Earlier this month, while watching the Super Bowl, I uploaded a selfie on ChatGPT, creating a fun new image of myself and some of my own text directions. The result was good, so I thought it would be worth trying ChatGPT for my picture book dummy illustrations.

From Sketch to Digital: Visualizing the Dummy

Before engaging with ChatGPT, I had already visualized about 90% of my book dummy. Because I already had sketches and ideas for each page, I chose to upload my sketches. Then, I added some text directions and my drawing style for this book, charcoal and technical pens.

Prompting the Picture Book: The Text-to-Image Journey

Even though my character sketches were done, I did not have the settings for each picture. My text to the Chat included an upload of my sketch, plus directions for the setting and background. For example, “For this image, use the uploaded image of the character. Place the character outside of her house at a lemonade stand with a sign that reads, “Lemonade 50 cents. Add five neighbors of different ages and diverse ethnic backgrounds. Place the neighbors in the background.” Most of the settings
were easy to prompt, and the results were adequate, if not inspiring. Despite the initial speed boost, the free version of the tool quickly revealed its major limitations.

Challenges and Triumphs: What ChatGPT Can and Can’t Do

Challenges:

• Inconsistent Art
  Style: The character consistency and art style drifted each day, so the platform lacked the necessary consistency for a cohesive product. For example, I wanted compressed charcoal and technical pens for the artwork, but I could not pin down the AI; it failed to render the same type of art style. I would ask the chat to “make the artwork more realistic” or “make the art style more cartoonish, but not too much!”

• Character Drift: For some reason, the character sketch would change slightly almost every time. For example, my character had two ponytail clips, but ChatGPT would add 3 or 4 clips to the subsequent illustrations. Also, the main character’s eye color would change from blue to green, even when I repeatedly asked to keep the character’s eyes blue.

• Limited Workflow: Because I was using the free version of ChatGPT, one restriction was that I was only allowed to create about 5 images every 24 hours. With only the capacity to create 5 images per day, my workflow slowed down.

• No Saved Work: When I returned to the App the next day, none of my recent work or text had been saved, even though the Chat feature stated it would save the work and text, so I would need to start from the beginning.

• Comical Errors: Almost every day, I experienced some slightly humorous results. CRAZY!

o The Alien Script: One day, I typed “Add two patriotic, U.S. official government posters on the walls.” The AI hallucinated language. Two of the patriotic posters were printed in an unknown, alien script.

o The Tuna Jars: On another occasion, when I asked the Chat to “Place peanut butter jars on the shelves of the pantry”, the result was baffling: tuna in a jar!

o The Sideways Child: On the third day, I asked the Chat to “Face the child in a position facing the dashboard, looking out the window.” However, the result continued to place the child sitting sideways, with only one leg! After 3 failed attempts, I gave up!

If you’ve used AI for creative work, what was the most frustrating technical limitation you ran into? What was your funniest Comical Error?

Triumphs: After six days of using the free version of ChatGPT, I had completed 26 illustrations for my children’s picture book. I was not 100% satisfied with the results because of the lack of consistency of characters and art styles, but I felt as if I could
read the story aloud to children, and there would be sufficient visual support. I placed the artwork and my text into CANVA, made a PDF version, printed my book dummy, and read the story to 50 students!

My Book Dummy: A Model, Not for Submission

While my book dummy was done, I was not satisfied with the results. I feel as if our children deserve better, so I explained to the students that my “book dummy” was a model, not the final product. I provided a drawing lesson for the students, sharing my original artwork for the main character. Because there is no AI-use school policy, I did not go into detail about how I used AI-generated illustrations.

What’s The Future of AI in Children’s Literature?

For my book dummy, AI was a sprint experience. An experiment. My creative judgment remains a marathon, and I plan to run the full race. As technology evolves, the responsibility of the human creator to ensure ethical, consistent, and high-quality work becomes increasingly critical. We must actively define the tool and the final project before technology decides for us!

Questions:

Considering that the value of human-made art and stories is at a premium, do you think the children’s publishing industry will eventually embrace AI-assisted work, or will they hold a firm line against it?

