Sarvinder Naberhaus

Sarvinder Naberhaus wrote Blue Sky White Stars, which received national media attention and four reviews, all starred. Her current book LiNES, also starred, is the most favorite story she's ever written. She celebrates Dot Day every year by going on a Dot hunt with her college students. Today, she is on a Dot hunt and LiNES hunt (see below) . . .

Sarvinder writes, "My book fell into my camera and I couldn't get it out. Now every time I try to take a picture, all I can see are pages of my book. If you'd like to see inside my camera, and see what I see, check out LiNES (which is my favorite book, so I don't really mind that my camera is now broken).

After my book fell in, I noticed the end of my camera is a dot. So I took a picture of my camera with a camera, because nobody believed me that my book fell in. Now I hope at least you will believe me. If you'd like to check out my other books, or email that you believe me, go to www.sarvinder.com.

p.s. now my cat fell in"

Gina Perry

Gina Perry graduated from Syracuse University, worked as a compositor in animation, and as an art director creating products for the scrapbooking market. Her children inspire her every single day to be creative and do her best. Her dot is inspired by her book, Small.

Once upon a time, Gina played with little metal cars in her rock-filled driveway. She listened to old-time mystery radio theater in her room and built yarn canopies between trees. She could never serve the volleyball in gym class but she could draw dragons that leapt off the page.

Gina writes and illustrates books from her New Hampshire home, where trees are the tallest obstacles to the sea. She still likes yarn, and table tennis is her (only) game.

Learn more about Gina on her website.

Linda Kranz

"For as long as I can remember I have searched for, discovered and collected meaningful picture books.

The Dot has been on my bookshelf since it was first published.

When I read The Dot, I immediately thought of my high school art teacher who saw a spark in my eyes when I, a quiet, soft spoken student arrived in his classroom so many, many years ago. I loved his class. We’ve kept in touch through all these years. I was thrilled to be able to completely surprise him, when I put a copy of a book that I wrote and illustrated in his hands. I watched his expression as he studied the cover - front and back. He smiled. When he turned to the dedication page – he blinked and shook his head, when he read that the book was dedicated to him, “Thank you, Mr. Duren you made a difference.” He was touched and I was delighted that I could share my gratitude in person. The teacher and the student came full circle that day. How lucky I was, to have such a special teacher in my life, who nudged me to find my voice.

I wanted my dot to be a reminder to always focus on what you love and what is inside of you! Find your own unique style – and create!" Linda Kranz

Linda Kranz, winner of the IRA Children’s Choices Award, is the author and illustrator of several journals and books including the bestselling Only One You (Rising Moon 2006), You Be You (Taylor Trade 2011), Love You When (Taylor Trade 2012) and Where I Belong (Taylor Trade 2016). Let’s Rock: Rock Painting for Kids Updated Edition (Muddy Boots 2017) is the book dedicated to her art teacher. Find out more about Linda on her website lindakranz.com

Jamie Michalak

Jamie Michalak is the author of the highly praised Joe and Sparky early reader series, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz — Joe and Sparky Get New Wheels; Joe and Sparky, Superstars!; Joe and Sparky Go to School; and Joe and Sparky, Party Animals!

In the forthcoming Joe and Sparky, Party Animals! (Candlewick Press, August 2017), the endearingly mismatched duo has their hands full when a surprise party for a worm goes comically awry.

About her dot, Jamie writes:

“This bandaged dot was inspired by a mysterious guest in Joe and Sparky, Party Animals! Nobody knows his name, but this guy is the life of the party! He always wears a smile on his face. Even after an unfortunate dancing incident involving a porcupine in Chapter Three.

I can’t help but admire his resiliency and positive attitude.”

Jamie shared this story about reading "The Dot" before it became a book:

"Long ago I was fortunate to work for Peter Reynolds's editor, Mary Lee Donovan. As her assistant, I often read her submissions first to help organize them. I vividly remember the moment I opened an envelope from Peter Reynolds and read his latest submission called THE DOT. It was inspiring and beautiful. The ending made me want to read the story over again. But what struck me the most was how effortless it all seemed, like a fully formed, perfect story had sprung right out of his head and onto the page. Like he was born to write that book.

I also remember immediately walking the [book] dummy over to Mary Lee's desk. "Is it good?" she asked. I nodded with a big smile and handed it to her. Then she quickly found out for herself.

Learn more about Jamie on her website.

www.jamiemichalak.com

Ruth Spiro

Ruth Spiro is an award-winning children's book author and freelance writer whose articles, essays, and stories have appeared in magazines and anthologies. Her debut picture book, Lester Fizz, Bubble-Gum Artist (Dutton), won awards from Writer's Digest and Willamette Writers and was a Bank Street College of Education Best Book of the Year.

Ruth says, "Creativity is a matter of perspective. Looking at things up close, and also from a distance. Taking elements apart, then putting them back together. Trying new combinations to see what fits. An idea is only the beginning. Where you take it is what makes it art."

Learn more about Ruth on her website. 

Pascal Lemaître

Pascal Lemaître is the illustrator of several books for children, including Who's Got Game? The Ant or the Grasshopper? (Simon & Schuster, 2003), Who's Got Game? The Lion or the Mouse? (Simon & Schuster, 2003)—both New York Times bestsellers—as well as Who's Got Game? Poppy or the Snake? (Simon & Schuster, 2004), and The Book of Mean People (Hyperion, 2002), all by Toni and Slade Morrison. Pascal also created the artwork for Supercat (Workman, 2002), Supercat to the Rescue (Workman, 2002), and Baby Goose (Hyperion, 2004), all by Kate McMullan, Do Not Open This Book! by Michaela Muntean (Scholastic, 2006), and the Doctor Ted series by Andrea Beaty (Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2008). Pascal's more recent books include Hush Baby Ghostling by Andrea Beaty, Always by Alison McGhee, Let's Get a Checkup by Alan Katz, Bulldog's Big Day by Kate McMullan, Goodnight Dragons by Judith L. Roth, and a retelling of Pinocchio by Kate McMullan. He also illustrated Come With Me by Holly McGhee, to be published September 5, 2017.

Pascal was born in Belgium in 1967. He began illustrating in 1989, and now also teaches visual narration in Brussels at La Cambre, a school created by H. Van de velde where he once studied. Pascal spends his year between Brussels, Brooklyn, and Trouville with his wife, Manou, and their daughter, Maelle...and their dog, Doodle.

Learn more about Pascal on his website.

 

Anna Raff 2017

Anna Raff is an award-winning illustrator of several books for children including If I Were A Kangaroo, World Rat Day, A Big Surprise For Little Card, and You Are Not A Cat. Currently, she is at work on Light Waves, her fourth science picture book collaboration with author David A. Adler, and The Day The Earth Exploded My Head, a poetry book about the solar system, written by Allan Wolf.

Before her career as an illustrator, Anna was a designer at The Metropolitan Museum of Art and several children’s book publishers in New York City. She is on the faculty of the School of Visual Arts, has an MFA from the School of Visual Arts, a BA from Connecticut College, and lives in New York City, where there are reportedly four rats per human resident.

Learn more about Anna on her website.