Our Photoshoot July 29, 2009
Our kitty Ariel is so interested in audiobooks! Too bad we can't find headphones her size. I guess we'll just have to hold her on our lap and listen with her. She thinks this is a great way to spend the afternoon and I can't say I disagree.
Third in a series... July 26, 2009
There are three books in the Howard Roger Garis pre-reader series that showcase the animal friends of Uncle Wiggley. This one, Lulu, Alice, and Jimmy Wibblewobble (the story of a duckling family) just got its cover designed by one of our lovely artists, Cheryl Welch. In keeping with her retro flavor, this one uses a peach accent to go with the the theme she created. Well done Cheryl!
From soup to nuts... July 23, 2009
This morning we got a tour of the MAM-A Facility (formerly Mitsui) right here in Colorado Springs. What an adventure! Lora and Tony showed us the production line for CD replication from start to finish and their quality, their attention to detail, and their friendliness were impressive. How nice to have such great people and an amazing company to work with right in our own backyard. Well, not quite that close, but since they are the only company in the nation who does what they do, we feel very privileged.
Another Gem! July 20, 2009
Here is another "before and after" set of pictures for Nobody's Boy. If you take a look at the July 10th posting and then see this one, you can enjoy watching the evolution of an illustration. I sent Matt the text edits of the character's descriptions (clothing, hair, etc.) and he incorporated them into his piece. Well done Matt! I can't wait to get this book about the French orphan boy Remi into publication so you can enjoy it too!
Little Bo-Peep (again) July 15, 2009
If you scroll down and see the earlier picture (posted July 7), you can see how Laura's images changes as she proceeds. To me, this is one of the perks to our job -- we get to see that "evolution" in stages. So now you can too -- isn't it lovely! You can almost hear those sheep 'baa baaing" in the background.
Oh Deer!July 12, 2009
The deer in Colorado are amazing! These fellows showed up outside our front window at noon to take their after-lunch siesta. Actually, there were four of them but the fourth decided to move behind a tree out of range of my camera. We opened the blinds, spoke loudly, and moved around in the window and they weren't spooked in the least. They've already been there for an hour and seem in no hurry to move on. What a lovely diversion from the norm, watching these majestic gents enjoy a rest!
Coming soon! July 10, 2009
One of my all-time favorite books just found its artist. The book Nobody's Boy (written by Hector Henri Malot in 1878) takes place in France and we've commissioned Matt Roussel of Lavaur, France to do the cover artwork. This is his preliminary sketch; because we know the finished work will be so incredible, we want you to see how it all started. We'll post pics of the progress as it comes.
Our Packaging is here!July 9, 2009
Today we got a box of the packaging slipcovers and cases for the first audiobook, and we had to show you how great they look! After months of trying to describe what they would look like to vendors, friends, and associates, we can now hand them a case and say, "See for yourself." A picture is worth a thousand words but a case in the hand is worth...wait, no, wrong metaphor. Anyway, trust me and try it...you'll like it!
Little Bo-Peep July 7, 2009
Did you ever wonder how Little Bo Peep lost her sheep? How did she eventually find them again? Can sheep really wag their tails? Profound questions that have astonishing answers! Hear all the background to this and many other well known nursery rhymes straight from the pen of the master, L. Frank Baum. And you thought he only knew about the Land of Oz! (Keep watching for more information about this wonderful book, Mother Goose in Prose by L. Frank Baum; artwork by the terrific Laura Diehl!)
Grunty in Color!July 3, 2009
Here is Carrie Anne's colored version of Grunty Pig -- isn't he just downright cute? Couple this lovable porker with Phil Miler's amazing voice and I know this one will be a hit with the kiddos.
Our First Demo Disk!July 2, 2009
What do you think of this sample disk for Seven Little Australians that shows the graphics and colors we chose? Our friends at MAM-A (Lora, Dawn, and Tony) loved the simplicity and the knock-out graphics. The writing around the edge isn't quite legible in the picture, but we were looking for something very Aussie, and picked the words to the Australian National Anthem! Five stanzas on five disks -- now we can appreciate their nationalism and learn the words to a great tune, all at the same time. I love multi-tasking, don't you?=)
Go to Blog Archive: June 2009, July 2009