The Kutztown University Children’s Literature Conference is 18 years old this year. The event takes place Saturday, April 16. The beautiful poster by Christina Davies is a puzzle showing a cast of famous children’s book characters heading for Kutztown’s campus. This year is a great year for illustrators. Three of the four keynote speakers are illustrators, andContinue reading “KU Kid Lit Conference 2016”
Tag Archives: children’s books
The Third Man behind the Terrible Two
The Terrible Two was a 2015 NY Times bestseller. The Terrible Two Get Worse, just released this month, has already gained that honor. The series is a runaway hit with middle grade readers. According to Variety, the Terrible Two have a movie deal! Boffo! I met co-authors Mac Barnett and Jory John at the ALA librarians convention in SanContinue reading “The Third Man behind the Terrible Two”
We Dig Worms on Tour. WOW!
We Dig Worms! the book I wrote and illustrated at the request of my librarian wife Patt was officially released by Toon Books on April 14. Françoise Mouly, above, is editor and publisher of Toon Books. She is also the art editor of the New Yorker magazine. It was my good fortune that she personallyContinue reading “We Dig Worms on Tour. WOW!”
Kid Lit Stars, near and far, coming to Kutztown
One Keynote Speaker at the 17th annual Kutztown University Children’s Literature Conference is author Mara Rockliff. Mara will walk less than one block from her home on Walnut St. to campus. If you want to hear her talk, don’t knock on her door, come to the conference on April 18. Thanks to Firefly Bookstore, Kutztown’sContinue reading “Kid Lit Stars, near and far, coming to Kutztown”
Hansel and Gretel and Lorenzo and Neil
Once upon a time, in 2007, The Metropolitan Opera staged Humperdink’s Hansel and Gretel. Françoise Mouly, art editor for The New Yorker, helped organize an exhibition at the opera house based on the fairy tale. Contributors included stellar New Yorker cover artists including Roz Chast, Jules Feiffer, Anita Kunz, Christoph Niemann, Gahan Wilson, and LorenzoContinue reading “Hansel and Gretel and Lorenzo and Neil”
Gabby’s Dinosaurs: Not Based on Photos
Gabrielle ‘Gabby’ Shelly, class of 2014, shared a coloring book available at Amazon. I asked Gabby to tell us a bit more about the project. Gabby: “Dino Day Out was created primarily for my Senior Illustration Seminar at Kutztown University with Prof. Denise Bosler. I created it for the class, but also kept in mind thatContinue reading “Gabby’s Dinosaurs: Not Based on Photos”
A Man of Few Words: DAVID WIESNER
The great children’s book illustrator Davis Wiesner (WEEZner) came to Kutztown to talk at the 16th annual KU Children’s Literature Conference. The 3-time Caldecott Award winner visited a Communication Design class to share his art and creative process. Oddly enough, he considered attending Kutztown University but was put off by our art test used inContinue reading “A Man of Few Words: DAVID WIESNER”
Kate Santee, Illustrator and Roller Girl!
Speaking of curious networking, another KU grad, Kate Santee, tells me she got to illustrate a book through folks she met in her role as roller derby racer! Kate recently illustrated a chapter book for young readers. First in a series, Silly Nomads From Palmerston Close is written by Jan L. Lewis and Marcus Mohalland. Kate’sContinue reading “Kate Santee, Illustrator and Roller Girl!”
Networking Pays Off for Maddie O’Neil, Cowboy & Illustrator
Maddy O’Neil won the Don Breter Illustration Award when he graduated from Kutztown in May. The honor student attended KU on a full scholarship. For his honor’s thesis he did a great job illustrating a children’s picture book. Oddly enough, his first job after graduation with his BFA was as a ranch hand at aContinue reading “Networking Pays Off for Maddie O’Neil, Cowboy & Illustrator”
Paul Hoppe – Keeping it Real
Paul Hoppe was at MoCCA fest selling prints and handcrafted zines. Born in Poland, he grew up in Germany and came to NYC on a DAAD scholarship. (DAAD is the German version of a Fulbright Exchange.) He got his MFA at SVA’s Illustration as Visual Essay program in New York City. Our Kutztown students wereContinue reading “Paul Hoppe – Keeping it Real”
Illustration Concentration 