Barney Saltzberg Noodlings

noreply@blogger.com (Barney Saltzberg Author, Illustrator, Songwriter) — Fri, 10 Sep 2021 18:23:00 +0000

We're All In The Same Boat!

It's been a VERY long time since I have added anything to this post. I believe I stopped posting even before the pandemic. Given that my latest book, We're All In The Same Boat! published by Creston Books came out this week, it seems like an appropriate time to write something. I wrote this book during the pandemic. A dear friend told me that we are NOT all in the same boat. We're in the same storm. That makes sense as well. Given the pandemic, it hit each of us differently. I started worrying that I came up with the wrong title for my book. Then I stepped back a bit and thought, a boat is more of an anaolgy for being on the same planet. As a writer of over fifty books for children, I am finding as I get older, I have more of a need to pass on a message. That was not how I started as a picture book author and illustrator. At this point in my life, I find that I want more substance in my work. There's a dance to do when I write this way. The story hopefully is entertaining in it's own write. If there's a way to sneak something in there, to plant some seeds, then my goal is achieved. I think it gets pretty squeaky in this book, however, a Kirkus review said "It is a cautionary tale that could have turned preachy, but Saltzberg's light touch gets an important message across with great, good humor." So, I 'think' I succeeded. We do have a responsiblity being on the boat we call earth. What we do as individuals impacts others. How we act has an impact. Pairing that concept down into a bite sized picture book is what I know how to do. I'm hoping this book does quietly inspire anyone who reads it. Wishing you safe paddling. Best, Barney

The Hard Part

noreply@blogger.com (Barney Saltzberg Author, Illustrator, Songwriter) — Tue, 12 Sep 2017 20:14:00 +0000

Sometimes I forget. I've published a lot of books. When I'm autographing a book, I don't think about what it took to get published. Forget the 'selling' it to the publisher part. I'm talking about writing the story. A spark of an idea leads to thinking, I have a new book idea. It can take years from that moment, until the book is finished. As I am writing this, I am avoiding working on a story that fits right into what I'm talking about. I drew a picture. Looked at the character and thought, there's a story there. I started writing and the more I wrote, the more the story started to fall apart. I've had three agonizing days of writing. Stopping. Drawing. Reading what I wrote. Writing some more. Cutting some of what I wrote.... And, there are some things I really like. I have lots of unanswered questions. This will either be brilliant, or trite. What a fine dance we do in the middle, in hopes of 'brilliant'. That's all I wanted to say. I don't care what anyone says. Even though I write 32 page picture books which take three minutes to read..... It takes a lot of work. And now, I'm going to take my son out to lunch so I can avoid writing!

The Editorial Dance

noreply@blogger.com (Barney Saltzberg Author, Illustrator, Songwriter) — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 21:05:00 +0000

So, I published my first picture book in 1981. Close to fifty books later, I'm struck with how odd the dance can be with an editor. When you go to the movies, you can see who directed the film. We read books but usually aren't aware of who the editor is. Five editors can have a hundred opinions. Did you know that If You Give A Mouse A Cookie was rejected nine times? Once, it was rejected by an editor at Harper. Ultimately, another editor at Harper found the manuscript and flipped. Talk about subjective! I'm old school enough to remember editors batting ideas around for years. They would see potential and work with the writer. Now, I'm finding much more of a thumbs up or thumbs down climate. I miss the back and forth of collaboration. Luckily for me, I still have an editor or two who work that way. Beautiful books can be created that way. I love to quote John Irving from Hotel New Hampshire. "Keep passing open windows." I take that to mean, don't jump. Don't give up. So, I'm walking by the window and enjoying the view..... I would rather fly out of the window than to jump, anyway. Back to the drawing board. Adios.

Continuing to Wander.... moved and inspired by Amy Krause Rosenthal

noreply@blogger.com (Barney Saltzberg Author, Illustrator, Songwriter) — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 21:43:00 +0000

I never met Amy. I now put her on the list I have of people that inspired me and I had hoped to meet and never did. She's right there with Jim Henson. The world lost Amy today.... The person. But her spirit and humor and observations will always be here to remind us that this life we are living is a marathon. Amy's was too short! I listened to her Ted Talk today about wandering and having ideas come to us when we are receptive. I will keep my eyes open, even wider now with Amy in mind...I will keep wandering, wondering and creating as long as I am able. I hope you will too!

