David Kirk
David Kirk was part of a fabulous gathering of children's book illustrators at an event hosted by the Corcoran Gallery in Washington DC (September 2003). In addition to lectures and panel sessions, the illustrators provided hands-on demonstrations of their various artistic techniques. During one of the panel discussions, David provided listeners with a glimpse into his work life.
David said that he does undertake research and has piles of books about nature available to him. However, he really doesn't have to do more than go outside for reference. David does have an interesting background. He started with a toy company and really had no aspirations of becoming an author. He was asked to illustrate some trade show material and then just fell into books. When asked if he does other than the "Miss Spider" series, David revealed that he was working on a second book before the first was published. The Miss Spider book was such a success that the publisher wanted a sequel and then they wanted more. He has been able to do some work outside the series, but it is hard to say no, when asked to do another Miss Spider-after all, he does need to make a living.
David was always an artist and comes to it naturally because his mother was also an artist. Of course, art was his favorite subject in college. He finds that when writing he needs to have silence, but when he paints, he can listen to books on tape, music, etc. It takes him from 6 to 18 months per book, and he likes being by himself when he is painting.
Another chapter is now opening up in David's life, because he is collaborating on a TV production based on the Miss Spider character and really enjoying the exchange of ideas with other creative people with a variety of talents. In some ways, his tastes have not changed much. He admitted to still liking all the same things he did at age 7--even at his current stage of life as a parent. He is also an avid collector of toys and paintings and loves to shop on e-bay.
Enjoy the following reviews of some of David's books and learn more about him here
Contributor: Marilyn Courtot
Reviews
Little Bird, Biddle Bird
David Kirk
Biddle bird is hungry, but Mama is nowhere to be found. Off she goes, exploring her surroundings for a suitable snack. Tentative at first, Biddle bird examines snails, cherries, flowers, bugs, trash on the street and other possibilities. She finally gets down to business with a juicy worm. When Mama returns, proud as can be, she delights in Biddle bird's accomplishment. This is the first time Biddle bird has fed herself. The delightful verse and vibrant illustrations will draw young children into Biddle bird's world. The bold print is large in this child-sized book, which is perfect for little hands. Charming Biddle bird is much like her audience, sweet, adventurous and beginning to take steps towards independence. This title is the first book in the publisher's new "Little Bird, Biddle Bird" series. Readers familiar with the "Miss Spider" books will recognize the author and illustrator's handiwork here. 2001, Scholastic Press/Callaway & Kirk, $9.95. Ages 1 to 4. Reviewer: Jeanne K. Pettenati, J.D. (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-439-26092-2
Little Miss Spider
David Kirk
This seventh book in the "Miss Spider" series tells of Miss Spiders first day of life. Kirk's rhyming verse and colorful illustrations tell us about Miss Spider's search for her mother. After asking if anyone has seen a mother who looks "like me, only big," Miss Spider finally turns to the insect who has helped her search and rescued her from a hungry bird. She recognizes that a true mother may not look like her, but is always there to care for her. The sturdy pages will withstand many hours of children's attention. 1999, Scholastic Press, $12.95. Ages 3 to 7. Reviewer: Karen Porter (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-439-08389-3
Little Miss Spider: A Christmas Wish
David Kirk
David Kirk's familiar bright colors are jumping off the page again as Little Miss Spider celebrates her first Christmas in search of a friend. She meets Asparagus Beetle, who is as brightly painted in red, blue and green as Miss Spider is in yellow. Together they play outside and make a perfect contrast to the silvery pink snow. The heavy shiny pages glisten as if covered with an icy sheen. Initially Miss Spider returns home alone, but she heads outside when "Christmas didn't feel right", finding her new friend "lying shivering, alone, by his family of snow." They returned home together and "together they found all the joy Christmas brings." The story line is actually much clearer after reading the book jacket, which explains that Asparagus is an orphan planning to spend Christmas alone who becomes the little brother Miss Spider had always wished for. As long as the adult reader provides this context, A Christmas Wish is a warm and generous story that adds a favorite character to holiday celebrations. 2001, Callaway & Kirk, $12.95. Ages 3 to 6. Reviewer: Karen Leggett (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-439-31463-1
Little Miss Spider at Sunny Patch School
David Kirk
The story is about Little Miss Spider's adventures as she begins learning the lessons bugs are supposed to know at the Sunny Patch School. She has difficulty mastering various bug skills. However, she learns in the end that her true talent is kindness! The story has simple rhymes and is easy for children to follow. This would be a great book to read when studying bugs and when learning about the unique characteristics and talents everyone has and, thus, can share with others. The luminescent oil paintings are very beautiful and capture the attention of all readers. This book is definitely one that children will request to read over and over! Grades PreK-1. 2000, Scholastic, Unpaged, $12.95. Ages 3 to 7. Reviewer: Theresa Whalen (Heart of Texas Reviews (Vol. 13, No. 3)).
