Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Friday, November 27, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
2009 Moonbeam Children's Book Awards Results
Silver: Weebeasts: Weebeastology, by Micah Linton (Beast Stew)
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
LA Books Examiner: an interview with author Micah Linton
For most of his professional career, LA author, artist, and designer Micah Linton has been creating stories and art for children. After 11 years of writing and developing top video games for companies like DreamWorks, Activision, and Electronic Arts, Micah turned his talent to writing children's books and creating award-winning toys about his most recent creation: The Weebeasts.
The Weebeasts are an ancient fictional species that Micah discovered and revealed in his Weebeast book series (Origins, Plight, and Quest). Made up of engaging stories and intricate watercolor paintings, both children and parents will truly appreciate the captivating world of the Weebeasts, and the simple but important lessons they learn throughout their amazing adventures.
What I like most about the Weebeast Series is that Micah Linton cleverly utilizes anthropology to tie his art and stories together. It seems to me that a lot of modern children's literature doesn't expect much from children and, in some cases, even seems to talk down to them. Micah does not do this. In fact, children are expected to participate and use their imaginations from the beginning to the end.
The Weebeasts books and toys are available at www.weebeasts.com, where you can also find out more about Micah Linton and his work. Throughout the entire month of April, you can also check out Micah's original watercolor paintings for the Weebeasts books at the Infusion Gallery at 719 South Spring Street in Downtown LA.
I met up with Micah the other day and had a few questions for him:
Q. What inspired you to create the Weebeasts and their fascinating world?
A. After spending a decade creating stories and art for video games I felt it was time to take a break. My wife Sheila and I decided to take a long extended vacation before starting a family. Along our various travels, I began delving into local folklore from the various places in Europe we were staying and saw a lot of similarities in the stories. Inspiration for the Weebeasts quickly followed. These small creatures have been around since the beginning of time, where they once had a civilization built on the giant land mass we humans call Pangaea. As this massive land broke apart to form the continents we know of today, the weebeasts were also separated from one another and became the basis for many of the fables we know of today.
Q. I heard that there are going to be 7 books in the Weebeast Series. Is this true? What else can we expect from you in the future?
A. Yes, 7 books is what I expect from my current outline that traces the Weebeasts through history, from their origins into the medieval ages, the renaissance, age of industry, the Wild West, and into modern times. There are, however, some ideas I have that will bring the Weebeasts into space where they form a colony. With that in mind, there may turn out to be more than 7 books. Other Weebeasts related projects are also in development, so keep an eye open for puppet shows, video games, and of course, the Weebeast toys!
Q. Besides the Weebeasts books, what are your favorite books for children?
A. Currently the books I'm reading to my daughter, who is only a little over a year old, are more the simple shape and word books to help build developmental skills. But when I was a child, some of my favorite books were by Mercer Mayer (There's a Nightmare in My Closet), Maurice Sendak (Where the Wild Things Are), and Theodor Geisel (Dr. Suess's works). As much as I loved the stories in these books, I spent more time creating my own little worlds in their wonderful illustrations. I suppose that same idea comes across in my own books, as I do keep the stories simple but allow for a lot of creative imagination to be found in the images.
Q. You are the writer, illustrator, and publisher for Weebeasts. What advice can you share for other writers out there looking to become a writer of children's books?
A. I believe we all have an amazing story to tell, and the best way to do so is to just sit down and start. If you can create what you would have enjoyed most to have read as a child, then you are on your way! Of course, there are many paths along the way in which you must make decisions on everything from the length of the book, to illustration styles, to final editing, and then the whole printing process begins. There are some very helpful books that go into great detail on these matters, but a quick way to get started is to visit your local bookstore or library and select the books that really capture your attention. Then figure out why, and research everything you can find out about the author and publishing company. This will help you in getting to a starting point. Do not be afraid to email the author for information or any questions you might have, and make a point to attend book fairs and festivals to better understand how the publishing end works.
-Frank Mundo
http://www.examiner.com/x-5892-LA-Books-Examiner~y2009m4d15-The-Weebeasts-an-interview-with-author-Micah-Linton
For more info: visit www.weebeasts.com or Micah Linton's personal blog. Contact Micah at micah@weebeasts.com.
The Weebeasts are an ancient fictional species that Micah discovered and revealed in his Weebeast book series (Origins, Plight, and Quest). Made up of engaging stories and intricate watercolor paintings, both children and parents will truly appreciate the captivating world of the Weebeasts, and the simple but important lessons they learn throughout their amazing adventures.
What I like most about the Weebeast Series is that Micah Linton cleverly utilizes anthropology to tie his art and stories together. It seems to me that a lot of modern children's literature doesn't expect much from children and, in some cases, even seems to talk down to them. Micah does not do this. In fact, children are expected to participate and use their imaginations from the beginning to the end.
