Drum Roll Please . . . I am proud to announce the release of Ready for the Day and Ready for Bed, the first two books in the ParentSmart/KidHappy series written by Stacey Kaye, illustrated by Yours Truly, brought to you by Free Spirit Publishing!! ParentSmart/KidHappy is a series of kid-friendly picture books that use stories about families dealing with common parent-child struggles - such as going to bed and getting ready in the morning - to model positive parenting techniques. To learn more and watch an interview with the series' creator, Stacey Kaye, go to ParentSmartKidHappy.com. To download free ParentSmart/KidHappy wallpaper for your computer, go to my launch page.
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Wowsa! What a great review - I'm thrilled! Click the logo to read the whole thing, but here's the round-up:
What a wonderful story. The author did a fabulous job taking what most of us assume is just a Spanish-added version of a classic story and truly making it her own. She did a masterful job blending Spanish into the story, offering repetition in English and Spanish together. As good as the story is, I could turn the pages just to look at the illustrations, too. On one page, el gigante terrible is reaching out to the reader! Everyone will enjoy this new ending to a classic story. The illustrations, combined with well integrated Spanish, make this a must-read for elementary-aged children. Buy. This is a wonderful book and a nice twist on a classic tale. The illustrations are exceptional and children (especially young boys) will see themselves in Paco: curious, drawn to magic, and a hero. - The Reading Tub
Wow! I had heard Highlights Magazine did this sometimes - but I never thought I'd be recognized, especially on the first piece I ever did for them!! Look what arrived in the mail today: What a fantastic surprise!! Talk about making my day, my week, my month!! The plaque is a lovely pewter plate which reads:
Highlights for Children Illustrator of the Month Elizabeth O. Dulemba "Egg Drop Soup" April 2008
!!! AND they want to send out a press release in my area. AND this after receiving the nicest thank you note from the author of "Egg Drop Soup," Heather Tomasello. How much love can one person feel? I'm feeling a lot!! This is going on my Woohoo! table at the TOP of the stairs where I can see it every day. Thanks so much to the creative minds behind Highlights Magazine, I'm flattered beyond words. Here are the illustrations I did to accompany "Egg Drop Soup," which came out in the April 2008 edition: I'm working on the December cover right now - and oh so happy to be doing so!!
I just received my copy of the Spring/Summer 2008 Free Spirit Publishing Catalogue and guess what I found? Yup! The first two books in the ParentSmart series (I'm the illustrator), "Ready for the Day" and "Ready for Bed," written by Stacey Kaye! (A few of the illustrations are in my portfolio if you'd like a closer look.) The listing mentions their June 2008 release, but I thought I'd give you a peek and let you know they're coming!!! Free Spirit specializes on materials to help children learn good social skills or deal with difficulties in life - a great company to work with. This series in particular teaches good parenting language - a big help for new parents. And did I mention it's a series? In fact, I'm diving into illustrations for the third book right now! The books aren't on the website yet, but you can learn more about Free Spirit by clicking on their logo!
Ta-da! My first art for Highlights Magazine! I showed you the art I did for their new mag, High Five. Well, they both hired me about the same time and I just received my April copy of Highlights with my art which accompanies a very cute story by Heather Tomasello called "Egg Drop Soup." Check your mailboxes, it'll arrive soon! And more good news - Highlights has hired me to illustrate their December cover! I'm looking forward to that - woohoo!
OMG, so with Paula's comment below, I go looking back through the new edition of Highlights to check for other illustrators I know, and gads - it's full of friends! Check out Paula Becker's art on page 38; Karen Lee's art on page 26 & 27; and Connie McLennan's art on page 5! I am surrounded by greatness. :)
We have a new independent children's bookstore in the Atlanta metro area - a great big warm welcome to The Reading Tree! Rather than being competition to my favorite independent children's bookstore - A Little Shop of Stories now has a new playmate. This is a big city. LSOS covers Decatur and Atlanta proper, but there wasn't an indie servicing the northeast side of town outside the perimeter. The two stores are a good 45 minutes apart (without traffic) which means they have a completely different set of kids anxious to fall in love with books through the hands of booksellers who really know their stuff. And let me tell you, Martha, at The Reading Tree, really knows her stuff. The store is bright, cheerful, charming, and stocked full of all the best children's books from today and yesterday. I stopped by this past week to show Martha "Paco and the Giant Chile Plant" and my other books, and what a pleasure it was! Between the passionate and inspired staffs of these two stores, I wouldn't be surprised if they turn Atlanta into one of the most literate, well-read cities in the nation. I feel so, so lucky to have such incrible children's book stores and children's book lovers in my area. Boy did I land in the right place!
