Newest arrival! An advance copy of Friends for Freedom arrived - with a lovely note from the folks at Charlesbridge.

Check out the Facebook page I made for this book!

Lee and Low's New Visions Award!

Lee and Low's New Visions contest is open to writers of color who are residents of the United States and who have not previously had a middle grade or young adult novel published.
Manuscripts will be accepted now through October 31, 2014. The winner of the New Visions Award will receive a grant of $1000 and our standard publication contract. An Honor Award winner will receive a cash grant of $500. For further details, including full eligibility and submission guidelines, please visit the New Visions Award page.

CBC Diversity Event

I was honored to be asked to be a part of the CBC "Speed Dating" Diversity event at Simmons on May 14th. Met a lot of good people and many good discussions began. We can only move forward!

There is a new blossom of diversity awareness recently – appearing on tumblr, and on twitter, and Grace Lin, Walter Dean Myers, Zetta Elliot and interviews here. Controversy over lack of representation at BEA, and most recently, a new article on 10 YA books adults must read only consisted of white characters.

What a treat!

I was delighted to have found this on Shadra Strickland's blog, and am having fun looking at all these wonderful women artists (some I have had the pleasure of meeting!):

• Nneka Bennett
• JaeMe Bereal
• Adjoa J. Burrowes
• Carole Byard
• Cozbi Cabrera
• Chandra Cox
• Nina Crews
• Pat Cummings
• Nancy Devard
• Laura Freeman
• Jan Spivey Gilchrist
• Ekua Holmes
• Felicia Marshall
• Vanessa Brantely Newton
• Calida Garcia Rawles
• Anna Rich
• Charlotte Riley-Webb
• Faith Ringgold
• Synthia Saint James
• Terea D. Shaffer
• Shadra Strickland 
• Nicole Tadgell (that's me!)
• Michele Wood
• Elizabeth Zunon

School Visits

I love to visit schools! Unfortunately, because I work full-time, I don't get to do many of them. My favorite thing to do is visit just one or two classrooms and let kids get up close & personal with original artwork. We'll draw together, and I do a painting demonstration.
For older kids, larger groups and/or college students, I can also do a powerpoint presentation. Your school would need to have a computer, projector, and a microphone for large groups.
Feel free to email me for this fall semester to schedule your visit: ntadgell at gmail dot com.

Happy drawing!

Friends for Freedom

Friends for Freedom: The Story of Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass by Suzanne Slade.
Charlesbridge, 2014. 978-1-58089-568-2

"This biographical gem places the spotlight on a friendship far ahead of its time."
–– Kirkus

"A solid addition that will spark conversations about gender and racial equality."
–– School Library Journal

"Tadgell’s carefully drafted and evocative watercolors capture both the past and present obstacles Anthony and Douglass faced, from Douglass’s youth as a slave to rotten eggs hurled at the two when they appeared in public together and combative differences of opinion, as when the Fifteenth Amendment proposed to give voting rights to black men but not to women.”
 –– Publishers Weekly - Starred Review


Full text of Reviews here.

Click here for coloring pages!

 

Their friendship changed America.
They were unlikely friends, but the struggle for equality that Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass shared created a bond that lasted almost fifty years. This little-known story introduces young readers to two momentous personalities in American history and to their fiery passion for human rights and equality. When they met, they had only known each other’s reputations, but they became fast friends. They decided to combine their efforts and work together to win equality for African Americans and for women.
Their friendship endured the harsh words and looks of their society. Their friendship lasted in the face of hostility and anger. Their friendship persisted even through their own disagreements—and they could fight like cats and dogs. But these two intellectual giants knew that fighting for what was right was the most important work they could do.
Nicole Tadgell’s illustrations bring to life the tentative and uneasy beginnings of the fight for equality, with its trials and its triumphs. And through it all Susan and Frederick remained friends.
As much a celebration of friendship and cooperation as it is a history of a pivotal time in American history.
This book is good for your brain because it provides:
An historical account of the early human rights struggle; biographies; insight into the relationship between two important historical figures
Correlated to Common Core State Standards:
English Language Arts-Literacy. Reading Informational. Grade 2. Standards 1-6, 8, and 10.
English Language Arts-Literacy. Reading Informational. Grade 3. Standards 1-8 and 10.