What impact do you think an AI disclosure will have on a book’s long-term sales and
reputation?

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

From My Writing Desk

This month, I wrote and revised two entries for the “50 Precious Words” Contest. The contest takes place on March 2 and 3. I also revised my children’s picture book, ANGIE AND THE V.A. FOOD PANTRY, and I created the book dummy with
my AI-sprint. Finally, I queried five publishers and agents.

Disclosure: Two of the illustrations featured in this article were generated using the App, ChatGPT, made by OpenAI, solely for the purpose of creating a book dummy concept and illustrating the challenges of an AI workflow. The author plans to create final illustrations using human-made art.

One powerful book that changed my outlook in high school was Creative Visualization by Shaki Gawain. This book taught me that I don’t need to rely on outside forces. I could use my own natural creative imagination in a conscious way, as a technique for something I wished to manifest. The simple act of imaging my goals, AND affirming them, has become a cornerstone of my creative process. What I especially remember about this book is that you don’t need to “have faith” in powers outside of yourself. You only need an open mind to try something new in a positive spirit. The techniques for meditation and positive affirmations have grown in popularity to become life-changing for many people. I especially love the idea of “OUTFLOWING,” or giving your energy and creativity to the world, trusting that giving goodness to the universe will ripple forward!

Setting My 2026 SMART Goals

Every year, I revisit my goals. This year, I continue to embrace my identity as an artist and treating my life’s work as my greatest masterpiece.

During a recent SCBWI Group Zoom Meeting, participants were encouraged to write SMART Goals. I have taught this lesson to my high school students, but now I’m applying it to my own dreams. SMART is an acronym Specific, Measurable, Achievable/Attainable, Realistic/Relevant, and Timely/Time-Bound.

· For writing: I will submit two of my picture book manuscripts each week to agents and publishers open to queries. I’ll keep myself accountable with a digital checklist.

· For illustration: I will design two new illustrations each week for three of my completed manuscripts, tracking progress on my I-Pad.

Why these goals? Because I want to have a fuller body of author/illustrator work to share with potential agents, and the act of creating brings me joy!

What are your creative goals for the year? Have you tried setting SMART goals or using visualization techniques? I’d love to hear your stories in the comments!

My Picture Book Project: Progress and Challenges

Here’s a peek into one of my current projects: OUR FRIENDSHIP IS BIGGER THAN THE SKY. This story was inspired from my childhood afternoons lying on a blanket, watching clouds with friends, and turning shapes into stories.

Two years ago, I put together a book dummy, completed about ½ of the illustrations for this book, and read the story to a group of elementary students. Now, I’m working to complete the art---and to make sure that my characters look as childlike as they feel in my memories.

One part of creative visualization that I am using for this book is taking action, committing to taking the next steps that align with my visualized goal, a completed author/illustrator children’s picture book.

I’m also polishing my query letter. Here’s my pitch:

Our Friendship is Bigger Than the Sky is a visually rich picture book with themes of friendship, imagination, and change, and includes masterpieces like Van Gogh’s Starry Night. The story follows June and Jackie, best friends who turn clouds into art. When Jackie moves away, the girls find a heartfelt way to keep their bond alive—sharing drawings and splitting their favorite blanket.

Staying Inspired

To keep myself on track, I’m journaling daily and celebrating small wins. A beautiful journal from a dear friend sits on my desk, reminding me that creativity is a journey, not a race.

Let’s make 2026 a fabulous year of creativity and connection!

What will you create?

Keep Igniting the Spark!

- “Keep a little fire burning; however small, however hidden.” – Cormac McCarthy (My little fire is writing and/or illustrating each day, even if only for 10-15 minutes)

- “There may be a great fire in our hearts, yet no one ever comes to warm himself at it, and the passers-by see only a wisp of smoke.” – Vincent Van Gogh (The great fire in my heart is not experienced by anyone but myself.)

- “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” – W.B. Yeats (I have been educating myself by participating in Gab ‘N’ Doodle with Mark Hoffman. I recently doodled and listened to the phenomenal Dan Santat!)

