I have heard it said that when we look at a painting by an artist, we see more than what meets the eye. We see feelings, thoughts, years of practicing and discovery, we see hints toward the mentors, and the pain and redirection of constructive criticism, we see a view of things through eyes that are actually and maybe unknowingly, imitating the great Creator. There is so much more that has gone on than slapping paint on a canvas.
So it is with writing, illustrating and self-publishing a children’s book. It may look like words and art printed in a little paperback, but I promise, there is a lot more to it than that!
“Lellie Not Perfect” is a character based on the quotable and notable things that my own children have said and done. Moments that are cemented in my memory. But even before I had children, I had a Dad that loved to tell stories. (The book is dedicated to him!) In addition to these things, I feel a compulsion, (an inspiration?) to spend my life using artistic means to point to the Lord. “Lellie Not Perfect” is an expression of my experiences and my faith.
When I thought about writing another book, I kept thinking I didn’t want another “Little Lamb, Little Lamb, Follow Close” book. No sequel. Little Lamb was not really a story, or even a character, but an example of an “every little lamb” in HIS flock.

I said what I wanted to say about why we should follow close.
For a few years, I just kept throwing ideas around about this next book. I wanted to do something funny! I wanted a real character! Well why not write about what I know, and I know that my kids are real characters. I think most kids are. So maybe Lellie is an “every kid” hilariously trying to do their best, but knowing that perfect is what they need, but can’t accomplish in of themselves.
When we walk with the Lord, He prepares the path ahead of us. As my friend Liz said at a recent Ladies Retreat, “ I have everything I need in front of me, He prepares the table.” In the writing of this book, I was provided editors, Cece, Diann, Nancy, and my Craig. In the illustration of this book, I was provided a Noah. Noah (my son) can take an idea to the extreme, and he can visualize it. I would share with him what I was thinking of drawing, and he would throw amazing ideas at me. Example: “Mom, make the view of this scene from the perspective of the Hamster.”
I was also provided with a book formatter named Shannon, who has formatted many of the books I have illustrated for other authors through Christian Editing and Design. She looked over how I laid out the text with the art, and told me how to do it correctly. Then, she helped with the upload process to the publisher. A publisher! I live in a day where there is such a thing as Amazon’s KDP, or print on demand. I don’t have to pay big bucks to self-publish!
Yes, there is so much time, experience, helps, writing, erasing, drawing erasing… and so many moments of chuckling at memories of my kids and then the character I have created in “Lellie Not Perfect.”
So now, I give birth to this book. I send it out, to be enjoyed and to do as HE wills. What a delight!