Wowsa!! Sascha Zuger has written a wonderful article entitled "Meet Your Favorite Author: Here's how to plan a memorable and successful visit from an inspirational children's author" to appear in the March/April edition of Scholastic magazine. And best of all, she quoted me in a big way! Wippee! How did this come about? Well, Sascha put out a call on Verla Kay's Blue Boards in August looking for authors and illustrators to quote in an article for a "national mag that couldn't be more targeted to the prime audience for promotion." That's all she said, but it sounded great, so I responded. I had no idea she meant Scholastic News!! And just when I'm thinking I spend too much time on message boards . . .
Have you heard of Highlight's new magazine for the younger set, High Five? I had the pleasure of creating a double page spread illustration for them recently. It's the March edition, so should in mailboxes soon - keep an eye out!
A BOOK IS BORN!!!! WOOHOO!!! I am thrilled to announce the birth of my latest book, "Paco and the Giant Chile Plant ~ Paco y la planta de chile gigante" (written by Keith Polette, illustrated by Yours Truly, Raven Tree Press). When I first found out about this project, I was excited for many reasons. First, it was a great excuse to finally take Spanish lessons (which I've been doing for over a year now). And second, it's a Jack Tale (which if you know me, you know I have a thing for Jack Tales). In fact, Paco takes the familiar "Jack and the Beanstalk" tale and gives it more than a few new twists. Told as a fractured fairy tale, our hero, Jack, is now called Paco, and the story takes place in a beautiful desert setting in the American Southwest. Could I ask for anything better than to introduce Jack to the Latino community in such a fun way?? The story is presented as an English text with embedded Spanish in rojo. A vocabulary page is included to jump start learning in either language, so it's got a great educational angle to it as well. I am also so proud of my artwork in this book, and feel it is somewhat of an artistic debut for me, like I've finally found my illustrative "voice." So, without further adieu, please go see my announcement in its original formatting, CLICK HERE. Woohoo!! Oh, and a nod to Illustration Friday visitors: It is my theory that Paco will do very, very well!! ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: PACO AND THE GIANT CHILE PLANT ~ PACO Y LA PLANTA DE CHILE GIGANTE written by Keith Polette, illustrated by Yours Truly (Raven Tree Press, February 2008 - TODAY!!!) Hardcover ISBN# 978-0-9770906-2-4 Paperback ISBN# 978-0-9794462-3-8 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
OMG!!! I'm so excited! You can now browse through one of my books at Lookybook.com just like you would in the bookstore! Drum roll please . . . Introducing THE PRINCE'S DIARY, named No.1 2006 Valentine's Day Pick by Book Sense in conjunction with the Association of American Publishers, written by Renee Ting, illustrated by Yours Truly, Shen's Books:
(Click the eyes to see it even larger on the Lookybook site.) Now I need to figure out where to embed it in my website . . . hmmm. Maybe on THE PRINCE'S DIARY's activity page! Yeah, that'll work! By the way, for all you publishers out there wondering if Lookybook is a good idea, I was talking to my bookseller at Little Shop of Stories the other day and she said she is starting to lean on Lookybook as a tool to find books when a customer comes in and says something like, "I don't remember the name, but it has a yellow and red cover . . ."
I just finished watching the announcements for this year's book awards hosted by the American Library Association. Check their website for a more thorough list including honor books in each category. But here are the biggies: Schneider Family Book Award: "Reaching for Sun" by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer - YEAH!! Go Tracie!!!
