Studio with a View: September 2024

I'm so happy to be illustrating this exciting chapter book series written by Tracy Blom and published by Paw Prints Publishing.

Here's the overview: The Magic Tree House meets Zoey and Sassafras in this new beginner chapter book series for both fantasy and STEAM lovers!

A self-professed bug lover, Lissa comes across a miraculous magical lens on her ninth birthday that allow her to communicate with bugs. Sounds fun, but the forest and the garden behind Lissa’s house is sick — poisoned—and all the bugs and flora are in danger. Thankfully, before long she’s summoned by a band of fireflies to help.

Things take an even stranger turn when the magical lens give Lissa’s friend, Wren, the supernatural ability to spit out scientific names, chemistry equations, and facts about bugs that she never knew before! Together, the two friends team up to investigate, all with the clock ticking. Will they save their community and discover what could be hurting their ecosystem?

Coming summer 2025!

Here's more books that came out earlier in 2024.

This vital and simply told story of pollination offers lush visual effects that illuminate their ongoing work by day and by night.

Presented narratively, this title captivates young learners, emphasizing pollinators' vital role in our planet's survival. It conveys that even small creatures wield significant influence, illustrating pollinators' continuous journey for food.

The intricate dance between pollinators and flowers is nature's wisdom in action. As flowers beckon, pollinators respond, playing a pivotal role in life's cycle. This dynamic exchange narrates the story of pollination, where pollinators fertilize plants while obtaining sustenance.

Key Features:

Engages young learners, emphasizing pollinators' life-giving role.
Conveys that even small creatures make enormous Earth contributions.
Educates about 24/7 global pollination value.
Makes pollination understanding visual and accessible.
Provides a closer look at pollination as a story.

Includes additional teaching materials that enrich learning with pollinator bios, flower diagrams, and pollinator garden flower suggestions. This story underscores the importance of caring for Earth, highlighting its reciprocal response to positive stewardship.

This is my second book with Schiffer Kids Publishing!

And last but not least, both of these picture books were my first venture into working with an independent publisher through Reedsy. It was a great experience and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. You can find more about these titles at https://abcadventures.kids/.

Here's photos from The Douglas County Librarian Kickoff for the new school year! It was a wonderful event brought together by Society of Children's Books Writers and Illustrators, The Bookies Bookstore and Douglas County Library Association.

I feel fortunate to live in Colorado with so many talented and generous book creators. Plus our librarians get excited about buying books from local authors and illustrators instead of dealing with book bans!

Author and Illustrator Panel Discussion. That's Claudia Mills speaking in the foreground

My book table display

Douglas County School District Legacy Campus

Below are photos from Storytime at Fort Collins Nursery. This summer we brought it back as a three-part series. We gathered on the outdoor patio nestled along the banks of Dry Creek and the Cache la Poudre River surrounded by beautiful plants, trees and wildlife. These free events featured fun crafts and activities for our Colorado kids and their families. It was also a fundraiser for Children's Speech and Reading Center. Books were on sale by The Crowded Bookshelf. We are so fortunate to have such creative and community minded authors and illustrators! Click on the graphic to see the entire roster of presenters and their books.