Art

It’s definitely cover art and page proof season for spring 2007 books. Today I received cover and page proofs for F is for Firefighting, the other picture book I have coming out next spring. So as long as I posted my cover for My Grandpa had a Stroke, I asked Teen to help me put up the cover for F is for Firefighting. Too bad I don’t have one more book coming out this spring…if I did, I might actually be able to post that cover myself. Third time’s the charm, right?

I like this art, too. But then again, I always like the art. I want to say that’s because I have no artistic talent whatsoever myself, that I can’t even draw a straight line with a ruler. But I got in trouble for saying that during a school visit in Wisconsin last spring. The art teacher was horrified that I would say such a thing to a group of kids. “Don’t tell them that,” she said. “Using a ruler isn’t art. Anybody can make art!” I appreciated her sentiment…and I will never again tell a child that I can’t draw a straight line with a ruler (even though I can’t). The whole reason I visit schools in the first place is to INSPIRE children…to give them the idea that they can do ANYTHING…IF they want it badly enough to work for it. And I do believe that any child can grow up to be an artist. But at the same time, I also know that I will never be able to make art like the people who illustrate my books can. I am truly in awe…