- “Focus on what lights a fire inside of you and use that passion to fill a white space. Don’t be afraid of the challenges, the missteps, and the setbacks along the way. What matters is that you keep going.” – Kendra Scott (Despite getting 3 rejections this month, I won’t keep resubmitting.)

Classroom Visits

I connect with students and teachers to pursue my interests. This month, I had the opportunity to visit one secondary school and two elementary schools. During my first visit, I was delighted to merge my passions for literacy and art. Students listened for key vocabulary in a bilingual read aloud book about the Day of the Dead

and then I guided students through the process of creating papel picado, a traditional paper-cutting craft. After the lesson, students thanked me for my time and the Pan de Muerto treat, a type of pan dulce (sweet bread) prepared during the cultural celebration of Día de los Muertos. I was fortunate to find this delicious bread at Gaby’s Bakery.

The papel picado will serve as a colorful classroom decoration and remind students to use their creativity!

Around Veterans Day, I provided a patriotic read-aloud experience for an elementary classroom using the book, The Making of a Hero: Six Stories of the Medal of Honor. This was my third time reading these stories to children, so I felt more confident presenting, asking questions, and engaging the learners.

Here is my 20-minute read aloud lesson plan:

Warm-up: students stand & recite the Pledge of Allegiance

Post the six character traits on a board or wall. Students listen and repeat the 6 terms.

Students will be encouraged to clap twice when they hear one of the values (terms) in the stories.

Read Aloud THE MAKING OF A HERO: 6 stories of THE MEDAL OF HONOR (with 1-2 critical thinking questions per story) After each story, students will practice a gesture for each term. (15 minutes)

Closure:

Students will stand, say each term, and make the 6 gestures together:

• Patriotism-Salute

• Citizenship-Hand Over Heart

• Courage-Make strong arms

• Integrity-one hand up (like an oath)

• Sacrifice-Hands held out

• Commitment-Shake hands

Distribute flags

If you are providing read alouds for students, there may be lesson plans online.

Here are some links to the book that I read aloud to the students.

https://www.mohhc.org/themakingofahero/

https://www.mohhc.org/lesson-plans/

At the end of the lesson, two students shared their ideas about designing special medals for veterans in their community. I can’t wait to see their creativity at work in developing a prototype!

Engaging directly with students brings me immense satisfaction and continually reminds me why I am dedicated using my creativity to write and illustrate children’s picture books.

From My Reading Desk

I read 3-5 picture books each week, selecting those which are published in the past 3-5 years. These books offered insight into the creative process through interesting perspectives and illustration techniques.

EVERYBELLY by Thao Lam is a unique celebration of all types of bellies, cultures, and summer fun. The cut-paper collages add to the playfulness and humor of this charming picture book. @GroundwoodBooks @HouseofAnansi

TO SEE AN OWL by Matthew Cordell tells the story of a little girl with a passion for owls who is determined to find one in the wild. She ponders what it will take to see an owl, and with persistence and the guidance of her teacher, Janie eventually realizes her dream! @randomhousekids

WHEN LOVE IS MORE THAN WORDS by @JocelynSChung and beautifully illustrated by Julia Kuo is a lovely picture book that portrays how an immigrant family’s caring actions speak louder than words.

MRS. NOBODY by Y.S. Lee and whimsically illustrated by Marie Lafrance follows a young girl, Alice, as she learns to set boundaries by asserting herself when her imaginary friend refuses to listen.

From My Writing Desk

After receiving suggestions from one of my critique groups to add more heart and emotion to my new children’s story, UNCLE FRANK AND THE V.A. FOOD PANTRY, I worked on revisions. This semi-autobiographical story centers on a little girl who accompanies her uncle, a veteran, on visits to a food pantry, community lunch, and a veteran’s home, where she discovers the prevalence of food insecurity within her community. One of my critique groups felt that the story was in good shape, and they encouraged me to submit it!

Here is an excerpt from my story:

Waiting in line made me angry. Why should Uncle Frank have to wait? He served our country. It felt unfair. I wanted to hug him, but I just held his hand.

