Linda Davick
Linda Davick is a writer/illustrator who started her work in children’s literature after a long career in animation and design. After working with clients like Amazon, Crayola, Klutz Press, and Sesame Street, her first illustrated book appeared on the New York Times’ Best Seller list. That book was 10 Trick-or-Treaters, a seasonal counting book that launched the popular Ten Friends series. Her next book, I Love You Nose! I Love You Toes! won an Ezra Jack Keats honor.
Since then she’s written and illustrated a picture book, Say Hello!, and two early chapter books, It's Not Easy Being Mimi and Mimi’s Treasure Trouble.
She’s had a blast illustrating Cynthia Rylant’s We Love You, Rosie; Elana K. Arnold’s What Riley Wore; Judy Sierra’s We Love Our School! and is currently illustrating a book by Mem Fox.
Linda lives by the Rio Grande Nature Preserve in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Reviews
Our Dragon
“With delightfully rhyming text and brightly colored illustrations, this breezy picture book showcases the experiences of two human parents and their newest family member: a baby dragon. The little one enjoys “breathing out fire / wherever he goes,” but when he inadvertently singes Mom’s slipper, the parents are moved to talk about fire safety. Though remorseful and endeavoring to be better, he is, after all, a dragon and sometimes can’t control himself, emitting flames when he's hungry, tuckered out, or even just happily playing. But Mom and Dad are a reassuring presence, not just putting out fires (the results of which comically appear in the artwork) but providing guidance and understanding, too. Davick uses bold shapes and varying perspectives in her cartoon artwork to depict the expressive green dragon’s activities and surroundings, including, somewhat humorously, a toy firetruck. Both sweet and silly, this provides a fanciful, supportive approach to the challenges and joys of “almost brand-new” babies—and their inevitable messes—in a lively read-aloud perfect for newly expanded families.”—Booklist
“Human parents gently teach their “almost brand-new” dragon to suppress his natural but dangerous fire-breathing ability. Fox’s well-turned rhyming quatrains clearly link these fiery lapses with toddlers’ own naughty tendencies, so much the focus of early parental guidance. The tiny dragon’s damaging exhalations result in collateral damage and real danger, which Davick depicts as a singed shoe and, dramatically, burning toys. (The parents are shown dowsing the playtime fire with a hose and water pitcher, though a final spot illustration, more appropriately, does hang a fire extinguisher next to the dragon’s cradle.) Fox clearly demonstrates that the dragon’s innately fiery outbursts, consistently and lovingly addressed by the parents, are unintentional: “And he also tries hard / to behave as required, / but flames often spout / when he’s hungry or tired.” Text and illustrations deftly convey the dragon’s bewilderment, fear, sorrow, relief, and contentment. Using flat color, simple patterns, and generous amounts of white space, Davick depicts the parents as large-bodied with light brown skin . . . The wee dragon is portrayed with multiple shades of green, with spots, stripes, and diaphanous green wings. Lightheartedly instructive, this collaboration will delight parents and young children alike. .” —Kirkus Reviews
“The proud human parents of a new baby dragon soon discover that settling into life with their little one is all about putting out fires—literally. When the tiny green dragon breathes flames, the caretakers, portrayed with light skin, calmly tidy up a singed shoe and broken flower vase while firmly explaining “all the dangers/ that fire can cause.” But despite his best efforts, the dragon accidentally coughs up a crackling burst that sets his toys ablaze. On the verge of tears, he finds that his mom and dad are on the spot with a hose, a low-voiced message “of terrible dangers/ and making strong choices,” as well as a kiss, a cuddle, and a bottle. Fox’s rhyming text bounces through Davick’s bright digital scenes, which are filled with brightly colored playthings. Though the comparison between child development and innate dragon physical needs doesn’t feel quite parallel, new parents everywhere will relate to the challenge of decoding the language of a baby’s needs and responding when ‘accidents happen.’”—Publishers Weekly
What Riley Wore
"Always true to the perspective of Arnold’s upbeat, self-possessed (and gender unspecified) young protagonist, Davick’s cheery digital illustrations, with their solidly shaped figures, are entirely kid-centric." —The Horn Book
"Arnold playfully addresses identity, and Riley's recurring thoughts about how to make friends should resonate with a wide array of kids." —Booklist
"By connecting Riley’s gender nonconforming to the costumed roleplaying that most kids engage in, the creators take this timely subject matter into a refreshing realm: normalcy." —Publishers Weekly
It’s Not Easy Being Mimi
"This first installment of Mimi's adventurous antics offers a roller-coaster story filled with humor, good lessons, and new friendships." —Booklist
We Love You, Rosie!
"An easy read-aloud that will warm hearts and keep young readers' attention." —Booklist
"A cozy, Rosie read." —Kirkus Reviews