Alaska’s Puzzle Bears are off to the printer. After three rounds of proofs, I didn’t see any more errors, typos, or issues. I could have made–and was tempted to make–more and more changes, but they were style changes: do I want to use the word “blank,” or “space,” or “line” to indicate that place where readers are to write a word or letter? Those kinds of changes can be made until the end of time; at some point you just have to stop.
Does that mean the book is perfect? I wish, but no. Unfortunately, or perhaps it’s fortunate, perfection is an impossibility. But I feel we’ve done our best, and I’m optimistic that the end product will be great.
So…want a sneak peek? Here’s the cover:
Shannon Cartwright is the artist, and I have long been a fan. It’s exciting to have worked with her. In addition to the puzzles, there are oodles of Shannon’s black-and-white line drawings inside and full-page illustrations just waiting to be colored in and doodled on.
I don’t know when the book will be out and about, exactly, but I’ll let you know when I know.
Categories: Children's writing
Does that mean that there aren’t any color drawings by Shannon Cartwright inside the book? I hope there are!
These are wonderful illustrations! Jen, you are really cookin’! Congratulations on your hard work and brains.
Sorry, Shell, the illustrations inside are meant to be colored by readers, so they are black-and-white line drawings. If you want Shannon’s full-color illustrations, you’ll have to go with one of her many picture books.
You can also get art cards and prints of her work. Click on her link in the post to see more.
Thanks, Becca! I hope we can do more of these.