PARENTS Magazine Interview

Thanks very much to Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal who interviewed me for Parents Magazine.

Lauren asked me all about the making of Alithia Ramirez Was an Artist, my picture book biography of Uvalde victim Alithia Haven Ramirez. I told her the whole story, which includes a lot of support from Alithia’s parents Jess Hernandez and Ryan Ramirez.

The interview was arranged as a cover reveal by my friends at Michael Sampson Books, publisher of Alithia Ramirez Was an Artist. Doesn’t the front cover look terrific? It was designed by the publisher.

Click here to read the interview.

Click here to preorder Alithia Ramirez Was an Artist today!

Chicago Public Library's Best Books of 2020!!

 

Happy to report that LIBRARY BABIES has been selected as one of the Chicago Public Library's Best Books of 2020!!

Click here to see the full list.

And click here to order your copy of Library Babies today! 


The Best of the Best lists represents the library’s choices for the year’s most outstanding titles, books of exceptional quality for a diverse, city-wide readership. The list is widely promoted throughout Chicago, including local news coverage. Extra copies of these books are ordered in various formats to be promoted throughout the city, give them special labels, and to be featured in branch displays and in the catalog and web site. Titles are also presented to staff as great reading suggestions to promote to patrons.

Written by Puck and illustrated by Violet Lemay, designed by Jeff Shake, Library Babies was published by duopress in the spring of 2020.

Isabella in the Savannah Morning News

This past Sunday (December 1), The Savannah Morning News included Isabella's Shoe Studio in the following article by Linda Sickler, called "Put books by authors with Savannah ties under your tree this year."

"Isabella's Shoe Studio" by Violet Lemay. $12.95, duopress. Available at Shop SCAD, Ex Librirs, amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.

Savannah College of Art and Design professor Violet Lemay is the art director of duopress and an award-winning children's book illustrator.

Her latest juvenile nonfiction book, released in September, is a whimsical introduction to the process of design. Children don't just read the book, they're encouraged to doodle and create their own art.

"'Isabella's Shoe Studio' is a Doodle Storybook about 8-year-old Isabella, a budding artist with a charitable heart, who dreams of becoming a famous shoe designer," Lemay says.

"The daughter of a hat designer and the granddaughter of a dress designer, Isabella's bent toward art and design is in her DNA," she says. "Through a series of fun interactive activities, Isabella encourages young readers to try their hand at drawing and design, while teaching them about artistic inspiration."

Lemay moved to Saratoga Springs, NY in August 2012, but she still teaches classes online for SCAD. "To date, I have illustrated 18 books for children, with more on the way, mostly for duopress, my favorite publisher, for whom I now act as art director, "Lemay says.

An award-winning illustrator, Lemay's other children's books include "Beach Doodles" (which she co-illustrated with SCAD alumna Paige Garrison), "Doodle Chicago," "Doodle New York," "My Foodie ABC" and "New York Baby."

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"'Isabella's Shoe Studio' is unique, fun, educational and adorable," Lemay says. "While most other books for children about fashion are filled with illustrations of designs for grown-ups, 'Isabella's Shoe Studio' is very down to earth, focusing on fun but practical shoes for little girls.

"The shoes are merely a vehicle to teach about artistic inspiration and the process of design.

For example, Isabella asks readers to look at the night sky and at their breakfast table to find inspirations for new shoe designs."*
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To see the complete article, click here.

A.D. for Duopress

Okay, folks. You'd better sit down—this is a biggie. Have I got your attention? Are you settled? Good. (Clears throat, smooths skirt.)

It is with a great deal of pleasure that I make the following announcement:

I am the brand new ART DIRECTOR at DUOPRESS! (Big smile, bigger blush.)

Yes, it's true. After illustrating twelve books for duporess, my friend Mauricio Velázquez de León (who owns the joint) made me an offer I couldn't refuse. I will continue illustrating books for duo, and henceforth will also oversee the design of all duopress titles, which means working with a team of highly talented and super cool people. So. Much. Fun.

Isn't that great news? It made my day. Hope it brightened yours as well.

best always,

v