2023 Is Almost Here! Happy New Year!

What new readers may not know about the chickens in our stories

Pearl’s first solo “Happy New Year!” Illustration by the Author, 2020

In wishing our readers a Happy New Year, I can’t think of anyone better to deliver that message than Pearl.

For the drawing above from several New Year’s Day celebrations ago, she is wearing her own creation, a hat she calls her Let’s Go Bananas Hat. Below is a photography showing how she looks in real life when she is simply being lovable old Pearl.

You see, all of the chicken characters in our books are based on real chickens who live in my backyard. (If you are a new reader of our newsletter, then you might not know that.) They each have a personality that is uniquely their own. I simply share that through words and drawings.

“You do love me with all my goofiness, don’t you?” Photograph by the Author

One of the things I love best about Pearl is her optimism. No matter what happens, she keeps smiling. Pearl never gives up hope. She always has a positive attitude. This shows in all of her photographs as well, and if you study the one above closely, I believe you will see Pearl smiling.

It isn’t always easy to see a chicken’s smile because they have hard beaks instead of soft lips like people have. But when you have spent some time with chickens and have really gotten to know them, you will know when they are smiling. Can you see Pearl’s smile?

Thank you, readers, for your kindness and support during 2022. We are hoping you will have a wonderful 2023! May the new year bring you many more smiles and a chance to “Go Bananas!” along with Pearl!

Next week, when things have settled down from the holiday season, we will be sharing more about our current writing project, The Dictionary of Curious Words. But for now, go put on a silly hat and waggle your foot up in the air like Pearl! And by all means, don’t forget to smile!

Here is an illustration of Pearl showing her smile. This is in the style we anticipate using in The Dictionary of Curious Words. She is every writer’s dream character. Whenever I am unsure what to write, Pearl shows up on the page and takes over the scene in the best possible way.

Proposed Illustration Style for Interior Illustrations

Thank you for reading!

John, Gracie, Bessie, Blanche, Pearl, Emily, and Amelia