News

June 22, 2009— The New York State Reading Association Charlotte Award interview is now posted. Click here to read.

June 9, 2009— The Georgia Department of Education has posted the Georgia Read More program "poster." Click here to visit.

April 17, 2009— Michael will be one of the judges for the Young Georgia Author's competition sponsored by the Georgia Department of Education. The judging will take place on May 12, 2009. Check back soon for more details.

February 2, 2009—Sam Patch; Daredevil Jumper, written by Julie Cummins and illustrated by Michael is released from Holiday House! Visit Amazon.com to order.

This picture book about a nineteenth century daredevil will captivate young readers.

Folks say that when Sam Patch was born, he jumped right into his mother's arms. That was just the beginning! As a young boy working at a cotton mill, he jumped off the mill roof into the river below. When he was older, he jumped off cliffs and a ship, earning a reputation as a true daredevil. Then on October 17, 1829, Sam jumped into Niagara Falls! News of his death-defying leaps swept the nation—and Sam Patch jumped right into American legend.

Click here for a free classroom activities guide.

December 10, 2008—Thanks to Angelina Miller of Saucier, Mississippi for sending in a picture of her fantastic book dislplay board for Late For School! Many of her own lively illustrations are presented here to make this an exciting exhibit. I particularly like her gorilla drawing! Keep up the creativity!

September 2, 2008—Atlanta Falcons players will swap their play books for children's books in the "Read with a Falcon" online reading program. The program kicks off with Ovie Mughelli reading Railroad John and the Red Rock Run. Click here to watch.

August 25, 2008—The new austinillustration.com site is coming soon. Check back for the exciting new update.

July 1, 2008—Michael's latest book, Sam Patch; Daredevil Jumper, written by Julie Cummins is scheduled to be published by Holiday House in March 2009. More details and a sneak peak at the sketches coming soon.

April 4, 2008—Michael has been invited to be a part of the jury for the 25th annual Virginia Highland Summerfest, June 6-8, 2008. The festival takes place along tree-lined Virginia Avenue, in the heart of historic Virginia-Highland in Atlanta, GA. Summerfest has been consistently revered by art professionals as one of the best artists' markets in the Southeast.

February 6, 2008—On Valentine's Day, Thursday, February 14, Michael will be participating in "Real Men Read Day" at Annette Winn Elementary School in Lithia Springs, Georgia.

January 23, 2008—Michael will be joining Railroad John and the Red Rock Run author, Tony Crunk, for a special presentation during the 53rd Annual International Reading Association Convention at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta on May 6, 2008.

December 14, 2007—Railroad John and the Red Rock Run has been selected for a literacy program called "Georgia Read More." Fred Newman (sound effects creator for Garrison Keillor's Prairie Home Companion, author and host of PBS's Between the Lions) will be reading the story which will be filmed for broadcast on PBS. Also, a DVD will be created and provided to all elementary schools in Georgia.

December 1, 2007—Join Michael at Little Shop of Stories in Decatur, GA at 11:00 on Saturday, December 8, 2007 for an illustration demonstration and signing.

November 26, 2007—Michael will be signing at the Mercer University Press Eighteenth Annual Authors Luncheon at the Intercontinental Buckhead in Atlanta on December 1, 2007 at 10:30.

June 15, 2007— Railroad John and the Red Rock Run has been named a 2007 Storytelling World Awards honor book. It has also been selected as a nominee for the 2007-2008 Emphasis on Reading Program.

January 10, 2007—Michael has begun the year with new work on a project for Clarion Books, titled Ten Rules You Absolutely Must Not Break If You Want To Survive The School Bus, written by John Grandits. In the fall, Michael will begin illustrating a book for Holiday House called Sam Patch, written by Julie Cummins. Autumn will also see the release of Martina the Beautiful Cockroach from Peachtree Publishers. English and Spanish editions will be released simultaneously.