Dasher Tour!

Looking forward to hitting the road soon for the Dasher book tour! If you're going to be near any of these places, come say hi!

Red & Lulu is available TODAY!

Hooray! It's Red & Lulu's book birthday!

This book has been part of my life, in one form or another, for the past 6 years. I'm really proud of how it came out, and it's very exciting to know that it's finally out in the world.

The response so far has been great. It got a starred review in Publishers Weekly, and I got word from Candlewick that it's already in its second printing! So far, so good...

For anyone who would like to buy a copy (please do!), here are some links to order it from a local bookstore or online:

Amazon: http://bit.ly/RedandLulu
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/BNRedLulu
Indiebound: http://bit.ly/IndieRedLulu

Here's the book trailer:

I'll be traveling around quite a bit between now and Christmas, promoting Red & Lulu. If you're near any of these places, come say hi!

 For more about Red & Lulu, and for a full list of events, visit tavaresbooks.com.

Thanks for another great school year!

Last week I wrapped up my school year with two presentations at Stratton Elementary School in Arlington, Massachusetts. This was one of the busiest years of school visits I've ever had- I did 127 presentations at 49 schools, from Fredericksburg, Virginia, to Westfield, New Jersey, to Cumberland, Maine...

I've gotten so much great feedback from teachers, librarians, parents, and students. And I just wanted to use this space to say a great big THANK YOU to all the people who made this such a great school year for me. I know it takes a lot of work form a lot of people to make a successful school visit- from the parent volunteers who organize the book orders, to the librarians who read my books to the kids leading up to the big day, and all the teachers who follow up my presentations with fun writing and art projects.

When I set out to be a children's book author-illustrator, I had no idea I'd end up spending so much time talking in front of large groups of people. And as someone who used to dread getting up in front of the class to speak, I never imagined how much I would enjoy it. It truly is one of the best parts of my job.

So thanks! Looking forward to another great school year in 2017-18. If you're interested in planning a visit, let me know.

Have a great summer!

The Growing Up Pedro Boston Public Library Tour, 2016

Just want to spread the word about a bunch of fun events I have coming up later this month in Boston. I'll be visiting 14 branches of the Boston Public Library over 5 days- my own literary version of the Boston Marathon! I did this last summer (9 libraries over 3 days) and it was a blast.

Each event will include a presentation about my book, Growing Up Pedro, followed by a fun art project for kids. And here's the best part:

Every participating child will get a free hardcover copy of Growing Up Pedro! 

Seriously! The Boston Public Library bought 375 copies of Growing Up Pedro, and I get to give them all away. How great is that!

This is all part of the Boston Public Library's excellent Read Your Way to Fenway program, which I am honored to involved with. Registration is required, and space is limited. Contact your local branch for details.

NCTE 2015

Later this week I'll be attending the National Council of Teachers of English Annual Convention in Minneapolis. I've never been to NCTE before, so I'm really looking forward to it. I'll be there from Thursday until Saturday, but Friday is my big day for events. Here's where I'll be:

Friday, November 20

11:00-12:15 Convention Center Room 103: I'll be presenting with my editor, Katie Cunningham, as part of the "Guiding Writers: Bringing the Author/Editor Relationship to the Classroom" roundtable.

Session Description: Attend this roundtable session to discover how the editor/author relationship can be applied to the teacher/student dynamic to improve the art of writing instruction. You will hear from four of the author/editor pairs learning insights, methods, techniques, tips, and strategies for guiding student writers in your classroom.

1:00-2:00 signing Growing Up Pedro at the Anderson's Bookshop, booth #950

4:00-5:00 signing Growing Up Pedro at the Candlewick Booth, #727-729

Hope to see you there!

The Growing Up Pedro Boston Public Library Tour

July is going to be a very big month for Pedro Martinez. On July 26, he will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Then on July 28, his number 45 will be retired by the Red Sox. To celebrate, I'm spending the following three days (July 29-31) visiting nine branches of the Boston Public Library. Each event will include a presentation about my book, Growing Up Pedro, followed by a fun art project for kids. And here's the best part: every participating child will get a free hardcover copy of Growing Up Pedro!

This is all part of the Boston Public Library's excellent Read Your Way to Fenway program, which I am honored to a part of. Registration is required, and space is limited. Contact your local branch for details.

