WWUSA Washington for Highlights for Children

I received copies of my latest book for Highlights for Children: It's my fifth book from the Which Way USA series– Washington State.

This series travels virtually through the United States, solving puzzles along the way. For this series I had to learn how to do Hidden Pictures, mazes, What's Wrong© pictures and other visual puzzles that can make your head spin as an illustrator.
WWUSA works like a book club, you can order them directly from Highlights.

Thanks to Highlights and my art director, Michele Weisman for the great continuing collaboration!

STARRED Review for Last-But-Not-Least LOLA!

The School Library Journal gave a very nice, starred review of our first Last-But-Not-Least LOLA book. Below is the full review, or you can find it on the SLJ website. Thanks so much to SLJ and reviewer Sada Mozer, it means a lot to us! 

 PAKKALA , Christine. Last-But-Not-Least Lola Going Green. illus. by Paul Hoppe. 192p. Boyds Mills. 2013. RTE $15.95. ISBN 9781590789353. LC 2013938848.

Gr 2-4 –In school, when your surname begins with “Z,” it means being last at everything. Last to be called on. Last to go to lunch. Last to leave at the end of the day. But Lola Zuckerman’s desire to go to the head of her class is the focus of this winning, environmentally themed book. Competing to win the coveted “green” vest by coming up with the best recycling project, the second grader anxiously watches as her classmates nab all the best ideas. The vest was previously won by her older brother, so Lola really feels the pressure. She is also competing against her former best friend, Amanda. The characters are fully developed, each with their own delightful quirks. For example, her teacher, Mrs. Denedebetti, loving refers to her students in candy terms such as “Jujubes” and “Gummy Bears.” However, when they cause a food fight in the cafeteria, they’re just “class.” Children will root for Lola as she tries to mend fences, save the planet, and come out on top. The lessons of recycling are creatively explored, showing readers big and small ways to help our planet. Those who have enjoyed “Clementine” will welcome this contemporary tale as it tackles family, competition, friendship, and the environment. The pencil drawings are energetic, and the list of Lola’s classmates gives a real sense of what the child is up against. A great choice for early chapter-book readers.–Sada Mozer, Los Angeles Public Library

#artwork– A New Publication From Berlin

A brand-new online magazine about art and art education called #artwork just debuted with a feature about New York, and I'm thrilled that they invited me for a little interview about living and working here. They were also kind enough to include some of my images.

Here is a link to the first issue, you can find my interview at the end of the page.

Many thanks to editors Ada Bieber and Anette Holl for this great feature and good luck with the magazine!

WWUSA North Dakota for Highlights for Children

I just wrapped up sketches for another book from the Which Way USA series, here are two of my favorite images from North Dakota.

This one is a "What's Wrong©" Picture,
plenty plenty things that are wrong in this one…

And this takes place at the Høstfest, a Scandinavian Festival in ND

While waiting on feedback, I'll be working on the second LOLA book for Boyd Mills, and some other fun things. Then later this month, I will return to North Dakota and start working on the finishes.

Your Dreams My Nightmares - Podcast

I've had the pleasure of being on the latest episode of my friend and colleague Sam Weber's illustration podcast Your Dreams My Nightmares. Check it out to hear us chat about art, angst and our careers thus far. Thanks again for having me Sam!