The Original Art Show Opening Reception Recap

Last Thursday, I had the pleasure of attending the 30th Annual Society of Illustrators’ Original Art Show opening reception!  It was a crowded, swinging party full of the best children’s book illustrators of the year, plus the editors, art directors/designers, friends and family who support them.

I’m not gonna lie – I was a little nervous about being there with so many people I admire, but don’t actually know.  But I wasn’t nervous enough NOT to go, and I’m so glad I did!  There were quite a few Penguin people there, so I wasn’t without my fellow assistant-types.  But the cool part was getting to briefly meet some awesome Putnam illustrators, and put faces to names for industry folks who were wandering around the event.  From the moment I ran into Eric Carle on the stairs (within 2 minutes of being there), my mantra of the evening was turning around, only to look at someone’s name-tag and go, “Whoa, I’m two feet away from ___________!”

The awards ceremony filled me with pride for being in the children’s book community. All of the winners were excited to be recognized by their peers, and there wasn’t one speaker who didn’t seem like a lovely, humble person.  Silver medalist Dan Santat, especially, seemed touched by the award and reminded us that this is one of the few occasions where illustrators, usually holed up alone in their studios, get the chance to be validated for the great work that they do. Aw.

The Gold medalist, Renata Liwska, is a huge illustrator-crush of mine, and I’m so glad that she won the top award of the year for The Quiet Book!  Her adorable animals are just up my alley, and I can’t wait until her book with Philomel, Red Wagon, comes out this winter.  The cutest!  Check out some of her sketches (believe it or not, her finishes are digital) on Amazon as well.

The highlight of the evening, hands down, was getting to hear Eric Carle accept his Lifetime Achievement Award. At 81, Carle is a champ for coming all the way down to NYC. Though his “senior moments” came out just a bit when he mixed up a few of his own life details (he has had quite a lot of experience!), his wisdom was more than clear. The laughs came when he mentioned that he “never really thought of himself as an illustrator” – says the creator of the most famous picture book ever. But I thought it was so interesting how he described the relationship between his graphic design/advertising background and the way that he composes his illustrations.  Carle said that every picture book spread he makes, he designs as a poster. Bold color, clear compositions, graphic shapes. Isn’t that incredible?

The award that hits closest to home is the Founder’s Award, which is given to an up-and-coming talent in the field (this year, it was Hyewon Yum).  Now, here’s how I feel about awards: they’re nice to get, but they don’t really matter. With so many equally talented people out there, awards like these are full of out-of-your-control factors like the tastes and predisposition of the judges. So don’t bother thinking about it, because there’s really not a lot you can, or should, do to “try to win” an award.

That being said. I WANTSSS IT. The Founder’s Award, I mean. I have too much competitiveness in my bones not to want that award someday (at least a little). And with the board books already published, that means I have one chance to win it.  In short, my picture book debut better be smashing.

But enough about awards.

It was way too crowded to check out all of the books and art displayed at the Original Art Show, so I’m going again with the rest of the Putnam crew in a couple weeks.  I’ll report back on my findings later!

Fall Favorites

This weekend, I made a long-overdue homecoming to Concord (I hadn’t been back since January!), since it’s an undeniable fact that fall is the most beautiful in New Hampshire, no contest.  The brilliant leaves and crisp (read: cold) air got me in the mood for some of these past and present fall favorites:

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1. A Gingerbread Haunted House

The main reason for my visit was an Ericsson family tradition: gingerbread houses.  In the past, we were usually were consumed with Good Housekeeping-style festivals and workshops around Thanksgiving, but this year called for spooky haunted houses instead.

If you’re not up for building them from scratch (even with my mom’s trusty book of instructions!), this cookie cutter makes some pretty funky facades.

2. Leaf Coloring

I love the textural quality that comes from the old crayon “leaf rubbing” craft, so who says it has to be just for kids anymore?  Cloth Paper String has some beautiful solutions for prints on bookplates, cards and more, and trying them in ink looks like it’s worth a shot, too.

3.  Autumn Leaf Bowls

I don’t have access to a kiln anymore, but if I did, these leaf bowls would be the perfect craft project for me – it’s so easy, even a 4th grader can do it!  Apparently you can make them with self-drying clay and paint… so I may have experiment soon…

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4. The Little Old Lady That Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams, illustrated by Megan Lloyd

To me, this is the ultimate classic Halloween picture book.  Even today. I immediately think of the CLOMP CLOMP, WIGGLE WIGGLE, SHAKE SHAKE, CLAP CLAP theme that was so much fun as a child. It’s the perfect pick for scarecrow story-times and readings.

