You probably haven’t noticed that I’m really bad about blogging, because there hasn’t been anything to notice. My excuse for not blogging recently is that I’ve been chin-deep writing and illustrating my newest picture book, Mr. Tiger Goes Wild…which I just finished. HALLELUJAH!!! I was very late with the art for Mr. Tiger, which is a bad habit I’ve gotten into over the last few years. The reason I’ve been late is that I’ve been experimenting with the art style of each of my last few books. I like trying new materials and styles, but it takes time to refine… 

I’ve received some amazingly CREEPY carrot art from kid’s all over the USA . . . and now I’ve received some truly inspired photos from OUTSIDE the USA! Madame Gubbel’s third grade class, in Winnipeg, Canada, has completely WOWED me with their beautifully creepy series of photographs.

I’ve spent most of the last few months in my “art cave.” I’m working on the final artwork for my next children’s book, and as usual, I’m behind schedule, which means I don’t do much besides eat, sleep and work. It’s not ideal, but it seems to be what happens with every one of  my books. Sheesh. In an effort to move things along, my very patient art director (Patti Ann Harris at Little, Brown and Co.) asked for a few of the finished pieces of art so that she could test out different papers and colors. And I just… 

I grew up in Hopewell, a little town just outside of Princeton, NJ. And so I was very excited when, a few years ago, I learned that the Princeton Public Library (where my mom took me as a wee lad) would begin an annual children’s book festival. This year the festival has got an UNBELIEVABLE lineup of authors and illustrators. Seriously. It’s crazy. You should totally go. And the organizers asked ME to design the festival poster. As a “local boy,” I really did not want to disappoint. So I racked my brain trying to think of a fun, interesting…