Happy Monday, everyone! I usually post my Creative Spaces interviews first thing Monday morning but Blogger was having a technical issue that wouldn’t let me access my posts between last night and now. So I apologize for the delay.
We’re starting this week off with a look at the workspace of writer Bob Krech. Bob Krech is the author of YA novel Rebound and middle grade novel Love Puppies and Corner Kicks.
From the publisher Marshall Cavendish, here’s the summary of Rebound:
“It looked like every black kid in the school was going out for the team. And then me. Pale skin, long nose, sandy brown hair, and a cowlick that won’t stay down.… Read the rest
This week we’re stepping inside the workspace of writer Eleanora E. Tate. She is the author of eleven titles for young readers including the historical fiction novel Celeste’s Harlem Renaissance, the biography African American Musicians which covers some of the legendary black musicians who have shaped and developed America’s rich musical history, and the compilation of retold folktales Retold African Myths. She is also the author of the highly acclaimed South Carolina trilogy which includes The Secret of Gumbo Grove; Thank You, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.!; and A Blessing in Disguise. Her book Just an Overnight Guest was made into an award-winning film.… Read the rest
I was first introduced to Johanna Wright’s art through Laini Taylor’s blog and subsequently found Johanna’s Etsy store where I became completely enamored with her artwork. Her paintings are often saturated with warmth, even when she uses cool tones, and depict whimsical, magical scenes like people living in trees, flying whales carrying baskets of people, and mice traveling by hot air balloon. Last year I was reintroduced to Johanna’s work when I read New York public librarian Betsy Bird’s glowing review of her picture book The Secret Circus where Ms. Bird wrote “Reading this book is like taking a trip to a world that you are desperately afraid you might wake up from.”… Read the rest
JoAnn Early Macken is a writer of poetry, picture books, nonfiction, and novels for children and young adults, and has published over 100 titles. Most recently is Waiting Out the Storm, beautifully illustrated by Susan Gaber and published by Candlewick Press. Waiting Out the Storm is a call and response story of a mother comforting her child during a storm. Here’s a taste:
Mama?
Yes, buttercup?
What’s that I hear?
It’s only the wind in the treetops, my dear.
Why does it whistle?
A storm’s on its way.
The wind calls the raindrops
to come out and play.
Another of her recent publications is Flip, Float, Fly: Seeds on the Move illustrated by Pam Paparone and published by Holiday House.… Read the rest
This week’s creative space belongs to writer and illustrator Diane deGroat. Diane deGroat’s artwork carries a special nostalgic weight for me because she was the illustrator for the Anastasia Krupnik series of books by Lois Lowry (and the spin-off series about Anastasia’s brother Sam), which were probably my all-time favorite books to read growing up. Lois Lowry’s words brought Anastasia to life for me, but whenever I imagine her it’s Diane deGroat’s illustrations that I picture. I remember studying those jacket covers for their details–Frank the fish, Anastasia’s notebook, the Amelia Earhart t-shirt she was wearing.
According to her website, Diane deGroat has illustrated over 120 books for other authors (A Pinky is a Baby Mouse by Pam Munoz Ryan is a wonderful read-aloud; A Turkey for Thanksgiving by Eve Bunting is a fun holiday story about sharing the holiday with friends; and Sunshine Home also by Eve Bunting is beautifully illustrated and tackles the tough subject of a grandparent going into a nursing home).… Read the rest
