Vikram's Blog

OWL & PENGUIN is a JLG GOLD SELECTION

5/9/2022

My upcoming Owl & Penguin graphic novel for beginning readers has been selected as a GOLD STANDARD selection by the Junior Library Guild.
The Junior Library Guild is an organization that curates books for schools and libraries. Less than 3% of the books the review receive the GOLD STANDARD designation and they take great pride in stating that 95% of their GOLD STANDARD books go on to win starred reviews and book awards. So yes, it's an honor! :)

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Cover Reveal: OWL & PENGUIN

3/14/2022

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I am delighted to unveil the cover of my very first graphic novel, OWL & PENGUIN, releasing September 2022, published by Holiday House Books for Kids. Learn more here.

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A Generative Art Project

2/20/2022

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The Lil' Reaper Generative Art project combines coding with hand-drawn art to create a system capable of generating quadrillions of unique, one-of-a-kind images.

What is 'Generative Art'? Generative Art is when an artist creates art by automating, with algorithms, some of the decisions the artist would normally make during the creation process.

This project started as a thought experiment on how I might create some unique versions of my characteristic Lil' Reaper art in some automated way, without losing the integrity of my own style & vision. This thought experiment led me to hand-draw a modular set of art elements and write software code to combine these elements in unpredictable ways. I had so much fun developing the system, which can combine some combination of over a 100 different hand-drawn elements to produce QUADRILLIONS of images.

Some are being made available as physical prints through KickStarter. Others will be available as NFTs through OpenSea.

Each generated image varies in background patterns as well as a selection of supporting elements surrounding the Lil' Reaper. For example there may be pets (cat / dog / rabbit / 1-3 snakes), birds, bats, ghosts, spiders, skulls, and more.
Both the above images are composed from the same building blocks. The variations, however, are introduced by my computer code on the fly - I cannot predict how any particular image will turn out!

In addition my algorithms introduce subtle (or not-so-subtle) color variations on the fly. For example, look closely at the phones in this image:

Note that some of the color changes in each image are very subtle. For example, look closely at the 'message' colors in the phones these 3 Lil' Reapers are holding:

Or the colors in these coffee cups and skulls and snakes:

All prints and NFTs will be hand curated - i.e. I will run the system thousands of times, and carefully hand-select the images that will be used for prints or NFTs. For Prints, original files are deleted after printing ensuring there is no physical or digital duplicate of the file.

NFTs will be made available in collections themed by what the Lil' Reaper is holding - e.g. the Teddy Collection, the Phone Collection, the Balloon Collection, etc. For NFTs, look for ArtByVikram on OpenSea.

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Book News: The Adventures of Zooni (Graphic Novel)

1/24/2022

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I am pleased to announce a new book project: THE ADVENTURES OF ZOONI, a graphic novel to be published in 2023 by Holiday House Books for Young Readers. The protagonist in these stories is inspired by our pup, Zooni, the sweetest dog in the whole wide world!

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BOBO & PUP-PUP, Now Available Everywhere

1/10/2022

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The first 2 books from my new BOBO & PUP-PUP Series, Illustrated by Nicola Slater, are now available everywhere books are sold. These books are ideal for beginning and emerging readers ages 4-8. In addition to action-packed visuals, the books use "simple dialogue, stealthy repetition, and amusing sound effects [to] emphasize phonics [and] help kids develop a love of reading.
Ask your independent bookstore for signed copies - I will mail any bookstore a set of signed bookplates they can use to put inside any copies you order. Available everywhere books are sold!

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Lil' Reaper Kickstarter #2

11/25/2021

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For Lil' Reaper fans, I have a Kickstarter Project going on during Nov and Dec. Check it out and snag some cool Kickstarter Rewards:

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Bobo & Pup-Pup: Unboxing Video

11/8/2021

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HATFUL OF DRAGONS - A Bank Street College Best Book

9/6/2021

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Yay - A HATFUL OF DRAGONS has been selected by Bank Street College of Education for their Prestigious Annual 2021 Best Books List.

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Utility Box Art - Bellevue WA

8/18/2021

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I am delighted to showcase my art publicly in my home city of Bellevue WA, this time on a utility box located in front of Highland Middle School. This particular installation features 10 images from my series AN UTTERANCE INEFFABLE.
Locals, check it out when you are driving by on Bel-Red Road, Bellevue WA.

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Common Core Standards and HATFUL OF DRAGONS

6/17/2021

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How delightful that educators are able to find ways to use my book A HATFUL OF DRAGONS in the classroom.

Here are some examples I found on the web:

1. A Hatful of Dragons - Poetry Discussion Questions - Google Slides™ Compatible
From the Website:
"This product includes 44 comprehension, literary instruction, reflection, critical thinking, discussion, and composition prompts on cards for studying the poetry book A Hatful of Dragons written and illustrated by Vikram Madan. This book is a highly engaging and humorous poetry collection that students of all ages will enjoy.

This book is an especially useful vehicle for addressing a wide range of TEKS and Common Core standards and the questions provided allow differentiation and adaptation of how the book is used to address these standards in discussion, presentation, and composition.

This resource is great for classroom discussion, literature circles, book clubs, poetry unit studies, task cards, book challenges, reflection journals, and/or student writing prompts.

The questions in this resource are purposefully designed for discussion and reflection. The questions prompt students to think critically about the book, share observations, express their understanding, and make connections and applications while exploring literary elements.

This resource is appropriate for use by:
- Students
- Classroom teachers
- Reading teachers and reading specialists
- Language therapists
- Librarians
- Parents
- Tutors
- Counselors
- Individuals who work with students to encourage a love for reading!"

2. A Hatful of Dragons Trivia Questions
From the website:
"Attached are 120 trivia questions and answers broken up by chapter for A Hatful of Dragon by Vikram Madan to be used for book battle, book club, guided reading groups, literature circles, comprehension checks, etc."

If you are looking for ways to bring poetry into the classroom, the above guides might be helpful.
Note: I have no affiliation with the content creators listed here.

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<<Previous

OWL & PENGUIN is a JLG GOLD SELECTION

Cover Reveal: OWL & PENGUIN

A Generative Art Project

Book News: The Adventures of Zooni (Graphic Novel)

BOBO & PUP-PUP, Now Available Everywhere

Lil' Reaper Kickstarter #2

Bobo & Pup-Pup: Unboxing Video

HATFUL OF DRAGONS - A Bank Street College Best Book

Utility Box Art - Bellevue WA

Common Core Standards and HATFUL OF DRAGONS

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