Have You Seen This Guy?

Hey! I'm at the SCBWI Winter Conference this weekend. If you see me, say hello.

SMALL TALK: I'm a Kentuckian living in Brooklyn. I've written lots of books for children including over a dozen books for Scholastic Education.

REAL TALK: I've got two projects on offer.

The Haunted Crayon 
[Middle Grade Chapter Book: 17,000 words, Ages 6-9]
Who’s afraid of the third grade?  Not Mark!  He has a Haunted Crayon that can bring his drawings to life beyond the page!  But is he about to be “drawn” into ridiculous danger by a buck-toothed vampire and a werewolf princess?

Scribble & Beep
[Picture Book: 32 pages, Ages 2-5]
Scribble and Beep are best friends, but that may be the only thing on which they agree in this quirky tale of a fastidious robot and a carefree doodle sharing a play date.

You can take a look at them here:
The Haunted Crayon
Scribble & Beep

THREE FUN FACTS I MIGHT SHARE 
AT THE GALA COCKTAIL PARTY SATURDAY NIGHT:

1. I once had a beer with Maurice Sendak. 
2. I also once sold books to J.D. Salinger. 
3. New York Magazine called my indie-rock picture book Good Morning Captain the "world's most terrifying children's book.”

THE HAUNTED CRAYON

THE HAUNTED CRAYON by David Martin Stack

[Middle Grade Chapter Book: 17,000 words, Ages 6-9]

Who’s afraid of the third grade?  Not Mark!  He has a Haunted Crayon that can bring his drawings to life BEYOND THE PAGE!  But is he about to be “drawn” into ridiculous danger?

Mark and his best friend Luna didn’t know what to think of the new kid.  Walter had problems.  For one thing, he was a buck-toothed vampire.  He couldn’t draw blood.  And he couldn’t draw either.  He needed an artist like Mark who could handle the power of the Haunted Crayon.  But the crayon was cursed.  It turns Mark into a ghost!  

An evil skull named Sligo has plans for the Haunted Crayon.  Sligo has an army of messed-up monsters and a terrible sense of humor that is almost as scary.  When Sligo turns their favorite teacher into a horrible Werebot, the friends share a crazy adventure that takes them from the dungeons of the school library to the dunes of the moon and back.  Along the way, Luna proves to be more than a rad scientist and dodgeball champion.  She’s a werewolf princess!

Can Mark, Luna and Walter protect the Haunted Crayon?  Can they turn their teacher back to normal?  Can they possibly survive Sligo’s awful jokes?  Together maybe they stand a ghost of a chance.  

The Haunted Crayon is a hilarious and spooky chapter book that is sure to appeal to boys and girls ages 6-9.  The manuscript is complete at just over 17,000 words.  It is packed with puzzles, mazes and drawing pages, and loaded with science facts about the moon.  It is the first book in a proposed middle grade series of chapter books that mix silly monsters and serious non-fiction.  

THE HAUNTED CRAYON by David Martin Stack [500 WORD SAMPLE/FIRST CHAPTER]

Chapter 1:  Disappearing Ink

I’m not scared of school if that’s what you think. It’s not like a math book ever said boo to me. Today was the first day of third grade at Sküll Elementary. And I was excited. I swear I was! 

So maybe my backpack was heavier this year than last year. But that was okay. Because it was full of new school supplies. I had a cool new mechanical pencil. I had brand new folders that I got to pick out all the colors. And better than that, I had a bunch of new notebooks with lots and lots of blank paper. And even better than all those things? I had new magic markers in just about every color. The magic part was that they were permanent markers! My mom finally let me have some. Everyone knows magic markers are what real artists use. No more little kid crayons for me.  

On the bus ride I couldn’t resist taking the markers out to show Luna. She wasn’t exactly impressed, but she was my best friend so she had to pretend to be. I could tell Luna was more interested in trying out the new magnifying glass her parents got her for Science class. That gave me an idea. I pulled out some of the monster trading cards I had made with my new magic markers to show her. I called them trading cards, but really they were just post-it notes that I drew my monsters on. So they were really small. Perfect for her magnifying glass. Now we were both excited.

