illustration news 2007/2008
Susan is currently working on illustrations for a second chapter book by Christine Graham with a projected publication date in 2009. More on that project at a later date.

Susan illustrated a new chapter book written by Christine Graham and edited by Reka Simonsen, Senior Editor, Henry Holt and Company, Books for Young Readers. Its title is Three Little Robbers and it’s a terrific story for kids just starting to read on their own. It’s getting some nice reviews!




Kirkus Reviews, August 1, 2007

Like Tomi Ungerer’s The Three Robbers (1962), these are little urban girl thieves with good hearts. Jo is strong, Flo is loud and Mo is quick, and these special talents serve them well. When no one comes on their street anymore, they decide to rob the old lady up the hill. They are shamed when they discover that, despite her poverty, she is happy to share. So they parlay their special talents to provide for the old lady who then offers a special talent of her own. With a generous font, short sentences and a predictable, but entertaining plot, emerging readers will find the perfect balance between interesting story and easily decoded words. Detailed and expressive pencil sketches, especially the sassy body language and the chastised faces of the robbers, define each page with just the right amount of visual information. A terrific offering for new readers. (Fiction. 6-9)
www.kirkusreviews.com




School Library Journal Blog (Practically Paradise, by Diane Chen), Nov. 10, 2007
4 young readers bk 4

My favorite title of these four is Three Little Robbers by Christine Graham with illustrations by Susan Boase (Henry Holt & Co, 2007). I carried this title in my purse for a week making every librarian I know read it.

I believe Susan Boase was peeking in my library windows to find these children for models. The illustrations are perfect. Christine Graham's writing reflects my population of Flo, Jo, and Mo's with their "Yo's!" While the writing is actually easier to read than Maybelle in the Soup, the ideas in this title lend themselves to more deep thinking and discussion with all levels of elementary students. I can't wait until I put this title in the Language teacher's hand in fourth grade…