The dragon that haunted me

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My tour began with a very special appearance from the most adorable shark!

I’m half way through my Shark Party tour. I visit a lot of schools and I present about my books and my path to becoming an artist. I take requests from the kids and draw live.

A series of sharks I drew live, including one upside down!

At my first school I drew a dragon. At the end of my presentation a child came up and asked to take it home. Without thinking, I said yes. I was wrong. The teachers corrected me (I should know better!) because the dragon would stay at the school for all the kids to enjoy. He wanted to color it in. I told him there *might* be a dragon coloring page on my website.

I checked later. I was wrong (again).

He emailed requesting a dragon coloring page. I told the hubbahubba about the kid and the dragon. He replied “Awww he really wants it! It’s so sweet.”

Thus began my haunting.

I wanted to draw a coloring page for him but I had days of events ahead of me.

I went on to Portland.

Jenny, a librarian in Portland with lots of *sharkle*
Kids in their colored in shark princess crowns!
Signing stacks of shark books, thinking about dragons

Portland was wonderful. I love the soft and lush scenery of the pacific northwest. I visited schools that were kind and welcoming. Most of the kids had colored their own shark princess crowns and were excited to learn about sharks, books and art.

I also had the opportunity to meet cartoonist friends that I made in the pandemic. It was our first time meeting in person and it was joyous! Aron Nels Steinke, Jonathan Hill and Breena Bard all make wonderful, award-winning books (and they’re fabulous people too!) It was a lovely visit.

Still no time to draw a dragon.

I did a set of local school visits in the East Bay. Then I went on to LA.

The perfect school for a SHARK PARTY. I mean c’mon!
After a great event at the Palisades library with librarian Gail

After a quick two days in LA, I came home late last night. This morning I woke up, took my daughter to school and sat in my studio for the first time in 2 weeks.

There are piles of email, copy edits and two very love-starved cats asking me for attention.

But first, the dragon.

A dragon coloring page, no longer haunted

I am no longer haunted! It is here for the kid at my first school and now, everyone.

I’ll be in San Francisco tonight for Vashti Harrison’s Big book tour. Then on to Phoenix, Dallas and Atlanta.

Hopefully the rest of my tour will be haunt-free.

Rejection 18

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My next SHARK PRINCESS book, SHARK PARTY releases on May 2nd. Join me on the 2nd to shell-abrate at Bel and Bunna Books in Lafayette. Come by at 4:30pm – every copy purchased will receive a free print (while supplies last).

I will also have an event in Atlanta at Little Shop of Stories (my first time in Atlanta!) on May 20th as well.

I will update my events calendar as things are confirmed. I’m excited to share SHARK PARTY so very soon!

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I will be virtually presenting at the Kweli conference on Sunday April 2nd. The last day to register is soon.

If you’re in the bay area, the Peninsula Comics Fest is in April. I will be presenting at the San Mateo Library on Saturday April 8th. You can see all the events and register here.

Doctor (rejection 15)

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A new lonely

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Rejection 12 and Kohl’s

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One of my many rejected comics from the New Yorker which I wrote about here.

I’m so excited to share that my debut written and illustrated book, What will my story be, is part of the Kohl’s Cares program which donates 100% of the profit to charities. You can find the book for $5 at your local Kohl’s and if you do, please post and share online and tag me @nidhiart.

Rejection 11

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One of my many rejected comics from the New Yorker which I wrote about here.

I’m sending this email from Florida, my last day signing for the Epcot Festival of Arts. Florida, which inspired this comic. Here they are threatening to remove teacher’s licenses or charge them with a felony for their classroom libraries. Chilling photos of empty classroom shelves are populating social media in a sign of very sad times.

If you’re in Florida or anywhere book bans are taking place, the American Library Association has a useful list on ways to fight back.

Rejection 10, strawberries

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Another rejected comic from the New Yorker which I wrote about here.

Rejection 9 and Festival of Arts

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I’m in Orlando this week as a featured artist at the Epcot Festival of Arts. I will be signing four new illustrations in the France Pavilion today through next Monday. My schedule is below, hope to see you here!

Rejection number 6

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