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Viewing Blog: Lauren Castillo Blog, Most Recent at Top

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Children's Book Illustrator http://www.laurencastillo.com/

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51. JLG selection

By: Lauren Castillo, on 2/1/2012
Blog: Lauren Castillo Blog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: awards, Happy Like Soccer, JLG, Add a tag

I just found out that my forthcoming book, HAPPY LIKE SOCCER, is a Junior Library Guild selection! The book comes out in May, but wont be available from JLG till September of this year. Very exciting! Thank you, JLG!

3 Comments on JLG selection, last added: 2/2/2012

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52. snow day in brooklyn!

By: Lauren Castillo, on 1/21/2012
Blog: Lauren Castillo Blog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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53. Happy New Year!

By: Lauren Castillo, on 1/3/2012
Blog: Lauren Castillo Blog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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Wishing all of you a very joyous 2012! xo~Lauren

*image from my forthcoming book, The Reader, written by Amy Hest

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54.

By: Lauren Castillo, on 12/15/2011
Blog: Lauren Castillo Blog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: reading, trailer, Christmas is Here, Add a tag

Hi friends!
I hope these two little videos will help nudge you into the Christmas spirit if you’re not there already . . .

trailer for CHRISTMAS IS HERE

Rachel Marshall reading CHRISTMAS IS HERE

Happy Holidays to all!

2 Comments on , last added: 12/19/2011

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55. City Cat

By: Lauren Castillo, on 12/8/2011
Blog: Lauren Castillo Blog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: sketch, location drawing, city cat, Kate Banks, Add a tag

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile! But I have a good excuse — I've been traveling around Europe! Well, uhh, drawing Europe. That's pretty fun too! I'm working on a new book that involves 8 different cities in Western Europe. So far I've wandered through Rome, London, Marseille, and Barcelona . . . Must keep moving!!
Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season :)

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56. An early Christmas gift

By: Lauren Castillo, on 11/21/2011
Blog: Lauren Castillo Blog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Scholastic Book Club, Christmas is Here, Add a tag

Today I received a really exciting package -- copies of the Scholastic Book Club edition of CHRISTMAS IS HERE! I found out a few months back that Scholastic had chosen Christmas Is Here to be part of their book club, and I was beyond excited.

One of my very favorite memories of elementary school was when the Scholastic Book Fair came, and I was allowed to pick out and buy a book all on my own. The first book I remember buying was Imogene's Antlers by David Small. To this day it is still one of my favorite books. And David Small is one of my illustration heroes :)

If you're interested, you can download the "Holiday Gift Books" catalog right HERE

Thank you Scholastic for including my book in your club!!

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57.

By: Lauren Castillo, on 11/9/2011
Blog: Lauren Castillo Blog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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This Saturday I will be signing copies of my most recent books at Barnes and Noble in Bel Air, Maryland. If you live nearby, come say hello!

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58. Winning hearts

By: Lauren Castillo, on 11/6/2011
Blog: Lauren Castillo Blog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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Reviewers, kids, & even famous authors have been falling for little Spunky. And I don't blame them. Ann Cameron wrote a fantastic story about this loving dog and his family, and I'm so glad it's getting the attention it deserves. Hooray for Ann and Spunky (and our fabulous editor, Frances Foster, too)!

Here are some review clips:

“Cameron has written another top-notch entry in the Julian and Huey series, this time from the brothers’ pup’s perspective . . . Readers will be simultaneously tickled by [Spunky's] canine observations and moved by the profound connection between dog and family . . . Though the narrative doesn’t need embellishment, thickly outlined illustrations pepper the text, giving readers a visual reference for some of Spunky’s antics. A gem.”--School Library Journal, Starred Review

"The beloved family of Julian and Huey Bates (The Stories Julian Tells, 1981, etc.) is back after a long hiatus. Spunky, their mixed-breed dog, hilariously reveals all about his humans and realizes his purpose in life . . . Spunky’s love of his boy, Huey, will bring a tear to the eyes of dog lovers, too. Castillo’s perfect black-and-white spot drawings capture the energy and intelligence of both animals as they begin the careful dance of new friendship . . . Readers ready for chapter books will delight in seeing the world through Spunky’s eyes and powerful nose.”

--Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“With a jacket showing a winsome pup only Cruella de Vil could dislike, this is a beginning chapter book that begs to be read.” --Horn Book Magazine

“Dog fans … will delight in Spunky’s tail-wagging tale-telling, which could introduce a new generation of kids to the Bates family chronicles . . . [A] deeply touching tribute to the dog-kid bond.” --Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (BCCB)

“Spunky Tells All is a beautiful tale of human, cat, and dog finding friendship together. I loved it. It speaks with deep spirit and fine observation of small telling things in a way that young humans will understand.” --Paula Fox, author of the Newbery Award winning The Slave Dancer

“I loved going back inside Huey and Julian's world, but this time, through the eyes of the wise and loyal Spunky. A book with humor, heart, an

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59. The Original Art 2011

By: Lauren Castillo, on 10/19/2011
Blog: Lauren Castillo Blog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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I'm honored that two of my books are included in this years Original Art Show at the Society of Illustrators! Many thanks to the jury for selecting CHRISTMAS IS HERE and MELVIN AND THE BOY. I look forward to seeing lots of lovely book folks at the opening reception next Thursday evening, October 27th. Here are the details if you'd like to join. Hope to see you there!

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60. Spunky leaps in to libraries and bookstores today!

By: Lauren Castillo, on 10/11/2011
Blog: Lauren Castillo Blog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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So excited to announce the release of SPUNKY TELLS ALL, written by the wonderful Ann Cameron. You can read this lovable dog's story in either hardcover OR Ebook.

Go on and grab your copy today! How could you resist such a dog? : )

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61. more blogger love

By: Lauren Castillo, on 10/3/2011
Blog: Lauren Castillo Blog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: reviews, Melvin, Add a tag

There's been some more Melvin love in the blogosphere these last few months!
I wanted to take the time to thank these kind bloggers for the nice things they have said about the book:

“Melvin and the Boy” is a lovely little book. Both text and illustration work in concert with each other to create a fun, cohesive whole. The text is simple and straightforward with playful artwork filling in the holes. Children will love the images of other pets and parents will appreciate the book’s message. And a two-page section at the end featuring turtle facts is a fun and somewhat unexpected addition. ~ Cracking The Cover

The Boy of the story is delightfully sweet and appealing, his words expressed simply and honestly. Castillo's text and illustrative style are equally praiseworthy. ~ Storied Cities

Melvin and the Boy revisits the familiar theme of the child who wants a pet, but successfully finds the sweet and sentimental tone missing from most picture books on that topic. The illustrations are beautiful and have a timeless feeling about them. At the end of the story there is a series of facts about turtles to share with the young readers. Melvin and the Boy will remind you of the classics. ~ A Picture Book A Day

Every picture is beautiful and charming, with fabulous contrast between bright and subdued colors. There is so much to look at on every page that the squirmiest toddler is sure to focus, and yet Castillo manages not to go too far in the other direction and make the illustrations too busy, they are just wonderfully nuanced. ~ Devourer of Books

In my opinion [Lauren] hit a home-run with Melvin and the Boy. The illustrations do a beautiful job of walking with the text though the story. Nothing about this book is flashy. It has the look and feel of a classic. ~ Sharpread

Thank you again. The amount of love Melvin has received is truly overwhelming.
xo~Lauren

62. A MELVIN reading

By: Lauren Castillo, on 9/23/2011
Blog: Lauren Castillo Blog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: trailer, Melvin, reading, Add a tag

Special thanks to the precious (4 yr old) Rachel Marshall for sharing her wonderful reading of Melvin and the Boy. You did an A+ job, Rachel! Keep up the great work :) xoxo

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63. Turtle Facts poster!

By: Lauren Castillo, on 9/20/2011
Blog: Lauren Castillo Blog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: poster, classroom, Melvin, Add a tag

Parents! Teachers! Turtle lovers! There is now a fun and informative 11 x 17" MELVIN poster available for free on the Macmillan website. Just head right HERE where you can click on the link to download and print a copy for your classroom or homework room.

Did you know that turtles were here on Earth before dinosaurs?!

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64. A very snowy desktop

By: Lauren Castillo, on 9/13/2011
Blog: Lauren Castillo Blog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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My computer's desktop has become snowier by the day, as I hustle to finish up final art for my newest book, THE READER, by the great Amy Hest. Placing myself in this blustery snowscape helped me to survive the string of heatwaves we had in NYC this summer. Perfect timing I say :)

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65. International Society for Animal Rights

By: Lauren Castillo, on 9/6/2011
Blog: Lauren Castillo Blog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: donation, Fundraiser, Melvin, ISAR, Add a tag

Last month I had the pleasure of donating a signed copy of my book Melvin and the Boy as part of a raffle to help raise money for ISAR's (International Society for Animal Rights) International Homeless Animals' Day.

