I will update our list of fantastic picture books as they come in. 2024 here we come!
#pb24galore Colleen Muske
LINDEN: THE STORY OF A TREE
written & illustrated by Colleen Muske
Marble Press, March 2024
#PB24Galore: new picture books to explore!
Meet our fabulous team of explorers! We all have new picture books in 2024. Check back for more news and giveaways.
ADAM MING linktr.ee/adamming
ALICIA SCHWAB linktr.ee/AliciaSchwab
COLLEEN MUSKE colleenmuske.com
JEANETTE FAZZARI JONES https://jeanettejones1981.wixsite.com/jeanettefazzarijo
JENIN MOHAMMED https://www.jeninmohammed.com/books/
MIRKA HOKKANEN smart.bio/mirkahokkanen
SARAH KURPIEL https://sarahkurpiel.com/
ZAINAB KHAN https://www.facebook.com/zainab.khan.967
Downtown St. Paul Voice
Another lovely article in my local paper, the Downtown St. Paul Voice. Our book, THE HOUSE WE SHELTERED IN / THE MASKS WE WORE, was written by Freeman Ng and illustrated by 16 illustrators (including me).
The book is about the pandemic and how the world learned to live during this challenging time in our history. A dual volume: two stories that start from each end of a flippable book. The flippable dual structure of the book seemed a natural expression of its yin-yang nature. The first poem, The House We Sheltered In, is inward-looking. It’s about comfort and security. The second poem, The Masks We Wore, is outward-looking, about the actions we took in the world to combat the virus.
Order your copy today at www.pandemicpb.com
South Shore Community Magazine
Massachusetts illustrator Olivia Pinney is featured in this article from the spring/summer edition of South Shore Community Magazine where Pinney lives. She was one of 16 illustrators (including me) that created art for Freeman Ng’s picture book THE HOUSE WE SHELTERED IN / THE MASKS WE WORE.
The book is about the pandemic and how the world learned to live during this challenging time in our history. A dual volume: two stories that start from each end of a flippable book. The flippable dual structure of the book seemed a natural expression of its yin-yang nature. The first poem, The House We Sheltered In, is inward-looking. It’s about comfort and security. The second poem, The Masks We Wore, is outward-looking, about the actions we took in the world to combat the virus.
Order your copy today at www.pandemicpb.com
Stroll - North Oaks Magazine
In the September issue of Stroll magazine, illustrator Sara Nintzel reads our new picture book, THE HOUSE WE SHELTERED IN / THE MASKS WE WORE, to her three boys in their garden. The book is by local St. Paul poet Freeman Ng and illustrated by 16 illustrators (including me).
Also featured in this article are Alicia Schwab, Annie Kuhn, and Freeman Ng. The book is about the pandemic and how the world learned to live during this challenging time in our history. A dual volume: two stories that start from each end of a flippable book. The flippable dual structure of the book seemed a natural expression of its yin-yang nature. The first poem, The House We Sheltered In, is inward-looking. It’s about comfort and security. The second poem, The Masks We Wore, is outward-looking, about the actions we took in the world to combat the virus.
Order your copy today at www.pandemicpb.com
White Bear Press
August 9, 2023: Fellow illustrators Annie Kuhn and Sara Nintzel are featured in the White Bear Press paper on our picture book, THE HOUSE WE SHELTERED IN / THE MASKS WE WORE.
They were some of the 16 illustrators (including me) that created art for Freeman Ng’s picture book.
The book is about the pandemic and how the world learned to live during this challenging time in our history. The book is two stories that begin at each end of the book and conclude in the center of the book. Freeman Ng lives in St. Paul and has been writing poetry for thirty years.
Order your copy today at www.pandemicpb.com
Pioneer Press, St. Paul, MN
On June 23, 2023, my local paper, the Pioneer Press, ran a feature on our book, THE HOUSE WE SHELTERED IN / THE MASKS WE WORE, written by Freeman Ng and illustrated by 16 illustrators (including me).
The book is about the pandemic and how the world learned to live during this challenging time in our history. The book is about the pandemic and how the world learned to live during this challenging time in our history. A dual volume: two stories that start from each end of a flippable book. The flippable dual structure of the book seemed a natural expression of its yin-yang nature. The first poem, The House We Sheltered In, is inward-looking. It’s about comfort and security. The second poem, The Masks We Wore, is outward-looking, about the actions we took in the world to combat the virus.
