Kindling Words East
illustration by Jamie Hogan I first heard of Kindling Words years ago from my island neighbor and veteran kids’ book creator, Anne Sibley O’Brien. It sounded like a heavenly gathering of writers, editors, and illustrators of children’s books that took place in January at some cozy B&B in Vermont, completely out of my league. This year I was ready to get on the lottery list, thanks to the urging of my beloved critique group. But thanks to the post-holiday Covid surge, the event got bumped to end of March. It was all worth the wait! A new location, too. Annie and I drove...
Read MoreStar party at Rowe School
I was thrilled last fall to be invited by Jonathan Graffius, PK-5 Outdoor Nature-based Art Teacher at the Amanda C. Rowe School, to visit their stellar school. When I told them about my new book, Skywatcher, the ball got rolling for an all-school star gazing event that was months in the planning. I finally made a virtual visit last Friday afternoon! photo courtesy of the Rowe School After reading the book to students, I shared a little back story, like this photo of me when I was in fourth grade. Little Jamie I shared one of the few pieces of kid art I have, a card made for my Grammy that my...
Read MoreA Barnacle’s Book Tour
drawing by Jamie Hogan When you’re drawing flowers during a snow storm, maybe it’s time for a little getaway. I’ve been hunkered down by winter, what about you? We barnacles left the Rock and set out for Camden on Sunday, bound for the Camden Opera House, where my stellar colleague in kidlit, Stephen Costanza, was hosting a musical celebration for his latest title, “King of Ragtime: the Story of Scott Joplin.” Steve dedicated the show to Ashley Bryan, his dear friend, mentor, and major legend in art and children’s literature who passed away last month....
Read MoreMerry solstice!
illustration by Jamie Hogan Here’s to long, dark nights! I hope this finds you well and cozy. In the two plus months since Skywatcher was published, plenty has happened. I gathered some friends on the back shore of Peaks for a star party with Michael Richards, an island neighbor with a ginormous telescope on a new moon evening in early October at 7 pm. photo of Michael Richards by Carol Young We each got to see the rings of Saturn and moons around Jupiter, a first for my eyes. I read the story and as Mike began to share his wisdom, a shooting star arched through the sky, literally...
Read MoreSkywatcher: save the date!
It’s true! My new picture book, SKYWATCHER, will be published on October 5 and my local bookstore, PRINT, will be hosting a virtual book event from 7 – 8 pm. Pretty please: SIGN UP here and join me in celebrating my story about an urban boy’s quest to see the stars. I’ll be in conversation with Charles Fulco, a middle school science teacher in Delaware who is a NASA Solar System Ambassador. I want to see you there! I’m beyond excited to have my first book illustrated AND written by me since Seven Days of Daisy. When I left my adjunct teaching position at Maine...
Read MoreIsland to island
“surreal sun” pastel © jamie hogan Is your summer moving as fast as mine? It feels a bit surreal, with enormous waves of tourists to Peaks Island, and smoky skies blowing east. Yet summer sails on. This drawing as well as prints and books will be available this Sunday during the Fifth Maine’s Art Walk from 10 am to 3 pm. Depending upon the weather I will either be on my corner at the intersection of Trefethen and Pleasant OR I may set up inside my front door. Stay tuned, I hope to see you here! Recently Marty and I celebrated our 33rd anniversary with another moto...
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