I am always astounded when I put brush and pencil to a flat surface and something springs off the 2-d canvas or illustration board and realizes its full 3-d form. After 40 plus years of creating art, I am still amazed at the creative process. I am an illustrator and writer of children’s books, but also love painting for the … Read More
The Creative Advantage of Dyslexia
How our brains are wired (our genetics) determines our temperament and what career path we choose — scientist, doctor, artist, writer, athlete, computer programmer… luckily, we are all very different. There is no normal, but a lovely kaleidoscope of affinities. Creativity is useful in any field, but not all of us are wired to think out of the box. Some … Read More
Live the Stories You Read!
How can you make a book jump right off the pages and come alive for your child? Live it up! Connect the story and the characters in the book to real life and imagination and you’ll be living the stories you read! Here are some activity ideas and book suggestions. DO IT: When you read a book about raking leaves, … Read More
Favorite Lists of Favorite Children’s Books
Your child’s favorite and not so favorite can books change constantly as he or she is learning and exploring life. As children mature, their attention spans get longer and new interests start to develop. What stories does he sit and listen to with anticipation? What books draw her in and make her beg for more reading time? When you need … Read More
Creativity Infusion
I recently drove across Massachusetts to get a creativity infusion! My first stop was the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, MA, just up the road from North Hampton, which is a favorite college town of mine filled with shops and galleries displaying arts, crafts, and generally has a strong creative vibe. The “Eric Carle and Friends: … Read More
The Future of Children’s Books
Last weekend I spent 3 solid days immersed in the children’s book world at the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators winter conference in New York City. I listened to how illustrators, art directors, and editors collaborate–some cautionary tales and some stories of success. I saw examples of the artwork of so many accomplished (and legendary!) illustrators–Tomie dePaola, Peter Brown, Bryan Collier, … Read More
Welcome to Katrina’s Creative Musings!
Hello lovers of children’s books and reading aloud! This is the first of many posts to come that will give you suggestions of books to read to young children, strategies for reading aloud, and activities to extend stories. I will also sprinkle in some resources for teachers and parents and some thoughtful discussion about child development and children’s books.