I really enjoy Jake Parker's artwork and videos.  This is a video that challenges you to take an object or anything really and draw it differently one hundred times.  I will be taking on this challenge and will incorporate the theme of Frogs and Technology.  I challenged some of my students to take on this challenge as well and one student did.  I'm interested to see what he will come up with :)

You should check out Jake Parker's other videos on his youtube.com page.  There is a lot of good advice and drawing in them.  See you soon with some frog drawings.  

I realize I need to keep this blog simple so I can keep it up so I will try to show more pictures and have less words.  For some of my pictures I like to figure out lighting so for a stage scene I simply cut a couple pieces of cardboard and got this.

I will be quick as the awards will be announced soon but here are my guesses for the Caldecott Awards.  The Caldecott awards are the awards for the most distinguished children's book illustrations...aka the Academy Awards of Children's book illustrations.  Here are my guesses...

Caldecott Winner:
Journey written and illustrated by Aaron Becker.  This book is just too good not to win.

Caldecott Honor:
Mr. Tiger Goes Wild written and illustrated by Peter Brown.  I could see this book winning it all by flip-flopping with Journey, but think it deserves an Honor.  

Mr. Wuffles illustrated by David Wiesner.  His wordless books are always amazing and he consistently deserves a medal.

Moon Day written and illustrated by Adam Rex.   He deserves to finally get the sticker on his book.  His illustrations are amazing as always and since this is a quieter, less humor-filled book I think he has a chance.

Wild Cards:  
Bluffon written and illustrated by Matt Phelan.  This is for the older crowd but the illustrations are so good that I hope it sneaks in like "Hugo" did a couple years ago.

Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great written and illustrated by Bob Shea.  I just think this is a fun book.

Hello, My Name is Ruby written and illustrated Philip Stead.  He is so good and deserves an award but I think the Caldecott winning book that his wife, E