Tony DiTerlizzi's Blog, page 18

Friday Fan Art: Capturing a Unicorn

Earlier this year, I posted some stupendous Spiderwick soft sculptures by artist, Manuela Schulz. Manuela's craftsmanship and ability to capture the natural form of an animal in mohair and fur reminded me of the great German toymaker, Steiff.  My daughter, Sophia, was so taken by Manuela's rendition of the Spiderwick unicorn that I commissioned one for her upcoming birthday (and thankfully Soph can't read my blog:)

Manuela's creation reverberates the same essence of the unicorn that I was after in my illustrations.

In fact, the unicorn scene in book three of Spiderwick was one of my favorites. I liked the interaction of old mythology confronting modern-day kids. Holly's words expressed the feeling of awe mixed with anxiety that you would imagine experiencing were you in the Grace kid's shoes. I remember explaining to Holly that this scene was like the meeting with the kirin in Miyazaki's Princess Mononoke. You knew there was a ancient power confronting the hero, cloaked in majestic wonder. I loved that moment in that film and I love our moment in the books.

Like many of the creatures in Spiderwick, I attempted a return to the less glamorized, more natural form for the unicorn. I examined the old tapestries depicting the unicorn hunt for my initial inspiration. However, I also studied early horses, especially Eohippus, where the multiple toes had yet to evolve into the single hoof (early horses were quite small compared to their modern descendants as well).

My hope was that this direction would project a sense of antiquity (and accuracy) to this fabulous beast.

Manuela's interpretation holds that quality of wonder and wildness that I really like…hmmm…maybe Soph wants a Barbie instead for her birthday…

Michigan Event with Brian Froud and Charles Vess

Dr. Ari Berk, author extraordinaire, professor of mythology and folklore at Central Michigan University (and all around funny guy), has organized a conference at the university campus which is open to both students and the general public. Imagining the Fantastic will take place on April 15th & 16th and will include presentations, conversations and book-signings by all all guests including Brian & Wendy Froud, Charles Vess and yours truly (among others great talents).

The event is FREE to attend. You can check out the schedule on the University of Michigan's site. I'll be presenting the origins and creation process that went into The Search for WondLa as well as participating in a panel discussing breaking into children's book publishing. Afterwards I'll be signing any and everything you bring. I'll seeya next week!

Writer Hired to World of WondLa

Daily Variety revealed today the announcement of Chase Palmer to adapt The Search for WondLa for Paramount Pictures and I couldn't be happier. I am thrilled with Chase's vision of the world that I created in WondLa. His enthusiasm, passion and understanding of the material in the book will undoubtedly create the blueprint to bring this project from page to screen. Of course, I am excited to be working with Paramount Pictures again as well. There are only a few studios that can create a film as big as WondLa and they are the best.

You can read the full article here.

(A lot of) Friday Fan Art!

If I haven't said so before, I absolutely LOVE getting all the art that fans and friends have sent to me over the years to share here on the site. Whether it is a reinterpretation of one of my own designs, or an original piece inspired by a young imagination, I am always thrilled to see creativity alive and well.

Sometimes, though, I get bowled over. Blown away. Blasted by volumes of sheer awesomeness.

And this happened when I received and ENTIRE disc of artwork from the fifth grade class at Meroby Elementary School in Mexico (yes, Mexico), Maine.

As part of my book touring, I have the privilege of visiting many elementary schools all over the country. I have seen art classrooms that would make college professors jealous, and I have seen teachers reduced to pushing around an "art cart" full of nothing more than dried-up markers and old construction paper from class to class. I was fortunate in that I had amazing art teachers all through my life that encouraged creativity regardless of whether I had oil paints and canvas at my disposal or simply a #2 pencil and paper.

Because really its all just a matter of encouraging imagination and expanding out-of-the-box thinking. And whether you're a wiz with watercolors or can barely draw a stick man, its good to let your mind wander and explore. And we need to encourage and cultivate children to do this all throughout their childhood – not just in elementary school.

Thank you Meroby Elementary, your amazing instructors and talented students have inspired me. Keep drawing. Keep dreaming.

The HOBBIT That Never Was

For those following this blog, you'll remember my endless waxing about the many incarnations of Tolkien's masterpiece, The Hobbit, a couple of months back. Subsequently, I was asked to write up a proper essay for the LA Times about the Maurice Sendak illustrated edition of The Hobbit that never came to be. Read on and see what I discovered…

PRESS RELEASE: Starlight Names Tony DiTerlizzi a Global Ambassador

Los Angeles, Calif. – Starlight Children's Foundation is pleased to name New York Times best-selling author and illustrator Tony DiTerlizzi a Global Ambassador for the organization. A supporter of Starlight's for a decade, Tony is dedicated to Starlight's cause to help seriously ill children and their families cope with their pain, fear and isolation through entertainment, education and family activities.

"It has been my mission to share the joys of reading, art and imagination with not only the healthy children in bookstores and schools across the world, but with other children who are not as fortunate," he said.

This quest began for Tony when his young daughter, Sophia, suffered from seizures at an early age, giving his family a first-hand experience of the overwhelming and often times frightening reality of life in the hospital.

"Being storytellers, my wife and I passed the time between medical procedures and discussions with doctors by creating our own fairy tales and playing make-believe with our daughter within the walls of our quiet hospital room," said DiTerlizzi. "It was there I began to truly understand the power of what a fantastic story can do and how it can transport one to another time, place or world."

