I have certainly had my share of memorable Christmases. Like the year I got the plaid pants and seedy yellow sweater vest or the gift certificate to JC Penny’s portrait studios that just happened to arrive as a stocking stuffer that same year.
Or the year I got my official Sea Hunt scuba diving watch that stopped working as soon as I took it into the tub.

I’m back. At least I think so. But then again, maybe I didn’t go anywhere, I really don’t know for sure. I was picked up at a Target in Chagrin Falls, Ohio standing in a check out line with an arm full of Don Ho CD’s and oven mitts but I don’t know how I got there… weeeeeird.

“Where do I get my characters?” It’s the most commonly asked question when I’m out in the real world. Right behind, “Could you please direct me to the restroom?” and “Where is the latest TWILIGHT installment located at?”

I’ve never drawn Barack Obama. Thinking back on it now, I imagine I could’ve gotten into it; maybe even reveled in it. Okay, yeah, on occasion, even reaching that euphoric state of frenzy again, whereby I’d be reduced to a giggling, unshaven shuffler who mumbled dialogue bubbles to himself while standing in line at Chipolte’ (not that I ever did that).

Here's something that I think anyone concerned with kids, education, peace and justice throughout our planet and galaxy, should know about. David LaMattina and Chad Walker, two friends at Blue Sky Studios have created a feature length documentary about a pen-pal program between a group of at-risk sixth graders in Bed-Stuy Brooklyn and orphans in war-torn Freetown, Sierra Leone.

I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Turkey Day (the bird, not the country)!

It started out as usual; accepting a request from the wonderful Barb Huff to do a library talk at The Farmington Public Library, in what is called the Four Corners region. “Four Corners” refers to the meeting of four states: Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico. While that is a truly amazing thing all by itself, I am told a person can actually get down on all fours and literally put each hand and each foot in a different state; that is beyond cool.

Now that I have this beautiful site, I finally have a place where my fans can visit to find everything from new books, classroom activites, to free bookmarks. I want you to feel like you're getting value out of the information I am posting, so here is where I ask for your help.

I thought it would be nice to share some of my new Max Spaniel bookmarks, so get 'em while they're hot!