How I Draw, with Brett Helquist

The illustrator shares some of his techniques.

Brett Helquist's illustration techniques -- line drawing

Every piece of art has a skeleton that starts with a few lines.

One way to determine if a person’s head is drawn too big or too small for their body is through proportions: For young people, the body is usually five heads high; adults’ bodies are generally seven heads high.

Illustrators often have to draw the same character over and over again with different expressions. With each small adjustment the character begins to come to life.

This bonus feature about Chasing Vermeer was adapted from the After Words edition of the book. Find more interviews, information, and interactive features for Chasing Vermeer and other favorite titles at the After Words site.

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The Calder Game

by Blue Balliett

When Calder Pillay travels with his father to a remote village in England, he finds a mix of mazes and mystery . . . including an unexpected Alexander Calder sculpture in the town square. Calder is strangely drawn to the sculpture, while other people have less-than-friendly feelings towards it. Both the boy and the sculpture seem to be out of place . . . and then, on the same night, they disappear! Calder's friends Petra and Tommy must fly out to help his father find him. But this mystery has more twists and turns than a Calder mobile . . . with more at stake than first meets the eye.

Learn more about Blue Balliett.

$12.79 You save: 20%
books;hardcover books;hardcovers | Ages 9-12

The Calder Game

Ages 9-12 $12.79

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Where Are You Going? To See My Friend!

Told in both English and Japanese, this book follows a dog on a journey to meet his friend. Along the way he invites other animals along, because his friend is their friend, too. In the end, all of the unlikely friends unite for an exuberant dance in this charming picture book, featuring wonderful paintings and paper-collage imagery from the two artists.

Page Turners
Told in both English and Japanese, this book underscores the value of friendship and is a fun way to introduce your child to another language with the help of simple, repetitive language.

$19.95
books;hardcover books;picture books | Ages 3-7

Where Are You Going? To See My Friend!

Ages 3-7 $19.95