Dan Santat's Blog, page 131

A Book Deal for Libraries in Need

See this pile of books?

There are over 400 books in that pile.

I happen to be fortunate enough to be one of the judges for a book competition this year and various publishers have sent me all these books for consideration. I'm still currently judging this competition so I can't discuss into too much detail what it's for, but once this is all over I would like to get these out of my house ASAP.

I love books, but I don't need 400 books, and I know a good opportunity to help others when I see...

2012

Happy New Year folks!

First of all, I want to apologize for the lack of blog posts in the last portion of 2011. It was an insane year filled with lots of travelling for Sidekicks and working late nights on an old laptop computer in hotel rooms. I fell behind on many things. Heck, some emails still haven't even been replied to yet. (I gotta get on that)

Hopefully, things will be different for 2012 and I can slow down a little.

Notice I didn't say "Thankfully". (I'm still on a tight schedule...

Ten Years Later....

    One of the most frequent questions I get from many people these days is, "How do you do it? How do you find time to keep a blog? How to you find time to be a parent? How do you work so much and function on so little sleep?" (I average about four hours a day)

 

    I blame statistics.

 

    I came into this career with big dreams and low expectations. I've managed to achieve many things but have taken very little opportunity to appreciate them because of self doubt.

    Artist, Gary...

"Tom's Tweet" in stores today

If you're a parent (like myself) or a child of a loving parent then you will love this book. It's about the unconditional love of parenting and caring of children no matter what the risks. Jill Esbaum has written a lovely story which I was honored to illustrate. It has a very Looney Tunes slapstick type of feel with a lot of heart. If you do purchase the book I encourage you to buy this book at your local independent bookstore.

Ciao!

The Children's Book Manifesto

Art by Carson Ellis

36 (My Annual Birthday Rant)

(I usually do this post on my birthday but due to my recent hectic schedule it was delayed)

    One of the clearest memories I have of my father is when I was about 6 years old and my dad's birthday was just around the corner. He was going to turn 36.

Then I asked him how long people lived.

My dad looked at me and asked, "Do you think 36 is old?"

I said, "Yes."

Thirty-six was, after all, six of my own lifetimes.

His response was, "I'm not going to die for a long time." and we left the...