A new book is born!

 

I know I’ve been a little out of touch socially. Well I admit a lot out of touch! Thank you to my friends who reminded me it’s been a year since my last post. (It's actually 11 months.) Consistency and dreaminess are a bit like oil and water and no matter how much I shake myself I can’t seem to possess both for more than a few seconds at a time. 

So here is my news - you might want to hold on to something - Kate and I have FINISHED our first picture book!!! It’s a book all about me. I feel slightly exposed being in the spotlight but I figure if I’m going to be in any light I’ll be happiest in one with spots. 

Looking back to last summer when the swishing and swirling of paintbrushes was the music of the studio, we had a book to finish and with that came as many moods as colours on Kate's palette.  Many, many, many hours, just Kate and I working around the clock. Some days went clockwise - these days Kate drew my legs and arms the right way. Then there were anticlockwise days - where my ears or hands looked like they belonged on a poodle. A cool compress calmed many moments as the mercury rose.  Throughout all we thought about our dear little readers with book in hand and kept painting. 

Here’s a photo I snapped as Kate was working one of the book’s illustrations. You will love the dress she paints for me. 

We especially love our new publishing family at Harper Collins. (Look out for tomorrow’s post to see what they did to welcome me!) My book - ‘Ruby Red Shoes’ will be out on November the 1st and I've already spoken with Santa to make sure he has plenty of stock in the NP. 

See you tomorrow,

Love Ruby x