When we got to the front of the line, Uncle Frank asked, “Can you make an extra box for Smiley? He can’t get into town.”

“No. We can’t give you food for someone else.” The worker’s voice was sharp like a broken plate.

From My Illustration Desk

My most recent digital illustration, “A Beautiful New Chapter”, was created with a wet acrylic brush and a calligraphy pen. This piece was drawn to inspire myself to continue writing and illustrating, fanning the fires for the next beautiful chapter!

Creativity is a spark that can ignite the fires, driving us to explore new ideas, solve problems, and express ourselves. By embracing our creative spirits, we can enrich our own lives and the lives of others. Whether through writing, art, teaching, or any other form of expression, let the creativity fire keep burning brightly. Remember, the world needs you—find what inspires your creativity!

In the past few weeks, I’ve been busy visiting classrooms and connecting with learners. My first visit was with a former graduate student who is teaching academic writing to English language learners at a community college. The visit reminded of my first year of teaching and how challenging it was to provide meaningful instruction and feedback for students who are at different levels of language learning. It was a humbling experience, as I felt intense empathy for my former student, who said that she was “in over her head.” I remembered feeling the same way and wondered if I had chosen the correct career path, even though teaching gave me great satisfaction. I encouraged her to keep trying new instructional strategies and to be gentle on herself, stating that each year would get better. At the end of the class, I gifted goodie bags which included inspirational writing quotes, writing pads, snacks and chocolates. I reminded the students, and myself, that it’s important to take a break from academic writing, and write creatively, too! Here are some of the quotes:

· “If I waited until I felt like writing, I’d never write at all” – Anne Tyler

· “Good writing is rewriting” – Truman Capote

· “Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.”
―Louis L’Amour

· “A word after a word is power.” – Margaret Atwood

For my 2^nd classroom visit, I was privileged to educate and inspire young minds by reading a patriot-themed book to 4^th graders. The goal of the program was to motivate these young learners to think about ways to design a patriotic, service learning project to support veterans in our community. Even though I only had 20 minutes for the read aloud program, I wanted to engage the learners as much as possible. While reading, I used a technique called total physical response (TPR), eliciting hand gestures for key academic terms. The children were encouraged to follow my directions and clap every time they heard one for the 6 key terms. I taught the students to salute for patriotism, put their hands over their hearts for citizenship, make fists in the air for courage, raise their right hands for integrity, extend their arms for sacrifice, and shake hands with a buddy for commitment. At the end of the program, each student was given a flag, donated by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Youth Literacy Committee, a group that I have been involved with for a few years. I can’t wait to hear about their ideas for serving the community!

FROM MY READING DESK

MOVING DAY BY Teri Roche Dronick and illustrated by Jennifer Black Reinhardt is a fantastic, true story told from the POV of an old Victorian house being moved through the streets of San Francisco. The illustrations are fantastic, and the back matter is interesting.

MENUDO SUNDAY is a Spanglish counting book by Maria Dolores Aguila and illustrated by Erick Meza capturing a little girl and her family eating menudo, a traditional Mexican soup. When playtime gets out of hand and the menudo bowl breaks, everyone must pitch in to make a new batch! This story reminded me of eating menudo in my childhood home. Both of my parents were Spanish teachers, so our family enjoyed a healthy sampling of foods from many Latino countries.

WEPA by J de laVega is a joyful, bilingual picture book highlighting Mia Emilia Lucia Renata, a little energetic girl who moves through the world in her own special way. While reading this book, I found a typographic error, a verb that was written in the wrong tense. When I contacted the publisher, I received a quick email response stating that they are thankful for readers like me!

FROM MY WRITING DESK

Last week, I wrote a new children’s story, UNCLE FRANK AND THE V.A. FOOD PANTRY, a semi-autobiographical story about a little girl Angie, who accompanies her uncle, a veteran, on visits to a food pantry, community lunch, and a veteran’s home, where she discovers the prevalence of food insecurity within her community. Inspired by Uncle Frank’s food boxes and his giving spirit, Angie devises a plan to assist others facing similar challenges. I was inspired to write this book because I was unable to find a book about the topics, veterans who experience food insecurity.