The Original Art 2014

Great news! Jubilee! was selected by the Society of Illustrators to appear in their exhibit of the best children's books of the year, The Original Art 2014!

The exhibit opens on October 22 at the Museum of American Illustration at the Society of Illustrators in New York City. It's always an amazing show, so if you are a fan of children's books and you happen to find yourself in New York City between October 22 and December 20, definitely check it out.

Here's my illustration that will be on display:

Spring 2014 Events

With Chris Van Dusen on the 207 show back in 2012. CHris and I have a couple fun events coming up in April!

I've been busy trying to finish up my Pedro Martinez book, so I haven't been leaving my studio (or updating my web site) much lately. But I do have some fun events planned for this spring, so I wanted to make sure I took a few minutes and posted them here. Here's where I'll be...

March 30	UPDATE: This event has been postponed until April 6, 12:00-1:00. Celebrate Opening Day! I'll be teaming up with my friends at the Wells Public Library and the Wells-Ogunquit Little League for a fun baseball event at the Wells High School gym. I'll be reading a couple of my baseball books and doing a drawing demonstration, followed by a fun baseball clinic with Wells-Ogunquit Little league coaches. All ages and skill levels welcome. Bring your glove!
April 5	10:30 am. I'll be reading and signing books with my good friend (and one of my favorite author-illustrators),the amazing Chris Van Dusen, at Letterpress Books in Portland, Maine. Very excited to welcome Maine's newest independent book store! Chris will be introducing his brand new book, President Taft is Stuck in the Bath, written by Mac Barnett, and I'll have my new book, Jubilee!, written by Alicia Potter.
April 26	Time TBD. Another awesome event with Chris Van Dusen, at The Children's Book Cellar in Waterville, ME.
May 17	2:00 pm. Indies First Storytime Day! I'll be reading some of my favorite picture books at Porter Square Books in Cambridge, MA, alongside my friends and fellow author-illustrators Joe McKendry, Jarrett Krosoczka, and Jef Czekaj.
	School visits
March 3	Cutler School, South Hamilton, MA
March 12	South Memorial School, Peabody, MA
March 14	Centre School, Hampton, NH
March 26	H.O. Smith School, Hudson, NH
March 27	Hills Garrison School, Hudson, NH
March 28	Mill Pond Elementary School, Westborough, MA
April 1	Windham Center School, Windham, NH
April 2	Tenacre Country Day School, Wellesley, MA
April 3	Acton Elementary School, Acton, ME
April 9	Worcester Public Schools, Worcester, MA
April 10	East School & Foster School, Hingham, MA
April 11	Hall School, Waterville, ME
April 14	Maude H. Trefethen Elementary School, New Castle, NH
April 15	Winchester Authorfest, Winchester, MA
April 16	CK Burns School, Saco, ME
April 17	Holderness Central School, Holderness, NH
April 29	Pomperaug School, Southbury, CT
April 30	Gainfield Elementary School, Southbury, CT
May 1	Long Meadow Elementary School, Middlebury, CT
May 2	Middlebury Elementary School, MIddlebury, CT
May 20	Wheelock School, Medfield, MA
May 29	Bennett Elementary School, Bellevue, WA
May 30	Eastgate Elementary School, Bellevue, WA
June 2	Benton Elementary School, Benton, ME
June 3	Beaver Brook Elementary School, Abington, MA
June 9	Varnum Brook Elementary School, Pepperell, MA

AASL Conference

Hey school librarians! I'll be signing and presenting at the AASL National Conference in Hartford, Connecticut, this Saturday, November 16.

Here's my schedule:
9:15-9:45 AM, signing with Doreen Rappaport at the Mackin booth #401
10:15-11:30 AM, speaking on "Biographies Through Picture Books: A Focus on the Common Core", a panel discussion with Melissa Sweet, Jennifer Bryant, Doreen Rappaport and Andrea Davis Pinkney.
11:30-1:00 signing books in "Authors Alley"

The panel discussion should be great. But if you can't make it to that, come to one of my signings and say hi!

Book Ends Event on Sunday!

Just wanted to spread the word that I'll be reading and signing my new book, Becoming Babe Ruth, at Book Ends in Winchester, Massachusetts on Sunday, March 24, at 2:00 pm.

