Brad said I could treat myself to something after he recently got himself an Apple Watch. Meet George. I’m pleased with the quality and scale of this copy from the Museum Company. In October 1785, renowned French sculptor, Jean-Antoine Houdon, sailed to America and eventually up the Potomac to Mount Vernon to create a study for this bust. After seeing a full standing version of the statue, the Marquis de Lafayette exclaimed, "That is the man himself!” Thomas Jefferson was also a fan, he purchased a plaster copy from Houdon’s Paris studio to keep him company at Monticello.
Joe Biden for President 2020
“Now let me quote an Irish poet, Seamus Heaney, who wrote the poem The Cure at Troy. I believe this to the core of my being, HISTORY SAYS DON’T HOPE ON THIS SIDE OF THE GRAVE, BUT ONCE IN A LIFETIME, THE LONGED-FOR TIDAL WAVE OF JUSTICE RISES UP, AND HOPE AND HISTORY RHYME. We can make hope and history rhyme because of what we’ve seen. There’s nothing we can’t do. This is about the future, not about the past, it’s about our children and grand children, it’s about leading this country and leading the world once again. Folks we just have to remember who we are, my Lord, this is the United States of America! It’s time for America to get back up and once again fight for the proposition that we hold these truths to be self-evident that all men and women are created equal, endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights. We say it so often in school that we forget how profound it is. We have never lived up to those words, but until this President, we have never walked away from them. I believe this with every fiber of my being. It’s who we are.” -Joe Biden
Yankee Magazine May 2020
Landscape for a charming short story– thanks Heather Marcus and Lori Pedrick for the fun collaboration!
Mentor Lagoons
We found a cool new spot to walk, The Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve and Marina. Lots of great trails and forest trees along a pristine shoreline. Looking forward to coming back when it’s warmer and these trees fill out!
‘Clackety Track’ selected for Choose to Read Ohio 2021-2022 Booklist!
“The State Library of Ohio and the Ohioana Library Association, with the Ohio Center for the Book and the Choose to Read Ohio Advisory Council, are pleased to announce the 20 books selected for the 2021 & 2022 Choose to Read Ohio (CTRO) booklist.”
Thank. you so much CTRO for recognizing Clackety Track and for helping spread the word!
Local Artists at Trinity–
I’ll be here next Sunday with my picture books and cards and it means the world— Trinity was my first stop upon moving to town in ‘02, when a safe, affirming place was needed most. I hear there will be paintings and jam for sale as well, please swing by!
Best Books of 2019!
As you can see, we’re in excellent company here! Thank you New York Public Library and many thanks to those who know and treasure these books the most, our librarians–
https://www.nypl.org/books-music-movies/recommendations/best-books/childrens/2019
Bones in the White House, Cover Reveal!
Though revered for the Declaration of Independence and for his presidency, it was actually science, nature, and the study of fossils that most fascinated Thomas Jefferson. Author Candice Ransom and I explore that lesser known side of the founding father in Bones in the White House: Thomas Jefferson’s Mammoth, published by Penguin Random House, available February 2020. (Art Direction and Design, Elizabeth Tardiff)
Eric Carle Museum
Honored to be joining author Rob Sanders for one more very special Stonewall: A Building. An Uprising. A Revolution., event. If you're in the area, please join us next Saturday, July 20 at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art for a reading and lively discussion!
NBC News:
Great article about Stonewall: A Building. An Uprising. A Revolution., by Kevin Truong!
LGBTQ Community Center, NYC
A book like ‘Stonewall’ calls for us to come together and last night, a few blocks away from the historic Stonewall Inn itself, we did just that! Rob Sanders, sharing an evening (and an umbrella) with you— it doesn’t get better. Thanks so much Howard Willams and the gracious team at the LGBT Center for having us, my dear Illustration Rep Pat Lindgren for being there as well, and to all those who came-
Stonewall: A Building. An Uprising. A Revolution. Book Launch
Thank you everyone who came out and made this gathering more memorable and meaningful for words. To my dear family who traveled near and far– my heart’s full and I’m holding close every moment. To Rob Sanders, whose special story and invite made the ‘magical’ evening one we’ll never forget, I’m learning that sharing this book together might just be the best part! Thanks Tombolo Books, The Studio@620, and lovely St. Pete for the warm welcome!
Rob Sanders and members from the Bob Devin Jones Ensemble reading Stonewall — at The Studio@620
Sharon Scott singing Rise Up. Photo: Scott Hartman
With Rob Sanders and Mellissa Yanes Teston. Photo:Joe Teston
Panel discussion with Rob Sanders and Mellissa Yanes Teston. Photo: Joe Teston
photo: Erica Sirotich
Singing books with Rob Sanders and my sister, Sarah, and niece, Helena! Photo: Laura Christoph
Sarah and I♡ Photo: Laura Christoph
The whole family and I outside Ceviche, St. Petersburg, FL
Stonewall: A Building. An Uprising. A Revolution.
Stonewall: A Building. An Uprising. A Revolution comes out today! Thank you Penguin Random House, Rob Sanders, Michael Joosten, and Nicole De Las Heras for this special collaboration. The thought of creating a safe place, an affirming resource, a picture book that tells this important history to kids for the first time, gave me such hope as I was drawing. While LGBTQ rights in America have come so far in the 50 years since Stonewall, we owe all our gains and progress to the brave rioters and demonstrators that started the fight that night, June 28, 1969.
Library Talk
Hope to see you tonight at 7:00 pm! I’ll be talking children’s book illustration and the new books, Clackety Track and Stonewall: A Building. An Uprising. A Revolution., at Rocky River Public Library. Advance copies will be available from Appletree Books.📚
Starred Review☆
“It’s no mean feat to conjure up an original train book for kids, but, by gum, Brown and Christoph manage it. With both old favorites (freight, steam, bullet) and some new eclectic additions (zoo train, whistle-stop tour, shoulder ballast cleaner), young train enthusiasts will have plenty here to whistle at.”★ -Kirkus
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/…/clackety-track/
Clackety Track
Clackety Track by Skila Brown and published by Candlewick Press steams into bookstores today! Thanks so much designers, Amy Berniker and Lauren Pettapiece, for this charming collaboration, just the kind of book I would have loved as a kid! Special thanks also to my reps Pat Lindgren and Piper Smith for helping me all along this journey. Looking forward to sharing more!
Merry Christmas!
Finally got around to drawing the boys for our card. Happy Holidays!
Join us this Monday, December 10th at Heights Arts for FutureHeights Appreciation Night. I’ll be there signing books and mingling with fellow local artist Cathrine Butler. RSVP and enjoy a special discount on your purchase!❄️
Happy Halloween!
For all the little boy witches out there tonight!⭐️🖤🌙
Anniversary
From our first date at Cedar Lee. Oh to have our whole lives ahead of use, oh to be able to stay awake for a ‘late show!’ Love you B💙