In addition to my new story, which was well-received by my critique group, I returned to querying. Using Query Tracker and the MSWL websites, it took me a number of hours to find three literary agents who were open to children’s picture book submissions.

FROM MY ILLUSTRATION DESK

My most recent illustrations are of the iconic, La Catrina, who was born from the genius of Mexican illustrator José Guadalupe Posada around 1910, emerging as a satirical caricature mocking the elite for their obsession with European customs. Drawing inspiration from Aztec mythology and the revered goddess Mictecacihuatl, Posada’s creation blossomed into a powerful symbol, reminding us that death is the ultimate equalizer, transcending social boundaries. This iconic image gained widespread acclaim after Diego Rivera showcased it in his 1947 masterpiece mural, ‘Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in Alameda Park,’ seamlessly integrating it into the broader cultural tapestry of the Day of the Dead.

In this illustration, La Catrina is commanding the stage with her flamenco finesse, nailing the fancy footwork while still working on perfecting those intricate hand movements. In the future, I hope to design a line of La Catrina greeting cards, along with expressions for each illustration.

When my father, a World War II veteran, passed away during the COVID pandemic, I was responsible for overseeing his trust. This role required me to manage his financial accounts and ensure that his wishes were fulfilled. The process was emotionally challenging, as I had to balance my grief with the responsibilities of settling his affairs. Despite the difficulties, it was a deeply meaningful experience.

One of my father’s final wishes was to donate a portion of his trust to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). Although he did not specify a particular program or event, I knew his background as an educator and his lifelong passion for reading, writing, and gifting books. In honor of these values, I decided to donate the funds to a local VFW Youth Literacy Program.

INVOLVEMENT WITH THE VFW YOUTH LITERACY PROGRAM

This decision became transformative for me, as I became closely involved in selecting children’s books for the VFW Youth Literacy Program and I began reading aloud to children, working with teachers, and designing art-integrated lessons to support learning. This literacy program is managed by the VFW Auxiliary and aims to teach youth the skills necessary to become responsible adults through service to our country, communities, veterans, and service members.

KEY GOALS OF THE VFW PATRIOTISM THROUGH LITERACY PROGRAM

· Fostering a love of reading: The program encourages children and teens to read and helps nurture a lifelong passion for books and learning.

· Promoting patriotism and American history: Youth are introduced to historical figures, events, and values, gaining a deeper understanding of the nation’s history through reading.

· Cultivating empathy and broadening perspectives: By exposing students to diverse experiences and viewpoints through literature, the program helps young people understand and share the feelings of others.

· Supporting community engagement: Events are organized that connect generations, such as youth reading to veterans and veterans sharing their stories with young readers.

· Encouraging creative expression: The program provides opportunities for youth to develop their reading and writing skills, as well as their imaginations.

Children’s writers should support VFW youth programs to promote patriotism and civic engagement, foster appreciation for our nation’s veterans and encourage a lifelong love or reading and history. By partnering with a local VFW, children’s writers can also become role models and contribute to community efforts to support youth and veterans in strengthening our nation. Supporting these programs offers a unique opportunity to promote literacy, community involvement, and positive youth development, values which are closely aligned with the mission of a children’s book writer.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

Consider donating historical or patriotic books to local schools, libraries, shelters, or Little Free Libraries to support youth literacy.

Share program information: Distribute brochures and information about the VFW youth programs to your schools, community centers, and other youth organizations. Promote Patriot’s Pen (deadline Oct 31, 2025) and Voice of Democracy Essay Contests.

If you would like to volunteer your time, become a reading buddy. Offer to read patriotic or historical books one-one-one with children, either in person or virtually, to help with their comprehension and confidence.

To determine eligibility to join a VFW Auxiliary, click on this link.

