upcoming events for Jack's Path of Courage

Now that the publication date for Jack's Path of Courage: The Life of John F. Kennedy (written by Doreen Rappaport, illustrated by me, published by Disney-Hyperion) is less than a month away, I thought I'd start spreading the news about a couple fun events I have planned.


First, on Saturday, October 23, I'll be at Books of Wonder in New York City, from 12:00 to 2:00, part of the "Picture Book Biographies" event, along with Sean Qualls, Bryan Collier, and an amazing lineup of award-winning authors and illustrators. The authors and artists will present their picture book biographies, take questions from the audience, and sign copies of all of their books.


For details, go to the Books of Wonder event page.


Then on Saturday, November 6, I'll be at Book Ends in Winchester, MA, 2:00-4:00 pm. I'll present Jack's Path of Courage: The Life of John F. Kennedy, show some some sketches and talk about my experiences working on the book, answer questions, and sign books.


For details, visit the Book Ends event page.

Award news for Jack's Path of Courage: The Life of John F. Kennedy

Good news- Jack's Path of Courage: The Life of John F. Kennedy, written by Doreen Rappaport and illustrated by me (Disney-Hyperion, October 2010) won't be in stores until October 26, but it already won an Oppenheim Gold Seal Award!

Children's Book Illustrators Exhibit at the Brush Gallery

The Children's Book Illustrators Exhibition is now on display at the Brush Art Gallery & Studios (Lowell, MA), until October 24, 2010. Please note the updated and definitive lineup of artists: Christopher Bing, David Macaulay, Kelly Murphy, Matt Tavares and David Wiesner.


Opening reception: Saturday, October 2, noon-2 pm
Meet the illustrators, and book signing: Saturday, October 2, 1-4 pm

first reviews for JACK'S PATH OF COURAGE

The first reviews of Jack's Path of Courage: The Life of John F. Kennedy are in! So far, so good:

From School Library Journal:
      "[Rappaport's] descriptive narration is spiced with memorable quotations and Tavares’s larger-than-life illustrations. The realistic paintings portray the different periods in JFK’s life with depth and detail, capturing his emotions, courage, and sovereignty while remaining true to this unique time in history.... This beautifully illustrated and gracefully told story serves as a superior introduction to our 35th president."

From Publisher's Weekly:
      "As with these collaborators' Lady Liberty, the striking cover of this picture-book biography features a closeup portrait of the subject, all the more compelling in this instance with the omission of any type.... Tavares's light- and shadow-infused paintings balance lifelike portrayals of Kennedy with renderings of dramatic events, notably a Japanese destroyer ramming Kennedy's PT boat during WWII and the planting of the American flag on the moon. An evenhanded, graphically stirring biography."

And from Kirkus:
      "A striking cover close-up of Kennedy (with the title information on the back of the jacket, à la the author's Martin's Big Words, illustrated by Bryan Collier, 2001) introduces the reader to this biography of the 35th president of the United States.... The handsome and vivid illustrations pop."

Jack's Path of Courage: The Life of John F. Kennedy, book trailer

THE EYEWITNESS REPORTS Auction is up and running!

Bid now on some great (and cheap!) original artwork by some of the best children's book illustrators in the biz, like Grace Lin, Scott Magoon, Dan Yaccarino, Anna Alter, and of course Dan Santat, who threw this whole impressive fundraiser together. Here's the cool poster that Dan made to promote the auction, with a list of all the talented illustrators whose work is featured in the auction: (Click on the poster to check out the auction)

And here's my painting that's up for bid, of a giant frog chasing helicopters: