BoB LOGan: March 2011

"The Sea of Bath" (Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, $17) by Bob Logan is perfect for children ages 4 and older to read while wrapped in a warm robe. The tale follows the adventures of the captain of the S.S. Rubb A. Dubb when the tide brings in an assortment of odd creatures and vessels. Bright, playful illustrations and simple text make this a book children will want to read over and over. Logan was a story artist on the films, "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" and "Madagascar." He lives in Thousand Oaks with his wife, son and two pugs.

-Michelle J. Mills

March 26, 2011

Some Recent Events...

First, Chris Mitchell and Miki Panteepo are holding an ongoing auction at their Q Pop store and website for HELP JAPAN. Please check it out! There are some really fantastic art pieces for sale and the funds go towards hospitals and relief groups in areas affected by the tsunami.

Thank you, Denise Koyama for getting my piece to the auction on time. You really helped me out!

Here is the link for Q Pop!

Second, I had the pleasure of participating in the CSLA Library Advocacy Campaign. You can learn more about this campaign at the following websites...

http://librarycampaign.csla.net/

http://www.cafepress.com/csla

http://bookcompany.mrsnelsons.com/support.html

March 15, 2011

Rocket Town!

Yesterday, I came home to a box of Rocket Towns sitting on my doorstep!

Once again, Sourcebooks did a fantastic job!

The release date is at the end of this month, but I think a few are popping up on websites already!

March 6, 2011

How I Made My First Picture Book...

How did I create my high-seas adventure? Well, first I started with some scribbly-dibbly thumbnails to try and figure out what I wanted to see on the pages...

Then I started designing all the characters I would want to see in a nautical-themed book. This was really fun for me! Many of the designs were based on these sketches. Here are some early designs for The Sea of Bath...

One of my favorite characters, (who unfortunately didn't make it into the book)...

As designs were being finished, I started a "dummy" or rough version of the book to show my publisher.

My first sketches were, again... scribbly-dibblies, mostly for my benefit, with usually just enough information on the page for me to see where I wanted to place my characters...

Then I set off on creating the actual rough or "dummy" version of the book for my editor and art director...

With some feedback from my publisher, I arrived at these final layouts...

Here are some more before-and-after examples...

March 5, 2011

The Wandering Minstrel!

Two nights ago at a book signing event in Moorpark, I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Mr. Paul Tracey, "The Wandering Minstrel". What is a wandering minstrel? And where do you go to learn how to become a wandering minstrel? Only Paul Tracey can tell you!

I must say, meeting Paul was a special treat. His stories were told through song. Paul also demonstrated a wide array of musical instruments to the children and talked a little bit about each instrument's distinct personality.

Paul and his slide didge!

Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, raised in England, Paul Tracey has performed internationally, appeared on broadway, and has written songs for (drum roll please)...

My favorite song of the evening, the one that got everyone singing, was "The Ugly Song".

(CLICK HERE TO SEE IT!)

I highly recommend Paul for elementary school events, festivals, and parties!

You can visit his website for bookings here!