Children's Book Week 2011!

I'm especially excited about Children's Book Week this year, as I'll be a part of an official event, and for Cinco de Mayo, no less! I will be the Cinco de Mayo Storytime author at Little Shop of Stories on Thursday, May 5th at 7pm, and we are going to have a BLAST!!! I hope you'll come if you're in the neighborhood. And if not? There are tons of official events going on all over the country. Check it out and see if one is near you!

Share a Story ~ Shape a Future

Monday kicks off the annual blog literacy campaign Share a Story ~ Shape a Future. I'm proud to be participating again this year on Friday, but there will be lots of cool things going on all week long.
     The theme this year is Unwrapping the Gift of Literacy and there will be giveaways, interviews, a podcast, and contests - you name it! It's going to be a great week. So visit the Share a Story ~ Shape a Future website to get the lowdown for each day, then come back here on Friday. I'll have quotes and links from top children's book authors and illustrators talking about how they fell in love with reading. And be thinking about that yourself, as I'll host a giveaway that day too!
     Recognize the logo? Yup, it's from one of my coloring pages - Storytime Bears!

Picture Book Reviews in the New York Times!

Picture Book Reviews are BACK in the New York Times online! Starting TODAY: Arts Beat/The Culture at Large: Introducing Children's Book Reviews Online. Great article, great points, Great news!

My OTHER blog

I have an announcement to make. I have another blog, which I've kept secret until now - well, until my interview on Illustration Island. I've been posting about the things that have inspired me while I write my novel. It's about my writing process and things that make my wheels turn. Maybe you'd like to visit?
It's called "Love My Muse."

e is for book

I receive a lot of requests for information on how I created my App, Lula's Brew. I usually refer people to my article "My 1st Picture Book App" - although that is really just the beginning of the story. So, recently I joined a group of traditionally published children's book authors and illustrators on a collaboration to explore the new territory of eBooks. It's called e is for book and I have a feeling a lot of you are going to find it incredibly valuable.
     Our mission statement is:

We are a group of published children’s authors and illustrators who are interested in or are already creating digital books for kids. The premise of our name is that a book is a book regardless of the format. With the option of interactivity within some formats, new creative possibilities are open to us. Our already-published books range from pre-school to Young Adult, so there should be something for almost everyone.

We also include a list of topics from 'reviews' to 'what is an ebook and what do we want it to be'?
     Hope you'll check it out!

Susan and I on PBS with GCB!

During our book tour for THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS IN GEORGIA, Susan and I were filmed by PBS via the Georgia Center for the Book. Nervous much? Not me - ha! (Actually, I was.) Anyhow, it's now live on the PBS Forum Network site. (Click the image above to go have a looksie.)

We have TWO winners of my comment challenge!

I received over 50 wonderful comments on my post "Put your 2011 Goals OUT THERE!" So, I've done a drawing for TWO of my books!
     The winners are Lillian Child, Grandma to two 3-year-olds in Omaha, Nebraska, and LadyD, a piano teacher in San Diego, California. For 2011, Lillian wants to live more in the moment and spend more time with family and friends. Lady D wants to see the beauty in each day. Both admirable goals indeed!
     I've contacted them both and once they choose which of my books they'd like to have, I'll sign them and ship them off. Congratulations ladies! And may 2011 be a fantastic year on every level for all of us!

New Online Portfolio

I updated my online portfolio over the holidays. It's got a ton of work in it, some which may be new to you. Also new is my pencil/vignette category as I'm hoping to pick up some vignette work for mid-grade novels in the New Year.
     All you Art Directors out there - please go have a look! Click "art" on my nav bar above or on the image above to go straight to my portfolio. (I typically work directly with publishing houses through my agent. Her information is listed on my portfolio.)
     All you writers out there - no, you don't need to hire an illustrator for your picture book before you send it to publishing houses. Learn more in my article "How Do I Get Published."

Leave a comment! Book Giveaway

We hit 25 comments on my post "Put your 2011 Goals OUT THERE!" So I'll be doing a drawing for at least ONE book giveaway. If we can get up to 50 comments by January 7th, I'll give away TWO books. Go to the topic ON MY BLOG and leave a comment to enter!

Paco is a Ripple Read to Me Book!!