Dragons, space monsters, goblins and insects: the characters that inhabit storyteller Tony DiTerlizzi's world haven't changed since he was a kid growing up in South Florida. This year Tony celebrates ten years of creating children's books by returning to aliens and spaceships with his futuristic fairy tale, "The Search for WondLa" (Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing). It was also ten years ago, when he first got involved with Starlight and contributed beautiful illustrations for Starlight's book, "Once Upon a Fairy Tale," a unique collection of classic fairy tales with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting Starlight.

"The work Starlight does to restore a family's spirit is as powerful as any fairy tale," Tony said. "I feel incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to represent Starlight as a Global Ambassador and I am thrilled and honored to share in their mission of brightening the lives of seriously ill children and their families."

About Starlight Children's Foundation

When a child or teenager has a serious medical condition, everyone in the family is affected. For more than 25 years, Starlight Children's Foundation has been dedicated to helping seriously ill children and their families cope with their pain, fear and isolation through entertainment, education and family activities. Starlight's programs have been proven to distract children from their pain, help them better understand and manage their illnesses, and connect families facing similar challenges so that no one feels alone. Through a network of chapters and offices, Starlight provides ongoing support to children, parents and siblings in all U.S. states and Canadian provinces with an array of outpatient, hospital-based and Web offerings. Programs are also delivered internationally through affiliates in Australia, Japan and the United Kingdom. To learn more visit www.starlight.org.

A TODAY Show Fairy Tale

Friday, May the 18th, was awesome. A circle-in-the-universe moment for Angela and I.

When we moved from NYC in the fall of 2002, Ang was a make-up artist for several NBC shows including Saturday Night Live, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and the Today Show. Having powdered and poofed many celebrities, including authors like Stephen King, both she and I dreamed of one day reaching a point when yours truly was the one in the make-up chair waiting to go on air.

I was happy to hear my segment was in the 9:30-10 AM slot allowing me to try to get a little sleep the night prior. I say try, because I could not. I was so excited. Not nervous. Just excited.

We arrived at the studio about an hour beforehand. Heading to the greenroom to see if our segment producer or publicist were present, we passed Bette Midler and her entourage on the way. In the greenroom I introduced myself to the three children who were part of my segment as Al's Readers. All were there with their parents and were friendly and enthusiastic. These were real kids, not actors, and I was energized by their genuine excitement. (By the way, they could not discuss their questions for me beforehand. Those were saved for the live segment so that there were spontaneous, less-rehearsed answers).

In hair and makeup, Ang and I stopped by Al's office to thank him for having me on. As a token of gratitude, we tracked down and purchased a 1950′s tin NBC truck, which he loved. Afterward, we bumped into Matt Lauer who is just as warm in person as he is on air. Like Al, Matt's kids are big readers and especially enjoyed The Spider & The Fly. That's rad.

Off we went to do our segment. I took a deep breath before Al sat next to me and really tried to burn the moment in my memory. I honestly didn't even think of the 5 gazillion people watching. I just focused on Al and the kids.

After waiting and hoping and dreaming all these years, I had finally made it on as a guest. It was awesome – a highlight for DiTerlizziland – and, as you would guess, over in a blink of an eye.

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As an end note, despite the fact that the TODAY Show was criticized when they did not invite the Newbery and Caldecott winners on earlier this year, the producers have said that they will focus instead on airing more segments of Al Roker's Book Club. I know they've run the award-winners for many years now (and perhaps I'd feel different had I won and not made it on), but it must be pointed out that they are the only big morning show that is doing an actual kid's book club (highlighting all sorts of subjects and genres) on a regular basis. And that's a good thing.

Friday Fan Art!

Beth Hanlon, a fifth grade teacher at Tropic Isles Elementary in Fort Meyers, Florida, sent us some pics of this awesome sculpt of Grahame from Kenny and the Dragon.

The sculpture was created by one of her gifted students, Ashley, and was done as a visual for her Book Share project.

"…Ashley's Dragon has inspired others in our class to read "Kenny and the Dragon". Ashley's Dragon is currently on display in our Media Center."

How cool is that?

I've been fortunate enough to have Kenny nominated for several state book awards including Florida's Sunshine State Young Readers Award. What I like about state book awards is that students are encouraged to read independently based on individual interests rather than for assignments. Discovering a favorite story genre at a young age is big step in evolving into a passionate reader.

Thanks for sharing this with me, Beth, and please tell Ashley that Grahame said, "Nice sculpting young bantling."

Friday Art of Fan!

Our Florida neighbors dropped off a lovely sketch of my favorite space elf, done by a friend of their daughter's.

I showed it to Meno and this was his response:

"I love color picture of Meno!

Thank you Earthling of name Diana.

I also work on pretty picture.

Please to enjoy Betty White!

Was to be in book the 2. But editor want The Hoff.

(Oh well. Win some and lose.)

Now Betty White everywhere. Who laugh now?"

I'm Goin' to Kansas City…

I've got a bit of travel throughout the remainder of the month that I thought was worth sharing. Of course, I've mentioned the TODAY show appearance that is scheduled to air next Friday the 18th already...I mentioned that, right? 18th? Friday…March…

Also happening early next week is a quick trip to lovely Denver, Colorado for some delicious business that I must tend to. I'll be swinging by the Tattered Cover Bookstore for a stock signing on Tuesday, so if you want some personalized signed books, you may want to contact them sooner than later.

Later this month, on Friday the 25th to be exact, I will be participating in the Reading Reptile's DNA Lit Fest in Kansas City, Missouri. I'll be joining a tremendous group of talented authors and illustrators such as Barbara McClintock, Jennie Holm and Jon Agee, among other greats for a Friday night signing at the store. If you have yet to visit the Reading Reptile, I highly encourage you to stop by. The shop has a magic spirit that is rarely seen in bookstores. You won't be disappointed.

I'll seeya soon!