Illustrator friends, this one is for you!  PBJamz needs a logo/illustration.  And art is NOT one of my talents.  I'd like to share some love with the #kidlitart community.  So I'm having a CONTEST!! I have a $50 Amazon gift card coming to the winner!  You can use it to buy amazing #kidlit books, art supplies, or anything your heart desires that is on Amazon for $50 or less! :-) The deadline is January 16.  Read on for more details!

Deadline: January 16 (Sunday) by 11:59PM EST
The contest is open to any illustrator, but I'd LOVE to give the honor to an un-agented illustrator.
The image needs to be high-def, digital, and scalable. (This is where my art ignorance shows. I want to be able to use it as a logo, possibly a background for the video portion of the show, in promo materials, social media posts, etc.) jpg format
I get rights to use the image in any way needed for #PBJamz 
I will give kudos, high fives, lots of credit and shout-outs on the show, blogs, and social media :-D.
Illustrator can use image for portfolio or in any other way that is not in conflict with #PBJamz.
Logo must contain:

•  Words "PBJamz"
• An image of a PB (picture book)
• Some musical elements
• Bonus points if you integrate PBJ (peanut butter and jelly) in an appropriate, meaningful way!

Other pertinent details:
I'm going for a fun, joyful, colorful vibe.
​You can read more about the intention in my prior blog post "PBJamz"
The audience for this video/social media series is::

• K-5 teachers
• Elementary music teachers
• Authors/Illustrators of kidlit
• Musicians
• Parents
• K-5 students

To enter, send your good quality jpg to my email (tonnyefletcher at gmail.com) with the subject line: PBJamz logo contest NO LATER than Jan. 16 at midnight EST.  I will narrow the entries down to my favorites, and then I will post those for a vote.  The one with the highest number of votes will be the jamming' winner of this #PBJamz logo contest!!!!  And I will send the winner a $50 Amazon gift card. And I will announce the winner here on my blog on Jan 22! Let the illustrating begin NOW!!!!!  I can't wait to see what you come up with!

Some things just go together -- Lucy and Ricky, salt and pepper, macaroni and cheese, and the ubiquitous PBJ -- peanut butter and jelly. It's always been one of my favorite combos. I'm still a sucker for a delectable PBJ sandwich -- made with just the right ratio of each on soft white bread.  It takes me back to my childhood in a blink. I've always thought music and learning were 2 more things that go together like peanut butter and jelly.  When I was in the regular classroom, I used music to teach every single subject at some point.  I have 2 professional development presentations where I pair music and learning to help teachers make learning fun.  Seven years ago when I began teaching K-2 Music, I started looking out for books that incorporate music to share in the classroom.  As I've traveled this picture book journey over the past few years and learned more and more about PBs and the business, I've been overwhelmed by the connections that can be made between music, teaching and picture books.  Those thoughts led to a brainstorm which is quickly leading to . . . PBJamz!

My yearly word for 2022 is CONNECTION, and that's the purpose of this new PBJamz.   My hope is to connect teachers, readers, musicians, and authors in new ways surrounding picture books (PB) and music (Jamz).  I'll be interviewing industry professionals in those intersections where reading, writing, teaching, and music meet.  Musicians who create content relative to picture books.  PB authors who incorporate music in their books.  Teachers who integrate books and music. Performances of new kidlit music.  Kid-friendly content. Teacher tips. Read-alouds and reviews of musical picture books. Currently, I'm working with Annie Lynn on a little theme song for the show, and I have an opportunity coming for artists for a logo contest (Stay tuned -- that info should drop by next weekend!) PBJamz will share in various ways how picture books and music connect through YouTube videos, Twitter, Instagram, FB posts, and this blog. 

This show and additional content is the perfect way to bring together so many things that I love.  It's a way to give back to the writing community and the teaching community and the reading community and the children's community.   We'll start rocking it out on February 24, which is my birthday!! ​ Stay tuned, and get ready to jam with PBJamz.