2009 Moonbeam Children's Book Awards Results

I am thrilled and honored to announce that We Eat Food That's Fresh! by Angela Russ-Ayon, illustrated by myself, Cathy June, and published by Our Rainbow Press has won two

Moonbeam Children's Book Awards:

#7 Picture Book - Preschool Silver Award 

#36 Best Illustrator Silver Award

"The Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards are intended to bring increased recognition to exemplary children’s books and their creators, and to support childhood literacy and life-long reading."

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE LIST OF AWARD WINNERS

We Love the Company

A new children's book/CD has been released to teach good manners. A much needed subject, don't you think?

I am tickled to announce illustrator, Irina Mirskaya will be attending our book signing with her new book We love the Company along with myself, illustrator of We Eat Food That's Fresh! and Angela Russ-Ayon, the talented songwriter, and author of both books.

Chemers Gallery
17300 17th Street, Tustin
Saturday, September 12th, 4-6

Please join us!

Angela Russ-Ayon, owner of AbridgeClub.com and, is a nationally recognized, award-winning singer-songwriter, children's book author, trainer, keynote speaker, performer, and producer of interactive & educational children’s media. Her specialty is engaging young children in interactive song and dance using fine & gross motor activities that promote imaginative play and bridge educational gaps. During production, she works closely with colleagues and professionals in the field of child development and physical fitness. The time she spends in front of children either performing, participating in city programs, in preschools, and in school districts gives her the perfect hands-on testing grounds for her music.


Irina Mirskaya, A native of Russia, Irina Mirskaya has always been fascinated with art. When she paints, Irina says, she lives in a fantasy world of fairy tales and childhood memories. Irina enjoys both digital imaging and conventional painting with watercolor, gouache, dyes and pen and ink. Irina is working in a field of design and illustration. Her experience includes working as a designer/stylist in the textile industry, teaching art at Otis College and publishing greeting cards. Irina is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. We Love the Company is the first childen's book she has illustrated.


MORE ABOUT THE EVENT HERE

Facebook Event Page

IF - Strong

This week the topic for Illustration Friday is Strong.

If it has a strong unpleasant smell,
you probably shouldn't eat it!

pastel & gouache on paper
From the book, We Eat Food That's Fresh!
by Angela Russ-Ayon
illustrated by Cathy June
Our Rainbow Press

Book Signing & Sneak Preview at Chemers Gallery

Book Signing
&
Sneak Preview



CHEMERS GALLERY
17300 17th St., Tustin, CA
Saturday, September 12, 2009, 4-6 pm

WHO's signing WHAT book?

I am happy to say, Chemers Gallery has invited author Angela Russ-Ayon & illustrator, Cathy June (that's me), to celebrate the release of our new book "We Eat Food That's Fresh!" on September 12th. We'll have a reading, lots of books, and reFRESHments!

WHAT's the SNEAK PREVIEW all about?

December 5th, 2009 Chemers Gallery will have its18th Annual Children's Book Illustration Show & Signing. Normally, the books for this event are available to pre-order in early October, but if you come on September 12th, you'll get an early peak at them! There will be dozens of children's books to choose from.

Every December, Chemers Gallery is transformed from a beautiful contemporary art gallery to a magical land of make believe, filled with original illustrations from picture books. It's a place where children and adults alike can wonder and imagine and dream.
Works by five different illustrators are exhibited each year and their books are available. This year, the event will benefit Saint Joseph Ballet in Santa Ana. Even if you can't come December 5th, signed and dedicated books can be pre-ordered, starting September 12th.

Beth Krommes chats with visitor, Patti Lui at the
2008 Children's Book Illustration Show
CLICK HERE to see more pics

Above: 2007 Children's Book Illustration Show

Pictured: Linda Zielinski, Joe Cepeda, Stacia Deutsch, Laura Huliska-Beith, Raul Colon, Mordicai Gerstein, Noah CLICK HERE for more pics

MORE DETAILS ON THE CHEMERS GALLERY BLOG

My comments about the 2008 show

IF - Caution

Illustration Friday - remember to use caution when choosing your campsite location.

