Fan mail

Last week I spent two days at an elementary school in Saco, Maine, talking to the students about books, creativity, and imagination. One first grade class sent me wonderful letters, which arrived on my birthday! A lovely surprise. Here are two of them, with their "translations." Enjoy!

Sophia's note: "I love when you told us how we can use our imagination." ...and she does!

Cody's note: "I love everything. " ...a man of few words!

Snow Buddies

Just like my illustration, critters visited my snowperson.

Sliding in to the finish

After many months of work, I am very nearly finished with the art for Gobble, Gobble--a picture book about a curious child who watches a flock of wild turkeys throughout the year.

Dawn Publications will release it in the fall.

Although the antics of frequent turkey visitors are what inspired me to make the book in the first place, they haven't been around here for a long time. This past week, however, a flock of 15 or so have congregated around our front porch every day. I like to think of them as my cheering squad---boosting me along to finish the last pages of the book.

Scoot! Through the Snow

As part of their Family Wellness Night activities, Narragansett School in Gorham, Maine, set up the Scoot! StoryWalk out on the playground. Kids and their parents strapped on snowshoes to follow the pages of my book. A nearly full moon was augmented by flood lights provided by the Gorham Fire Department. Although the snow was a little crunchy, readers enjoyed their scoot through the book, and a good time was had by all.

Valentine

A valentine from Frog Song Pond. Share the love in your heart today.

Recess

Working away in my studio on the art for Gobble, Gobble. Lovely day beckoned, however, and I decided to take a break for play.

Turkey print

Just can't resist one more! This one is from a wild turkey. There were several more around the same area, near a stand of pine and spruce. You can clearly see the tail print here, and a bit of the wing on the left.

Here's a part of one of the illustrations for Gobble, Gobble that I'm working on (Can't fit the whole thing on my scanner). This is the one I was carving in a previous post.