the next book.

Desmond review on Kids Lit

2011-02-24T18:05:00.000-08:00

Thanks for the lovely review of Disappearing Desmond!

"A successful book about shyness without the focus on the painful nature of it, this book offers a hand of comfort and friendship to shy children hidden everywhere."

Furball Friday (on Saturday)

2011-02-19T17:13:00.000-08:00

Priscilla and the Hollyhocks play

2011-02-17T17:45:00.000-08:00

Black History Month observance: Calvary Baptist Church and the John Greenleaf Whittier Birthplace collaborate on Anne Broyles' "Priscilla and the Hollyhocks," a special musical presentation by fiddler Marie Rawlings and the Youth of Calvary Baptist Church, directed by Joseph Devoe. Admission is free to the performance at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 19, at the Calvary Baptist Church, 13 Ashland St., Haverhill. Snow date is Monday, Feb. 21. The performance celebrates local poet and abolitionist John Greenleaf Whittier and Haverhill's place as a stop on the Underground Railroad, which helped escaped slaves reach Canada, and freedom.

Sweet things

2011-02-15T08:16:00.000-08:00

Hope you all had a lovely Valentine's Day yesterday! We made a visit, at last, to the incredible Tartine Bakery down the street from where we're staying in San Francisco. I've been hearing about this place for some time, but every time we've tried to go there was a line down the block to get in. So yesterday we headed out early and thankfully made it through the door. It every bit deserves its reputation for having the best sweets in the city. We had chocolate croissants still warm from the oven, apple brioche bread pudding, and these delicious chocolate hazelnut tarts.

After arriving home I got some sweet news. Disappearing Desmond has been included in the Cooperative Children's Book Center's best-of-the-year list. Hurray! I am truly honored to have Desmond on the list. Grace is on there too with Thanking the Moon: Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival.

The complete list will be here on March 5th. Congrats to everyone!

Lastly baby made some sweet progress this weekend. For the very first time she lifted her head up during "tummy time"! These days you have to give babies time on their belly, since its not considered safe to let them sleep that way, so they can learn to lift their head to prepare for crawling. Normally Wren cries the whole time, but this weekend she not only smiled through it but got some lift! I am a very proud mama.

Furball Friday

2011-02-11T08:36:00.000-08:00

Being a big brother is exhausting.

What she likes

2011-02-08T12:26:00.000-08:00

As I mentioned in this post, while I've got plenty of picture books on the shelf (though I have yet to determine which will be allowed into little hands and which will stay in perfect condition), I've never collected many board books. Now that I have a little one our board book library is increasing.

While baby clearly has little idea why we keep holding these boxy little pages in front of her she does seem to have some preferences. What they say about babies being attracted to high contrast images must be true, because she loves looking at this book:

By the same token Hungry Caterpillar always keeps her transfixed (I guess its a classic for a reason!). I think the bold shapes are easy for her to see, and the colors very appealing.

Here is another favorite, which I quite adore. Like I posted here, the story is so sweet and the artwork so delicate and beautiful. I love the combination of graphic shapes with collaged textures.

Lastly as a side note, when she's not looking at books baby just loves to look at her birds. She just stares and stares. Remember when we found them on a BRG weekend at Libby's? That was very lucky because they are baby's very favorite thing to look at. We first hung them in the living room and began to notice her gazing at them. When we brought her up close they would never fail to produce a grin, so we moved one string above her changing table. Now every time we change her, she looks up at them and smiles ear to ear.

Dolores Park on a Sunday afternoon

2011-02-07T14:28:00.000-08:00

Furball Friday

2011-02-04T12:32:00.000-08:00

Furball Fridays are back! George and Wilbur have been a bit blue since baby arrived, so I've promised them lots of photo shoots to make up for it. They're thinking over the offer.

(Photo by Gary Alter)

Desmond in Booklist

2011-02-03T06:09:00.000-08:00

This lovely review of Disappearing Desmond came out in the fall, I am late to post it for obvious reasons. Than you Booklist!

"Whether he is talcum-powdered white to look like a statue in an art museum or dressed in green while sitting in a tree, Desmond, a shy cat, likes to blend in with his environment, much like David Lucas’ Halibut Jackson (2004). Used to being ignored, Desmond is surprised when new student Gloria, a gregarious rabbit who enjoys speaking up and standing out, notices him wherever he tries to hide. After Gloria finds Desmond in the library and they read together all morning long, the classmates become inseparable playmates. Brandishing a new attire and self-confidence to boot, Desmond can’t remember why he ever wanted to disappear and spots another camouflaged friend. The final double-page spread includes numerous hidden students for readers to find. With a nod to her own Abigail Spells (2009), Alter’s pleasing acrylic illustrations feature more of her adorable animals and geometric and patterned backdrops. A reassuring tale of friendship that gives voice to young wallflowers and their secret desire to connect with others."