Coretta Scott King Award: King Author Book winner: “Elijah of Buxton” written by Christopher Paul Curtis King Illustrator Book winner: “Let it Shine” written and illustrated by by Ashley Bryan New Talent Author Award: "Brendan Buckley's Universe and Everything in It," written by Sundee T. Frazier
Margaret A. Edwards Award: Orson Scott Card
The Odyssey Award (best Audio Book): "Jazz" by Walter Dean Myers and Christopher Myers
Arbuthnot Honor Lecture Award: Walter Dean Myers
Batchelder Award: "Brave Story" by Miyuki Miyabe
Robert F. Sibert Medal: "The Wall" by Peter Sis Pura Belpré Award: Illustration Winner: "Los Gatos Black on Halloween" by Yuyi Morales (written by Maris Montes) - One of my faves - yeah! Author Winner: "The Poet Slave of Cuba: A Biography of Juan Francisco Manzano," written by Margarita Engle Special WOOT, WOOT to Author Honor Book: "Martina the Beautiful Cockroach" by Carmen Agra Deedy!! ¡Vaya Martina!
Andrew Carnegie Medal (Most oustanding children's video): "Jump In: Freestyle Edition" Theodor Seuss Geisel Award: "There is a Bird on Your Head!" by Mo Willems
Michael L. Printz Award: "The White Darkness" by Geraldine McCaughrean
Drum roll please . . . . Caldecott Award: 4 Honors: "Henry’s Freedom Box," Kadir Nelson "First the Egg," Laura Vacarro Seeger "The Wall," Peter Sis "Knuffle Bunny Too," Mo Willems Winner: "The Invention of Hugo Cabret," Brian Selznick - WOW!! Talking about rockin' the boat!!
Newbery: Honors: Elijah of Buxton," by Christopher Paul Curtis "The Wednesday Wars," by Gary D. Schmidt "Feathers," by Jacqueline Woodson Winner: "Good Masters, Sweet Lady," by Laura Amy Schlitz
As many of you know, the bloggers at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast came up with a great way for those who didn't create snowflakes for Robert's Snow to participate in their own way with "Blogging for a Cure." Bloggers have been featuring snowflake illustrators in wonderful interviews for weeks now. Today, it's my turn. I've been interviewed by Stephanie Ruble at "sruble's world." She asked some great questions which I had a blast answering. So go check it out! Follow the interviews of the other illustrators by clicking the Robert's Snow poster to the right (or go here). I've been updating all the links as they become live. And be sure to check out the Robert's Snow website for the important cancer research fund-raising event. Maybe you'll fall in love with a snowflake and help raise money for this worthwhile cause.
Now this is what you wanna hear!! This letter just arrived in the mail today. It says:
Dear Elizabeth,
One of my most enjoyable tasks as editor of Writer's Digest is passing along good news to writers. This is one of those fun occasions. It is my pleasure to tell you that your manuscript, Queen Bea, has been awarded Honorable Mention in the Children's Fiction category of the 76th Annual Writer's Digest Writing Competition. Enclosed is your Certificate of Achievement to honor your accomplishment. (It's purty.)
This year's contest attracted over 19,000 entries. Your success in the face of such formidable compteition speaks highly of your writing talent, and should be a source of great pride as you continue in your writing career.
I congratulate you again on your accomplishment, and wish you the best of luck in your future writing.
Respectfully, Maria Schneider, Editor Writer's Digest
Oh wow. Oh wow, oh wow. Yippee!! Wippee!!! This is the THIRD Honorable Mention this story has received. (One was from the SCBWI-Southern Breeze, and another from the Storydynamics- "Discovering Ease" story competition.) I am so, so incredibly thrilled! 19,000 entries!!! You think maybe, maybe, I got sumthin' here? Oh wow. So what do I frame? The certificate or the INCREDIBLE LETTER!!?? (And yes you hungry publishers, it is still available! Call, let's talk - hehe.)
