https://youtu.be/j00_y5xj_dU 

Let them know what treasures they are, but first you have to know that you are a treasure. YOU are VALUABLE and PRECIOUS. You are not all the rejection that you have faced. Rejection is often indication that we have out grown a people, relationship, job, or career or mindset. So let it serve you. Reach as high and as far as you need to get your crown and then when gotten, cock that bad boy to the side with a regal smile for you are a treasure for some are silver, but perhaps you..... are.... GOLD.

Peace

Hey Everyone! Hope that you had an awesome weekend! There is so much going on in my studio here in Charlotte, NC! I am working on new books and characters for even more books and teaching online at Storytelleracademy as well as  Arree.com Creative Camp online! Not to even talk about the beautiful Gullah Geechee Nesting Doll! It's a lot, but I wanted to do a post just to let you see what is going on inside my sketchbook. I keep loads of them now. Didn't like to sketch in my sketch book, but I am even learning how important it is to keep them. I need a place that I can just act out and I do that in and through my sketchbooks! Just putting down ideas and thoughts somewhere where I can go back and collect them and work them out even farther is so fabulous!! 

So I want to encourage you as illustrators, or artist, crafters, kids and parents to try to keep a regular sketchbook handy to write down your amazing thoughts, idea's characters and stories! You'll be so happy that you did!

An Interview with Lilla Rogers of Make Art That Sells LIVE!

Hello Good Peoples, Just coming around to share that I will be live with the fabulous Lilla Rogers of www.Makeartthatsells.com Looking forward to this wonderful time with Lilla! She is one amazing agent and artist. You will not be disappointed I am sure. So come check us out on Monday July 20th @ 12:00pm EST Hope to see you there! https://makeartthatsells.com

The Whimsical Sketchbook - Vanessa Brantley Newton

Hey there Stressed out Adult person! This message is for you.

Are you stressed out , tired and frustrated!?!? Well, I ain't saying this

is gonna heal you, but it might. Check out The Whimsical Sketchbook

over at Sketchbookskool.com It will lift your spirits and make you

smile and laugh. Just what you need to relieve some of the stress you

might be feeling. Please check it out!

Thanks

The World told her that she was to black, poor and small to be anything of value and importance, but her mama always told her that she was black gold. That she was rich in spirit, heart and talent. That she mattered and that she was brilliant, valuable and precious. Mama said, that sometimes the most valuable, powerful and amazing things can come from small ones. It is so important to tell our children that they are worth it and that they indeed matter. Peace

This is for the birds

The Hula-Hoopin' Queen read by Oprah Winfrey

Hey Everyone!

What a happy day when Oprah Winfrey reads a book

illustrated by you! Oprah said my name LOL!!

Enjoy!

What are you planting in your children? What seeds are you putting in their little heads? It is seeds of kindness and self love or hate, fear and low esteem. Our children learn so much from us and how we move through the world. We must give them acceptance, good thoughts and empowerment. Hate is taught. We must be careful the message that we plant inside of them. They deserve our best and if we can't give our best we need to be willing to get the help we need so that what we put inside of them will lead them to greatness!

"Race and the Role of Culturally Diverse Children's books"

The Wonderful Dennis Matthew brings us together to talk about Race and Role

of Culturally Diverse Children's Books. Please check it out.

We need more open talks like this.

Just Like Me Reading

Hey Good Parents and Teachers We are living in strange times right now and our children have so many questions. The one I keep getting asked is how to keep kids inspired and entertained in a pandemic? Well here is your chance to help your kid or a kid to blast off into the art realm! I don't have all the wonderful and smart answers for you. I can only share what Ms. V wants to do. I wanna make art with your kids. Yes indeed I do. My heart is to post a few more videos here over the next couple of weeks and months, but I have another special thing to share. I will be a part of Arree Chung's Art Camp over at Storytelleracademy.com Come and check it out. Your kid can learn how to draw, color and make a project right from home over here! Arree is such a wonderful teacher and works well with all ages of children. I will be coming on to teach a awesome class in Sketchbook making and collage! So if you are looking for a camp for your kids this summer I'd suggest you stop on over to Storytelleracademy.com You'll be glad you did.

Children's Book Week May 4-10 2020 Get Your Bookmarks!

Hello Good People! Well, It's Children's Book Week and we are having a ball! Yeah, I know we are all tired of staying inside, but we need to until we get this nasty Covid-19 issue under control. I am thinking of your children and their real need to do something while home. I have done some readings and you can catch them on Instagram just check under Vanessa Brantley Newton and you will find them. I was asked by the CBC along with some other fabulous illustrators to make a book mark. We have create some really fun ones for you children to download and keep. They even come with activities to do as well. Hoping that it will lift your children's spirit and that they would have a moment of fun! Check it out when you have a moment. Please visit Have fun!

Read Together Stay Together

Hello Good Peoples! Today is the day to catch me again on Instagram Live reading 'Just Like Me". My newest book. This is the last time to catch me reading live on line for a while as I have lots of work to finish up. Hope that your children can come to hear today at 3PM EST today on Instagram Live on my page VanessaBrantleyNewton. Would love to see you there. Have a great weekend!

Storytime With Random House and Penguin Books

Hey there Good Peoples! Looking for more story times for the kids? Well I will be sharing again," Just Like Me". On this coming Friday afternoon at 3PM EST. Hope that you can make it. See you there!

It's Picture Book Week

Hey there Good People! I will be reading my new book, "Just Like Me" for Picture Book Week with Kwame Alexander. On Wednesday April, 29th at 10:30AM EST Come on over to my Instagram Page @ Vanessa Brantley-Newton to hear some poetry. Check out the list Kwame as created of awesome writers and illustrators of children's books. We are going to have lots of fun for sure. See you there.

Collage Fun At Home

Hello Good Peoples

Hope that all of you are safe and doing well.

Welp, We are mostly home with our kids and the kids

are bored and need something to do and you as well.

Okay so here is a little collage project that I wanted to

share with you all. All you need is...

White paper, colored or printed craft paper, gift wrap or what

have you, crayons, markers, colored pencils or temper paint

will do, scissors and glue. That's it!

Watch the video and you will see what to do.

Have fun and please come and tell me all about it or

show me what you all have created! Until then,

be safe and creative!

Shabbat Shalom

Collage Fun At Home With Ms.V

Hey Good Peoples! Since we are stuck at home with our children and family, I wanted to bring you a little craft video for you all try at home. All you need is some white paper, some scraps of papers, glue, scissors, crayons, markers, or temper paint, colored pencils and your imagination. Watch the video and have fun! Would love to hear about or see what you did! Have a great weekend!

J Join in the celebration of Every Child a Reader #BookWeek2020. As an annual tradition of Children’s Book Week, esteemed children’s book illustrators are chosen to create bookmarks which celebrate children’s books and reading. This year, in keeping with the theme of Read. Dream. Share., seven artists have contributed their beautiful and inspiring artwork. These six new 2020 bookmarks created by Vanessa Newton, #theFanBrothers, John Parra, Michaela Goade Design & Illustration, Sydney Smith, Duncan Tonatiuh, are available to print and distribute to children, teens, and book lovers everywhere! https://bit.ly/3aX6UiS BONUS: Download this gorgeous 2020 Children's Book Week poster designed by @CarinBerger! https://bit.ly/2FL9NFs Read all about it in Publisher’s Weekly: https://bit.ly/2xZlnMA Publishers Weekly Please feel free to take it from here as well. Enjoy!!