The trading cards were of all the monsters I’ve ever met at Sküll Elementary. They weren’t real monsters obviously. There is no such thing as real monsters. But sometimes they were just as scary.  

There was the school bully who always broke my pencil tips on purpose. And there was the really loud computer teacher who didn’t like paper at all. And there was the recess monitor who wouldn’t let me draw on the playground and made me run instead. 

“I like the Ms. Gorgon one,” Luna said. Ms. Gorgon was the one with the strict rule about NO DOODLES on any schoolwork. “But I think she had more tentacles.”

We both busted out laughing.  

The bus driver glared at us in her big mirror. She shouted, “Quiet back there!” We stopped giggling as best we could. I was going to have do a bus driver monster trading card. She would have really scary eyes in the back of her head. But first things first. Luna was right. I needed to give Ms. Gorgon more tentacles.I uncapped one of my new permanent magic markers. It was bright green like a lollipop. But it smelled like shoe polish. I started to draw the extra tentacles when suddenly the bus jerked to a stop. My hand slipped.  

Next thing I know, the bus driver stomped down the aisle to our seats.

“Just what do you think you’re doing?” the bus driver yelled. “Are you vandalizing the bus seat?”

I didn't even know what “vandalizing” meant. But I felt really bad about the green line — the permanent green line — I had accidentally drawn on the back of the seat.  

“Give me those markers,” the bus driver said.  

And just like magic, my markers were gone.

###

SCRIBBLE & BEEP

SCRIBBLE & BEEP by David Martin Stack

[Picture Book: 32 pages, Ages 2-5]

Scribble and Beep are best friends, but that may be the only thing on which they agree in this charming tale of a carefree doodle and her fastidious robot buddy sharing a playdate.  

Playdates are so much fun!  But what if your friend wants to play something different than you?  Beep the robot knows exactly what he wants to do — and he doesn’t like it when you mess with his program.  But Scribble the doodle has her own ideas of fun — and they’re just as wacky and original as she is.  Can Scribble get with the program?  Can Beep draw outside the lines?  

In the tradition of beloved odd couples like Elephant and Piggie, Frog and Toad, or George and Martha, Scribble & Beep is sure to delight preschoolers ages 2-5 who are just learning to negotiate the ups and downs of their first friendships. 

Scribble & Beep promotes the healthy assertion of a child’s own individuality while celebrating the beauty of friendship.  It’s okay to like different things…and each other.  

SCRIBBLE & BEEP by David Martin Stack

Scribble and Beep were best friends. 

That is how it’s always been.  

Ever since Scribble was a little doodle, and Beep was just a microchip.

And today was a very special day.  

“We’re having a play date!” they both cheered happily.

“I’ve got a million ideas about what we could do!” Scribble giggled.  

“I can always count on you,” Beep beeped.  

So what would they choose?  

***

They could play games.

Scribble wanted to play checkers.  “That’s the one with lots of jumping, right?”

But Beep wanted to play chess.  “I know all the rules.” 

*** 

They couldn’t agree.  So they looked in the toy box instead.

Beep wanted to play trains.  

“I like to connect the tracks.  Did you know all the trains have names?”

Scribble liked trains too, but she wanted to play puzzles. 

“I like to dump out the whole box!  Look at all the shapes and squiggles!  Every piece is different.”

***

They couldn’t agree.  So they tried to make some music instead.

Scribble wanted to play her sax.  

“This is a little song called Peanut Butter Pizza.  It goes like this! 1, 2, 3…hit it!”

But Beep didn't know her song so he couldn’t play his drums.  

“Is this song hip hop?  Is it jazz?  Does it rock?”

***

They couldn’t agree.  So they made some art instead.

Beep wanted to take pictures of each other with his camera.  

“You get to press this button.  It clicks!  And then you have a perfect picture.”