RECOMMENDED CHILDREN’S BOOKS

FROM MY READING DESK

LET LIBERTY RISE! HOW AMERICA’S SCHOOL CHILDREN HELPED SAVE THE STATUE OF LIBERTY (2021) by Chana Stiefel and illustrated by Chuck Groenick tells the remarkable true story of how children across the United States helped fund the pedestal for the Statue of Liberty. The book highlights Joseph Pulitzer’s plan to publish the names of all donors, regardless of the size of their contribution. Young readers will be inspired by what kids their own age were able to accomplish, serving as a reminder that any task can be achieved when we unite and work together.

CHILDREN’S PICTURE BOOKS SUPPORTING THE VFW PATRIOTISM THROUGH LITERACY PROGRAM

· AMERICA’S WHITE TABLE by Margot Theis Raven and illustrated by Mike Benny (2005): This picture book, told from a child’s perspective, explains how and why The White Table is set in many mess halls as a symbol for and remembrance to service members fallen, missing, or held captive in the line of duty.

· THE POPPY LADY: MOINA BELL MICHAEL AND HER TRIBUTE TO VETERANS by Barbara E. Walsh and illustrated by Layne Johnson (2012): This picture book teaches children about the significance of poppies for Memorial Day. Moina Belle Michael, at a time when women had few rights, nearly singlehandedly launched a national campaign to establish the red poppy as a symbol of sacrifice and courage for America’s soldiers.

· TWENTY-ONE STEPS: GUARDING THE TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER written by Jeff Gottesfeld and illustrated by Matt Taveres (2021) is a tribute to the nameless fallen soldiers and the sentinels who guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.

· THE WALL by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Ronald Himler (1992): This story follows a father and his young son as they visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to find the name of the grandfather the boy never knew. The narrative beautifully conveys both the sadness and pride of having a loved one’s name honored at the memorial, told from a child’s perspective.

FROM MY WRITING DESK

In addition to sharing these reflections, I am currently revising query letters for my children’s book manuscripts. The next step is to find agents who are open to submissions and are a good match for my stories.

FROM MY ILLUSTRATION DESK: “A Solemn Day” is one of my digital illustrations created during the recent gun violence on a school campus that deeply impacted our nation. According to CNN, there have been 53 school shootings in the U.S., as of September 23rd. Twenty-seven were on college campuses and 26 were on K-12 school grounds. These incidents left 19 people dead and at least 84 victims injured. The CNN analysis was reported by the Gun Violence Archive, Education Week and Everytown for Gun Safety. If you are interested in the gun safety movement, visit Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund.

• Board Books (0-3)

• Picture Books (4-8)

• Early Readers (5-8)

• Chapter Books (6-9)

• Middle Grade Books (8-12)

• Young Adult Novels (12+)

If you are unsure of your target age group, don’t worry. Just head out to your local library or bookstore and start reading children’s picture books. You might gravitate to one category, or you may like more than one category. The important thing is to keep reading! After you select your target age group or groups, read widely. You might want to begin with reading the classics. While you read, consider the parts of the book that captivate you as a reader and emerging writer. You might use sticky notes on the specific pages that grab your attention. Some of the classics can be found online for FREE from the Library of Congress and Project Gutenberg.

In addition to the classics, read high quality children’s books which have been published within the last 3-5 years. The children’s book industry has changed throughout the years, so it is important to read books that are getting published now. If you are unsure about how to choose a high-quality children’s book, some of the award lists are from the American Library Association Caldecott Medal, Coretta Scott King Book Awards, and Pura Belpré Award. The Newbery Award is a literacy award given by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC). Also, every state has at least one children’s book award!

If you have a specific theme in mind, look for books that explore these themes. For example, I enjoy writing about culture, family, and friendship, so I often read books which address these themes. If you enjoy specific places, look for books which take place in these settings. I am drawn to settings that are in or around children’s homes and communities, so I look for books which depict how the story’s setting is conveyed through the words and illustrations.

In addition to reading children’s books, read resources specifically for children’s authors. Because I write picture books, one book I chose to read was “Writing Picture Books” by Ann Whitford Paul. If you are unsure which resource books to select, check your local library or read book reviews online. Another place to read children’s books or listen to books online is the Libby App which provides access to thousands of free eBooks, audiobooks, and magazines. LIBBY is often available through local libraries. Additionally, some children’s authors read their books on YouTube.

