My Television Interview: How To Make A Children’s Book

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Recently I had the opportunity to challenge myself by accepting an invitation to discuss my career as an artist and author on the live local television show, Darlene Carman Presents. The interview is now on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i77skI2ca-w

My first impulse was to say no to the invitation, too intimidating. So instead, I said yes! I am glad I did because it was a great experience.

discussing a page from my picture book Smelling Sunshine with Darlene and Doug Carman on their cable access TV show; Darlene Carman

Darlene Carman, Doug Carman, and I on their television show, Darlene Carman Presents, discussing my picture book, Smelling Sunshine

From participating in the show I learned:

How a television interview is put together – Darlene’s approach is an exchange of information between the presenter and the interviewer; prior to the interview, Darlene and I communicated through email, exchanging ideas as she gathered information about my career.
How to help shape and prepare for a live interview – I gave Darlene as much information as she requested about my career, and she put together questions for the interview which worked as a guideline for my appearance; I knew what we would be discussing.

Discussing how I illustrated a page from Smelling Sunshine

A page I illustrated from my picture book, Smelling Sunshine

What the people involved in filming the show do, and what a great sense of comradely they share; there are multiple cameras for different angle shots and a floor ‘manager’ to conduct the show and keep track of timing; a friendly atmosphere pervades.
What a constructive force the Carman’s are for getting information out to the public – go through their YouTube shows, and you’ll notice their diverse interests; interviews include artist and naturalist John Muir Laws, writer Liz Cunningham, and wildlife photographer Elaine Bond.

Darlene Carman and I talking about the teddy bear page in Smelling Sunshine

How to stop my mind from inventing self defeating stories, and allow an experience that is filmed at the moment unfold – preparation and meditation was the key; I had fun and enjoyed myself.

Find the interview on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i77skI2ca-w or look on You Tube: Darlene Carman Presents, How To Make A Children’s Book. I hope you enjoy the interview and learn something about how to make a children’s book.

An illustration from my new picture book, A Stick Until (Star Bright Books, 2017)

Climate Change Exhibition

Picture Book Literacy

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One of the joys of writing books for children is hearing about the relationship bonding that takes place with a caregiver and child. It’s especially heartening when it’s a book you’ve written and/or illustrated.

Another reward is being part of the link between growing up with books, and later language development and success in school. In a recent New York Times article, Bedtime Stories for Young Brains, Dr. Perri Klass writes about several recent studies on what happens when you sit with a child and read to them. Magnetic imaging studies show that even when read to without pictures, children form visual associations with words through their past experiences. Investigations into language content in books reveal that reading picture books with children increases the vocabulary they hear, more so than the daily conversational words they encounter. Based on this research, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a policy that calls for all pediatric care givers to promote literacy starting at birth.

Combined with the inherent comfort and security of a loving ritual complete with snuggling, reading with a child can make a lasting difference. For the complete article, Bedtime Stories for Young Brains, go to: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/08/17/bedtime-stories-for-young-brains/

Seeing Red, Juried Art Exhibit

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click on poster to enlarge

I am pleased to be part of the juried art exhibit, Seeing Red, at the Danville Village Theater Art Gallery. Join me for the opening reception, Friday, June 26 from 5-8 PM, or drop by during galleries hours from June 27 until August 20.

The gallery is located at 233 Front Street, Danville, CA 94526. Contact the gallery by phone (925) 314-3460 or email mbleier@danville.ca.gov

Come out and see the many interpretations of this theme!

Gallery hours:

Monday and Tuesday: Appointment Only
Wednesday – Friday: 12:00pm – 5:00pm
Saturday: 11:00am – 3:00pm
Gallery is open one hour prior to all theater performances

Pete Seeger

Fresh Tracks

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Fresh Tracks click on the image to enlarge

A new year rolls out ahead, ready for us to make our mark on it. I’ve been making fresh tracks in my studio using charcoal to draw the chatty neighborhood crows, the reclusive rabbit in the hills nearby, and the acrobatic backyard squirrel who hangs artfully from our grapevine in August, his cheeks stuffed with grapes. I made a print of each of the animals, and painted textured paper for an imaginary snowy landscape. Then I went on an adventure, mixing all these elements together. Voila! Fresh Tracks. Where are your mark making adventures taking you?

Joy

A Free Fall All

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click on images to enlarge

Dancing and twirling to the music of a choral octet, and then falling down with glee, the children in my illustrations got into the spirit of UC Berkeley’s Free Fall All – musical venues around the campus free to the public. I was waiting in line to see the free concert by The Alexander Quartet. Cal students suddenly showed up and entertained the waiting crowd by singing a cappella. These kids showed up too, and were wildly enthusiastic, getting into the music with abandon. Their “in the moment” shenanigans inspired the illustrations, which started as chunky charcoal drawings in ocher, and evolved with color and collage.

The Storybook Makers Illustration Exhibition

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A wonderful exhibit of children’s book illustration is coming to the Village Theatre Art Gallery in Danville, CA. I am pleased to be part of the exhibit. The opening reception is May 1, from 5-8PM. Other events include:

Hope to see you there!

Such Fun at Mrs. Dalloway’s Bookstore

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Recently, I gave a presentation of my picture book, Smelling Sunshine, at the wonderful Mrs. Dalloway’s Bookstore in Berkeley. It’s hard not to fall under the store’s spell with quotes like this on the walls,

and when the staff make you feel so much at home.

Anne Whaling introducing me at Mrs. Dalloway’s

Like magicians, they rearranged space, set up more chairs, and helped find just the right page to share during a reading, all while attending to customers.

The night before my presentation, I read this reflection on public speaking by Terry Tempest Williams from her book, When Women Were Birds:

“…and in those few minutes before a group of people, my instinct says, Bolt now, there is still time to escape. But then I pause, look around the room, find whose eyes are present, and orient myself like a compass, remembering that words are much stronger than I am. I take a deep breadth and sidestep my fear, and begin speaking from the place where beauty and bravery meet…within the chambers of a quivering heart.”

That insight, some preparation, support from friends, and a wonderful community audience made the talk so much fun.

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signing books and a craft activity