A new logo for Candlewick?

I designed a new logo for my publisher Candlewick Press. Of course they didn't ask for it and they'll never use it. It actually was a placeholder on a comp I did for the title page on the Big Kicks book. I've actually done quite a few logo and Tee shirt designs for friends and friends of friends. It's usually fun, often not used or used wrong, and never paid for. I'll post some of them soon.

I've been crabby

Sorry about the lack of posts. I've been pretty crabby with way too much work. I should be thankful.

Biggie news

BIG KICKS is being published in France. "grandes coup-de-pied" ? (that doesn't sound right) It's also going to get a marketing boost to coincide with the World Cup. I'm glad it changed from a baseball story to a soccer story.

Not Books

These are covers of Not Books, that is books that have never gone farther than a cover. Often when I come up with a book idea I start by making a cover sketch. I guess it's because that's your first impression of a book, It communicates a lot about the story. Maybe some day...

I love excavators

There is something about excavators or as I called them when I was a kid "steam shovels". I know that all little boys love construction machinery, but I was obsessively fond of these guys.

Little Dump Truck variations

Here are some of the variations I went through as I was developing the character.  The top image shows the one I settled on and then the tweeking that I did based on the publisher's comments.  They wanted him to look a little younger.

Hard Hat Pete

I had to make sure that Hard Hat Pete, the story's lead person, didn't look like Builder Bob. He of course had to be wearing a Hard Hat.

Little Dump Truck sample

Here is a sample from the opening of the book. I like the juxtaposition of the tow truck lifting the car and the worker lifting the lumber.

A few close ups

My own little Dharma van

End pages

I think one of my favorite parts of the book are the end pages.

New Book coming

I have a new book coming out this fall called "The Little Dump Truck". It was written by Margery Cuyler and will be published by Henry Holt. I got the OK to share it, so I'm glad to get back into the blogging thing.

I hope I remember how to do this.

Bob has been a bad blogger
Bob has been a bad blogger
Bob has been a bad blogger
Bob has been a bad blogger
Bob has been a bad blogger
I promise to try harder. Actually have been insanely busy. 2 books behind schedule and a real job. I'll be back soon. - bob