Nice read for a Friday. Indie bookstore success in the west ♥️ In the Western U.S., Holiday Sales Ended 2023 on an Up Note publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/in… via @publisherswkly

💫 The 2024 #PBRisingStars Mentee Information is LIVE on our website, AND it’s time to officially kick off YEAR 3 with a super fun event! Our 2nd annual Ice Cream Social is all about fun BUT we will share our best app tips AND do a Q&A! Register here! pbrisingstars.com/mentees

My debut picture book (illustrated by Pablo Pino, Simon Kids) publishes July 16th & is now 25% off for Barnes & Noble Rewards Members & 35% off for Premium Members now through Jan 26. If you order, let me know & I'll add you send you swag pre-release. Pre-order link's below.

I just asked my daughter which picture book she would want to live in, and she said, “OH NO, THE AUNTS ARE HERE”. Interesting choice. Is it the quilt museum? The room with bunk beds? It’s definitely not the wolf…oh. Of course. The horses. It’s for sure the horses. 🐴 ♥️

I stopped posting my art here because it feels redundant (heyyy IG friends), but I don’t have much to talk about lately, so here’s an illo of two kids figuring it out. #kidlitart

Check out this fabulous cover for Impossible Possums! Hats off to Justin Colón and Boysenberri 👏👏 The possum energy is undeniable.

SCBWI Western WA has an exhibit at the Seattle Convention Center until July. We checked it out yesterday…so much wonderful art to take in! This is the first time I’ve ever had my art displayed for the physical public. It was pretty exciting to see my kids get excited about it.

I absentmindedly dig my thumb into my sore shoulder-arm-wrist… “Are you an athlete?” they ask. No. I’m an artist with zero ergonomic awareness.

I adored this collection of interviews from yesterday’s PW children’s bookshelf newsletter. Authors and illustrators recall memorable questions from young readers. #WritingCommunity publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/ch…

*New* on my blog: I'm honored to host official #PBRisingStars Mentors Announcement w/ guest post from Ebony Lynn Mudd Kailei Pew: debbieohi.com/2024/02/pb-ris… 3mo picture bk mentorship program pairs authors & illus w/experienced mentors for one-on-one development!

This month’s prompt for #SCBWIdrawthis is Peach Fuzz (the Pantone Color of the Year). To me, it feels quiet and hopeful, so I tried to capture that in this illustration. #kidlitart

I’m on here less and less, and I’m experiencing more and more attempts to hack my account. Maybe my inactivity screams low hanging fruit? Kick rocks, hackers! Here’s a work in progress.

If you’re applying for a mentorship, this event is so helpful for finding your perfect match!

Of course I have to share this oldie! It’s pi day! #kidlitart #illustrator

Applications open tomorrow! #pbrisingstars

Justin has helped me with all of these things. I gained applicable skills that helped me improve my entire body of work, and it changed the trajectory of my career. Five stars :)

These books are really fun. My kid is finally brave enough to face The Clackity, so we’ll be rereading the first two books together. :) Looking forward to reading The Loneliest Place.

I have been waiting for The Quacken to hit shelves…it’s almost here! Justin is giving away entries to win critiques, consultations and editing services for pre-orders. Info below 👇 And remember…don’t feed the ducks.

So excited for this book to be out in the world! ♥️🪱♥️

Great opportunity to learn from one of the best! Giveaway closes this Sunday. #WritingCommunity