In a lonely little house (like a witch house! Except- no chicken legs) deep in a dark fairytale woods, Phoebe is... doing homework.
She has to write a story.She reads stories. She likes stories. But where to start? She has no idea.
What she does have, is mice. The walls are full of them, all squeaking like mad. Why? About what?
Maybe the strange “kitty” that’s come from the woods? There IS something different about her...
Once the “helpers” get into it, Phoebe’s story takes off like a witch house on... mouse feet.
These characters are running away with it!
Into the woods. 
Oh, the chasing. The squeaking. The pouncing!
But
Phoebe doesn’t want a story with blood on its whiskers... Can she
write an ever-after that’s friendly to all?
About the project:
This is the first of several little stories that happen inside a bigger one, Making Ever After, a graphic novel for younger middle grade readers (7-10-ish?) combining “real” and fairytale elements and characters.
Project schedule
A Story on Little Mouse Feet is in progress. If funding happens, I expect to finish art and go to print roundabout the end of September. A whole new little book for the holidays! Fun, right?
About me:
I’ve written and/or Illustrated a number of picture books and storybooks, even some award-winners, with publishers like Dutton, Charlesbridge, Chronicle, Sterling, Little Bigfoot/Sasquatch, etc. I also make lots of comics. (My day job is staff artist at Cricket Magazine.) So I think about stories and storytelling, a lot! The craft, the tradition, the problems, the fun. The many variations of ever-after. One thing I know: stories don’t want to sit home, talking to themselves. Stories want to be read. Told. Shared! They’re all about making connections.
I’ve had many story “helpers.” Pictured here are just a few...
I like supporting crowdfunded projects. The idea of helping actual, individual creators do stuff in this increasingly corporate world feels rebellious and fun. (Go-o-o-o, humans!) But this is my first time doing one. Why now? Because I have a big story, full of little stories, maybe? Stories that don’t want to wait for the whole big thing to be done, that’ll take AGES. They want to get out. Start making people laugh, ASAP, please, and thank-you very much. Thanks for stooping by, and taking a look! Little mouse feet are doing a happy dance.
Funds collected will go towards printing at my favorite, friendly neighborhood shop, Paperjam , and shipping expenses.
Products
A 16 page (20 pages, including soft cover) full-color mini-comic story for kids at the young end of middle grade, 7 or 8-10-ish
Books will be signed. But if you'd like a personalized or specific dedication, choose the personalized dedication reward, below!
The image will be similar to the example shown. Basic drawing will be block-printed in black. Kitty’s eye coloring and the markings of her coat will be added by hand, so they’ll be one of a kind.
Prints will be signed, but if you'd like a personalized or specific dedication, choose the personalized dedication reward, below!
The image will be similar to the example shown. Black lines will be block-printed. Kitty’s eyes and coat markings will be added by hand, so they’ll be one of a kind.
Prints will be signed, but if you'd like a personalized or specific dedication, choose the personalized dedication reward, below!
In September, Cricket Magazine (an award-winning lit mag for kids) celebrates its 50th year year of publication, all without taking outside advertisements. Quite an accomplishment. And I got to illustrate the cover. But it’s not out yet, so I'm showing a previous cover I illustrated.
If you'd like your copy to have a special little “hello“ from Cricket (or another favorite character) choose the personalized dedication reward, below!
The Big Wish is a picture book written and illustrated by Carolyn Conahan and published by Chronicle Books. Molly is growing dandelions for a world record wish! But what to wish? Everybody in town has ideas–tiny sweet wishes, big important wishes. How can she decide on one? But if she doesn’t decide soon, the wish will be gone with the wind...
Books will be signed. If you'd like a personalized or specific dedication, choose the personalized dedication reward, below!
Bubble Homes & Fish Farts is a 48 page nonfiction picture book written by Fiona Bayrock, illustrated by C.D. (Carolyn) Conahan, and published by Charlesbridge. It’s a look at the weird and wonderful ways creatures use bubbles to survive and thrive. Sailing snails, fish-trapping whales, air-insulated otters, and herring, farting out secret herring messages...
Books will be signed, but if you'd like a personalized or specific dedication, choose the personalized dedication reward, below!
This Old Van is a picture book written by Kim Norman, illustrated by C.D. (Carolyn) Conahan, and published by Sterling Books. It’s a wild trip across town with grooooooovy grandad and granny in their bright and cheery old hippie van, racing to get to their grand child’s big event. Will they make it in time? We’ll see. (We’ll also see lots and lots and lots of interesting vehicles along the way. Can be sung to-you guessed it- the traditional song, “This Old Man."
Books will be signed. But if you'd like a personalized or specific dedication, choose the personalized dedication reward, below!
12 Days of Christmas in Oregon is a picture book written by Susan Blackaby, illustrated by me, C.D. (Carolyn) Conahan, and published by Sterling Books. It’s a tour of Oregon in kid-letter form. With lots of information on wildlife, history, geography, activities and sites to see along the way. Double-decker bikes! And, if you look really close, Bigfoot.
Books will be signed. But if you'd like a personalized or specific dedication, choose the personalized dedication reward, below!
