In December, the Lillian Smith and Toronto Reference branches of the Toronto Public Library welcomed enthusiastic young readers and artists to plasticine workshops in celebration of the 50th birthday of Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are. After reading the book and sharing a few plasticine tips, I watched dozens of wonderful Wild Things take shape. Here are just a few samples. Like snow flakes, no two Wild Things are alike. Imagine the Rumpus!
I had a wonderful day visiting with readers at Kingsway College School last week. An added treat was the view from the library. I looked out at recess to see all the kids out on the snowy field and it looked just like a page from my book Perfect Snow. As the character Scott would say: Excellent!
First published in 2003, Read Me a Book was distributed to new borns in Ontario as part of the Ontario Early Learning Initiative. Since then it has been shared by reading programs across Canada, and it is my favourite read aloud at the start of presentations and workshops. For the new 2016 board book edition I had fun creating a new cover to go with the fresh design of the book.
Happy New Year, happy reading!
Book illustration, “Read Me A Book”, client: Scholastic Canada. © Barbara Reid
I was in my early teens when I stumbled across this book about N. C. Wyeth. My head nearly exploded at the realization that this artist whose work I loved from books was a real person who made his living as an illustrator. It was very expensive, so I read as much of it as I could in the bookstore. On Christmas morning my head nearly exploded a second time when the book appeared under the tree. That was it: I decided to become a book illustrator. Thanks mum and dad!
I am thrilled to be named the 2016 Family Literacy Day Honourary Chair. Through my work as an author and illustrator I encourage reading and literacy engagement. Families reading and playing together is an important theme that I often include in my books. I have been participating in Family Literacy Day events for many years now and I look forward to increasing my participation in this exciting new role.
January 27 is family Literacy Day, and ABC encourages Canadian families to have “15 Minutes of Fun” learning together this Family Literacy Day – and every day. Practicing literacy every day has tremendous benefits for both children and parents. Visit FamilyLiteracyDay.ca for fun ideas to get your family started and make family time learning time!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0SF5XG1AkA#action=share
Are you as excited about the holidays as the mouse family in The Night Before Christmas? You may want to visit the Holiday Countdown. There is a new picture to open each day as well as some fun activities to download. I know I am counting the days! 
Thanks to Toronto Public Library for this lovely read aloud of Picture a Tree. You can learn about more wonderful picture books for sharing by visiting Ready for Reading. Is there anything nicer than having someone read a book with you?
Sing a Song of Bedtime has received two lovely reviews!
Canadian Materials says: “Reid’s detailed plasticine illustrations are outstanding and demand repeated viewings in order to absorb their richness. Her characters, a mixture of anthropomorphic animals and humans of different races, have been appropriately chosen to represent and express each poem’s content. Who better to be “Wee Willie Winkie” running through the town in his nightgown but a raccoon?” http://www.umanitoba.ca/outreach/cm/vol22/no7/singssongofbedtime.html
CanLit for Little Canadians says: “Sing a Song of Bedtime is a visual celebration of textures and colours that will serenade every and any child into fulfilling slumber and sweet dreams.” http://canlitforlittlecanadians.blogspot.ca/2015/10/sing-song-of-bedtime.html
An idea trap
My desk is ready and waiting for an idea to land. Of course, it doesn’t really happen like that! There are hundreds of ideas floating around the studio all the time; the trick is to notice them. There are even more ideas out in the world. You just have to pay attention. What catches your eye? Did you overhear something funny, or sad? Maybe something made you wonder “what if?” Some of the best ideas appear when you are looking the other way. Ideas are slippery; they are easy to forget in a busy day. Once you catch an idea, make sure you hang on to it by making a note, a sketch or taking a picture. Noticing things and following your interests is the best way to catch a passing idea.
I’m tickled to find Sing a Song of Bedtime on this list!