5. Only A Witch Can Fly by Allison McGhee, illustrated by Taeeun Yoo

Last year’s award-winner Only A Witch Can Fly is definitely the new classic. I have been completely enamored with rising superstar Taeeyun Yoo since The Little Red Fish, and it’s no surprise that her linoleum block prints earned her one of the NYT Best Illustrated books of last year.

6. Scary, Scary Halloween by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Jan Brett

When I was a wee one, those green eyes and prowling creatures used to give me the chills – in a good way.  Not your typical Jan Brett illustrations, either (that’s the ’80s for you!).

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7. The Fort Greene Halloween Festival

I volunteered for this event back when I was a proud Clinton Hill student, and it was so much fun to see the park transformed into a FREE Halloween festival!  Even if you’re not young enough for hay rides, face painters and sack races, grabbing a free pumpkin, live music and a pumpkin smoothie from Habana Outpost is totally adult-friendly.  Plus, the costume contest for dogs, “The Great Pupkin” (sponsored by Fort Greene PUPS) is deadly cute – check out photos of past events!

Stand Tall! Growth Charts

Anyone that knows me is aware that height is, um, sort of an issue for me.    Don’t get me wrong, I’m not generally insecure about my looks, but I think everyone has that one “sensitive subject” they’re not comfortable about themselves, and at 5’10”, being tall is mine.  And no annoying “But being tall is so great!” comments are going to change that.

So I could appreciate the levity and message of the latest book I’ve come across at work: Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell, and illustrated by David Catrow.  Molly Lou, the shortest, buck-toothiest, bullfrog-iest new girl in class, shines because she follows her grandmother’s advice to always, “Walk as proudly as you can and the world will look up to you.” She’s got confidence that (literally) bowls over the school bully, and it’s fantastic. This is the kind of both entertaining and meaningful read that makes me want to shove it in the New York Times’ snotty face and say, “THIS IS WHY PICTURE BOOKS ARE SO GREAT!”  Phew!  Anywho… moving on…

Designing “extras” for Molly Lou’s 10th anniversary got me to thinking about those handmade growth charts scrawled up the doorframes of classic American households.  Remember those?  Well, I wanted to see if there were some pre-made growth charts with a bit of design flair.  Turns out, you can pretty much find a colorful growth chart for kids on any theme – no matter how tall or small!

Here were some of my favorites:

Heirloom Boxed Set Growth Chart – via Design Mom

Grow-With-Me Scroll Chart – via Family Style

Chalkboard Paint DIY Growth Chart – via OhDeeOh

Basic Shapes Growth Chart – via Kids Crave

Up, Up I Go – A Fold-Out Book by Eric Carle (Chronicle Books)

Giraffe Wall Decal Growth Chart – via CoolLil

Who Tall Are You? – For Big Kids, aka. Adults

 

Drawn In Brooklyn! Exhibition at the BPL

image: Sophie Blackall – Big Red Lollipop

As is now routine, I moseyed through the park and did my weekly grocery shopping at the Grand Army Plaza greenmarket on Saturday.  This time, though, I wasn’t too loaded down with pickles and goat cheese, and actually had the energy to stop at the Central branch of the Brooklyn Public Library.

I’d been meaning to hit the BPL because, though I’ve always been a huge library supporter (it’s in my blood, thanks mom and dad), lately I’ve been in the bad habit of buying books instead.  But with student loans looming this November (it’s been nearly 6 months already?!), it is time to tighten the finances and catch up on my reading – for free.

I was disappointed that I didn’t find anything super fresh and exciting in the YA section… but I guess it’s good that teens are checking them all out. Next time, I’ll have to bring a bigger list. I DID get the chance to see the Drawn In Brooklyn! exhibition of children’s illustration – and that, in itself, was worth the trip.

Drawn In Brooklyn! is a 4-month long festival of 34 local artists, celebrating the borough with the largest concentration of children’s book illustrators on the planet. In close proximity to Manhattan, illustrators can network with the publishing and art worlds first-hand… but then find both community inspiration and a bit of creative peace back here.  No wonder Brooklyn is home to, well, almost everyone I admire.

image: Peter Brown – Chowder

In the vast display of work in the Grand Lobby of the BPL, there were many, many familiar names, including personal heroes (Leo and Diane Dillon, Ted and Betsy Lewin, Paul O. Zelinsky), current favorites (Sophie Blackall, Peter Brown) and former professors (Pat Cummings, Megan Montague Cash). Also, a few illustrators I’d never heard of before: both Daniel Salmieri and Sergio Ruzzier‘s whimsical, quirky characters made me smile.  Here they are below!

image: Daniel Salmieri – Those Darn Squirrels

image: Sergio Ruzzier – Amanadina

Drawn In Brooklyn! has events going on for months – so don’t miss out on meeting any of the illustrators featured – from now until January.

