READ

Visualizing the Rise and Fall of European Empires

This is mainly an experimentation with soft bodies using toxi's verlet springs.
The data refers to the evolution of the top 4 maritime empires of the XIX and XX centuries by extent. The visual emphasis is on their decline.

More on that project mondeguinho.com/master/visual-experiment ations/visualizing-empires

Werner Herzog Reads Mike Mulligan And His Steam Shovel

The Making Of Michael Ian Black's The Purple Kangaroo

The Making Of Michael Ian Black's The Purple Kangaroo - watch more funny videos

The Wimpy Kid Movie Diary

The Wimpy Kid Movie Diary book goes behind the scenes to humorously chronicle the making of the film.

“When I decided to work with Twentieth Century Fox to bring Diary of a Wimpy Kid to life as a live-action movie, I didn’t know what to expect,” said Jeff Kinney. “I was fascinated by the filmmaking process, and I thought my readers might be as wide-eyed and interested as I was. In The Wimpy Kid Move Diary, I’ve tried to tell the story of how a movie gets made in a way that will entertain and inform kids.”

In chapters covering “The Pitch” and “Casting” to “The Table Read” and “Test Screenings,” Kinney combines images from the film with his own iconic cartoons to deliver an informative yet funny companion for fans.

“Jeff has a genuine devotion to his incredible fan base,” said Charles Kochman, Executive Editor at Abrams. “By taking his audience with him behind the scenes, Jeff will help young readers enjoy the experience of seeing their favorite book make the transition to a major motion picture using the same words-and-pictures approach that has made the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books an international success.”

DIARY OF A WIMPY KID MOVIE TRAILER!!

Find out how Greg Heffley went Hollywood!

DIARY OF A WIMPY KID MOVIE OPENS ON MARCH 19, 2010!

Werner Herzog Reads Curious George

"In short order, a monkey has bested seven adult men.
This should give you a dim view of human potential."

"An alien trinket of unimaginable cultral significance."

German director of Bad Lieutenant, Grizzly Man, and Rescue Dawn reads and interprets the children's classic Curious George. EDIT: lots of people posting this video are claiming it's really Werner Herzog. It's not. It's Ryan Iverson http://www.funnyordie.com/ryan_iverson

ALL IN A DAY is the recipient of a 2010 PNBA award

FANTASTIC NEWS

ALL IN A DAY

written by

Cynthia Rylant,

illustrated by

Nikki McClure

is the recipient of a

2010

PNBA award!

Since 1965 the PNBA has presented annual awards

to recognize excellence in writing

from the Pacific Northwest.

To see the full list of winners go to:

http://www.pnba.org/awards2010.htm

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda—Sneak Peak

THE STRANGE CASE OF ORIGAMI YODA

With every galley given out Tom Angleberger author of The Strange Case of Origami Yoda has made a Origami Yoda for each book. I forsee big things for this 'strange' book.

About the book

In this funny, uncannily wise portrait of the dynamics of a sixth-grade class and of the greatness that sometimes comes in unlikely packages, Dwight, a loser, talks to his classmates via an origami finger puppet of Yoda. If that weren’t strange enough, the puppet is uncannily wise and prescient. Origami Yoda predicts the date of a pop quiz, guesses who stole the classroom Shakespeare bust, and saves a classmate from popularity-crushing embarrassment with some well-timed advice. Dwight’s classmate Tommy wonders how Yoda can be so smart when Dwight himself is so clueless. With contributions from his puzzled classmates, he assembles the case file that forms this novel.

About the author

Applying for a job as a newspaper artist, Tom Angleberger was mistakenly assigned to cover local government meetings. Fifteen years and countless town council meetings later, he is still writing instead of drawing, currently as a columnist for the Roanoke Times in Roanoke, Virginia. He began work on his first book while in middle school. Tom is married to author-illustrator Cece Bell. They live in Christianburg, Virginia.

Authors: By Tom Angleberger
Imprint: Amulet Books
ISBN: 0-8109-8425-3
EAN: 9780810984257
Availability: Prepublication
Publishing Date: 4/1/2010
Trim Size: 5 1/2 x 8 1/4
Page Count: 160
Cover: Hardcover

Illustrations: Through out

Tweet of the Day

My 10 year old cousin Grace has just started a book review blog. This morning she texted to tell me she reviewed Lauren Myracle's LUV YA BUNCHES. As I opend the link and the morning sleep fell from my eyes I read this jem of an opening line, "My cousin, Chad W. Beckerman, is an art director. He's not famous or anything, but he designs covers for books. " Amazing! hahaha!

