Just One More Book!!

Wow! The last nine months have been surreal. Andrea has been nothing short of inspiring as she braved three surgeries, six rounds of chemotherapy and six weeks of radiation therapy (30 treatments in all). Through it all, we’ve been blown away by the concern and generosity of our online communities, particularly the people that we came to know and whom we apparently touched through Just One More Book.

Andrea harnessed that energy and generosity and turned it into a stunning five-minute lightning talk (called a JOLT!) at the recent PAB2010 conference. Her powerful and sincere presentation commanded a standing ovation which turned into a line of people waiting to give her a hug. There was nary a dry eye in the room.

Thank you to everyone in the JOMB community. You had a huge impact on our family. But don’t take my word for it. Watch the video to find out.

The drive home from Northampton was the longest eight hours of our lives not because of the weather (we experienced sun, clouds and a spectacular if short snow storm) or the traffic (there wasn’t much) but because of the amazing memories that we collected and friends we made and how we seemed to be going further away from both.  Fortunately, those friendships remain and the memories are still with us; they have helped shape the way we enjoy and understand children’s books.

In this final installment of the Rock Stars of Reading we reflect on the what we experienced and consider the impact those experiences will have on us.

MUSIC

• Theme: Woolly Mammoth by Robert Farrell (from Sun House Fury, part 1)
• Afternoon in the Sun by John Williams (from Long Ride Home) found on Magnatune

It’s customary for interviewers to ask authors and illustrators to share their advice for aspiring book creators. During the 19th Annual Children’s Illustration Show at the R. Michelson Gallery, Mark instead asked authors and illustrators to offer advice for aspiring readers. Everyone was willing to pitch in. This video features responses from Jeanne Birdsall, Diane de Groat, Tony DiTerlizzi, Jane Dyer, Paul Jacobs, Norton Juster, Jarrett Krosoczka, Jeff Mack, David Mazor, David Milgrim, Barry Moser, Lesléa Newman, Shelley Rotner, Ruth Sanderson, Heidi Stemple, Mo Willems and Jane Yolen.

Also included is an interview with David Mazor, Founder and Executive Director of Reader to Reader — a non-profit organization that distributes books to schools and libraries in need. Reader to Reader honoured author Norton Juster for his generosity and passion in promoting literacy.

MUSIC

• Theme: Woolly Mammoth by Robert Farrell (from Sun House Fury, part 1)
• Timber and Wood by Xavier Rudd (from To Let), used with permission

We spent a lot of time becoming familiar with the creative process of illustrators during our trip. So, it was exciting to spend time in Richard Michelson‘s (on JOMB) studio getting introduced to his writing process.

During the hour he and I spent in his studio, Richard showed me the working papers for books including Tuttle’s Red Barn and As Good As Anybody and shared some of the valuable lessons he’s learned from reading and writing children’s books.

MUSIC

• Theme: Woolly Mammoth by Robert Farrell (from Sun House Fury, part 1)
• Gruncharsko by Panacea (from Songs and Dance Music of Europe East and West), found on Magnatune

Take note of the name Jeff Mack. He’s a relative newcomer to children’s books and has a very bright future. His stories are endearing and his illustrations inviting. We had the chance to see him in action and better understand his creative process as he coached Lucy and Bayla through sketching, mixing paint and painting their own illustration.

MUSIC

• Theme: Woolly Mammoth by Robert Farrell (from Sun House Fury, part 1)
• Drive Thru by Music Inside (from Outside Forces), found on Magnatune

Perhaps more intriguing than books themselves is the story behind them; how they were conceived, how they were picked up by a publishing company and how they were edited.  Author/illustrator Jeff Mack has many incredible stories to tell from his young career and he took the time to share many of the stories and explain his creative process to us.

We particularly enjoyed how he engaged with Lucy and Bayla and how they may have had an influence on a creative decision for his upcoming book, Dog Wants to Play, due out September 3, 2009 (author: Christine McDonnell).

