Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday, but don't forget the reason for the season!

Magical

New Review for Jiggsy

Received a good review from Cheryl Malandrinos from her blog, Children's and Teens Book Connection.
A interesting blog reviewing many children's books you may enjoy. I found several  I need to get. 

Strange new project

Humberto, the Bookworm Hamster Gets Another Great Review-

Mayra Calvani's book, Humberto the Bookworm Hamster, got another great review. You gotta just love that Humberto!

Doggie Day Camp in Amazon's Top 100

I just heard that three Guardian Angel Publishing Titles rank in Amazon's bestselling top 100 books in large print in children's book category.

Cynthia Reeg's, DOGGIE DAY CAMP with my illustrations is one of them. Yahoo!  Congratulations to the other winners, A Star in the Night, by Jennifer Gladen and art by K.C. Snider and to Sully's Topsy Tale by Donna Shepherd with art by Kevin Scott Collier.

"But it is a Magic Rock"

Yeah, Finishing up a batch of illustrations -

New Project in Progress

So wonderful to have projects to keep one out of trouble.

Great Reviews on Amazon

Doing the Happy Dance. Four nice reviews on Amazon.

Works in Progress

Working with Tracey Delio on a few more pictures of my favorite feline Louie V.
Tracey is working on new project with a New York Agency. Louie will love playing in the "Big Apple."

Growing a Critique Group, The Secret Gardeners

Constance Lombardo is the glue that holds our Asheville Children's Writers and Illustrators Critique Group together. I have been a member for a year. I have learned so much from this talented group of creative people. ( Just one more reason, I love Asheville )
Here is Constance's take on our group, The Secret Gardeners, for a special guest post with editor and writer, Becky Levine.

BE THERE BEDTIME STORIES, A New Release

Be There Bedtime Stories
Animal Mix-up, Bradybug and Sister Exchange are now available in a special way.
For Immediate Release

Contact: Lynda S. Burch, Publisher www.guardianangelpublishing.com


Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. teams with Be There Bedtime Stories’ new technology to bring families together from around the globe.

St. Louis, MO, USA: In a time where families are spread further apart than ever before ‘Be There Bedtime Stories’ is a technology that puts video of a Storyteller onto the page of a children’s book, to be displayed on a computer and read to your children. http://www.betherebedtimestories.com/

“We are very excited with this new adventure,” said GAP President and CEO Lynda Burch. “Our partnership with Be There Bedtime Stories will allow for an unprecedented availability of family sharing reading time with kids and grandkids around the globe. What a wonderful way to “Be There” for your kids whether on assignment out of the country, traveling for work, or just wanting to participate daily in your children’s reading habits; encouraging reading skills that will last a lifetime. It increases literacy awareness and wellness and strengthens family bonds.”

The Sedona International Film Festival, Tuesday night cinema film series displayed the concept, with 5 local leaders, including the Mayor of Sedona. They recorded a bedtime story for presentation that was made to the audience of nearly 500 patrons, right on the big screen of a movie theatre!





For more information on Guardian Angel Publishing or to schedule an interview with the publisher, email Lynda S. Burch at publisher@guardianangelpublishing.com.

Animal Sound Mix-up Author, Connie Arnold Interviewed

Author Connie Arnold is interviewed by J. Aday Kennedy. She gives some interesting insights about her book, Animal Sound Mix-up.

The Visual Storytellers Studio

I would like to share a really great site. The Visual Storytellers Studio.
This gallery is by filled with unique and magical illustrations from illustrators that you can tell LOVE what they do. Wow, Now I'm so honored to be part of such a wonderful group of children's illustrators.

Nice Review for Jiggsy

Really pleased to have the first review for A Necklace For Jiggsy.

A Necklace for Jiggsy -New picture book

It is out. A Necklace for Jiggsy has been a special project for me. I had worked the illustrations in black and white many many years ago, but this is full color and I am so pleased. A story of a junkyard dog full of life's hardships, yet he must make a big decision. Will he do what is right? Please take a peek inside a spread at Guardian Angel Publishing.

Another Nice Review for Animal Sound-Mix-up

One more great review to add for ANIMAL SOUND MIX-UP

First Review for ANIMAL SOUND MIX-UP

Connie Arnold's new book, Animal Sound Mix-up has received its first review.

ANIMAL SOUND MIX-UP

Connie Arnold's new book is close to its release date. Animal Sound Mix-up tells why each animal sounds the way they do. Such fun animals for me to draw. Books like this make me so aware of why I do what I do and love it.

One More Promo Piece Added

Added this one final piece to my Illustration Promo Packet.
Research shows editors would like to see in your portfolio, that you can take a character throughout your book. Since I have been fortunate to have a few books published, I am using this page as an example. But if you do not have books out, don't worry, you can work up a dummy showing that you can manipulate your character.

CRAZY WORLD OUT THERE BABE

Time sometimes squeezes you. So much to draw , paint, and write , but so little time.
I'm in the process of moving to a new house. What a trip. Boxes to the ceiling and calls from Inspectors, Realtors and Painters.
Oh my gosh. I miss drawing time right now.
But I will be back.

Bradybug Book Due Out Soon

Bradybug is getting close.
Donna Sheperd's delightful book is due out any time now. So many creatures and so much fun to draw for this cute tale of mistaken identities. Sometimes a name is not what you are.

Staying Cool........... this hot summer

Spend most my day drawing and finishing a few odd projects. Taking breaks to stretch and take a few laps around the nearby lake. But it is sooooooooo hot.

Work in Progress

Busy working on a new project. Little mermaid tale from long ago. Still working out the kinks, colors, design and bubbles. This will be a new type of digital adventure for me, so we will see what other possibilities are out there. Good to keep trying new things.

