Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Presenting the very talented Illustrator Author--Lindsay Barrett George

Please welcome my dear and generous friend, the very talented illustrator and author, Lindsay Barrett George. She's sharing with us about how she became an artist, about her writing/illustrating process and about her newest book, Maggie's Ball. Read to the end to learn about the very special Back-To-School giveaways from Lindsay! 

"I was born on an island where parrots and crabs and starfish and whales lived outside my bedroom window. I drew them. I now live in the country, where deer and otter and bear and heron inhabit my backyard. I draw them. How cool is it that some things never change?

My sense of wonder and belief in the power of books goes way back to my encounter with my parents' volume of the "Wonder Book of Knowledge". On page 469 there was a photo of a sea monster caught off the coast of Florida. At the age of two, I believed that the sea monster was alive in the book, and I would avoid walking too closely to the Wonder Book. . .way too scary! Do books have power?

My artwork has always been about my environment. While living in New York City, I worked in children's publishing, but in my free time I made wordless books. . .books about the city, city dogs, city foods and city stories. I fell in love with the book as a story telling object.

I love mysteries. As I start out to create each of my books, I feel as though I have a mystery to solve. Writing the story and designing the book is my way of finding the solution. There is magic for me in creating children's books. I also love the "aha" moments when ideas come together and pop. For me, that usually happens while driving the car, walking my dogs, or in the moments just before waking, in the very early morning. I often look for happy accidents, or patterns.

About my process:

It all starts with a concept -- concept is king! Without a concept, there is no book.
Next, I start writing down all that I want to say, what I think the story is. . .and then,
I start to tweak. And re-write.

As I revise my story, I'm also making little dummies of the book--paper folded into the correct pagination for my picture book (32 pages is a good start) with the text taped in place. Until I make my initial dummy, I can't see how the story will flow as a book, or how it will page out--a book's rhythm is critical to its success as a page turning object.

After several dummies, I start working on a sample full color spread to see how the book will look.

I go back and forth between revised text, revised dummy and painted samples of several pages. And after I feel that everything has balance, that everything is working together to make my story come alive for my reader, I then submit my dummy to my editor, along with the full color painting.

For a little girl whose passion was drawing birds and fish and flowers and trees, to end up as an artist whose passion is drawing birds and fish and flowers and trees--it doesn't get any better."

Learn more about Lindsay here: lindsaybarrettgeorge.com  It's very visual, of course, and filled with warmth, like Lindsay. You'll learn about the many books she's written and illustrated. There are special FUN pages for kids to color, and much more you'll want to check out!


Maggie's Ball by Lindsay Barrett George (Kirkus *Starred Review) "When a strong wind sends Maggie's ball bouncing away, the floppy-eared pup sets out on a mission. Through the town she traipses to find her beloved yellow ball. Decoys, including a lemon, a pocket watch and a balloon send her scurrying from market to clock shop and, finally, to the park, where the disheartened dog sits unknowingly near her toy. But the journey isn't without purpose, as a young girl finds the ball, and, what's more, a friend in Maggie. [Lindsay] George effectively communicates Maggie's physical and emotional journey through multiple perspectives. Close-ups tell of Maggie's curiosity, dejection and joy, while aerial-like views create a visual roadmap of the town. The artwork's flatness hints at pre-Renaissance perspective, but the textures and bright palette--done in a water-based medium--conjure Mexican muralism. A consistent, directional progression of the story, large, easy-to-red type, the challenge of finding the characters and naming the objects and places, and the gentle, sweet ending make Maggie's adventure a perfect title for young readers, who want their own pup to play with by tale's end." (Picture book Ages 2-5/Published by Greenwillow Books) Order your copy of Maggie's Ball: http://amzn.to/bjRQbP     Now meet the real Maggie from the book:

Isn't she sweet? Maggie loves people and kids! I know, because we're friends. Sometimes she even goes to school visits with Lindsay:

Speaking of school visits, it's time to tell you about the wonderful giveaways that Lindsay is so generously donating to readers!

First: Lindsay has donated 5 signed posters from the book.
Second: Lindsay has donated a copy of Maggie's Ball autographed by Maggie and Lindsay.


And now the BACK TO SCHOOL GRAND PRIZE:  ONE FREE SCHOOL VISIT  to one of you lucky lucky teachers or school librarians!  Lindsay will come to your school for FREE if your school is willing to pay her travel expenses. That's it. She'll go anywhere in the USA!

How to WIN: As always, you must leave a comment here. The more times your write in, the better your chances of winning, since ALL winners for ALL prizes are chosen by random.org.

HINT: If you are a teacher or a librarian and would like to win, pass the word to your colleagues in your school district and have them leave a comment, too.

If you are a parent and would like Lindsay to visit your school, make sure the teachers in your child's school know about this very special gift! You can leave a comment for your child's school as well, as long as the school is willing to front Lindsay's travel expenses.

Hurry, because the drawing is in ONE WEEK!!!! Please pass the word! Here's the link to Lindsay's website one more time: lindsaybarrettgeorge.com   If you want to be entered in the drawing for the book and posters only, be sure to put that in your comment. If you want to be entered in the contest for all the prizes, write: MY SCHOOL WANTS LINDSAY to come! Good luck!

