What's on my mind...

I'm not a huge fan of online interviews, but this one is an exception. Here's all the dirt you might want to know about my personal life, in which I reveal SO MUCH, without really revealing a thing.  If you'd like to read a little about my tiny corner of this world, check out the fabulous Sandra Nickel's blog "What was on Her...", where you get to find out tidbits about all those writers you love so much.  For the full thing, click here:

http://whatwason.net/2014/07/20/leuyen-pham-what-was-on-her/

Here's a smidgen to whet your whistle:

Posted this before...

but I had to take it down because the book hadn't come out.  From "Sketchtravel", and awesome collection of art by illustrators and artists from around the world.  Here's more info:

http://www.sketchtravel.com

New Book

Not going to say much about this one.  Keeping it a surprise.  But thought you'd like a sneak peek at some side characters...

Monsters!

Designs for monsters from the next series of books I'm illustrating, "The Princess In Black", by the great writing duo Shannon and Dean Hale.  Enjoy!

An Orca/Rocketship

My son Adrien is turning four this Sunday! We had his party this past Saturday, and he wanted an Orce/Rocket ship theme. What the hell does that mean, you wonder? Well, this is what it means...

Made of lemon cake with lemon curd filling, and that's mostly buttercream on top, because I hate the taste of fondant. The cake has been chowed down, but we saved the fondant whale...

Another dug up painting...

This one is from "Piggies In A Polka", my third book ever.

Just sketching...

I need to do something with these guys...  Any ideas?

Thank you, thank you for coming...

A HUGE thank you to everyone who came out to my book signing and made it such a great event! I was overwhelmed by everyone there, and the kind words people had to say. Special thanks Ingrid Nystrom, manager at Books Inc, who made a special birthday cake for the occasion, plus the whole staff at the store, who dealt with the very noisy group, all the kids from Lycée Francais who showed up to eat cake and get their picture drawn, my lovely husband and kids, who patiently waited the whole day, Ms Sabrina Bot for her incredible and generous camera work, Michael Cabana Baby Doctor Extraordinaire and number 1 fan, Chef Matthew Dolan for creating a cake recipe for me out of HONEY, MILK, EGGS, and NUTS, and to Anne-Claire Dolan, for taking these lovely pictures you see here.

My first major book signing in, what, three years?!? See you in another three years!

From "Aunt Mary's Rose"

From "Aunt Mary's Rose"

Many Many Mouse Cookies

Preparing for my book signing tomorrow. Spent the last couple days making Mouse Cookies -- Come and get one tomorrow! Hopefully see some of you there!

1 pm at Books Inc In Laurel Village, San Francisco

For Monsieur Poilu

So if you don't already know it, I really don't like posting photos online.  Don't know why, just feels too close somehow.  BUT, I have no problems at all revealing my love life in comic form.  Because let's face it, life is funnier when pared down and parsed to just the nice bits.

This weekend is the 13th anniversary of me and my French man.  That is, when we first got together, in that lovely Paris flat, during that ridiculously golden summer that will always make the 3rd Arrondisement the best in the world for me.  I thought I'd post the wedding booklet we made.  It only chronicles from when we met to when we got married, hence the early dates.  We have more cartoons since then, mostly with the kids and buying a house and all, but I think today it's nice just to post life pre-children.  You know, when we could still sleep in, had extra mula, and had time to sit around and draw each other...

Happy Anniversary, my Monsieur Poilu!

Found these...

Stumbled across these I sketched ages ago, I just love sketching from fashion magazines...

Confessions of a Bibliophile

I know I promised a recipe of the most excellent Chef Matthew Dolan tonight, but I'm actually too pooped to do the man justice, so instead, I hope you'll consider this bent offering instead.  It's written for the Books Inc Newsletter that goes out, to encourage more reading, officially labeled "Endorse Reading".  I couldn't come up with a good reason to endorse it, other than I am a bibliophile and have serious problems when it comes to book buying.  So here enjoy reading what a weirdo I am (as well as my weirdo family!):

A Piece of Cake Launch Party and Raffle!

Alright, here's all the info you might want to know about A PIECE OF CAKE the Launch Party!

DATE: June 1st, 2015
TIME: 1-3 Pm
PLACE: Books Inc Laurel Village, 3515 California Blvd, San Francisco
STORE PHONE: 415-221-3666

There will be LOTS of goodies there!  Special stickers, postcards, bookmarks galore!  Mouse cookies (baked by moi), plus some special Mouse cupcakes for the little ones IF they bring something to trade for! A special limited supply BOOKPLATE for each book purchased, and of course a drawing from me in each book! And if all that doesn't interest you, then there's also a raffle at the end of the whole thing.  Two winners will be selected to win, get this, a hand-sewn LITTLE MOUSE AND BIRD doll!  Either I have too much time of my hands, or I'm crazy.  Probably the latter, because I NEVER have enough time.

For those of you locally who can't make it, but would still like a chance at all these goodies, never fear!  You can pre-order the book, leave a name to sign to, and I'll sign it on the day of, for you to pick up at your leisure. You can also do this if you are planning on coming, but don't want to wait to have the book signed.  I aim to please!

And for any of you out there who don't live nearby, but would still like a chance at the raffle, plus the bookplate, you're in luck!  Because if you order your book through your local independent book store (go Indies!), and then send an email to me with the bookstore's information, I'll send a bookplate to you through the mail, plus some extra goodies for your local favorite store.  And your name will go down for the online raffle as well, where chances are higher.  I'll be giving away three Little Birds, three Mice, and three free signed copies of the book.  Include a recipe for your favorite nut cake, and your name goes down twice!

Bookplates are on a first come, first serve basis only, once I'm out, I'm out.

Send online raffle requests through the following email:
uyen@leuyenpham.com

Phew!  I think that's it!  Tomorrow night, I'll post some images from the book, PLUS a recipe from renowned Chef Matthew Dolan, of Twenty-Five Lusk in San Francisco, a buddy of mine who has graciously donated some of his much-sought after time to help me with the whole baking side of this.  More on that tomorrow!  It's pretty awesome...