Copies of two new educational readers with my illustrations just came in the mail, fresh from Pioneer Valley Educational Press: The Billy Goats Gruff and the Troll and The Teeny Tiny Woman, both retold by Michèle Dufresne.

Available at the Pioneer Valley Press website

It was my distinct pleasure to work with the children and staff of the Sheehan School, in Westwood, Mass, as Author-in-Residence over five sessions this spring.

The first session was meant to engage and excite everybody and that it did! The Hank and Sam activity was quite boisterous, overflowing--even exploding--with creative brainstorming. I'm confident everyone got the gist that a tepid story can be made exciting with the right illustrations and creativity.

In our four subsequent Monday in-class sessions, I encouraged the first and second graders to create their own stories in the form of a picture book "dummy." (A dummy being the strange publishing term for the rough draft version submitted to a publisher for consideration.) Our first task was to think of an interesting character, or characters, and then give that character a problem or need. The solving of that problem became the story, in words or pictures or both. Then, each child broke or expanded his or her story into at least six pages. The idea was to think about our stories in book form. Throughout the process, we discussed the anatomy of a book and how a book is built. We also spoke about how illustrations can expand the written words. Over the sessions, we continued to work on our stories, trying to expand our ideas and add details. On the last day, we discussed a book's cover and its purpose. Then, everyone made their own book cover. We staple-bond all the stories that were finished.

And let me say, there were some amazing books made: The snowman who didn't like being cold, the puppy who escaped from the pet store, the two friends who had to play each other on different hockey teams, and the horrible exploding toilet man!—too many great ideas to tell them all here.

The variety and creativity of the stories I saw from the children was truly amazing and inspiring. I met so many earnest writers and illustrators. I am truly grateful for the warm welcome I received from the children, the staff and the classroom teachers. A special thanks to Patty Mahoney for all her hard work and help. My thanks to the Sheehan School Parents Association for making this possible. I hope I can return some day.

A big "Hi!" and "thank you" to all you kids at the Sheehan School.

The Emperor in all his glory, hot off the press from Pioneer Valley Books. Michèle Dufresne has splendidly retold the classic Hans Christian Anderson tale of the ruling man too big for his britches. It was a joy for me to illustrate, "tighty whities" and all. I urge you to trust your own eyes and get a copy here at the Pioneer Valley Press website

Somers Elementary School welcomed me for a day. I was warmly received by the staff, teachers and students. Through four presentations in the auditorium, the kids were attentive, smart, polite and enthusiastic with some really thoughtful questions. The power of observation was strong with this crowd! As promised, here is the sketch and finish for the art in the photos for those who found more than three things that changed between them. Write and let me know what you find.

Thanks to all the teachers who brought their classes down to see me. My thanks to Ms. Forbes-Roberts for arranging an enjoyable lunch with the art teachers, Ms. McEvoy and Mr. Dailey.

These were some truly fun stories to illustrate. Samples from four educational readers to be published by Pioneer Valley Books.

Hey, this was wonderful news! The rights to the book were picked up by a greek publisher. And this is the title page in translation.

So I must presume that is my name there, in greek, after the bullet on the third line down.

Click to see a two-page spread.

The publisher's site is in greek of course.