The Golden Pathway, illustrator interview with K.C. Snider

Often times the illustrator does not receive the kudos for their hardwork in making the authors words come alive with their vibrant illustrations and I wanted to take the time out to share with you an interview with the illustator of The Golden Pathway, K.C. Snider that is included in the teacher's guide.

K.C. Snider, a prominent Oregon artist, has branched out into a variety of styles and subjects. Her collection of oil paintings, lithographs, and pencil drawings include the All-American Cowboy and Cowgirl and their historical lifestyles with magnificent wolves, buffalo herds, eagles and birds of prey along with horses and domestic animals. Her artwork has won numerous awards including the Snaffle Bit Award and the Pioneer Award.
Snider lives in the high desert with majestic views of the Cascade Mountains' snow capped peaks. K.C. also illustrates children's books: Alleycat; The Christmas Angel; Preston, the Not-So-Perfect Pig; One Family's Christmas; Cartwheel Annie; The Magic Violin; Does Heaven Get Mail?; Andy & The Albino Horse Series; Baby Jesus is Missing' Katydidn't; A Short Tale About a Long Tail; Monster Maddie; RV Mouse & Ruthie and the Hippo's Fat Behind.

A three piece triptych from the second book in the Andy & the Albino Horse Series won 1st Place in The Western Art Roundup 2008 and another Andy story triptych won 2nd Place in The Western Art Roundup 2009.
1. How did you become artist/illustrator?

I attended commercial art school and graduated as a commercial artist in the late 1970’s. I have been working for Guardian Angel Publishing for about 5 years, now.

2. What inspires you as an artist?

Everything around me! Everything around us is art.
3. Tell us about your experience illustrating The Golden Pathway, and how closely did you work with Donna on the project?

I worked very closely with Donna in researching for historical accuracy. A lot of email flew back and forth between us.
4. What advice do you have for young, aspiring illustrators?

Draw a lot and learn as many styles as you possibly can. Success is in being versatile and being able to draw anything from realism to cartoon.

My heartfelt thank you goes out to K.C. for bringing the story of The Golden Pathway to life!

Fred and K.C. Snider


Snider Art Studio

http://www.kcsniderart.com/

http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/

http://andyandthealbinohorse.blogspot.com/

http://www.cafepress.com/KCSniderart

http://blog.kcsniderart.com/


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Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
http://guardianangelpublishing.com/pathway.htm

Let's Get Our Young Muses Talking About Books at the National Writing for Children Center

What better way to get our young muses excited about books, by joining in lively book discussions. This will provide them a unique opportunity to meet an author through safe channels, where everyone's input is valued.

I invite you to join in the National Writing for Children Center's "Let's Talk About the Book," featuring The Golden Pathway at http://writingforchildrencenter.com/2011/04/03/the-golden-pathway-lets-talk-about-the-book.

Synopsis:
Be transported through time to the Underground Railroad, where high-pitched screams echo each night. David’s cruel Pa always chooses the same victim. Despite the circumstances during slavery, David uncovers the courage to defy his Pa.


Raised in a hostile environment where abuse occurs daily, David attempts to break the mold and befriends the slave, Jenkins, owned by his Pa. Fighting against extraordinary times and beliefs, David attempts to lead Jenkins to freedom with no regard for his own safety and possible consequences dealt out by his Pa.


I am looking forward to your visit.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
http://guardianangelpublishing.com/pathway.htm

Book Review: The Golden Pathway by Lauren S. Smith

Google Alerts has proven yet again how important it is to utilize them. I most likely would have never known about this wonderful review Lauren S. Smith wrote and posted on her blog http://www.shewrites.com/profiles/blogs/the-golden-pathway-a-kids. Thanks Lauren!

Book Review - The Golden Pathway - A Kid's Story About the Underground Railroad

Review by Lauren S. Smith ~ February 4, 2011


Award winning children's author, Donna M. McDine, has written a book targeted to kids from 8 to 12 years old that teaches about our American history during the turbulent time of slavery. The Golden Pathway is a beautiful example of what children's literature can be when presented in an interesting and artistic manner.

Illustrations in The Golden Pathway are especially thought provoking and will no doubt encourage visual thinking, conversation and a desire to find out more about this riveting time in history. McDine tells the story beautifully about the Underground Railroad and a young boy who overcomes his abusive past to help a slave flee to freedom.

The courage that David, and the slave, Jenkins, display will serve to give courage to all preteens, especially those who must deal with bullies at school every day or an abusive situation at home. Children will understand David's agony as he clamps his hands over his ears to cover the screams that shattered the silence of the night.

The screams continue as a result of David's father using his belt to whip slaves into submission. One night, David vows to overcome his fears of what his own father might do to him and defy the times in which he lives to help a man escape the bonds of slavery for a new life.

As the white child of a slave owner, David puts himself in horrible jeopardy by helping Jenkins to escape from a hostile environment and escape to freedom through the Underground Railroad's network of assistance.

In the author's note at the end of The Golden Pathway, McDine explains to her readers how various code words were used to help slaves reach freedom. For example, "conductors" were used to describe individuals who helped slaves reach freedom by giving them shelter along the way.

Donna M. McDine has won many awards for her writing in the children's literature genre. Her love and interest in American history led her to pen The Golden Pathway and chronicle the Black experience and the Underground Railroad.

McDine also wrote "The Hockey Agony" and "Powder Monkey," which are currently on contract with Guardian Angel Publishing Company. She's currently a Publicist Intern for The National Writing for Children Center and the Children's Writers' Coaching Club.

The Golden Pathway, by Donna M. McDine will teach children how people can come together and overcome seemingly impossible odds and learn a bit about American history and how to deal with a situation of bullying and abuse.

Lauren Smith is editor for the Virtual Book Review Network - reviews books by well known bestselling authors and books by soon to be recognized names. For more information, visit: http://www.virtualbookreviewnetwork.com/. This review covers The Golden Pathway by Donna M. McDine.


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Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/pathway.htm