But Scribble wanted to paint a princess or a pirate or a scientist.  She couldn’t decide.  

“She’ll be blue.  That’s my favorite color! And pink, and green! And yellow, and orange! Purple too!”

***

They couldn’t agree.  So they went to the playground instead.

Scribble wanted to kick her legs high on the swings.  

“It feels like flying! Watch my skirt float in the air.”

But Beep wanted to go down the big slide.  

“It’s shiny and metal. And you get to take turns!”

***

They couldn’t agree. So they headed to the park instead.

Beep wanted to collect leaves.  

“This red leaf has five points.  This leaf only has one.  Now you find some. We could keep score!”

But Scribble just wanted to climb trees.  

“It’s more fun to look at the leaves while they’re still on the branches.”

***

They couldn’t agree.  So they went to the zoo instead.

Scribble wanted to see the monkeys.  

“They sound like laughing.  Everything is their swing-set.  

I could watch them be silly all day.”

But Beep wanted to visit the aquarium.  

“It’s so quiet. And I like to count the fish.”

*** 

They couldn’t agree.  So they hit the beach instead.

Beep wanted to build sandcastles.  

“I can make towers and tunnels with my shovel and pail.  I have a castle all planned out.”

But Scribble wanted to run and play in the waves.  

“I have a bright beach ball.  And I can make a big splash.”

*** 

They couldn’t agree.  So they went to the amusement park instead.

Scribble wanted to ride the roller coasters.  

“I love the loops and dips and dips and loops.”

But Beep was afraid.  

“Roller coasters make me dizzy.”

***

They couldn’t agree.  So they went to the circus instead.

Beep wanted to see the clowns.  He liked clowns for some reason.  He couldn’t say why.

But Scribble did not want to see the clowns.  She was afraid of clowns.  She just was.

They couldn’t agree.  So they ended up at the library.

Scribble could not pick a book.

“Stories are so exciting!  Does this one have a pirate?  A princess? What about a monkey?  I want a story about a monkey pirate princess!  And I want a happy ending.”

Beep smiled.  That sounded like a great book.  But he liked books about facts.

“Facts make me happy.  So all my books have happy endings.” 

***

They couldn’t agree.  So they each picked their own book.  

(Scribble picked a whole stack of books.)

Scribble curled up with her pile of books on the floor.  Beep found a nice firm chair.  

At least, they found something they could do together.  Sort of.

***

Then before they knew it, the play date was over.  It was time to go home.

“Wow.  We didn’t agree on much today,” Scribble giggled. 

“That is a fact,” Beep beeped. 

Then Scribble and Beep shared a big grin.  

And together they both said,

***

“Want to do it again tomorrow?”

###

This Little Piggy by Tim Harrington

"I can't believe this book didn't already exist. How old is the toe game? Nobody was like 'What about the other little piggies?'" - Tim via Village Voice

Les Savy Fav's Tim Harrington has rectified this obvious oversight in children's publishing with a really special twist of this little piggy's tail/tale. Be sure to download the song!

Ghost Crayon

An early Halloween treat for your little ones!   

Preschoolers will be delighted with this charming tale of a haunted crayon that has lost its color and sets out to find it. Along the way, the little ghost crayon meets a colorful cast of spooky friends. This enhanced ebook includes an interactive coloring book feature.  Available now for your iPads and iPhones on iTunes.  Just 99 pennies!  All proceeds this year will benefit children's literacy programs.

Boo!

Science Fair!

Science Fair is a rocking kids album supporting a great cause. The record benefits science and engineering education for girls. A portion of proceeds goes to Girls Inc. Awesome.

And there's lots for your little scientist to explore at this fair. Maybe they're interested in biology? Plenty of earworms to check out! Physics? There are definitely some high-energy tracks! Chemistry? There's a great mix of bands here including Babe the Blue Ox, Elizabeth Mitchell, Mates of State (covering GBV's I Am a Scientist), The Deedle Deedle Dees, Moona Luna, and many more!




