Can you believe it’s STILL summer? I’ve moved past the hectic camp weeks with my kids and into back-to-school shopping and weekend trips. I haven’t soaked up enough beach time, so maybe that’s why my mind was on the ocean for this month’s drawing sheet:
I hope kids have fun drawing and adding their own polka dot patterns to a whale shark. As always, I’d love to see what your kids/students draw!
I feel very lucky to have had two amazing events recently. A drawing workshop in Plaistow, New Hampshire followed by a visit to my hometown Weymouth, Massachusetts at Tufts Library. So many kids came out, drew with their whole imaginations, and asked fantastic questions. I get a little nervous about the turnout for summer events, but these really exceeded all my expectations. Big thanks to Jennifer Dawley in Plaistow and Amy Perriello and Christine Nault in Weymouth. Librarians are key to making these events special, no doubt!
So impressed with the kids’ drawings in Plaistow, NH. They were very focused!!!
I met some talented kids that are working on making their own books - wow! And my mom and sister came which was a big bonus.
I have a few more events coming up this summer. I’m super excited to return to Camden, Maine on August 19th from 1-4pm for their library’s annual Children’s Book Festival By The Sea. Look at this list of authors and illustrators! Midcoast Maine is one of our family’s favorite places to be in the summer, so I couldn’t be happier.
To round out August, I will join the Fantasy Faire at the Exeter Public Library in Exeter, NH on August 23rd from 11am-1pm. Pop on by (as you are or in costume!) to draw with me and pick up some Mini Doodle books to ride out the rest of the summer.
I’ve also been working on a few Highlights magazine assignments and another picture book submission. I spent a few mornings working at a coffee shop in Portsmouth, NH after dropping my daughter at a summer camp - it gave me the mental space to work on big picture planning and also sort out “The Crew” for a book idea.
WATCHING: Season 2 of This Fool - if you haven’t caught this comedy on Hulu, get to it. So funny. Also, I’m almost through a rewatch of The O.C. It’s 20 years old people!!!
LISTENING: The Barbie Soundtrack. Speed Drive makes me wish I was 16 and a new driver again. And to balance it, NYE by Local Natives.
READING: The last book I finished was the middle grade novel The Probability of Everything by Sarah Everett. Don’t look at anything, just read it. Next up is A Little Like Waking from Adam Rex (go follow him here on substack if you don’t already!)
I *almost* have royally big book news to share but it will have to wait until next month - I did mention how slow publishing is, right? You can also catch me online: @ginaperry_books on Threads or @ginaperry.bsky.social on Blue Sky.
Another great tutorial, thank you! Have fun in Maine and can't wait to hear your news!
I love this crew! The moose and lil bird on the ladder are my favorites.
How did the O.C. become two decades old?! Were you a "Seth girl" or a "Ryan girl?" 😄