Here's a bit about this annual event:

"In 1992, ISAR introduced International Homeless Animals’ Day as an innovative educational vehicle with a purpose of informing society of the global tragedy that overwhelms animal shelters each year – pet overpopulation. Since the conception of International Homeless Animals’ Day, ISAR has reserved the third Saturday of August, commemorating the Day annually, to promote new campaigns, programs, and ideas on the solution to the pet overpopulation epidemic: spay/neuter."

If you're interested in learning more about ISAR, or would like to help, please head over to their website for more information.

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66. MELVIN Activities!

By: Lauren Castillo, on 8/25/2011
Blog: Lauren Castillo Blog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: teaching, activities, classroom, Melvin, Add a tag

Parents and teachers! Looking for some rainy [or not rainy] day activities for the kiddies? A fun MELVIN AND THE BOY activity guide is now available to download off the Macmillan website. The guide includes a turtle word search, coloring page, connect the dots, and drawing sheet. Head over and print out your copies today! (scroll down to the pdf labeled "Activity Guide" to download)

Also, COMING SOON! A "Turtle Facts" poster will be available to print for your classroom or home. . . will keep you informed!

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67. [official] review city

By: Lauren Castillo, on 8/15/2011
Blog: Lauren Castillo Blog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: reviews, Melvin, Add a tag

Over the last couple months, MELVIN has collected some really nice reviews that I've neglected to share here. So, here they are, better late than never:

Booklist:

"Castillo, whose winning artwork has appeared in numerous picture books, including Emily Jenkins’ What Happens on Wednesdays (2007), makes her writing debut in this sensitive title. “I ask Mom for a dog like that, but she says, ‘Too big,’” says a young boy as he walks with his mother down a street in their city neighborhood. At the zoo, a monkey catches the boy’s eye, but Dad says, “Too much work.” Then, at the park, the boy spots a turtle, names him Melvin, and convinces his parents to bring him home only to realize, after Melvin mostly hides in his shell, that the turtle would be much happier back in the park. With pared-down, rhythmic words and mixed-media illustrations filled with spot-on body language and details from an urban child’s world, Castillo elevates the familiar theme of a child’s unrequited yearning for a pet, adding a welcome twist when the boy, not the parents, is the first to recognize that Melvin belongs in the wild. A spread of turtle facts closes this well-crafted, gentle offering, which should find wide appeal."

Kirkus Reviews:

"Castillo’s illustrations, rendered in acetone transfer with watercolor and markers, have a soft visual texture, nicely aligning with the story’s quiet nature. Subtle humor punctuates the narrative as the boy diligently tries to play with his pet, whom he calls Melvin (“because Melvin is a good name for a turtle”). But the turtle “is hiding…[dis]likes pretzels…is shy…doesn’t even want to meet the other pets…[and] tries to sneak away.” Melvin finally emerges from his shell when the boy gives him a bath before bedtime, making him think that perhaps the turtle wants to return to the pond. The next day, the family returns Melvin to the pond, and the boy watches him swim toward two sunbathing turtles. Castillo deftly captures the child’s conflicted feelings with a tender expression of sorrow, his brow furrowed and his hand held to his mouth. The final image of three turtles together, facing a silhouetted, distant picture of the boy walking away with his parents, lends a comforting symmetry to the story as the boy says, “I can’t wait to visit him tomorrow!” Emotionally true and therefore highly satisfying." (Picture book. 3-6)

Horn Book Magazine:

"Castillo’s expressive artwork gently sets the boy in the center of a friendly, bustling cityscape and deftly conveys his long

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68. Gary Klinsky Children's Center school visit!

By: Lauren Castillo, on 8/5/2011
Blog: Lauren Castillo Blog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: school visit, event, Melvin, Add a tag

On Tuesday I traveled out to PS 292 in East New York to visit and share my new book MELVIN AND THE BOY with the adorable kids at the Gary Klinsky Children's Center. GKCC is an absolutely fantastic program, funded by Brooklyn Community Services (BCS) non-profit organization, that provides learning opportunities to children from low-income families who attend some of New York City's lowest performing schools (For more information, please check out their website). The children are currently studying marine biology and ecology, so it was the perfect time to introduce them to Melvin and his friends~

We had a great time, and those little guys even made me a welcome banner with paper plate glitter turtles! Best greeting EVER!

