Scarry! Richard Scarry!

I've been thinking a lot about Richard Scarry. He was one of my favorite author/illustrators growing up. My next picture book is called BEAR NAKED, it is rooted in a very Scarry-like city. Animals with jobs, running around, busy busy. Here's a little taste of what's to come in BEAR NAKED. As you can probably guess from the title, the hero of the story loses his clothes. Which is a terrible thing when you are a polar bear.

I want it to look like Richard Scarry's Busy, Busy world in real life, with real animals wearing clothes. We'll see how it goes. BEAR NAKED is slated for release in '10. "TEN." Isn't that weird to say? Not 'O Ten. Just TEN.

I found this clip on YouTube, of the Scarry animals singing a Beastie Boys song. I'm surprised how well it fits, it feels right at home somehow. So bust it out Huckle Cat!

The Rapunzel's Revenge Launch Party

So today was the big launch party for Rapunzel's Revenge. In the future, I'll announce these type of things before they happen.

Here we are, Hale/Hale/Hale--Team Rapunzel! 

That's me on the left, Shannon in the middle and Dean on the right. I don't think anybody in the picture is wearing a hat that fits. Speaking of hats, get a load of that Rapunzel wig! That was made by the fourth Hale, Mindy, my wife and letterer of the book. Next week I'll do a special post featuring the wig. It deserves its own post.

There was a full panel of YA authors there as well. If you can't read my handwriting, (click on it to embiggen it) they were (from left to right) Kimberly Heuston, Jessica Day George, James Dashner (his head is really that shape) Nathan Hale, Shannon Hale, Dean Hale, Sara Zarr (hiding), Mette Ivie Harrison (hitting the high note in "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother") and Ann Cannon. 

Here they are as THE MAGNIFICENT um, NINE.

Last year this week

So last year I took a trip through the Grand Canyon. I brought my little watercolor kit. The image above is Havasu canyon. A canyon that had to be evacuated two days ago because of major flashflooding. I'm sure the water there now is not the pretty aqua color in my painting, probably more like chocolate milk--dark chocolate milk.

My sister and her husband are full-time river guides in the Grand. They spend half of their year river guiding, and the other half as ski instructors at Sundance. Losers, I know. You can see see their river blog here. 

I went as a "Swampy," someone who packs and unpacks the boat, and hauls the chemical toilet around. I was a terrible "Swampy," I spent all my time doing watercolors.

Space Station is Go!

Well, this website has been around for a few years now. The blog section for about a month. I guess it's time to take an active role in putting things on it.

So here it is, the first post. Ta Daa!

Welcome to Space Station Nathan. Internet home for Nathan Hale, author/illustrator.

I'd like to direct your attention to the sidebar containing my picture books. The links will take you to Amazon where they may be purchased.

One other thing posted is a link to the all new RAPUNZEL'S REVENGE paper dolls. Which can be downloaded and printed. These were made for Shannon Hale Con 2008, and were exclusive to attendees. Now they are available for you! 

I hope to fill this space with lots of exciting images and links. I hope you come back often. There will be updates and updates...and updates.