Proofs of Life in the Universe!

I can't show much at this stage, but this week I received a special package in the mail: first proofs for THE DAY THE UNIVERSE EXPLODED MY HEAD. This is that space poetry picture book I've been talking about forever. Written by Allan Wolf, and published by Candlewick Press, it will be out in early March 2019.

At fifty-six pages, it seemed like I was painting it forever too, but I'm really pleased with the results. It's so rewarding to finally see the illustrations on the page.

Here are some very sneaky peeks—stay tuned for more. And if you haven't subscribed to my newsletter, you can find that link here.

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What's News with Me…

What's news with me? I guess, a lot, since it's been a while since I updated this page. The late summer and early fall have kept me plenty busy.

It's that time of year again! As with past Octobers, I'm participating in #Inktober—the month of ink drawings shared on social media—with my own spin in the form of #Oinktober. If you'd like to follow my pigs' progress, check out my Instagram for a new pig drawing each day.

Fall is book festival season, and a few weekends ago, I was at the Princeton Children's Book Festival along with a stellar roster of kidlit authors and illustrators. Creating children's books is a somewhat solitary art, so festivals are a great way to connect directly with teachers, librarians, parents, and especially kids. If you find yourself near Westchester County, NY on Saturday, October 14th, come visit me at the Chappaqua Children's Book Festival from 10–4PM. I'll be signing books and giving away bookmarks, stickers and more. For further information, click here.

September 15th was International Dot Day, and I was invited to celebrate with a few author-illustrator colleagues down at the KidLitTV studio in Lower Manhattan. Now a worldwide celebration inspired by Peter Reynolds' book The Dot (about a little girl who is reticent about drawing/making her mark, only to discover the true artist within her), this Dot Day connected classrooms across the globe through a live stream to create a celebration of creativity, courage, and collaboration. As you can see, we created our own jumbo dot, deemed, the "collabradot." Thanks to my fellow "celebridotters" Lori Richmond, David Ezra Stein, Joyce Wan, Michael Arndt and the great folks at KidLitTV for a fabulously fun day!

Last, but not least, Zora's Zucchini is now out in paperback, sporting a newly-earned award—the Growing Good Kids Book Award, from Junior Master Gardeners and The American Horticultural Society. If you'd like to get a copy for the kid gardener you know, click here.

That's all from here—have a great fall, and hope to see you soon!

You Are Not a Cat! is an Undies Finalist

UPDATE: YOU ARE NOT A CAT! won an Undies Award in the "Best Cliff's Notes Version". Thanks to everyone who voted! Check out the other winners here.

Several months ago, librarians extraordinaire, Carter Higgins and Travis Jonker, decided that case covers—the oft-hidden jewels of art found underneath book jackets—deserved greater attention. In a stroke of creative brilliance, they created The Undies Case Cover Awards and asked creators and fans of children's books to nominate their favorites. I'm thrilled to share that YOU ARE NOT A CAT! is a finalist in the "Best Cliff's Notes" category, and is listed among some of my favorite picture books of the year. If you're curious for more information, and to cast your vote for your favorites, you can do so until 5pm on Monday, November 28, 2016. Just click here for a ballot.

YOU ARE NOT A CAT!...It's a Book!

Today is the publication date for YOU ARE NOT A CAT! written by the great Sharon G. Flake, and brought into the world by the fine folks at Boyds Mills Press. This is a picture book that is very close to my heart, and was a pleasure to draw from beginning to end. Thankfully, reviewers are in agreement. Below is a sampling of what they had to say.

School Library Journal really made my day with this:

"Flake, best known for her middle school novels, presents a hilarious picture book that will surely beg multiple readings, with the absurd premise that nothing should be assumed, no matter how obvious. Cat is the straight man to screwball Duck, and this makes the two an appealing pair sure to be adored by young readers. Raff’s soft pastel illustrations are a perfect match for the quick-witted, comic book–style text. Children will enjoy observing Cat’s mood as it shifts from smug self-righteousness to angry frustration to confused acceptance by the end of the story. Fans of Mo Willems’s popular “Elephant and Piggie” and “Pigeon” series will embrace this silly animal tale wholeheartedly....A delightful picture book, ideal for storytime and for supporting teaching units on animal sounds."

…and Booklist adds:

"YA author Flake shows her goofier side in this giggle-inducing picture book, which works not only for a preschool crowd but also for an emerging reader....Whether enjoyed independently or at storytime, readers will laugh their way through this entertaining book."

Of course, I what I really want to learn is what happens when some kids experience Duck and Cat for themselves. If you'd like to get a copy of YOU ARE NOT A CAT! for yourself or a little one you know, here's a link on Indiebound, where you'll find a local bookstore in your area from whom to place an order.

Princeton Children's Book Festival

For years, I've been hearing from my friends in the kidlit world about the Princeton Children's Book Festival, and I am thrilled to be participating this year. The roster of authors and illustrators is incredible, with such luminaries as Lauren Castillo, Greg Pizzoli (check out his great illustration for the event above), Dan Yaccarino, Rebecca Stead, Tor Seidler…the list goes on, and on. Look for me in the purple tent, where I'm sharing a table with my pal Lori Richmond, who's debut picture book, A HOP IS UP was just released.

I'll be introducing the world to YOU ARE NOT A CAT! written by award-winning author Sharon G. Flake, a few days before it's publication date of October 4th. I'll also be signing some of my other picture books, including A BIG SURPRISE FOR LITTLE CARD and THE WRONG SIDE OF THE BED. For the more science-minded picture book readers, I'll also be signing copies of the first two of my collaborations with author David A. Adler: THINGS THAT FLOAT AND THINGS THAT DON'T, and SIMPLE MACHINES. And if that's not enough to entice you, I'll have stickers, buttons, make your own Little Card giveaways, and more!

The weather report looks like it will be a perfect fall day in Princeton, NJ. For more information, check out the festival website here.