Can Bea save a tree? This story was inspired by the real life campaign of a Grant Elementary School class to save the tree outside their window. it's dedicated to all young authors, artists, and activists.
"A funny and timely primer for budding activists." starred review, Kirkus Reviews
Listen to a radio interview with David Lile on KFRU.
Read about it in The Missourian
Click here for a preview of The Tree and Me.
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Touch here with your magic wand to see a book about an unlikely friendship.
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Can Bea Garcia save her dog, Sophie? Click to HELP!
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Find your perfect spot at the top!
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The Deep, Deep Puddle in Chinese!
I had a wonderful time illustrating this fun counting book written by Mary Jessie Parker, so was delighted to see a new Chinese edition
When the book first came out I participated in a blog tour:
1. What is the title of your new book?
The Deep, Deep Puddle by author Mary Jessie Parker is coming out on April 18. It's published by Dial Books for Young Readers.
2. Where did the idea come from for the book?
Mary Jessie Parker's counting book text provided a fun platform for me to jump off from---and a deep puddle to dive into, of course! I had a wonderful time imagining the characters---these robbers were the first to come to mind.
3) What genre does your book fall under?
It's an urban--cops-and-robbers-counting-storybook featuring 1 shaggy dog, 2 stray cats, 3 thirsty squirrels, 4 pigeons, 5 school kids, 6 tourists, 7 taxis, 8 street vendors, 9 robbers, 10 cops, 11 tanker trucks, and 12 public works employees---and of course, a deep, deep puddle. You can find them all in this scene:
4) What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?
I'd love to see Meryl Streep play the part of the robber in the fur coat and sunglasses.
5) How long did it take you to do the art?
Much, much longer than usual for me---two years---in part, because I traveled to Asia for 6 months right in the middle of the project. When I got home, I did all the finish gouache paintings in four months. The big break between sketches and finish art was like a long, deep breath that allowed me to approach each frenetic painting with a sense of calm---and the trip itself was amazing.
6) What inspired you in illustrating this book?
It was fun to work with an urban setting, and with characters in yellow slickers and hard hats.
7) What else about the book might pique the reader's interest?
I think it will be a great book for parents to share with their very young kids and for 6- and 7-year olds to explore on their own---it has a little Where's Waldo? aspect to it as kids look for each of the characters in the pictures. It's both a story and a counting book, and as a counting book, it's a little different in that it counts up to 12 and then back down to 1 shaggy dog again, and then---but I won't give away the surprise ending.
