🐢 COVER SKETCHES 🐢 Ever wonder how much bookmakers think about their cover design? We obsess over it! And not just a little bit - like a fairly unhealthy amount. The only cure for this obsession is to sketch up a hundred ideas in hopes that we'll find the perfect baby. Did we get it right?
TURTLE SLEPT IN on shelves next week! 🐢🏖️ @penguinkids.bsky.social #kidlit
TURTLE SLEPT IN events coming up! Join me for a storytime and draw-along at one of these fine booksellers in the weeks ahead. First, we kick things off with a Turtle Pajama Party @bookedevanston.bsky.social 🐢🎉 Hope to see you there!
Preorder TURTLE SLEPT IN from Dandelion Bookshop for a chance to get your own 6x4 🐢 art! dandelionbookshop.com/spotlight/tu...
I've made 20 of these little guys so get them while they last! Signed books will continue to be available after 🏖️ #kidlit
FUN FACT: Each little monoprint is made with oil pastels and color pencil, and is practically the same scale as a real life baby sea turtle 🐢 @penguinkids.bsky.social
Turtle will be in stores in 2 weeks, and to celebrate, the first 20 preorders made through my local indie Dandelion Bookshop will be shipped with a 6x4 piece of original art! dandelionbookshop.com/spotlight/tu... #kidlit
TURTLE PARTY 🐢🎉 Join me @bookedevanston.bsky.social on Tues, April 28 to celebrate my new book's release into the wild. There will be pajamas, and drawing, and even a turtle egg hunt! I can't wait to share Turtle's story with you all.
Fun times with the Mannheim School District in Illinois 📚🖍🎉 Many thanks to the kids, teachers, and phenomenal librarians for making me feel so welcome. Check out those hand-painted book covers made by the library assistants! 😮 #kidlit
There is definitely some watercolor in there! I have to be a bit secretive about the technique for now, but once the book is underway I'll share more about the process
The experiments continue. Choosing the best paper for the job is tough, but I like this one. #kidlitart
7 Umami draw-alongs for 7 schools - another WRAD complete! The day is always a bit of a marathon, but it brings me so much joy to read and draw with the students. Thank you everyone for being such kind hosts! #wrad26 #worldreadaloudday
The easel has squeezed back into the tiny studio and all is set for World Read Aloud Day! 📚🖍️✨ #wrad26 #worldreadaloudday
(I have 3 reviews available, please message me to secure yours. Once your spot is saved, I just require proof of donation receipt.)
Join the auction to support communities impacted by ICE in Minnesota! www.32auctions.com/publishingfo...
We have our own struggles with ICE in Illinois, and I'm offering manuscript reviews for $50 donations to the IL Coalition for Immigrants and Refugee Rights: www.icirr.org
We stand together ❤️
2025 was tough from start to finish, but here's to a better year ahead, from our team to yours
Wherever you celebrate the holidays, here's hoping the whole village can make it.
The Choose To Read Ohio Booklist has some hot ones for 2026 🔥 Honored to have Umami on the list among some of our favorites!
Necessary repost! Wishing you a holiday surrounded by all of the hungry 🐧 you can fit at the table
The first experiment for something new 🦝 #kidlit
Details!
🐧 Find me this Friday at the Art Academy of Concinnati & Saturday at Books By The Banks 🐧
Fri 10:30 am: Panel talk at AAC with 6 other book illustrators
Fri 5-8pm: Gallery opening at AAC with many book illustrators from the region
Sat 10-4pm: Meeting readers and signing books at Books By The Banks
Celebrate #nationaldonutday with the kids 😉
🎂 Happy book birthday, Umami! 🎂 What is your favorite food on your birthday? Comment on my Insta post for a chance to win your own Umami washi tape! 3 winners to be announced - (shipping limited to US)
Baby's first book birthday! 🎂 This Wednesday, Oct 29, I'll be celebrating my favorite penguin's birthday with some special Umami washi tape giveaways. Let's party!
A little Reading Rainbow magic at Louisville Book Festival with @mychal3ts.bsky.social 🌈📚🐧
#kidlit
Saturday, join me for an Umami story time and draw-along in Louisville! Be ready to draw some 🐧🐧🐧
Gma had a knack for drawing, and as a child I was always impressed that when she drew a cat, it looked like a cat! Her encouragement of creativity way back then has had a profound effect on my life, and I know how lucky I am to have had her around for so much of it.
My Grandma passed away recently at the impressive age of 96, and I've been thinking about the many warm memories I have from a childhood visiting her home. These doodles are a sort of archive for me to record that place and time. ❤️
Back coaching my daughter's 2nd grade ⚽ team all while making a story about a ⚽ team. The kids are slightly easier to coach this season - at least there are less shoes that need tying, but I'll never figure out how to keep them from throwing grass everywhere.
I had many fine years with my previous agent, Steven Chudney, and I wish him the very best as he transitions into retirement. I'm forever grateful for all he's done.
Here's to the books in the past, and the books to come!
