We Are Pirates, Pirates, Ho!

Some picture books simply require you to make silly voices. To promote Sarah L. Thomson's piratical picture book, Pirates, Ho! we went to the king of silly voices --William Dufris.

Sarah Thomson and I giggled (until we snorted-I am embarrassed to say) as we sat in Dufris' studio hearing him give voice to Sarah's characters Peg-Leg Tom, Angus Black, Dreadful Nell and One-Eyed Jack. He even dived into the crystal clear waters voicing characters pictured, but not named like the pelican "brwak" and the cabin boy.

We pick up the recording today, will sync it with Stephen Gilpin's illustrations, and hope to share it as an audio and video perfect for Talk Like a Pirate Day.

I, myself, have been Talking Like William Dufris for more than a Day!

More Pictures of the recording session.

Every Dog Deserves A...

Bone, certainly, but a Home most definitely.

Finally had the chance to photograph the Every Dog Deserves a Home game that I developed to promote Tupelo Rides the Rails by Melissa Sweet and the supporting website that raises funds for dog shelters, www.MyDogisaBonehead.com.

The game pairs illustration matching with canine wish fulfillment (both visual and written) to model dog adoption for kids. Basically, kids give each dog character in the book a home. You can view the whole game and game path here.

Thanks once again to Alice Design for laying out the game cards and the houses. And to my brilliant partner who built the perfect little back doors for the houses.