Castle Dweller

Once told by an editor that his illustrations were, "so strange there is not a manuscript to go with them," Kevin Hawkes has found his way to many a fine manuscript.

From arrogant mermaids, to flying pianos, to library lions, to vomiting sisters, to dueling divas, to wicked big toddlahs, Kevin has blessed kiddie's lit with his delicious strange.

Speaking last weekend at the New England Society for Children's Book Writers & Illustrators, Kevin talked about his childhood in Europe. His father always carried a hatchet in the car for the occasions when heavily vined roadsides could be turned into swings for his children. A few hatchet hacks and Kevin was swinging across the French countryside. "I was Wesley," he said referring to the character in the picture book, Weslandia who created his own backyard civilization.

Is it any wonder that Kevin so perfectly captures the unique European brand of humorous fantasy displayed in his illustrations of Eva Ibbotson's chapter books? "I do not need to imagine old castles, "Kevin said, "I played in them."

Illustration from Kevin Hawkes' sketchbook for eeBoo.

Digital Diva

As I sit here hoping UPS will not arrive early and catch me in my kitty PJ's, I hail the Queen of Pajama Promotion, Mitali Perkins. At last weekend's New England Society for Children's Book Writer's & Illustrators (SCBWI or "Skibby"), Mitali wowed the crowd with her widget wisdom, promotions prowess and her ability to out network the stars.

I have since trashed my idea for the Curious City website of services. With thoughts of digital slide shows dancing in my head, I am reimagining my site. Stay tuned. Thanks, Mitali!

Mitali (r.) pictured with a framed illustration by Jamie Hogan (l.) from the chapter book, Rickshaw Girl.

Illustrator Luv

No one can deny my puppy love for children's lit. The recent New England SCBWI Conference found me smooching creators left and right. Here I am shamelessly appreciating the work of Jamie Hogan, the illustrator of Mitali Perkin's fabulous chapter book, Rickshaw Girl.

Attention, art directors!! Jamie Hogan needs to be illustrating your chapter books. Her drawing skills are absolutely exquisite. Keep an eye on her portfolio and blog and specifically, her entries about illustrating Mitali's novel set in Bangladesh. Curious City is happy to be helping Jamie in any darn way we can.

Smooching Snapshot taken by grand illustrator herself, Terri Weidner.

Charming the Archivist

"Make friends with your archivist," advised Lita Judge to a roomful of children's historical fiction writers at the 2008 SCBWI New England Conference. I have been friends with some anarchists, but I have yet to embrace the chroniclers of paper, ephemera and all things past. I am putting it on my to do list.

Lita told the story of finding a box of "tracings" in her grandmother's attic. The foot shaped scraps of newspaper and butcher paper were slid into envelopes addressed from Germany in the 1940's. They were the first clues in the discovery of Lita's grandmother's relief effort after WWII. Lita's family and their colleagues sent 100's of packages of shoes, clothes and food to refugee and devastated families all over Europe.

From the letters, photographs and tracings, Lita tracked down families here in the U.S. and in Europe who survived through this relief effort. From their stories came the exquisite, award-winning picture book, One Thousand Tracings. There is much to explore about the book's back matter on Lita's website and blog.

Curious City is honored to be doing a wee bit of work to help Lita & Dave Judge and this stellar offering of generosity, ingenuity and post-war forgiveness.

Illustration by Lita Judge.

Auntie to the Skibbys

Just returned from the New England meeting of The Society for Children's Books Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI or Skibby as we call it) so nicely arranged by Anna Boll and others. Anne Sibley O'Brien (pictured smooching moi) acts as Auntie to all the Skibbys (published and soon to be published children's authors and illustrators). It is a darn delight to watch Annie encouraging the work of others whether belting out book biz cabaret with Yolanda LeRoy or looking over portfolios or asking with genuine curiosity about new projects.

She and I have had a wonderful 16 months promoting The Legend of Hong Kil Dong: The Robin Hood of Korea. Looking forward to seeing the proofs for her Gandhi book co-created with her son, Perry O'Brien. Susan Sherman, the art director at Charlesbridge Publishers says Annie's illustrations are "extremely powerful." We do not doubt it.

Snappy snapshot by the sublime illustrator, Jamie Hogan.