#streetart #sidewalkart

A post shared by Barney saltzberg (@barneysaltzberg) on Mar 13, 2017 at 12:44pm PDT

THE PROCESS OF WRITING A NEW BOOK

noreply@blogger.com (Barney Saltzberg Author, Illustrator, Songwriter) — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 20:38:00 +0000

After having written and illustrated close to fifty books, you think I would be used to the process of writing a new book. I have to say, each book is different. I do not have a formula to follow. I NEVER know how it's going to unfold. I have been working on an idea for at least six months. I have lost track of how many versions of this particular story I have made.

Even though I haven't been happy with any of the finished pieces, I keep coming back to the project. I have always believed that it's a good idea to walk away from something for a while to get a new perspective. I have continued to do that for this particular book idea. Each time I come back, I see what works and what doesn't. I have to remind myself that eventually, if I keep working on this, I will in fact write a compelling story that works! Speaking of which, I have to get back to work on my story.

The point? Don't give up. EVEN if it seems hard.

Join in on the Celebrate Oops Campaign!

noreply@blogger.com (Barney Saltzberg Author, Illustrator, Songwriter) — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 20:01:00 +0000

A great description of our #celebrateOops campaign by Publishers Weekly come join in at http://www.beautifuloops.com/ launching Jan. 15th!

http://new.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/65090-workman-celebrates-the-art-of-oops.html

Free lesson plans on the site and inspiration.

Random Writing Tip #1

noreply@blogger.com (Barney Saltzberg Author, Illustrator, Songwriter) — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 20:45:00 +0000

My assistant, Shiloh would love to be a children's book writer.

She asks me questions from time to time and today we thought it might

be a good idea to write down her questions and my responses. I will warn you that nothing

I say is particularly earth shattering or new. I assume my answers are obvious, but then again,

I have been writing and illustrating picture books since 1981. What might be obvious to me,

might come as inspiration for someone else. At least, that's what we are hoping.

So, today, Shiloh asked, "How do you know where to start?"

My response is; We don't always know. Sometimes we 'think' we have a great idea.

My suggestion is, dive in. Just start writing. EVEN if all you write is, "This is scary.

I have no idea what I am about to write. I don't even have any ideas....."

That is a great start. Keep going. You might find that you wanted to write about, let's say, a talking flower or something like that, but because you were just going on and on about not knowing what to write, a character starts to emerge from what you have already written. That character is searching. Longing to find their story... And your talking flower might not be the story at all. Your story just might be about someone searching.... Or, something completely different. If you don't start writing, chances are, that story won't write itself. (If it does, that's a hell of a story as well!)

So, Shiloh, my advice today is to START WRITING!

Mrs. Anderson's Art Blog: Beautiful Oops! and Beautiful NEw Art RooM!

noreply@blogger.com (Barney Saltzberg Author, Illustrator, Songwriter) — Fri, 29 Aug 2014 16:27:00 +0000

Mrs. Anderson's Art Blog: Beautiful Oops! and Beautiful New Art RooM!

This is pretty amazing!

Animal Crackers in my Art

noreply@blogger.com (Barney Saltzberg Author, Illustrator, Songwriter) — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 19:40:00 +0000

Starting on a new yummy project that started by some animal crackers that were around the house.

I started noodling around with them and made some drawings that I posted on my instagram : barneysaltzberg.

Then I got some colorful frosted animal crackers and originals and scanned them into my computer using my actual scanner.

Here is the first drawing implementing the new scanning process.

Stick around to see more soon!

Recording music and painting

noreply@blogger.com (Barney Saltzberg Author, Illustrator, Songwriter) — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 16:26:00 +0000

I have been recording music at night. Alone, in my studio with a bunch of guitars, a bass and my laptop. I haven't recorded music in a while and since I spend most of my time writing books for children and illustrating them, I started to notice a similarity that I hadn't thought of before.