FROM MY READING DESK: MARCEL’S MASTERPIECE by Jeff Mack is a kid-friendly book with great puns and collage illustrations, taking the reader to Duchamp’s iconic toilet seat exhibit at a fine art gallery, reconsidering a way to look at art for other reasons than the visual pleasure.

FROM MY WRITING DESK: Tonight I met with my critique group, and they provided feedback on my manuscript, RICO, THE STOWAWAY: AN OZARK TALE, which is a fictional children’s story, inspired from the real life story of my friend’s husband, Michael, a natural storyteller who grew up in the Ozarks. After dinner one night, I had the pleasure of listening to Michael’s story about the hopping mouse that was part of his childhood home. “It was wintertime in Omaha, Missouri, and our family was snowed-in, so we had to find our own entertainment. Daddy started stomping on the floor to the rhythm of the thumping mouse. Daddy’s stomping style could make the mouse go faster or slower. But when Daddy would imitate chasing the mouse in the direction it was going, the mouse would stop running. When the children laughed loudly, the mouse would become quiet.” But how did the mouse get into the Ozark home? According to Michael, the hopping mouse was transported on a farmer’s truck, hidden inside of a sack of coffee beans, which had been given to Michael’s daddy as a gift. Here are a few lines from my story:

“What are these little black things, Dad?” asked Rosie, pointing to the coffee bag.

They leaned in, inspecting the pellets.

“Mouse droppings,” Dad said, spitting out his coffee.

“Now we know how Rico got into the house!” Rosie laughed.

FROM MY ILLUSTRATION DESK: “Dancing in the Moonlight” is my most recent illustration. It’s what I would do, if it weren’t for those pesky mosquitoes, ticks, and chiggers.

These quotes speak to what I am doing now, taking on a new habit, launching this space to engage with emerging author/illustrators for children’s picture books and others who are transitioning into creative writing and illustrating careers. I retired from teaching during COVID (Yes, I am one of THOSE teachers!), and I decided to live my dream of writing for children. My stories focus on independent girls, my Italian heritage, and the themes of family and friendship. A few years ago, I noted that agents were accepting author/illustrator submissions, so I thought I’d give it a try. A children’s book illustrator colleague encouraged me to get an IPad mini and to use the Procreate App, so that’s what I did. I still have a lot to learn about how to successfully marry my text to illustrations, but I’m enjoying the process!

In 2023, I heard about Substack at The Ozark Creative Writers Conference, and I thought I would join, but then life got in the way. So, here I am, two years later, slowly improving my writing and illustrating. While reading on Substack, I was recently inspired by my writing conference roomie, who is a Honduran raising her children in Central Asia. As ESOL educators, we are kindred spirits! I also started reading .

I plan to use this platform to write about my journey, sharing what I am reading, writing, and illustrating. My goal is to build community and encourage interaction with both readers and creators, posting every other week.

FROM MY READING DESK: SEVEN, A MOST REMARKABLE PIGEON by Sarah Nickel and beautifully illustrated by Aimee Sicuro is a lyrical story about a pigeon who doesn’t fit in but teaches his flock that it’s OK to navigate the world in different ways. This story is not only a lovely lesson, but it’s also an excellent read-aloud!

FROM MY WRITING DESK: I turned one of my children’s stories into a poem and submitted it to a children’s magazine.

FROM MY ILLUSTRATION DESK: “Tooth Fairy Dreams”

This digital illustration is the inspiration for a story I have not finished writing, but it’s about a little girl who can’t wait for her tooth to fall out. At school, the child learns from her classmates about lost tooth traditions around the world, and she needs to decide what to do with her tooth. Here are the opening lines:

WIGGLE, WIGGLE, WIGGLE.

“It’s loose!” cried Amira.

She wiggled her tooth all day, but it didn’t pop off.

What are you reading, writing, or illustrating? I’d love to hear from you!