Kirkus = kind

Here's another very nice review of That's Papa's Way!

Father and daughter head out to fish in the early dawn; Papa picks up
the earthworms with his fingers, while the narrator scoops them with
her shovel. He whistles as he rows, "because that's Papa's way," and
she sings "Whoosh" with the waves, because that's her way. Banks's
gentle, present-tense narration captures the specificity of the moment,
as Papa lands a fish and narrator holds her breath, hoping she'll get a
bite. Their understanding of each other is deep and intimate, evident in
both text and Castillo's illustrations. Her soft, reassuringly thick
outlines contain this happy pair, even as they are cradled within their
boat, which in turn is held gently by the waves. Thick, matte stock
completes the warmly rumpled look of this loving snapshot.
(Picture book. 4-7)
--Kirkus reviews

First review in for Papa's Way--

--And it is a very nice one! It appears in the Feb. 1st issue of Booklist:

That’s Papa’s Way. Banks, Kate (author)
Illustrated by Lauren Castillo. Farrar/Frances Foster (9780374374457)
As the sun rises, a young girl and her father dig for earthworms in the woods, collect oars and life jackets, and row onto the lake for a day of fishing. In spare lines, the girl describes the day’s fun, noting the differences that make her and her dad unique. For example, Papa picks up worms with his fingers (“that’s his way”), but the girl prefers to use her shovel (“that’s my way”). What dad and daughter share is their affection for each other: when Papa gives his daughter an end-of-day hug, she says, “I hug him back, because that’s my way, too.” Small sensory details evoke the lake-house setting, from the sound of twigs snapping underfoot to the feel of the wind pushing the boat. But it’s the quiet, understated love between a parent and child that kids will connect with most. As in Emily Jenkins’ What Happens on Wednesdays (2007), Castillo’s winning artwork, rendered in thick charcoal lines and textured layers of paint, finds realistic, reassuring tenderness in a family’s everyday activities. — Gillian Engberg

Notable News!

This week, at the annual Midwinter Conference in Colorado, the American Library Association made its exciting announcement of the 2009 Youth Media Awards. I am so very honored to be on the list of ALA notable books with Buffalo Music! Many thanks to the 2009 Notable Children's Books Committee!

Also, there was a little write up in True West Magazine on the first week of January!

A Happy New Year

Today while wandering down a street in the neighborhood, I ran in to some of the cutest, most pathetic looking, little guys -- a llama, two donkeys, and two ponies, all lined up in a row on the sidewalk. Later, I found out that they were part of the annual Three Kings Day parade of Brooklyn...And this is why I love New York :)

Happy Holidays

***Wishing everyone Happy Holidays + a wonderful New Year***
Chat with ya in 2009!

ABC Best Books for Children

The Association on Booksellers for Children (ABC) has selected Buffalo Music as one of their 2008 best books for children, in the "Our America" section! The ABC is a national non-profit trade association dedicated to supporting the business of independent children's bookselling and quality children's books. Please visit their website to learn more. And don't forget to support YOUR local bookseller/s this holiday season!

SLJ likes Buffalo Music!

Great news! Buffalo Music is a School Library Journal Best Book of 2008. <Here> is the full list.

Buffalo Music also made the NY Examiner's list of 35 best picture books of 2008!

Alfie Finito!

Today I delivered all the final art for Alfie Runs Away, by Ken Cadow. Hurrah! Ken was able to travel down to NYC/ FSG office to see the work, and it was a pleasure to finally put the face to the name. My last task is to work on the hand type for the title, which should be lots of fun! Alfie is a Frances Foster book and will hit shelves in the Spring of 2010(!) -- Stay tuned!

Brooklyn Museum

Yesterday was the annual Brooklyn Museum Children's Book Fair, and I was happy to be part of it once again this year. There were a bunch of great authors and illustrators, all from Brooklyn, participating in the event. We were there signing from 1-5pm. pheeew! Was a very nice turnout, and especially exciting to be able to share a table with Paul!

I vote for art

A few of my pieces have just been included on the new online print shop I VOTE FOR ART, based in Australia. Please check out their site, and vote for my work, if you feel so inclined!