When painting, I lay down brush strokes. With music, I lay down instrumental tracks.
A slosh of red. A drum track. A slosh of orange. A bass track. A bit of yellow. An acoustic guitar.
A dash of purple. An electric guitar with tremolo.

All these layers build into something that grows from nothing. Eventually, a painting. Eventually, a song. I suppose if I painted on the computer I could edit my artwork by editing layers of color individually just as I edit the music. With each instrument on a different track I can experiment by panning the guitar from one side to the other. Lowering the volume on the bass, adding reverb, etc;
Painting traditionally with actual 'paint', it is hard to remove colors, but there is an editing process as well; adding a bit more of this and a bit more of that until the mix of colors works for me.

Maybe I need to write an instrumental to accompany a painting..... Might be an interesting experiment. Then again, I am enjoying the two separate processes which overlap here and there and at the same time allow me to create, hopefully, art for the ears and art for the eyes.

If you are someone who wants to create art and are at all hesitant, I hope you see here that part of any process is to jump in. To experiment. To take risks. Otherwise, we sit and wish... and nothing happens. Speaking of which, I am now going to work on a new story idea, so adios for now!

Come visit me at Children's Book Festival in Sacramento!

noreply@blogger.com (Barney Saltzberg Author, Illustrator, Songwriter) — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 18:57:00 +0000

Inspiration for Tea with Grandpa Book

noreply@blogger.com (Barney Saltzberg Author, Illustrator, Songwriter) — Tue, 08 Jul 2014 17:47:00 +0000

Sometimes all you need to do to find book ideas is look right in front of you!

This is Barney's actual dad and niece Ella using Skype to talk and share tea.

The idea for the book "Tea with Grandpa" came from one of Barney's regular day experiences.

Take a look around you and observe you never know what can inspire your next book idea!

Andrew Drew and Drew (Some more!)

noreply@blogger.com (Barney Saltzberg Author, Illustrator, Songwriter) — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 23:54:00 +0000

I loved and still love, Harold and the Purple Crayon. It amazed me as a child and still tickles me as an adult. When I published my book, Andrew Drew and Drew, I knew I was stepping into a murky area. Mr. Johnson had it covered already. Still, I couldn't help but create an homage to Harold and at the same time, talk about my ideas behind creativity.

I love Andrew Drew and Drew. It came out a few years ago and it's a quiet story. Given how little I see it in stores, it might be too quiet for some. I did find copies yesterday in the gift shop at LACMA (The Los Angeles County Museum of Art) My mother would have been thrilled. Although, she still would have found something to complain about. How come it isn't in the front window display? She knew how to get to the point!

Even though this isn't a new book of mine, I wanted to remind people that it's still out there. Sometimes I will look at an old book of mine and wonder how I could have made a better book. Looking at Andrew..... I'm good!
http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-4197-0377-5

Exciting *NEW Interactive App for Crazy Hair Day!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Barney Saltzberg Author, Illustrator, Songwriter) — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 17:42:00 +0000

We want to thank everyone involved with the creation of The Crazy Hair Day App and are excited to celebrate the release!

Now available through iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/crazy-hair-day-by-barney-saltzberg/id875236512?mt=8

Below is a description of the features in the new interactive Crazy Hair Day App.

Barney Saltzberg's Crazy Hair Day Interactive Storybook Now available

June 9, 2014 in Books

[prMac.com] Los Angeles, California - Today, Auryn a premier publisher of children's interactive storybooks and creative workbooks, announced the newest addition to its digital library, Barney Saltzberg's Crazy Hair Day. Offering hundreds of entertaining and interactive animations, sound effects and games, children will feel like they are a part of Saltzberg's digital narrative by personalizing and contributing to the storyline and interacting with the main character, Stanley Birdbaum, and his classmates. The digital storybook is available now as a stand-alone as app as well as within the StoriesAlive library app, which can be downloaded onto iPads, Android and Nabi tablets.