43 comments:

  1. Hi Clara! Lindsay has such a beautiful talent! Both a writer and illustrator! I would like to be entered in the drawing for the book and posters only. Thank you Clara!

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  2. Oh, I forgot something...so I guess this qualifies as a separate comment, right?! :D
    I also went to Lindsay's website and checked out a lot of info and drawings there, etc. How beautiful! And how generous to include the 4 pages of fun and drawing that can be printed!

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  3. I love Linsay's work!!! MY SCHOOL WANTS LINDSAY to come!

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  4. Hi Becky--Thanks for leaving a comment. You're entered in the contest for the book and posters!

    Hi Amy--Thanks for stopping by! You're entered for ALL the prizes including the SCHOOL VISIT!

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  5. Love the real life photo of Maggie and as always, I love any book that has to do with dogs. I am currently working on the blog post to let teachers know about this incredible opportunity for Lindsay to come to their school for FREE.

    Margo
    http://margodill.com/blog/

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  6. Margo--Thanks so much for spreading the word and for all the wonderful books you share on your blog! Your name goes in for the drawing, too!

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  7. What a fantastic prize! How wonderful of Lindsay to offer a free school visit. You have a gem of a friend, Clara!

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  8. Hey, Jen, I'm blessed with friends who are gems (like you!) Thanks for spreading the word!

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  9. What an adorable book and puppy! Love it! I would like to be entered in the drawing for the posters/book. :)

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  10. Hi Rebecca T., I agree--Maggie and book are both adorable! You are entered to win a poster or the book!

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  11. Thanks. I really enjoyed reading what works for her as a writer. It's always cool to get into a writer's head.

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  12. Hi Sioux, Thanks for the comment. I agree that it's cool to find out what goes on in the head of other writers. Your name is entered for the drawing.

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  13. Tweeted and blogged. Thanks for the heads up, Clara! Is Maggie a dachshund? Adorable.

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  14. Thanks for spreading the word, Kristin! Maggie is a dachshund--the small version! She is so sweet and she really loves kids! Your name goes in for the drawing, too!

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  15. I Love Lindsay Barrett George almost as much as I love Clara!
    I would love Lindsay to come to my school!

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  16. Clara,
    Thanks for giving us some insight into Lindsay's Work!

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  17. Thanks for all the love, Susan! Your name goes in for ALL the drawings--book, poster, and SCHOOL VISIT!

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  18. Your name goes in TWICE, Susan, Smart librarian!

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  19. Love Lindsay's sense of wonder and how it shines through here.

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  20. I just like the interview! AndI like Lindsay, and her work. Great blog post!

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  21. Cmills. . .AND that sense of wonder that shines through is what we all love about you and your books, Claudia!

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  22. What a great opportunity! Thanks Clara!!!

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  23. I'm a teacher at the Preston Area School and would love to have Lindsay visit our school!!

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  24. Preston Area School, your name goes in for the Free School Visit drawing!

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  25. My School still wants Lindsay to come! Maybe she can bring Maggie! That is a great book- especially the end where we see them reading! ( That's the Librarian in me!!

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  26. My School still wants Lindsay to come! Maybe she can bring Maggie! That is a great book- especially the end where we see them reading! ( That's the Librarian in me!!

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  27. Susan--Well, now, a personal invitation for Maggie? Bow WOW! Your name goes in again, smart librarian!

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  28. I LOVE Lindsay! I write middle grade and YA stuff. Like Lindsay, I share my home with lots of animals and I love watching them and writing about them. Lindsay inspired me to write my first picture book and I am so grateful. Not only does writing a picture book inform
    my fiction, I want to write more picture books. There's something so quiet and kind of profound when you get it --when you find the words
    that make your story come around. WENDY TOWNSEND, author of LIZARD LOVE

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  29. Lindsay, thanks for telling more of your process.
    Like reading about that.
    And I have to admit that Maggie looks like a real cutie. Does she canoe too? And thanks for adding printable sheets to go with the book on your web site.

    Enter just for posters.

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  30. Hey Shultzie, Thanks for stopping by to leave a comment. Your name goes in for the poster drawing!

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  31. Thanks, Wendy, for the thoughtful note about how Lindsay inspired you to write your first picture book. I'll be watching for it!

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  32. HI Clara,
    The information is so good on Lindsay- for the last two years our younger kids did Author studies about Lindsay because they were studying animals in the back yard- her books are perfect for that!
    I would love Lindsay to come to our school!

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  33. Clara, was just thinking what a generous heart you have in sharing all this information in interviews of your fellow authors and how supportive you are of them and their works.
    They are certainly blessed to have you as a friend.

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  34. Anonymous (Whoever you are!)--Thank you for your kind words!

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  35. I love Lindsay's new book. Maggie looks just like my dog Oscar!! I would love to win a visit from Lindsay!!!

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  36. Lindsay is a wonderful writer! We would love for her and Maggie to visit our school!!!

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  37. The Preston Area School wants Lindsay!!!!!

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  38. Preston School loves Linsday!!!

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  39. Clara, our rural school by the Delaware River would be prefect for a Linday Barrett George visit. Our students are very familiar with animals and the environment. MY SCHOOL WANTS LINDSAY TO COME!

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  40. Damascus School wants Lindsay!

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  41. Clara what a great blog! We would love to have Lindsay visit the Preston School!!!!

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