Tony DiTerlizzi » Kenny & The Dragon

Friday Fan Art: A tale of two Kennys

June 14th, 2009 | Category: Blogroll, Friday Fan Art, Kenny & The Dragon

Here are two nice Kenny Rabbit drawings from Issac and Gracie, whom you may remember from the “Design Your Dragon” contest. Its great to see some more Kenny art, he can be a tricky one to draw…but these two both did a great job!

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Kenny and the Dragon Tour pics

October 18th, 2008 | Category: Blogroll, Kenny & The Dragon, Musings

Ah, life on the road is mostly…well…road. Airplanes, taxis, trains, you name it – most of the time you are in transit going from one event to another. But once you arrive at the store (or school) and see the expecting faces, the road weariness washes away and the adrenaline takes over. Here are some of my fav moments from my recent Kenny and the Dragon tour…when I actually remembered I had a camera with me.

Memphis, Tennessee was the starting point, and my hotel was dow the road from SUN records(!) I was very inspired seeing the modest start of Elvis’ legendary career. It reminded me of growing up in my little scrubby beach town of Jupiter, Florida with dreams of becoming a kids-book guy. Thankyouverymuch!

Here I am drawing for the kids at St. George’s School in Germantown, Tennessee. With a school name like that, I HAD to make a stop and share Kenny with the students.

Before my event at Square Books in Oxford, Mississippi, I had a chat with local literary legend, William Faulkner. He didn’t say much, just stared…

A total highlight on this tour was sharing Kenny with the students of Sophie B. Wright Charter School in New Orleans. Here I am with the school librarian and local author/volunteer Whitney.

My first leg ended at the Decatur Book Festival near Atlanta, Georgia. Despite the 90+ degree weather, I still brought it fashion-wise. It may look like I am reading to the audience here, but I am actually about ready to drop from heat stroke.

Adam Rex, (one of the many fab authors attending the festival), and I battle over who will be remembered for Planescape, Magic cards and children’s books. He sucker-punched me after this photo was taken…then stole my glasses.

…Here I am doing an interpretive dance to Kenny at Ms. Nelson’s in California.

And lastly, I ended each event with requests of drawings which were then given away for all who attended. I always thought that the Spiderwick salamanders could use a little sun screen…I sure could have in Georgia.

Thanks to everyone who came out to support me, it really validates why I do what I do.

PS-fear not San Francisco friends, I will make up those dates and see you early next year.

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Friday Fan Art/Design Your Dragon! Epilogue

October 12th, 2008 | Category: Blogroll, Contests, Kenny & The Dragon

Yesterday Angela received a most awesome “thank you” email from Qing (aka “Mr. Cyan”) which I just had to share. You may remember Qing’s awesome entry from the “Design Your Dragon” contest held a couple of months back. And, after touring, press, etc., I was finally able to send him (and the rest of the winners) a signed/doodled first edition of Kenny & the Dragon (which is now in its fourth printing – wow).

Qing’s thank you note is amazing, and it also exemplifies some of the memorable experiences I had while on tour. I LOVE meeting my young readers and my Spiderwick fans, of course, I am always touched when someone slaps down an old Planescape book to be signed. Your gifts, kind thoughts, and well-wishes inspire me and give me pause to be thankful in allowing me to do what I do for a living

Thanks Qing, and everyone else who participated in the contest. We’ll be sure to do it again very soon!

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KENNY Podcast now Online

October 03rd, 2008 | Category: Blogroll, Kenny & The Dragon, Musings

From the Book Talk website: Stephen Usery talks to children’s book author and illustrator Tony DiTerlizzi (that’s me) about his chapter book Kenny & the Dragon. Good times, good times…

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Special Event in Los Angeles Added to KENNY & THE DRAGON Tour

September 17th, 2008 | Category: Blogroll, Kenny & The Dragon, Musings

Storyopolis has added an event to the second leg of my Kenny and the Dragon tour in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 4th at the Geffen playhouse. This will be a morning event, part of their “Saturday Scene” program, and will feature a live band as well as yours truly.

Tickets are available at Storyopolis, or you can call 310-208-5454. I hope I see you there!

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September KENNY Tour Dates added

August 15th, 2008 | Category: Blogroll, Kenny & The Dragon, Musings

More events for the Kenny and the Dragon tour. I was originally going to travel all the way up the west coast to Vancouver, but we just could not get all the dates in there, so I’ll be touring through California. Of course, all tour dates have been added ABOUT section of my site, so be sure to check them out. I hope to see you there!