I've already shared the story behind Robert's Snow, the fundraiser for cancer research, but there's a new side to it. Bloggers have stepped forward to do their part - they are interviewing the illustrators who created snowflakes for Robert's Snow. The 200 participating illustrators are impressive and all are worth checking out. So, here's the list. Check back, because I'll make each name a live link to their website and add static links to the blog interviews (the links will take you straight to the interviews) as they are posted. See my snowflake here and read my interview at sruble's world on Sunday, November 11th. And don't forget to go bid on a snowflake - they make an important and beautiful gift or collection.
When I was named the Grand Prize W.I.N.ner of this year's SmartWriters.com Competition, I won a shiny new copy of Anastasia Suen'sPicture Writing. Since I already have a much loved, dog-eared copy, I held a drawing to give the new one away. Turned out Kelly Milner Halls (one of the competition organizers) also had an extra copy - so two books are going out to two lucky readers! Well, hubbie had the honor of picking two names out of a hat last night, and the winners are (drum roll please), Janice Skivington and Kristi Valiant! So, check your mailboxes ladies as Picture Writing is on its way!! Thanks to all who entered. This was my first foray into a giveaway and 'twas much fun. I might have to do it again . . .
I just received my advance copy of Writer's Digest Magazine with my article, "Drawing Success"! Woohoo! It's in the "You Can Write for Children" special edition which hits shelves September 25th. Included are articles by Candie Moonshower, Alice Pope, and Lauren Myracle - wow am I in good company! Be sure to look for it!
My SmartWriters.com Grand Prize W.I.N.ner's schwag is HERE!!! Wippee!! My very first trophy EVER!!! (I'm talking no swim team, no tennis, no nuthin'!!) Isn't it purty . . . sigh . . . :) I also received a copy of Alice Pope's Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market, Anastasia Suen's Picture Writing, oh, and a lovely check! As the guy on the dog food commercial says, "So happeee!!" Go here to read my initial squeal and sign up for my drawing of Anastasia Suen's Picture Writing - I'm giving my new one away because I already have a much loved copy. It's an awesome read for those who want to break into picture books - I highly, highly recommend it!!! UPDATE: Kelly Milner Halls also has an extra copy, so there are now TWO copies in the drawing!! Go sign up!
e's news - August '07 Hi All! It's been a few months since my last newsletter. This year has truly turned into a "nose to grindstone" kind of year for me - work, work, work. The good news is, it's paying off. I have SIX books coming out in 2008 (two trade picture books, two parenting aid picture books, and two educational picture books). I'll talk about them more in upcoming newsletters. I also have an article in the upcoming "You Can Write for Children" issue of Writer's Digest Magazine on my "Path to Success" - ha! No secret there, just b.i.c. as Jane Yolen likes to say (butt in chair). I believe it will be the October issue, but it hits shelves September 25th, so look for it! In the mean time, scroll down to see my great news from SmartWriters.com and don't miss the Decatur Book Festival where I'll be moderating this year's illustrator panel.
Good News! I was named the Grand Prize W.I.N.NER in this year's 2007 SmartWriters.com Competition for my illustration, "Lula's Brew" This was the first year an illustrator won this competition (and my first trophy - ever), so I was incredibely honored. (That's my lovely trophy in the front.) Winning this competition also ended up being a huge boon when I attended my first Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) National Conference in Los Angeles this summer. Read about my experiences on my blog.
It's time again for the I will be moderating the illustrator panel on Sunday, September 2nd at 1:00pm with Chris Raschka, Judy Schachner, Mark Braught, and Laura Knorr. Be there for a good time!
One of my SIX books coming out in 2008 is PACO AND THE GIANT CHILE PLANT ~ PACO Y LA PLANTA DE CHILE GIGANTE Raven Tree Press, June 2008 (My Spanish lessons continue . . .)
I have the honor of creating a snowflake for Robert's Snow this year to help raise money for cancer research. This is the third year illustrators have pitched in to help with this cause, and for good reason. One of our own has been too closely affected by this horrible disease. The story is worth reading about, and the snowflakes, which are auctioned off, are a joy to see. So, needless to say, I'm so happy to be involved.
