Away We Go! Book Trailer

I'm delighted to present this awesome book trailer for Away We Go!

My talented friend, Dave Swain with Cream Studio did a shapetastic job

on this fun and playful animation.  Please share with your little ones.

Like me, I think they'll be tickled silly!

You may also like: Away We Go! Activities and Party Printables

A Fun School Visit!

I've lived in this area for quite a while, and for the first time had the 

opportunity to visit St. John the Evangelist School, with students ranging

from Pre-K through 8th Grade.  They invited me to join them for Author Day,

and I truly enjoyed meeting the delightful children and faculty.

I met with the students in two groups, starting with Pre-K - 3rd Grade.  

We talked about what it means to be an Author/Illustrator, 

and discussed my art style in Away We Go!, drawing with shapes.  

The children were adorable and eager to participate.  I was impressed!

The second presentation was with the amazing 4th - 8th Graders.

What a great group of kids!  I shared my children's book process, 

and how to develop an idea and get it published.   

They were fun to talk with and had lots to add to the discussion. 

These illustrators were ready to work on their own drawings,
creating animals and vehicles using only shapes.

I invited the students to submit their shape creations for an art contest.

All the drawings were very creative, so I decided everyone is a winner!

YAY!

Wow!  How great are these drawings from the lower grades?

Good job Emily, Luke and Tiffany!

And the creativity continues, with the upper grades.

Well done Emma, Alice, Matthew, Nicolas and Maggie!

I made a bunch of sketchbooks to deliver to all the talented winners!

I hope the children enjoyed my visit as much as I enjoyed 

spending time with them.  It was a big treat for me!

You may also like: Away We Go! Shapes and Transportation Activities

Books and Smiles for Haiti!

Hello Authors, Illustrators and children's book community!

Please join me in sharing your wonderful stories and books for the 
lovely children in Haiti.  The gift of books will brighten their day, 
and let them know that we are thinking of them.  

A big thank you to President Steven Mooser of

The Society of Children's Books for Writers and Illustrators

for kindly donating two boxes of books and jump starting the campaign!

The amazing people of Life Connection Mission are dedicated to 

getting the books to the children.  They are a non-profit organization

serving the poorest children in the Western Hemisphere.

Photo courtesy of Life Connection Mission

I am collecting board books, pictures books, beginning readers, and

information books with pictures, such as animals, computer/science, space, etc.
  

My goal is to have an incredible collection by the end of the school year.  

And I see school and church bake sales in my future, to raise money

to ship the books to Haiti.  I am very excited and look forward to partnering 

with our talented children's book community.

Photo courtesy of Life Connection Mission

I will update often with books that are collected, and together
we will see our efforts grow.  Please spread the word!

It warms my heart to see the smiles on the children's faces when they

received my books this past summer.

If you are unpublished and would like to donate new book(s),
the children will love it!  

Thank you for your kindness.  I look forward to hearing from you!  
chieuurbanstudio@gmail.com

Operation Shower at the Barclays

Remember when I was so excited putting together the Away We Go!

diaper cake and books for Operation Shower?

The amazing event took place in August at the Barclays' PGA Tour 

in New Jersey, with Hostess Melissa Joan Hart. 

Photos courtesy of Operation Shower

Check out the video from Fox News and photos

by Uptown Girl Photography.  I just love this organization.

The moms are beautiful and glowing!

Operation Shower - Happy 4th of July!

I'm very excited to ship this Away We Go! diaper cake and signed books

to Operation Shower, a non-profit organization with a mission of providing joyful 

baby showers for military families to ease the stress of deployment. 

This is my second time making a diaper cake, 

but my first time making a five-tier cake.  I'm going to shrink-wrap 

this fragile baby, and let's hope it arrives in one piece.

Have a great 4th of July everyone!