— Angela Leeper, Booklist, November 15th, 2010

Ten weeks

2011-02-01T03:16:00.000-08:00

Its been ten weeks since I had a baby and I think its fair to say life as I knew it has been turned on its head. There are of course the obvious changes: the day is now structured around the needs of a tiny, hungry, brand new person who doesn't care much for my to do list. I'm lucky if I can get one errand done in a day.

Time has slowed to a snail's pace when it comes to cooking and laundry, but its also flying by. Baby grows and changes at light speed. She's gone from 6 pounds 11 oz to almost 13 pounds in her short life, from seeing only a foot in front of her to being able to track me from across the room, and most remarkably gone from a distant, sleepy gaze to broad faced grins like these:

The grins are the best. They make my heart explode with happiness. I would do anything for them.

But the biggest change that first hit like a mac truck and has since been winding its way through my thoughts has to do with the way I think of myself. Like most artists and writers, I've always leaned pretty heavily on my work to define who I am. Its what makes me feel different and special and unique, the thing that I have to offer the world. Strangely that is shifting. Having a kid is perhaps the most commonplace thing a person can do. It doesn't make me different at all, if anything it makes me more like everyone else. But it feels so profoundly beautiful in all its commonness.

There is a quote from one of my new mom books that I love:

"A few weeks ago, my baby gave me a flower. Never mind that ... it was missing a few petals, or that he wasn't entirely sure he wanted to let it go. It was-and is-the most gorgeous flower ever given or received. Silver and gold wouldn't buy it from me ... These aren't just my hands anymore; they belong to a lineage of mothers a planet wide and millenia old. I was a woman on an April evening in a kitchen in my corner of the world, catching time between the pages of a baby book, and at the same time, I was my mother, her mother, a mother somewhere on another continent carefully tucking a flower into the pocket of her shirt, a flower you couldn't buy from her with silver or gold. We don't know each other, but all over the world and all through time, we're gathering up wilted flowers and misspelled love notes, and every single one of us knows the singular ache that's love and pride and sadness all mixed into one."

-The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding

Part of me feels sad that the life I had is gone- no more staying up all night to finish a painting or feverishly devoting every waking thought to a story idea. Now my time is scheduled and my job is to make the most of the time I have in front of the computer, when I have it. But I also feel deeply excited about this new life. Mother love is fierce and unending. As I find my way back into making books I do so with a wilted flower in my pocket.

Good news

2011-01-26T11:51:00.000-08:00

I just got word that Disappearing Desmond was named to the 2011-2012 Texas 2x2 Recommended Reading List for books for children Age 2 to Grade 2. Hurrah! For the full list click here. Thank you Texas librarians!

Reading to baby Wren has begun

2011-01-18T11:04:00.001-08:00

Its never too early to enjoy a good book, no?

The sweet story my husband is reading to Wren is called A Book of Sleep, I just adore it. We see a variety of animals and the way that they sleep from the perspective of a watchful owl. But what really stands out are the beautiful, delicate, textured collage illustrations.

I'll try to post about some of the other books in our growing board book library as we go!

Happy new year!

2011-01-09T20:45:00.000-08:00

Apologies for the long break, its been a busy couple of months with a brand new baby. I'll start posting again over the next couple weeks as I try to ease back into work life... til then please enjoy this picture of my little bunny!

New arrival

2010-11-25T13:13:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! As you may have noticed, there have been no posts over the past week. This is because I've been busy with a new arrival, and the thing I am most grateful for: our brand new baby girl born on Monday Nov. 22nd. Back soon!

And the winners are...

2010-11-17T12:51:00.000-08:00

Thanks to everyone who entered the Disappearing Desmond book giveaway! There were over 250 entries, I wish I could send books to each and every one of you.

I was a little short on hats to pick the names out of, so I used one that belongs to baby-on-the-way...

Winners will be notified by email today. I'll run more giveaways in the future, so check back!

Furball Friday

2010-11-12T14:24:00.000-08:00

Its been a rocky ride for George and Wilbur over the past few months with three moves under their belt, but they are finally settling into our new digs. It took no time at all to find their favorite spots to snooze in our new apartment in Noe Valley. This is apparently the most comfortable pillow they have ever encountered.

Less than a week to go!

2010-11-10T10:54:00.001-08:00

My Disappearing Desmond book giveaway is still running, click below to enter to win your very own copy sent to your doorstep! The giveaway ends on Nov.14th, with ten winners selected at random on Nov.15th. Enter as many times as you like! Simply click on the image below.*

*Please note, US residents only!

