Neigh, maaaaaa and a STREAM event

Here's new images from an upcoming picture book for the littlest readers, a counting book with baby farm animals. You're sure to see some cheeps, gobbles and squeaks soon. Click on the image to see a larger view. There will be more to report about the book as I go along.

And I just wanted to add this very fun event sponsored by The Poudre River Public Library District in Fort Collins. This was part of their Women's History Month program. I was very honored to be included with this group of amazing women. Although I enjoy being a children's book illustrator I was blown away listening to their advice and experiences. It was a good time and I can't wait to see what the future holds for the kids who attended the event.

From left to right: Susan Shriner, wildlife epidemiologist at the National Wildlife Research Center, Me, Hannah Mikelson, pursuing a dual degree in Biomedical and Mechanical Engineering and Mathematics minor at CSU, Amy Kathleen Ryan, Masters of Fine Arts in creative writing at The New School in NYC as well as award winning young adult science fiction author, Erin Macdonald, Phd in Astrophysics at the University of Glasgow in Scotland and voice actress and last but not least, our wonderful moderator, Kristen Dean, the Program Coordinator at the CSU Environmental Learning Center. Michelle Strout, professor in the computer science department at CSU wasn't able to make it.

Thanks so much for taking a look and Happy Easter!

A Visit From Mr. Pig!

Mr. Pig from The Little Crooked Cottage dropped by today for a Studio Tour!

What’s The Little Crooked Cottage? Well, it’s home to four children’s book authors -- Anika Denise, Jamie Michalak, Kara LaReau, and Kristen Tracy -- and a pig. It’s also the name of children’s book blog dedicated to celebrating authors, illustrators, and their creations.

Finishing artwork for "If You Love Honey, Nature's Connections" this week

Here's some full page spreads from If You Love Honey, Nature's Connections by Martha Sullivan, published by Dawn Publications. This week I should be done with final artwork. Normally I'd say more but I still have a lot of drawing to complete. Robert Frost said it best, "and miles to go before I sleep".

Click on the image for a larger view and thanks for stopping by for a look!

Every fall Colorado Country Life Magazine features local authors and illustrators. This year they featured The Prairie That Nature Built's Augmented Reality (AR) app under Discoveries. This is a freebie pop-up app that is included with the printed book. After downloading the app onto your tablet or smart phone you view the printed book which makes the characters dramatically spring to life - the owl swoops, the mouse runs, the foxes lunge and prairie dogs hide. Meanwhile a narrator reads the story aloud. This is not your grandfather's app!

The folks at the magazine created a very cool video explaining how this works. It's so great to live in such a supportive community. Thank you Colorado Country Life!

Colorado Country Life November 2014

And Dawn Publishing just created a separate game/book app that supports the book as well. You can buy it or find more information about it here on Dawn's website.

Dreams of dino treasures and life on the prairie

Here's my four legged office assistant and security system, Crowley, who always goes with me to check the mail. This day we received advanced reading copies and marketing materials for The Prairie That Nature Built and Dino Treasures. Crowley posed for a few of the illustrations in Prairie so he was excited then relieved when some good reviews starting coming out. He was so relieved that it was time for a nap.

Here are some early reviews from Prairie on Dawn Publishing's website and an article by Lindsey R. McKissick on 5280 Magazine's Bookshelf. You can also find fun ideas and activities that tie in with the book here. And look for a game app coming out soon.

Crowley dreaming of digging for dino bone treasures and his life on the prairie

Dino Treasures hasn't been released just yet, but has gotten a nice review and recommendation from The National Science Teacher's Association, NSTA Recommends.

And here's 303 Magazine's illustrator interview by Wendy Pitton. Sometimes when I tell folks that I'm a children's book illustrator I get funny looks. So it's always extra special to get local support from Colorado media. Makes me feel more legit!

First look at Pitter and Patter's cover

I just got a look at the cover and interior spreads for Pitter and Patter by Martha Sullivan, a wonderful writer. This comes out March 1, 2015 and we're collaborating with Dawn Publications on another book now. Also, here's the first review by Kirkus and they like it!

Wishing for snow

And hopefully you're familiar with Debbie Glade's blog, Smart Books for Smart Kids. She's pretty amazing; hosts numerous book give-aways, tips on raising a reader, focuses on science education, much more than I tell you here. I was fortunate to talk with her and she did an illustrator interview that focuses on my work process (yes, I work digitally, but it really does take more than just pushing a button and BAM!, out pops a prairie owl), a view of my home studio and more that you can find here.

Finally, I've updated my SCBWI Illustrator Gallery with some new work. Thanks for taking a look!

This Land Is Your Land sneak peek

Where land meets sea, there is a coast…

A hill slopes up above the ground...

On the plains are grazing cows…

A mountain stretches steep and high…

Surrounded by an open sea….

Here's a few spreads from This Land Is Your Land, by Catherine Ciocchi and published by Arbordale Publishing. It's about landforms in case you were wondering. And we thought it could also be a fun introduction to maps as well. There's so many styles of maps; thematic, political, physical, topographic, climate, resource, road maps, I could go on and on, but you get the idea.

This is my seventh book with Arbordale Publishing and I'm very much looking forward to starting my eighth book very soon.

So I need to get back to work!