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 the story in brief, samplings of early reader response, details, where to find the print book, and how to sign up for the author's mailing list.
Step into a beach vacation
A child named Posy takes the family dog Puff on a woodsy trail to the beach. Puff leans on a certain tree and howls to the canopy. Hearing signs of life, Posy discovers a secret treehouse lookout. There is an art corner with a view of almost everything.
Grownups say Posy's sister Belle in a faraway hospital has a case of "quarantine." Since germs are blind and wouldn't be interested in artwork, maybe art can get through the borders and walls. She begins.
A few brush strokes later, a most beautiful guest enters the scene for a portrait. It opens its eyes but can't speak. Who does it belong to? Does it think in English or some other language? Is it from near? Is it playful?
Meantime happy-go-lucky "free spirit" light beings hijack the treehouse. They ruckus music and poke fun. They hide treasure and souvenirs in fresh-made art. Their wacky teapot guardians 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 her sister Belle strive to keep pace with games and happenings inside the art.
Both sisters hope to adopt, care for and help the "most beautiful" guest, but it has an even better plan.
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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.
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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, paddle a music water 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