Montessori Students Create Theater from My Picture Book

Katie Kovach and I were introduced via email through mutual friend, musician Alex Battles. She and I later connected on Facebook where I took special note of her alice FOUND photo galleries. Katie, a talented photographer, takes emotionally energetic photos of local bands.


Best of all, Katie and I connect through Arts in Education via my book, MERMAIDS ON PARADE. Katie is the drama teacher for 2-5 year olds at Montessori School of Manhattan. She covers acting, writing, set design, costume design and props. They even work on Shakespeare and opera!


Katie sometimes works with picture books as a source of drama exercises. She said "Your book was perfect because it centers around an event with a specific place, has beautiful illustrations that the kids are drawn to (making it easier for them to note things about the place to include in their designs), and it is local. Several of my students began to tell me about their own trips to Coney Island. And of course the Mermaid Parade in general is so fantastical and dramatic, it's like it's own theater piece".


Enjoy some of Katie's students set designs for MERMAIDS ON PARADE.



Thanks, Katie and Students!

Photo Credit: Alex Battles

Artists in my Book/ *Evan Reynolds* Interview

I know Brooklyn artist Evan Reynolds from Superfine. He marched as a Neptune with the Superfine Dinettes in the 2006 Mermaid Parade. And, he's painted in my book, MERMAIDS ON PARADE.

Can you spot Evan? He is #53.

Evan likes many different forms of art and he uses as many as possible to create short movies. For many years Evan played music in bands. He plays drums, bass, guitar; he has made recordings where he plays all the instruments and sings all the vocals. For his last short movie Evan made sculptures, painted them, filmed them, edited them, and created the music. To Evan this was a lot of fun, so he is in the process of doing it all again.

Here is a link to Evan's highly creative short movie,"Todt/Toad".

Evan was generous to answer a few questions.

Q: If you had a mermaid name what would it be?

ER: Triton

Q: What does Coney Island mean to you?

ER: Hot Dogs, the Cyclone, the Wonder Wheel, Ruby's, the parade, old Russian men sunning themselves, and just freaks in general, but also New York's beach. If you go there on July Fourth (which I have done) there are easily a million people there. It's pretty amazing just to see that many people in one place.

Q: Why do you enjoy marching in the Mermaid Parade?

ER: It's a freaky party... all the strange ones come out... it celebrates the impossible...It's a majestic tinfoil hat!

Q: What are you currently working on?

ER: I am working on my second short film called "Frog (swimming)"

Thanks! p.s. today is his 40th Birthday! Happy Birthday, Evan!

Photo Credit: Evan Reynolds
Illustration detail from MERMAIDS ON PARADE
Buy MERMAIDS ON PARADE

Brooklyn Celebrates It's Author-Illustrators

NEW! Miss Brooklyn, Keelie Sheridan, has joined our celebration.

An online article from Examiner.com.

This idea was in my mind for a long, long time. Last Fall my idea caught the fancy of a few others who agreed to become a creative collective.


Our collective is made up of professional women who leave an historical record in the field of children's literature and art. And the merchants who work alongside the author-illustrators bringing their books and art to the community.


March 2010 is our WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION!

Six Author-Illustrators.
Three Bookstores and a Gallery.
Book readings and signings.
An Exhibition.


Selina Alko
Miriam Cohen
Pat Cummings
Melanie Hope Greenberg
Aileen Leijten
Meghan McCarthy


Book Court 163 Court Street, Brooklyn
Greenlight Books 686 Fulton Street, Brooklyn
P.S. Bookshop 147A Front Street, Brooklyn
Superfine 126 Front Street, Brooklyn

March 2010 Women's History Month Celebration!
contact: Melanie Hope Greenberg Author-Illustrator

* Mar. 4 Thur. 6-8pm SUPERFINE EXHIBITION - OPENING RECEPTION
Artwork from picture books by illustrator/authors SELINA ALKO, MIRIAM COHEN, PAT CUMMINGS, MELANIE HOPE GREENBERG, AILEEN LEIJTEN, and MEGHAN MCCARTHY Exhibition: March 2- March 14
LOCATION: 126 Front St. (DUMBO) Brooklyn NY 11201 718.243.9005

* Mar. 6 Sat. 10:30am GREENLIGHT BOOKS presents SELINA ALKO and AILEEN LEIJTEN
LOCATION: 686 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217 INFO: 718.246.0200

* Mar. 13 Sat. 10:30am GREENLIGHT BOOKS presents MELANIE HOPE GREENBERG and MIRIAM COHEN
LOCATION: 686 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217 INFO: 718.246.0200

* Mar. 14 Sun. 11am - Noon BOOKCOURT presents a panel discussion featuring illustrator/authors SELINA ALKO, MIRIAM COHEN, PAT CUMMINGS, MELANIE HOPE GREENBERG, AILEEN LEIJTEN, and MEGHAN MCCARTHY.
LOCATION: 163 Court Street Brooklyn, NY 11201 INFO: 718.875.3677

* Mar. 20 Sat. Time: TBA GREENLIGHT BOOKS presents MEGHAN MCCARTHY
686 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217 INFO: 718.246.0200

* Mar. 21 Sun. 4-6pm P.S. BOOKSHOP Group Story Time with illustrator/authors SELINA ALKO, MIRIAM COHEN, PAT CUMMINGS, MELANIE HOPE GREENBERG, AILEEN LEIJTEN, and MEGHAN MCCARTHY.
LOCATION: 147A Front Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 INFO: 718.222.3340

* Mar. 27 Sat. 10:30am GREENLIGHT BOOKS presents PAT CUMMINGS
LOCATION: 686 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217 INFO: 718.246.0200

Pat Cummings has the listings on her blog.
Also on Selina Alko's blog.
As well as Aileen Leijten's blog.