Friday, October 3
4:00 PM
WHALE OF A TALE
4199 Campus Drive, Suite A
Irvine, CA 92612

Saturday, October 4
2:00 pm
BARNES & NOBLE
7881 Edinger Avenue
Huntington Beach, CA 92647

Sunday, October 5
12:30 pm
MRS. NELSON’S BOOKS
1030 Bonita Ave.
La Verne, CA 91750

Sunday, October 5
4:00 pm
VROMAN’S
695 E. Colorado Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91101

Monday, October 6
12:30 pm
STORYTELLER
23 Lafayette Street
Lafayette, CA 94549

Monday, October 5
7:00 pm
COPPERFIELD’S BOOKS
140 Kentucky Street
Petaluma, CA 94952

Tuesday, October 7
6:30 pm
BOOKS INC.
Laurel Village
3515 California Street

Wednesday, October 9
6:00 pm
KEPLERS BOOKS
1010 El Camino Real
Menlo Park, CA 94025

…and, in case you missed it, here is a reminder for the first leg of the tour (starting next week!):

Sunday, August 24
2:00 PM
BARNES & NOBLE
2774 N. Germantown Parkway
Memphis, TN 38133

Monday, August 25
4:00 PM
DAVIS-KIDD BOOKSELLERS
387 Perkins Rd. Extended
Memphis, TN 38117

Tuesday, August 26
5:00 PM
SQUARE BOOKS
160 Courthouse Square
Oxford, MS 38655

Wednesday, August 27
3:00PM
LEMURIA BOOKS
202 Banner Hall
4465 I55 North
Jackson, MS 39206

Thursday, August 28
4:30PM
OCTAVIA BOOKS
503 Octavia St
New Orleans, LA 70115

August 29-31
DECATUR BOOK FESTIVAL
Decatur, Georgia

Sunday, August 31
2:00 PM
BARNES & NOBLE
7660 North Point Parkway
Alpharetta, GA 30022

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Kenny and the Dragon NOW AVAILABLE!

August 06th, 2008 | Category: Blogroll, Kenny & The Dragon, Musings

My chapter book debut as an author and illustrator, Kenny and the Dragon, is now available in stores. You can use the Booksense/Indiebound site to find a store near you, or try Amazon or Barnes & Noble. I hope you enjoy it!

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Design Your Dragon! Contest WINNERS!

August 01st, 2008 | Category: Blogroll, Contests, Friday Fan Art, Kenny & The Dragon, Musings

Wow! All I can say to you all is WOW! Everyone really did a phenomenal job for this contest!

All of us here at DiTerlizzi studio tonight were BLOWN AWAY by the menagerie of dragons that danced upon my computer screen and on the flat files and floor. We received entries from all over the world, in all age groups, and in all sorts of mediums.

Judging was tough. We discussed all of the entrant’s work at length – looking for that great combination of story, character and design. I even invited John Lind, a designer buddy of mine (and his loverly wife), to come and help Angela, Will and I with the decision-making – it was that tough for us.

Everyone agreed there should be more than three winners – so we doubled it and chose six.

But, before you read on, check out Joe Sutphin’s amazing entry. Joe sent me a note saying he just enjoyed being a part of the contest, and wanted someone else to take the prize. Nonetheless, I thought you all would enjoy his “Stilted Atlantic Wyvern” or “Crab Hawk”.

Thanks for being a part of this Joe, I just know you’ll go on to influence others with your imaginative art… Now, onto our WINNERS!

8-year old Ben from Bishop, California sent us this fun drawing of “The Western Dook Dragon”.
“…Who loves flying everywhere. It eats mushrooms, potatoes and other things. It swims in duck ponds and plays with ducks.”

Next, the judges couldn’t agree whose piece they liked more from brother and sister artistic duo, Gracie and Isaac – so we decided to award a prize signed to both of them.

Gracie’s (age 7) dragon is named “Tutu the Dancing Dragon”.
“She likes to dance. She likes to boogie. She wears this outfit all the time. She dances for the king of TwinkleLand. Tutu dazzles with her dancing tricks.”

While Isaac’s dragon is called “Pistachio”.
“He throws the parties at home in his castle, and everyone is invited. He likes cotton candy, and he enjoys both giving and getting presents.”

