The Pigs crept into my head at 5am... not just one, but 12. They had such personalities and were such characters that they insisted on being put into a picture book. A book with Pies.
Now, Pigs with Pies you say? Yes, Pigs with Pies, I say!
When I talked to Jack Wiens, one of our favorite illustrators, about creating a book with Pigs that have very irresistable, very individual style, he immediately was hooked on the idea too, and quickly sent me some rough illustrations. We knew he was perfect for this book amd were on the same page...Page One, of "A Pie for a Pig".
You'll meet Percy and Paxton and Paddy, along with Ms. Pepper, Ms. Posey and the charming Papa and Pip! Each Pig and Pie are arranged by season and month, in different locations, based on their Pie. The Peach Pie Pig looks like a young lady pig in front of a Georgia Mansion, Paddy is in the boxing ring as a Golden (oven mitt) Glove winner.
We hope you enjoy seeing and reading this book as much as we enjoyed creating it!

Our family, like so many others, treasured the picture books that we read to our children. The illustration, combined with words, often written in rhyme, stirred up the imagination!
What so attracted me to picture books in particular, is the art. This particular type of book gives the reader an image to enjoy and interpret, but also invites the reader to use his/her own creative imagination.
The kids tell us the story!

Smashwords is a new avenue for children and families to have access to books. EBooks travel with the family, and offer an unlimited selection of topics, authors and stories, for all age groups.

The greatest joy for me personally is seeing, not only the smile on a child's face, but also the question mark on the face too. They wonder about the story and sometimes create their own story, or expand on the story line. What happened next? Did the kid get in trouble? Where did they go after 'that' happened?
We are particularly careful to make the art, which is the essence of the picture book, to be as enjoyable to the adult as to the child.

You can't say enough about our readers. The feedback and responses from readers, are immeasurable.
To me, 'fans' seems like an odd choice of words. But whatever they are called, they are truly appreciated for their response and encouragement. We are so glad that they enjoy what we do.

Next book up is in current debate..

The Mermaid, The Bear Pa, or a bit of Geography!

Which would you like??

ooohhhh that is a tough one!
Too many excellent writers and illustrators and new ones being discovered all the time.
Don't pin me down!
"I'll take the fifth"
...ok....I do like dragons!

Easy Peasy! Some times it is the title of a book that wants to be written, sometimes it the picture in my mind of a child's face, and always it is because I appreciate every single day!

Enjoy my wonderful family, do volunteer work with local and national charities, and count my blessings, instead of sheep.

Usually recommended by a friend or relative...sometimes by pure accident or reading reviews in print or online.

A story about "Silly Sally", but don't tell her (my sister). I think she was getting into some sort of trouble....or maybe it was me!

Kids often ask me about this and I suggest.. write a story and add on to it each year, expand the characters, the plot, the environment, the sub plots and just keep going...even if it ends up with a 'spin off' being more interesting to you.

Firstly, I try to get rid of the title that has popped into my head!
It usually wakes me at 5am, really.
I create tables of characters, environments, gender, if mixing it up, and all sort of factors.
I create story boards that take up a whole wall, to see if I'm going in the right direction.

Bold, but not shocking
easy to read from a distance,
interesting content,
clues to type of book it is
appealing colors
just the right font
no clip art!