Saturday Stories at the Society of Illustrators

Ever wonder how a picture book gets made? On Saturday, July 17th, I’ll be giving a free, kid-friendly, virtual presentation at on of my favorite New York institutions, the Society of Illustrators.

Presented monthly, Saturday Stories invites guest illustrators to lead children and their adult companions in a read-aloud Zoom workshop related to the wide range of materials and processes that illustrators use to create their picture books.

Join me at 10:30 AM–noon EST, on Saturday, July 17th for a workshop about children’s publishing, including a behind-the-scenes look at my illustration process, a read-aloud, and a character-building craft activity. I’ll present what happens when I first receive a story idea to illustrate, and how I get to know the characters through brainstorming and sketches, long before I put paint to paper. Focusing on the main character from A Big Surprise for Little Card, I’ll do a reading, followed by some step-by-step crafting using common household materials.

Here’s what you’ll need to make your own Little Card character:

• 1 letter-sized piece of paper cut in half (to approx. 8.5” x 5.5.5”)

• 2 pipe-cleaners (or 2 strips of paper, approx. 11” x .5”)

• drawing materials (crayons, markers, pencils—your choice!)

• scissors

• tape

• a pom-pom and glue (optional)

The program is free, but an RSVP is required. You can register online here.

A WRAD Surprise for Me!

World Read Aloud Day (WRAD) was back in February, and among the classrooms I connected with were 2nd graders from PS 30 in Brooklyn. After reading A BIG SURPRISE FOR LITTLE CARD to them, I fielded questions and talked about my art-making process. The school librarian was so enthusiastic, I suggested she share my Make-Your-Own Little Card activity with the teachers. One teacher, Ms. Marcano, took the project even further with fabulous results.

Imagine my delight to receive this adorable group of handmade LC's in the mail the other day! Each one opens up to reveal a message about what it would be like to be Little Card, or one of his card friends featured in the story. Here are some of my favorites, verbatim:

"Have you want to be a card? I would like to be little card
because I could go to a Library! For example, I could go to
a Library and read a book. Also help kids and people read
books or tell kids and people where books are. I would be
helpflu to the Library and people in the Library!"

"I would like to be a rectangle card because I like cake. I like
candy and the design on the goody bag. I like thems on the
party. That's why I would like to be rectangle card. "

(I think she means Long Card, the birthday card, who thinks that's pretty great.)

"I would like to be wide card because I would like to travle
around the world. I would also like to tell people to know
that I'm travling some where so that they can visit me befor
I go away. For example if I was going to Florida I would send
a wide card to let them know I'm travling to Florida. Thats why
I want to be wide card."

(Wide Card, the postcard, also approves...)

I'm sure I've said it before, but the most rewarding part of this job is connecting with kids through books. Thanks PS 30 for making my month! And if you'd like to share the Little Card activity with your kids, click here.

Little Card visits Friends Seminary

Last week, I visited the kindergartners at Friends Seminary in Manhattan for a reading of A BIG SURPRISE FOR LITTLE CARD and a bit of crafting. It's so fun to see where kids will take my "Make Your Own Little Card" activity. After they'd colored and assembled their masterpieces—with many holding Wide Card's glass of lemonade—a few kids drew scenes for their Little Cards. How great is that? And I got a big hug from one little boy while on my way out. Many thanks to their teacher Christine Cincotta for hosting me!