My third book with publishers Mascot Books, fine purveyors of collegiate-and-sports-themed tales for children, was completed late in 2010 (which seems like the distance past to what is now twenty-eleven). The book is themed around the fight song for Ole Miss, otherwise known as the University of Mississippi.
It’s called the Hotty Toddy fight song, and it features a call and response between the Rebels and their fans:
“Are you ready?
Hell yes! Damn Right!
Hotty Toddy, Gosh almighty
Who the hell are we, Hey!
Flim Flam, Bim Bam
OLE MISS BY DAMN!”
At no point does this text appear in the book, however. Probably too many “damn’s”? Regardless, it’s about school spirit. The key idea of the book is that Hotty Toddy is not just an exclamation of fan affection, or a delicious beverage, but two students so masterful in their school spirit that they inspired future generations to love Rebel sports.
If you guessed this means the girl was named “Hotty,” you guessed right.
Above: Maybe too hot?
Above: Toddy. Not as hot, but what a chin!
This project came with its own particular set of limitations (as all good projects do) that forced me to find a particular style that would work. I had previously toyed with a sort of Bruce Timm style for a project a few years ago, and that kind of simplified abstraction of characters into basic shapes, with generally flat shading, led to a nice, almost Golden Books-like art style. I say “almost” because I respect Golden Books too much to draw myself in equal to them at this point.
Here are a few samples from the finished project. You can see more in the Illustration Gallery.
Thanks for stopping by!
Nate, you rock. Seriously, your illustrations are fantastic. I’m in awe of your talent.