8.31.2011

Northwest Bookfest 2011!

A note for your calendar: I'll be signing books and sharing the stage with two fantastic illustrators at this fall's Northwest Bookfest. My illustrator's panel discussion with Craig Orback and Richard Jessie Watson takes place Sunday, October 2nd at 1pm. We'll be hosted by the Kirkland Branch of the King County Regional Library System, but additional Bookfest events will take place at various other locations in the Kirkland area on both Saturday and Sunday. Check out their website for a complete schedule of authors and events.

8.18.2011

Reviews for FEET?

 
A nice collection of reviews for Who Has These Feet? in the email this week... plus a quick sketch to accompany the hightlights :)
 
"Brooks’s naturalistic yet affable animals will likely inspire readers to take a closer look at their own feet." --Publishers Weekly
 
"The simple text, the colorful illustrations, and the guessing game combine to make this an engaging picture book for reading aloud.” --Booklist
 
"The text and concept are refreshingly simple, while still educating and entertaining. The richly colored and realistic watercolor illustrations depict child-friendly beasts without anthropomorphizing them. A gatefold at the conclusion brings all the animals together, and a checkerboard of heads and feet on its flaps is a ready-made matching game….Young animal fans will find much to enjoy and are sure to ask for multiple readings.” --Kirkus Reviews

8.16.2011

Ta Dah!

Who Has These Feet?, my first true picture book project with Henry Holt is out today! You could have pre-ordered copies on Amazon months ago, and both the Cleveland public library system AND my local bookstore already have their copies (call and order to have one signed!), but the "official" release date is certifiably upon us. Speaking of which, I am going certifiably insane with final adjustments to the art for a follow-up... but that's a tale for another day.

Welcome to the world, Feet!!!!!

PS And congratualtions to author Laura Hulbert on her debut children's book publication. We've had several good reviews from Kirkus and School Library Journal (no small "feet" in and of itself) -- some of which I'll post in the next several days.

PPS I too trumped the release date and was sharing this book with my summer reading visits here in North Central Washington. The guessing game format is terrific for read-a-loud library settings with younger children -- not to mention the "beyond the book" potential for discussing animal habitats and where in the world all of these varied creatures live.