Cool antiques from the Netherlands

So first I came across this cool blog, fedbybirds and then... from there I found this amazing site The Memory of the Netherlands, where you can peruse hundreds of antique children's picture books. Hurrah for finding things... but Booo for not having posted this a million years ago already. Good thing I remembered now though. Enjoy.

Here a few images from a favorite I came across.

Ad-Placements in Children's Picture Books: Or, 'How to NOT Selfpublish!"

I recently came across an article in 'Small Business in Vancouver Magazine' that was titled 'Children's book authors share selling strategies'. Of course I was very interested. The article talked about several small scale publishers and their strategies when it came to competing with publishing giants as well as the rise of electronic book sales. At the centre of the story was a woman named Tina Powell ( a local Vancouverite no less) who was being praised for her business smarts when it came to self-publishing her picture books. At first I was intrigued, then shocked and then totally disgusted at how her 'business smarts' actually translated into the real world.

"So far, her six books have sold an impressive 600.000 units, largely because of her success at attracting corporate sponsors, such as Maple Leaf Foods, Proctor and Gamble Co. and Boar's Head, she said.

Earlier this year, Sarasota, Florida-based Boar's Head bought 200.000 copies of Powell's Fernando's Fun-tastic Friends.

That book both entertains and educates kids on the value of healty eating. Part of the book also mentions a fundraising walk for the American Diabetes Association. (ADA)

Powell tweaked the book and made a special edition for Boar's Head, which produces deli meats, many of which are low in fat or in sodium.

Powell discretely inserted posters advertising Boar's Head products in some of the illustrations.

Boar's Head sponsors ADA and intended to give the books away for free.

"For me as an author, my mission is to get these books into the hands of as many children as possible. These corporate sponsors are a huge help by being willing to get those books out there. I can go to a school and say, 'Everybody here gets a free book. That's amazing." Powell said."

(quote from article written by Glen Korstrom)

I am pretty amazed that this woman doesn't in the slightest seem to realize (or want to admit) that since she has 'tweaked' them to include ads for products in them they are not actually any longer the books she intended children to have, but have simply become another way for children to be bombarded by ad companies and their products. And may I say what a clever and sly way to advertise. Oh sure, we just want to give children 'educational books' for free... that have our product all over them. The author and illustrator has in this case simply become a tool for the company to promote their product. The integrity of the book has vanished and the children are now being sold a product instead of reading a book. It is not a Children's Picture Book any longer, it is merely a form of advertisement. Very, very disturbing.

'The Day It All Blew Away' original artwork on Etsy

HURRAH!

Original artwork from ‘The Day it all Blew Away’ is finally on Etsy!

I have finally managed to take the time to post some original artwork from The Day It All Blew Away on Etsy. Yes, some of it was sold at my show at Collage Collage, but there is still lots left. So, should you or your loved ones be in need of some original illustrations from a published Children’s Book, look no further! Reasonably priced and dimensions that are easy to frame. Would make a pretty cool present I think. Especially if you buy the book to go along with it!

Check out the shop!

(also, if you’re buying more than one drawing the shipping prices are the same as just for one. I think I posted that wrong for some of them, so just a heads up… oopps)

Kids like making marks that make shapes that make stories

From Lynda Barry’s book’ What it is’ (page 129)

For the next 30 years I chased after only good drawing. While I drew, my main feelings were doubt and worry, and when I finished my only feelings were relief and regret. I never drew for fun anymore-and I’d forgotten about that strange floating feeling making lines on paper used to give me. I’d forgotten how stories used to bubble up out of the lines and surprise me. It was why started drawing--to meet those lines and stories.

20 Do's and 20 Don'ts from: Mem Fox

Here is a list of 20 Do's and 20 Don't from Mem Fox. I don't agree with some of them, but for the most part, ... excellent advise! Also... the last Don't cracks me up. ... it's a classic it's funny cause it's true. (only from people who aren't really into children's picture books of course. that counts you out because you obviously are, ... since you are reading this blog) :)

Here's the list:

Also check out the rest of Mem's site where it came from, for lots of other very helpful tips.

The Idea of Genius

This episode of CBC's Ideas is called 'The Idea of Genius' and apart from being extremely interesting it contains some of the major points why I disagree with Elizabeth Gilbert's take on Creativity and Genius (see earlier blog entry). Mainly the part where we actually have to be surrounding ourselves with what it is we are passionate about in order to be able to get our ideas. Listen to the part where they talk about why The Beatles and Mozart were so amazing in their fields and time. Also, yes, the 10.000 hour theory.

Great episode to listen to. Listen to both parts here!

Look at my Sketchblog sometimes

I've posted this totally amazing Lynda Barry video on my sketchblog, because initially I thought I'd keep the writing aspect out of this blog but now I've decided against it. Anyhow, take a look at it here. It's pretty great!

"People Write Poetry but they don't necessarily invent it. I think it's something about FOLLOWING this thing"