New this Fall!

 

With Books and Bricks: How Booker T. Washington Built a School by Suzanne Slade
Forthcoming this fall from Albert Whitman & Co. 2014.

Books

Books Illustrated by Nicole Tadgell


BIBLIOGRAPHY


Friends for Freedom: The Story of Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass by Suzanne Slade
Charlesbridge, 2014. ISBN 978-1580895682

With Books and Bricks: How Booker T. Washington Built a School by Suzanne Slade
Albert Whitman & Co., 2014. ISBN  978-0807508978

In the Garden with Dr. Carver by Susan Grigsby
Albert Whitman & Company, 2010. ISBN 978-0807536308

First Peas to the Table by Susan Grigsby
Albert Whitman and Company, 2012. ISBN  978-1400317134

Lie Detector by Matt Bridger
Heinemann, 2013. ISBN 978-0-325-03527-7

The Present by Matt Bridger
Heinemann, 2013. ISBN978-0-325-03466-9

Saturday Plans by Matt Bridger
Heinemann, 2013. ISBN 978-0-325-03418-8

The Trebuchet by Matt Bridger
Heinemann, 2013. ISBN 978-0-325-03465-2

Smack Dab in the Middle of God's Love by Brennan Manning and John Blasé
Thomas Nelson, 2011. ISBN 978-1400317134

In the Garden with Dr. Carver  by Susan Grigsby
Albert Whitman & Company, 2010. ISBN 978-0807536308

Lucky Beans by Becky Birtha
Albert Whitman & Company, 2010. ISBN 978-0807547823

No Mush Today by Sally Derby
Lee and Low Books, 2008. ISBN 978-1600602382

Granddaddy's Season* by Gwen Lavert
Wendy Pye Publishing, 2008. ISBN 978-160385417-7

Five Loaves and Two Fishes by Julie Stiegemeyer
Zondervan, 2006. ISBN 978-1601433916

Waterworks* by Elizabeth Pulford
Wendy Pye Publishing, 2008. ISBN 978-1-60385-457-3

Jammin', Rockin', Toe Stompin' on the Rooftop* by Gwen Lavert
 Sunshine Books, 2008. ISBN 978-1-60385-315-6

A Day with Daddy by Nikki Grimes
Scholastic/Color-Bridge Books, 2004. ISBN 0-439-56850-1

Lights Out! by Angela Shelf Medearis (OOP)
Scholastic/Color-Bridge Books, 2004. ISBN 0-439-56868-4

Josias, Hold the Book by Jennifer Riesmeyer Elvgren
Boyds Mills Press, March 2006. ISBN 1-59078-318-2

Moving Day Surprise by Tina Stohlberg
Bebop Books, 2003. ISBN 1-58430

I'll Fly My Own Plane by Jean Alicia Elster
Judson Press, 2002. ISBN 978-0817014070

I'll Do the Right Thing by Jean Alicia Elster
Judson Press, 2003. ISBN 978-0817014087

I Have a Dream, Too by Jean Alicia Elster
Judson Press, 2002. ISBN 978-0817013974

Just Call Me Joe Joe by Jean Alicia Elster
Judson Press, 2001. ISBN 0-8170-1398-9

Fatuma's New Cloth by Leslie Bulion (OOP)
Moon Mountain Publishing, 2002. ISBN 0-9677929-7-5


*not published in the U.S.

First Peas to the Table News!

First Peas to the Table is one of 40 books chosen as part of Reading is Fundamental's 2013-14 Macy's Multicultural Collection of Children's Literature!

Special thanks to RIF!

Happy New Year!

Starring my adorable little nephew!

Arkansas

Today is the day to share this wonderful news! Lucky Beans by Becky Birtha has been chosen as the 2012-2013 Arkensas Diamond Primary Book Award winner!

The Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Award was established by the Arkansas Elementary School Council in 1998 to encourage reading for students in Grades K-3.  The name of the award was chosen because Arkansas is the only diamond producing state.  Like the Charlie May Simon Award, the Arkansas Diamond Award is selected by an annual vote. Children in Grades K-3 must have read at least three of the titles from the annual reading list and may vote for one title. Student voting is done in April each year.  If you have questions about the awards or reading lists, please contact Cathy Howser at the Arkansas State Library, cathy@library.arkansas.gov , 501-682-2860.