I just found out the Paco and the Giant Chile Plant ~ Paco y la planta de chile gigante is a Ripple Read To Me book! (In its bilingual, Spanish, and English versions!)
     What is Ripple? It's a way to share stories recorded with your voice, or your child's, or a relative who's far from home. And because a child can record themselves reading, it can also help them develop stronger reading skills by combining audio learning.
     I heard about Ripple about a year ago and thought it was a great idea - so I'm thrilled to have one of my titles be a part. And if you can't be with those you love this Christmas, maybe this would be a good way to connect. I hope you'll check it out!

Susan and I are in Publishers Weekly!!

Via PW Children's Bookshelf! "Sterling Authors Sing in the Holidays in Six States." This is THE trade publication for my industry. All I can say is FREAKIN' WAHOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

New Stamp Set - Just Ducky!

JustRite Stampers has just formally released another one of my new sets on their blog. The new set is called Just Ducky and its perfect for birthdays, Valentine's Day, Easter, etc!

And if you'd like to purchase a set (they make great Christmas presents for the crafter in your life), either visit the JustRite Cling stamps store, or my new "STAMPS" link above!

Stamp Set Giveaway - Ellie Time!

JustRite Stampers is giving away another one of my new sets on their blog today. Just go leave a comment ON THEIR BLOG (there will be a question you need to answer) to be entered to win the drawing for that day's stamp. Today's image is Ellie Time:

And if you'd like to purchase a set (they make great Christmas presents for the crafter in your life), either visit the JustRite Cling stamps store, or my new "STAMPS" link above!

Today's new stamp set - In The Moonlight

JustRite Stampers is giving away one of my new sets on their blog. Just go leave a comment ON THEIR BLOG (each day has a question you need to answer) to be entered to win the drawing for that day's stamp. Today's image is my new and exclusive "In the Moonlight":

And if you'd like to purchase a set (they make great Christmas presents for the crafter in your life), either visit the JustRite Cling stamps store, or my new "STAMPS" link above!

Tuesday's New Stamp Set - Bee Ride!

JustRite Stampers is giving away one of my new sets on their blog today. Just go leave a comment ON THEIR BLOG (there's a question you need to answer) to be entered to win the drawing for that day's stamp. Today's image is my new and exclusive "Bee Ride":

And if you'd like to purchase a set (they make great Christmas presents for the crafter in your life), either visit the JustRite Cling stamps store, or my new "STAMPS" link above!

BIG NEWS! My own line of STAMPS with JustRite! Giveaway too!!!

For my stamping fans- I am proud to announce the launch of my exclusive line of stamps brought to you by JustRite Stampers.
     I was thrilled when card-makers and scrap-bookers discovered my coloring pages a few years ago (they call them digi-stamps). Although I often received emails saying, "I wish your images were available as actual stamps."
     Well, wait no longer. I now have an exclusive line of stamps just for you!
     A few of the images you'll recognize (although they now have fun extras included), but most will be brand new, available only as cling stamps - including a brand new line of Garden Fairies!
     Just look for this logo on the JustRite packaging at your favorite stamp or craft store or visit their website at JustRite Stampers and click CLING!

GIVEAWAY!
     In celebration of the release of my new line - JustRite has blog candy. Visit the JustRite Blog and leave a comment telling them how you first found out about JustRite Stampers or my Coloring Page Tuesday images. Did you become familair with either through a purchase from a retail store, by following a link from another blogger, facebook, twitter or from a friend?
     JustRite will pick one lucky winner for every 100 comments they receive on the post. Comments will remain open unitl 9 am EST on Friday November 12th. The first giving away will be "Quiet Moments" (below). Check the JustRite Blog each day this week for more giveaways of new images! (Or click the stamp set to purchase it directly.) Woohoo!!

12 Days Giveaways - more winners!

It's been a great launch week for THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS IN GEORGIA! Thanks to everybody who helped spread the love by posting our banner on your blog. They were:
Flip-Flop Creations by Jennifer Tidwell
Fabulous Illustrator by Mary Reaves Uhles
My Heart Belongs 2 Books by Abi Buening
Susan R. Spain (the author!)
May Bennett's On Top of the Children's Lit World
Scrappily Ever After by Melanie Holzwarth
Just Coffee Please... by Jennifer Scull
Martha Bennett Stiles
Finders & Keepers by Cathy C. Hall
Laurie J. Edwards ~ Author, Artist, Dreamer
Dori Reads by Doraine Bennett
Do Thing Different by Kristin Tubb
Write From the South & Visualeyes by Gail Handler
(Please let me know if I missed you!)