The snowflakes are all original pieces of art. However I work digitally (the most original art I create is a first run giclee), so what did that mean to me? To the matresses . . . I mean, pull out the paints and see if I can get these muscles to do what I want! The great thing is, while I was improving with my digital art, I was learning a lot about traditional media. I never claimed to be good at mixing colors (which is part of why I went digital). Who knew that mixing colors onscreen would teach me how to mix colors off? Well, that's what happened, and I was very pleased with the results. I didn't think to take pictures until I was well into the project, so I jump around a bit, but I'll walk you through my process: I had to practice to get my hands used to working with a brush rather than a pen-mouse, and experiment with how the acrylics would react. I certainly didn't want to practice on my snowflake! So, I bought a piece of masonite similar to the material from which the snowflake was made and cut it down to small pieces (about 8.5"x11"). I prepared the surface by layering it with gesso. One of the things I always try to achieve with my digital work is that wonderful rich texture and transparency you get with paint. So, layer after layer of gesso, I used a dry brush to cross hatch when it was close to dry. After four or five layers, I had a nice solid white with a rich texture. I then used Saral paper to transfer my art to the masonite. It worked very well as you can see the back design on the left. I also wanted to experiment with "scumbling." It's a fancy word for painting the darks first, letting them dry, then layering thin, lighter colors on top. (This is where the transparency comes in.) It's also about the only way to get gentle shading with acrylics - they just dry so darned fast! (They do make solutions to extend the drying time if you want to experiment, but I didn't want to go there.) So I went in with the darks first. Here you can see I've already started to layer in the turquoise sky and vermillion santa suit. I especially liked the way my workspace came together through this. I bought a set of small tubes of acrylics. Because they dry so quickly, smaller tubes encourage you to squeeze out less and therefore lose less to drying (okay, and after much digging, I couldn't find my acrylics!). It's also amazing how little paint you actually need. I saved plastic egg crates and used them as my palettes. (I can't tell you how many expensive palettes I've thrown away that I could never get clean - this worked GREAT.) By the way, my brushes did not sit above my art while I worked - I've heard horror stories about that kind of thing. I moved them over for the photo so you could see the size brushes I used. So the main things I learned: there are major advantages to working small; use egg crates for palettes; take your time and let the layers build. I have to say, I really enjoyed this. I may actually try to do more projects in the future just for fun. Here is my finished snowflake front and back: I sure hope whoever purchases my snowflake gets in touch!
OMG OMG OMG I'm still reeling!!! The email came in about 6:00 this evening - silly me didn't put my phone number on the entry form. I honestly didn't think I'd win! At first I thought Roxyanne meant I'd won the illustration category (which would have been good enough!). But no!!! I won the SmartWriters 2007 W.I.N. Competition Grand Prize!! OMG. I can't tell y'all how much this means to me. I started in this business cold turkey right before 9/11. Like everybody else, I had all the stereotypical misconceptions about how it all works, and I have learned just about every lesson the hard way. But with every failure, I just grew more and more determined to keep trying. (Yes, I'm a bit stubborn). Things have been going well lately, I must admit. But I work so hard, no violins, just truth. I needed some reassurance that this was all going somewhere. And my dream is to write and illustate my own books. That's the goal. It's so frustrating to know what you want sometimes, and know that you have a lot of work ahead of you to jump the hurdles that need jumping. Sometimes it flat out gets you down. One of the things I find I have in common with others on this crazy journey is the conscious decision to stay positive, move forward, and not resent the need for growth. But it's a much needed shot in the arm to receive recognition like this. It's confirmation that you are supposed to be on this path, that it's the right one. I'm so pleased, so thrilled, so honored to be on this journey with all of you. What a funny quest to embark upon, but somehow it is so, so worth it. Thank you to Roxyanne Young, Verla Kay, Kelly Milner Halls and SmartWriters for such a well respected competition, but especially for everybody's kind comments and support. This is not a stand-alone honor, I assure you. I am on the shoulders of so many friends.
