It seemed only fitting that I share Vampire Bats for my October newsletter. The fun facts on these mammals are a bit gorier than usual, so give it a read-through before sharing it with your kids and students. You could also have kids draw with white crayons on black paper, then cut them out to make a little vampire bat colony!
I’ve had my head down working on lots of different assignments for Highlights - the regular magazine, High Five, and a few Hidden Pictures books. I’ve drawn an incredible number of bikes, vegetables, ice creams, cats, and farm animals in the past few months. I can only share a few of those next month when the November issues are available, but until then I can share the cover of a cool project I did at the start of the year (Dino Valentines!) and a fun Halloween Hidden Picture from October’s Highlights.
I’m also revising a new picture book dummy that I am absolutely over the moon about. I just love the main character and seeing how the story is growing and improving with each pass. I never feel comfortable sharing projects in development, but I will say that it’s possibly my weirdest book idea, and just right for the spooky season.
A few weeks ago I had a drawing workshop with the kids at Portsmouth Public Library. Photo credits to my daughter, Piper. You can expect all sorts of awkward faces when I’m drawing, but this one was me demoing “worried” in the warm-up drawings, far left. Note: You can find signed (and doodled!) copies of my Mini Doodles books at G.Willikers in downtown Portsmouth.
And finally… I have a new sticker in my Etsy shop. This swamp monster has been popping up in my sketchbook for years. It’s fun to have him tag along on my phone and water bottle. I’m giving away 3 stickers to the first three people who comment “MONDAY!” below. (US only).
MONDAY!!!
Monday! 💚