Order your copy today at www.pandemicpb.com
Sun Sailor Newspaper
On August 18, 2023, my local Twin Cities paper, the Sun Sailor, ran a feature on our book, THE HOUSE WE SHELTERED IN / THE MASKS WE WORE, written by Freeman Ng and illustrated by 16 illustrators.
The book is about the pandemic and how the world learned to live during this challenging time in our history. A dual volume: two stories that start from each end of a flippable book. The flippable dual structure of the book seemed a natural expression of its yin-yang nature. The first poem, The House We Sheltered In, is inward-looking. It’s about comfort and security. The second poem, The Masks We Wore, is outward-looking, about the actions we took in the world to combat the virus.
Order your copy today at www.pandemicpb.com
Hello from Alaska
I recently visited my family in Gustavus, Alaska. The sky cleared to unveil all of Alaska's treasures. We took an 8-hour boat tour through Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve that began in spring weather, driving deeper and deeper up the bay that ended in the belly of winter, where the water was filled with icebergs. We passed countless snowy peaks, sea otters, whales, porpoises, sea lions, and wild mountain goats. The boat ride covered approximately the same square miles as the state of Connecticut, with mountain peaks rising high above the sea.
"Nature always wears the colors of the spirit."—Ralph Waldo Emerson
Here's where to find me on social media:
www.aliciaschwab.com -&- LinkTree http://linktr.ee/AliciaSchwab
Instagram & Threads @schwab.alicia
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliciamschwab/
Mastodon @aschwabart@mas.to
X-Twitter & HIVE @aschwabart
SUN SAILOR NEWSPAPER
YAY! We have an article in the local SUN SAILOR paper covering Minnetonka, Excelsior, Eden Prairie, Plymouth, Wayzata, St. Louis Park and Hopkins, Minnesota.
https://www.hometownsource.com/sun_sailor/free/plymouth-author-contributes-to-dual-volume-picture-book-about-pandemic-life/article_89a8fe90-0a30-11ee-b0fc-3b8c74887e72.html
The House We Sheltered In / The Masks We Wore is a dual volume: two stories that start from each end of a flippable book. Each poem begins at the cover and ends in the middle of the book.
Three Daughters Press, 2023
ISBN: 978-0-9906197-9-6
Written by poet and author Freeman Ng and illustrated by a team of 14 artists:
Alicia Schwab, Annie Kuhn, Brigitte West, Cheryl Ann Warren, Eshanthie Tyner, Gabriela Vega, Haley Grunloh, Jessica Chrysler, Juliana Castro, Rebecca Hoenig, Ruby Michelle, Sara Nintzel, Olivia Pinney, and Wendy Roble.
MPR Radio Interview for Picture Book, THE HOUSE WE SHELTERED IN
Minnesota Public Radio’s host, Emily Bright, of the show Minnesota Now, interviewed our team about our dual-volume picture book about life during the pandemic. The House We Sheltered In / The Masks We Wore. Listen to the broadcast.
St. Paul, Author Freeman Ng, and fourteen international artists collaborated nationwide to create a picture book that helps kids process their experiences during this difficult period. This picture book celebrates the joys of homebound life and the collective heroism of our fight against COVID-19.
The House We Sheltered In / The Masks We Wore is a dual volume: two stories that start from each end of a flippable book.
Three Daughters Press, 2023
ISBN: 978-0-9906197-9-6
Written by poet and author Freeman Ng and illustrated by a team of 14 artists:
Alicia Schwab, Annie Kuhn, Brigitte West, Cheryl Ann Warren, Eshanthie Tyner, Gabriela Vega, Haley Grunloh, Jessica Chrysler, Juliana Castro, Rebecca Hoenig, Ruby Michelle, Sara Nintzel, Olivia Pinney, and Wendy Roble.
2023 IPPY Idependent Publishing Award
LITE: The High Treason Incident, by A. G. Roberts and illustrated by Alicia Schwab is a middle grade fantasy chapter book.
