Thanks for stopping by and welcome to Day #6 of the  Ellen’s Broom blog tour. Ellen’s Broom is a picture book written by Kelly Starling Lyons, illustrated by Daniel Minter, published by Putnam Juvenile. It’s a winner, already collecting accolades from the Junior Library Guild.

Ellen’s Broom is a perfect marriage of words and pictures. No pun intended, though Ellen’s Broom is a story that honors the institution of marriage. It explains, for children, the African American tradition of jumping the broom.

Daniel Minter’s illustrations dazzle with crisp lines and bright colors. He created his art by carving images into linoleum block, hand printing, and then coloring with paint. The result is a treat for the eyes, bold and confident.

Today I feature a brief interview of Daniel Minter.

Don: Tell us about your art for Ellen’s Broom.

Daniel: I was thrilled to get the opportunity to create the illustrations for Ellen’s Broom because at the time I was working on a series using brooms in my artwork. The brooms I was making were not all wedding brooms but one of the reasons I was using the broom was to recall the tradition of jumping the broom in the African American wedding ritual.

The illustrations for Ellen’s Broom were all created using linoleum block prints that were printed in black ink the painted using thin acrylic paint similar to the way water color is used. Before settling on the painted Lino-cut, I tried a more painterly technique but we found that the bold line and hand carved look gave the illustrations more of a rustic look to fit the period of the story.

Daniel Minter is the illustrator of many books for young readers. Other books he’s illustrated include The Footwarmer and the Crow, written by Evelyn Coleman; Seven Spools of Thread, written by Angela Shelf Medearis; and New Year Be Coming: A Gullah Year, written by Katharine Boling.

In addition to artwork created for children’s books, Minter is the designer and illustrator for the new Kwanzaa stamp.

From A Statement on the Art of Daniel Minter from the artist’s website:

“Minter’s art is a protective art. And an art of protection. Firm lines. Crossed roads. Boxes. Square things. And the open circles of offering. The discipline of love.”

“Daniel Minter’s art work is a study of memory. The many ways in which memory is embedded into our past, present and future. It is the interconnection of time that contains the essence of what memory has left behind. These concepts are the inspiration for Daniel Minter’s paintings and sculpture.”

Ellen’s Broom brought forth memories of my own wedding, the day my wife and I jumped the broom. Here’s a photo of our wedding (Don and Tamera), and the wedding invitations that we designed (for more than 600 people):

See also:

Meat Tray Block Printing – Inspired by Ellen’s Broom, hosted at Simple Saturday

Oh, and don’t forget: If you leave a comment on this blog, Kelly’s FaceBook author page, or on any stop along the tour, you win a chance to receive the grand prize — a lovely wedding/anniversary broom courtesy of Stuart’s Creations and a signed poster of the Ellen’s Broom cover. Kelly will draw the winner on the morning of January 16. (Due to postage costs, the winner must be from the United States or Canada.)

See the complete blog tour schedule here.

Thanks again for stopping by!

The definition of a great book, I would say, is one that a reader returns to over and over again. Folks often ask about my favorite childhood books. Well, a couple weeks ago, I rediscovered it while at The Book Spot in Round Rock: My family’s Better Homes and Gardens Family Medical Guide. Love! Love! Love!

This baby is illustrated with every disease one hopes to never get. And the illustrations aren’t bad either. In fact, they are quite artsy-fartsy-cool, while informational at the same time.

The title page of this copy looks just like our family’s copy, torn with browned tape. Ah, memories!

The artwork really was nice, circa 1973, psychedelic.

I loved this flip-through look at the inside of the body, guts and bones, veins and ligaments:

Infectious diseases! This was my favorite chapter, and likely explains my hypochondria today.

And it included everything a 10-year-old kid would want to learn about the birds and bees.

This was my favorite chapter. I don’t know why, but I was all into eyeballs. I used this chapter as reference for my 7th grade science project, where I created a 3d model of an eyeball.

Anyway, that’s it, one of my favorite childhood books. It’s a wonder I didn’t become a medical illustrator. Well, actually in college, while on an internship at the College of Osteopathic Medicine, I was offered a free medical illustration course. But to test me out, I had to spend a day in the morgue. I got sick only after a few minutes, watching students slice human corpses like deli lunch meat.

My friend, Debbie Gonzales – also known as one of the best darn SCBWI RAs in the country – is holding a holiday give-away campaign at her ReaderKidz blog.

Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite, written by Anna Celenza and illustrated by me, will be given away on December 1, along with a $15 iTunes card and DVD documentary of the band leader.

ReaderKidz everyday through the holiday for chances to win! Other books up for grabs: Nancy Bo Flood’s Sand to Stone; Chris Barton’s Shark vs Train; Jeanette Larson’s Hummingbirds: Fact and Folklore; more!

I want to thank everyone who supported this giveaway. All in all, more than 60 people participated by posting updates to their Facebook pages, “liking” my Facebook author page, Tweeting, or commenting. I appreciate your support by spreading the word.

I put all the names in a hat and here are the winners:

Grand Prize: A signed copy of Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite (with music CD), choice of a $25 iTunes or Amazon gift certificate (winner’s choice), DVD of Jazz Legends: Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1929-1943.

Winner: Dorina

Winners of signed books:

Kerry Aradhya

LaQueshia Jeffries

Teresa Garrett

Sandy Sansom

Ethan Ham

Lynn Alpert

Cathy

Renee G

Shelley Jackson

Liz Samo

In addition, I’m giving away  three more copies, just because. Ms. Rita Painter, Ms. Rachel McInnes, and Cynthia Leitich Smith.

I’ll contact winners through email.

At a recent family literary night in Corpus Christ, Texas, elementary kids performed my book RON’S BIG MISSION. The play was adorable, and I was appreciative of the children’s enthusiasm and hard work.

A small group of children took turns narrating the story, while others acted out scenes. The set was fully decorated to look like the scenes from the book. The most poignant moment was when Ron McNair was denied a library card because of his race.

This activity was a great way to introduce kids to the story, because it put them directly into the shoes of the characters. The kid who played Ron McNair was brown-skinned. He surly felt what Ron McNair must have felt in that South Carolina library, circa 1960. I hope he and the other kids walked away with a greater appreciation of the freedoms they enjoy today.

I encourage teachers and librarians to use activities like this leading up to school visits. Introduces kids to my books, and so they’ll be excited on the day of the visit. Thank you Rose Shaw Elementary (photos used by permission of the librarian and parents).

In celebration of Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite (Charlesbridge, 2011), a new book that I illustrated, written by Anna Harwell Celenza, I’m giving away 10 free copies and a grand prize!

The grand prize: A signed copy of Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite (signed by me, Don Tate), choice of a $25 iTunes or Amazon gift certificate (winner’s choice), DVD of Jazz Legends: Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1929-1943. And don’t forget, every book comes with a CD filled with Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite holiday jazz music!

Single prizes: Ten individuals will win one signed book.

Several ways to enter — Do one (1) of the following:

**Tweet this blog post. Let me know that you’ve tweeted so I can enter you in the drawing. Here’s a suggested tweet:

Enter to win a copy of DUKE ELLINGTON’S NUTCRACKER SUITE, a jazzy holiday book, illus. by Don Tate (@devas_T): http://bit.ly/qOvwgH #kidlit

**Announce my giveaway on Facebook. Let me know so I can enter you in the drawing. Here’s a suggested status update:

Enter to win a copy of DUKE ELLINGTON’S NUTCRACKER SUITE, a jazzy holiday book, illustrated by Don Tate:  http://bit.ly/qOvwgH

**Like me on Facebook! Let me know that I’m ‘liked’ so I can enter you in the drawing.

**Or you can simply comment on this post (or email me directly). Be sure to include an email address (formatted like: don at donate dot com), or you can send me a link to your email address.

The drawing will be held and announced on Friday November 4th, 2011 (Deadline: midnight CST Nov. 3). I’ll put all the names in a hat. Those who have announced the giveaway on Twitter or Facebook will earn a double entry into the drawing. Let me know if you are a teacher or librarian, you’ll earn a triple entry!

Due to the high costs of postage, I’ve had to limit the eligibility to folks in the United States and Canada.

Again, 10 signed books given away, in addition to the grand prize.

A special thanks to my publisher, Charlesbridge Publishing, for donating books!

Thank you all for your support.

In honor of National Day on Writing, we at the Brown Bookshelf share our reasons for why we write for children. I wrote about why I write in general. I’m cross-posting here:

I write because I like to talk. I like to connect with others. I like being the life of the party. People who know me will read this and giggle to themselves, Don Tate, talk? Life of the party? Really?

Yes, really, I do.

Problem is, I’ve always been an introvert to the Nth degree. Shy, big-time. Given an opportunity to talk, I would clam up and not say a word. Talking made me apprehensive. But writing allowed me to verbalize myself freely.