The Manic Network

The Manic Network is a group of about 133 active author/illustrators. Michelle Munger created this great group of artists, who come together to chat, post, discuss and add videos. Stop in and see if you agree.

Calling All Creatures

Finishing up the last pictures for a book by poet and author, Connie Arnold. Fun, creative story about the sound each creature makes. ANIMAL SOUNDS MIX-UP will be due out later this fall. I'll keep you posted.

Another Promo Piece

Another piece I use for mail out promotion. Usually a total of three or four art samples.
I follow up every four months with post cards. My post cards are one sided color illustration with a small spot art picture and all that good information for contacts.
Name, email and snail mail address with www.kitgrady.com

Always Good to Keep Your Pictures Out There

So, I've updated my website and now to begin a little marketing. I'm using this as my black/white sample of my submissions. It combines a few of new and older pieces. I will show the color samples soon. I hope my launch of hard copy sample mailings and a few online submissions will bring a few possibilities. You never know.

Keeping My Head Out Of The Trees

Staying so busy, Several new projects- Which is a GOOD thing.

Marketing Interview with Harold Underdown

I'm expecting a book release soon and have begun more research on "The Craft of Marketing." So much to learn. But I found a nice interview on a blog by Shelli (srjohannes), MARKET MY WORKS with Harold Underdown. She has lots of good tips for new marketers. You may also find a wealth of information on Harold's site, The Purple Crayon.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

A little picture from "Just One More, Mom" with Kaeden Books done a couple years ago. All you Mama's know that call from the next room. Of course after "I want something to drink, read me a story" and other such things. So Happy Day to you! ( Mother or not )

Great Link to Jane Yolen's Frequently Asked Questions

When I come across one of my favorite writers giving advice on her website, I would be a dummy not to pass it along. (And more of a dummy not to study it myself) Jane Yolen has a great page of insights. In fact her entire website is filled with gems. Enjoy

Bradybug Fun

I'm working with author, Donna Shepherd on her new book, Bradybug due out later this year with Guardian Angel Publishing.
A delightful story of a spunky little bug who gives some perspective on why names are deceiving.
Donna has so many different projects going on these days. I have really enjoyed working with her. Check her out.

Childrens Book Artist.Com

Max Haynes and daughter Maddy, have joined talents to create Max n' Maddy Web Design Services,- designing top notch web sites. They also feature many new talents on their link, Childrens Book Artist.Com

The best part is I feel so honored to be part of this talented group.
Check them out.

Resources for Writers and illustrators in Children's Magazine Markets

Pen and Ink, a blog by Berger, Fernandez, Garcia, and Kahrs, a group of SCBWI members, have posted a wonderful and well researched wealth of information all in one place and I just had to share. Such good stuff.

My Little Spot Art in The Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators Bulletin

Opened my newly arrived SCBWI Bulletin today and found a little picture I submitted on their page four. It was changed to a black and white picture as you see, but I'm still doing "The Happy Dance" I've always loved the SCBWI and now I feel so thrilled and honored.

Roaring Out

Keeping those roars at a quiet grrrr............. Submitting a few things while I continue the projects at hand.

Your future is in your Paws, I mean hands

Give me a pencil and paper and watch me forget everything else. You too?

Being a Busy Bunny........

Here is a great group on facebook called Children's Authors and Illustrators on Facebook. Take a peek and join if you would like. Tell Simon Rose, our wonderful administrator, Kit sent you.

Wondrous Things Are Right Under Our Nose

Busy working............

What it is all about......

I found this from Cynthia Reeg's blog. Isn't it so great to find that your work has made a difference. Just so wonderful. Cindy said,
"Hey, I had a really nice thank you note today from a mom who bought a copy of DOGGIE DAY CAMP. When she shared it with her stepson, who was struggling a bit recognizing adverbs, Bubba's story seemed to flip the adverbial light on for him."
So great work Cindy. Oh, I hope he liked the pictures too.

Hip-hip-hooray for all THE PET GRAMMAR PARADE critters! Their mission is to make learning fun for kids-- KITTY KERPLUNKING and HAMSTER HOLIDAYS.


Check out these online grammar games for more grammar fun:
Fun Brain Grammar Gorillas
Grammar Blast from Houghton Mifflin

Twelve Great Resources for Children's Artists and Writers

What a find. Mark Gregory Mitchell, a fellow member of The Author/Illustrator Network or Manic Network, passed this along. Some you know but I found a few special gems also. Check them out and Enjoy

2010 Caldecott Winner

Something to Crow About
The Lion & the Mouse, written and illustrated by Jerry Pinkney, has won the 2010 Caldecott. Congratulations Jerry. I'm off to find a copy. See this and other winners at Association fo Library Service to Children, ALSC

Louie V Takes the Cake

So here is the finished product.
He is left alone again while his owner is at work. What mischief is he up too.
Could be a surprise for Louie? To order or visit Louie's blog, click here.
By Tracey Delio. ISBN: 978-1-933651-59-0

Layout for Louie V Takes the Cake

Part of the Process
Here is a sample of how I presented my layout to author, Tracey Delio, when I first began working on illustrations for Louie V Takes the Cake. After receiving the manuscript, I usually divide with highlighter seeking a balance and flow for the pages throughout. Even at this later layout stage, I would work and rework to see what works best. Sometimes stepping back a few days and returning to view it with fresh eyes.

Great Review for "Sister Exchange"

Dixie Phillips, writer and book reviewer, has given Kevin McNamee and I a very postitive review for Sister Exchange. Please check out Dixie's "From the Heart of Dixie."

2010.... READY

Well, 2010 is here. No excuses, Get going............