wvxu radio interview link

Click here for the wvxu radio interview about Sweet Dreams Lullaby from last week's Around Cincinnati.

around cincinnati radio interview

A few months ago when I was in southern Ohio for a few book signings, I did a taped interview about my book Sweet Dreams Lullaby with Barbara Gray for Cincinnati radio station WVXU, the local NPR affiliate. I had never done radio before, so I was a little nervous, but I actually loved it and hope I get the opportunity to do it again sometime...being in the studio was a lot more comfortable than I expected. The interview is airing this Sunday evening at 7:00 pm as part of their "Around Cincinnati" arts program. Click here for this week's program line-up, where there is also a special link to order the book from Amazon and have a portion of the proceeds benefit WVXU. If you're not local to Cincinnati, you can get a live stream here, get the podcast here, or I will also post a link to the audio file next week.

long time no blog

I've been busy working away on some new projects. I just finished up the art for a game by Peaceable Kingdom Press—I've been doing a lot of work for PK Press over the past couple of years and I really love collaborating with them. They are so good to their freelance artists and have recently added an "artist gallery" on their website...check it out! Anyways, it just so happens I am headed out to San Francisco, Berkeley and Sonoma/Napa in a few days, and since PK Press is located in Berkeley, I am going to have the opportunity to meet some of the designers and art directors that I've been working with over there. It will be nice to finally put faces with names and chat with everyone in person.

Here are a few past projects I've done for PK Press...it's not the best product photo, but it's the best I can do with my iphone for now.



I also wanted to share a few new reviews of Sweet Dreams Lullaby that I stumbled across online today. Both reviews are by We Heart Books, who have done some nice features of my books in the past. If you're not familiar with their blog, and you "heart" books too, you should really check it out! The first review is here, right on the We Heart Books blog. The second review is here, on Mini Gaga, a blog for "beautiful things for baby."

thanks pbj's

For anyone that loves children's books, you'll have to add the "Picture Book Junkies Blog" to your reference list. Basically, it's five different perspectives all in one blog—five talented illustrators, who call themselves the "PBJ's", take turns posting entries about kids' books, art, and other related topics. They each pick a book of the month to highlight on their sidebar, and I am happy to say that Roz's pick was Sweet Dreams Lullaby. Click here to read the interview. Hey PBJ's, thanks so much for the shout-out!

indie next list

I just got some exciting news from my editor at Random House! I am happy to announce that Sweet Dreams Lullaby has been selected for inclusion on the Spring 2010 Children's Indie Next List (Note: if you click on this link, you have to then click on the category "Ages 4 to 8", and then use the right arrow to scroll and find my book).

From my editor: The Indie Next List is drawn from bookseller recommendations of favorite “handsells.” Independent booksellers choose what they believe is “the next big thing, the next great read, the next bestseller, or the next undiscovered gem.”

Nothing like getting some good news to give ya a little boost when you're in the middle of writing the next book. Thanks Indie Next List!

storytime fun

I just wrapped up a round of storytimes and book signings for Sweet Dreams Lullaby. It's so fun to finally be able to share a new book, after waiting about a year for it to be published. And kids always surprise me by what they notice or point out or respond to. I learn just as much as kids do from the experience–interacting with kids, parents and children's book lovers is really one of the the most rewarding parts of what I do.

Here are some highlights of some past events...

Cleveland event at Joseph-Beth on Feb. 20, 2010:


poster in the window


signin'


we made bunny puppets for the craft


my niece with her bunny puppet



Cincinnati event at Joseph-Beth on Feb. 26, 2010:


can you tell I ADORE the book store staff!


me and my buddy Gavin

Dayton event at Books & Co. on Feb. 27, 2010:


snugglin' at storytime!


touchin' Have You Ever Tickled a Tiger?


my professor and mentor from UD came with her son


one of my best gal pals, her 2 kids, and a friend's 2 kids

Buckeye Book Fair in Wooster on Nov. 7, 2009:


my booth




ha-ha...gotta love a photo opp with Flat Stanley himself!


kids could make tiger masks at my booth


mystery tiger #1


mystery tiger #2


mystery tiger #3


my long-lost friend from elementary school came with her family! (we hadn't seen each other in 15 years)

they draw and cook

A few months ago my artist pal Salli had an idea for a fun project where a group of artist-types would illustrate a recipe of their choice and then we'd publish the collection in some way. Salli and her brother Nate, whose design studio is called Studio SSS, decided to start a new blog and post our recipes there. It's called theydrawandcook.com. My recipe is above. I just made it again last night and have kind of been perfecting it a bit...I prefer using unsalted butter and salting it myself. And if you are local to the Cleveland area, I like Ohio City Pasta ravioli (available at the West Side Market) the best...I actually use a mix of their butternut squash ravioli and their pumpkin mascarpone ravioli. It is super yummy!

Check out the other artists' recipes too! And there will be more popping up so check back often. If you are so inclined, you can even knock out your own illustrated recipe and ask them to post it. Info is on the site. Bon appetit!