Jun 11 2009

Heart of Texas: A Lone Star ABC

Yee haw!
Here’s a book trailer Laura Melmed created of our new book now on youtube: Click me.
Heart of Texas: A Lone Star ABC

Here’s the blurb:
Welcome to Texas—home of cowboys, cattle, and NASA—where “Friendship” is the motto folks live by. Remember the Alamo, where a brave Army fought against Santa Anna; visit Big Bend National Park and try to spot a Bear; and go to the Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame to discover the women who Conquered the Old West. Celebrate Texas in this alphabetical tour from Laura Krauss Melmed and Frané Lessac, the bestselling duo who brought us Capital! Washington D.C. from A to Z and New York, New York! The Big Apple from A to Z.

With a treasure trove of facts and bright, bold art, this rootin’-tootin’, rip-roarin’ tribute to the Lone Star State will have readers shouting “Yee-haw!”


Jun 7 2009

SCBWI Rottnest Island 2009

Take 25 children’s book authors and illustrators. Throw them on an idyllic island for the weekend. Add lotsa wine and good food. Share ideas and grow new ones. What could be better. That was the first annual West Australian Society of Children’s Book Writer’s and Illustrators Rottnest Island Retreat. Norman Jorgensen, Dianne Wolfer, Mark GreenwoodMeg McKinlay, Dianne Wolfer, Karen Blair

We shared stories, some ancient, some fantasyastic, others spooky and even some silly.
Elaine Forrestal and Louise Schofield

We learned allll about the Google Settlement and we now understand everything☺. Zoe Rodriquez from CAL - Copyright Agency Limited steamed over for the day. Zoe and I snuck away for a bicycle ride around the island. Zoe RodriguezZoe Rodriguez

We travelled to the remote reaches of the island and were warned.

Beware: venomous snakes, crumbling walls of rock, and lack of water. Oh yes, we’re the adventurous type.

We laughed, giggled and sang.
We danced all night in the dust and sand.
We ate, drank and were merry.
We wrote and rewrote.
We drew and redrew.
The three amigos below are a force to be reckoned with. James Foley  Karen Blair  Shannon MelvillePublishers take note! Be quick! They coolly and sweetly ooze with original talent. Commission them for a project before one of your colleagues snatches them right up before your very eyes. They’re the loveliest bunch. I made fun that they were dressed for Antarctica and it was me of course who froze.