The Case of YOU ARE NOT A CAT!

This fall, Boyds-Mills Press will publish YOU ARE NOT A CAT, the first picture book by multiple award-wining author Sharon G. Flake. In short, it's the story of a duck who wants to let his freak flag fly, and a cat who doesn't quite get it. This book was expertly edited by Mary Colgan, and gorgeously art-directed and designed by the great Sara Gillingham. A few weeks ago, an advance copy arrived in my mailbox, and before I reveal any interior art, I thought it might be fun to share one of my favorite secret things about this book here. Okay, not so secret…but if you don't take off the jacket, you might never know…

YOU ARE NOT A CAT will be officially out in the world on October 4th, but you can pre-order it here.

Here's…You Are Not A Cat!

Today, teacher-librarian Mr. Schu (aka John Schumacher) unveiled the cover of YOU ARE NOT A CAT on his blog "Watch. Connect. Read." alongside a short interview with author Sharon G. Flake and me. It's obvious that we're both pretty excited about this book, due out in the fall from Boyd Mills Press. And if you are too, it's already available for pre-order.

You Are Not a Cat!—coming fall 2016

There's a special kind of jubilation an illustrator feels when they deliver final art for a book. And after months of churning out work on an accelerated schedule, I can finally unchain myself from my desk. Okay, so I was promptly slammed by a bad cold, but nevertheless I turned in illustrations this week for something I'm really excited about.

YOU ARE NOT A CAT! to be published late next year, is the first picture book written by Coretta Scott King Honor Award winner Sharon G. Flake, author of The Skin I'm In, and several other young adult novels. And it's hilarious! Of course, I can't show much of anything at this time, but if you've been following my Instagram, you might have seen an occasional tidbit.

I posted an image of the pattern above that I thought would be the endpapers, but in the end chose something else. So if you'd like some wallpaper or gift wrap, hit me up—this thing is available. :^)

So now I'm off to join the world of the living or at least find myself some chicken soup.