Loved to Pieces . . . with Kelly Murphy

Our good pal and astoundingly talented illustrator, Kelly Murphy, is in the Cottage today! She came to share her first favorite book. As she explains, choosing just one is no easy feat. 

Kelly is most notably the illustrator of Secrets At Sea; the New York Times bestseller and E.B. White Read Aloud Award winner, Masterpiece; and the Nathaniel Fludd, BEASTOLOGIST series. Her recent books include the highly praised The Mouse with the Question Mark Tail by Richard Peck and Romping Monsters, Stomping Monsters by Jane Yolen.

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It's tricky to narrow it down to just one book, but I think I have to chose the one book that really is . . . in pieces. And VERY much loved.

Let's Draw Animals by Ann Davidow is quite obviously one of my most beloved books. I mean, just look how tattered the Murphy family copy is. I'm certain we've had it since the early sixties.

Being the last of seven children, Let's Draw Animals was in rough shape, making it even more justifiable for me to practice on the pages. My wee developing artistic brain latched on to these images because of their simple ingenuity.  It taught me at a very early age that drawing was really about finding larger shapes before concentrating on the smaller details. I can remember how fun it was to imagine and then color each critter's world around Davidow's clean, black line work.

I loved this book because it encouraged me to imagine, create, and repeat . . . which turned out to be my most favorite thing in the world! I believe they did a recent paperback reprint, but nothing beats my mangy, tattered copy. Maybe I can laminate each page for the next generation of Murphys?

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Happy book birthday to Kelly's latest book, Anton and Cecil: Cats at Sea ~ coming TOMORROW! 
by Lisa Martin & Valerie Martin

A swashbuckling story of two very different cat brothers and their adventures at sea.

"The story is well paced with descriptive language that firmly places readers in the midst of dangerous storms, sea battles, and islands full of strange animals. . . . Children who like animal fantasies such as Avi's Poppy . . . will find much to enjoy here." --School Library Journal

Algonquin Young Readers
Pub date: October 8, 2013
ISBN-13: 978-1-61620-246-0

And just in time for Halloween ~ Romping Monsters, Stomping Monsters!
by Jane Yolen

Those little monsters are back--and on the move! Jane Yolen takes her rhymes to the playground, aided by Kelly Murphy's exuberant illustrations.

Candlewick Press
Pub date: July 9, 2013
ISBN-13: 978-076736-5727-7

"The story is well paced with descriptive language that firmly places readers in the midst of dangerous storms, sea battles, and islands full of strange animals . . .  [C]hildren who like animal fantasies such as Avi’s Poppy (Scholastic, 1995) will find much to enjoy here."
- School Library Journal - See more at: http://www.algonquinyoungreaders.com/book/anton-and-cecil-cats-at-sea/#sthash.pnVqklII.dpuf

Kelly Murphy is an accomplished picture book and chapter book author and artist. She is most notably the illustrator of Secrets At Sea; the New York Times bestseller and E.B. White Read Aloud Award winner, Masterpiece; and the Nathaniel Fludd, BEASTOLOGIST book series. Kelly's books have been published by worldwide leading publishing houses and translated in thirteen languages, earning starred reviews and countless awards. Her books have also been consistently selected by the Society of Illustrators for its Original Art show, and featured on best books of the year lists by Kirkus Reviews, People Magazine and The New York Times.

To learn more about Kelly's books, visit www.kelmurphy.com.