It should be noted that I art directed Luv Ya Bunches But in fact Maria Middleton was the designer for the book. Ya have to fact check I don't care if you are only 10. Gawd!

Here is the link to her Blog.

The Book Nook

http://bookworm201999.blogspot.com/2009/11/luv-ya-bunches-by-lauren-myracle.html



FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER
http://twitter.com/boydesigner

Scenes from my Bulletin Board•December

This month's bulletin board features a rough jacket layout for Erica Perl and Julia Denos's DOTTY. Below that is the cover layout for Andrea Beaty and Dan Santat's ATTACK OF THE FLUFFY BUNNIES which features comics by Dan Santat. Below is a spread from DOTTY.
Back up top we have a Spot Uv Layer ( that drove me nutso) for the Jacket of THE FIZZY WHIZ KID by Maiya Williams. Below we have the paperback version of William Sleator's TEST. Below that is one another jacket layout this time for QUACKENSTEIN Hatches a Family by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen and Brian T. Jones. Back up top are Christine Norrie's character sketches for Lauren Myracle's new Luv Ya Bunches book. Next to that is a piece of Kelly Murphy's art for OVER AT THE CASTLE. Just below that is a spread from OTIS & SYDNEY and the Best Birthday Ever by Laura Numeroff and Dan Andreasen. Lastly we have a sketch for the upcoming novel HEART OF A SAMURAI.

Where have I been the last couple of months?

September
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA

(Visiting the set of the upcoming movie DIARY OF A WIMPY KID . . . more photos to come)

October
ROME, ITALY



CINQUE TERRE, ITALY

FLORENCE, ITALY

VENICE, ITALY

November
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
(Panel Speaker at the SCBWI Los Angeles Illustrators conference.)

Adam McCauley and I

Reviewing portfolios



PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA
(NCTE)

Amy Bates talks to Tamar Brazis about her latest book BEAR IN THE AIR

Lee Bennett Hopkins

Daniel Kirk Signs Elf Realm and Library Mouse

Brian Selznick signs Tamar Brazis

Cicada Summer—Hardcover vs Paperback

Hardcover

John Hendrix

Paperback
Amy June Bates

ABOUT THE BOOK

Eleven-year-old Lily has a passion for Nancy Drew stories and a secret she is keeping from those she loves. When summer brings lying, stealing, sneaky Tinny Bridges to town, Lily must be on her guard with this perceptive newcomer, or risk having her secret revealed. But Tinny won’t leave Lily alone. She takes candy from the general store and blames Lily. She tries to steal Lily’s friends and even her father’s affection. Then Tinny goes missing, and only watchful, mystery-loving Lily has any idea what happened to her. But for Lily, finding Tinny means confronting her hidden past.

The Art of Books

Here’s a link to a terrific video on the art of making books:

http://joannsondy.posterous.com/the-complex-of-all-of-these-35-handmade-books

35 handmade books being printed and bound. A 2 month process, condensed into 5 minutes of film, and set to music Thanks Ellie).

Best Book Covers of 2009 Vote ALL IN A DAY!

Best Book Covers of 2009

Click Image to go to AMAZON's Voting page

I just found out that ALL IN A DAY was nominated as one of the best covers of 2009
VOTE for it ! Please . . .

It's in the Children's Section of course.

Thanks!

Yes, we know everyone's always told you: "Don't judge a book by its cover." But now's your chance: go ahead and judge. It's okay.

A post from the past. A Nikki McClure interview

http://cwdesigner.blogspot.com/2009/02/nikki-mcclure-interview-1.html

FANTASTIC NEWS

ALL IN A DAY
by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Nikki McClure
(Abrams Books for Young Readers; ISBN 9780810983212; March 2009)
is shortlisted for the 2010 PNBA Book Awards, which will be announced
in early January!!!

“This lovely book illuminates all the possibilities a day offers—the opportunities and chances that won't ever come again—and also delivers a gentle message of good stewardship of our planet. Newbery Medal winner Cynthia Rylant's poetic text, alongside Nikki McClure's stunning, meticulously crafted cut-paper art, makes this picture book not only timeless but appealing to all ages, from one to one hundred.”

