Tad Hills
Tad Hills' was a featured speaker at the 26th annual Shenandoah University Children's Literature Conference. Talking to a room of children's teachers and librarians, Tad recounted his path to becoming an author illustrator, his artistic process, school visits, and his new iPad app. His immense passion for art traces back to his grandmother, also an artist, who was influential in encouraging Tad's artistic side. He has always loved taking photographs and drawing. Now, he channels that artistic energy into writing and illustrating books for children, most notably the Duck & Goose series and How Rocket Learned to Read. Tad explained how, since childhood, he has always seen something different in everyday images. Creating is something that comes naturally to him--like the elaborate Halloween costumes that he builds for his kids every year. He noted that part of the appeal of working on a story is that it can have a more lasting impact on young people. He sees this when he receives pictures of kids (and dogs) reading his books.
Tad entered the world of children's books through his wife, Lee Wade, who at the time was an art director working in adult trade books at Simon & Schuster. He began by designing book jackets and writing joke books. Then with encouragement from Lee and her colleague at Simon & Schuster, Anne Schwartz, Tad turned to creating children's books. When Lee and Anne established their own imprint, Schwartz and Wade, at Random House in 2005, Tad made the move too. His first book with the imprint was Duck & Goose in 2006. Working from home and being married to his publisher means that manuscript drafts and storyboards are posted all over the house. It also means access to lots of scrap paper--Tad draws on the back of manuscripts Lee brings home from work.
Since it was his first non-novelty book, the process of creating Duck & Goose was quite different from his previous work. He spent months developing the illustrations and text, testing out different mediums and styles. Tad shared samples of early sketches of Duck and Goose with the conference audience, showing the remarkable changes and growth of the story as time passed. As models for his art, he often makes clay figures, posing them in different positions. Tad kept the language in the Duck & Goose books tight and simple. He creates a relatable tone by keeping the setting generic and by not including many clues to time or place. When visiting schools, Tad displays panels of Duck & Goose illustrations with no text. He asks the students to identify the emotion depicted in each panel and to explain what the characters might be experiencing or thinking.
Like many artists, Tad explained how illusive inspiration can be. He finds that watching and listening to his children can influence his work; as they grow so does his work. Now that they are upper elementary students, Tad is working on his first chapter book. Does this mean that he will have to write a young adult novel when they become teens? His more immediate attention is currently focused on a sequel to How Rocket Learned to Read. Tad observed that he finds sequels to be harder because the world and its rules are already established, the process is more confined, and writer's block strikes easily. Tad's solution? Write a story about writer's block. We will see Rocket collecting words with which to write a story. Excited, but overwhelmed, Rocket meets a new friend, a shy Owl, who help's him overcome his writer's block.
Tad closed his talk by sharing his new iPad app with the conference. It is an interactive reading of How Rocket Learned to Read by the actress Hope Davis. Created by his brother's company, Tad was thrilled to share this app with the group of enthusiastic teachers and librarians.
To learn more about Tad visit his website http://www.tadhills.com.
Contributor: Emily Griffin
Reviews
Duck & Goose
Tad Hills
What a great combination! Duck and Goose each spy an "egg" decorated with large brightly hued circles, and each claim it as their own. Feathers are ruffled; webbed feet are tangled, as each vie for the best position to sit on the new found orb. Though each have their own individual ideas and agendas about hatching the "egg," ultimately realizing what is best for the new baby results in both fowl sharing the parental duty. Everyone can relate to the antics of these two, from one-up-man-ship to sibling rivalry, culminating in peace making and being protective of the impending new arrival. What Duck and Goose don't realize is that their egg is not an egg, and it takes another friend to reveal their misunderstanding. Find out what the egg really is while enjoying this entertaining tale of newfound friends. The colors are delightful, the whimsical portrayal of each bird is attractive enough, and the text weaves it all together in a happy resolution in this wonderful story of sharing, conflict resolution, humility, and even play. Mr. Hills has a bright future ahead of him if this book is indicative of forthcoming works. 2006, Schwartz and Wade Books/Random House, $14.95. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Elizabeth Young (Children's Literature).
