JLG selection

I just found out that my forthcoming book, HAPPY LIKE SOCCER, is a Junior Library Guild selection! The book comes out in May, but wont be available from JLG till September of this year. Very exciting! Thank you, JLG!

snow day in brooklyn!

Happy New Year!

Wishing all of you a very joyous 2012!  xo~Lauren

*image from my forthcoming book, The Reader, written by Amy Hest

Merry Christmas to all

This year I was given the opportunity to illustrate the Northwest Haiti Christian Mission's holiday card. This is a wonderful organization, and I hope that you will visit their site to learn more about how you can help the beautiful children of Haiti. 

Merry Christmas friends! Much love, Lauren

Hip Hip Hooray!

WOW. Melvin and the Boy ranked #2 on 100 Scope Notes Top 20 books of 2011 list! Again, wow.. Thank you Travis Jonker (100 Scope Notes) and John Schumacher (Watch. Connect. Read.) for drawing some attention to Melvin. He appreciates it, and I certainly do, too! 

 Here's what Travis has to say:

 

Again, thank you so much for the support and recognition, gentlemen. 

I am honored to be a part of this fantastic list~

Hi friends!
I hope these two little videos will help nudge you into the Christmas spirit if you’re not there already . . .


trailer for CHRISTMAS IS HERE


Rachel Marshall reading CHRISTMAS IS HERE

Happy Holidays to all!

City Cat

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile! But I have a good excuse — I've been traveling around Europe! Well, uhh, drawing Europe. That's pretty fun too! I'm working on a new book that involves 8 different cities in Western Europe. So far I've wandered through Rome, London, Marseille, and Barcelona . . . Must keep moving!!
Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season :)

An early Christmas gift

Today I received a really exciting package -- copies of the Scholastic Book Club edition of CHRISTMAS IS HERE! I found out a few months back that Scholastic had chosen Christmas Is Here to be part of their book club, and I was beyond excited.

One of my very favorite memories of elementary school was when the Scholastic Book Fair came, and I was allowed to pick out and buy a book all on my own. The first book I remember buying was Imogene's Antlers by David Small. To this day it is still one of my favorite books. And David Small is one of my illustration heroes :)

 If you're interested, you can download the "Holiday Gift Books" catalog right HERE

Thank you Scholastic for including my book in your club!!

This Saturday I will be signing copies of my most recent books at Barnes and Noble in Bel Air, Maryland. If you live nearby, come say hello!

Winning hearts

Reviewers, kids, & even famous authors have been falling for little Spunky. And I don't blame them. Ann Cameron wrote a fantastic story about this loving dog and his family, and I'm so glad it's getting the attention it deserves. Hooray for Ann and Spunky (and our fabulous editor, Frances Foster, too)!

Here are some review clips:

“Cameron has written another top-notch entry in the Julian and Huey series, this time from the brothers’ pup’s perspective . . . Readers will be simultaneously tickled by [Spunky's] canine observations and moved by the profound connection between dog and family . . . Though the narrative doesn’t need embellishment, thickly outlined illustrations pepper the text, giving readers a visual reference for some of Spunky’s antics. A gem.”--School Library Journal, Starred Review

"The beloved family of Julian and Huey Bates (The Stories Julian Tells, 1981, etc.) is back after a long hiatus. Spunky, their mixed-breed dog, hilariously reveals all about his humans and realizes his purpose in life . . . Spunky’s love of his boy, Huey, will bring a tear to the eyes of dog lovers, too. Castillo’s perfect black-and-white spot drawings capture the energy and intelligence of both animals as they begin the careful dance of new friendship . . . Readers ready for chapter books will delight in seeing the world through Spunky’s eyes and powerful nose.”

--Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“With a jacket showing a winsome pup only Cruella de Vil could dislike, this is a beginning chapter book that begs to be read.” --Horn Book Magazine

 “Dog fans … will delight in Spunky’s tail-wagging tale-telling, which could introduce a new generation of kids to the Bates family chronicles . . . [A] deeply touching tribute to the dog-kid bond.” --Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (BCCB)

“Spunky Tells All is a beautiful tale of human, cat, and dog finding friendship together. I loved it. It speaks with deep spirit and fine observation of small telling things in a way that young humans will understand.” --Paula Fox, author of the Newbery Award winning The Slave Dancer

“I loved going back inside Huey and Julian's world, but this time, through the eyes of the wise and loyal Spunky. A book with humor, heart, and a lovable dog. Who could ask for more?"
—Barbara O’Connor, author of How to Steal a Dog

“I fell in love with Spunky who, in his own words, is a considerate Dog and only tries to do what is best for his human family. His tale, both charming and hilarious, will make readers laugh out loud—and pay much closer attention to what their own dogs are really saying.”
—Ann M. Martin, author of Everything for a Dog

“I loved it all the way to the end.” 
--Ivan, Beaverton, Oregon, age 12

 

“I liked your book so much that I want to buy it and read it to my sister before she goes to bed.”
--Connor, Beaverton, Oregon, age 11