Tammy Yee: children's books

Showing posts with label children's books. Show all posts

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Aspiring Keiki Artists at Our Lady of Good Counsel

Mahalo to the keiki at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Pearl City! It was fun sharing my books and art with eager students. And special thanks to all the aspiring artists who drew pictures from my books!

Saturday, August 30, 2014

Family Book Night Interview

Interview on Family Book Night Blog:

An Interview with Tammy Yee
Tammy Yee is the author/illustrator of more than 24 children's books set in the Hawaiian Islands. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to interview Tammy about her projects and what she enjoys most about being an author and illustrator. You can read more about Tammy and her many projects at tammyyee.com.

You've written and illustrated a number of books. Do you have a preference for either writing or illustrating?

I love both writing and illustrating. I tend to be very visual as I create--a book develops like a movie or a storyboard in my mind, with different parts of my brain toggling on and off. As a writer, I begin with a blank canvas that I must fill with interesting characters and a fresh, compelling story. As an illustrator, I'm given a story and I must create a visual world that doesn't merely interpret, but adds to that story. Because writing is more intellectually and creatively challenging, it can be tempestuous. Because illustrating (32 pages of art) is more physically challenging, it can be arduous. Both are just as gratifying.

Read more...

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Ocean Literacy Day at the Waikiki Aquarium

Join me at the Waikiki Aquarium for Ocean Literacy Day this Saturday, Sept. 14 from 9am to noon. The focus will be on sharks, so I'll be displaying my hammerhead shark painting and a few other ocean-related original watercolors from my children's books...and I'll bring along some fish origami for the keiki. Fellow children's book illustrators Elizabeth Oh and Ruth Moen Cabanting will also be showing some of their paintings.

There will be keiki arts and crafts, storytelling and more as books about the ocean come to life with costumed characters. Shark experts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System will also be on hand to teach families about shark biology and how scientists track them during research.

Sponsored in part by Aqua Hotels and Resorts and NOAA.

http://www.waquarium.org/news-events.html

Sunday, October 21, 2012

14th ANNUAL SCBWI WINTER CONFERENCE IN NEW YORK

SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) Winter Conference February 1-3, 2013 | New York, New York

With an amazing line up of keynote speakers and panels, SCBWI's 14th annual winter conference promises to sell-out. Mark your calendars now! The p

rogram for February 2-3 includes:

Keynote Addresses by:
Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton
Margaret Peterson Haddix
Meg Rosoff
Shaun Tan
Mo Willems

and Up To The Minute Market Information including:
-Retail Bookseller's Panel: What's Selling Now
-What Hooks Me Breakout Sessions: led by 12 acquiring editors and 2 art directors

Registration opens October 19, 10am PDT:
http://www.scbwi.org/Pages.aspx/Current-News?SCBWI-WINTER-2013-REGISTRATION-BEGINS-OCTOBER-19TH-AT-10AM-PDT

Sunday, April 29, 2012

SCBWI ANNUAL SUMMER CONFERENCE IN L.A.

August 3 - 6, 2012 | Los Angeles, California

Get ready for an unforgettable experience with the very best in the field of children's literature! Over a jam-packed weekend you'll hear from top agents and editors on the state of the market, get inspired by award-winning authors and illustrators, discuss how to progress your career, attend small, targeted breakout workshops, connect with old friends and meet new ones!

Whether you are an author or illustrator, published or unpublished, create picture books or young adult novels, you won't want to miss the SCBWI Summer Conference.

Keynote Speakers Include:

Bryan Collier, Caldecott honor illustrator

Karen Cushman, Newbery Medal winning author

Tony DiTerlizzi , Author/illustrator of The Spiderwick Chronicles and Caldecott Honor recipient

Dan Gutman, Award-winning author

Patricia MacLachlan, Newbery Medal Winner

Gary Schmidt, Two-time Newbery winner

Ruta Sepetys, Award-winning (including the Golden Kite Award) author of Shades of Gray

Sara Shepard, Author of the Pretty Little Liars and Lying Game Series

Deborah Underwood, Award-winning (including Crystal Kite Award) author

Clare Vanderpool, Newbery medal winner

PLUS a host of editors and agents discussing the industry from publishing houses and literary agencies including: Harper Collins, Penguin Young Readers Group, Writer's House, Scholastic, Simon and Schuster, Abrams, Random House and more.