When I wrote, I could be brave. I could make you laugh. I could make you mad. For better or worse, I’ve made a few of you cry. Writing is powerful.

I started writing about 6 or 7 years ago, a late bloomer. Writing opened me up, it got me out of my shell. I became more confident. Eventually, I could deliver a speech, or make a presentation in front of hundreds of people and feel comfortable in my skin.

So to this day, I talk. I connect. And I’m the life of the party . . . when I write.

I’m busy! Considering the awful economy and the uncertainty in the publishing industry, I consider myself blessed to have so many opportunities. As of yet, I haven’t experienced that workload lull that I’ve heard about from so many others. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Big news: I have a literary agent. I am pleased to announce that I am now represented by the wonderful Caryn Wiseman of the Andrea Brown Literary Agency. Caryn rocks. With more than 125 books sold since 2003, she is one of the hottest literary agents in the children’s book biz. She’s an editorial agent, which means she’ll help tame my WIPs before any editor will ever lay eyes on them. I’m excited to work with Caryn, she’s already negotiated by next book.

My next books: I can’t yet talk about them in detail. But I can reveal the authors–Eve Bunting and Kelly Starling Lyons.

Eve Bunting is Eve Bunting. Nothing more to say . You can’t get any more ubiquitous than Eve Bunting. I’m honored to have the opportunity to work with this author.

Kelly is my friend and colleague at The Brown Bookshelf. She’s the talented author of ONE MILLION MEN AND ME (2007), TEA CAKES FOR TOSH and ELLEN’S BROOM (2012). Kelly has written a wonderful, emotion-packed story. The book will publish in 2013.

At the Texas Book Festival in a couple of weeks, I have the honor of introducing one of my favorite author-illustrators, Kadir Nelson. During his session he will discuss his newest book, HEART AND SOUL: THE STORY OF AMERICA AND AFRICAN AMERICANS. Indeed, I’m one of his biggest fans, but I’ll try to keep it cool and not slobber all over myself during the introduction.

Well, I could go on, but I need to prepare for tomorrow’s school visits in Corpus Christi. Be back soon.

A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending an illustrators workshop at the Highlights Foundation, the first Founders Workshops dedicated solely to illustrators. The workshops were held in the wooded hills near Honesdale, Pennsylvania. A beautiful setting, I had a ball.

On the first day, we were provided a tour of the charming headquarters of Highlights magazine, which includes the offices of Boyds Mills Press. I had no idea until then that Highlights magazine also includes several trade imprints. We had the opportunity to chat with editors and art directors and ask questions. That evening, we were treated to one of the best meals I’ve ever had. In fact, the chefs at Highlights whipped up special meals every day of the three-day event. Top-notch.

Several people asked, “With so many books under your belt, why are you here as a student?” I attended the workshops because I never want to stop learning. The Highlights Founders workshops were an opportunity to work with, learn from, and exchange ideas with some of the top people in the children’s literature community. People like Eric Rohmann and Floyd Cooper, Melanie Hall and Suzanne Bloom, Lindsay Barret George. I met longtime legends like Vera B. Williams. And a surprise guest, Alix Kennedy, Executive Director of the Eric Carle Museum, dropped in to speak one evening. There were about 30 illustrators in attendance. I learned something from yet-to-be published illustrator, photographer, collagist Jazmin Ortiz. I had the opportunity to meet new-comer Andrew Day. And I was impressed with the work of Ashley Wolff, who has more than 50 books published! So there was a wide range of illustrators.

Attending these workshops forced me to cut four days out of my busy schedule to focus solely on trying out new techniques, something I’d never make time to do on my own.

Here are a few photos of my experience.

Here are some of the cabins where students and faculty stayed. I stayed in the infamous cabin #16, who in previous years had been occupied by author Audrey Vernick, SLJ’s Betsy Bird (Fuse #8), and Floyd Cooper! My roommate was Robert Squire, who tolerated my snoring and never complained once (well, maybe once).

The workshops included hands-on exploration of various techniques. What I learned is that I am NOT a collagist. At. All. But I enjoyed the experience. I came with a full box of supplies, but Highlights provided everything needed.

Here I am with a longtime mentor, Floyd Cooper (he maybe didn’t know he was my mentor). Floyd did a session where he demonstrated his subtractive painting technique using oil paint and a kneadable eraser.

Here are a few more photos:

[Show as slideshow]