HUGE NEWS! I'm going to be an author! 🤯

This feels completely surreal to finally share…  I’m writing and illustrating a graphic novel with Scholastic Graphix. 

You might already know, I lived nomadically for 3 years, traveling the country first by converted school bus, then by camper van. I’ve since settled into houselife for a while, but camping, travel, and being out in nature is still a huge part of my life.  DIARY OF A NATURE NERD will be a 120 page graphic novel for kids ages 6-10 packed full of wildlife. This story is inspired by my own experiences living life on the road and I am so excited to get to share it with you. Writing this story about Brooke and her family’s nomadic adventures is allowing me to relive my favorite memories from my own #buslife and #vanlife days and hopefully shine a light on a misunderstood way of life.

This story has taken shape over the last two years with the help of lots of supportive friends and family. Thank you to everyone who has read a draft and provided invaluable feedback. To Megan Peace, my editor who might love our national parks EVEN MORE than I do, thank you for believing in this story and for all the brilliant feedback that leaves me thinking, “YES! Why didn’t I think of that?!” Thank you to THE BEST agent, Nicole Tugeau who found the perfect editor and house for my GN. Your industry insight, guidance, and support made this dream a reality! And finally, to my partner in adventure and in life, @zendrson , thank you for being my sounding board, TY for the many reads and all the thoughtful feedback, and mostly thank you for all the emotional support when I’ve wanted to give up. You help me to be brave and keep trying.

I’m going to be an author! Childhood dream unlocked 🤯

Ok… So much to do 😅

Happy BEEday to The Garden Next Door!

The Garden Next Door publishes TODAY!

This was an absolute dream project to illustrate with a message that’s so important: anyone can support pollinators by adding even a small native plant garden to their yard.

Author Collin Pine and I have put a lot of work into this book AND we have put together an awesome downloadable launch kit that includes resources and activities for educators as well as press kit with lots of pictures and info!

Thank you to everyone who preordered a copy 🥹 I hope you get your happy mail today and love it as much as I do! (It was such a surprise to see a shimmer on the cover with a spot uv treatment!🤯😍)

🦋 You can order your copy here.

Shares, orders, reviews are all so appreciated!!!!

The exciting unboxing when I got to see the books for the very first time!

An emotional career milestone 🥲

The Garden Next Door, a book I illustrated is being sold at 2 major retail stores, and it’s blowing my mind!

I'm having to pinch myself because I've been dreaming of this for over ten years and it’s been a long, difficult journey to get here.

I learned the hard way that the children’s book publishing world is very competitive. I went to school for illustration but after graduating, I was only met with rejections. I was forced to refocus my efforts and pursue a career in graphic design. I was very fortunate to find work designing greeting cards and gift wrap. I am so grateful for every chapter of my journey so far but I quickly learned that I didn’t want to work in the corporate world forever.

When I finally decided to open an Etsy shop, it was like something inside me had been unlocked. For the first time, I felt like I had taken the wheel. On nights and weekends, I designed new products, and to my surprise, people actually bought them! Eventually I felt comfortable leaving my design job to pursue my printable business full-time.

After about 5 years, my Etsy shop was fully supporting me. It still blows my mind! I saw this as an opportunity to pursue my original dream to illustrate children’s books again. While my printables sold in the background, I took online classes in illustration including the Make Art That Sells children’s book illustration course and the Illustration Department’s 3 month mentorship with (brilliant!) retired art director, Giuseppe Castellano. I spent 6 months rebuilding my portfolio from scratch. I still faced many heartbreaking rejections but thanks to my reliable Etsy sales, I kept at it and eventually signed with my dream agent!

So, I need to thank you, my awesome Etsy customers for supporting my little shop. Illustrating children's books is hard but fulfilling work for me. Ten years ago, when I made it my goal to have one of my books for sale in Barnes, it felt like a pipe dream.

. . . but here I am! 🥲 

❤️Seriously, Thank you!

If you would like to preorder The Garden Next Door, you can do so at Barnes & Noble, Target, Indie Bound, or Bookshop.org (Ships October 2022!) Shares are also GREATLY appreciated!

If you want to be kept in the loop about my new books, new printable products, sales, and discount codes, please consider signing up for the Kudzu Quarterly email newsletter-sent 4x a year!

Cover Reveal!

I’m so excited to share this COVER REVEAL! This book was so much fun for me because I got to study lots of plants and bugs and it has a fantastic message- anyone can make their backyard a haven for wildlife.

The Garden Next Door is written by @collin.pine (and illustrated by me!)

Published by River Horse Books

And is available now for PREORDER! 

Calling all Park Rangers, Biologists, and Wildlife Educators!

For almost a year now, I have been working on a secret project. It’s a graphic novel series for ages 6-9 and I have a major publisher currently interested in my pitch. (eee! 🎉 )

Each book in the series revolves around wildlife encounters. It is extremely important to me that I deliver wildlife information that is both factual and responsible and I would love some help!

I have written book 1 but I am working on pitching this as a 3-5 book series. Because I do not have everything fully written yet, I am gauging interest/collecting contacts at this point. If you fill out the questionnaire, I may contact you down the road to ask you to review and fact-check the details of my stories.

This is a passion project and one that is near and dear to me. I am grateful for all the help I can get plus I love connecting with people who care about the environment and protecting wild places!

Feel free to send my survey link to anyone who you think might be interested in helping.

Thank you SOOO much!

Ladybug Magazine

I had the honor of illustrating the cutest naturalistic story recently for Ladybug Magazine! It’s a story all about curiosity and overcoming fear. This little girl is rewarded for her bravery and gets to witness the life cycle of wood frogs in her Grandpa’s woods. Jane Dauster has written a beautiful, suspenseful short story for kids.

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I loved every minute of this project from the first read of the manuscript, to the research, the sketching, working with the art director to improve my vision, and of course painting these cute little scenes!

When March rolled around, I checked the mail every day with anticipation. This is the first time my artwork has been published in a children’s magazine and it was so exciting to finally get my copy! I hope to work with these guys again. So fun!