Have You Seen the Forest?
When a beloved backyard tree's family moves away, she embarks on an epic journey to find them, gathering a quirky band of trees to discover that sometimes family is what grows along the way.
Word Count: 450
Themes: Belonging, chosen family, and the unexpected paths that lead us home.
When Elowyn's human family moves away to live "near the Forest," this cherished backyard tree decides she must follow them—even though she has no idea where, what, or who the Forest is. As she searches, she meets other solitary trees: a cramped Little Tree yearning for room to grow, a lonely Gingko wanting someone to sway with, and even a Grumpy Stump seeking shelter. Though none have seen the Forest, each joins Elowyn's quest, creating something magical together that none of them expected to find.
Written with lyrical repetition and gentle whimsy, HAVE YOU SEEN THE FOREST? explores how the journey to find where we belong often leads us to create our own sense of home. The story speaks to children experiencing any kind of transition or loss, while the artwork creates an enchanted world that transforms from urban landscapes to wild spaces as Elowyn's journey unfolds.
Dottie’s Chair
A dog's cozy corner becomes nursery space, launching a hilarious parade of replacement chairs and a journey to accepting a new family member.
Word Count: 200
Themes: Attachment, family, change.
Synopsis: When Dottie's favorite chair suddenly disappears from its perfect sunny corner, her parents try to make it up to her with replacement chairs. But each new option has its own quirky problem — one is mean, another is too fast, and one is mysteriously delicious! As the parade of unsuitable chairs continues and a nursery slowly takes shape, Dottie becomes increasingly frustrated. A heartwarming discovery helps Dottie embrace her new role as a big "sister."
Written with gentle humor and featuring a recurring pattern that young readers will love joining in on, DOTTIE'S CHAIR tackles universal themes of attachment, comfort, and change through the unique perspective of a family pet. The story explores how even the smallest changes in our environment can feel enormous to little ones, while showing that making room for someone new doesn't mean losing what we hold dear. The artwork, executed in loose brush line-work with digital coloring and subtle textures, creates a warm, inviting world that perfectly captures Dottie's emotional journey.
You Are Too Big For This Book
When a storybook character outgrows his beloved book, his comical misadventures through different texts and genres lead him to discover that the perfect story is one he creates himself.
Word Count: 125
Themes: Storytelling as a form of empowerment, finding your place in the world.
When our protagonist literally outgrows his story, he embarks on a journey through various books, from boring old novels to "gross" vegetarian cookbooks and tricky chemistry texts. After trying and failing to squeeze himself into stories that don't fit, he discovers the joy of creating his own perfectly sized tale.
This fresh, fourth-wall-breaking adventure speaks to young readers about the empowering act of storytelling and finding your own place in the world. The use of collage brings physical dimension and tactile texture to the tale, enabling our main character to (literally) pop off the page.
Comparable titles would include The Book With No Pictures by B.J. Novak (2014) for its meta approach to what a book can be, We Are In A Book! by Mo Willems (2010) for its playful character awareness and book-within-a-book concept, and The Book of Mistakes by Corinna Luyken (2017) for its escalating attempts at problem-solving and humorous tone.