Susan Detwiler has agreed to offer her new book to one lucky winner. All you have to do is leave a comment to get in the running. Reblog, or tweet, or talk about it on facebook with a link and you will get additional chances to win. Just let me know the other things you did to share the good news, so I can put in the right amount of tickets in my basket for you before drawing the winners on Christmas Eve and announcing the winner on Christmas Day.
Journey to Publication and Description of Book:
I wrote and illustrated the dummy for Fine Life For A Country Mouse a decade before I found a publisher for it at Penguin. I submitted and revised this book eighteen times in ten years! During that time, I joined SCBWI and learned about picture book creation and the business of children’s book publishing. I found a publisher who appreciated my art and hired me to illustrate several books, in fact, I have illustrated about a book a year for Arbordale Publishing, for which I am very grateful. But this book, which is the retelling of the Aesop fable about the city mouse and the country mouse, is my baby. I hope it is only my first as author/illustrator!
Fine Life For A Country Mouse is a retelling of a favorite fable by Aesop. This story stays close to Aesop’s moral in which the country mouse learns something valuable. Shy Tillie Mouse is visited by her city cousin Oliver, who is difficult to please and bored by the country. She agrees to accompany him back to the city, and sees that his luxurious lifestyle is also fraught with danger. Tillie returns home with a renewed appreciation for her simple life.
Children will relate to a tiny creature in a big, scary world.
Here is the link to Amazon.Definitely would make a nice gift.
I asked Susan to send me some of the interior artwork from the book and I was blown away with what I saw. I have to share them with you. I think you will appreciate them, too.
Susan Detwiler has illustrated several award-winning books for children including One Wolf Howls and Panda’s Earthquake Escape. Fine Life For a Country Mouse is her first as an author/illustrator. She was educated at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore. Susan grew up in Maryland the eldest of five children, although she insists she was not bossy. Her large extended family is very close. When she isn’t drawing, Susan likes to sculpt at the beach, make pies (especially apple) and sock toys. She loves animals and was always fascinated by the pet mice that belonged to her two sons. She and her artist husband live in Baltimore with their dog. Visit her website http://www.susandetwiler.com
Congratulations Susan.
Talk tomorrow,
Kathy
I’m a Fable Fan and now a fan of your art as well. Beautiful!
LikeLike
By: Lynne Marie on December 7, 2015
at 9:49 am
What not to ‘Pin,’ here. I love Susan’s work so much. Gorgeous, perfection, the POV is all a child (and the child in us) could dream of.
LikeLike
By: Wendy Wahman on December 7, 2015
at 10:40 am
You are right about the gorgeous artwork, Kathy! And congratulations to Susan for persisting for ten years to bring this to life.
LikeLike
By: Wendy Greenley on December 7, 2015
at 10:58 am
Wow, susan, your art is fabulous. I enjoyed reading about your books journey and I find that you endured the ten years to publication inspiring! Thank you!
LikeLike
By: shiela fuller on December 7, 2015
at 11:09 am
Beautiful artwork!
LikeLike
By: Lauri Meyers on December 7, 2015
at 11:17 am
What stunning art! It definitely makes me want to find out more about Tillie and Oliver. Congratulations— I guess persistence really is the key. (in addition to the obvious fact that you already HAD the talent!!!!)
LikeLike
By: Cheryl Kirk Noll on December 7, 2015
at 11:18 am
These images are gorgeous! Kathy, I’ve blogged, retweeted, and posted on Facebook. And if all that doesn’t do the trick, I’ll find another way to get my hands on her book – so pretty! 🙂
LikeLike
By: tphumiruk on December 7, 2015
at 11:32 am
Adorable mice!
LikeLike
By: Natasha Wing on December 7, 2015
at 12:02 pm
I knew your name was familiar. We have One Wolf Howls, and it’s one of our favorites! Your wolves are absolutely beautiful.
LikeLike
By: Shonna McNasby on December 7, 2015
at 12:09 pm
Beautiful illustrations. They make me want to crawl inside the story and live there, too!
LikeLike
By: Carleen M. Tjader on December 7, 2015
at 1:51 pm
I am blown away by the artwork! Not just the skill of the art itself, but the composition. Can’t wait to see this book.
LikeLike
By: Angela Turner on December 7, 2015
at 2:55 pm
Angela,
I wonder if you noticed that you won Susan’s book. I need you to send me your address, so she can send it to you. If I do not hear back, I will have to give it to someone else. can’t seem to find a direct email for you.
Kathy
LikeLike
By: Kathy Temean on January 18, 2016
at 2:30 pm
I love the post. I’m going to link to this article from my blog later today. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
By: vonniewinslowcrist on December 7, 2015
at 3:36 pm
I love the colors and detailed artwork–can’t wait to grab your book for holiday gifts!
LikeLike
By: Nancy Furstinger on December 7, 2015
at 4:29 pm
I need this book! Anything mouses is right up my alley! Beautiful illustrating!
LikeLike
By: Kimberly Huhn on December 7, 2015
at 4:48 pm
Great work, and encouraging to those of us who have not been received by a traditional publishing house yet!
LikeLike
By: Jill Iversen on December 7, 2015
at 6:27 pm
Just shared on twitter and FB. thanks for the opportunity to win this beautiful book!
LikeLike
By: Carol Baldwin on December 7, 2015
at 7:35 pm
Wowee! Beautiful work, and what a wonderful post..I’m so happy for Susan! What a success story, and I know it is the beginning of many author/illustrated books…congratulations Susan!
LikeLike
By: Shirley on December 7, 2015
at 10:37 pm
Beautiful art work!
LikeLike
By: Hélène Sabourin on December 8, 2015
at 7:29 am
Susan, your persistent is inspiring. Eighteen years, wow! The illustrations are delightful. I sure would love to win your book. 🙂 Hi Kathy. 🙂
LikeLike
By: Tracy Campbell on December 8, 2015
at 10:44 am
Oops, I meant “persistence”.
LikeLike
By: Tracy Campbell on December 8, 2015
at 10:44 am
Susan, as I read your post the more inspired I became. Good timing because I was ready to quit writing. Your art work is beautiful and so inviting. Nice job.
LikeLike
By: waengel2002 on December 9, 2015
at 1:35 am
WA,
Sometimes we all need some inspiration. Glad you found it here.
Kathy
LikeLike
By: Kathy Temean on December 9, 2015
at 1:04 pm
I absolutely adored the UTales pencil version – now this is so vibrant and wonderful …mega huge congratulations, Susan, and thanks for the good news, Kathy!
LikeLike
By: Peter Taylor on December 9, 2015
at 2:55 pm
I enjoyed reading about your journey and persistence. Your illustrations are delightful and the detail really draws me in. Congratulations on your efforts as author/illustrator,
LikeLike
By: barbara kupetz on December 15, 2015
at 11:13 am
I would love to win I love to read to my grandchildren. Also FB and twittered this for you!
LikeLike
By: Barb Stachow on December 18, 2015
at 9:50 pm
Timeless illustrations.
LikeLike
By: Natasha Wing on December 21, 2015
at 10:46 am