Catch our Welcome to Monster Isle story time at MOCHA

If you're in Oakland, California tomorrow (Saturday, June 6th), visit the Museum of Children's Art downtown (www.mocha.org) at 1 pm and enjoy a fun story time. Author Oliver Chin will read Welcome to Monster Isle and kids will make their own monster in an arts & crafts activity afterward.

The picture on the left captures the book's artist Jeff Miracola next to his furry buddy the Yowie, who is one of the creatures featured in this wild adventure.

While you're at the MOCHA, enjoy the current gallery exhibition "Once Upon a Time: Children's Book Illustrators Then and Now." This popular annual exhibit features the current work of children’s book illustrators alongside works created by the artists when they were children! Naturally Jeff is one of the participating artists and has contributed the drawing on the right: he was 10 years-old when he created this Unicorn and Rainbow piece.

This show inspires kids to keep drawing and being creative, just like pros such as Jeff.

Immedium at the Maker Faire this weekend

We attended the Maker Faire last year, and it was literally a blast. So we're happy to report that we're represented on the grounds in two ways.

First, the Maker Shed (the bookstore onsite) will be selling autographed copies of our coffee table book Desert to Dream: A Decade of Burning Man Photography by Barbara Traub. The Faire has a very influential Burner contingent, especially as multiple contraptions light up the evening sky with flaming pyrotechnics. For those intrepid souls getting ready for their Labor Day excursion, this colorful photo essay is a must-see guide to inspire them on their upcoming journey.

Secondly, the creators of the Woollyhoodwinks will sign their book The Woollyhoodwinks vs. the Dark Patch at their table #38 at the Bazaar Bizarre at the Faire. Come meet the five cute dolls Ludic, Fluke, Reddy, Ozard, and Junco. This crafty adventure was named a Top 10 Book of 2008 by ArtMoCo, and a favorite of CoolMomPicks.com.

So come one, come all to the soon to be stuffed to the gills San Mateo County Expo Center this weekend. Get ready for lots of walking, eye-popping visual doo-dads, and of course these two dynamic and wonderful books that embody "making" and great gift-giving.