Summer 2010

Well, if you live in the Northeast, you don't have to wait for me to tell you that this is one of the hottest summers on record. While me, my family and all the residents of Rhinebeck are dealing with the heat we are also preparing for Chelsea Clinton's wedding. That's right the Clintons, and all the news media who will descend on our sleepy little village the weekend of July 31st. I would like to personally invite any A list or B list star over for lunch on Sunday August 1st.

In the studio I've been very productive. This will be a VERY SPECIAL Fall for me. I have two books coming out Gunner, A Football Hero and A Joyful Christmas , A Treasury of New and Classic Songs, Poems, Stories for the Holiday. Gunner is the first book that I've written. So, I am finally an author- so hard to believe. I hope everyone enjoys Gunner. It's a special story that was inspired by kids I've met while visiting schools.

A Joyful Christmas

A Joyful Christmas, is a collection of new and classic Christmas tales. All the new work was written for my collection by some of my beloved writing friends.

In January, Lesa and I will team up again with the release of Before There Was Mozart: The Story of Joseph Bolulogne, Chevalier de Saint-George. Lesa did a fabulous job with the story of Joseph, a classical musician and son of a slave who influenced Mozart. You can visit Lesa's website for more information. www.lesaclineransome.com

On a different note, my friend Bill and Liz are traveling around the country. Liz is a retired art teacher/twig furniture artist and Bill is a former editor for Ceramic Magazine and currently teaches ceramics at Columbia School of Art and Design. Bill has taken a sabbatical and the two of them are traveling the country with no plans at all. They are letting the winds of the planet direct them. You and your students can read about their journey on their blog - www.billandlizhunt.com

The Exquisite Corpse Adventures are almost coming to an end. I just finished episode 22, a wonderful story written by Lemony Snicket. www.read.gov/exquisite-corpse. I've been honored with illustrating the last episode in August.