Winchester is my hometown, and Book Ends has supported me and my books from the very beginning, so its always a lot of fun going back there. Play ball!

Three Events This Weekend!

blurry photo of me reading The Gingerbread Pirates at the 2009 Polar Express night at Barnes & Noble in Portsmouth, NH

As the illustrator of two Christmas books ('Twas the Night Before Christmas and The Gingerbread Pirates), this is always a busy time of year for me. I've got three fun holiday events planned for this weekend. Here's where I'll be...

Friday, December 7	6:00-9:00 pm. "Matt Tavares Catches a Ride on the Polar Express". I'll be reading and signing my Christmas books at Barnes and Noble in Newington, NH, part of their annual Polar Express night. I read at 6:00, then there's a reading of The Polar Epress, and lots of other fun stuff (like free cookies and hot chocolate!) This has become an annual tradition for me and my family, and it's always a lot of fun.
Saturday, December 8	12:00-2:00 pm, reading and signing my Christmas books at the Rowley Public Library in Rowley, MA. I'll do a drawing demonstration, and you can decorate (and then eat) your own gingerbread man!
Sunday, December 9	1:00-3:00, book signing at The Hill House, 127 Mount Vernon Street, Boston, MA... right in Beacon Hill, the setting of my version of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. This is the weekend when Beacon Hill is being decorated for the holidays, and it's always a fun time to be in the city.

	So if you're anywhere near Boston, Portsmouth, or Rowley, come say hi (and get some Christmas shopping done)!

Chemers Gallery Exhibit Opens Saturday

I'm getting ready to head to California for the opening reception of the 21st annual Children's Book Illustration exhibit at Chemers Gallery. It's a group show featuring original artwork by 5 contemporary children's book illustrators: E.B. Lewis, Sylvia Long, Chris Sheban, Boris Kulikov, and me. I'm honored to be a part of this amazing lineup of illustrators!
 
So if you're anywhere near Los Angeles, please join us at the gallery on Saturday, December 1, 1:00 to 5:00 pm. And even if you can't make it to California for the exhibit, you can view all the artwork online, here. Just contact Chemers Gallery if you're interested in purchasing any artwork.

A few of the illustrations that will be part of the Chemers Gallery exhibit

Book Ends Event TOMORROW!

Just wanted to spread the word that I'll be reading and signing Helen's Big World at Book Ends in Winchester, Massachusetts tomorrow, Saturday, October 20 at 1:00 pm.

Winchester is my hometown, and Book Ends has supported me and my books from the very beginning, so I always love going back there. Just look at this awesome display of books they have right now (photo taken by my mom, a loyal Book Ends customer):

Hope to see you there! And if you can't make it, you can order personalized copies to pick up later.

Books of Wonder

I had a great time in New York City last weekend. Doreen Rappaport and I introduced our new book, Helen's Big World: The Life of Helen Keller, at one of my favorite book stores anywhere, Books of Wonder. Here are a few pictures...

Very exciting to see Helen's Big World in the window of Books of Wonder! This was our very first public event for this book (It doesn't actually come out until next Tuesday.)

Nice display inside the store

Doreen and I did a little presentation about the book.

After the Books of Wonder, event, we visited the Helen Keller Archives at the American Foundation for the Blind, which was amazing. Here's a picture of Helen from the AFB reading a letter that Mark Twain wrote to Helen Keller! (Pictured, left to right: Doreen Rappaport, our editor Rotem Moscovich, Helen Selsdon of the AFB, and Doreen's husband, Bob).

My illustration of Helen learning to write, above a display case containing some of the actual papers I used as reference for my illustration.

Doreen sitting at Helen Keller's desk!

Doreen and I signed plenty of stock, so if you missed the Books of Wonder event but still want a copy of Helen's Big World signed by both of us, you can still get one!

Now I'm home for a few days, then it's off to Wisconsin for the Waupaca Book Festival next weekend!

Chemers Gallery Exhibit Preview

On December 1, I'll be in California for the opening reception of the 21st annual Children's Book Illustration exhibit at Chemers Gallery. It's a group show featuring original artwork by 5 contemporary children's book illustrators, E.B. Lewis, Sylvia Long, Chris Sheban, Boris Kulikov, and me. 

