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I was inspired with idea for this board book when my daughter was several months old. I saved a few ideas in a file that disappeared somewhere after another child, another house, another state. I thought about the book occasionally as the birthdays went by. I never came across the file. Somehow, in the middle of a time of great transition, I found the ideas in my memory, and I hung on to them and the hope and purpose they gave me. I put the ideas to paper and type and saved them in a half dozen places!

 

For my next step, I found a blank Creatology book with several pages which I used to lay out the placement of the text and to help me visualize the illustrations. I discovered my illustrator, Nicole, through another mom who had authored a children's book. Nicole and I went through the entire illustration process over Skype, since I am in Arkansas and she is in Washington. I explained my vision, and she came back with initial pencil sketches that captured the feeling I wanted conveyed. It was so exciting when she added color! I wanted the illustrations to be watercolor because I hadn't seen it much in books, and because it's beautiful, and because I had this idea that the baby could be portrayed in a way that any reader could imagine their baby as this watercolor baby.  

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One last note about Because You're Mine: I had an extra spread due to the printer's size and spread options for board books. I decided to include a Spanish translation since my corner of Arkansas is home to many Spanish speakers. I would love to have my book translated and printed in many languages for many families, and this is a small start to that end.

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There are four more board books living in my imagination right now. I have begun laying out text and sketches for three of them. They are a trio about a shepherd and a sheep. The fourth will be more like the first, a sweet watercolor refrain. Look for these by Christmas 2022!

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I loved board books for my children when they were little. Here are some of my favorites:

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Barnyard Dance! by Sandra Boynton

Belly Button Book! by Sandra Boynton

What Makes a Rainbow? by Betty Ann Schwartz

Jamberry by Bruce Degen

Dr. Seuss's ABC by Dr. Seuss

Just In Case You Ever Wonder by Max Lucado

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr

Ten Little Ladybugs by Melanie Gerth

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Thank you for your interest! Please use my contact page if you wish to get in touch.