MUSIC

• Theme: Woolly Mammoth by Robert Farrell (from Sun House Fury, part 1)
• Sunshine and Starlight by Bjork Ostrom (from Sunshine and Starlight), found on the Podsafe Music Network

After a short walk in a light rain and lunch at Atkins Farms, we arrived at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.  Nick Clark, the museum’s Chief Director, gave us a private tour and allowed us to film specific parts of the gallery.  He shared the history of the museum, and walked us through Eric Carle’s book creation and illustration process.

The Carle was the first museum we’ve been to that specifically promotes and celebrates creativity.  Besides the amazing art, multilingual library and a customer-centric book shop, the gallery boasts the always-open Penguin Art Studio where children and adults of all ages can create art of any sort.

MUSIC

• Theme: Woolly Mammoth by Robert Farrell (from Sun House Fury, part 1)
• Illustration and Fine Art by John Meadows (written specifically for Just One More Book!!)

Did you know that the first children’s picture books featured illustrations produced from wood engravings? Technology made way for lithographs and drum rollers and eventually computers which aren’t just part of the printing process — they figure prominently in the creative process.

Jarrett Krosoczka (on JOMB) shows us how he’s using his laptop computer for his new Lunch Lady graphic novel series, the first two editions of which will be available on July 28, 2009.

MUSIC

• Theme: Woolly Mammoth by Robert Farrell (from Sun House Fury, part 1)
• Bullet Drive by Robert Farrell (from When the Banks of the Mississippi Run Dry)

It was like picture-book-boot-camp.  We had an 8am workshop and our training officer, one Jarrett Krosoczka (on JOMB), didn’t waste any time.  After a quick introduction to his pug Ralph Macchio and his fantastic creative environment, Jarrett demonstrated his illustrating and painting technique.  Before long, Lucy and Bayla were rolling up their sleeves and trying out what they had just learned; prepping the illustration paper, mixing paint and shading to create three dimensions.  At the end of the whole process, we had an original Krosoczka/Ross-Blevis painting to bring home.

Oh yeah, it was when we finally arrived at Jarrett’s (after being coached to his place over the phone) that we decided we weren’t going to get lost en route to any more of our scheduled appointments.

MUSIC

• Theme: Woolly Mammoth by Robert Farrell (from Sun House Fury, part 1)
• PF on Tour Interlude performed by Punk Farm

Author/Illustrator Diane de Groat walks us through the digital process of putting dogs in poses they don’t do — like lounging on a couch with a newspaper — for her upcoming book (with Shelley Rotner), Dogs Don’t Brush Their Teeth (coming in August 2009).  She also shows us how she adds digital colour, then real paint to her illustrations.  Lucy and Bayla particularly enjoyed having the opportunity to sketch using Diane’s digital tablet.

MUSIC

• Theme: Woolly Mammoth by Robert Farrell (from Sun House Fury, part 1)
• Arlechinno by Paul Bourdeau (from Wild Rice, performed by Paul Bourdeau and Shane Simpson)

Be sure to check out Diane’s contribution to our Love of Reading Gallery.

In the final of three parts that feature Author/Illustrator Lane Smith (on JOMB), we go through Lane’s archives to see ten years worth of idea development for his amazing book John, Paul, George and Ben.  Then, we hit the road for Northampton with a fun stop at the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Scultpure Gardens in Springfield, Massachusetts.

MUSIC

• Theme: Woolly Mammoth by Robert Farrell (from Sun House Fury, part 1)
• Song About You by The Birdinumnums (from She Say Go, found on the Podsafe Music Network)
• The Swaggering Dragon by Zubot and Dawson (from Tractor Parts: Further Adventures in Strang)

Author/Illustrator Lane Smith (on JOMB) walks us through his thought process and style decisions for two books he’s working on that will be published in 2009 — Princess Hyacinth (The Surprising Tale of a Girl Who Floated) with Florence Parry Heide due out September 22, 2009; and The Big Elephant in the Room due out July 7, 2009.  He also demonstrates how he takes original sketches, imports them into Photoshop and turns them into digital, production-ready artwork.

MUSIC

• Theme: Woolly Mammoth by Robert Farrell (from Sun House Fury, part 1)
• Subtle Groove by Ehren Starks (from Depths of a Year, available on Magnatune)

Bloggers and podcasters take note of the interview segment with Lane during the end credits!