Extremely honored to have an art exhibit of almost 40 paintings at the Trustman Art Gallery in Boston, and to give a presentation with Neal Porter at the wonderful Simmons Children's Literature Institute. Thank you Megan Lambert, Cathie Mercier, Susan Bloom, and everyone at Simmons.
Knoxville Children's Literature Festival
Fun time in Knoxville, Tennessee with Dan Santat, Jonathan Auxier, Erin and Philip Stead, and Gregory Christie (not pictured).
Bank Street College of Education
Great time speaking at the Bank Street College of Education "Building Blocks of Play" Conference, with Paul Zelinsky, Nina Crews, and Peter Reynolds. Thank you, Jenny Brown, for everything, but especially for letting us draw on the walls!
Pictured: Nina Crews, Laura Vaccaro Seeger, Jennifer M. Brown, Paul Zelinsky
Pictured: Paul Zelinsky, Laura Vaccaro Seeger, Nina Crews
Northern Illinois Children's Literature Conference
Great time at the Northern Illinois Children's Literature Conference, thanks to Melanie Koss and Gail Hayenga. And always fun to hang out with my friends, Peter Brown, Melissa Sweet, and Gene Yang.
The Voice
I am utterly honored and flattered that my friend, (Newbery Honor winner and National Book Award finalist) Steve Sheinkin, created this hilarious comic strip of a conversation we'd recently had while hiking together in Utah. So cool! Click to view on Betsy Bird's School Library Journal page.
SCBWI 2015
Omg, had an unbelievably wonderful time giving the Keynote speech at the SCBWI conference in New York City this morning. The incredible audience of artists and writers, more than 1200 of my peers, made me cry!!
Here's a photo taken by Neal Porter during the Illustrator's Intensive on Friday, with Peter Brown, David Ezra Stein, and Paul Zelinsky.
And here's another photo including Kwame Alexander (this year's Newbery winner), and The Fonz! And my best friend, Judes (far right).
UVU Literature Conference, Utah
Had the most amazing time giving the keynote speech at the UVU Literature Conference in Utah, and hanging out with fellow authors Steve Sheinkin and Jennifer A. Nielsen. So much thanks to Gene Nelson, Nancy Peterson, Doug Gardner, and everyone at the conference.
DOG AND BEAR - TRICKS AND TREATS Release Day
Yay! It's official!
DOG AND BEAR-TRICKS AND TREATS goes on sale today!
Mazza Museum of Picture Book Art
Can't say enough about the wonderful Mazza Museum of Picture Book Art in Findlay, Ohio.
It's absolutely amazing, and every time I speak there, I enjoy it even more.
So much thanks to the incredible Dr. Jerry Mallett and Ben Sapp for inviting me.
Here's a photo taken there with my friend and fellow author, Bob Staake.
Happy Birthday to Neal Porter
A fabulous Macmillan birthday party for the best editor ever - Neal Porter.
With Steve Savage, Sandra Jordan, Neal Porter, Nick Bruel, (me), and Brian Floca
Bernard Waber Exhibit at the Eric Carle Museum
Great time at the opening of the Bernard Waber exhibit at the Eric Carle Museum - a wonderful and well-deserved tribute to a beloved friend and the author of LYLE, LYLE, CROCODILE, among many other incredible books.
Pictured: Norton Juster, Anita Silvey, Johanna Hurwitz, Seymour Simon, Susan Roth, Larry Pringle, Laura Vaccaro Seeger, Diane DeGroat, Eve Feldman, Leonard Marcus, Mark Shulman, Paulis Waber
MRA Children's Literature Award
Am very humbled to receive the 2014 Massachusetts Reading Association Children's Literature Award. A heartfelt thank you to the MRA and especially MRA Chair Nancy Meagher and Sheelah Sweeney (both pictured), and Susannah Richards.
Wonderful Western Washington Literature Conference
Had an incredible time speaking at the literature conference in Bellingham, Washington (with about 500 teachers, librarians, and authors in the audience). Special thanks to Nancy Johnson for inviting me!
Fabulous dinner with Nic Bishop, Steve Sheinkin, Jennifer Holmes, Candy Fleming, Kate Kubert Puls, Nancy Johnson and the wonderful Western Washington University staff.
BULLY on TeachingBooks.net
Click here to listen to an audio piece on BULLY from the wonderful TeachingBooks.net.
NAEYC
Great time at NAEYC in Washington DC, and great panel moderated by Donna Knoell, with Chris Raschka, Dan Yaccarino, Tom Lichtenheld, Denise Fleming, Tad Hills, Salina Yoon, and me!
Mexico
Had a wonderful time in Mexico with Neal Porter and Yuyi Morales. Special thanks to Karen Coeman for organizing an amazing festival. And we ate grasshoppers!!
Original Art Show at Port Washington Library
So proud to have 7 paintings on exhibit at the Port Washington Library Original Art Show, along with art by Paulis and Bernard Waber, Jerry Pinkney, Brian Floca, Jane Zalben, Sergio Ruzzier, Roxie Munro, and Amy Schwartz.
The art opening and panel discussion will be held on November 10 starting at 1:30pm. Panelists include Neal Porter, Sandra Jordan, Jane Zalben, Elizabeth Harding, Rita Auerbach, Caroline Ward, Renee McGrath, and me. Special thanks to Jane Zalben and everyone at the library for a great job.
Here's a funny photo with Sergio Ruzzier and Brian Floca - with my tiger painting strategically placed - by accident!
Fun time in Houston
Had a fabulous visit to AOS, Kinkaid, and St. Anthony schools in Houston, and loved getting to know Dorcas Hand, Elizabeth Holloway, Tammy Fishman, P.J. Hoover, and ALL the staff and kids!
Bully - New Book Alert →
Horn Book Cover →
So excited and proud to have painted the cover for the awards edition of The Horn Book.
Ever so much thanks to Roger Sutton and Lolly Robinson.
And thanks for making it into a fabulous poster, too!