Spring sketchbook

Visiting MICA

This Wednesday I was down in Baltimore at my old school, Maryland Institute College of Art, for the first time since my graduation 5 years ago (hard to believe!). I had a great time serving as a guest in Allan Comports Illustrated Book class. Many thanks to Allan and his students for welcoming me and listening as I spoke about my work and book-making process. It was so fun to be back in the old hood, and get a chance to catch up with former teachers.

WEDNESDAYS is a CCBC 2008 Choices selection

WHAT HAPPENS ON WEDNESDAYS has been selected as a CCBC (Cooperative Children's Book Center ) 2008 Choices title! CCBC Choices is an annual publication showcasing an annotated listing of the best books for children and teenagers from the previous year, selected by the professional staff of the CCBC.
And, here's what they have to say about WEDNESDAYS:
Emily Jenkins’s lively stream-of-conscious narrative is grounded in the experiences and perspective of a small girl describing her Wednesday routine. It’s a day for bagels at the deli and a trip to the park with Daddy, for school with friends, and for reading, napping, swimming, and a trip to the library with Mommy. The little girl offers a cascade of details from the moment she awakes until bedtime. “Then we go down the steps, up the block where we once saw an umbrella caught in a tree, past the bakery where we got that chocolate croissant . . . past my friend Errolyn’s building, past Maria and the shop where she lives, to home.” Jenkins offers a spot-on portrayal of a preschool-age child reveling in her “bigness” and secure in her world. “Today is not a kissing day,” the girl reminds Mommy, and Daddy, too, when he forgets. Kisses aside, there is plenty of love and warmth apparent in and between the lines, and in first-time illustrator Lauren Castillo’s expressive illustrations. Highly Commended, 2008 Charlotte Zolotow Award © Cooperative Children's Book Center

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

May there always be work for your hands to do;
May your purse always hold a coin or two;
May the sun always shine on your windowpane;
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain;
May the hand of a friend always be near you;
And, May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

--Irish Blessing

Big Cat Pepper studies.

I have finally started on final art for my next picture book BIG CAT PEPPER (by Elizabeth Partridge). I'm excited to get in to a good groove, and with a new 'experimental' way of working!
Will share a sneak-peak of an image or two later, but for now heres some cat doodles...