Buy on Amazon

Buy on iTunes


There was a science-themed musical extravaganza at the 92Y Tribeca this past Sunday.  Babe the Blue Ox,  The Deedle Deedle Dees, and Moona Luna dropped some mad science for the kiddos.  MC'ed by Ashley Albert from the Jimmies.  Check out photos below.

The Deedle Deedle Dees performing Time Machine 
(with Ashley Albert & Moona Luna's Sandra Velasquez)

Babe the Blue Ox performing Surfin' Minnesota

Jojo "running sound" during Babe the Blue Ox

Books that go BOO!

Here are a couple picture book parodies for Halloween.  They're so funny it's scary!

Goodnight Goon!

A Very Hungry Zombie!

*Yeah....The Very Hungry Zombie isn't really for kids, duh.

Elliott by Tobin Sprout

This is a beautiful book from one of my favorite songwriters, Tobin Sprout. Tobin's paintings perform a kind of gothic comic sleight-of-hand that feels just like circus magic. Elliott the rabbit is cute and spooky. It's a neat trick. And the story has all the melody and melancholy you would expect from an artist who wrote a song as perfect as "14 Cheerleader Coldfront."

I'm excited that Guided By Voices is back to rock. Hey-hey - the club is open! But let's hope Tobin continues to publish such wonderful stories for children. Carnival Boy, anyone?

Yellow Submarine

This may be the coolest children's ebook yet. A special tribute to Steve Jobs, this psychedelic undersea adventure lets your cool kid dive deep into a classic Beatles creation. Magical animations, videos and music bubble up from nearly every page.

And it's FREE! Snap it up quickly.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-beatles-yellow-submarine/id479687204?mt=11

Twistable Turnable Man: Shel Silverstein Tribute Album

What more do you need to know about this? Shel Silverstein wrote A Boy Named Sue. He is THE MAN! Or in this case, the Twistable Turnable Man. This tribute album has Andrew Bird, My Morning Jacket, Dr. Dog and Black Francis/Joey Santiago (of THE PIXIES!) and lots of other great artists. Kris Kristofferson...John Prine...I could go on....


Check it out...

THIS Los Angeles: Kids of All Ages

How is this for a rocking all ages show?  THIS in Los Angeles is presenting a super-cool celebration of children's books this month featuring a lineup of some of Posterband's favorite authors and illustrators.  Oh yeah...my books are part of the show too.  And let me just say it's kind of blowing my mind.

The show opens this weekend May 28th with an action-packed schedule of all kinds of awesomeness for the whole family and runs through the month of June.  Check out the details below or at: http://thislosangeles.com/

I'm going to be donating my proceeds from sales at the gallery or posterband.com to www.826national.org kids literacy organization all month.  So maybe buy some books or some art or something.

kids of all ages A celebration of children’s books and the artists behind them.


5.28.10 – 6.25.10.


Opening night – Friday 5.28.10 7-10PM. With a special reading of “An Awesome Book” by Dallas Clayton.


Also, a weekend full of awesome events for the kids!


Saturday 5.29.10 11AM-2PM. Special readings, a musical performance by Aska Matsumiya w/ her daughter Babel, make art on free pairs of kid sized Van’s with Travis Millard, Mel Kadel, and Parker Jacobs!


Sunday 5.30.10 11AM-2PM. More special readings, a musical performance by Mickey Adams and friends, and more!


Free children’s THIS shirts designed by Dallas Clayton.


We are all super excited for our 4th show at THIS, a huge celebration of children’s books with books and original artwork from the artists available for purchase with a portion of the proceeds going to 826 LA.


Calef Brown.


Calef Brown’s award winning picture books include Polkabats and Octopus Slacks, Dutch Sneakers and Fleakeepers, Tippintown: A Guided Tour, Soup for Breakfast, and the #1 New York Times Bestseller Flamingos on the Roof–Poems and Paintings. In addition to his own titles, he has illustrated many others, notably Greece! Rome! Monsters! by John Harris, Gertrude is Gertrude is Gertrude is Gertrude, by Jonah Winter, and The Neddiad, The Yggyssey, and The Cat-Whiskered Girl by Daniel Pinkwater. His illustrations regularly appear in magazines and he has been published in Time, Newsweek, The New Yorker, Rolling Stone, and many others. He has taught illustration at Art Center College of Design,and Otis College, and he visits elementary schools in New England and across the country. Calef lives and works in beautiful Mid-Coast Maine. 