It's never too late if you'd like to help spread the word too! Just go to the 12 Days Activity Page to get the code to add this to your blog or website:


Meanwhile, I drew five names from the comments all week and five people win a free copy of THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS IN GEORGIA! (Drum roll please...) They are...
Apple Blossom, GrammaR, Deebi27, Melanie Hozworth, and Jami {sgtStamper}! Wahooooo!!!! Y'all be sure to email me at elizabeth at dulemba dot com to share your address and to whom I should dedicate your books! Thanks for the love guys!!!

We started this week hearing "Georgia on My Mind" by Ray Charles - so let's close with him singing one more time... a little farther along in his career at the Montreaux Jazz Festival in 1997.

12 Days Giveaways - and the winners are!

All week we've been celebrating the release of my latest book, THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS IN GEORGIA, written by Susan R. Spain, illustrated by Yours Truly, Sterling Children's Books!

     If you helped spread the word by adding our banner to your blog or website - thanks so much! Your link was added to the Grand Kick-off Post which garnered over 4,000 hits! And of those who shared - I drew one winner to win a free copy of THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS IN GEORGIA...
The winner is...Flip flop creations by Jennifer Tidwell!!! Congratulations!!!!
     I also drew a winner each day from the comments and those will be announced tomorrow - so check back!
Of course, there's lots more free stuff available at my 12 DAYS ACTIVITY PAGE, so I hope you'll stop by. Thanks Y'all!

CLICK HERE to learn about the Center for Puppetry Arts - soon to be home to the Jim Henson Wonders from his Workshop!

12 Days Free Activities! Crossword Puzzle!

I'm celebrating the release of my latest book, THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS IN GEORGIA, written by Susan R. Spain, illustrated by Yours Truly (Sterling Children's Books), all week by giving away free stuff!
     Today's giveaway is a cross word puzzle! This one is Susan's creation. Be sure to download both sides - the puzzle and the clues!
Crossword Puzzle:


Find LOTS more free stuff at my 12 DAYS ACTIVITY PAGE!

Want to help us spread the word about THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS IN GEORGIA?
     Go to my 12 DAYS ACTIVITY PAGE and scroll down to the peach (it looks like this one). Below it is the banner you can share and below that the html code to plug into your blog or website (just copy the code and pop it into your post)!
     Send me the link to your shout-out at elizabeth at dulemba dot com (or use my contact form) and not only will I add your link to Tuesday's big blog announcement (over 4,000 people will see it), your name will also go into a drawing for a free copy of THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS IN GEORGIA!
     And don't forget - leave a comment to be entered in today's drawing for a free copy of THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS IN GEORGIA!!

CLICK HERE to read about the Kangaroo Conservation Center. Yup - we're still in Georgia!

12 DAYS Free Activities! Word Find Puzzle

I'm celebrating the release of my latest book, THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS IN GEORGIA, written by Susan R. Spain, illustrated by Yours Truly (Sterling Children's Books), all week by giving away free stuff!
     Today's giveaway is a word find puzzle. I create these for all my books (because I loved them as a kid and still do).
Word Find Puzzle:

Find LOTS more free stuff at my 12 DAYS ACTIVITY PAGE!


Want to help us spread the word about THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS IN GEORGIA?
     Go to my 12 DAYS ACTIVITY PAGE and scroll down to the peach (it looks like this one). Below it is the banner you can share and below that the html code to plug into your blog or website (just copy the code and pop it into your post)!
     Send me the link to your shout-out at elizabeth at dulemba dot com (or use my contact form) and not only will I add your link to Tuesday's big blog announcement (over 4,000 people will see it), your name will also go into a drawing for a free copy of THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS IN GEORGIA!
     And don't forget - leave a comment to be entered in today's drawing for a free copy of THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS IN GEORGIA!!

CLICK HERE to read about my visit to the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.