Framed Illustration by Rafael Lopez

BACK TO CATHY'S PICS

Framed Illustration by Kelly Murphy

BACK TO CATHY'S PICS

Framed Illustration by Kristina Swarner

BACK TO CATHY'S PICS

Framed Illustration by Lee White

BACK TO CATHY'S PICS

Jennifer's Book Picks

Our 18th Annual Children's Book Illustrators Show & Signing is almost upon us! We have over 200 original illustrations from our "Fab Five" available for pre-sale, and over 40 adorable books for signing and dedication. I know how hard it is to pick your favorite books, so here's my $0.02.

Pssst!
Don't forget, book pre-sale ENDS November 28th.
That's less than two weeks away!

The Girl on the Yellow Giraffe
Written & Illustrated by Ronald Himler

Walking on Sidewalk, Watercolor

I'll admit, I may be a little biased about this book. I'm a sucker for giraffes, so The Girl on the Yellow Giraffe really cried out to me. It's an adorable fairy tale about a young girl who goes on a journey through a magical land. Her ordinary travels through the big city become an epic journey, and the everyday people she meets change into encounters with giants, magicians and wizards. Through Ron's wonderful illustrations, we are allowed into the little girl's imagination.

Our California
Written by Pan Munoz Ryan
Illustrations by Rafael Lopez

Yosemite, Acrylic on Board

Our California is the perfect book for all ages whether you're a visitor to the Golden State or a life-long resident. Rafael Lopez's beautiful imagery offsets the book's fun facts about our multi-cultural state. A gallery favorite is his rendering of Yosemite, pictured above. The book takes you from the Channel Islands to Sonoma, Sacramento to Palm Springs. Each city is really brought to life through Rafael's engaging illustrations. Our California is also available in Spanish as Nuestra California.

Hush Little Dragon
Written by Boni Ashburn
Illustrations by Kelly Murphy

Dragon With Magician, Mixed Media on Paper

Hush Little Dragon is a medieval rendition of "Hush Little Baby." Instead of finding Baby a mockingbird, Mama finds a princess, a king, some knights, three musketeers and many others to fill Baby's tummy. A simply irresistible tale for parents and grandparents alike, Kelly's illustrations put a whimsical spin on a classic song.

Enchanted Lions
Written by David T. Greenberg
Illustrations by Kristina Swarner

Waving Through Window, Mixed Media on Paper

A charming bedtime story about flying through the galaxies with a lion guide, Enchanted Lions is simply, well, enchanting. Kristina's magical illustrations set the mood for a fantasy romp through the heavens, where Rose and her Lion play with Monoceros the Unicorn and watch Pisces and her babies swimming in the sky. An adventure before bed is just the thing to send Rose and other children off to a sleep filled with dreams.

Ducks Don't Wear Socks
Written by John Nedwidek
Illustrations by Lee White

Porthole, Mixed Media on Paper

Ducks Don't Wear Socks really makes me giggle. We meet a very serious little girl who is only interested in very serious subjects. Through her repeatedly ridiculous encounters with an oddly-dressed duck, she learns how to be silly and how to laugh. Lee's illustrations are an hysterical accompaniment to the text, filled with details and fun perspectives.

Look for Karen's and Cathy's "Hot Picks" in upcoming blogs!

For a complete book list, click here.

_____________________________________________________

P.S. If you opened your invitation to the Children's Book Illustrators Show & Signing and panicked when you didn't see Kristina Swarner's name on the schedule of demos and lectures, fear not! Kristina will be in attendance the day of the show, signing away to her hearts content with the rest!

_____________________________________________________

Join Our Email List

or update your profile

Kristina Swarner Brings Gigantic Charm

Autumn Tree by Kristina Swarner
Mixed Media on Paper, 21 x 32

Take a look at this beauty from Kristina Swarner, one of this year's participants in our 18th Annual Children's Book Illustration Show & Signing. Weighing in at nearly 2 feet by 3 feet in size, Autumn Tree is gi-normous when compared to her other teeny tiny artworks. Kristina combines a variety of mediums to create her charming images, anything from linolium cut prints to pastel, watercolor and colored pencil.

Click here to see more examples of her beautiful original illustrations, or better yet, see them in person at the gallery! While you're at it, stop in and pick out the books you'd like signed and dedicated for you at the artist reception on December 5th! You can preview our book list here, and if you're stumped for ideas, you can always ask us for book recommendations. Remember, pre-sales end on November 28th.

Join Our Email List

or update your profile

Introducing The Wooden Floor

Newsflash!

Saint Joseph Ballet
is now

Saint Joseph Ballet, this year's beneficiary of the Children's Book Illustrators Show & Signing, has undergone a major change in the last week. For the last 26 years, this wonderful organization has been continually evolving and has finally grown into a new name and tagline. From now on, it will be known as The Wooden Floor, a metaphor for the solid foundation students receive through the outstanding dance, academic and family programs offered. Their new tagline pronounces, "From here you can step anywhere."

Keep your tissues handy as you watch this powerful video about
The Wooden Floor!

To find out more about this significant name change, please visit
The Wooden Floor's FAQ page here.

You can also read their press release by clicking here.

____________________________________________
Don't forget!
18th Annual Children's Book Illustrators Show & Signing
Books and original illustrations are on pre-sale NOW until November 28th!
Get your pre-ordered books signed and dedicated however you like -
just pick them out and we'll take care of the rest!
For more details, dates and times, please click here.
For the book list, please click here.
____________________________________________

Join Our Email List

or update your profile