Pictures Worth a Thousand Words

I can't draw animals.

I used to fancy myself a passable artist. I loved to draw as a kid. I loved drawing a designing my own characters and creatures and superheroes. I was never going to make a career of it, it was always just for fun.

I had a personal rule at one point: If I couldn't have make a decent drawing of a character, I wouldn't write about it. (I've since dropped this rule.)

I don't think I was ever really adept at drawing real animals, though. I never developed that particular muscle. Which, when it was time to start putting The Candle Across the Bridge together, posed a problem.

A children's book needs to have illustrations. And mine needed illustrations of animals.

I gave it a shot in the beginning. I tried. Between my lack of skill with animals and my now-atrophied skills with pencil and paper in general, it... wasn't good.

Fortunately, a friend referred me to one of his co-workers. She was an accomplished artist, I was told, experienced with drawing animals, and she'd even published a few coloring books herself. We eventually connected, discussed details of what I wanted and what she could do, and the rest is...

Every animal in the story is based on a real animal from my life. And every time I would get a new illustration from her, it was like seeing old friends again after too long a separation.

My point is, this book wouldn't be what it is without the amazing work of Courtney Beth. I am so grateful she lent her talent and magic to bring everyone home one more time.

For more of her work, please visit ArtByCourtneyBeth.com.