Today I was able to attend Edith Cohn’s book party for her debut middle-grade novel, SPIRIT’S KEY, at Children’s Book World in West Lost Angeles. It seems a rare opportunity to have the author and artist who worked on a book living in the same city, and it was a special experience to finally meet…

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No one in the town of Bonnyripple ever kept a grudge. No one, that is, except old Cornelius, the Grudge Keeper. Ruffled feathers, petty snits, minor tiffs and major huffs, insults, umbrage, squabbles, dust-ups, and imbroglios–the Grudge Keeper received them all, large and small, tucking each one carefully away in his ramshackle cottage. When a…

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I’m so excited about the announcement of a new picture-book I’ll be working on later this year with my editor for MISS MAPLE’S SEEDS, Nancy Paulsen. The story, called OUR BABY, written by Varsha Bajaj, celebrates a baby elephant’s birth. The text is so sweet, and is bound to be a great new baby gift! I’ve been paying…

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I created artwork for the cover of a sweet and emotional middle grade novel, The Desperate Adventures of Zeno and Alya, by author Jane Kelley, released earlier this Fall. The book goes between two characters’ stories: Zeno, a newly orphaned parrot, and Alya, an 11-year old girl struggling to recover from leukemia treatments. Jane Kelley’s story is…

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I’m happy to be able to announce a new middle grade book series that I’ll be creating illustrations for called NOT EVEN CODY and CODY AND THE MEEN KIDS, by author Tricia Springstubb with publisher Candlewick Press. I’ve always admired the artistry of Candlewick books, and they’ve been one of the publishers I’ve hoped to…

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Exciting news! I’ll be illustrating a new picture-book by Pat Zietlow Miller called “Wherever You Go”, with Little Brown Books! When I saw this announcement in Publishers Weekly Rights Report yesterday, it was extra exciting to scroll down to see illustrator friend and fellow mentee Brian Won’s picture sitting right there next to my own. Awesome, Brian!…

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I’m not sure there’s anything more exciting to an illustrator than the moment you get to see your artwork in the final printed book. Better yet, a stack of printed books! I’m so grateful that Simon and Schuster chose me to illustrate Holly Black’s fabulous new middle-grade novel. You can’t see it in these photos,…

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I have some amazing Kidlit artist friends, and at the top of that list sits Debbie Ohi. Debbie is an artist, writer, musician, gamer, and social media fiend. She generously shares great industry info with everyone around her. We have both been on similar career paths since we met in 2010 during the SCBWI summer…

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All those in the Pasadena area, please stop by to see me at the Pasadena LitFest this Saturday, 5/11/13!  I’ll be reading Miss Maple’s Seeds for the kids at 10:30, then signing at the Once Upon A Time bookstore booth.  Here are the details: 10:30-11:00am: Readings & Activities with Children’s Book Authors & Illustrators!  Authors and illustrators…

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Please join me this Saturday and Sunday at two wonderful bookstores in the Los Angeles area for story-time! I will read Miss Maple’s Seeds to the kids and have fun coloring sheets to give away. If you know anyone in the area who might be interested, please spread the word! Saturday, April 27, 2013: Mrs. Nelson’s Toy…

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