Whim

The one year anniversary of Picture Book Party is approaching, so it's time for a change. I've been on a strict schedule of writing entries five day a week for almost a year. That's what I committed to do when I started, and it's been interesting work and eye opening for me. I hope you've enjoyed it, too. Starting now, any blogging I may do will be posted by unscheduled whim! Thanks for reading!

iBookstore

It's Book Business Friday.
Apple is making it possible for authors to submit their ebooks to the iBookstore. It's the latest way to self publish. Read about it here and here. The video below shows Steve Jobs of Apple introducing the iBooks app, and iBookstore, back in January.

Box-o-rama

It's Real Kids Thursday. Different kids, different boxes--the classic toy.

John Scieszka

It's Writing Wednesday. John Scieszka has been one of the most visible and successful picture book writers for the last two decades. Want to learn a bit more about him? The brief overview on Wikipedia is here. His website is here. Watch him on Reading Rockets here. Check out his site to promote boys reading here. And lastly, a funny article, by him, about pronouncing tricky names of authors from several years ago in the Horn Book is here. There!

Illustration Skills

It's Illustration Tuesday. One of the schools folks (especially those from the East Coast) go to when they want to be illustrators is the Rhode Island School of Design. As well as degree programs, they also have a continuing education certificate program that includes children's book illustration. It's interesting to see the required courses. It shows what the fundamentals are and what training one should have. Go here and then click on Program Guide For Children's Book Illustration to see. There are courses in basic art skills, digital skills, book illustration, and portfolio preparation/professional practices. Knowing how to use Photoshop is considered a basic skill. Are you up on what you need to know? If you want to improve your skills, perhaps check your own local community college. Wikipedia on Photoshop is here.