Make Magic! Do Good!

From self-publishing wunderkind Dallas Clayton comes a book of illustrated poems full of wisdom, wonder, and whimsy. A boy with a beard tries to stay six forever. A frightful monster lives a million miles away, but is equally scared of you. A magic rope hangs from the sky, next to a sign saying "Give me a try." In this brightly illustrated selection of playful, often provocative poems, ideas run the gamut from stopping your lightning-fast running to help others keep up, imagining a store that sells colors never before made, or admitting you'll never know all the answers (and sleeping better at night). Following the runaway success of his self-published debut, Dallas Clayton's quirky, captivating collection makes it clear that this rising talent, whose work has evoked comparisons to Dr. Seuss, Maurice Sendak, and Shel Silverstein, exudes a spirit and style all his own. From hot new children's book author, illustrator and phenom Dallas Clayton, author of best-selling "The Awesome Book" and "The Awesome Book of Thanks" published by Amazon Encore.With an innate sense of childlike wonderment and fun, these poems and whimsical, bold illustrations will amuse and delight parents and children alike. Perfect for gifting any time, makes an excellent graduation present, and has wide appeal in all markets and to all ages. Hugely popular in various media and hollywood circles, Dallas' first book, "An Awesome Book", with sales of over 50,000 copies to date, was featured in DailyCandy, "Wired Magazine", and "The Huffington Post". The book also became a favorite among the Hollywood elite, featured on Gwenyth Paltrow's parenting blog GOOP and touted by Christina Aguilera and Justin Timberlake, and read aloud by Joaquin Phoenix in his mockumentary "I'm Still Here".

“Clayton succinctly delivers a number of behavioral tips looking to foster kindness, generosity, courage and spontaneity in the next generation. --Kirkus Reviews This is an uplifting read, a little wonder that speaks of the magic and good in everyone and the importance of following one's dreams. --School Library Journal The brilliant drawings are rendered with images that are playful and cartoon-like. This collection will bring laughter. --Library Media Connection Kids love poetry. The beat and flow of a rhyme is mesmerizing. A lot can be packed into a mere 15 lines--thoughts on friendship, reflections on life, or simply the silliness of a moose driving a caboose. Clayton penned this whimsical collection to send a message to children--take a chance, be silly, follow your dreams and welcome adventure. --USA Today Filled with silly, poignant prose as well as cheerful, bright illustrations, Make Magic! Do Good! is a great way to introduce poetry to little ones in a fun, smart way. --About.com Parenting Contains a joy that is hard to deny. Read this and watch the positive vibes flow. --100 Scope Notes Each of these poems overflow with joy and optimism. --GeekDad (Wired.com)”

Featured/recommended as a galley to grab at BEA PW Children's Bookshelf
a feel good read CBI recommended reads of 2012

Dallas Clayton was hired in 2009 as the editor-in-chief of We Love You So, an art magazine founded by director Spike Jonze, designed to tie into Where the Wild Things Are, Jonze's adaptation of Maurice Sendak's classic children's book. He is an active philanthropist, having founded the nonprofit Awesome World Foundation in 2009. The foundation has sent books to charitable causes around the world and also gives away books at Dallas Clayton's classroom readings and book tour events. He has a son with actress Shannon Sossomon (A Knight's Tale) and lives in Southern California.

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