Let's Get Together, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah

My spring #KidLit school visit calendar is starting to fill.

So lets book a book-date for your school or library. I would love to share my stories and drawings with the kids in your school district!

Contact me for more information.

Chris Clark Fellowship

I am so honored to be a 2019 Chris Clark Fellowship recipient.

This funding has helped me complete some desperately needed technology upgrades that have been rotting on my back burner for far too long...

I feel all shiny and new and no longer have to go make a sandwich to pass the time while I wait for an illustration file to save.

Thanks Arts Council!

Have You Visited the Juniverse?

My kid and I collaborate on Junicorn, a web comic that drops every Tuesday on Instagram. Each 'episode' is based on our actual conversations. If you haven't checked it out, give us a follow. If you are already a fan, help us grow and share Junicorn with a friend! Thanks, buddies!

Downtown, where all the lights (& frogs) are bright...

I worked with about twenty cuties at the Downtown Library in Lansing, MI. I LOVE CADL! We talked a little about how I became an illustrator and how a book gets made.  I read And The Bullfrogs Sing and The Purple Pussycat. After simple frog-drawing demo the kids made their own singing bullfrog art to take home! #KidLit

Illustrator Visits Galore!

As a shy-on-the-inside human who has been described by friends as "emotionally a small dog that shakes alot" and my new favorite "Kate is like a woodland creature, she's more afraid of you than you are of her." No one is more surprised than I as to how much I am enjoying these #Kidlit visits!

Armed with a new Powerpoint and clicker, trying out all kinds of arty projects, practicing my story reading and just connecting with the bright-eyed little ones over creative nonsense has been a blast!

I am so grateful for the scholarship I earned to attend Highlights Foundation "Crafting School Visits" program in 2018, as I am leaning on those skills pretty hard this month. I honestly do not think I would've conquered my public speaking fears without them. But not only am I battling those butterflies, I'm truly loving these moments with all the wonderful kids I have been so fortunate to meet.

If you are interested in teaming up with me for a Kidlit visit, drop me an email! k8cosgrove@gmail.com

I had A BLAST as the guest storyteller for Schuler Books STEAM event! I hope everyone enjoyed AND THE BULLFROGS SING by David L. Harrison, illustrated by me and published by Holiday House. I apologize to Rosie the Tarantula for the spider-eating page.. That was all David...#KidLit #STEAM

But TV

I have a couple new kid books in the hopper, but of course to distract me from that work is this little collaboration film with my kiddo. If you like our collective nonsense, follow us on Instagram@JunicornStories!

Books & Pens, We're Going To Be Friends

It's almost Fall, friends! Cue song...
And I'm drawing all the silly thoughts that go through my head... Come check them out on Instagram@K8Cosgrove.

Bullfrogs n Barns n Noble

I had so much fun reading And The Bullfrogs Sing: A Life Cycle Begins (the book I illustrated, written by David L. Harrison, published by Holiday House ) at Barnes and Noble storytime! And then all my new kid-friends and I made frog wristbands. Here are a few shots from that bookstore adventure.

Bullfrog Launch

That one time when my mom loaned me a vintage sea foam dress (that my Grandma had sewn for her in the 60s) and I signed my debut picture book for a whole mess of people I love, in the prettiest pet store in the midwest and we all ate grasshopper brownies and tried not to tap on tanks full of webby-toed creatures and I exploded into a cloud of glitter....

And, scene.

My Bullfrog Buddy

Finally meeting this bullfrog in person has been my favorite part of the year!

Have you met him yet? You can pick up a copy wherever books are sold. Or check out at your local library!

Thank you Holiday House for gifting me the opportunity to illustrate this gorgeous picture book! Also, I love you.

Film-eee

 

My kid has been 'camping' in my home office this summer. So naturally we have started collaborating on these weird little movie-lets. Pop some corn & check them out! *SOUND UP!*

Instagrammy Summer

I've been really slacking on blogging this spring/summer!  But I am trying to post new art regularly on Instagram.  Give me a follow: https://www.instagram.com/k8cosgrove/

With the release of two books that I have illustrated: And The Bullfrogs Sing and The Ghost of Blackbeard, it's been such an exciting and busy time!

Subsequently, all the balls (my balls?) are not successfully staying in the air ...

However, I'm in the process of scheduling some public storytimes and other fun bookstore / library events for the fall, so I'll be updating my blog with that information very soon!

Bullfrog Bookmarks

The bookmarks are in and they are so pretty! And the Bullfrog Sings: A Life Cycle hops into bookstores on May 21. 

Have you pre-ordered your copy? 

Analog Art

The Runaways by me

My PAINFULLY old Mac and Creative Suite design programs need a desperate upgrade. 

Since a grant was unfortunately not granted and a project paycheck was delayed, I've decided to hold a summer art sale with the hopes of raising cash to make new tech a reality.

Here are two of my favorite drawings so far that may make the cut for the big: Analog Art sale. More details to come!

Bullfrogs & Bookplates

 May brings Bullfrogs and bookplates. 

And The Bullfrogs Sing: A Life Cycle by David L. Harrison, illustrated by me and published by Holiday House drops the end of next month. But you can pre-order today wherever you buy books!

And keep an eye on this webby, because I'm going to be celebrating the big launch with a few neato bookplates and bullfroggy bookmarks! Supplies limited...

Try TaHoney

Samesa, a really cool restaurant in Brooklyn, hired me to illustrate the "wall paper" artwork under the logo (not mine) for this great product called TaHoney. TaHoney is a delicious blend of tahini, honey and a pinch of salt. Perfect for snacking, smoothies and spreading! Buy TaHoney at these locations or you can order a jar on their website.

My design for Samesa's TaHoney spread

The full label, (logo not mine)

Illustrator Saturday: Kathy Temean Interview

A very nice article about my journey as a professional artist over the last million years.

Thanks so much Kathy for sharing my work with your awesome children's literature community!

  Read it here. 

Sketchy Times

Sometimes I forget to really spend time in a regular practice of drawing, especially when I'm caught up in the webs of deadlines for more pressing projects.

It feels so nice to be returning to this 'exercise,' lately! Sketchbook work has been a much needed jog for my anxious brain.

Sketchbook Art ©2019 ME

Sketchbook Art ©2019 ME

Junicorn is featured in National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation - NOAH's magazine Albinism Insight this quarter.
Get a digital or print subscription at www.albinism.org.

The Bullfrogs are Coming!

Pre-Order the book I illustrated for David L. Harrison today!

Release date: May 21, 2019

*Barns & Noble
*Amazon

©2019 ME

"Buster the Shelter cat" I REALLY wanted to run out & adopt this cat, even tho I already have a cat/prior cat ownership commitments. So after taking a breath, I decided to do his portrait instead.

Buster prints/merch are now available in my online gallery store. Check it out!

What Has 2 Thumbs & Loves Highlights Foundation?

That one time when I fan-girled all over Highlights Foundation and they shared my admiration on their Instagram...

You Can Now Pre-Order My Book & That's No Bull...frog

The new book I illustrated for David L. Harrison and Holiday House Books for Young Readers (distributed by Penguin Random House Publisher Services) is now available for pre-order on Amazon!! 

I'm very proud of And the Bullfrogs Sing: A Life Cycle, as it is the perfect combination of poetry, science and frogs!

For a hot second this little book even hopped up to the #1 spot for New Releases in Children's Zoology Books, which is a nerd victory for me, because for many years I created illustrations, artwork and exhibition signage for Potter Park Zoo!

Check out that number 1 spot!

So add this bullfrog business to your bookshelves today! Or I guess at this moment, your Amazon shopping cart...