Roald Dahl

2010-11-08T05:12:00.000-08:00

There was a great NPR show on Roald Dahl recently, check it out here. Don't you love his writing desk?

Furball Friday

2010-11-05T13:22:00.000-07:00

Book signing this Saturday

2010-11-03T17:05:00.000-07:00

This Saturday I'll be reading and signing Disappearing Desmond at Books Inc. in Alameda, CA. Come join me! Here are the details:

Saturday November 6th at 2:00 pm
Books Inc.
1344 Park Street
Alameda, CA
510-522-2226
See a map here

Desmond book giveaway

2010-11-01T08:06:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned last week, Desmond will be visiting a number of blogs over the next couple weeks... look for the badge below to win a free book!

The giveaway will run from Nov.1st through Nov.14th, with ten winners selected at random on Nov.15th. Enter as many times as you like! Simply click on the image below.*

*Please note, US residents only!

Furball Friday: National Cat Day

2010-10-29T12:01:00.001-07:00

Did you know today was National Cat Day? I was made aware of this glorious fact by Jama Rattigan, who is hosting a bunch of us authors and our feline companions on her blog today. I love reading about everyone's love affairs with their felines!

When Jama first asked me to participate, I thought getting a picture with George and Wilbur would be no problem. I quickly learned this was not the case:

While they are quite loving, snuggly cats, they do not like to be picked up at the same time. Nor do they like to pose when not in the mood. Finally I remembered I had this picture from their kittenhood:

It is the ONLY picture where they have permitted me to pose with them. Thanks guys.

Here is how George and Wilbur are celebrating this special day:

(Note: that is George's HIND paw hanging out of the bed. Ha.)

Disappearing Desmond book giveaway

2010-10-28T13:36:00.000-07:00

To celebrate the release of my new book, for the first two weeks of November I'll be running a Disappearing Desmond book giveaway! Ten winners will get their very own copy sent to their doorstep.

All you have to do is find Desmond as he appears on various children's book blogs around the web and click on him before the contest disappears. From November 1st through November 14th he will appear on the following sites among others (I'll post a complete list next week):

The Blue Rose Girls
Wild Rose Reader
Jama Rattigan's Alphabet Soup
Brimful Curiosities
Katie's Literature Lounge
LadyD Books
Bloomabilities
Gracenotes
From Libby

(And of course here on Painting Bunnies)

Winners will be chosen at random on Nov. 15th and notified by email. Enter as many times as you like!

Desmond in The Wichita Eagle

2010-10-25T08:14:00.000-07:00

"Disappearing Desmond," written and illustrated by Anna Alter (Knopf, ages 5-8, $17.99), is a charming look at shyness in children.

Desmond likes to disappear. Whether on the playground, in the classroom, or at the beach, he has always found a way to blend in as if he wasn't even around. Then Gloria joins his class. She loves to be noticed, and starts to notice Desmond, too. At first he is surprised, but discovers he likes being recognized.

Alter's story is warm and reassuring. Her characters don't judge each other, but find gentle ways to help each other grow. Young readers will love searching for the shy Desmond in the brightly colored acrylic illustrations and may notice other reluctant students as well.

Wallflowers and starlets alike will adore "Disappearing Desmond."

Other reviews here.

Furball Friday

2010-10-22T06:24:00.000-07:00

Maira Kalman on Design*Sponge

2010-10-20T11:57:00.000-07:00

There is a great blog post about Maira Kalman on Design*Sponge today (click here to see). Lots of great photos from her studio and a fantastic interview. Love her to pieces.

"Design*Sponge: How do you combat creative blocks? What tools do you use to keep your creativity flowing?

Maira Kalman: I walk a lot and look a lot. Just walking and looking seems to do the trick..."

Trip to Muir Woods and Muir Beach

2010-10-19T11:17:00.000-07:00

(thats me with the baby bump)

A lovely review of Disappearing Desmond by Toni Buzzeo

2010-10-18T08:43:00.000-07:00

"In a delightfully simple story about a quirky young boy who would really rather not be noticed, author-illustrator Anna Alter offers a reassuring look at shyness and the encouragement that friendship can provide. Desmond, like all of the members of his family, is a genius at disappearing into the landscape or background of his surroundings. However, when a new extraordinarily outgoing classmate, Gloria, arrives, she not only spots Desmond in all of his disguises but invites him to join her in all manner of activities, causing Desmond to lose much of his shyness. This warm, reassuring story is the perfect book to use with groups of children as they coalesce at the beginning of a school year or a library storytime. To add to the fun, there is a lively activity guide to accompany the book with activities for both the classroom and the public library (and easily adaptable to a bookstore setting)."

~ Toni Buzzeo, MA, MLIS

Thanks Toni!