2009 Wrap Up

The last months of 2009 flew by too fast. It became hard to blog post. Here’s the recap.

October 24: I presented two power point programs, sat on a panel and critiqued illustration portfolios at the SCBWI North Central Texas Chapter‘s conference in Dallas.
November 3: A power point presentation and book signing for the NYC School Librarian Conference at Brooklyn Tech HS. It felt great to be able to walk there from my studio.

November 11: 113 boxes of MERMAIDS ON PARADE arrived. I needed to store and sell them.
I am forever grateful to these bookstores and shops who bought boxes of my books. I LOVE YOU! Please buy my autographed books from these loyal friends and colleagues.

Bank Street Bookstore - NYC
Book Court - Brooklyn
Books of Wonder - NYC
Brooklyn Museum Bookshop - Brooklyn
Eric Carle Museum Gift Shop - Amherst, MA
Exit 9 - Brooklyn
Fundamentals Parent Teacher Bookstore - Delaware, OH
Superfine - Brooklyn
Tami Furlong owner of the Fundamentals Parent Teacher Bookstore was in Brooklyn. She came to my studio to pick up her box of books and bring them back to her Delaware, Ohio store.

November 21: I signed tons of my books with other picture book authors and illustrators at the Brooklyn Museum's Third Annual Children's Book Fair. Many good friends came to visit. Here I am with David Mowery, Division Manager of the Brooklyn Central Library's Youth Wing. He bought me a gift, a Mermaid Parade T-shirt!

December 10: The Brooklyn Excelsior Charter School welcomed my author visit with the student’s colorful bulletin boards. SUPERMARKET by Kathy Krull/ Holiday House 2001.
MERMAIDS ON PARADE / Putnam 2008
This fabulous 3-D mural is based on A CITY IS by Norman Rosten/ Holt 2004.

During December 2009 I also read at bookfairs for the Grace Church School and the Corlears School and gave a program at the Moxie Spot.

For Christmas I rested.
The life of a picture book author and illustrator is never dull.
Happy New Year to all my readers!

All photos: Copyright 2009 Melanie Hope Greenberg

Artists In My Book / *Bill Carney* Interview

Some of my most favorite moments illustrating MERMAIDS ON PARADE came from listening to music. Two local bands really hit the spot. The Jug Addicts got me into the feel of the Old Timey Coney Island style. And Les Sans Culottes evoked the psychedelia that is modern Coney Island; the band even performed at the Coney Island Mermaid Parade Ball.

Both bands are fronted by Bill Carney. By day a lawyer,

by night the leader of two bands that are always playing out somewhere in NYC, Detroit, Minneapolis, California or France. Both of his bands inspired the art and the colors in my book.

Les Sans Culottes

The Jug Addicts

In fact, several of the band members show up as characters in my book.

Bill Carney was kind enough to answer my interview questions.

Q: If you had a mermaid name what would it be?
BC: Aragorn.

Q :What does Coney Island mean to you?
BC: The cyclone, wonderwheel, boardwalk, beach, shoot the freak; a great amusement park just a bicycle ride away from my apartment.

Q: Why do you enjoy marching in the Mermaid Parade?
BC: I've viewed the parade but never marched. I love the great and inventive costumes of the paraders.

Q: What are you currently working on?
BC: I am continuing to perform with my bands, Bill Carney' s Jug Addicts and Les Sans Culottes

Thanks, Bill!

COLLECT MELANIE'S BOOKS

Melanie’s Autographed Books are available through Melanie Hope Greenberg.

* PAYPAL Links On the Sidebar under **BUY BOOKS**

* AMAZON Use Melanie Hope Greenberg's personal SELLERS listings.
(When you buy from third party listings I do not receive a payment).

Link here 


1) MERMAIDS ON PARADE $16.95 + shipping

2) A CITY IS $20.00 + shipping

3) GOOD MORNING DIGGER $15.95 +shipping.


Autographed Double-Sided Color Proof Pages
from MERMAIDS ON PARADE.
Reversible. Two-Prints-In-One. 8 1/2" x 11"
Perfect for ready-made picture frames.
@$35 - shipping included

Collect Melanie's original illustrations
Published in Magazines, on Greeting Cards, and more.

Contact for details:
melanie@melaniehopegreenberg.com

MERMAIDS ON PARADE / *Award - News*

Good News.
My blog was selected!
"100 Best Book Blogs for Kids, Tweens and Teens"
Sad News.
Sometimes books go OP.
MERMAIDS ON PARADE went out of print.
Good news.
Did not feel sorry for myself.
I now own 3200 copies of MERMAIDS ON PARADE!
Here they are on delivery day.

If you are looking to obtain brand new hardcover signed copies of MERMAIDS ON PARADE, A CITY IS, or GOOD MORNING DIGGER, contact me for more details: melanie@melaniehopegreenberg.com