This is a craft I developed for a public library event.  Young children will need assistance from an adult. Older children can work in pairs.  For a large group project, it is easier to prep the craft before the event by cutting out the felt pieces so that kids can focus on assembling their penguin chicks.

You will need: 

Gray adult socks (one pair will make four penguins)
Colorful adult socks
Light gray felt
Dark gray felt (try to match the socks)
Rice (one cup per penguin)
Rubber bands (5 per penguin)
Fine point marker, such as a sharpie
Black construction paper
Glue (I used tacky glue, a glue gun would also work)

Step 1: Cut the sock in half, avoiding the heel

Step 2: Turn sock inside out. Use a rubber band to close one end of the tube, then turn inside right again. 

Step 3: Pour rice into your sock.  Using a measuring cup with a spout or a plastic cup that you can squeeze into a spout shape makes this step less messy. 

Step 4: Pour the entire cup of rice into the sock, then tie off the top with a rubber band.  

Step 5:  Use another rubber band to create a neck for your penguin chick. 

Step 6: Slide the light gray felt belly piece under the next rubber band to create Kipling's belly fuzz. Then slide the arms under the rubber band to attach them.

Step 7: Cut off the toe of the colorful sock to use as a hat.  You can also create a beanie hat with a pom pom on top by cutting a wide band of the sock and rubber banding one end.   Cut a narrow strip of the same sock to create a scarf.

Step 8: Put on the hat and scarf.  Adjust the belly and arms until your chick looks symmetrical, then glue into place. 

Step 9: Draw dots for eyes right above the cheek line.  Cut out a small triangle of black construction paper for your chick's nose, and glue it on. 

Let your new friend dry before playing with him or her! 

Click below for a printable PDF pattern.

Small cardboard box (reduce, reuse recycle!)
Pink or red paper for cutting out hearts (if desired, use the template to print 6 hearts to a page)
Used postage stamps cut off envelopes
Glue stick
Stamps and stamp pad for “cancelling” the stamps
​Crayons or markers
“Treasures” to put in the box, like rocks, feathers, pom poms, buttons, beads, or other found objects

Pro tip: avoid the problem of kids cutting one heart out of the center of piece of paper by printing out this heart template that fits six hearts to a page. I like to print it onto pink card stock. 

If you choose to preorder you copy and pick it up at the launch party January 6th, you will be entered to win one of these fabulous door prizes: 

• LOVE, MAMA gift basket with hand knit replica of Kipling's scarf
• $20.00 gift certificate to Books on the Square
• A framed, signed art print of the digitally rendered cover illustration for LOVE, MAMA. 

Plus, I will sign and personalize your book for you in person, and you will get to attend a fabulous PARTY!

It's that time of year again... the time of annual art shows.  (And holiday shopping, of course!)
Come see my illustrations, along with other New England area artists at these shows:

Jamestown Arts Center Members’ Show 2017  |  CREATE/REACT
Where: Jamestown Arts Center
18 Valley Street, Jamestown, Rhode Island 02835
When: November 2 - December 2. 

The Newport Mercury's wrote extensive coverage of this show, which includes a photo of my print "Snow Mama" (scroll through to #6). 
​

East Greenwich Free Library |  Winter's Eve
Where: East Greenwich Free Library
82 Peirce Street, East Greenwich, RI 02818
When: December 4 - 29, 2017
​Opening Reception: December 7th, 6pm – 8pm
​More information: click here

LOVE, MAMA is fiction, but the illustrations in the book are based on my research into the animals and built environment on real Antarctic islands. I even had the chance to talk with scientists who work in the Southern Ocean about the animals they saw in their work - and what kind of souvenirs are available in Antarctic research station gift shops. 

Cool facts: 
Chinstrap penguins actually collect rocks.  They will even give them to each other as gifts. (And also fight over them, like human siblings.) 

Kipling and his Mama live on an imaginary island in a real part of the world.  Chinstrap penguins make their homes on the rocky islands in the Weddell Sea - between the southern tip of Argentina and Antarctica. ​ All of the animals in LOVE, MAMA live or migrate in this part of the southern ocean.