The Top 10 Banned Books I’ll Make Sure Kids Read

When I have children, these will be among the best books on their shelf, but people around the country have found them much more controversial.  So instead of saying “why not”, here’s WHY they are so great:

1. And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell / The adorable true story of two male penguins in Central Park who, with the help of the zookeeper, hatch a beautiful baby daughter. While one of the most challenged books in 2008-2009, this may be my favorite story about a “modern family”.

2. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson / Victims should never be blamed or silenced, and anyone that sees rape as pornographic is severely disturbed. I was appalled at how Anderson’s novel was targeted last week. Teens should be encouraged to #SpeakLoudly… and they can get the courage to do so from this book.

3. The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling / Obviously.  Since I am the kind of person that labelled myself as a “Christian witch” when I was 12.

4. Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary / If kids are reading the dictionary (even if it’s to look up the definition of “oral sex”), the only consequence is that they’ll probably do better on the SATs. Also, if your children have to look up what sex means, you probably need to work on your parenting skills.

5. Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison / Ooh muttis and vatis may have a nervy spaz because Georgia’s diary contains gorgy sex gods, but if you cannot grasp the hilariosity, you are probably a wet tosser and in need of a duffing up. Now let’s go down the disco!

6. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee / Racism is a tricky one when it comes to banning books because if, like me, you’re staunchly against censorship, it’s difficult to be okay with older versions of books that have racist undertones (like Little Black Sambo).  But there’s a big difference between being racist and portraying racism, and To Kill A Mockingbird certainly falls under the latter.

7. The Diary Of Anne Frank / Only Nazis would ban Anne Frank.

8. The His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman / By the time you get through the 3rd book (The Amber Spyglass), it is clear that Pullman has a strong anti-religious agenda.  But it never stopped me from loving the series, and even if I raise my children in the Christian faith, I’ll want them to read, doubt and think for themselves.  All opposed should go read Narnia instead.

9. In The Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak / Again with the disturbing interpretations of what is “sexual content”.  Really, naked babies?  Who hasn’t seen a naked baby running around? Come on. They’re just jealous that he got a Caldecott Honor.

10. The Rabbit’s Wedding by Garth Williams / Another adorable story of (note: animal) love and family that is twisted around by bigoted extremists.  Luckily, Williams gets the last word, saying,

“I was completely unaware that animals with white fur, such as white polar bears and white dogs and white rabbits, were considered blood relations of white human beings. I was only aware that a white horse next to a black horse looks picturesque.”

He went on to say that adults “will not understand it, because it is only about soft furry love and has no hidden message of hate.”

Here’s to little black and white bunnies, and freedom!  Happy Banned Books Week.

Last Video Half-Day Friday: It’s A Book!

In celebration of the final half-day Friday of the summer, I should be doing – and posting – all sorts of sunny, outdoorsy activities/videos.  But the impending hurricane vibe that’s taking over New York today has got me cancelling plans and just wanting to curl up with a good book instead.

So today, if you haven’t already heard all about Lane Smith’s newest masterpiece, watch the trailer for “It’s A Book!” (and check out an interview here).  I’ve been crazy excited about this title a lot longer than is appropriate for a new picture book, and it only increases my awe that Smith remains relevant, innovative and, as always, wacky over two decades of best-selling books.

Plus, as someone who has been spending more time on social media than at the painting desk, this book resonates – but in a light-hearted way.  I find it especially ironic that “It’s A Book!” is being promoted virally . . . wouldn’t it be hilarious if there was an app for that?

On a further digital note: I’ve been redesigning my web content this week . . . stay tuned for the launching of AnnieBethEricsson.com awesome-ness!

Maira Kalman and the American Dream

[While I sit and try to prepare something worthy of my Hunger Games-induced haze,] I thought I’d direct you to someone else who also never ceases to fill me with awe: Maira Kalman.

[When not completely absorbed in the world of Katniss/Peeta/Gale,] I’ve been thinking all week about my trip to Ellis Island last weekend. How can I visually describe how that slice of history makes me feel, how it reflects on my views of immigration, diversity and the United States today?

Then, as I discovered, Maira’s already done it.

