(no subject)
So, What was I doing two weekends ago when I missed ee_nez's birthday?
I was in Portland. Some of you may know I am a librarian. (You don't stop being a librarian - you just stop getting paid for it. I wonder if there's a group for former librarians? We should organize - but I digress.)
I read children's books and am not ashamed to say so. No, not just Harry Potter - but a whole host of other cool things. Basically, if it's well written, I read it. And that occasionally includes picture books.
I started reading Brian Lies with his last book "Bats At The Beach." It tells a wonderful story about bats going to the shore at night for an excursion. The prose is enchanting, but the illustrations are what really make it special. Bats in the moonlight, moon-bathing and playing vollyball. Bats sailing and having picnics. Bats roasting marshmallows with bug bits sticking out of them! It is absolutely adorable. And there's one little baby bat with floaties, who steals the show.
Recently Mr. Lies came out with a new book: "Bats At The Library." I would not have thought it was possible that you could do something more charming than the previous one, but I was wrong. My friend with cancer brought a copy to work and the whole work team was "ooo"s and "ah"s.
This time the bats come in to read and explore a library at night. You have bats reading fibonacci. Bats sending email. Young bats photocopying themselves. And just when you think it can't get any better, several pages of homages to the classic children's books, with illustrations in the style of those books - with bats: Little Nemo, Goodnight Sun, Pippi Batstocking, Winnie the Bat, my personal favorite - The Velveteen Bat, and many more. Floatie bat is back too. Clearly, these are labors of love by a gifted artist, who loves libraries, bats, and books.
Two weekends ago I got to meet and talk to him.
He was doing a signing at Powells in Portland. We drove three hours down from Seattle and I got to talk to him before his presentation for awhile. He signed my books. (And one for my friend, who has cancer.) And he drew little bats in them! We also got to meet his wife, who was really nice.
It was a small crowd - there were about 20 adults with assorted kids in tow. He read the book, spoke about putting it together, and even showed some of his original paintings. It was a wonderful experience. He says there will be another one about baseball. I can hardly wait.
It was a long drive, but it was worth it. (Hubby likes the books too. What can I say? We're a house of librarians.) It's always special to be able to talk to someone about their art. Not only do you have the art to enjoy, but you gain more understanding about it.
If you would like to see some of the pictures - check out his website here: http://www.brianlies.com/.
Then go out and buy his books - or at least get them out of the library. I promise you won't be disappointed.
I was in Portland. Some of you may know I am a librarian. (You don't stop being a librarian - you just stop getting paid for it. I wonder if there's a group for former librarians? We should organize - but I digress.)
I read children's books and am not ashamed to say so. No, not just Harry Potter - but a whole host of other cool things. Basically, if it's well written, I read it. And that occasionally includes picture books.
I started reading Brian Lies with his last book "Bats At The Beach." It tells a wonderful story about bats going to the shore at night for an excursion. The prose is enchanting, but the illustrations are what really make it special. Bats in the moonlight, moon-bathing and playing vollyball. Bats sailing and having picnics. Bats roasting marshmallows with bug bits sticking out of them! It is absolutely adorable. And there's one little baby bat with floaties, who steals the show.
Recently Mr. Lies came out with a new book: "Bats At The Library." I would not have thought it was possible that you could do something more charming than the previous one, but I was wrong. My friend with cancer brought a copy to work and the whole work team was "ooo"s and "ah"s.
This time the bats come in to read and explore a library at night. You have bats reading fibonacci. Bats sending email. Young bats photocopying themselves. And just when you think it can't get any better, several pages of homages to the classic children's books, with illustrations in the style of those books - with bats: Little Nemo, Goodnight Sun, Pippi Batstocking, Winnie the Bat, my personal favorite - The Velveteen Bat, and many more. Floatie bat is back too. Clearly, these are labors of love by a gifted artist, who loves libraries, bats, and books.
Two weekends ago I got to meet and talk to him.
He was doing a signing at Powells in Portland. We drove three hours down from Seattle and I got to talk to him before his presentation for awhile. He signed my books. (And one for my friend, who has cancer.) And he drew little bats in them! We also got to meet his wife, who was really nice.
It was a small crowd - there were about 20 adults with assorted kids in tow. He read the book, spoke about putting it together, and even showed some of his original paintings. It was a wonderful experience. He says there will be another one about baseball. I can hardly wait.
It was a long drive, but it was worth it. (Hubby likes the books too. What can I say? We're a house of librarians.) It's always special to be able to talk to someone about their art. Not only do you have the art to enjoy, but you gain more understanding about it.
If you would like to see some of the pictures - check out his website here: http://www.brianlies.com/.
Then go out and buy his books - or at least get them out of the library. I promise you won't be disappointed.