Vikram's Blog - Vikram Madan - Artist & Author

[Joyful art and books, since 2014]

BOBO & PUP-PUP, Now Available Everywhere

1/10/2022

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!

Lil' Reaper Kickstarter #2

11/25/2021

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

Bobo & Pup-Pup: Unboxing Video

11/8/2021

HATFUL OF DRAGONS - A Bank Street College Best Book

9/6/2021

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

Utility Box Art - Bellevue WA

8/18/2021

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.

Common Core Standards and HATFUL OF DRAGONS

6/17/2021

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.

ALSC Summer Pick: Hatful of Dragons

5/12/2021

I am pleased to share that the American Library Association ALSC has picked my 'A HATFUL OF DRAGONS' book as a 2021 Summer Reading List Selection, the only poetry book to make the list for K-2 students.

See the full lists here: www.ala.org/alsc/publications-resources/book-lists/2021-summer-reading-list

Bobo & Pup-Pup COVER REVEAL

4/8/2021

I'm so excited to share the covers of my upcoming early reader graphic chapter novels BOBO & PUP-PUP, illustrated by Nicola Slater. Aren't these among the most endearing covers you have ever seen??!?

Learn more about these books here!

Owl & Penguin Graphic Novels

3/21/2021

I am delighted to share that my Owl & Penguin characters will soon be appearing in a graphic novel for beginning readers to be published by Holiday House in 2022. These characters started as a small 8"x8" painting - funny how they've managed to find a life all their own :)

Perplexed Penguins in Kent, WA

12/10/2020

A recently unveiled Utility Box Mural in Kent, WA featuring art from my Perplexed Penguins Oil Paintings.
Located at the intersection of SE 272nd St (Kent-Kangley Road) and 152nd Ave SE in Kent WA.

Kirkus Best Book 2020 Honor for 'A Hatful of Dragons'

11/19/2020

Oh happy day - Kirkus Reviews has selected 'A Hatful of Dragons' as one of the BEST BOOKS of 2020 (for Middle Grade ages 7-12).

I am speechless. This is a rare and coveted honor. Thank you Kirkus Reviews, my publisher Boyds Mills & Kane, my editor Rebecca Davis, and my agent Rosemary Stimola.

:)

Texas Bluebonnet Honor for A HATFUL OF DRAGONS

11/6/2020

Woohoo - My book, A Hatful of Dragons, has been selected for the 2021-2020 Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List - one of the most distinguished reading lists for kids across the United States! This is a rare and prestigious honor - only 20 books are selected for this list every year, and kids in Texas in grades 3, 4, 5, and 6 are asked to read books from this list 'just for fun' - as a way to promote reading and literacy. Last year over 130,000 kids participated in this reading program! Read more about it here: https://txla.org/news/2021-2022-texas-bluebonnet-award-master-list-released/

“The Texas Bluebonnet list is a prestigious list composed of titles from diverse, imaginative and creative authors. The titles on the list offer students in grades 3-6, quality literature that is both fiction and nonfiction to be read for pleasure,” said Jacqui Bridges-Sheppherd, TBA coordinator. “Titles were chosen that allow the books to act as windows into reality and imaginary worlds while offering a view into someone else’s experiences; and mirrors that reflect a reader’s own life or culture while building their identity. This literature also takes the student’s interests in mind and provides positive reviews for parents, teachers and librarians.”

Lil' Reaper Kickstarter!!!

7/19/2020

***UPDATE 9/1/20*** The Kickstarter project completed successfully - thank you all for your support!
If you missed the Kickstarter and still want to participate - please see this project reprise on IndieGogo:
http://igg.me/at/ReaperCoin

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Lil' Reaper Fans - please check out my Lil' Reaper Carpe Diem Kickstarter, running 7/19/20 - 8/20/20
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/artbyvikram/lil-reaper-carpe-diem-art-coins

Hatful of Dragons - Public Art!

6/1/2020

The City of Renton WA invited me to participate in their 'Dragon Days' celebrations by creating a public art display in a vacant storefront. I decided to highlight some of the dragon art and poems from my book A Hatful of Dragons and created a large sized display 5' high and about 80' long featuring both poetry and art. This video shows it best:

The drawings in my book are pretty small, just a few inches max, so I had to redraw the drawings and then add color. These were then sent to a sign printer and printed out as large size window clings, which I then manually installed for the display. Putting up these clings was harder than it looks - not for the faint hearted!

School Library Journal Takeover

5/1/2020

I was honored to be invited by the prestigious School Library Journal to take over their Instagram account on 4/24/2020 and present my work and new book to school librarians, teachers, and the general public. The session is now available on Youtube for everyone to watch: