Tony DiTerlizzi, Never Abandon Imagination » Contests

Doodle 4 Google!

Tony D — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:15:06 +0000

Calling all young artists! Imagine getting an opportunity to design the Google logo to be shared and seen by MILLIONS. Then, imagine your artwork gracing the package of a box of Crayola crayons. Now, imagine winning $30,000 in scholarships, plus an additional $50,000 for your school. That, my friends, is the grand prize for a contest unveiled today at Google…and I am one of the judges:)

This year’s theme is one that is near and dear to my heart: “If I could travel in time, I’d visit…”.

Come on! How cool is that!?

Kindergarten through 12th grade artists can participate. In fact, here is a nifty video that explains it all.

My Spiderwick collaborator, Holly Black and I will be part of the esteemed panel of judges, which include fellow children’s book star, Mo Willems, as well as singer, Katy Perry(!) Finalists will be flown to New York City to join the judges in announcing the winner on May 17th.

So what are you doing still reading this? Go! Get drawing! I look forward to seeing some familiar names in the final judging.

You’ve got Mad Writing and Drawing Skillz Dawg!

Tony D — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 15:44:46 +0000

I’ve been selected as a judge for a very cool contest — the 2010 PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest where children (ages K-3) across the country were encouraged to submit their original stories and illustrations. The folks at PBS Kids culled through the over 25,000 submissions and I am lucky enough to select the finalists for the 2nd and 3rd grade submissions (awesomeness!). These young writers and artists have done a fantastic job! It has been tough to pick just one winner each.

Best of luck to all who entered, I am thrilled to see such creative little minds hard at work imagining new tales for the next generation.

PS – If you didn’t submit this year, you should seriously consider it for 2011. Check out the website — the winners will be posted there and they have all sorts of cool stuff for kids who like to write or draw: PBSkids.org

Snuggle up with MENO!

Tony D — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 10:22:57 +0000

Happy Holidays Dear Readers of My Blog!

I hope 2009 was a fine year for you, despite its economical ups-and-downs and scary amounts of unemployment. During times like this, I am reminded that support from my fans and friends for my books affords my family a comfortable life allowing me to keep creating. So thank you.

Angela and I have been promoting our silly toddler book series, Adventure of Meno, with a whole slew of what I like to call “Crafty Mom Blogs”. I like these blogs greatly because:

A. My mom was (and still is) a crafty mom.

B. Ang and I both love doing a craft with our daughter, Sophia.

Ang found a wonderful local seamstress to create custom Meno cloud blankets which are being given away at various Crafty Mom Blogs. All you have to do is leave a comment on their post and you could win a blanket of your choice, PLUS a signed copy of Meno books 1 and 2! Below are some of the sites participating, more will be posted soon as these contests will run into January…

Good luck Crafty Readers!

Friday Fan Art/Design Your Dragon! Epilogue

Tony D — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 11:12:32 +0000

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!

Design Your Dragon! Contest WINNERS!

Tony D — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 03:15:43 +0000

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.

DESIGN YOUR DRAGON Contest – Last Day!

Tony D — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:43:53 +0000

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!

Design Your Dragon! Contest Reminder…

Tony D — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:18:54 +0000

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!

Friday Fan Art- DESIGN YOUR DRAGON Contest

Tony D — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 02:31:15 +0000

Time for another contest!