Subway Story

A few weeks ago I turned in the final art for my next book, Subway Story. This will be the second book that I've written and illustrated. It's about a subway car named Jessie who comes to New York in the 1960's, and the life that she lives on and off the tracks. It's based on a real subway car and inspired by a visit I made to the New York Transit Museum.



Here I am behaving recklessly on a recent research trip to said museum (inside R-33 WF car number 9306):



And here is the actual final art for the book in transit to Random House, on the subway. (In it's dignified garbage bag of transport.)
This project has been underway for a long time, so getting to make this trip meant a lot to me!



Hooray!!

Here's an unrelated subway car fact which will be familiar to anyone who's already been subjected to my trivial bits of subway information while riding the train with me...

In her final working years, Jessie had a brick red paint scheme (which was applied to many older trains - not a particular model of subway car - which gave them the nickname 'Redbirds'.) The Redbirds were retired from the tracks and replaced with newer models, like this R-160.

The flecks of red that you can see in the floor of this train are a little tribute to the iconic Redbirds!


Stay tuned for more Subway Story soon!

20 Notable Poetry Books of 2009

Good news!



It was just announced that Incredible Inventions was chosen as one of the NCTE Notable Poetry Books of 2009! The National Council of Teachers of English has put together a great list of books, and I'm so happy that Incredible Inventions is a part of it.

Many thanks to the NCTE Excellence in Poetry Committee!

Time for Bed

Recently I've been working late into the night, which has reminded me of a moment I had while finishing the art for The Secret Plan.
I was up late working and didn't realize that I had used up all the sheets of paper on the pad that I'd been painting on. I went ahead and started another picture... on the white cardboard backing of the empty pad.

The texture seemed different and the painting kept looking funny but it still took me a little while to realize what I had done. And in the morning I found that I had left myself a note so I wouldn't forget the benefits of sleep.

jsarconeroach.com

Hooray! I now have a website!
Thanks to Adam Kesner.

Remoras! Our Awesome Underwater Friends

Recently I've been having fun identifying some underwater creatures from scuba videos. I came across these torpedo shaped guys who were hitchhiking on a turtle. They're Remoras (or 'Sharksuckers') and they attach to other fish, turtles, whales, sharks, and rays with a 'suckerlike organ'. I think they're tremendously neat.

Beach Dinosaur

Here's a horseshoe crab from Maryland!



Did I carry it around in a chip bag until I could draw it? I might have!

And did the removal of the small monster from chip bag freak out some surrounding beach goers? yes indeed!

Interview on Book By Its Cover

Check out my interview on Julia Rothman's very awesome book site!
Many thanks to Julia for the great interview!

Library Love

The Secret Plan was lucky to have received a couple of really lovely reviews online. The library was one of my particular favorite places to be as a kid, so I get rather excited when librarians welcome and enjoy The Secret Plan!

Jennifer, the librarian of the Jean Little Library wrote:

"Just when I thought we couldn't possibly use any more bedtime stories....I discover a new one. One which we must, must, must have!
...This isn't just a soothing bedtime story, it's a story about the magical days of childhood, when just five more minutes is never enough and the simplest things are exciting and wonderful."


One by Tasha Saecker of the Menasha Public Library in Menasha, WI.

"...This is such a winning book. The four main characters are real scamps and their plans and the outcomes are deliciously naughty and very funny. I especially appreciated Milo blending in with the wallpaper by painting stripes on himself. Their disguise is equally funny with all of them working together. But it is the ending of the book that really makes it work. Instead of getting into any trouble in their late night escapade, they have a quiet time with books and a tea party in the attic. There is no parental outrage, no repercussions, just the immense pleasure of a late night with friends.

Sarcone-Roach’s art works very well here. Done in acrylic paint, the illustrations are rich, vivid and engaging. A lot of the humor here is visual, though the wry tone of voice of the text offers some of the laughs. The house that the animals share is wonderfully tippy and upright, filled with stairs. A great book to share for a bedtime story or a special late night read."

(You can read the whole review here.)

Thank you all for taking the time to read, review, (and like!) The Secret Plan.

Snowy Brooklyn

the view from the studio.

2010 UBIE Award!

Wow! The Secret Plan is the Favorite Picture Book of the Year at the University of Washington Bookstore! It's in excellent company - check out the adorable stuffed critters looming over their favorite novel of the year (and Newbery Award Winner) - Rebecca Stead's When You Reach Me.

Thank you, University of Washington!
GO HUSKIES!!