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Chickadee Award, 2008 Honor Book Maine
Irma S. and James H. Black Award for Excellence in Children's Literature, 2006 Honor Book Grades K-2 United States
Whitney and Scott Cardozo Award for Children's Literature, 2007 Winner United States
ISBN: 9780375836114
Duck, Duck, Goose
Tad Hills
Old friends Goose and Duck return in a situation that many youngsters will recognize. Duck can't wait to introduce his new girlfriend, Thistle, to Goose. Thistle is enthusiasm personified, as well as being a mistress of one-up-man-ship. At first Duck joins in the contests she proposes to prove that she is the best, at counting, or racing, or balancing on a log. Goose, meanwhile, decides he'd rather look for butterflies. But Duck begins to tire of Thistle's games. He misses Goose. When he finally finds him, they both admit that they'd rather do the things they have always done quietly together. When Thistle finds them, they have worked out their own happy ending. The tale begins on the front end-papers, showing the three tiny characters in a peaceful green landscape. On the back end-papers, Duck and Goose are playing ball in the same landscape as Thistle sleeps under a bush. In the spirit of the simple text, the oil-painted--illustrations use vignettes and an occasional double-page scene to set the stage for the gentle fun and games. These are anthropomorphic, a bit cartoony creatures sporting as typical youngsters. 2007, Schwartz & Wade/Random House Children's Books, $15.99. Ages 3 to 7. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780375840685
Duck & Goose, How Are You Feeling?
Tad Hills
It is hard to imagine how Tad Hills can convey so much emotion through his charming but simply drawn characters--duck and goose. There is no doubt about the emotions--duck is proud when his stick structure stands tall and Goose is frustrated when his is just a pile of sticks. The two cling together one with eyes wide open and the other with them squeezed shut as a thunder and lightening storm rages. Duck's bill is practically dragging on the ground as he sadly walks along. The flowers droop and the sky is filled with gray clouds which all emphasize his mood. But not to fear, on the next page, the delightful duo is shown dancing with the butterflies on a bright sunny day. The flowers are now all open and pointed toward the sky as if to echo the joy the two are experiencing. The range of emotions ends on a loving note. 2009, Schwartz & Wade/Random House, $6.99. Ages 1 to 4. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780375846298
How Rocket Learned to Read
Tad Hills
All Rocket wanted to do was lay down under his favorite tree in his favorite spot to nap after a busy morning of chasing leaves. Shortly after he settles down, a bright yellow bird disturbs his slumber by asking if he is her student. Rocket decides to nap elsewhere, but is intrigued by the alphabet, and eventually listens to a story as the bird reads. Anxious to find out if Buster finds his bone in the story, Rocket runs to the tree, only to find it empty, save for the story book about Buster. The next morning finds Rocket at the tree before the bird arrives, announcing he'd like to hear the end of the story about Buster. Such begins the student-teacher relationship that leaves Rocket hungry to learn during the winter while the little bird flies south. While he is alone during the winter, Rocket spells out words in the snow, he spells out what happens in winter; d-i-g, w-i-n-d, the names of his friends. When spring arrives, he spells out words such as m-u-d, and m-e-l-t. When the little yellow bird arrives after her migration Rocket meets her with great anticipation and hearty tail thumps of delight. (w-a-g) Together they continue learning about birds flying north, picnics in the sun, and even about Buster finding his bones. The images are great, especially of the weather turning. Something about the ominous grey sky is very realistic, as is the comforting instance of winter melting. Rocket is portrayed as a dog anyone could own, but is based on the author's own dog, seen in the jacket cover flap. However, the real Rocket has not yet learned to read. The book is perfect for those reluctant to earn to read. Familiar objects lend to curiosity and exploration, resulting in a successful reading experience. A terrific addition to any preschool or home library. 2010, Schwartz & Wade Books/Random House, $17.99. Ages 3 to 8. Reviewer: Elizabeth Young (Children's Literature).
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Children's Choice Book Award, 2011 Finalist K-Grades 2 Book of the Year United States
Irma S. Black and James H. Black Award, 2010 Winner United States
Parents' Choice Award, 2010 Silver Picture Books United States
ISBN: 9780375858994
Waking Up Wendell
April Stevens
Illustrated by Tad Hills
Fish Street is certainly a busy place in the mornings! A little bird at #1 Fish Street starts an early morning song, triggering a series of awakenings in a sort of domino effect. The birdsong wakes Mr. Krudwig at #2, rousing him from his pancake dreams. He lets his dog Leopold out, and Leopold "makes his morning wee-wee" before proceeding to his daily barking, perhaps "ordering that annoying bird to put a lid on it." The barking wakes Mrs. Musky at #3, whose kettle whistle goes off in the middle of her efforts to "get her hair under control." On this continues in similarly amusing fashion until all the residents of Fish Street rise to greet the morning. Tad Hills' colored pencil and oil illustrations provide charming glances into the lives of the porcine residents of Fish Street and show appealing colors and faces as well as great movement and drama. Most notable is Mrs. Deopolo at #4, a chronically late kindergarten teacher who zooms out of the house and down the street. This is sure to be a hit with kids as well as anyone who has been roused from a sound sleep by neighborhood noise. A must-have for all picture book collections. 2007, Schwartz & Wade Books, $15.99. Ages 3 to 7. Reviewer: Sharon Oliver (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780375938931
Added 7/26/11
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