This is the southern-most post office in South America - located in Tierra del Fuego National Park, Argentina. It is staffed by human postal workers, but it looks like birds and seals could easily take over. 

Interested in learning more? 
Download this free educational guide created by Deb Gonzales!  It's full of STEAM-infused activities and printables for K-2 students. All are aligned with common core standards. 

The grand prize gift package includes:

• LOVE, MAMA bookmarks and stickers,
• ​A pack of 10 LOVE, MAMA greeting cards, 
• One of Kipling's favorite books about rocks,
• A hand-knit, child-sized replica of Kipling's scarf made by Cyn Brunelle,
• And wishing rocks from Kipling's collection.

​(Grand prize shipping is limited to continental US) 

Preordering from Books on the Square:
If you preorder LOVE, MAMA directly from Books on the Square, I will sign and personalize it for you.
Call: 401-331-9097 or 1-888-669-9660 (toll free), or,
Order online: BOTS on IndieBound, Check the "pick up in store" box, and write "For LOVE, MAMA launch party January 6th" in the comments box at checkout.
Alternatively, you can preorder from BOTS and have it shipped to your home, and I will sign it on January 2 before it gets mailed to you.  Write in comments box: "Requesting a signed copy" and include the details of the person to whom you would like it addressed.  

It's never to early to plan out your social calendar for that all-important party weekend of January 6th!  Please join me at Books on the Square for a special story hour and book launch PARTY at 11am.  There will be snacks. And books. And crafts.  And what more could you ask for to brighten those post-holiday blahs?

LOVE, MAMA LAUNCH PARTY
Where: Books on the Square, 471 Angell Street, Providence, RI 02906 (Parking in rear or on street)
When: Saturday, January 6, 2018 at 11am. 

Ensure you get a signed copy of LOVE, MAMA by pre-ordering from Books on the Square!
Call: 401-331-9097 or 1-888-669-9660 (toll free), or,
Order online: BOTS on IndieBound, Check the "pick up in store" box, and write "For LOVE, MAMA launch party January 6th" in the comments box at checkout. 
​

Do you want to do something great for your school or library while also helping those affected by hurricane Harvey? Bidding is now open for KidLitCares. Organized by Kate Messner, this fundraiser brings together an amazing amount of talent to offer almost 200 amazing items from book critiques to classroom visits to original art. 

Want to have me visit your classroom or library?  Then bid on my auction item, and receive an awesome package in Winter 2018.  I can teach a mini writing workshop for your K-2 students, talk about the process of writing, or simply read my book aloud for story time. 

I'm offering - as one auction item:

• One Skype classroom/library visit 
• 5 signed copies of LOVE, MAMA
• A signed archival art print of the LOVE, MAMA cover art

Bidding starts at $50.00.

Winning bidders will donate directly to the red cross, and provide a receipt of their tax-deductible donation.

Click on the cover image below to go to the auction page:

And don't take my word for it!  The list of authors, illustrators, editors, and agents who have items available for bidding is amazing.  www.katemessner.com/kidlit-cares-our-hurricane-harvey-relief-effort/Bid on them all! 

Check out the 2018 picture book debut authors & illustrators at our new Epic Eighteen website!

Keep track of what we are up to, and see the latest book cover reveals by checking out our twitter hashtag #epic18.  It's gonna be epic...

I'm celebrating my favorite flightless birds by sharing the cover for my upcoming picture book LOVE, MAMA!

When Mama goes on a trip, her baby penguin Kipling knows she’ll return home soon—yet he still can’t help but miss her. After all, Pillow Mama won’t read, Picture Mama won’t laugh, and Snow Mama is too cold to cuddle.

LOVE, MAMA is being published by Roaring Brook Press, and will be in bookstores in early 2018.  I can't wait to share it with you.

To preorder, ask your favorite indie bookseller for ISBN 978-1-62672-949-0.
Roaring Brook Press, mackids.com