With your registration you get:

-Access to all conference keynotes and workshops
-The Gala Party on Saturday night (includes dinner and a drink ticket)
-Ticket to the Golden Kite Luncheon on Sunday
-Attendance to the Friday night Portfolio Showcase and cocktail party
-Chance to sell your books at the PAL book sale on Friday (some restrictions apply)
-Tea and coffee each morning
-Free wireless in your room

For an extra special weekend you can also register for:

A Manuscript or Portfolio Consultation
The Juried Portfolio Showcase
Two of the post-conference intensive workshops (Writers choose one of two including: 9 Agents, 1 Morning; 9 Agents, 1 Afternoon; Independent Publishing; Spitshine: Polishing your Novel; First Pages; Developing your Hook; Picture Books; Revising your MG/YA Novel and more to be announced! Illustrators can register for the all-day illustrator intensive, Writing for Illustrators.)

Registration opens April 18th at 10am PDT. This conference sells out so don't delay!

General Information:

Conference Tuition:
Tuition includes all conference workshops & events (excluding consultations and showcases) from Friday - Sunday, August 3-5, 2012, including the dinner dance on Saturday night and the Golden Kite luncheon on Sunday. Tuition does not include the Post-Conference intensive on Monday, August 6.

Early Registration (Before June 15th):
$440 - SCBWI Member Registration
$540 - Non-member Registration

Regular Registration (After June 15th):
$460 - SCBWI Member Registration
$560- Non-Member Registration

Intensives and Extras:

MANUSCRIPT & PORTFOLIO CONSULTATIONS
$100 Individual Manuscript or Portfolio Consultation

JURIED PORTFOLIO SHOWCASE
$50 Portfolio Entry in Juried Showcase

POST CONFERENCE INTENSIVES
(Full day of programming on Monday, August 6th)
$200 - Post-Conference Intensives for Writers
$200 - Post-Conference Intensive for Illustrators

Venue Information:

Hyatt Regency Century Plaza
2025 Avenue of the Stars
Los Angeles, CA 90067
(800) 233-1234
(310) 228-1234

Conference attendees get a special room rate of $199 (Valid until June 1)

How to register:

You can register online at www.SCBWI.org or by phone (323-782-1010) starting April 18th at 10am PDT. You must be a current SCBWI member at the time of registration and the conference to be eligible for the member's discount.

Full conference schedule and more details will be available in Early April.

Can't attend? Follow the action virtually!

SCBWI Conference Blog
(http://scbwiconference.blogspot.com/)

In the weeks leading up to the conference, we'll feature interviews with our prestigious faculty so that you can know what to expect and look forward to. Click on the link above to see pictures and video as well as recaps of every workshop, keynote address, panel and intensive at our semi-annual SCBWI International Conferences.

On twitter! Our speakers, attendees and bloggers will be tweeting! Follow us and the hash tag #SCBWI to get the latest.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

2012 MAZZA SUMMER CONFERENCE: CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOKS

The Mazza Museum, which features international art from picture books, is holding its 20th Annual Summer Conference from July 16-20, 2012 in Findlay, Ohio.

Guest speakers include Carmen T. Bernier-Grand, Dan Yaccarino, Susan Stevens Crummel, Janet Stevens, Boris Kulikov, Wendell Minor, Florence Minor, Mary Higgins Clark, Loreen Leedy, David Diaz, Peter McCarty and Walter Wick. Offerings include the children's book writing strand (eligible for graduate and undergraduate credit hours), book sale and autographing by artists/authors.

