Helen Keller, due spring 2008.

Summer 2008

Once again, spring has reached the Northeast US. The daffodils are coming up and the grass is getting greener, and of course, here I am working on my Christmas book! You can imagine how difficult it is to get in the Christmas mood when you’re sweating with the fan on. For the past few years, I’ve been collecting Christmas stories, songs and poems. I’ve also asked friends to write new material for me to include. However, I finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. I’m working on the Twelve Days of Christmas now and after that the book should be done. So, we should all have An American Christmas to enjoy in December, 2009. I hope you will enjoy it, I’ve had a great time working on it.

I’m already gearing up for my next book, Before Mozart, the story of Joseph Boulogne de Saint-George. Born in Guadeloupe in 1739 and educated in Paris, Saint-George became a world-class violinist and composer, not to mention a champion fencer! It was written by my wife Lesa and we especially liked the research trips to Guadeloupe and Paris.

In my spare time, I chair the Lifetime Achievement Award for the Society of Illustrators. If anyone is interested in voting for an illustrator who deserves such an award, please send me your e-mail and I’ll send you the “ballot” with the finalists listed. We award one to a living illustrator and one posthumously. The ballots are e-mailed out in September.

On July 1, look for my book Helen Keller, written by my wife Lesa.

I hope you all have wonderful summer.