Btw, one of the prizes in this year's SmartWriters.com competition is a copy of Anastasia Suen's "Picture Book Writing." I already have a copy, dogeared from the treasure it's been to me. Reading it at different stages of my career has revealed new and just as relevant information. So, I am "paying it forward." Email me below if you'd like me to forward you my winning copy. I'll hold a drawing at the end of the month. (Make sure you don't sign anonymously so I can get in touch with you if I draw your name.) Keep writing, keep dreaming, don't give up!!
TA-DA!!! According to Publishers Weekly, this is cover for the last of the Harry Potter books, "Harry Potter and the Dathly Hallows," again illustrated by fabuloso Mary GrandPré. I love his serious, mature expression on this one. Of course, the big question is . . . will Harry survive? I can't wait to find out. Of course, I've got to say, the cover kind of reminds me of something . . . hmmmm.
Just got an email from my agent. My first novel, "A Bird on Water Street," went out to publishers Friday. All I can say is, Weehaaa!!! And Ee Gaads. And I'm a nervous wreck! A friend said I shouldn't be a nervous wreck yet - more like a few weeks from now when we might actually start hearing responses. I tell ya - this business moves slower than molasses in winter. But once things are out there, it's like jumping off a cliff. Will you fly? Will you crash and burn? You just don't know. It's a heckofa ride. Weehaaaa!!!
After several tries I finally hooked into the ALA webcast. It is so well done with the power point presentation of the books as the announcements are made. This year's CALDECOTT is . . . drum roll please . . . "FLOTSAM" by David Wiesner!! No surprise there. Two other big winners were "MOSES" illustrated by Kadir Nelson. It won the CORETTA SCOTT KING AWARD and was a CALDECOTT honor book - WOW! "Rules" by Cynthia Lord won the SCHNEIDER FAMILY AWARD for middle school and was a NEWBERY HONOR!! Wow, wow!! Other winners were: "Higher Power of Lucky" by Susan Patron won the Newbery (how was this not on my radar?). Congratulations to the illustrator, Matt Phelan! "Small Steps" by Louis Sachar won the teen Schneider Family Award. "Jazz" by Walter Dean Myers and Christopher Myers also won a Coretta Scott King honor - again, no surprise there. Lois Lowry was awarded the Margaret Edwards Award. "Octavian Nothing" won an Printz honor. (You can read my review here.) Big shake-up: a graphic novel won the Prinz Award - "American Born Chinese." I gotta get my hands on this. Those were the biggies on my radar. You can read more about the awards at the American Library Association. What a rush!
All those who weigh in on the best children's books are currently at the mid-winter American Library Association conference in Seattle, and once again, they will be doing a live webcast as they announce the winners. I watched last year and enjoyed it immensely. It's like watching the Oscars when you actually know some of the stars (and without the great dresses). So fun! You can watch it LIVE at 10:45am est (7:45am in Seattle) HERE.
Hi Y'all! I have BIG news! HALEY AND THE BIG BLAST, written by A.E. Scotland and illustrated by Yours Truly for Amy Elise Press, has just been released! Haley is a young scientist with a lot of crazy ideas. Her constant experiments get her into all sorts of trouble. But, when all the windows at her school are mysteriously shattered, it's Haley's science experiment which proves how it occured. HALEY AND THE BIG BLAST is a fun chapter book for bright young minds, and best of all, a "Haley" doll is available for your budding young scientist. Haley would make a great Christmas present! Click on the images to visit the Amy Elise website.
I sent my first novel to my agent today and I have the strangest emotions going on. I'm relieved, nervous, scared. I feel about 50 pounds lighter. I mean, this thing has been with me for four years. It was born as a picture book and demanded to be longer. Turned into a chapter book and got some really good feedback, but again the word was "make it longer." So, it turned into a novel. A real novel. Who knew I could do that? I bled all over the paper - there wasn't another thing I could have done for it. It's as good as I felt it could be. And now it's out there - my little baby - to be slashed and edited and rejected and god knows what else. I'm just raw. I'm one big open wound waiting for either a band-aid or salt. Could go either way. And yet, I'm excited, really, really excited. Like I said, strange emotions today.
As many of you know, the bloggers at 
