It's ANALOG SUMMER! For the summer Seth and I have hidden our smart phones in a box and traded them for old. fart. flip. phones. Folks, this is a very dumb phone! |
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However, as slow as it is to type out "s-e-e y-o-u s-o-o-n," here are some things I'm doing instead of scrolling this month: gardening reading books sitting on the porch logic puzzles playing guitar listening to the radio calling people cuddling pencil napping
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PLUS, an added benefit is that I'm significantly less anxious!! Wow, is the inconvenience worth it? Maybe I'll need to make this a yearly thing! |
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It's time for you all to see more behind the scenes sketches from my book coming out this October: Etta Extraordinaire! Written by Charnaie Gordon and Roda Ahmed, this story is about the fabtacular & extraordinary character Etta entering her school talent show! |
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I. am. COMPLETELY in love with this character. I love the style, color palette, and the poses I create for her. (Her gestures are inspired by tictok dances and dancing stars from America's Got Talent & similar shows!) On every page of the book she is perfectly positioned to SHINE. |
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I'm not particularly "fancy" myself, however I have always LOVED to dress up in costumes. Proof: I'm on the right here with my cousin! I'm in the gold crop top and pink feather boa hat. 💃 Etta is so nervous to get on stage... But just LOOK at her cape! 😍 Ahh! |
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On July 4th, this wonderful series begins: the A to Z Animal Mysteries! Written by Kayla Whaley, illustrated by me! (published by Penguin Random House, no biggie) Book 1 is The Absent Alpacas, so to celebrate the release I drove to my local alpaca farm to party with the 'pacas! And, as it turns out, alpacas really do dress up on occasion! |
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*Big thanks to JP Acres Alpaca Farm! |
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Introducing, a banana split named Romeo!! Kayla Whaley did an amazing job in this first book of weaving in interesting animal facts with a friendly little mystery. I love this trio of friends! |
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The main character, Abbi, loves learning about animals (she keeps a collection of animal sounds!). Plus, her mom is a mystery writer, so she knows a thing or two about sleuthing. Her best friends, Lydia and Daniel (twins!) tag along to help uncover clues. Check it out on preorder, or at the library after July 4th! |
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I turned 30 this month! Woo! It feels like a new chapter has opened, which hopefully includes picture books, book visits, book readings, and book making of course. See you next month, CB |
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