Catherine Johnson is writing a poem (HERE), prompt word ‘lighthouse’ (in cahoots with Jody Hedlund’s lighthouse series) and I doodled these images, because sometimes we like to push each other around, I mean, to motivate each other. But my lighthouse just would not come on it’s own. Finally a lighthouse keeper appeared…then a cat. I’m interested to see what will happen next!
Now for a PPBF selection (yes, I know Susanna’s blog is on vacation, but I can’t help myself – love sharing great picture books!).
Author/Illustrator: M.B. Goffstein
Publisher: Dial Press, 1976
Ages: 4-8yrs
Themes: humorous stories, grandmothers, retired life
Opening: When my grandmother went fishing, she would get up at five o’clock in the morning, and make herself breakfast,…
Summary/I like this book because: (from my library catalog) “Describes Grandmother’s typical day of fishing.” What? I think that was the shortest off-the-wall summary I’ve found yet! Let me do a little ‘splainin’. I didn’t have a single selection for today in my book bag. I picked this one off the shelf, that one of my kids chose as the elementary school library was getting rid of a slew of too well-loved books, to make room for new ones. I read it again, thought, this is not really a story that would be considered publishable today (no complication, no resolution), but it grabbed me, like a one-liner sticks long after you’ve left the scene. So, I googled, and found that this little smirk won a Caldecott Honor in 1977, and that this author I had not otherwise read (surprising only because I was averaging 100/wk for yrs), is famous – AND has a fabulous quirky website – HERE.
Resources/activities: check out M.B. Goffsteins’ post: How to Write and Illustrate a Picture Book. Now. HERE
You can still head over to Susanna’s blog for a wonderful list of titles with resources. She keeps the back door unlocked!
Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. -Henry David Thoreau
Wow – you’ve found quite the stunner today! Her website just leaves me gobsmacked. I adore the simple lines, the clarity of ideas.
And the Thoreau quote is one of my favorites. Cheers!
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Glad to hear you liked Goffstein’s site as well!
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Cool pics Julie! I didn’t end up doing a poem *slapshand*
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Love that simplistic pb too!
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Stinker!
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:0)
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Pingback: Lighthouse | Catherine Johnson
Julie, LOVE your illustrations. Wow!
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Thanks, Robin. Good thing I didn’t post the first attempts though!
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I’m sure it was probably pretty darn good. Love your work! 🙂
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Just like writing, crappy first drafts are not a bad thing!
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Sparse is an understatement. This is a very interesting book. I didn’t see a website but some info on Answers.com.
Your illustrations are excellent. The first reminded me of a troll watching for someone to cross his bridge. Do you ever draw a story before the text comes?
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Here’s another link attempt, Patricia: http://mbgoffstein.com/
Yes, I do sometimes doodle a story as I am drawing, but I usually have something in my head first. I think I need to let doodles dictate more often!
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Thanks, I’ll check it out. Yes, I do think you need to let your doodles show the story. As I looked at you doodles today, I could see a story emerging.
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Tough to do any research while double-landlocked though ! Haha!
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Great lighthouse, cat, and ‘keeper! 🙂
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Thanks, E!
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Absolutely LOVE these Julie.-Christy
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Thanks, Christy! Will you be coming to this years conference?
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As I mentioned on FB, these are delicious!!! You have totally nailed this style. . . owning it!
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I can’t thank you enough for your comments, your support, Kathryn. Means an awful lot to me.
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I love your sketches! So bright and happy!
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Thank you, Alina!
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Totally love your drawings, Julie. Absolutely terrific–and wonderful post to boot with all the links of interest. Cheers!
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Glad you enjoyed the post, and thanks for stopping by.
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