Yes, I'm still here...

But here is now Los Angeles, and I have been buried (in a good way, of course) with work. I'm realizing that I haven't even done a brief update on the blog. So, in no particular order:
1. We've moved 400 miles away from Sausalito to Los Angeles, aka The Land of the Leafblower. I have plenty of thoughts and observations about my new home, and I hope to do a series of LA impressions at some point, but that will have to wait a while, because:
2. I am in the middle of final art for not one, but two picture books. I'm hard at work on SNIPPET (Knopf), an energetic little snail who drives his family crazy by waking up too early AND another ZOE book. Zoe is back and now, she must share her room--her precious room--with her little sister. But wait, who's Zoe, you ask? That's right, I keep forgetting...
3. ZOE GETS READY (Arthur A. Levine/Scholastic) is not on shelves yet. But it will be soon (May)! And the trailer is finished. You can view it here. I'll be sharing more info as we get closer to the release date. In the meantime...
4. Back to work. *Cracks whip* I apologize for being out of touch. I miss my blogging friends and promise to post more frequently once the painting frenzy is over!

Illustration Friday: Round

I've been drawing lots of birds this week. Meet Burly Bird (on the left). I haven't named the little guy yet.

Illustration Friday: Vanity

Happy weekend everyone. I have a few book related updates: first of all, if any of you pick up the 2012 Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market, you'll find an interview with yours truly on page 167. This year's format is really great -- it's become so much more than just a listing of publishers. Also, Scholastic books just released their Spring 2012 preview. Check out the picture book interviews for a quick sneak peek of Zoe Gets Ready, due out in May. Thanks for stopping by!

Fairytale Town

Fairytale Town was a blast: great weather, great audience AND I got to sit on a throne. Really, what more could a person ask for? Here are a few shots from today's ScholarShare author event: me doing a bug dance with the kids, reading, answering questions and being mobbed for fun giveaways. After my presentation, the lovely Kristi Yamaguchi took the stage.

If you are in the Sacramento area and have children, you must stop by this amazing place. We had to drag my girls away.

Illustration Friday: Mesmerizing

Checking in with a quick Illustration Friday. Whenever the new chicks in the neighborhood hatch, they spend some time in a little coop. It is like a feature presentation for the dogs -- they sit in rapt attention with noses through the chicken wire for hours on end. Happy Saturday!

Bookplates

My custom bookplates have finally arrived! If you'd like a signed and/or personalized bookplate, please send me a SASE along with the name(s) for personalization. Please email me for my address.

Illustration Friday: Swell

Groundswell: okay, maybe it's not exactly the true meaning of the word...

I had some fun playing with pencil and photoshop rather than my usual pen and watercolor. I'm including both of my experiments. Happy Friday!