I've just recently started selling my originals (I used to just sell prints) and this is the first big gallery show I've done, where a lot of my original artwork is available. So if you're interested in buying some original illustrations from my picture books, here's your chance! 

Even if you can't make it to Tustin, California for the exhibit, you can view all the artwork online, here. Just contact Chemers Gallery if you're interested in purchasing any artwork.

"All Snug in their Beds..." from 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, pencil, 10 x 11.75

 

Chemers Gallery Exhibit Opens December 1

Just wanted to spread the word about an upcoming exhibit I'm really looking forward to- the 21st annual Children's Book Illustration exhibit at Chemers Gallery in Tustin, CA. It's a group show featuring original artwork by 5 contemporary children's book illustrators, E.B. Lewis, Sylvia Long, Chris Sheban, Boris Kulikov, and me. 

We'll all be there for the opening on December 1. So if you're in the Los Angeles area,  please come join us! It should be a lot of fun.

I already sent some of my artwork, and today I'm preparing another batch. Here's a sneak peek...

some of the artwork I'm sending to Chemers Gallery

Kennebooks Event Tomorrow!

One last stop on the Van Dusen/Tavares 2012 World Tour...

Tomorrow, Thursday, August 16 at 10:30 AM, Chris Van Dusen and I will be reading and signing our new baseball books at Kennebooks in Kennebunk, Maine. If you happen to be in southern Maine, come join us. Maybe I'll bring a wiffle ball and bat and we can having a little Team Tavares vs. Team Van Dusen wiffle ball game after the signing...

me and Chris at one of our baseball events this spring

Barnes & Noble event tomorrow!

I'll be reading and signing There Goes Ted Williams at Barnes and Noble in Burlington, Mass tomorrow, July 11, at 7:00 pm. A friend sent me this picture from the store. Looks like they've got plenty of books!

There Goes Ted Williams Art Exhibit Opens Thursday

Just spreading the word about this exhibit I'm really excited about.  If you're anywhere near Winchester, Massachusetts, I hope you can join me at the opening on April 12! Here are the details...

THERE GOES TED WILLIAMS: ARTHUR GRIFFIN AND MATT TAVARES

 

Ted Williams, photographed by Arthur Griffin during his rookie season, 1939

THERE GOES TED WILLIAMS: ARTHUR GRIFFIN AND MATT TAVARES

Opening reception: Thursday, April 12, 7:00-8:30pm
The Griffin Museum of Photography, in Winchester, Mass
Exhibit runs April 5 through May 27, 2012

An exhibit of Matt Tavares's original artwork from his picture book, There Goes Ted Williams: The Greatest Hitter Who Ever Lived, alongside Arthur Griffin's historic 1939 photographs of Ted Williams, taken during his rookie season with the Red Sox- the first color photographs ever taken of Ted Williams.

Matt Tavares gives a members talk on There Goes Ted Williams on April 12 at 6:15 PM, before the public opening. He also gives a gallery talk and book signing  at the Griffin Museum on April 22 at 3 PM.  

Book Ends of Winchester will be handling book sales at both events.

illustration from There Goes Ted Williams: The Greatest Hitter Who Ever Lived, by Matt Tavares

 If you're interested, here's a longer post about how this exhibit came to be.

Road trip!

We're packing up the family minivan and heading down to New York City tonight for my signing at Books of Wonder tomorrow. Then it's on to Connecticut for an event at R.J. Julia Booksellers Sunday afternoon. If you're in NYC or the Madison, Connecticut area, come say hi! Both events should be a lot of fun. Here are the details:

Saturday, March 31	12:00-2:00 pm, book signing and talk at Books of Wonder in New York City. "Batter Up!" baseball event with Diane deGroat & Shelley Rotner (author and illustrator of Homer) and Audrey Vernick & Steven Salerno (author and illustrator of Brothers at Bat).
Sunday, April 1	3:00 pm, book signing at R.J. JuliaBooksellers in Madison, CT, for There Goes Ted Williams: The Greatest Hitter Who Ever Lived

FYI- there happens to be an Ivy and Bean event at RJ Julia on Sunday at 2:00, just before my event. So if your kids are Ivy and Bean fans, come early and stay for both!