Meanwhile, we were all blown away by 15-year old Nancy’s depiction of “Xarpho”.
“…who has been known to snack on trolls and stray vagabonds every now and then. Nowadays she lives a solitary life in high mountains, collecting four-leaf clovers, maple keys, and things alike.”

From Wilton, New Hampshire came “Horace”, a Greater Mangrove Drake, colorfully rendered by Sara.
“He’s a semi-aquatic dragon with a fondness for terrapin soup and mint tea. He loves poetry but unfortunately prefers to have it read to him, as the pages get soggy underwater.”

Next, from HangZhou, near ShangHai China, comes “Big Cyan” a self-portrait by Qing.
“He loves watching movies and playing basketball. He is a pacifist. He hates environment pollution, especially automobiles polluting the air over the street. So he likes to wear a mask when he riding a bike on the street.”

..and last (but certainly not least) is our GRAND PRIZE WINNER Adam! Everyone just loved the originality and magic in this illustration and description:
“This is my dragon Furwyrm. In this picture you can find him on his usual early evening activity, hunting Glowdoves. A tasty morsel indeed, providing not only nurishment, but the special life essence called Esporia. The Furwyrm’s huge eyes allow them to spot these mystic creatures from miles away. Usually keeping to the misty rocky cliffs near the Outer Lakes, Furwyrms have been also known to have an affection for waterfalls. They will use it as a giant shower and an easy way to keep their long bodies clean.”

For your extra cool image Adam, I will send you the signed/drawn book AND a copy of the Kenny and the Dragon audio book read by Alan Cumming!

Dear readers, I hope you were as inspired by these majestic drawings as much as we were. Thank you all so much for participating (especially those who had also entered the Spiderwick drawing contest), I was truly touched by the amount and quality of work that came in – you all have inspired me.

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DESIGN YOUR DRAGON Contest – Last Day!

July 31st, 2008 | Category: Contests, Friday Fan Art, Kenny & The Dragon, Musings

Happy Thursday!

Today is the last day that we’ll accept entries for our latest contest to “Design Your Dragon”, so if you work well under pressure, you have until midnight tonight. We have received some phenomenal entries so far – you really rocked it out this time – wow!

My loverly wife Angela, my assistant Will, and yours truly, will judge and announce the winners tomorrow for a special edition of “Friday Fan Art”. Stay tuned!

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Design Your Dragon! Contest Reminder…

July 24th, 2008 | Category: Blogroll, Contests, Friday Fan Art, Kenny & The Dragon, Musings

We’ve received some AMAZING entires to the “Design Your Dragon” contest so far…so keep them coming! With only a week left to go, if you have not yet entered then you better get scribbling.

You can enter from any part of the world, any age, and any medium. And of course, you can enter as many times as you’d like.

Here are the contest details once again:

I am terribly excited to share with you all my upcoming chapter book, Kenny and the Dragon. Though it is not due in stores until August 5th, I will be giving away three signed (first edition) copies here on the site…each, with a very special drawing in them.

All you have to do is design your very own dragon!

Like Grahame, the dragon who dubs himself a “Renaissance guy” in my book, I want you to come up with a drake of your own, who has its own personality. Here is what I am looking for:

1. A full color image of your dragon (any medium), along with his/her/its name.
2. A quick (4-5 lines) description of his/her/its personality. What does it like to eat? Does it play an instrument? Is it moody? Enjoy long walks in the park? Etc…

…you tell me what makes your dragon so darn special.

I will be judging on originality, creativity, and pure imagination. It doesn’t matter if you are a good drawer or not. It doesn’t matter if you are a two-year old kid, or an eighty two-year old kid…all entries will be accepted.

And those entries have to be in front of my bespectacled eyes by July 31, 2008.

You can send ‘em to me at:

Tony DiTerlizzi
“Design Your Dragon” Contest
P.O. Box #442
Amherst, MA 01004

Or email’em to Angela at: angela@diterlizzi.com
*Please title your email “Design Your Dragon”.

Winners will be chosen by myself, my loverly wife Angela, and my trusty assistant Will. We will announce the winners here on the site August 1, 2008, and I will then award winners with a signed copy of Kenny and the Dragon, along with a drawing in the book of Grahame (my dragon) shaking claws and congratulating YOUR DRAGON!

…sound cool? Then get drawin’ – and good luck!

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