Chris Van Dusen's Blog, page 5

My August Schedule

Since I’ve been busy working on several new book projects this summer, and since my last book came out in March, I haven’t had as many book signings as usual. I DO, however, have three events scheduled for August and they happen on consecutive days. Here’s where I’ll be:

Thursday, August 14th – Artisan Books & Bindery, Islesboro, Maine – 2:30 PM

Friday, August 15th – Belfast Farmer’s Market, Belfast, Maine - 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM

Saturday, August 16th – Children’s Book Fair, Camden Public Library, Camden, Maine –       1:00 to 4:00 PM

 I’d love to see you at one of these events. Hope you can make it.

Come Meet Matthew Myers

If you’re in Camden, Maine this Tuesday (the 29th) or within driving distance, please be sure to stop by The Owl & Turtle Bookshop on Bayview Street to meet the great children’s book illustrator, Matthew Myers. He will be signing books from 4:00-5:30 PM.

You may know Matt’s work from the hysterical book Battle Bunny written by Jon Scieszka and Mac Barnett. If you haven’t seen this book, it’s amazing! And the Matt’s illustrations make the book. I don’t know how he did them. He’ll also be signing EIEIO: How Old MacDonald Got His Farm written by Judy Sierra, Tyrannosaurus Dad by Liz Rosenberg among others.

I’ll definitely be there. I wouldn’t miss it. Hope to see you there, too.

“How Do I Get a Signed Book?”

Lately, several people have asked me the same question: “How do I get a signed book?” Well it’s actually very easy AND it supports a local independent bookstore. Just follow these simple steps and before you know it, a signed book will be delivered to your door:

1.) Call The Owl & Turtle Bookshop in Camden, Maine. Their number is 207-230-7335.

2.) Tell them you’d like to order a signed copy of _____________.

3.) Tell them who you’d like the book signed to, or if you have a specific message, what it should say.

4.) Give them your address and credit card info.

And you’re done! Of course there is a shipping fee in addition to the price of the book, but that’s it. The store will contact me and I’ll stop by and sign your book, then they’ll send it right off.  It’s super easy.

And if you ever find yourself in Camden, please stop by The Owl & Turtle. It’s located at 33 Bay View Street and it’s just been totally revitalized by the new owners, Selena and Ricky Sheaves. They have done a fantastic job! It’s the kind of place you want to grab a cup of coffee and stay for hours. I hope you get the chance visit.

Spring Schedule

On Tuesday, March 25th my new book will be released. It’s called President Taft is Stuck in the Bath and it was written by the amazing Mac Barnett (who wrote Extra Yarn). It was a really fun book to illustrate and the story is hilarious. I recently read it to a couple of very enthusiastic school classes. They were dying to hear what happens to poor President Taft!

As a result of TAFT, I have a few things planned this spring that I wanted to let you know about. Here’s my upcoming schedule:

- Sat. March 29th – Launch at The Owl & Turtle Bookshop, Camden ME – 10:00 AM-noon

- Sat. April 5th – Signing with Matt Tavares, Letterpress Books, Portland ME – 10:30 AM

- Sun. April 6th – Literacy Tea, Bangor ME – 3:00-5:00 PM

- Wed. April 9th – Panel discussion with Mac Barnett and Erin & Philip Stead at the Texas Library Association conference, San Antonio TX – 10:15-11:50 AM

- Wed. April 9th – Signing, Author Signing Area TLA, San Antonio TX – 1:00-2:00 PM

- Thurs. April 10th – Signing, Mackin booth TLA, San Antonio TX – 10:30-11:30 AM

- Sat. April 26th – Signing with Matt Tavares, Children’s Book Cellar, Waterville ME

- Sat. May 10th – Signing, Maine Coast Book Shop, Damariscotta ME – 11:00 AM-1:00 PM

- Sat. May 17th – Presentation, Gaithersburg Book Festival, Gaithersburg MD

That’s it for now. I will update this schedule is things are added or change. I hope to see you at one of these events.

 

Caldecott Winners Announced

This morning, the American Library Association announced the winners of their Youth Services Awards. Several awards were handed out including the Coretta Scott King Award, the Theodore Seuss Geisel Award, the Newbery Medal and my favorite, the Caldecott Medal given to the illustrator of the most distinguished American picture book for children.

There were three Caldecott Honor books: Journey by Aaron Becker, Flora & the Flamingo by Molly Idle, and Mr. Wuffles! by David Weisner. The winner of the Caldecott Medal: Locomotive by Brian Floca.

