I LOVE Blogs!

January is almost over.  This month marks the third anniversary of Baltic's rescue and one year since the publication of my first picture book based on his amazing adventure.  It's been a great ride! 

Earlier this month the blog The Classroom Bookshelf posted a really neat review of my book, offering ideas and resources for teachers and educators.  Check it out:

The Classroom Bookshelf: Little Dog Lost: The True Story of a Brave Dog Nam...: Written and Illustrated by Monica Carnesi Published by Nancy Paulsen Books in 2012 ISBN 978-0-399-25666-0 Book Review...

I simply LOVE blogs.  I started blogging in 2007 in order to participate in Illustration Friday, one of the best decisions I've made.  Through the blog I made new friends in the US and all over the world.  My blog was also instrumental in the launch of my career as a picture book author and illustrator.  Social media outlets have exploded and now there are so many different ways to maintain an online presence: Facebook, Google+, Twitter, Pinterest, etc.  All great, but I'm still partial to blogs :-)

The 2013 Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market (a must read for any aspiring author and/or illustrator) includes a piece written by my agent, Teresa Kietlinski, where she talks about the importance of blogs for illustrators:

Really cool reading and very, very true. And while it's hard sometimes to keep blogging consistently, it is definitely worth the effort.  One of my goals this year is to post at least twice a month.

So share a recent picture book you like or a fun sketch, talk about a favorite illustrator or about your creative process.  Yay for blogs! 

Spotlight on Books and Illustrators | Iwona Cala

Recently I did a post mentioning the beautiful Polish picture book about Baltic and his amazing rescue written by Barbara Gawryluk and illustrated by Iwona Cala.

Iwona is a super talented Polish illustrator (and architect!)  -- check out her blog to see some of her amazing artwork.  For Baltic, she used oil pastels to paint full-page illustrations.  I love the colors and texture!

She also often uses watercolor and other media and is the illustrator of many more children's books -- here are just a few:

 

I was delighted to be contacted by Iwona, who saw the post and suggested we exchange books!  She sent me a signed copy of Baltic with a lovely dedication, as well as a copy of another book (the one with the adorable baby on the cover), a beautiful story about adoption written by Agnieszka Fraczek.

But that's not all -- she also told her publisher, Wydawnnictow Literatura, about our virtual meeting and they arranged to send me another copy, this one signed by the author AND Mr. Adam Buczynski, the officer who rescued and adopted Baltic! Wow!

Thank you so much, Iwona!