2023 IPPY AWARD
Merion is a young mouse who has worked hard to overcome her physical disability and earn her place as a messenger for the Royal Message Service of her country, Lyleechee. When she stumbles upon a plan of high treason, however, her life is upended. In this crisis the intelligence agency LITE is reestablished by Xander Shadow and Merion is recruited to the newly formed LITE Academy as an agent in training. Before she finishes, she will be called upon to use her cunning, courage, and daring to help foil the plot to take over Lyleechee.
COVER REVEAL
TICKET TO GLIDE : THE TWIN CITIES’ 50 BEST SPOTS FOR KAYAKING
If you are a kayaker, you are in for a treat! Minnesota is the “land of 10,000 lakes.” There are countless great places to kayak in the Twin Cities alone, but how do you know where to go? Bob Shaw describes the Twin Cities’ fifty best spots for kayaking in this guidebook.
Alicia Schwab used her information design skills to create concise maps of different areas of the greater Twin Cities metro, including major roadways, hundreds of lakes, marshes, ponds—and the Mississippi, Minnesota, and St. Croix rivers.
More information on where to buy this book is coming soon!
A day for celebration!!
“WHO says Covid-19 is no longer a global health emergency.” Thank goodness.
BOOK LAUNCH: Yes, I made a book with TWO covers! I collaborated with a team of creators from around the globe. We made a #pb flipbook celebrating the joys of homebound life and the collective heroism of our fight against COVID-19. By author Freeman Ng & 14 international illustrators: Alicia Schwab, Anaya Pinney, Annie Kuhn, Brigitte West, Cheryl Anne Warren, Eshanthie Tyner, Gabriela Vega, Haley Grunloh, Jessica Chrysler, Julianna Castro, Rebecca Hoenig, Ruby Michelle, Sara Nintzel, Olivia Pinney, and Wendy Roble. https://pandemicpb.com/
BUY THIS BOOK!
Publisher's Weekly
It is finally my turn to share the good news. I’m absolutely tickled pink to work with the Amicus Ink team, and Sarah Hovorka’s story is incredible! I can’t wait for UNICYCLE DAD to get into the hands of young readers.
#Storystorm - Louise M. Aamodt
My longtime critique partner, Louise Aamodt (aka Lou), is featured on the STORYSTORM blog by author Tara Lazar on January 24, 2023. I’m so thrilled Lou is being recognized for all her hard work. She is a prolific writer, full-time teacher, environmental activist, and an all-around fabulous person. Lou’s post today focuses on how to make time for your writing (or even illustrating). We are all busy, but the trick is to carve out time to make room for your writing career. Storystorm is a picture book writing challenge founded by author Tara Lazar. Participants brainstorm as many picture ideas in the month of January.
Louse Aamodt’s debut picture book, A FOREST BEGINS ANEW, illustrated by Elly MacKay and published by Astra Young Readers, rolls out in 2025. I was honored to critique this story and I know you are going to love it as much as I do!
FOLKTALEWEEK—Victory
SORIA MORIA CASTLE, by 1928 Nobel Prize in Literature recipient, Sigrid Undset. This story is from TRUE AND UNTRUE AND OTHER NORSE TALES, New York City (1945).
I recently made this sketch of a castle interior. It is a very complex scene. For starters, there is a dramatic 2-point perspective. I started by fixing the perspective.
Then, I blocked in the color with acrylic paint on cold press watercolor paper. I don’t use gel mediums, I paint acrylic as a water media, which makes it look like watercolor.
This image is nearly there. I laid my perspective drawing overtop. My fabulous critique group partners made some helpful suggestions: turn the kid to face the troll; make him smaller with a more teen-like build; change his shirt color to stand out more, and fix the perspective of the ellipse of the chandelier. Thanks!
#Victory!
FOLKTALEWEEK—Potion
FAIRY OINTMENT, by A. E. Bray, England (1838)
I decided these two people were too young. I also moved them away from each other so you can see the man’s right hand/arm.
"Put this potion in my newborn's eyes, but don't use any yourself," said the man to the midwife.
FolktaleWeek—Costume
MOSSYCOAT, collected by T. W. Thompson in Northumberland, England (1915) from the oral storyteller, Taimie Boswell. “Rashin Coatie” is a variation of “Cinderella” but her coat made from moss and gold thread has the magical ability to transport her anywhere. She teleports to the manor house and finds work in the kitchen.
