It’s mid August. You know what that means. We just finished with this. And this. And that means it’s almost time for this. And, since this blog is desperately in need of something to breathe life into its poor, neglected soul, I think it’s time for this. Who doesn’t love a great giveaway? So, here’s […]
Those of you who know me know that I support farmers and I especially support today’s farm youth. 4-H and FFA members and farm kids in general are an admirable lot. They learn early how to work and how to work hard. They can be found in the barn before school. They give up a […]
With a stunning watercolor painting in the background, Jon paints for the Mazza audience, turning a single black line into a Labrador retriever. Born and raised in Cincinnati, a young Jon Muth headed to New York with $500 and a dream of painting for a living. When it became clear he would need to eat to survive, […]
He’s color blind. He’s artistically challenged. And he was a child who couldn’t read in fourth grade. How, then, did Gary D. Schmidt come to stand before us at the Mazza Museum of Art this morning as a Newbery Honor-winning author? Because a fourth grade teacher took a personal interest in him. She gave him books, even if they […]
The Mazza Fall Conference continues with yet another Calecott winner. David Ezra Stein confessed that his 2011 Caldecott was inspired by a knock-knock joke. Maybe you’ve heard it. It goes: Knock, Knock Who’s there? Interrupting chicken Interrupting chicken…. Bock, Bock, Bock! Perhaps it’s funnier in person. But nothing’s funnier than listening to David Ezra Stein […]
Isn’t that a mouthful? This evening, artist David Macaulay joined a prestigious list of Medallion recipients which includes Ted Rand, Robert Sabuda, and Paul Zelinsky to name just a few. With great enthusiasm, Dr. Jerry Mallett welcomed before a packed house the British-born, architecturally-trained, RISD instructor who introduced young readers to a fresh perspective in informational picture […]
So, today begins the Mazza Fall Weekend Institute! And yours truly will be blogging almost-live, up-to-the-minute updates on the action! Can’t wait to watch as David Macaulay is awarded the Mazza Medallion this evening! And tomorrow? Oh, get this – two famous Steads, one amazing Stein, an unforgettable Schmidt, one Muth, and the one and […]
Many folks have been asking about “the little red brick schoolhouse.” Well, that little building has stirred up the neighborhood in recent weeks. That’s because in early September it finally became obvious that something was going on. Since then, the schoolhouse has shed its shed, gained a whole lot of new slate, established its own […]
All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up. ~Pablo Picasso The Mazza Museum International Art from Picture Books not only showcases the work of the world’s finest illustrators in children’s literature, it is also committed to nurturing the artist in every young child. Every year, the walls of the […]
It happens every year. We get to Friday morning of the Mazza Summer Institute and we wonder “How? How can this day even hope to live up to the previous four?” This past week, we’ve heard from children’s book illustrators and authors whose work could be described with words such as: adorable, interesting, bold, subtle, delightful, […]
