Told with the whimsical verse of Dandi Mackall, children will love to hear the story of the Pilgrims’ voyage and the Native Americans’ guidance that culminated in the first Thanksgiving. Gene Barretta’s warm, harvest tones and lively characters add the perfect touch to this story of discovery, compassion, and faith. (October 2004)
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Celebrate Christmas with the creatures of the forest. When Christmas time comes around, it seems even the animals find a way to offer praise and honor to the birth of Jesus. Although the older, wiser animals are afraid to invite Big Bear to join in the festivities, Star, the young colt, isn’t quite as timid. Big Bear surprises them all as he leaps from his sleep to exclaim, “Merry Creature Christmas!” A delightful story for children of all ages, Merry Creature Christmas reminds readers of the reason to celebrate the holiday season. (October 2004)
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Children's book illustrator Gene Barretta can now officially call himself an "Author/Illustrator." Henry Holt & Co. has just acquired his Benjamin Franklin picture book, which will be released in 2006 to celebrate Franklin's 300th anniversary.

Gene recently took time out to speak to us about his past and current projects. He lives outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, also home to Dr. Franklin.

Gene Barretta: I live in the ideal location to research this book. It was so convenient. When I needed inspiration I just walked down to Market Street and stepped on the same cobblestones he once did."

ETC: There is so much to learn about Benjamin Franklin, do you cover his entire life?

Gene Barretta: Well, yes I do I suppose, but not like a traditional biography. I don't want to give away too much at this point, but I can say that I focus on one aspect of his life and present it in a way that is fun and new.

ETC: Did you have an interest in Franklin before you began this project?

Gene Barretta: Oh yes, I began the project because of my long time interest in him. From the time I was young I always admired how prolific and versatile he was. He was a renaissance man second in line only to DaVinci. I think it's because of these two men that I realized one person could do many things with their career.

ETC: For instance?

Gene Barretta: I went to film school (graduated NYU) because the film major allowed me to study many aspects of the arts - filmmaking, theater, music, illustration, writing and animation. And consequently, I've been able to do many of these things professionally.

ETC: Are you also a filmmaker?

Gene Barretta: After I graduated and before I started illustrating, I worked in the TV and Film industry for a number of years in New York and LA. I haven't abandoned that career. My brother Bill and I are developing a Christmas movie with The Jim Henson Company. It will be a combination of live action, puppetry and computer generated imagery. It's getting very exciting.

ETC: Animation seems like a great bridge between illustration and filmmaking.

Gene Barretta: It is. Just before I got my first book job as an illustrator, I animated five short films for Sesame Street. That was really exciting because it allowed me to wear all the hats: animator, writer, I did some of the voices and recorded the music. The cool part about doing a Sesame Street film is that they show all over the world in different languages because at least thirty countries have their own version of Sesame Street. But I still haven't seen one of mine in another language.

ETC: Let me back up a bit. What was your first job as an illustrator?

Gene Barretta: For a few years I worked primarily on mass-market books before I got my first trade or picture book. My first job was for Golden Books. I did a number of Novelty books for them. I dealt with everything from Bugs to Dinosaurs to Face Painting. After that I started illustrating some books for the children's show "Between The Lions" because Golden Books was the distributor. And eventually I started doing some work directly for the show.

ETC: Now that you are illustrating picture books, have you given up mass-market books?

Gene Barretta: No. I like to do a little of everything. Sometimes I feel more like a tradesman than an artist. Which is a good thing. I have a pop-up book that just came out titled "On Top of Spaghetti." A second pop-up book will be out next year titled "The Eye of the Ruby." Both books are with Piggy Toes Press. I do work for school publications. I've been doing a monthly illustration for Cobblestone magazine. I've also illustrated a couple toys and games. That was fun. I should also mention my latest picture book will come out this fall titled "Merry Creature Christmas." It's the third book of a holiday trilogy I did for Tommy Nelson, Inc. in Nashville. While I'm plugging away, can I mention that I am always available for school visits?

ETC: Of course.

Gene Barretta: I can be contacted through my website: www.genebarretta.com. There is information about my school visits as well as many examples of my work.

ETC: Gene Barretta, thank you and good luck with your future projects.

Gene Barretta: You're welcome. Now it's time to pick up my brush, travel back to colonial Philadelphia and pay another visit to Dr. Franklin.