I'm honored to be the illustrator of this book, Lucky Beans, the 2013 Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Award winner.

I'd like to extend my deepest thanks to the Arkansas Department of Education, the Arkansas State Library and the Arkansas Reading Association and all other organizations that support this award. Most especially, I'd like to thank the Arkansas school kids who voted for this book. Having my book loved by children is the greatest reward for all the effort, passion and dedication that goes into creating illustrations.

I'd also like to thank the staff at Albert Whitman & Co., and the author, Becky Birtha, without who this book would be impossible.

Although this book takes place during the depression, I didn't want it to be depressing. Kids are remarkabley resilient, and so I chose brighter colors to reflect an attitude of hope.

Using models is something I often do in picture books. I'd like to thank especially my father-in-law H. Allen Tadgell for playing the part of Mr. Kaplan, as well as describing what may be typical way of life during hard times. 

The house itself is based on memories of my great-gradnmother's bungalow in Detroit.  Special thanks to the folks at the Worcester Historical Museum, who helped with store interior and street scenes of the time.

Readers may find this interview with behind-the-scenes images of interest: 

http://blaine.org/sevenimpossiblethings/?p=1898

Thank you all again!

Skunk Surprise

My agent, Chris Tugeau, asked her artists to come up with ideas for the theme "Back to School Surprise".

 The Trayvon Martin case was in the news as I sketched for it. Today, Christopher Myers wrote this article that appeared on the Horn Book's website. So beautifully written, my thoughts pretty much mirror his. And I think perhaps my picture dreams along with Christopher's.

Growing Good Kids Honors First Peas to the Table!

Wonderful news!

First Peas to the Table by Susan Grigsby, published by Albert Whitman & Co.m was selected as one of the 2013 Growing Good Kids - Excellence in Children's Literature Award Winners!

This book awards program was established to recognize and build awareness of picture books that effectively promote an understanding of and appreciation for gardening/plants and the environment. Through engaging story, illustration and design, First Peas to the Table was designated by our book awards committee as exemplifying excellence in this aim.

Thanks, Growing Good Kids!

The Making of - First Peas to the Table

Here's a sneak peek behind-the-scenes of the making of this book:

Mrs. Barhoff's 4th grade class graciously modeled for me! Here, I asked them to pretend I wasn't there.

Rough sketch of the cover

Rough sketch of my favorite page

My first pea seedling!

More seedlings, planted on different days.

Here's where I fell in love with bright pink and yellow

First Peas to the Table - Reviews

"History, science and a guidance lesson all rolled into one, this could surely be the spark for many a school garden." Kirkus Reviews

"This beautifully illustrated story has a mixture of both fiction and facts about the life cycle of peas....Teachers will find a multitude of ways to use this book and this team's In the Garden with Dr. Carver." School Library Journal

"The first-person narrative relates events and Maya's changing perspective in a believably childlike voice, while the pencil-and-watercolor illustrations capture the story's tone as well as the characters' emotions." Booklist

 "This picture book seamlessly meshes together a little science, a little history, and a strong storyline." Library Media Connection

And the wonderful Jama Rattigan gave space on her blog for this review.

Our Borders: Brandy and Boomer

Brandy came to us as a 10 week old puppy, February 19, 1995. She came from Kilduff, bred by Maribeth McMahon out in Sturbridge, MA. Her sire was Kilduff's Brass Boomerang, her dam was called Betsy.

Brandy

Boomer

Boomer we got at 11 months old in 1997, also from Kilduff. He and Brandy share the same father, Kilduff's Brass Boomerang. He had been returned to the breeder because one testicle didn't descend, which meant he couldn't be a showdog. He grew up with Rottweilers, and was originally named Ozzie. We thought his sire's name suited him better, so he became Boomer to us.

One for me, one for you.

Brandy, half stripped

Boomer's done, Brandy's half-done.

Add caption

My what big teeth you have!

Boomer's favorite rug

Howling

Sleepy toothy

Always wanted to be together... no matter how hot or crowded.

Who's painting this thing?

Freshly stripped

Might be the last time he was allowed on that rug...his sister liked to pee on it.

Brandy in the sunshine...