This year over the holidays you can have a little bit of creative fun and  win one of 12 porcupine plush toys.

All you have to do is draw one, some,  or all of the characters from A Porcupine in a Pine Tree.  I will award a porcupine plush to the best drawing of each of the characters from the book.

Prizes will be awarded on the 12th day, January 6th with 12 special porcupine heading out in the mail shortly after.

If you think you need some help, or want to see how I do it, you can see my drawing videos from last year on my YouTube channel 

I’ll be looking for age appropriate skill and style as well as creativity.  You’re neither to young or too old.

The contest is open to all ages and skill levels.  So whether you’ve never drew before or a professional, it’s open to you.

Happy Drawing Everyone!

How to submit:

Please include your first name and age on the drawings.

In order that we really get so see how beautiful your work is:

Scan your work at 72 d.p.i

or

Digitally photograph your drawings under good lighting conidtions.

Please do not send high resolution files or files greater than 300 kb.

Out of 35,000 printed only 1500 remain unsold at last word.

I’m pleased how beautifully they turned out and if you want yours (I bought 50 for myself) you may still be able at to get yours if you hurry at Sick Kids Christmas Card

I was also pleased that Scholastic granted  e-rights to a company who wished to send them by email in return for a donation to Sick Kids.

It’s a great feeling to know you can help such a valuable and important institution as Sick Kids!

Come join me to have a silly sing of Helaine Becker’s and my crazy rework of an old Christmas classic.

This year marks the 25^th anniversary of  Jessica’s Book Nook and along with  L.E. Shore Memorial Library and the Thornbury BIA  they are delighted to host me again for another interactive program of story and song.

The program is for children of all ages, but they ask that children under the age of eight be accompanied by an adult.

here is no cost, but seating is limited and tickets must be picked up in advance at Jessica’s Book Nook 21 Bruce Street South 519-599-7361.

I hope to see you there!

Very careful assistants holding art at St. Charles

On Wednesday October 12 I had the pleasure of visiting St. Charles and Eckoe Central Schools in Glencoe,  south-west of London Ontario.  I’ve been many times to Eckoe over the years but this was my first visit to St. Charles.  Not a big school with just 100 students, but oh what a great feeling in those halls.

Beautiful dragon drawn by Alex Donatis, grade 7 St. Charles

I shared my work with kids from JK to 8, and if I said we had so much fun that it was hard to stop even after almost an hour and half had passed for each presentation, it would be nothing but the truth. I took them into my studio and home with powerpoint, opened my portfolio to numerous pieces of original artwork which they, like kids in all the schools I visit, held with care, and drew, read stories and simply had a wonderful time with them.  We spoke of the challenges of learning to read,  the pleasures of a book, the ways to draw dragons and how to wear an Anti-sky-falling Helmet.

drawings done from the 12 Days of Drawing videosAnti-Sky-Falling Helmet Demonstration

by the students of St. Charles Grades 7 & 8

Last week I had the pleasure of four days visiting 12 schools and the library in beautiful St. Albert thanks to the generous support and sponsorship of the St. Albert Rotary Club.

I met wonderful people, great kids and teachers and an amusing fun loving group of Rotary members  who must be congratulated for their effort to fund yearly author/illustrator visits such as mine.

I’ve returned to a busy week, but once things settle I will post much of the art as well as the drawing tips I shared on my visit.  And of course, as many photos of the presentations as schools will send.  I had my camera along but in the rush from school to school, I failed to get as many shots as I’d hoped.  If anyone from the St. Albert Schools is reading this, please forward any shots you may have. I would love to see them.

Many thanks again for the invitation and for your warm and generous hospitality where ever I went.

Werner