A Floyd & Stella Dickman grant has been established to help librarians with registration fees.

www.findlay.edu

OREGON COAST CHILDREN'S BOOK WRITERS WORKSHOP, SUMMER 2012

From the Oregon Coast Children's Book Writers Workshop (www.occbww.com):

This summer, July 9-13 we proudly will present the tenth Oregon Coast Children's Book Writers Workshop, www.occbww.com, in the exquisite Oregon coast town of Oceanside.

The instructors for the workshop will include five established children's book authors (between them, specializing in YA and middle school novels, picture books, non-fiction, magazine pieces, and poetry), two children's book editors from major houses (we have yet to sign our second editor), and one children's book agent. Summer Workshop 2012 promises to be our best yet because:

- The instructor-student ratio will be a maximum of one to seven (probably less)
- Each day you will meet with an instructor for at least one comprehensive consultation
- You can have one-on-one informal meetings with instructors each day as well
- Every student who wishes can have an anonymous first page manuscript critique by all eight instructors in front of the class
- We will offer at least twelve instructional lectures on various aspects of writing and publishing
- There will be two evening presentations by instructors
- Out-of-class consultations with instructors are available
- There will be at least two guest lectures/writing workshops
- There will be two wonderful parties (quite appropriate for friends, partners, spouses, children)

More and more of our students are publishing and signing with agents. If you are ambitious to publish a children's book (or simply adore children's books) this is the workshop for you. It will allow you to connect directly with authors, editors, agents who are active in the children's book business. If you go to the website and look under Evaluations, you'll see that it's received extraordinarily high praise (some listed below).

The course is available for graduate credit.

For complete information we welcome you to visit our website at www.occbww.com

There's a generous refund policy (described at the website) if you decide to register now and then later on change your mind.

Any questions, feel free to ask.

Oregon Coast Children's Book Writers Workshop
www.occbww.com

Sunday, February 19, 2012

SCBWI-Hawaii’s Annual Conference, February 25, 2012

SCBWI-Hawaii's Annual Conference will be held at the Ala Moana Hotel from 9:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost is $95 for SCBWI members and $125 for nonmembers. For details and registration see www.scbwihawaii.org. or download conference and registration information at http/scbwihawaii.org/attachments/info_and_registraton.pdf.

Featured speakers include Kendra Levin, editor at Viking Children’s books, and Peter Brown, award-winning author/illustrator of The Curious Garden and Children Make Terrible Pets.

Kendra Levin

Peter Brown

Kendra will do a general session on Viking and the kinds of books they publish, and what she specifically is looking for, and she’ll also talk about current trends in children’s publishing. She’ll also lead a breakout session called “Meet Your Character: How Motivation Drives Story.”

Peter will do a general session on leading a creative life and a breakout session called “Illustration at Work.” Kendra and Peter will also lead a First Pages/First Look general session. In addition, local author Sue Cowing and local author/illustrator Tammy Yee will lead a general session called “Book Promotion—a Do-It-Yourself Project.”

Monday, November 14, 2011

Holiday Book Signings at Barnes & Noble!

Drop by to say hello, or have your books autographed in time for the holidays.

Saturday, November 19, 3-4pm
Barnes & Noble, Kahala Mall

Book Signing, Illustrating and Original Artwork in support of ASSETS School Book Fair

Lynne Wikoff

Tammy Yee

Saturday, November 26, 11am-noon
Barnes & Noble, Kahala Mall

Meet and Greet Mutual Publishing's Authors and Illustrators:

Michael Koyama
Deb McGuire
Matthew Kaopio
Marsha Gibson
Lynne Wikoff
Tammy Yee

Friday, October 21, 2011

Not to be Missed: Fiction Workshop with Donna Jo Napoli

I took a workshop from Donna Jo, and she's stellar:

Fiction Workshop with Donna Jo Napoli
Friday and Saturday, December 9 and 10, 2011

Donna Jo Napoli, multi-award-winning author of dozens of middle grade and YA novels and picture books (and a university professor of linguistics) will be back by popular demand for another great fiction-writing workshop. (See her website at www.donnajonapoli.com) The workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, December 9 and 10; Friday’s location is Paki Hale (adjacent to Kapiolani Park) and Saturday’s location is the Aina Haina Library meeting room. Cost is $200 for members, $225 to nonmembers. Enrollment is limited, and the workshop is almost full. Preference to members. To sign up and/or for more information, please email Lynne at lwikoff@lava.net.