Two Strange Beings | 9x12 | pastel

This illustration was created for an SCBWI Westside Illustrators project. Each member was assigned a quote from a children's book, but we were not told which book or anything about it, so we were free to create our own story, character and environment from what we drew from one sentence. (Thanks to Joan Charles & Jane Smith for this thought provoking project!)

This was the quote I was assigned:
"One evening, while he was lying there alone... he saw two strange beings creep out of the tall bracken near him."

Would anyone care to guess what childrens book this came from?

What a Great Day!

We had a great turn out at our book launch party for "We Eat Food That's Fresh!" and "We Love The Company". I am honored and appreciative of the support and enthusiasm of friends, family, and fellow illustrators.

SCBWI Westside Illustrators: Cindy Whitlock, Laura Lacamura,
Irina Mirskaya, Steven Corvelo, Suzy Engleman Block

Some people were so generous as to buy books to give to libraries, preschools, teachers and parents. I can't tell you how much that means to me. If I could, I'd give a book to every library & classroom, to encourage children to eat healthy, but alas, I am only me. So, I am very grateful for the help spreading the word!


Tim Russ play some wonderful songs from his CDs. It was obvious that everyone thoroughly enjoyed his performance. I am so glad that Tim shared his talent to create voice of the chef for "We Eat Food That's Fresh!".






Cathy June, Angela Russ-Ayon, Tim Russ, Irina Mirskaya

We had many helpers to make it a special event. Laura set up refreshments and tended to refreshments while Dennis made sure no one went thirsty. Jisel, Julia, Marcus and Emily helped children make crafts throughout the day on the patio. Thank you Sandi, for rescuing me at the sales table!

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who participated and helped to make it a memorable day!

Angela Russ-Ayon and I will be at another signing at Chemers Gallery for "We Eat Food That's Fresh!" on Saturday, September 12th, from 4-6pm.

"We Eat Food That's Fresh!" is officially released!

I am pleased to announce that, "We Eat Food That's Fresh!" has been officially released! I'm very excited about this project, not only because it's the first book that I've illustrated, but also because I care about what goes into little people's bodies & minds. We all know it's very important to encourage children eat healthy food, but it's a challenge with all the not-so-healthy choices available today. I feel "We Eat Food That's Fresh!" gives parents and educators a useful tool to impress upon children that healthy eating can be enjoyable and fun. With a catchy song, lively characters and over 60 different illustrated fruits and vegetables, the book holds children's interest, and keep the message, "...try something new!", echoing in their little heads.

Here is a podcast with a clip of the CD and a peek inside the book. Please be patient... it may take a moment to load.

A whimsical chef encourages children to try new foods. He stirs up their interest in fruits and vegetables in the garden, kitchen and while on an outing to the beach. It comes with a musical CD that will delight children with easy rhymes and repetitive verses. I'm sure this fun and persuasive chef will have kids tasting new fruits & veggies in no time!

Come, celebrate the release of "We Eat Food That's Fresh!"
at CHEMERS GALLERY
17300 17th Street, Tustin, CA 92780
Saturday, September 12th, 2009 from 4-6pm.
I'll be there along with author/song writer, Angela Russ Ayon

Everyone is welcome! RSVP appreciated.

714.731.5432 | | art@chemersgallery.com | | Facebook Event Page

Please don't be shy though, come even if you didn't RSVP

SO, WHO DO YOU KNOW who would like a book that encourages children to eat healthy fruits and vegetables?

Teachers - Librarians - Parents - Grandparents
Pediatricians - Nurses - Child Care Providers
Health & Fitness Professionals - Nutritionists - Chefs
People Who Eat

Please Spread the Word!
to share with your friends, click the envelope icon at the bottom of this post

We Eat Food That's Fresh
Author: Angela Russ-Ayon
Illustrator: Cathy June
Our Rainbow Press
ages 4-8
Hardback ISBN: 978-1-934214-06-0
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-934214-09-1

You Can order "We Eat Food That's Fresh!" online at:
Amazon.com
AbridgeClub.com
PBH Produce for Better Health Foundation
Kaplan Co

Also, encourage good manners with this soon to be released book by Angela Russ-Ayon, Illustrated by Irina Mirskaya:


Pre-oder "We Love the Company" on Amazon.com

More about "We Eat Food That's Fresh!"