Wednesday, April 21, 2010

It's Earth Day * Go Green

Even before the first Earth Day in 1970, I was very aware of preserving the Earth's natural resources. My favorite class in Junior High School was Earth Science.

I mentioned the idea for an ecology book to my agent. The agent mentioned the idea to green writer, Kathy Krull.
IT'S MY EARTH, TOO was published in 1992 by Doubleday Books for Young Readers. The book was made in an environmentally friendly manner. It was printed on recycled paper with soybean oil inks, there was no paper dust jacket, and water-soluble glues were used in the binding.

The Children's Defense Fund reprinted the cover art of IT'S MY EARTH, TOO as a poster. I was selected by the organization's founder and president, Marian Wright Edelman.

Here is a FREE Download to color in honor of Earth Day!

All Art is Copyright Melanie Hope Greenberg

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Signed Prints from MERMAIDS ON PARADE

* Double-sided autographed Color prints
* Reversible prints fit into 8 1/2" x 11" frames
* $35.00 shipping included
* Use "Buy Prints" PayPal Button

Set #1 $35.00

Two prints for the price of one. Two images are reversible. Each side fits into an 8 1/2" x 11" frame.








Set #2 $35.00

Two prints for the price of one. Two images are reversible. Each side fits into an 8 1/2" x 11" frame.








Set #3 $35.00

Two prints for the price of one. Two images are reversible. Each side fits into an 8 1/2" x 11" frame.







Set #4 $35.00

Two prints for the price of one. Two images are reversible. Each side fits into an 8 1/2" x 11" frame.









Set #5 $35.00

Two prints for the price of one. Two images are reversible. Each side fits into an 8 1/2" x 11" frame.








Set #6 $35.00

Two prints for the price of one. Two images are reversible. Each side fits into an 8 1/2" x 11" frame.








Set #7 $35.00

Two prints for the price of one. Two images are reversible. Each side fits into an 8 1/2" x 11" frame.








Set #8 $35.00

Two prints for the price of one. Two images are reversible. Each side fits into an 8 1/2" x 11" frame.







Set #9 $35.00

Two prints for the price of one. Two images are reversible. Each side fits into an 8 1/2" x 11" frame.







Set #10 $35.00

Two prints for the price of one. Two images are reversible. Each side fits into an 8 1/2" x 11" frame.








All Art: Copyright 2008 Melanie Hope Greenberg

Monday, April 12, 2010

Norman Rosten


April is Poetry Month!

I feel so fortunate to have met and worked with so many talented people along my life's path. Brooklyn Poet Laureate Norman Rosten was one of these wonderful people.


I was just breaking into children's books in 1987 and Cousin Arthur's was the local children's bookstore in Brooklyn Heights. It was also a place for grown up happenings and community gatherings. The owners, Bob and Barbara Tramonte, were poets. They also owned a small poetry press. Readings at Cousin Arthur's listed some of the top poets in NYC. In 1987, the idea for the Children's Book Illustrators Group (CBIG- New York City) was born at this bookstore. I became it's first President.


Local author, playwright and poet, Norman Rosten, was a frequent visitor to Cousin Arthur's. I had read his memoir about his friend, the actress Marilyn Monroe.


Norman and I became friends during the time I designed a book of his poems, 'Songs for Patricia'. The Tramonte’s poetry press reissued it in 1988. When my second children’s book, MY FATHER'S LUNCHEONETTE, was released in 1991, Norman asked if I would read some of his children’s poems for possible publication. Being new in children's books that offer was incredibly generous and encouraging.


A CITY IS had many detours on it's journey to publication. It was rejected a few times before Norman passed away in 1995. It finally sold to Henry Holt, one of his original publishers. His poem are simple and timeless. Memories of Norman alway stay with me.

Here is an early sketch I did for the "Pocket Park" poem that never made into the book. You can download and color it.

Purchase an autographed copy of the book A CITY IS.

Art from A CITY IS Copyright Melanie Hope Greenberg 2004

Monday, April 5, 2010

I Love the Library Kids

I presented an author-illustrator workshop at the Hamilton Fish Library branch in lower Manhattan. I met the "library kids", young people from kindergarten to sixth grades who frequent the library and attend the workshops. Librarian, Sarah Belanich, along with a saavy library guard rounded up the library kids and roped them into the meeting room. Today was part one of a two part visit.


Picture book process broken down with a handout to take home to continue practicing.

Kids of all ages love to imagine and express.

Photos Copyright 2010 Melanie Hope Greenberg