labors of love & seaweed soup
What a fast summer, full of sunshine and seaweed soup. Thanks to the brilliant bookings of Curious City, I had the honor of visiting another round of libraries, including my very own, the small but mighty Peaks Island Branch. A pretend delicacy from Seven Days of Daisy made it’s debut: jellyfish sandwiches! You can make yours with graham crackers, vanilla icing, red licorice string, and peach gummies. Yummy! It was the final evening of the Summer Reading Program, and the esteemed Pat Crowley Rockwell was a major addition, providing piano music and a song (days of the week, what...
Read Moreconnections on the book trail
I recently visited Judy Labrasca’s narrative book class at Maine College of Art, scene of the crime 9 years ago when I hatched my own Seven Days of Daisy. It’s a marvelous class, and I enjoy revisiting the space where stories begin. Judy always brings in lots of supplies, all organized in irresistible fashion. She also brings in loads of books for browsing when the mind draws a blank. Quite satisfying that mine are in the mix. Judy shares a ton of information, which might seem overwhelming, but becomes a backdrop to all the inspiration. She made small books for students to start...
Read Morehave pencils, will travel
My bookish travels have taken me to interesting places. In Skowhegan, I spotted a shop called From Nana to You. I simply had to pull over. Look at the vintage British paintbox I scored. I love everything about this illustration: the zoomy feel, the Space Station 7, the goofy moon. With 100 colours, anything is possible. I also found a vintage DownEast magazine from the year I was born. Guess that makes me vintage. Back before all magazines had to have slick photography covers. The illustration is by Henry Martin. My destination, the Skowhegan Free Public Library, is a proud keeper of many...
Read Moreone world
On the seventh day of the seventh month, my busy tour of bookish events around Seven Days of Daisy began at the Graves Memorial Library in Kennebunkport. Quite auspiciously, too, since I was there over four years ago on a visit with Mitali Perkins and Rickshaw Girl. Nice to start with familiar faces! In keeping with the summer reading program of One World, Many Voices, I gave a presentation first to a book group of girls who had just read Rickshaw Girl. I showed images from my childhood, my early career as an illustrator, and then sketches and referencing in the making of illustrations for...
Read Moreswingin saturday book launch
Saturday finally came. There was no Nana in sight, but her spirit was very present for the beach party book launch of Seven Days of Daisy. My event planning heroine very thoughtfully brought proper signage, and this one hit a chord. My mum, aka Nana, passed away in April. She was my biggest fan and supporter, and loved visiting the island. This sign got firmly planted next to my seat. The lovely captain of Curious City, Kirsten Cappy, brought along dotty decorations. We rigged up tents, some tables, and Eddie Walsh carried down a little boat for pretending, just like in the story. Even big...
Read Morefriday is ferry day
I’m marking the days to tomorrow’s book launch with feverish anticipation. I helped Rose Ann dress the window at Take a Peak this morning. Cute. Most people don’t know that I worked on the interior design of this little shop next to Down Front, the island’s ice cream store and summer magnet spot. I illustrated a Queen Anne’s lace for the logo, and staffed the store sometimes during the first summer it was open. I hand painted a children’s table and chairs for display. Look, now it has Seven Days of Daisy in the mix! I’ve sent Marty to town for...
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