The Coal Thief Out in the World

    Over the past few months I have had the pleasure of seeing author Alane Adams going out to several schools to read The Coal Thief to them and talk about literacy. The Rise Up Foundation (Alane's non-profit) has been doing a fantastic job support kids literacy and encouraging them to read!

    Here are some shots of Alane in action!

     I even got to join Alane for one of her local school visits to talk about how I created the art for the book. It was great to see the kids engage with Alane as she read and discussed the book with them.

     Alane and I were also blessed to have a few Disney stars get out there to read The Coal Thief (thanks to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation's Book Pals Program!) Karan Brar, Jack Davis Griffo and August Maturo were all so great to participate! So exciting!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!

It's always nice to get a loving note from even the most unlikely of friends. Give some love to someone special this weekend, even if it's just some friendly love.

Black and White Pieces

     So I just realized that I have been horrible at updating my blog recently! Blah! But I HAVE been getting a lot of work done, so please excuse the non-communication and sharing of goings-on.

     Here are a couple new Black and White pieces I recently finished in an effort to expand my Black and White portfolio. AND I added a Black and White section to my website, so check it out. It's a little thin right now, but I'm hoping to beef it up soon.

     Enjoy these for now!

Winter is here!

     It is finally cold in California, and El Niño is expected this winter. This means lots of rain, and hopefully the end (or at least some relief) to our drought! But, sadly, no snow here, so I'll just have to create it in my art. Enjoy the wintery weather, wherever you are!

Happy Book Birthday to The Coal Thief!

     I am SO very excited to let you all know that The Coal Thief is out today!

     This book was started a few years ago with author, Alane Adams, who based the book after stories her father would tell her about his boyhood living on a Pennsylvania farm in the 1920s. The book is the first in a series of historical picture books (and the next book is already finished!), and has won the 2015 IPPY Award for Children's Picture Books (All Ages), the 2015 Moonbeam Book Awards SILVER - Picture Book - All Ages (The Coal Thief), and is a Finalist in the 2015 USA Best Book Awards - Children's Picture Book - Hardcover Category. PHEW!!

     To purchase a book, visit www.laurengallegos.com, and I will send you a signed copy! If you want to share on social media, be sure to #thecoalthief.

"The Coal Thief ... reminds readers of two of life’s most important concerns: the love between a parent and child and the value of integrity. It is the story of a child’s error in judgment, lessons learned, and the growth of character." – The Children's Writer's Guild

"Illustrator Lauren Gallegos captures the atmosphere of a small coal mining town of the twenties so well, that you will be checking your hands for coal dust as you turn the pages. Even Georgie’s freckles suggest a powdering of coal, and her lovely artwork brings to life an era long gone." – The Children's Writer's Guild

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween! Make some Trick-or-Treating buddies, and be safe out there!

Kobee Manatee Book 2: Award and Teachers Guide

Two updates for Kobee Manatee Book 2:

Kobee Manatee Book 2 has a FREE Teacher’s Guide available on my website. Tell all your teacher friends and learn all about weather and so much more!

Kobee also recently won the Silver Medal (Children's Adventure Categ.) in the Readers' Favorite Int'l Book Awards! YAY!