ISBN: 0-439-08727-9
Little Mouse, Biddle Mouse
David Kirk
"Little mouse, Biddle mouse/ Out to explore/ Hunting for tidbits / Across the wide floor." A charming and very hungry mouse searches for food to share with his family in this sweet new addition to the Biddle Books series by the amazing David Kirk, creator of "Miss Spider" and "Nova's Ark." Kirk created the petite Biddle Books for preschoolers, featuring tiny animal protagonists in tiny fables about being true to yourself, venturing out into the world, sharing and so on. Here Kirk employs the same fastidiously-composed rhyming couplet scheme to accompany his instantly recognizable, big, bold and shiny oil paintings. The bright images attract little ones like a magnet, and the rhyming rhythms captivate their attention, even if the modest story itself does not. 2002, Scholastic Press/Calaway, 32 pages, $9.95. Reviewer: Vicki Arkoff (Midwest Book Review, "Vicki's Bookshelf" column, November 2002)
ISBN: 0-439-28051-6
Little Pig, Biddle Pig
David Kirk
Biddle Pig is the rosiest, cleanest, pinkest pig around--and she is proud of it! She hasn't the time or desire to roll around in the mud like every other piglet. But is being the cleanest--and the loneliest--pig worth it? Told in rhyming, playful verse and with bright, exuberant paintings, Biddle Pig's story is a simple tale of friendship and joining in. Kirk, the creator of the delightful "Miss Spider" series, has created yet another character that will capture young children's whimsy. And with its easy verse and large, bold printing, this book can be used in preschool and kindergarten classes as a colorful way to plunge children into the world of reading. 2001, Scholastic Press/Callaway, $9.95. Ages 2 to 6. Reviewer: Leah Hanson (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-439-30575-6
Miss Spider's ABC
David Kirk
Miss Spider's "buggy" friends are preparing for her surprise birthday party, and each page features an uppercase letter with an accompanying alliteration: "ants await...fireflies fandango...yellow jackets yield...." Children will be fascinated by the magical paintings and enjoy the playful text. This is a great story time book that can be used as an introduction to beginning letter sounds. Another winner in the Miss Spider series of exquisitely illustrated picture books. 1998, Scholastic Press, $16.95. Ages 2 to 8. Reviewer: Cheryl Peterson (Children's Literature).
Miss Spider's ABC has just been published as a board book. What an extravaganza it is! A wildly colorful romp through the alphabet has all of the insects preparing a surprise party for Miss Spider. "Ants await./ Bumblebees blow balloons...Ladybugs laugh/ Moths mingle." The moths' wings look like flowing robes fit for royalty and the ladybugs seems to be jitterbugging. This is great fun that may inspire children to make their own ABC book of insects planning a class picnic or beach party. 2000, Scholastic, $16.95 and $8.95. Ages 3 to 6. Reviewer: Jan Lieberman (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
Children's Choices, 1999; International Reading Association; United States
ISBN: 0-590-28279-4
Miss Spider's Babies
David Kirk
Miss Spider is ready to deliver her new spider babies, but she is nervous that she won't know how to care for them. She is also worried that she won't be a good mom. Squirt, Pansy, Snowdrop, and Spinner, her babies, arrive with great fanfare and much celebration. While they are out playing one day, Squirt discovers a lost egg. Without telling his mother, Squirt sets out on an adventure to find the missing mom. For Miss Spider, losing her spider baby confirms her suspicion that she is a bad mom. Fortunately, everything works out in the end. This book is another installment in the "Miss Spider" series. I confess, I never read the others. The colorful, computer generated covers and pictures always grabbed my attention. When I received this book I was excited to read it, but it did not live up to my expectations. There are too many characters and subplots to track, especially for young readers. Also, the book is written in rhyme. In order to keep rhyming the author arranges words in a slightly unusual manner which interrupts the flow of the story. 2004, Calloway & Kirk Company LLC/Scholastic, $14.95. Ages 5 to 9. Reviewer: Louise Parsons (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-439-40870-9
Miss Spider's New Car
David Kirk
The vibrant and unique illustrations make the bugs in this board book spring to life. The rhyming text tells the amusing story of Miss Spider's search for the perfect car. After trying Mantis Motors, Slick Tail Speedsters, Hop Daddy's Hop Rods and the like, she finds her dream vehicle at Bub Bumble's Buggies. The board book format is appropriate for youngest children, who will be drawn to the main characters, bugs with personality and style. 1999, Scholastic, $8.95. Ages 1 to 3. Reviewer: Jeanne K. Pettenati, J.D. (Children's Literature).