"Our goal is to engage and entertain children and families through the act of reading and we are thrilled to work with Barney Saltzberg to bring his story to life," said Umesh Shukla, founder and CEO of StoriesAlive. "Barney's creative and colorful narrative, coupled with our expertise in animation technology and visual effects has allowed us to turn Crazy Hair Day into one of the most interactive digital storybooks out in the marketplace."

Crazy Hair Day uses advanced technology to embed a variety of interactive features that children can discover and enjoy such as:

* Paint pictures using various mediums such as oil, marker, pastel or pencil which are then integrated throughout the story alongside Saltzberg's original illustrations.

* Add their own flair by styling Stanley's hair as crazy as they want by cutting, straightening, curling or coloring it to highlight their own creative take on the story's main crazy hair theme.

* Play various games as a part of the story such as the "Water Catching Game," "Music Game" and "Maze Game," which all encourage kids to use actively use their minds.

* Personalize the narrative by adding pictures of themselves to a slideshow which appears in frames on the class wall, and transform themselves into a hamster, just like those in the story, to become a character in the book.

"From the moment you open the app, there is so many wonderful things to do. Animation is beautiful. I found myself playing the dripping water game over and over!. Really great. It's so inventive. Really different." said Barney Saltzberg, author of Crazy Hair Day.

About StoriesAlive:
StoriesAlive is an innovative library app for children 3-8 years-old, which transforms children's storybook reading into personalized and engaging learning experiences through more than 160 interactive digital storybooks and creative workbooks. The app is free to download and comes with six free trial story apps. Offering instant access to popular and award-winning titles from classics to current bestsellers, StoriesAlive features carefully selected, well-designed titles from world-renowned, award-winning authors such as Barney Saltzberg, Nancy Tillman, Rosemary Wells, Suse MacDonald, Dean Koontz and Don Freeman.

Device Requirements:
* iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch
* Requires iOS 6.0 or later
* 243 MB

Pricing and Availability:
Barney Saltzberg's Crazy Hair Day 1.0.1 is $3.99 USD (or equivalent amount in other currencies) and available worldwide through the App Store in the Books category. Crazy Hair Day is also available as a stand alone app and through StoriesAlive, Auryn's subscription service for iPad and Android and Nabi tablets. For more information visit StoriesAlive online, or follow on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube.

StoriesAlive
Barney Saltzberg's Crazy Hair Day 1.0.1
Purchase and Download
YouTube Channel
Screenshot
App Icon

Founded by Academy award-winning visual effects experts from Hollywood's top movie studios, Auryn, Inc. is the most award-winning digital publisher of children's apps for the iPad, iPhone, Android and other tablet devices. Recognized by the Producers Guild of America and Variety magazine as the Digital 25 top innovator in Emerging Media and winner of more app awards than any other digital publisher, Auryn is paving the way in digital publishing and fast-becoming the leader in children's storybook apps. All Material and Software (C) Copyright 2014 Auryn, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone, iPod and iPad are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other trademarks and registered trademarks may be the property of their respective owners.

###

Umesh Shukla
CCO

Oh, I REMEMBER this part of writing!

noreply@blogger.com (Barney Saltzberg Author, Illustrator, Songwriter) — Fri, 30 May 2014 22:57:00 +0000

Someone said that there's a gene that allows women to forget about the pain of childbirth. Otherwise, they wouldn't get pregnant again. I think there must be a similar gene for a lot of other instances as well.

I had to whip three new books together to deliver the final artwork for May 1st. It's now the 30th. I am still recuperating. I'm not sitting in my studio, blankly staring at the walls. I'm not hanging out in coffee shops, waiting for inspiration. I am working every day on ideas for a few books.

One idea sounded amazing when it first came to me. Then, as I sat, working on the idea. Not as easy as I thought. This part works. This part doesn't. Can I draw what I am even attempting to create? Does this make sense? ALL those questions arise while I am trying to clear my head and create.

I forget about this part. I always quote a line shouted in the studio between songs on a Tom Petty album. "It's just the normal noises in here!"

This is all part of the process. I just have to remember that this is normal. Whatever that is!
The point of this is to say to anyone who is wondering... DON'T GIVE UP!

Now, I've avoided writing my book long enough, so adios!

Chengdu Process

noreply@blogger.com (Barney Saltzberg Author, Illustrator, Songwriter) — Thu, 29 May 2014 19:00:00 +0000

looking though old sketchbooks today and found the early workings of little chengdu.

keep a notebook handy one drawing, character, phrase, or a single word can turn into a great book!

chengdu trying to find the perfect spot to get some sleep.

stay tuned to see more doodlings and noodlings that go on in the studio!

Reading Helps you Sleep

noreply@blogger.com (Barney Saltzberg Author, Illustrator, Songwriter) — Wed, 28 May 2014 19:16:00 +0000

As you can see from the photographic evidence below scientist and researchers have found that little pandas sleep better when parent pandas read Chengdu Could not Would not Fall Asleep before bedtime. ;)

Find your copy of Chengdu on Amazon

Chengdu Giveaway Winners!

noreply@blogger.com (Barney Saltzberg Author, Illustrator, Songwriter) — Tue, 20 May 2014 19:23:00 +0000

CONGRATULATIONS!

The winners are in for the Chengdu Could not, Would not Fall Asleep book giveaway!

The lucky winners that will be receiving their very own signed copy of our favorite little panda Chengdu are:

Robin Rossbach

Antoinette Famianco

Holli Krusemark

Anita Staar

Margie Leonard

Thank you to everyone who entered and "Liked" us on Barney Saltzberg's Facebook page

Doodles and Noodles

Tea with Grandpa Giveaway WINNERS!

noreply@blogger.com (Barney Saltzberg Author, Illustrator, Songwriter) — Mon, 19 May 2014 20:31:00 +0000

We are excited to announce our lucky winners for the Tea with Grandpa Giveaway!

Congratulations

Dawn Venham

Jan Hall

Carri Jenkins

Julie Johnson

Jaclyn Reynolds

We are sending you a signed copy of Tea with Grandpa !

Thank you all who participated and have shown interest in Barney Saltzberg books.

Stay tuned to see who will win a copy of Chengdu in our Chengdu could not would not Fall Asleep

giveaway!

*NEW Board Book series in the workings!

noreply@blogger.com (Barney Saltzberg Author, Illustrator, Songwriter) — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 18:52:00 +0000

Having fun with colors in the studio today working on a *NEW board book series with Workman!

Stay tuned for more pictures from the studio and a behind the scenes look on new projects.

xo Barney

Chengdu Could Not Would Not Fall Asleep

noreply@blogger.com (Barney Saltzberg Author, Illustrator, Songwriter) — Wed, 09 Apr 2014 19:15:00 +0000

Chengdu Could Not Would Not Fall Asleep releases May 6th, 2014. Enter the cool book giveaway on Goodreads or Facebook.

High in his tree a young panda named Chengdu lies awake, even though everyone around him is quietly sleeping. He tosses and he turns. He scrunches and he squirms. But it's not until he finds the perfect spot-atop his brother, Yuan-that he finds rest. But now Yuan can't sleep.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Chengdu Could Not, Would Not, Fall Asleep

by Barney Saltzberg

Giveaway ends May 20, 2014.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Watch Chengdu trying his best to fall asleep:

KIRKUS REVIEW

In a twist on numerous picture books about little animals who are determined to stay awake, Chengdu the panda is trying his hardest to get to sleep.

Droll illustrations accompany spare, lulling text, leading to Chengdu’s success and a humorous surprise near the book’s end. The cover art is an immediate draw: The small panda’s oversized paws cling to a tree branch as his expressive, sleep-deprived face stares at readers, expertly matching the “could not, would not fall asleep” of the title. Initial pages establish a soporific mood, showing utterly relaxed, drowsily smudged pandas snoozing against a star-studded black sky, muted green bamboo branches the only spots of color. Large, softened white letters murmur, “It was late, and it was quiet, // and everyone in the bamboo grove was sleeping.” The next double-page spread consists of white space with only two wide-awake, black-masked panda eyes and the words, “Everyone except….” Of course, the page turn leads readers back to wide-awake Chengdu, staring plaintively from his moon-washed tree branch. Varied compositions and a couple of gatefolds add to the fun for readers as poor Chengdu tosses, scrunches and climbs his way to sleep…almost but, happily, not quite at the expense of his brother, Yuan.

