The Magic Behind the Screen - The Book!!!

I'm thrilled to announce the release of the book, The Magic Behind the Screen, written by the world-famous author and poet Charles Ghigna, and illustrated by me!

I...am...bursting! It's so awesome to see that this book is now a part of the Alabama Public Television company, published by APT and Cornerstone Media and is now available as a support premium . Thank you to Charles, for the great opportunity to work with him. If you have not met Charles, he is an AMAZING writer and poet. Affectionately known to his fans as “Father Goose,” Charles is the author of more than 5,000 poems and 50 award-winning books. I urge you to visit his website, and his blog to discover his work. Charles also has a talented son, and this blog highlights Chip's paintings as well as Charles' wonderful poetry. Please do check them out! My thanks also goes to the fabulous Art Director, Randy Johnson of aptv.org. It was truly a wonderful experience bringing Charles' story to life and illustrating "Father Goose" as he "reveals the science, art and work it takes to carry moving images from a production studio to the screen in a child’s own home." I'm honored to have been a part of this collaboration and you can click here for more information about the book.

Here are a few of my favorite pages..
Father Goose, on the loose!

Movember, Envelop shop and the beautiful island of Kauai...

In support of Movember, my little avatar sports a mustache...please visit this link for more information about the importance of Movember, the month of November that raises awareness for men's health. Thank you Ces, for alerting me of this!

~

Also, over at my group blog www.welovetoillustrate.com, I'm so delayed at letting you know that the ladies (Bee, Cally, Nina, Jennifer, Julissa and I) all created designs for pillows and opened up shops with Envelop.eu. It's really super cool...I've ordered one up for myself and I will keep you posted with the final product. : ) I tell you, this can be pretty addictive, and there are some amazing designs out there. I'm so impressed with what the ladies came up with and want one of each! Swing on by if you have a chance...my envelop shop. And perhaps create your own designs, too! : )

This pillow has a special meaning to me as I just love the song, Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Judy Garland's version from the Wizard of Oz will always be a family favorite - I spent many years as a child watching her sing the song with my mom, dad and brothers. More recently, I've come to love the version by by Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo'ole). I googled to find out that he has passed away and his song lives on..I remember watching the last episode of "ER" while it played in the background and just got whisked away to another place. Most recently, I had the absolutely awesome experience of hearing it with my family with wind blowing through our rented Jeep while driving under a starry sky to dinner on the beautiful island of Kauai. I will never forget that perfect moment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1bFr2SWP1I 

Here are some highlights of my recent family holiday to Kauai..if you have not visited the island, it is a bucket-list kind of thing..and I am  truly thankful to have been able to visit it..I hope you all can do the same!: 

Did you know that sea turtles are prevalent in the south of Kauai? We were so fortunate to see this amazing creature on a few trips to the beach. Thankfully the lifeguards are quick to cordon off the area so that on-lookers won't harm them. Kauai also has the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific" (Waimea Canyon) and the Na Pali cliffs. We also saw the great waterfall from the movie Jurassic Park. Oh my, what a gorgeous island and with warm breezes, and warm sand with reggae music in the background..we were completely a part of the island. Aloha! And mahalo to Kauai!

Silent: Illustration Friday

What a thrill to have my word chosen for this week's Illustration Friday prompt! Just made it in the nick of time. : )

uTales.com has launched! And 2 of my books are available today! : )

Go to "Launch!" now!
(currently $3.99 at uTales with a portion going to Pencils of Promise..see below)

Go to "The Gingerbread Man" now!
(currently $2.99 at uTales with a portion going to Pencils of Promise..see below)

Hi Everyone -I want to let you know that it's a very exciting day for me as the launch of uTales.com has happened. "uTales offers unlimited access to an entire library of digital picture books for kids - available anywhere and anytime on your iPad or online!!  You get unlimited access to all our digital picture books with a monthly subscription of just $9.99, or you can purchase books separately." You can gain more information about uTales here and here.

Many months ago, I decided to try my hand at writing and illustrating for a digital picture book platform and Nils at uTales offered this possibility. You'll find a host of wonderful books - some with sound and animation, some classics, and some original picture books written and illustrated by some, or books of collaborations between authors and illustrators. It's a delight to share the news that two of my books are available for viewing and downloading: "Launch!" (written and illustrated by me - remember the IllustrationFriday.com prompt animation I did awhile back?) - and a retelling of the classic, "The Gingerbread Man." Initially illustrated for the SCBWI event I attended and then finished up for uTales - animations and sounds too! : )

Anyhoo..one of the best things about this endeavor is knowing that for each of the books' downloads, a portion (25%) will go to help build schools in developing worlds through a charity called Pencils of Promise. To date, the organization has built more than 30 schools.

This morning, the ability to download the uTales app from iTunes has occurred..it's been an exciting adventure so far...and I encourage all of you to have a look at the uTales library of books so far when you have a bit of time. : )
Shirley

And the winners are....

Thank you so much everyone for your wonderful comments - to read of your fabulous recipes, prose, book recommendations, and fall/autumn favorite things to do have been a delight for me and I hope for all of you! I hope you all get a chance to visit others that you might not have visited before.

This morning was a whirlwind field trip with my daughter learning about the Colonial Days - she dipped a candle, she made a corn-husk doll, and she ran about with a hoop and stick. It was awesome! After a great day in the woods listening to wild turkeys gobbling in a field nearby, I'm finally able to get back to all of you with the winners of my little giveaway....
I crumpled up all of your names, and randomly chose 3 with my eyes closed..

 and the winners are:

Julissa Mora - the amazingly talented New Yorker who is also the fabulous leader of our group blog: www.welovetoillustrate.com - please check out her wonderful work - she's recently been painting...so pop on by!

Heather Stillufsen - from Rose Hill Design - a fabulous illustrator with wonderful creatures who dance about at her wonderful blog!

and last but not least...

Andrew Finnie - each time I visit Andrew's world, I discover something new and magical - he is a creator-extraordinaire - not only are his illustrations multi-faceted, but his paintings are true gems. Please visit if you have not yet! : ) 

Thank you dear friends for stopping by this past month! I'm hoping November finds you and yours enjoying warm beverages and moments to reflect the beauty of the season.