Hi readers,
Welcome back to my studio! I’m pleased to be here again. It’s been a busy year, and I’ll admit that I kind of fell off with the posting, so it’s time for an update of what has been on my desk and what is coming up next.
Most recently I’ve been finishing the last details of my next author-illustrator title, THE CRYSTAL ROOM (Macmillan Kids), which is an adventure story based on my experiences exploring wild caves. With everything going on in the world recently it has been a nice escape to go underground, at least artistically speaking, and lose myself in winding passages and dizzying rope descents. At its heart this book is about preparation, bravery, and trust, and it has been a ton of fun bringing it to life. I hope it will surprise and entertain you! (Also, I hope you aren’t claustrophobic.) I’ll be sharing more updates about the research and process behind the book as we get a little closer to publication next year.
I’ve also been starting the final art phase for WE ARE THE TREES, a picture book biography by Deborah Noyes (Holiday House/Neal Porter) about Dr. Suzanne Simard and her fascinating research about how trees and fungi are interconnected underground. You may know of Dr. Simard from her bestselling autobiography or popular TED talk, which has accrued nearly six million views. Her ideas have captivated the public and it’s been interesting to dig deeper into the research on fungal networks in old growth forests. Look for for more about this project in the coming months as I wrap up the final art, including some surprising research twists and turns, and a very memorable trip I took to sketch old growth on the Olympic Peninsula.
Next up…
I’m excited to announce a new collaboration with author and friend Meg Fleming, titled MULAYO (Harpercollins.) This is a picture book based on the true story of an orphaned baby white rhino that Meg and I met at the Zululand Rhino Orphanage in South Africa when we visited with the Children’s Book Creators for Conservation in 2023. Mulayo’s story is a remarkable tale of survival and friendship, and I hope this picture book will help spread awareness about the challenges that these gentle and adorable endangered animals face.
Finally, I’m also excited to have several more as-yet untitled books under contract with Macmillan. I’m toying with the idea of more underappreciated backyard animals to follow my nonfiction book, JUMPER. To all my readers—and especially the teachers and librarians out there—which of these animals would be most interesting to see on a nonfiction bookshelf? Do you see any content gaps, animals that just don’t have enough written about them? No promises on what the next story will be, but I’m so curious to know what you think!
I’m limited to five options in this poll, so if you have another idea about the underappreciated animal that you’d like to see, please share it in the comments. (This topic came up at dinner last night and I got votes ranging from pill bugs to leopards, so I have no doubt you have diverse opinions.)
Before you gasp in horror at “wasps”: did you know that out of 100,000+ species of wasps worldwide, the vast majority can’t sting you at all, and only a handful bother humans? Also, if you look at the scientific classification, both bees and ants are technically a type of wasp, too…
What’s Next on Substack?
Going forward I’ll be posting here in a more structured way, twice a month. I’ll include behind-the-scenes posts with research stories, sketching adventures, and things happening in the studio. I will also be sharing Brushstroke Bulletin posts for readers interested in picture book craft which will cover everything from writing and story boarding to drawing and watercolor technique. Feel free to adjust your subscription preferences any time depending on your interests.
I’m looking forward to sharing more in the months ahead!
Thanks for reading,
Jessica
p.s. A note to my paid supporters: In gratitude for your continued support this past year, I’ve comped your subscriptions through 2027. Thank you!
Looks good!