THE WORLD OF CHILDREN'S LITERATURE WITH AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR AND YOSEMITE NATURALIST MICHAEL ELSOHN ROSS

Passing it on...

THE WORLD OF CHILDREN'S LITERATURE WITH AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR AND YOSEMITE NATURALIST MICHAEL ELSOHN ROSS

UHM Outreach College Noncredit Workshop

Writing Your Children's Book
with Michael Elsohn Ross
Tuesday and Thursday, Nov 3 & Nov 8 • 6:00-9:00pm • UHM George Hall 214 • $65 • To register: 956-8400 or www.outreach.hawaii.edu/noncredit

"What impresses me years later is that I wrote a kids' book without knowing much about children's literature. Ignorance was bliss, because I wrote and illustrated free of the constraints of trying to fit a mold. I created with kids in mind..."-- Michael Elsohn Ross

Writing books for children is very different from other genres since the audiences are kids and the publishers, buyers, and librarians are adults. Michael Elsohn Ross, naturalist and award-winning author of over 40 books for children, offers this entertaining and informative class for anyone with a love of children's literature, and an interest in writing or illustrating books.

In his 2-day workshop, Ross explores the wide variety of styles and formats of current books, and shares some useful writing and publishing tools gleaned from his extensive experience in the field. Participants will have a chance to write and edit short pieces, as well as gain an overview of the publishing process.

Michael Elsohn Ross lives on a bluff overlooking the Merced River, right next to Yosemite National Park. Since 1975 he has worked as a naturalist in Yosemite where he continues to lead field classes for the Yosemite Association. He is the educational director of Yosemite Guides and teaches writing workshops at Cal State Fresno and other US Mainland colleges.

Ross' nature and science books include Sandbox Scientists, a guide to setting up science activities for 2-8-year-olds; Cycles, a series of books introducing young people to various cycles in nature and the environment; You're the Scientist books, providing a creative outlet for young experimenters; and The Happy Camper Handbook, a guide to help kids prepare for camping in the great outdoors. Picture books include Snug as a Bug, Baby Bear Isn't Hungry, and What's the Matter in Mr. Whisker's Room? Turning from science to art, Ross wrote Nature Art with Chiura Obata, a biography of a Japanese-American artist who was interned during World War II and
a related title, Salvador Dali and the Surrealists: Their Lives and Ideals. Ross also added to the "World's Children" book series with Children of Northern Ireland and Children of Puerto Rico.

Visit the author's website at: http://www.bugauthor.com/

Friday, February 11, 2011

SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators) Conference in Hawaii

2011 SCBWI-Hawaii Conference Preview

Reka Simonsen, executive editor at Houghton Children’s Books

Author John Ritter

Illustrator Michael Furuya

Our 2011 conference is set for Saturday, February 19, at the Ala Moana Hotel, Ilima Room, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Featured guests will be Reka Simonsen, executive editor at Houghton Children’s Books, author John Ritter, and illustrator Michael Furuya. Plan to come and “be with your people” at this inspiring annual event!

In addition, John Ritter will lead an optional fiction workshop, “How to Give your Stories Depth, Interest and Intrigue,” for conference attendees the day before the conference, Friday, February 18, at Paki Hale from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., followed by lunch and schmooze until 2:30 p.m.
We have emailed complete information recently, and it is also available at the link below, but here are some of the highlights.

For all:

“A Primer on Queries and Synopses and Postcards” with Reka Simonsen.
“How to Make Your Website Work for You (even if you don’t have one yet)” panel discussion with John Ritter, Tammy Yee, Sue Wyshynski and Elizabeth Oh.
first-pages/first look session with Reka Simonsen, John Ritter and Michael Furuya.
optional manuscript and portfolio critiques.

