Chronicle Books Blog

If you give this recipe a try, enter to win a copy of the book by leaving a comment letting us know what you think (post a link to a photo if you can)!

Tipsy Tea

Sweet tea never tasted so good—especially for picnickers bent on unwinding after a long workweek. Try it with a lunch of fried chicken and deviled eggs and see if you don’t agree.

2 ounces orange-flavored vodka, chilled
6 ounces Sweet Tea (recipe follows), chilled
Garnish: 1/2 orange wheel (optional)

Add vodka and tea to an iced tea glass filled with ice; stir well. Garnish, if desired.

Sweet Tea
10 cups cold water
2 family-size or 8 regular tea bags
3/4 cup sugar

Boil 3 cups water, then add tea bags; continue boiling for 1 minute. Cover and set aside to steep for about 15 minutes.

Remove and discard tea bags. Add the sugar, stirring to dissolve.

Pour tea mixture into a 1-gallon container, then add the remaining 7 cups cold water. Stir to combine.

Makes 2 1/2 quarts

Purchase Porch Parties.

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Peter Perez
Senior Marketing Manager

If you haven’t seen Toy Story 3 yet, you should. It’s GREAT! Check out the trailer.

I hadn’t seen either of the first 2 Toy Story movies when I saw a preview of the 3rd at Pixar a few weekends ago. I was thoroughly entertained.

If you’ve tried to buy our Art of Toy Story 3 book without luck, it’s because it has been so popular we’re out of stock and currently reprinting.

Take a peek at some of the art from the book.

I’ve got 1(!) copy of The Art of Toy Story 3 to give away. Comment with the name of your favorite Toy Story character for a chance to win! 1 lucky person will be randomly picked and notified on Tuesday, July 6.

Hannah
Entertainment Marketing Manager

Since 1923, AIGA’s 50 Books/50 Covers competition has recognized excellence in book design and production. After careful and considered review of more than 800 entries, the 2009 jury selected a group of 100 examples of outstanding book and book cover design produced in 2009.

The jury’s selections will be mounted as a public exhibition at the AIGA National Design Center in New York in December 2010, and will travel across the country to AIGA chapters and student groups during 2011. In addition, selections are documented in 365: AIGA Year in Design and the physical artifacts join the AIGA Design Archives at the Denver Art Museum and the Rare Book and Manuscript Library within Columbia University’s Butler Library.

That’s the word from the American Institute of Graphic Arts.

We were elated to learn that three of our entries were selected for inclusion in the 2009 crop of 50 Books. They are:

Seymour: The Obsessive Images of Seymour Chwast
by Steve Heller, Paula Scher

Pictorial Webster’s: A Visual Dictionary of Curiosities
by John Carrera

Alphabeasties and Other Amazing Types
by Sharon Werner, Sarah Forss
(published by Blue Apple Books, distributed by Chronicle)

Each of these books is distinctive. From Sharon Werner and Sarah Forss’ animals built from letters of the alphabet (A is for alligator, Z is for zebra), to Johnny Carrera’s compilation of engraved illustrations from 19th Century Webster’s dictionaries, to the career-spanning volume of Pushpin Studio co-founder Seymour Chwast’s work.

Together these books represent the commitment to the art and design of Chronicle’s books. I salute all those who played a part in bringing these books to life and invite you, dear readers, to have a look at these award-winning titles.

Michael Carabetta
Creative Director

Summer is a time when we can slow down, have fun, and reflect upon our life. For those of you who keep journals – be they personal, dream, sketch, recipes, etc. – I thought I’d point out some of my favorites.

One Line a Day
This classic memory-keeper is the perfect way to track the ups and downs of life, day by day. The 365 daily entries appear five times on each page, allowing users to revisit previous thoughts and memories over five years as they return to each page to record the current day’s events.

My Quotable Kid
The things our children say always offer an unexpected glimpse into a world that is all their own. Filled with roomy pages for jotting down conversations or overheard sayings, this handsome keepsake journal also features a bound-in photo window for adding a unique, personal touch. My Quotable Kid will become a lasting record of a child’s most memorable quotes.

One Sketch a Day
Visual journaling is vastly popular, and it’s easy to see why—the practice of daily sketching allows budding artists to capture impressions that might otherwise pass them by, to see the evolution and rhythm of their thoughts and inspiration.

Offering a variety of blank, flexible journals with artwork created by a wide range of artists, one of these journals is sure to stand out.

Wise Red Owl
Featuring the always adorable and ever-wise owls of artist Lorena Siminovich.

Floriography
Simply sweet and featuring the beautiful garden-inspired paintings of indie artist Clare Rojas.

Joyful Noise
Featuring the art of Grady McFerrin.

Spill Your Guts
By the ever popular I Heart Guts line.

Click here to see our full range of blank journals.

Check out more Paper Goods posts.

Patti Quill
Marketing & Publicity Manager

Over the past decade, James Jean has wowed the worlds of art and pop culture with his delicate, hauntingly beautiful, exquisitely rendered paintings. His work has graced comic book covers, a fashion line from Prada, art galleries and museums around the world. I’m very pleased to share some images from James’ latest work, Rift.

Housed in a slipcase cover, Rift features 15 gold foil stamped panels showcasing a series of images that fold to reveal different eye-catching landscapes. Here’s a preview video James posted to his website:

Chronicle will be debuting Rift with a limited number of copies at Comic Con in San Diego this July, and James will be signing copies on Saturday, July 24th at 12PM.

James Jean Signing Rift
San Diego Comic Con International
Saturday July 24th, 2010
Autograph Area AA21, 12:00-1:00PM

If you can’t make it to Comic Con, you can always pre-order Rift on our website!

Jason Sacher
Associate Editor