fresh-made paintings come to life
Muses intervene.
A mix of artist graphic novel and chapter book inspired by beach walks in Maine.✨✨
Caution: Overgrownups and killjoys beware.
Scroll down for samplings of early reader response, the story in brief, details, where to find the print book, and the author's mailing list.
Step into the story.....
A child named Posy on summer vacation takes the family dog Puff on a trail to the beach. Puff (a.k.a. Puffi La Pooch de Furrdananda Woofdom, Society of the Sacred Paw) leans on a certain tree and howls to the canopy. Hearing signs of life, Posy discovers a secret treehouse lookout while Puff dozes and dreams below. There is a friendly art corner studio above.
She starts a picture to send to her sister Belle who has a case of what the grownups call "quarantine" in a faraway hospital.
A few brush strokes later, a guest enters the scene for a portrait. This most beautiful guest opens its eyes but can't speak. Who does it belong to? Does it think? Is it from near?
Meantime happy-go-lucky "free spirit" light beings hijack the studio. They ruckus and poke fun. They hide treasure and souvenirs in her fresh-made art. They rarely go outta bounds unless there is a humor emergency. Their wacky teapot friends are in on the hoot.
No one knows if these can ever be tamed.
The story continues from one picture to the next. Posy and Belle strive to keep pace with events inside the art. Posy finds ways to help her sister recover and meets new friends along the way.
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👏 From the AdVance readers so far
Gault trips me up with laughing my head off while trying to be serious. Get ready for fun. (JM Maine)
I’m so ENCHANTED, and entertained- I love, love, love every moment reading this! The art and writing is exquisite. I’m constantly delighted by those “turns of phrase.” (✨JM Maine USA)
This story changed my definition of magic. (✨DK Washington USA)
Goofy characters dared me to forget them. Good thing I lost that bet. (✨New Jersey USA)
Imagine all the wheedling, begging, bribing, sobbing, and promising I had to do whenever it was time to leave the studio even for a little while. (✨Maine USA)
This remarkable book has happiness, positivity, reverence for nature, and the jewel in the crown: HUMOR! It lends itself so well to ponder life’s mysteries complete with little koans and wild prose sprouting everywhere! (✨Maine USA)
Like the best fairy tales, this cross cultural expedition offers many layers of meaning. Both young and old from many walks of life will find new truths and insights here. (✨BH Massachusetts USA)
There is no book to compare. If you stir the spirit of Crockett Johnson's Harold's Purple Crayon, Emily Carr’s Book of Small, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s The Little Prince and the Disney movie Fantasia, be careful. (✨New York, USA)
No matter which page pops up first, the image or word is like a random pick from an oracle card deck. Answers or insights come. It's more than coincidence. Synchronicity is a bonus feature. (✨ RR Canada)
I used to think this way when I was younger. It's not lost after all. (✨KJ Washington USA)
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Completely human authored and illustrated.
📨 .Free Subscription to Mirth, Magic and Coincidence News from the Author's Mailing List
Print first edition expected Nov. 15, 2026. graphic novel and chapter book 112 all color pages, with map and camp style lore activities in back.
Bainbridge Island Museum of Art Store (near Seattle) will stock this first book in the trilogy. Query or order through their website store.
Adventure and love stories continue in the sequel trilogy titles below, which are in preparation.
Explorers in book Two put magic they gleaned in Book One (Wonder) to use. A young artist and her sister hopes to keep pace inside the artwork.
They taste a Jazzberry, tour a hall of starlight, a music cave and meet a circle of friends with a riddle to solve.Three owls appear to help
Book Two ISBN 978-1-952060-21-2 in progress late 2026 or early 2027
978-1-952060-21-2
late 2026 or early 2027
978-1-952060-22-9
summer 2027