Maira Kalman already ranks top on my list for her iconic picture book about September 11th, Fireboat. And all of her entries from her 2009 New York Times blog, “And The Pursuit Of Happiness,” are fantastic takes on American history.  One after another is a delightful collage of hand-written narrative, painting and photography.  But her August entry of last year, “I Lift My Lamp Beside The Golden Door“, says everything I couldn’t express:

a celebration of diversity, past and present . . .

concern and a touch of cynicism at the big issues, but trust in the good nature of the American people as individuals . . .

a reminder never to forget that we will always be a country of immigrants . . .

and a sense of wonder and pride at what makes our country so great.

I particularly love this:

And this:

Ultimately, the message is simple and true:

Video Half-Day Friday: Werner Herzog

Dear fellow Girl With The Dragon Tattoo readers,

The first half of the book will be so much better if you read it to yourself like Werner Herzog.  Then you can get to the good parts (hint: it picks up at p. 297).

—

On a similar note, these versions of children’s books, read in “Herzog” ‘s voice, are easily the funniest kids-lit parodies I’ve ever seen.  I’ve been meaning to post them forever, but it’s no big, because they just keep getting better with age.

“They smiled at the good, and frowned at the bad, but being children, their concept of good and evil was not fully formed, and it would shock a grown person how much grey area existed along their moral compass.  In truth, children are next door to sociopaths.”

“George is lured out of hiding by the yellow hat, an alien trinket of unimaginable cultural significance.  George quickly learns a hard lesson about desire, as his adventure with the hat leads to his immediate captivity.”

“Like gangsters in an American movie, they have dug their own grave.  Mike seems doomed by his own hubris, and he is doomed to Maryanne as well.  She is like a beaten dog who still loves her master, because he is all she has ever known.”

“We search for Waldo, but what is Waldo searching for? Perhaps he is not searching at all, but running from something.  Does this man even want to be found?  Or in searching for Waldo, did we really find ourselves?  No, probably not.”

Living In Literature: Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse

Whether it’s for home decor ideas or a bright spot of color in my morning, the one blog I turn to almost daily is Design*Sponge.  And there’s no column on the website that I look forward to more than Amy Merrick‘s “Living In” (whose 1-year anniversary is today)!

Amy perfectly captures the atmosphere of all my favorite movies, and I love the idea of gaining inspiration from a story long after it ends.  While movies have more than enough visual material for products, fashion and interior design, I’m left wondering how the same exercise could be applied to other mediums, such as . . . books!

Children’s literature is remarkable because it sparks the imagination, bringing fantastic elements into the context of daily reality.  The worlds created within kids’ books can be complex with ideas, but ultimately have to be simple and tangible enough for a child to understand.

It is with this thought in mind that I bring an homage to Design*Sponge with “Living In Literature”!  I’ll showcase children’s and YA books whose characters, themes and environments can be translated to a set of products, so both you – and the little ones in your life – can carry the spirit of the book once you’ve closed its pages.

I think there’s no better way to kick off “Living In Literature” than with my favorite children’s book heroine to be inspired by: Lilly from Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, by Kevin Henkes.  Lilly has the kind of impulsive self-assurance that we often lose with age.  Even though she may not always be right, she learns a lesson in humility without losing her enthusiasm.  She’s a perfect personality to channel when you need a little burst of confidence.

For you:

list notepad $7, crown charm $52, purple purse $995 (a girl can dream…), knit dress $16, movie star sunglasses $13, yellow headbands $10 ea, Make A Wish bouquet $35, swiss cheeses $15-31/lb, star button necklace $25, lunch tote $22, red cowboy boots $327, cowboy rain boots $68

For the kids:

floral print dress $8, movie star sunglasses $5, lace mouse ears $35, purple plastic purse $7, star mirror decals $13, plush mouse toy $13, blue tiered skirt $30, bean bag chair $30, crown baby hat $20, fringe cowboy boots $25

Now, on those days when it would feel great to shout,

“I am Lilly!  I am the Queen!

I like everything!”

. . . grab some red boots or movie star sunglasses, and go take over the world!

Video Half-Day Friday – The Giving Tree

Half-day Fridays (for those of you not in publishing, this is when everyone mentally shuts down, gives up and heads home by 12:30 PM) are pretty much the best idea EVER.  So, in the spirit of summer publishing, I bring you a gem of hilarity to fill your lazy afternoon hours . . . in case you’re not sipping margaritas or catching a Megabus to a less-humid destination!

This video is too amazing to even bother introducing, just . . . enjoy!