Friday, April 25, 2008

a PIGS appearance


Last evening, while browsing over at the Union Square Barnes and Noble, what did I see but PIGS! According to the distribution info from my editor, I wasn't expecting to see this book displayed at any large chain bookstores (Star Bright works their marketing magic mostly through the educational market). But YAY, The Pig and Miss Prudence made it there, and even has a spot on the main shelves of the picture book section! I was able to sign the copies they had in stock, too...

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Buffalo Music Podcast


Today Buffalo Music is kindly featured on Just One More Book!! Podcast. You can check it out right HERE

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Interview!

The wonderful ladies over at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast, kindly invited me to do one of their super-great illustrator interviews...and it is posted HERE today !!! Jules did such a fantastic job of putting it all together (I think I may even be a bit pink now, after reading it for the first time...how flattering). Thank you so very much 7 Things, for taking the time to share my work with your lovely readers!

Monday, April 14, 2008

MELVIN is Official!

I am thrilled to announce that I will be working on my first "Authored" picture book with Laura Godwin at Henry Holt Books for Young Readers! The working title is MELVIN, and it involves a boy and a turtle -- Melvin is the turtle. It isn't due out till Fall 2010 (!), though I will be sure to share more as the project progresses...

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

1st Buffalo Music review!

And it's a star!!! Here's what Kirkus has to say (April 1, 2008 Issue):

*Buffalo Music. [starred] Fern, Tracey E.
Illustrated by Lauren Castillo. Clarion Books (0-618-72341-2)
When Molly first settled in West Texas, she did her chores to “buffalo music,” the noises made by massive herds of buffalo grazing nearby. Soon, however, buffalo hunters arrived to slaughter the animals they thought would last forever. “Forever came fast.” In six years the buffalo were gone. Molly’s grief over their loss abates when a fellow settler brings her two orphaned buffalo calves to raise. They thrive and word spreads: Soon Molly’s herd numbers 100. When Yellowstone National Park decides to rebuild its herd, some of Molly’s buffalo become founding members. Molly’s story, though fictional, is based on the real life of pioneer Mary Ann Goodnight, whose homebred buffalo eventually populated not only Yellowstone but other wildlife refuges and several zoos. Fern’s debut is auspicious. Her homespun expressions (“fending off wolves and poachers with the long end of my rifle”) allow Molly’s straightforward sentiment to shine. Castillo’s smudgy illustrations recall Glen Rounds and invest both Molly and the buffalo calves with enormous personality. Together they make this story one with widespread appeal. (author’s note) (Picture book. 4-8)