February is Picture Book Marathon month, and so far, I’m rather enjoying the challenge. 
I’ll let you know if I still do in a week
For more info, visit www.picturebookmarathon.org.

How about 1 picture book a day for 1 month?
In February 2010, children’s book writers worldwide will be “running” their first writing marathon. Reagan and Lora Koehler, two picture book writers, came up with the idea of a picture book marathon and “ran” their first one in September 2008.
Who’s in?

For more information, visit www.picturebookmarathon.org.

Here is an illustration (spread) I did for a Novelty Picture Book idea.
(In the prototype,  the “crunch of the snow” is heard by pressing on the area under the snowman’s feet, which is made of a crumbled plastic bag covered with white felt). 

Illustration Friday "Crunch" by Pascale Mackey

The SCBWI Florida Mid-Year Workshop in Orlando was fantastic. Linda Bernfeld, Gaby Triana and Janeen Mason did an amazing job as usual!!
I had the pleasure to attend the llustrator Intensive with authors/illustrators Jarrett Krosoczka, Janeen Mason and Mac McCool.  Former editor turned agent Mark McVeigh stopped by in the afternoon. They all gave us great insight and advice. What a great day, how lucky those of us who could attend!

The children’s author and illustrator breakfast was a celebration of books and music for the 1,200 booksellers at BookExpo America 2009.
Read the full story.

Check out Tom Warburton’s first children’s book: “1000 Times No”. Tom Warburton is the award-winning creator of Cartoon Network’s smash hit series Codename: Kids Next Door.

Yay! One of my favorite pictures books “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus”  by Mo Willems has taken #5 in the top 100 picture books, ranked from a reader poll of top 10s done by blogger Fuse 8. Congratulations Mo! See the Top 100 Picture Books Poll results here. 

Jarrett J.Krosoczka and Janeen Mason are presenting a one-day Illustrator’s Intensive at the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators conference in Orlando June 19 and 20, 2009.  If you  have a burning desire to illustrate children’s books, join us!  You’ll be glad you did.  

Go check out our website at: www.floridaillustrators.net.  
Register now, attendance is limited.