Winning 6 yr old question/comment of the day:
"You live in Brooklyn too?? Ohh, I thought you lived in a museum."

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69. Party!

By: Lauren Castillo, on 8/3/2011
Blog: Lauren Castillo Blog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: event, signing, Melvin, Add a tag

Wine, cheese, chocolate, and books — Come one, come all! :)

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70. MELVIN out in the world

By: Lauren Castillo, on 7/21/2011
Blog: Lauren Castillo Blog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Melvin, interviews, reviews, Add a tag

MELVIN has officially published!!! He hit bookshelves while I was out of town in early July. I have been illustrating books for about 6 years now, but this is the first I have written. Way back in the summer of 2007 I drew this in my sketchbook, which immediately sparked the story of MELVIN AND THE BOY.

Now, a whole 4 years later, it's an actual printed book! It's a scary thing to be 100% responsible for the outcome of a book — illustrations AND text — but hearing and reading the kind reviews and responses to MELVIN has been wonderful encouragement to write more stories of my own.

Here are a few reviewers that have shed some light on little Melvin:

—Shelf Awareness (click below image to enlarge/read)

—An article in The New York Times, titled "For Children Who Want Pets and Parents Who Don't"

—A Kirkus Reviews article by Julie Danielson, titled "Seven Impossible Things: Illustrators on Their Own"

—And, today Jules included Melvin on her Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast blog. If you'd like to see a handful of interiors from the book, head over there to take a look.

Thanks so much to these reviewers for their interest in MELVIN AND THE BOY! xoxo~Lauren

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71. bloggers like Melvin!

By: Lauren Castillo, on 6/27/2011
Blog: Lauren Castillo Blog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: reviews, Melvin, Add a tag

Melvin and The Boy will soon be appearing in bookstores!!! And a couple great bloggers have some exceptionally nice things to say about this turtle. Hooray! Many thanks to Travis Jonkers over at 100 Scope Notes for writing what is probably the most complimentary book review I have ever received. You can head over to his blog to read the whole review if you'd like. Here's a clip that made me smile from ear to ear:

"The text is a strong point, as Castillo does wonders with an extremely small word count. Succinct, yet crystal clear, this is a book that will work with very young children.

The illustrations put Melvin and the Boy squarely into Caldecott territory. Castillo uses a unique acetone transfer with markers and watercolor, and the results are gorgeous. The composition of each illustration is masterful, and the spreads are especially memorable, bursting with subtle skill."

And thanks to another outstanding blogger, Tasha Saecker over at Waking Brain Cells, for her oh-so-kind review of Melvin! Wander over to her blog for the entire review. Here's a little snippet:

"This is the first book that Castillo has both written and illustrated. Her writing is pitch perfect here, offering just enough detail and with the right phrasing and tone. It really feels as if a child was speaking in first person without becoming distracting. "

Thank you both so much for recognizing little Melvin and the boy! xo~Lauren

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72. Character sketches!

By: Lauren Castillo, on 6/17/2011
Blog: Lauren Castillo Blog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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Here's some character sketches I did for a new project I'm working on titled THE READER (written by Amy Hest). A boy, a dog, and snow—what could be better?

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73. Visitors!

By: Lauren Castillo, on 6/12/2011
Blog: Lauren Castillo Blog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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Melvin and the Boy have finally arrived!!!

My first book as author comes out in less than a month, and I'm pretty excited. Will share much more very soon!
(It is available for pre-order here if you're interested)

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74. 30 is a great number!

By: Lauren Castillo, on 6/1/2011
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75. American Booksellers Association Silent Auction

By: Lauren Castillo, on 5/18/2011
Blog: Lauren Castillo Blog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Melvin, donation, event, Add a tag

I donated this study from MELVIN AND THE BOY to this year's ABA Silent Auction (benefiting the ABFFE Fund for Free Speech in Children's Books) which is part of Book Expo America.

There's going to be tons of great art to bid on at the event ~ hope to see you there next Wednesday evening, May 25th! You can browse through all the art right HERE! And, details for the auction are HERE.

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