It’s a book! After a While, Crocodile was a long time in the making. It went through many renditions and passed long periods resting in a drawer before morphing into the book it is today.
picture book
Kittiwake /
Question: What is a KITTIWAKE (ki’-ti-wayk)?…
A) the wave created by a catamaran sailboat
B) when a cat rousts you from slumber by licking your nose
C) a seabird in the gull family
Answer: C) a seabird in the gull family
Illustration from, After a While Crocodile.
Meet the Kittiwake and other critters in my next picture book, After a While, Crocodile. Coming August 6th from Familius Books!!! It’s available to preorder now!
Lucky Russell -30 Years /
Lucky Russell was published 30 years ago, this fall! It was my second illustrated book and my first as an author. I’m a better painter now, but I’m still happy with how the book turned out. Best of all, looking at it again, brings back the joy I felt when holding it for the first time so long ago.
Virtual Storytime /
Join me virtually at the Raven Bookstore Saturday, May 1st at 10:00am central. I will read my new book, BECAUSE I’M NEW, and draw a picture. Hope to “see you” there!
Review For, BECAUSE I'M NEW /
I’m delighted to report that the first review of my forthcoming picture book, Because I’m New is in, and it’s a ⭐️ star from Kirkus! I cannot wait to share this book with you when it releases March 15th!
Here’s the review:
“The joys and difficulties of adding a baby to the family are detailed in this sweet tale.
The text unfolds from the point of view of a new baby, giving readers an inside perspective on the things a baby can’t do—like catch the ball an eager older sibling tosses—and the wide range of things a baby can do: watch, listen, and, of course, cry. A tender relationship between the siblings blooms from their first encounter, when the baby muses, “I’ve been waiting a long time to meet you.” The older sibling is warmly portrayed as a role model, teacher, and friend, the text never skipping over the loud and exhausting elements of life with a baby. The tiny protagonist reminds readers that while babies need a lot of help from their parents, they need it from their older siblings, too. One double-page spread depicts the exhausted parents, older sibling, and even dog collapsed on the couch, recovering from all that helping. Over the course of the story, the baby grows and changes and shows off the new skills gained once “I am…less new.” The baby, now a toddler, can now catch that ball and actively play with the older sib, the illustrations charmingly depicting the changing, still-affectionate relationship. The characters depicted in the story present White. (This book was reviewed digitally with 9-by-18-inch double-page spreads viewed at 11.9% of actual size.)
A giftable book that is both encouraging and honest. (Picture book. 3-7)”
New Picture Book /
Cover of my new picture book, Because I’m New. Coming March 15, 2021.
It’s here! Well, not quite. Because I’m New releases March 15, but for now, I’m delighted to share the cover. Look at that cutie pa-toot-ee! It’s a sweet peek at a young family adjusting to the arrival of a new baby. Surprisingly, it’s baby who explains just what to expect.
You may preorder from Raven Bookstore. When you do, not only will you receive a signed book, but also be entered in a drawing for an original color sketch I made while contemplating final art for the story. It’s a 10 x 6.5 inch acrylic ink and watercolor painting. Cheers!
Waiting Is Hard /
Like this little dude, I’m waiting for a special delivery. Details to come…
THE BOY WHO WAS RAISED BY LIBRARIANS In Paperback /
It was 2006 when I received my first advance copy of the soon-to-be-published, The Boy Who Raised by Librarians. It was super fun coming up with images to accompany Carla Morris’s story about a curious boy and his enthusiastic, encouraging, question answering Librarian friends. Fast-forward to 2019. Yesterday I once again experienced the joy of seeing this book for the “first time” but now as a soon-to-be-published paperback! I’m tickled the original hardcover book is still out in the world, and delighted, come August, it will be joined by its paperback cousin!