Click on the link for more information and the full list:
http://www.pnba.org/AwardShortlist2010.htm

Music Video Monday—The Tallest Man on Earth

Secret Garden Video Series: The Tallest Man on Earth from hoovesontheturf on Vimeo.

The Tallest Man On Earth is in fact a handsome little Swede. Kristian Matsson records catchy, heartfelt folk under the altitudinous pseudonym. His first release, a self-titled EP, was released in 2006. His first full length, 2008’s Shallow Grave, is "ungoddamnbelievable". Below, check out the track “Pistol Dreams” from the album. Again and again. http://awwhellnah.com/


On another note I have been missing in action from blogging lately but I promise after Turkey day I will have all new material. New Interviews, New bulletin boards, New evolution of a cover entries. But right now I must prepare myself for a food enduced coma. See you all soon.

Music Video Monday—In The Room Where You Sleep

100 Scopenotes BLOG interview

CLICK HERE FOR FULL INTERVIEW

I was just interviewed by the blog 100 Scope Notes. Travis Jonker my interviewer is an elementary school librarian since 2005, started 100 Scope Notes in the golden days of 2007.

In addition to posting children’s literature reviews here, Travis also periodically straightens his tie and reviews for School Library Journal, and has been a judge for the Cybils Awards.

He lives in Michigan.

Hope you enjoy the interview it was a lot of fun to do.

Music Video Monday—DOVES

Interview Adventure series—Chad W. Beckerman

Marci Hersel: What are your responsibilities as Art Director for Abrams Books for Young readers and Amulet Books?

CW: I oversee the design, direction, and visual develop-
ment of books for these two imprints, as well as de-
signing and re-branding of the new ABRAMS logo.
I, along with the editors, think about which illustra-
tors out there are doing work that excites us and
offers the correct emotional response to the text.
Once an author and illustrator have been matched
up, I will go over sketches with the illustrator and
offer direction on how to better their work. At
of their work by offering understanding, encour-
agement, advice, honesty, excitement, and loads
of jokes.

I am also responsible for the design and direction of
the books from cover to interior — and yes, even
the back cover. I try my best to make the book look
as entertaining as possible so it becomes more entic-
ing for a reader to pick up.

Marci Hersel: What advice can you give illustrators trying to break into the business?

CW: Treat breaking into the business less like a dream
and more like a job with goals and responsibilities.
What I mean by this is if you are serious about be-
coming an illustrator you have to work at it like
your life depends on it.
My first goal would be to get a website or blog to
showcase your work. Try not to showcase too many
styles as this might confuse the art director and
make them wonder what style is truly yours. Sec-
ond, try and do a drawing a day or every other day
to keep yourself focused on your dream as well as
enhance your skills. Think of yourself as an athlete
who needs to work out before they can be at the top
of their game. It’s hard but you’ll look great for the
summer! Third, get yourself out there by any means
possible, mailing cards, e-mails, Facebook, Twitter,
etc., be inventive!

A word to the wise: if you find your way into talking
directly with an editor or art director and they don’t
respond, don’t keep calling or e-mailing, chances are
they are busy. If your work is what they are looking
for they will call.

Fourth, I cannot say this enough, do your research.
Take a trip to your local bookstore, Barnes &
Noble or Borders. Take a look at what they are posting up on
their walls and ask yourself, why? What looks like it
is selling? Don’t try to copy what is selling but look
deeper. Is it a book with animals, a book about a sin-
gle character? How is the book laid out? Who is the
publisher? These details will help you fine-tune your
own art, and your search for the publishing house
that will best match with your work. Lastly, I will
repeat my second piece of advice, draw, draw, draw!

Marci Hersel: How do you find illustrators for your projects? Are you open to hiring new talent?

I find illustrators numerous ways. For example:
• Illustrator reps.
• Artists’ websites.
• The Society of Illustrators, Illustrator annuals.
• Illustrator mailers.
• Student portfolio reviews.
• Other illustrator recommendations.
• Searching illustrators’ links to other illustrators.
I am always looking for new talent. One of the rewarding parts of my job
is finding new illustrators and giving them a stage to show off their talents.•