Especially for writers:

session with acclaimed novelist John Ritter (www.johnhritter.com ) “Is Your Issue Showing?: how to explore cultural or political themes in our books without sacrificing story”
optional fiction workshop with John Ritter (for novelists and picture book writers)

Especially for illustrators:

“From page to Stage and Beyond,” session with children’s book illustrator and ‘Ohi‘a Productions co-founder Michael Furuya.

Costs and Deadlines:
The cost of the February 19th conference (including lunch) is $90 for members, or $120 for nonmembers, with additional fees for optional manuscript, dummy, or portfolio critiques.

The cost of the optional February 18th fiction workshop with John Ritter is $60 for members and $85 for nonmembers (space available); optional lunch is an additional $15. Please note: you must be registered for the conference to attend the workshop.

Postmark deadline to register for the conference with manuscript critique is January 18, 2011. You must send your manuscript(s) in with your registration and fee(s).
Deadline to register for the conference and fiction workshop is February 11, 2011.
Deadline to register for the conference alone or with portfolio critique is February11, 2011.

2011 SCBWI-Hawaii Conference Information and Registration

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Children’s Writing Class at UH Outreach

For those interested in writing children's nonfiction, this sounds promising (I'm thinking of going):

Michael Elsohn Ross, a science educator and an award-winning author of more than 40 books for children on nature, science, and art will be teaching a two-session noncredit evening course UH called ‘Writing Your Children’s Book’ (Event ID: P11028). The class will meet on November 4 (Thursday) and 9 (Tuesday) from 6 to 9 p.m. in Kuykendall 303, and the course fee is $65. Michael describes the class as follows: “Discover the wide variety of styles and formats of current books, and pick up some useful writing and publishing tools from an author with extensive experience in the field. Participants will have a chance to write and edit short pieces, as well as get an overview of the publishing process.”

Michael, who works as a naturalist in Yosemite, presents at schools and conferences throughout the U.S. and internationally and teaches writing workshops. See his website at www.bugauthor.com. (While we don’t know Michael personally, he’s an SCBWI member, and the Regional Advisor where he lives recommends him highly.) Register online at www.outreach.hawaii.edu/noncredit/registration.asp, or call 956-8400.

And for those not familiar with SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) Hawaii's website, check out their online publication, Trade Winds.

This issue features helpful writing and publishing tidbits from the SCBWI Conference in L.A., as well as summary of what local publishers in Hawaii (Island Heritage, Mutual Publishing, Bess Press) are seeking.

Book Launch: Plenty Saimin, by Feng Feng Hutchins

The celebration will begin Sunday, September 26th, 2010 at 3 p.m. inside Native books. Light refreshments, books, friends and family. Fresh noodle packets of saimin from the Sun Noodle Company will be given away with the first 25-signed copies.

Book Launch Celebration And Signing

Native Book/ Na Mea Hawaii
Ward Warehouse (Ewa end)
1050 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, Hi 96814
www.nativebookshawaii.com

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Whales' Tails and Turtle Trails

Ta-daah...I signed books at Hanauma Bay and got my first glimpse of my new children's book from Island Heritage Publishing, Whales' Tails and Turtle Trails. Created in PhotoShop, which will probably be the medium for my next book as well. Very satisfied with the publisher's color reproduction...Hanauma Bay said they pre-ordered the book and were only able to get 12 copies.

What fun!

Sunday, June 6, 2010

SCBWI International Summer Conference

The 39th Annual SCBWI International Summer Conference features 4 days of agents, editors, publishers, workshps and networking designed to take your writing and illustration to the next level. From individual consultations on your manuscript or portfolio with an editor or agent, to keynotes and targeted workshops from best-selling writers and illustrators, the SCBWI Summer Conference gives you the opportunity to focus on honing your craft while networking with industry decision-makers.

Published or pre-published, you can't afford to miss this opportunity! Get the latest information on the market from the industry leaders in publishing for young people, and be inspired by some of the most well-known authors and illustrators working in children's literature today.

