Spring Things

This month’s pet drawing sheet is a guinea pig! I hope your students enjoy drawing (and coloring) their own little pet pigs.

Years ago, I illustrated a book about guinea pigs called Dirty Gertie, so it was fun to revisit drawing guinea pigs. Last year, that book was rewritten and repackaged as Taking Care of Erin. Publishing (work for hire) can be quirky like that!

I just wrapped up two local author fairs at libraries near me. This Sunday, April 12th, I will be at KidsCon in Nashua, NH. I teach a class on drawing dinosaurs at 3pm, but will have books to sell and sign from 10-4pm. I’m pretty excited for a day of cosplay kids and characters.

Last week, I had a wonderful school visit at Hooksett’s Fred C. Underhill school. We created some fun monster mash-ups, and I enjoyed a special lunch with the 2nd grade book club kids! Big shoutout to Ms. Pyles the librarian and Gibson’s Bookstore for supporting literacy, local authors, and their communities!

Derry Author Fest is next weekend, on April 18th. I was a speaker last year and look forward to attending and listening to a range of authors. It’s a wonderful free event at the Derry NH Public Library, open to the public. I highly recommend going. Say hello if you come!

Next month, I will be at the NESCBWI Spring Conference. I’m presenting two workshops on Saturday: Picture Book Process: From Your Lightbulb Moment to the Bookshelf and Creating Memorable Characters. It’s been a long time since I’ve attended this perennial favorite, and I am so excited to spend the weekend with lots of kid’s book creators!

Reading: Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel. I loved this limited series on HBO. I’ve read a few of her books and had mixed opinions (Glass Hotel was good but slow, I dropped Sea of Tranquility early on). I found a secondhand copy of Station Eleven and am very glad I took a chance. I loved the book and only wished it were a bit longer, honestly.

Watching: Rooster on HBO. The first episode is a bit slow, but this has been a solidly charming and funny series. I’m still adjusting to Phil Dunster as someone other than Jamie Tartt. And how nice to have Steve Carell back on TV as a loveable goof (and author!)

Listening To: Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson. I’ve had this short audiobook on my to-read list for ages and finally started it to get through a quick deadline this week. I ADORE the voice actor - I hope I figure out who she reminds me of, but gosh it’s a very charming southern accent. The premise is so weird (MC nannies her old BFF’s step-kids who spontaneously combust when upset) but it’s funny and hooks you right from the jump. (I also enjoyed his book Now Is Not The Time to Panic as an audiobook)