I was thrilled that Locomotive won! It was one picture book that blew me away this year. I literally gasped as I turned the pages of this book the first time I read it. If you haven’t seen it, go to the library and check it out. It’s outstanding and most definitely worthy of the medal.

What will surely be discussed in blogs and forums is the omission of  Mr. Tiger Goes Wild by Peter Brown. I like this book a lot and it made several top 10 lists. I’m still scratching my head over why this was passed up by the Caldecott committee. Last year Peter won a Caldecott Honor for his illustrations in Creepy Carrots (written by Aaron Reynolds) which were amazing. I still think Mr. Tiger should have received an honor though. It’s very good.

And of course I have to send a great big CONGRATS to my friend, Kate DiCamillo who won the Newbery Medal for her latest, Flora & Ulysses. She is truly a wonder!

Merry Christmas!

Yesterday we woke up to a foot of  fresh, fluffy snow. The yard is blanketed in white. The candles are in the windows and tree is decorated in the front room. I just have a couple of last minute errands to take care of and then I’m ready for Christmas.

I want to thank you for all the notes you sent me this year. It was wonderful to hear from you. And to all the nice people I met throughout the year, thanks for stopping by to say hello.

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy  New Year.

Cheers!

Holiday Signings

This holiday season, I have just a few book signings scheduled. The first will take place this Sunday, December 8th at Kennebooks in Kennebunk, Maine from 1:00 to 3:00 PM.(PLEASE NOTE: This event was originally scheduled for Saturday the 7th but I had to change it because a friend’s son died tragically and unexpectedly and his service is this Saturday.)

The other two signings both take place on Saturday, December 14th. I will be at L.L.Bean in Freeport, Maine from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM and then I’ll buzz down to River Tree Arts in Kennebunk from 2:00 to 3:00 PM.

I hope to see you at one of these events. Happy Holidays!

New England Book Award

Recently, Lori and I traveled to Providence, Rhode Island to attend the NEIBA (New England Independent Booksellers Association) conference where I received the New England Children’s Book Award for If I Built a House. It was a really nice honor that the HOUSE book won this award. I sometimes worry that a follow up to a popular book like If I Built a Car is not going to live up to expectations. So many kids have told me that the CAR book is their favorite book of mine. But since the HOUSE book came out, I’ve heard from young readers that they like the HOUSE book as well as, if not better than the CAR book. And like I said in my acceptance speech, this award is the icing on the cake!

The way the award works, is that the independent booksellers who are members of NEIBA nominate their favorite books for three categories: fiction, non-fiction and children’s. From these lists, the nominations are refined to five finalists. The booksellers then vote again for their choice for award winner. The special thing about the children’s award is that it covers ALL children’s books, (YA, middle grade, chapter books, early readers, board books…etc.) not just picture books. Continuing with the “icing” theme, that makes this win especially sweet!

Tooting King Hugo’s Horn

Our favorite mini monarch’s head might be getting a little bigger since it was recently announced that King Hugo’s Huge Ego won a 2013 Anne Izard Storytellers’ Choice Award. The award was established by the Westchester Library System to honor Anne Izard, noted librarian, storyteller and Children’s Services Consultant who died in 1990. According to their website, ” the award seeks to bring the riches of storytelling to greater public awareness by highlighting and promoting distinguished books on storytelling published for children and adults.” Other award recipients this year include Andrea Davis Pinkney and Philip Pullman.

Of all my books, I’m especially thrilled that King Hugo’s Huge Ego won this award. I sometimes get the feeling that this book (more than any of my other books) is overlooked by a lot of people. I’m not exactly sure why that is. On the other hand, I’ve had several kids tell me that King Hugo is their favorite book of mine. Either way, it’s a very good feeling to win this award.

Next Book

Hi readers! Thought I’d update you on what I’ve been working on … since If I Built A House came out last fall, I’ve been illustrating a book that was written by Mac Barnett. I can’t give away the title or much else for that matter, but I can tell you how excited I am about this book! Mac is a tremendously talented writer and I  am so happy to be working with him. Mac wrote the award winning Extra Yarn last year. I am currently painting the art for this next book which will be published in Spring 2014 by Candlewick Press. So, that’s why I haven’t added a blog lately. I’ve been holed up in my art cave! Which is where I have to go right now! Happy Spring!