On the Subject of Hippos Riding Bicycles

Yesterday's Picture Book Marathon idea/sketch was based on a favor that I asked of some friends a couple of weeks back.  Let me explain.

When I go to schools and talk to kids about writing and illustrating stories one of the things that I like to talk about is how, with stories, there is always more than one right answer.  To demonstrate this I gave this assignment out to some folks: Draw a picture that has a hippo on a bike (or a tricycle or a unicycle.)

This is what I got in return:

from Michelle Weaver:

from Jed Henry:

from Jake Wyatt:

from Anthony Holden:

I have the best art friends.

Happy Birthday to Me

It was my birthday the other day and Michelle Weaver, an art friend of mine asked me what she should draw on my birthday card this year. I responded something like, "Can you draw me a monster? But not a gross or scary monster. I don't want it to be hyper cute either. Can you draw me a monster that is only slightly threatening but still kind of benign. Like a monster that would only beat you up if you got on it's nerves. Can you do that?"

As it turns out, she can do that.

Bunky is Fully Awesome

This is fun stuff.  I didn't illustrate this; that honor goes to my amiga Michelle Weaver.  I just did the writing.

A word about Bunky.  He is half rabbit and half monkey.  Bunky is a stuffed animal that Michelle had when she was just a wee lass growing up on Long Island.  Bunky moved out west with Michelle and has somehow managed to gain a following of devoted fans.  Joe Olson even made a Bunky fan art.  

Don't ask me how these things happen.  They just do.  Enjoy at your own risk.