Speaking of Mac Barnett (and Adam Rex...)

So, while reading the blog of one of my favorite author/illustrators, Adam Rex, creator of The True Meaning of Smekday, Fat Vampire, Billy Twitters and His Blue Whale Problem, written by Barnett, Psst!, Tree Ring Circus and, of course, Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich, I discovered that he has finished a new novel! COLD CEREAL is due out in February, 2012. On his blog he discussed the cover art and how students in a workshop he was teaching helped him to tighten it up.

He also shared some character sketches from the book. I can't wait to dig into it!!

Almost as exciting as a new novel from Adam Rex is the news that he is illustrating a picture book written by Neil Gaiman!!! Click here to read Gaiman's explanation of the subject matter for this book, which boils down to a blatant attempt to create something that the Chinese will not find too offensive to publish in China. Apparently his other children's picture books are too disrespectful of authority for the Chinese.

Gaiman decided there was no way the Chinese could find a cute little panda bear offensive...

Some amazing interior art from the book below.

AND!!! NEW FROM MAC BARNETT!!!! MUSTACHE!!!!

(look for my review next week)

Illustrated by Kevin Cornell.

One last exciting thing that Rex and Barnett (and Carson Ellis and other great artists and authors) have been contributing to, The Goods! 

Here's how publisher McSweeney's describes it:

The Goods is a gallimaufry of games,puzzles, comics, and other diversions, appearing innewspapers across the U.S. and Canada. Each week, acavalcade of artists and writers from the world of children’sbooks will contribute amusements that will enthrall kids and mostadults. Thoughtfully conceived and visually stunning, every issue of The Goods will deliver a new collection of recurring features and new work.

NOT GETTING THE GOODS?

WRITE TO YOUR PAPER AND ASK FOR US BY NAME!

(the features editor is your best bet.)

(the features editor is your best bet.)