Salvador Dali

Dali illustrates Alice in Wonderland - Link!

Inspirational Quote for the day

"Imagination is more important than knowledge."
- Albert Einstein

The Phantom Tollbooth

Here's a link to a great article in the New Yorker about the children's book The Phantom Tollbooth marking it's fiftieth anniversary! Thanks, Norton Juster for creating such a great book.

-A

Maurice Sendak

Just thought I'd share this link since we love Maurice so much! Enjoy :D
Here's the link

-A

Quote of the Day

"Fairytales don't teach children that dragons exist, children already know that dragons are real. Fairytales teach children that dragons can be beaten."

-G.K. Chesterton

Book Choice of the Week

Little Polar Bear

By Hans de Beer

     My first grade teacher actually gave me this book while I was in her class a long time ago. Little Polar Bear is the first series of books I can remember reading, and I absolutely loved it. I couldn't wait to go with Lars, the little polar bear, on all of his adventures and meet new characters from different walks of life throughout the series. It's a great book choice for kids because they have a handful more to choose from if they enjoy the first one, which would hopefully allow them to enjoy reading as a consistent hobby.

     Lars, who lives in the North Pole with his mother and father, has only ever been exposed to the icey, whiteness atmosphere that surrounds him. He has only ever seen white animals such as himself and does not know much of anything about the differences that exist in the other parts of the world. Little Polar Bear educates kids on learning about and accepting others for their differences, all while taking young readers on a wild adventure. 

A few of the other Little Polar Bear books by Hans de Beer:

Ahoy There, Little Polar Bear

Little Polar Bear Finds a Friend

Little Polar Bear and the Husky Pup

-A

Illustrator of the Week

Bonnie Leick

     I've always had a love of "spooky" stuff, including monsters, as a child. In the story Goodnight, Little Monster by Helen Ketteman, Bonnie Leick illustrates the night life of a young monster as he is getting ready for bed. The story follows the young monster as he brushes his teeth, reads a bedtime story, and eats a snack-all the normal duties a young child would participate in during a nightly ritual. 

 

     Leick's artwork is soft and kind for the children's eye as well as masterfully crafted in regards to character design. There is a hint of realism but overall quirkiness that is exuded in the illustrations.

     

     While Leick pays attention to detail in some areas (i.e. the monster's fur and scales), she keeps an overall simplistic quality by avoiding overly ornate backgrounds in her illustrations. Leick's color palette keeps true to the softness she seems to be aiming for by keeping the colors subtle yet beautifully painted.

More of Bonnie Leick's playful illustrations can be found at:

Bonnie Leick's Website

-E

The Teacher From the Black Lagoon by Mike Thaler

I always remember this book when August rolls around and school starts back up. The Teacher from the Black Lagoon is a classic read for kids. It makes light of the terror children may feel when they walk into the mysterious and intimidating building that is their elementary school.

 

A new school year is always scary, you are in a class with different students, the comfort of your previous class is gone. What if your teacher is simply awful? What if she doesn't like you? All very serious questions for young minds. Students who are somewhat nervous or frightened for their new school year to begin can easily relate to this short book. Happy new school year and best of luck to all the kiddos out there!

-A

Minimalist Children's Story Posters

As an artist, I've come to appreciate all styles and movements in art. That being said, minimalism can be boring or confusing to some, yet these minimalist posters of classic children's stories are anything but drab and intimidating.
In fact, I kind of made it into a game... Try and guess what the story is before you scroll all the way down to the title!

                                               












































Find (or buy!) more posters here!

*disclaimer- none of these images are mine. They belong to the aforementioned link*


-E

Preview Sketches!

A couple of preview character sketches from a story that's currently in progress:

Very rough/primitive at this stage, but will be developed soon enough. Keep an eye out for more!

