I love books, and I love Children’s Books even more. I worked at a library for four years in High School, worked at Borders in Sarasota for 2-3 years while in college, studied Children’s Book Illustration and Children’s Book Literature in college at Ringling.

Little known fact about me: I wrote and illustrated 2 picture books as well as wrote an easy reader chapter book for classwork while at Ringling College. Did I ever submit or publish anything? No! It wasn’t ‘perfect’ enough... but I did get an A, and my Mom was really proud!

Reading, writing, and art have battled for my mind, heart, and my time all my life. But why? Why do they have to battle? Why can’t I have it all? I started to think back to how many amazing pets were in children’s books and became so inspired. Children’s Book Illustration meets Pet Photography? Why not?

I’ve fallen into a ‘rabbit-hole’ for sure. Yes, that pun was intended too.

I’m rediscovering old favorites and catching up on classics I somehow missed out on.

Here comes the feedback part I mentioned earlier:

1. I want to limit my source material for the project only to chapter books and novels for kids, no picture books. To me, the picture books are so literally visual already, and I personally want more words to visually interpret. If there’s a children’s chapter book or novel that featured a pet which you loved, please share it with me via comments below this blog post or if you’re reading this through my newsletter go ahead and reply via email.

2. And the other item on my mind is whether or not to require a small participation fee from the volunteers, $25 or less. Any participation fee would go towards a product purchase. I want to make sure everyone that signs up to volunteer is really passionate about participating in the project. I think with the Dogs of Manatee County Calendar I proved myself worthy and reliable. I had too many volunteers for the calendar project and had to turn some away. I want to make sure in my next project that everyone who is involved is really excited to be involved, and I believe a small participation fee would guarantee that. Am I crazy? Participants are already volunteering their time, would a fee be too much and discourage anyone from signing up? If you feel passionately about this issue either way, again please share it with me via comments below this blog post or if you’re reading this through my newsletter go ahead and reply via email.

I feel better after writing this. At least the project is not a secret anymore, and now you can all watch it grow and develop with me. I’m excited!

Denise