Only YOU Can Prevent Forest Fires . . .

Here's my old pal, Smokey the Bear, who's going on about 42 years old now . . . I got him when I was just about 4 years old and as you can see, he's been through a lot! Dog bites, cat scratches, sisters, tugs-of-war. If you look closely, you can see the scars of many successful surgeries. He's just about out of bean-bag-fillingish stuff, but as you can see, still holds a prominent place in my life among the books in my studio.

I just noticed that in the first photo, above his right paw, he's trying to point out one of his favorite titles -- Old Bear by Kevin Henkes.

Jest the same . . .

My favorite holiday card, from an image by German artist Gustave Baumann, 1881 - 1962.

Bolton Author Festival

If you're in the area, come on by!

Not my Emily...

Merrymakers toys has just come out with an "Emily Post" doll based on Steve Bjorkman's lively illustrations for Emily's Everyday Manners, a picture book by Cindy Post Senning and Peggy Post.

Steve's Emily books, also published by HarperCollins, are intended for a little bit older audience than my toddler-friendly titles Emily's Magic Words and Emily's Sharing and Caring Book.

I was a little disappointed (and jealous, too!) when I heard that they were modeling their Emily doll after Steve's Emily (although I do love his illustrations) but, I have to say, don't think that she looks a whole lot like either of our 'Emilys' after all.

I do love little Nutmeg tucked under her arm, though!

New Website!

Finally, as of today, I have a website! My friend Bobbie over at We Love Children's Books did a terrific job. You can check it out at: www.leolandry.com. Let me know what you think!

Okay, the illustration above is a weak attempt at making a connection here -- the girl is looking at a spider, spiders make webs, website, get it?

Emily the Third...

Here is a painting from the third 'Emily Post' book that I've illustrated, "Emily's Out and About Book," which will be published next fall (2009). I just turned in the final artwork to HarperCollins last week. Since this is the third book of three in the series that I've worked on, I'll definitely miss her!

Happy Summer!