Make sure you're logged in as an SCBWI member, then click on the links above to learn and REGISTER NOW to reserve your place today!

What: 39th Annual Summer Conference
When: July 30 - August 2, 2010
Where: Hyatt Regency Century Plaza, Los Angeles

SCBWI brings together top professionals in the children's publishing world to share their knowledge and expertise with attendees twice each year. The annual SCBWI Summer & Winter conferences are also excellent networking opportunities for those already established in the children's industry, and for those just starting to enter the world of children's book writing and illustrating.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Peachtree Publisher's Blogspot: The Development of a Book Cover

My dear friend and colleague, Shan Correa, just came out with her middle-grade novel, Gaff, and I am so proud of her!

As an author and illustrator, I am well aware of the challenges faced in developing a book cover, and have sometimes wished I could "do-over" a cover.

Peachtree's Blog, Judging a Book by its Cover, features Shan's novel as a demonstration of how a cover was selected:

"When creating anything, especially book covers, changes are going to happen and first ideas will become third ideas or even sixth ideas. But, with every change or every new idea comes a more polished and a more cohesive cover, so that the end result is something that we are all proud of and something that highlights the story."

Congratulations, Shan!

Saturday, March 13, 2010

National Children's Book Week Art Display

May 6 to June 16, 2010
Kapiolani Community College Library

To celebrate National Children’s Book Week in May, SCBWI-Hawaii will put on its first-ever exhibit of children’s book art by Hawaii artists. All members and friends are invited to the opening on May 6, 2010, from 4 to 6 pm In front of the Kapiolani Community College Library.

Artists exhibiting will be Scott Goto, Yuko Green, Jeff Langcaon, James Rumford, Esther Szegedy, and Tammy Yee. David Behlke of Koa Gallery will curate. The exhibit will be up in the library gallery until June 16 and will be open during weekday hours (for specific times, see http://library.kcc.hawaii.edu/libraryinfo/hours or call 808-734-9268)

Monday, February 1, 2010

SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) Hawaii Annual Conference

Saturday, February 27, 2010, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Ala Moana Hotel, Garden Room

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, you’ll benefit from this banner program. Polish your skills and hone your talents as you plunge into the world of children’s books!

Featured speakers:

Nancy Siscoe

Nancy Siscoe: Associate Publishing Director and Executive Editor, Knopf & Crown Books for Young Readers

Kathi Appelt: multi-award-winning author of both picture books and novels

Margaret South: Hawaii-based writing teacher

James Rumford: multi-award winning picture book author/illustrator

Tammy Yee: author/illustrator of numerous picture books

Scott Goto: illustrator of several picture books, and now an author/illustrator

Sessions:

For all:

general session with Nancy Siscoe, executive editor at Knopf on character development in both text and illustration.

after-lunch panel with representatives from Mutual Publishing, Island Heritage, and Bess Press who will talk about what kinds of manuscripts they are looking for and how to submit to them.

optional manuscript and portfolio critiques.

For writers:

hands-on session with Newbury honoree Kathi Appelt on “Endowed Objects–What’s in your Character’s ‘Magic Box?’”

first-pages session

session on “The Art of Story” with Margaret South, who wowed us all at last year’s conference.

For illustrators:

hands-on session with James Rumford, “Now That’s Another Story: the Art of the Picture Book”

presentation with Tammy Yee on “The (Happy) Marriage of Illustration and Technology”

presentation with Scott Goto “Working from References and Other Tricks of the Trade”

And, for conference attendees,

Kathi Appelt Fiction Workshop: Friday, February 26, 2010
On the day before the annual conference, author and teacher Kathi Appelt (THE UNDERNEATH) will lead an all-day, limited-attendance fiction workshop at a location to be determined.

For more information, visit SCBWI-Hawaii's Website or contact Lynne at lwikoff@lava.net

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Finished digital art for a children's book

And here's the finished work, from a book I wrote and illustrated, Whales' Tails and Turtle Trails:

Search This Blog

MENU

Subscribe To