Who Has These Books?

Who Has This Tail? comes out October 16th, and I just received my author copies in yesterday's mail. The book looks great, and once again the design team at Holt did a wonderful job of making sure that my watercolors stayed true to their vibrant and radiant selves -- not always an easy thing to do!

In a simultaneous debut of sorts, the Scholastic Book Club copies of Who Has These Feet? are also primed and ready to go. Stay tuned to your local book fair and check it out alongside the over-sized erasers, and Justin Bieber posters :)

A Bank Street Best Book 2012!

Awesome schools visits in Graham, Washington this week were made even better by the news that WHO HAS THESE FEET? was just named a Bank Street Best Book for 2012. You have to dig a little deep -- into the 5-9 year old science selections -- but its nice to have such excellent company.

It also appears that FEET? will be a part of the Scholastic Book Fair in fall 2012. Crossing my fingers for participation of the hardcover variety, but no matter what LOTS of kids will get to see the book!

Feet Tweet No. 6: Polar Bear Feet!

Feet Tweet No. 6

This particular animal ranks among my very favorite...

Feet Tweet No. 5: Santa's Elves!

Indeed! With bells and all. Speaking of Christmas, LOTS of gift/card making to do this weekend. Feet Tweets to return on Monday12/19/11 @ErikBrooksBooks.

Feet Tweet No. 5

These busy feet might get colored later this afternoon :)

Feet Tweet No. 4: Sand Fiddler Feet!

Colored pencil on Canson Mi-Teintes drawing paper.

A little late for the east coasters... busy days!

Feet Tweet No. 4

From a scientific illustration class...

Feet Tweet No. 3: Cheetah Feet!

Howard the Cheetah even! Follow along @ErikBrooksBooks.

Feet Tweet No. 3

FEET Tweet No. 2: A Tree Frog

And incredibly COLORFUL feet at that!

FEET Tweet No. 2

@ErikBrooksBooks

Feet Tweet No. 1: Gecko Feet!

 

More tomorrow! 

FEET Tweets!

So here's an idea that I should have hatched in August :)

In honor of my latest book, I'll be "Feet tweeting" daily for as long as I can manage. Those that actually follow such things can find me @ErikBrooksBooks. I'll post pictures here as well - which should cover the bases of cyberspace to the extent that I find physically possible.

And so, without further ado I give you FEET Tweet no. 1 (featuring artwork that did not appear in the final book!):

A Holiday Book Signing at Everyday Athlete

On Friday, December 2nd, step on out to Everyday Athlete for an evening of cookies and books. In honor of Polar Opposites, we'll be snacking on America's favorite black n' white cookies (the irresistible Oreo) and washing them down with a tall (probably short) glass of milk.

With due respect to Who Has These Feet?, our hosts for the night own the finest running shoe store east of Green Lake.

Bookfest Redux

A quick reminder post about the Northwest Bookfest in Kirkland, WA this weekend. On Sunday, Oct. 2nd, I'll be drawing pictures, visiting with readers, and signing books in SCBWI Booth #16 from 10:30-11:30am. I'm also part of an illustrator's panel discussion at the Kirkland Library from 1-2pm. Craig Orback, Richard Jesse Watson and I will be fielding questions and discussing our work in picture books. A book signing to follow where I should have copies of both Polar Opposites and Who Has These Feet?

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

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.

On the Drawing Board: June 2011

With Who Has These Feet? due out August 16th, I've been hard at work on a 2012 follow-up. Any guesses what the new book's title will be :)

Spring 2011!

Yes, there's 20 inches of snow on the ground (with another exciting storm on the way!), but spring is just around the corner over at Amazon.com. Who Has These Feet?, my illustrious illustration project for 2011, is ready and waiting for its marching orders. Written by Brooklyn Friends School Learning Specialist, Laura Hulbert, and published by Henry Holt, Who Has These Feet? will step into the world on August 16th.