-E

Illustrator of the Week

Vincent X Kirsch

    I stumbled upon this children's book today in the library and was immediately attracted to the brilliant artwork. Vincent X Kirsch captures the childhood imagination perfectly in his colorful sketchy illustrations. 

     Two Little Boys From Toolittle Toys not only has beautiful artwork, however, it is also a wonderful story about the innocence of children's play toys and the idea that no matter how "serious" one must become to take care of responsibilities, the good-natured playful side of us will always continue to shine through.

     Vincent X Kirsch's illustrations retain the light-hearted youthfulness we all strive to hold on while reminding us of the childhood innocence that has never completely left us, regardless of the journey into adulthood we all have to face.

Check out more of Kirsch's amazing work at:
Vincent X Kirsch's Website
Vincent X Kirsch's Blog

-E

Book Choice of the Week

The Little Prince

By Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

     A common theme throughout many books that are intended for the entertainment of youngsters is the idea of being misunderstood by adults. But why? Why are adults so quick to write off a child's imagination as a "phase" that he or she will grow out of when it should actually be honed at this crucial, early age? Saint-Exupéry opens this classic children's book by letting the narrator's sentiments towards adults known. The Little Prince is easy to relate with, for anyone who has ever been a kid. 

"Grown-ups never understand anything by themselves, 

and it is exhausting for children to have to provide

 explanations over and over again." -The Little Prince

     The free-spirited and youthfulness that has been captured in the pages of The Little Prince is something that is not easily created, especially by an adult (Saint-Exupéry is the exception). There is something Peter Pan-esque about this story, an unwillingness to give up your childhood. It is a classic book that carries with it the nostalgia of former children, now grown, and the curiosity that comes with each new generation of eager minds. If you or your children are in need of some free-spirited adventure, whether they have already read this book or not, The Little Prince does not disappoint. 
-A

What Are These People Doing, Exactly?

This blog will consist of Amily's inspiration for children's short stories, books, and illustrations. It will also include their thoughts,opinions, and reviews of those already in existence. This blog will serve as somewhat of a public notebook or sketchpad onto which they will develop these rough draft concepts. It will be written by both authors simultaneously, whether the posts will be of their individual ideas or a collaborative attempt. Whimsical yet literal,  a portfolio of Amily is formed.

Who Are These People?

Emily Pollard: a creative soul with a love of all things artistic. Art is a huge part of her life and encompasses almost all that she does. Inspiration comes from a variety of sources including, but not limited to: the fauvists, Roald Dahl, Henri Matisse, everything Italian, nursery rhymes and fairy tales, Maurice Sendak, instrumental music, Salvador Dali, smiles and laughter, Egon Schiele, and of course, Shel Silverstein.
She has a huge heart for: music, cats and koalas, doubling over with laughter, ice cream, reading a good book at night time, the sound of waves crashing, astronomical findings, mexican food, native american patterns, and the naturalistic being.
Tldr; A starving college artist set out to be a teacher of art, student of life, an illustrator, and world traveler.

Amy Hunter: what's the deal with this kid? She gives preference to grammatical problems over math problems in most all cases. Enjoys jamming out to Steve Miller on most all occasions. Known to cry in public on many all occasions. Kidding. Severely allergic to cats, which interferes with Emily's adoration of them. Not kidding. Allergic to most anything, come to think of it. Spent 98% of elementary school in the library; the other 2% was spent in the nurse's office due to unrelenting asthma attacks. Firm believer that listening to Hall and Oates' "Rich Girl" will cure one of any ailment. Would give her life's savings for Italian food if need be.
Aspires to work in the book publishing field.
Inspired by the world in its entirety.


Amily: The Saga. Where to begin? Amy and Emily met in the midst of their awkward pre-teenage years. They shared a deep appreciation for the arts,  and thus began a friendship that would shape their entire lives. The inseparable duo stood side-by-side through the grim and blundering days of high school, which gave way to infinite inspiration and ideas that will fill the pages of this blog. Welcome to their world.