The Weebeasts books and toys are available at www.weebeasts.com, where you can also find out more about Micah Linton and his work. Throughout the entire month of April, you can also check out Micah's original watercolor paintings for the Weebeasts books at the Infusion Gallery at 719 South Spring Street in Downtown LA.
I met up with Micah the other day and had a few questions for him:
Q. What inspired you to create the Weebeasts and their fascinating world?
A. After spending a decade creating stories and art for video games I felt it was time to take a break. My wife Sheila and I decided to take a long extended vacation before starting a family. Along our various travels, I began delving into local folklore from the various places in Europe we were staying and saw a lot of similarities in the stories. Inspiration for the Weebeasts quickly followed. These small creatures have been around since the beginning of time, where they once had a civilization built on the giant land mass we humans call Pangaea. As this massive land broke apart to form the continents we know of today, the weebeasts were also separated from one another and became the basis for many of the fables we know of today.
Q. I heard that there are going to be 7 books in the Weebeast Series. Is this true? What else can we expect from you in the future?
A. Yes, 7 books is what I expect from my current outline that traces the Weebeasts through history, from their origins into the medieval ages, the renaissance, age of industry, the Wild West, and into modern times. There are, however, some ideas I have that will bring the Weebeasts into space where they form a colony. With that in mind, there may turn out to be more than 7 books. Other Weebeasts related projects are also in development, so keep an eye open for puppet shows, video games, and of course, the Weebeast toys!
Q. Besides the Weebeasts books, what are your favorite books for children?
A. Currently the books I'm reading to my daughter, who is only a little over a year old, are more the simple shape and word books to help build developmental skills. But when I was a child, some of my favorite books were by Mercer Mayer (There's a Nightmare in My Closet), Maurice Sendak (Where the Wild Things Are), and Theodor Geisel (Dr. Suess's works). As much as I loved the stories in these books, I spent more time creating my own little worlds in their wonderful illustrations. I suppose that same idea comes across in my own books, as I do keep the stories simple but allow for a lot of creative imagination to be found in the images.
Q. You are the writer, illustrator, and publisher for Weebeasts. What advice can you share for other writers out there looking to become a writer of children's books?
A. I believe we all have an amazing story to tell, and the best way to do so is to just sit down and start. If you can create what you would have enjoyed most to have read as a child, then you are on your way! Of course, there are many paths along the way in which you must make decisions on everything from the length of the book, to illustration styles, to final editing, and then the whole printing process begins. There are some very helpful books that go into great detail on these matters, but a quick way to get started is to visit your local bookstore or library and select the books that really capture your attention. Then figure out why, and research everything you can find out about the author and publishing company. This will help you in getting to a starting point. Do not be afraid to email the author for information or any questions you might have, and make a point to attend book fairs and festivals to better understand how the publishing end works.
-Frank Mundo
http://www.examiner.com/x-5892-LA-Books-Examiner~y2009m4d15-The-Weebeasts-an-interview-with-author-Micah-Linton
For more info: visit www.weebeasts.com or Micah Linton's personal blog. Contact Micah at micah@weebeasts.com.
Weeebeasts Plight Review
Title: “weebeasts”: plight
Author: Micah Linton
Publisher: Beast Stew
Copyright 2009
ISBN: 13: 0-9821734-0-4
ISBN: 10: 0-9821734-0-7
Pages: 30
Children’s Book
“weebeasts plight” should be in every preschool, kindergarten, first and second grade classroom as a teaching tool. It is a delightfully charming story that is imaginative on a grand scale. The illustrations are wonderfully colorful and each creature is uniquely portrayed. The story itself is as old as mankind—being good to each other, but Linton has given it a new life that will tickle the funny bone of adults as they read it to their children.
It fits well into the “weebeasts” collection, and when used in conjunction with the Discovery Teams Journals it surpasses most of what is out on the market today. The journals are full of wonderful character illustrations, but the story is made up by the reader. This is a great tool to improve children’s imaginations and storytelling skills. Each child can make up almost unlimited stories to match the pictures.
I strongly recommend this book for anyone who works with small children, has small children or grandchildren. It has the potential to be a great instrument for teaching everything from manners to tolerance for those who are different from us. It is a story whose moral is everlasting. On a rating system 1-5 with 5 being the best I would rate this book and it collection, (which includes a weebeast doll), as a 5.
In a society that flaunts nudity, violence, drug use and other forms of crime as almost normal behavior, I feel that “weebeasts” creates a positive experience in reading, listening, and discerning acceptable behavior if used properly. By learning about the “weebeasts” as they struggle to find a new home after being expelled for bad behavior, I think children will grasp the moral of the story. Treating others as you would want to be treated is the only way to live.
I know Christmas and Chanukah are a long way off, but I’d suggest that you put the ““weebeasts”” collection on your list now so that you don’t forget.
Reviewer: Bobbi Duffy
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