Stubby the Fearless Squid is a picture book written by Barbara Davis-Pyles, illustrated by C.D. (Carolyn) Conahan, and published by Little Bigfoot/Sasquatch Books. It's about Stubby, a squishy little guy who tells a good story about being brave, to his penpal, Razor... (RAZOR! Eek.) Fights with Orca, and electric eels, bull sharks, oh yeah. He’s done it all–on paper. But now Razor’s coming to visit! Live! In-person! (So to speak) Has Stubby written himself into a corner? Hijinks ensue.
Books will be signed. But if you'd like a personalized or specific dedication, choose the personalized dedication reward, below!
I Don’t Have a Dog is a 32 page picture book written by Contessa Hileman illustrated by Carolyn Conahan, and published by Little Bigfoot/Sasquatch Books. (She doesn’t have a dog! She has an alarm clock, a food-tester, a best friend...)Books will be signed. But if you'd like a personalized or specific dedication, choose the personalized dedication reward, below!
I Don’t Have a Cat is a 32 page picture book written by Contessa Hileman, illustrated by Carolyn Conahan, and published by Little Bigfoot/Sasquatch Books. (He does not have cat! He has a space invader, secret agent, a rescue mission...) Books will be signed, but if you want a personalized dedication, check out the personalized reward, below.
Highlights
See all activity14Activity
A 16 page (20 pages, including soft cover) full-color mini-comic story for kids at the young end of middle grade, 7 or 8-10-ish
Books will be signed. But if you'd like a personalized or specific dedication, choose the personalized dedication reward, below!
The image will be similar to the example shown. Basic drawing will be block-printed in black. Kitty’s eye coloring and the markings of her coat will be added by hand, so they’ll be one of a kind.
Prints will be signed, but if you'd like a personalized or specific dedication, choose the personalized dedication reward, below!
The image will be similar to the example shown. Black lines will be block-printed. Kitty’s eyes and coat markings will be added by hand, so they’ll be one of a kind.
Prints will be signed, but if you'd like a personalized or specific dedication, choose the personalized dedication reward, below!
In September, Cricket Magazine (an award-winning lit mag for kids) celebrates its 50th year year of publication, all without taking outside advertisements. Quite an accomplishment. And I got to illustrate the cover. But it’s not out yet, so I'm showing a previous cover I illustrated.
If you'd like your copy to have a special little “hello“ from Cricket (or another favorite character) choose the personalized dedication reward, below!
The Big Wish is a picture book written and illustrated by Carolyn Conahan and published by Chronicle Books. Molly is growing dandelions for a world record wish! But what to wish? Everybody in town has ideas–tiny sweet wishes, big important wishes. How can she decide on one? But if she doesn’t decide soon, the wish will be gone with the wind...
Books will be signed. If you'd like a personalized or specific dedication, choose the personalized dedication reward, below!
Bubble Homes & Fish Farts is a 48 page nonfiction picture book written by Fiona Bayrock, illustrated by C.D. (Carolyn) Conahan, and published by Charlesbridge. It’s a look at the weird and wonderful ways creatures use bubbles to survive and thrive. Sailing snails, fish-trapping whales, air-insulated otters, and herring, farting out secret herring messages...
Books will be signed, but if you'd like a personalized or specific dedication, choose the personalized dedication reward, below!
This Old Van is a picture book written by Kim Norman, illustrated by C.D. (Carolyn) Conahan, and published by Sterling Books. It’s a wild trip across town with grooooooovy grandad and granny in their bright and cheery old hippie van, racing to get to their grand child’s big event. Will they make it in time? We’ll see. (We’ll also see lots and lots and lots of interesting vehicles along the way. Can be sung to-you guessed it- the traditional song, “This Old Man."
Books will be signed. But if you'd like a personalized or specific dedication, choose the personalized dedication reward, below!
12 Days of Christmas in Oregon is a picture book written by Susan Blackaby, illustrated by me, C.D. (Carolyn) Conahan, and published by Sterling Books. It’s a tour of Oregon in kid-letter form. With lots of information on wildlife, history, geography, activities and sites to see along the way. Double-decker bikes! And, if you look really close, Bigfoot.
Books will be signed. But if you'd like a personalized or specific dedication, choose the personalized dedication reward, below!
Stubby the Fearless Squid is a picture book written by Barbara Davis-Pyles, illustrated by C.D. (Carolyn) Conahan, and published by Little Bigfoot/Sasquatch Books. It's about Stubby, a squishy little guy who tells a good story about being brave, to his penpal, Razor... (RAZOR! Eek.) Fights with Orca, and electric eels, bull sharks, oh yeah. He’s done it all–on paper. But now Razor’s coming to visit! Live! In-person! (So to speak) Has Stubby written himself into a corner? Hijinks ensue.
Books will be signed. But if you'd like a personalized or specific dedication, choose the personalized dedication reward, below!
I Don’t Have a Dog is a 32 page picture book written by Contessa Hileman illustrated by Carolyn Conahan, and published by Little Bigfoot/Sasquatch Books. (She doesn’t have a dog! She has an alarm clock, a food-tester, a best friend...)Books will be signed. But if you'd like a personalized or specific dedication, choose the personalized dedication reward, below!
I Don’t Have a Cat is a 32 page picture book written by Contessa Hileman, illustrated by Carolyn Conahan, and published by Little Bigfoot/Sasquatch Books. (He does not have cat! He has a space invader, secret agent, a rescue mission...) Books will be signed, but if you want a personalized dedication, check out the personalized reward, below.
