Announcing my NEW Website

Please check out my redesigned website:



Much of my summer was spent designing my website using iweb. I am not a technical person, so thankfully I found iweb very easy to use- drag & drop! I included links for school visits, portfolio, books & ebooks....so please explore. For kids (and teachers) you'll find an 'Activities' link to download free activity sheets. I'll soon we establishing a STORE where I plan to sell PDF ebooks and play scripts, along with autographed books.(Right now, my store has autographed CLAMS ALL YEAR books.) Please keep checking...and spread the word. I'd also love to hear what you think.
NOW- Back to work!

A Book for the Start of School

September means cool nights, wilting gardens, and SCHOOL! For teachers and parents, I'd like to suggest my book JACK'S TALENT to share during the first days of school. The simple story, which takes place on the first day of school, helps introduce the students to eachother while giving children confidence in their abilities.

Some Reviews for Jack's Talent:
From Booklist :" A reassuring confidence booster, encouraging children -and their adults- to creatively think about what they enjoy, their abilities, and how to recognize and celebrate individual accomplishments." 
 
From Horn Book :"Teachers will want to use this at the beginning of a school year, but children will find piquant details in the pictures when they return to it later on their own."
 
 
Jack's Talent is published by Farrar Straus. It was also recently licensed by Houghton Mifflin and published as a Big Book...So hopefully lots of excited or nervous students will be reading it this September. ENJOY!

A Visual Story- A Publishing Connection

WMUR came to my studio several weeks ago to interview me for their magazine show called NH  Chronicle. Jen Crompton and a talented cameraman showed up and spent three hours, filming and talking. I was very impressed at how Jen Crompton edited this together. It was seamless. She is a master at what she does. Take a peek:  WMUR NH Chronicle Interview
After I viewed this segment, it hit me... this interview/ film editing process, is much  like publishing a book.  Starting with research, organizing information, and asking the right questions, it moves onto the making of a visual "story" by editing the pieces so it flows together like a moving "book". I was impressed at how Jen brought this piece full circle, by starting with "Wednesday is Spaghetti Day" and ending with the same book and a look to the future of ebooks. We, as authors, use that same technique of "full circle" when writing a book.  There was also a "balance" in this segment, moving in and out, cutting to visuals at the appropriate place, etc. As authors and illustrators we also strive for balance; keeping the reader's interest, changing perspective, and tieing everything together to make a satisfying "read".
This whole process has given me a new appreciation for this film medium. Thanks Jen Crompton & WMUR staff for a great job.   --Thanks!

Fox interview

I zip-tripped to my home town, Everett MA. Here is the video from my Fox 25 interview:
LINK TO VIEW INTERVIEW

Here are the books we discussed and the amazon link to each book. Enjoy!



Fox25 Boston- Interview

FOX25 is Zip-tripping to Everett, MA on Friday April 29 -6am-10am in Everett Square- My hometown! I was invited to be part of the fun and I have an interview scheduled for 9:45. I'll be there to feature my book BUS ROUTE TO BOSTON which was inspired by my childhood growing up on Woodlawn Ave (a bus route). I use to take Bus111 to Boston. In the book, my sister Diane, myself and my mom take the bus to Boston and visit all the places we use to go as kids...like Filenes Basement (I miss it), Haymarket to buy fruits and vegetables, Baileys (to get an ice cream Sundae) and of course the Northend to visit the butcher and get that cannoli for the bus ride home.

I'll also touch on my new Princess Kim books, which were also inspired by my childhood.
So tune in. (it's going to be short interview...so don't blink.)

Location: ‎410 Broadway, Everett 02149
Time: ‎6:00AM Friday, April 29th

A Studio Visit

Occasionally I open my studio for visits with interested groups. In the past I  have hosted several homeschooling groups and elementary school students.
Today visited with a group of highschoolers from Bedford High School (NH) who have chosen to study "children's books" for their Inter-session topic. My studio was their first stop. I spend a few hours explaining my process of creating my books, from idea to printed  book. I hope I inspired them!
I do know that my dog LOVED their visit! Bianca was handed from one student to another. (I do think she is really a cat!)
(I enjoyed your visit!  I hope you all have fun at the Eric Carle Museum!)
- Maryann