I wish I were a child again. This book makes you want to be able to curl up in a corner and enjoy this delightful verse and the beautiful paintings. This is a must-add to any collection that serves young children. Miss Spider and her husband Holley set out to buy a car, so that they can safely make the trip to see Miss Spider's mother. Along the way, they see cars of all descriptions being sold by all the creatures of the forest, but Miss Spider has her heart set on the first little car that she sees. Lucky for her, her friend Moth Sue has bought the car while Miss Spider and Holley were looking through the forest. Now she can visit her mother in style. 1997, Callaway & Kirk/Scholastic, $16.95. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Joyce Rice (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
Adventuring with Books: A Booklist for Pre-K--Grade 6, 12th Edition, 1999; National Council of Teachers of English; United States
ISBN: 0-439-04675-0
Miss Spider's Tea Party
David Kirk
Miss Spider is such a delight, and this is a book that is sturdy enough for younger children to handle and love. Counting from 1 to 12, the tale of the insects' reluctance to come to Miss Spider's Tea Party is told. When she proves herself a friend, the insects come back to play. The artwork is wonderful, bright and whimsical. The insects are imaginative and expressive. The palette demands attention. 1997, Calloway & Kirk/Scholastic, $15.95, $29.95 and $8.95. Ages 2 to 6. Reviewer: Kristin Harris (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
Best Books, 1994; Parents Magazine; United States
Children's Choices, 1995; International Reading Association; United States
The Children's Literature Choice List, 1998; Children's Literature; United States
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
American Booksellers Book Sense Book of the Year (ABBY) Award Honor Book 1996 United States
State and Provincial Reading Lists:
Utah Children's Book Awards, 1998; Nominee; Utah
ISBN: 0-590-47724-2
ISBN: 0-590-69782-X
Miss Spider's Wedding
David Kirk
This book has a nice rhythmic pattern and bright and beautiful illustrations on each page. Miss Spider has met a wonderful spider man who she wants to marry. Her friends cannot understand why and try to find her a better mate. Miss Spider goes with her heart and marries the kind spider man. Kirk does a superb job of keeping the reader's interest throughout the book. It is a story that reiterates that beauty is truly in the eyes of the beholder. 1995, Scholastic, $15.95. Ages 5 to 11. Reviewer: Samita Arora (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-590-56866-3
Nova's Ark
David Kirk
Don't be fooled into expecting Miss Spider to show up here! Kirk has ventured into the science fiction genre with this story of a robot who finds himself stranded on a mystery planet after he wanders away during a class field trip. The plot is unremarkable and fairly predictable; what will command the most attention is the fascinating artwork that accompanies the story. Kirk uses computer-generated images in bold colors with 3-D qualities. The double-page spreads of spaceships that resemble sea creatures and the toy animals that Nova builds will surely elicit a flurry of exclamations. While Kirk may have tried too hard to include something that will appeal to everyone--humor, spaceships, robots, animals, a lost/found story, a dad/son experience--he has succeeded in producing illustrations that will be remembered. 1999, Scholastic Press, $17.95. Ages 5 to 8. Carol E. Lynch (Children's Literature).
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Great Lakes' Great Books Award Winner 2001 Grades 2-3 United States
State and Provincial Reading Lists:
Michigan Reader's Choice Award, 2001; Nominee; Michigan
ISBN: 0-590-28208-5
Added 12/30/04
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If you’re interested in reviewing children's and young adult books, then send a resume and writing sample to marilyn@childrenslit.com.