Little sleepyheads will love chanting along with the words, and no one can deny the appeal of the art. A bedtime winner. (Picture book. 1-5) Read more

TEA WITH GRANDPA GIVEAWAY

noreply@blogger.com (Barney Saltzberg Author, Illustrator, Songwriter) — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 20:40:00 +0000

So excited to share TEA WITH GRANDPA with you releasing April 15th. Don't forget to enter the cool Giveaway on Facebook or GoodReads.

Spending time with Grandpa is always fun. Singing, laughing, eating, and playing. And when it's time to say goodbye, It won't be for long because He's never too far away to have tea. In this sweetly simple, rhyming picture book by acclaimed author/artist Barney Saltzberg, a little girl tells us about her daily tea ritual with her grandfather where they sing and laugh and clink their teacups with the help of their computers and a video chat.

"Mischievous pet antics add a dash of fun, but the focus is on the sweet bond between these two family members separated by distance." —Publishers Weekly

Facebook Giveaway: ENTER TO WIN

GoodReads Giveaway

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Tea with Grandpa

by Barney Saltzberg

Giveaway ends May 10, 2014.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Tea With Grandpa - Kirkus Review

noreply@blogger.com (Barney Saltzberg Author, Illustrator, Songwriter) — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 18:22:00 +0000

KIRKUS REVIEW

A young girl and her grandpa do not let distance keep them from their daily commitment to have tea together.

Bespectacled Grandpa meets up with his curly-haired granddaughter “[e]very day at half past three” to spend time with each other. Tea is poured, stories are told, songs are sung, and much laughter is shared. Observant readers will notice the girl’s pet cat and Grandpa’s pup cavorting as the gentle vignettes go back and forth between the two characters. Pastel-hued illustrations in what look like watercolor with details drawn using fine black lines have a cheerful cartoon style. Each spread presents one page with a simple line or two of gently rhyming text opposite a vignette of either Grandpa or the little girl. Even though the background colors subtly change from green for the girl’s scenes to pale blue for the grandfather’s, few will predict the unexpected ending that increases this title’s charm and timeliness. When Grandpa says, “I’d like some muffin,” his granddaughter tells him he is “[t]oo far away.” But on the following page, they almostclink their cups together against a pink, heart-shaped background and say their goodbyes face to face…through the computer.

The welcome modern twist to Saltzberg’s intergenerational story is sweetly affirming for today’s far-flung families. (Picture book. 3-6)

ENTER TO WIN TEA WITH GRANDPA GIVEAWAY

Watch the Tea With Grandpa Book Trailer

"Keep passing open windows"

noreply@blogger.com (Barney Saltzberg Author, Illustrator, Songwriter) — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 18:32:00 +0000

I have published 48 books and have contracts for many new titles. I was looking for something today and opened a drawer labeled 'ideas' in my flat file. It dawned on me that for every book concept I sell, many ideas never get fully realized. There are a lot of half baked ones in this drawer. Some, fully baked but not tasty enough for an editor to bite.... Some good ones that have just never found a home. And of course, plenty that just don't work.

When I was in a band in high school, we had a music teacher who was trying to produce us. He said that if we were ever writing a song and it just felt like it was going nowhere, to finish it any way. Just get it out of your system. He also told us to buy albums of band that didn't make it and to try to figure out what went wrong. Sometimes it's a lack of timing and publicity, but other times, the songs just don't work. It's the same thing for books. I've got a drawer to prove it. (Plus, boxes of book dummies)

Maybe one day I will try to re-think some of the ideas in here. Most likely, I will just keep adding things to the drawer. The trick is, to quote John Irving from Hotel New Hampshire, "Keep passing open windows".

Doodle Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Barney Saltzberg Author, Illustrator, Songwriter) — Thu, 05 Dec 2013 00:35:00 +0000

Drawn in procreate on the ipad.