Tad Carpenter.



Dallas Clayton.


Taken from HERE. If anyone ever asks you for a “bio” about yourself I can say unequivocally you’ve taken a wrong turn. 


Jef Czekaj


Jef Czekaj is a cartoonist, children’s book author and illustrator, and musician. Jef has illustrated several books for Charlesbridge Pulishing with one more on the way. His first book with Hyperion, HIP AND HOP DON’T STOP was published earlier this year. He DJs for an award-winning hip group under an assumed name. Jef lives and works in Somerville, MA. 


Parker Jacobs.


Parker Jacobs is a 2-time Emmy nominated Art Director for the hit children’s TV show Yo Gabba Gabba! He wrote and illustrated, “Only In Dreams” for Paul Frank Industries for which he worked as Senior Design Director for 7 years. He’s the father of 2 angels. 


Travis Millard.


Travis Millard (b. 1975), grew up in the backyard creeks of Olathe, Kansas. He founded the Fudge Factory Comics operation in 1997, now headquartered in Los Angeles. His work has been exhibited in the US and internationally, and has been published in numerous books and magazines. Some of his more highfalutin titles include, “Hey Fudge” (Narrow Books), “Hitten’ Switches” with Michael Sieben (Volcom), “Farts – A Spotters Guide” (Chronicle Books) and “How to Speak Zombie” (Chronicle Books). 


Caleb Neelon.



J. Otto.



Souther Salazar



Marisabina Russo.


Marisabina Russo began her career as an illustrator, contributing many drawings and five covers to The New Yorker magazine. She began writing and illustrating books for children in 1985. Ms. Russo is the author/illustrator of 23 picture books and 2 Young Adult novels, as well as the illustrator of 8 picture books by other authors. Her first picture book, THE LINE UP BOOK, won the International Reading Association’s award for Best Picture Book of 1987 and was named to the New York Public Library’s list of “100 Picture Books Everyone Should Know.” Her other books have won numerous honors including the Washington Irving Award, a Charlotte Zolotow Honor, and a Sydney Taylor Honor. ALWAYS REMEMBER ME, a book Ms Russo wrote about her family’s experiences during the Holocaust, was named an American Library Association Notable Book. It was also recently adapted and produced as a play by the theatre department of Idaho State University. Her most recent book, A VERY BIG BUNNY was a Junior Library Guild Selection. Website: www.marisabinarusso.com.
 


David M. Stack


David Martin Stack is the lead singer for Posterband – a playlist of cool things for cool kids. David has written several books for children, including two titles forthcoming from Scholastic Education, and Good Morning Captain (“the world’s most terrifying children’s book” – New York Magazine). He has worked in publishing for over fifteen years and has been an editor and reviewer for the National Poetry Series. He is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. David grew up in Louisville, Kentucky. He studied poetry and film in New Hampshire at the alma mater of Dr. Seuss and Captain Kangaroo. Now he lives in Brooklyn with his wife, his son and daughter, and a crazy dog. David is currently hard at work putting the final touches on a young adult novel about zombies and rock ‘n roll. All proceeds from the sales of David’s books and artwork will be donated to the 826 kids’ literacy group. www.826national.org



Nadine Westcott.


Nadine Bernard Westcott is the illustrator of many popular books for children, including Mrs. McNosh Hangs Up Her Wash and Mrs. McNosh and the Great Big Squash, as well as the author and illustator of The Lady With The Alligator Purse. She used to spend many hours chasing after her dog, who would come home only when ready and not a minute sooner. Ms. Westcott lives on Nantucket with her husband, Bill



Ben Woodward.