We talked about publishing, creativity, inspiration, and following your dreams... and even cures for writers block.
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In this vibrant board book, love triumphs over germs. Concise text and bold illustrations show little ones how to stay healthy in a germy world...
...and how to respond with love when germs win.
He was released on Saturday, Jan 25, Chinese New Year, two days after we first heard about a dangerous new virus that had appeared in Wuhan, 500 miles away.
...the world bristled as the U.S. President insisted on calling Covid-19 "the China virus."
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| A few pages from my sketch journal. I wrote down stuff that my son said as well as my prayers for him, and many other observations. |
Her diplomatic reply steered me back to my wheelhouse. "I think you should stick with what you do best… young and maybe a board-book? Maybe how to be safe book mixed with tolerance?"
Less than a week later I was able to send her a completely sketched dummy for "Healthy, Healthy: Love, Love, Love." Apparently it's the book I've been training for ever since my baby brought home his first germ from Sunday school. :o)
Our son was scheduled to fly to New Zealand to begin university, but borders began closing all over the world. It was crazy stressful, but he got out, and because of the crazy situation, we went with him.
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| Working on notes for the book during the flight, on the only scrap of paper I had—an old grocery list. |
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| The book taking shape as my husband and I floated around New Zealand staying in various AirBNBs. |
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| An early sketch for a title page, which ultimately didn't make it into the book. |
With wonderful feedback from HarperCollins's Tamar Mays, the book took shape and was eventually added to Harper Festival's Fall 20 lineup. By the time it was released in October, my husband and I had moved to Malaysia where he is now working.
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written and illustrated by Violet Lemay
edited by Tamar Mays
designed by Rick Farley
published by HarperCollins/Harper Festival 2020
Click here for a list of purchasing options.
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Click here to read about the making of the book trailer video on my other blog, Illustories.
When searching for an interactive mirror activity for babydocbox's 4-6 month box, we found the perfect item with duopress's TummyTime™ series. This attenion grabbing book allows babies to practive tunny time and engage visually with morrors—a favorite passtime for babies this age! ~ Alison H. Scott, MD, FAAP, Founder/CEO of babydocbox.
I'm pleased to announce the release of I Can Be Like... A Book of Masks of Inspiring Women, by duopress labs, illustrated by Yours Truly, Violet Lemay.
I Can Be Like... is an innovative book that opens up into a mask. Turn the pages to reveal the entire collection of six cool masks, each with a tiny bit of biographical text on the left, and a quote on the right.
Hold the open book up to your face to pretend to be Greta Thunberg, Megan Rapinoe, Frida Kahlo, Michelle Obama, Emma Watson, or Malala Yousafzai.
"I live in Auckland now but my son and I will be in NYC in mid-December, if you’re around/available perhaps we could meet for coffee." (From one of the first e-mails Violet sent to Michelle, on Oct. 31, 2017)
