Children’s Books
Privileged to inhabit this world of joy and creativity, I write and illustrate picture books with heart and humor. I tell visual stories with warmth and emotional connection via expressive line and through characters’ facial expressions and body language. I continually explore different ways of achieving my art goals through traditional and digital media.
Publishers: If you’re interested in working together and you’d like to receive my latest art samples (PDF), contact my agent Erzsi Deàk with Hen & Ink Literary Studio.
SLOTH IS NOT A BABY!
story by Nelly Buchet | art by Janie Bynum
“An uncomplicated celebration of daily triumph for those who refuse to be babied.”—Kirkus Reviews
From Kirkus Reviews:
“A young forest dweller faces a new challenge with a mixture of doubt and determination. Sloth and her friend Moth climb high up in a tree before looking down to see how far they’ve come. Moth reminds her that Worm told them that baby sloths were too scared to climb so high, but they’ve shown him! Sloth retorts, “I’m not a baby”—a refrain that repeats several times over the course of the story. Though Sloth initially delivers her response with beaming confidence, fear begins to seep in with Moth’s reminders that she could fall, which would be scary…if she were a baby! Sloth points out that other animals—various insects, Monkey, and Snail—are capable of climbing high. Moth counters her arguments: Insects have wings, Monkey is really fast, Snail is incredibly sticky. Close-ups of Sloth’s animated facial expressions convey her growing trepidation. As Sloth becomes convinced that she will fall, a storm hits, and all the other animal friends are momentarily flung off the tree, despite their climbing advantages. Only Sloth manages a tight grasp, and as the storm lifts, Moth celebrates Sloth’s unique talent for holding on.
Told simply, with effective use of repetition and expressive cartoon illustrations, this story will appeal to children who are similarly finding their footing in a sometimes-scary world. ”
Grade Level : Preschool to 1st grade
Publisher : Feiwel & Friends, Macmillan, June 2024
ISBN-10 : 1250878772
ISBN-13 : 978-1250878779
Reading Level : 2-5 years
Language : English
Order a copy at your local bookshop, or through BookShop.org, or visit BookBug in Kalamazoo. Also available on Amazon.com.
Order a copy at your local bookshop, or through BookShop.org, or or visit BookBug in Kalamazoo. Also available on Amazon.com.
Grade Level : Preschool to 1st grade
Publisher : NorthSouth Books, January 2021
ISBN-10 : 0735844097
ISBN-13 : 978-0735844094
Reading Level : 2-6 years
Languages : English, German, Italian,
Dutch, Spanish, Chinese
CHICK CHAT
story and art by Janie Bynum
Peep, peep, peep! Baby Chick has a LOT to say! Everyone in her family is too busy to chat. But when chatty Baby Chick adopts a large egg, she finally finds a friend who is a good listener. But when her egg goes missing, Baby Chick is heartbroken…until she finds that it has hatched. Could it be a brand-new friend?
From Kirkus Reviews:
“Baby Chick is surrounded by clouds of printed PEEP!s throughout the story; these are full of movement indicating unabashed joy. Saturated, summery colors and black-outlined figures lend vibrancy to the story. The text is further enhanced by well-placed, but not overdone, chicken-related puns: Sister is reading A Coop of One’s Own, and when she takes Baby Chick to bed, she suggests “Let’s hit the hay, Baby Chick.
A sweet story told with gentle humor.”
From Booklist:
“Cheerful watercolor illustrations are filled with the round chick’s ceaseless peeping and obvious joie de vivre. By tale’s end, Baby Chick's family appears to be quite pleased that the exuberant bird has someone who loves listening to her chitchat.”
Much-Loved Out-of-Print Books
Kiki’s Blankie (2009, Sterling)
With her adored polka-dot blankie in hand, Kiki can do and be anything she wants. In a flash, it transforms her into a cowgirl, a pirate, even a superhero with a cape! So when her blankie blows away, Kiki will do anything to get it back. Our irresistible heroine proves that love makes us brave and strong.
Otis (2000, Harcourt; a Junior Library Guild Selection) A sweet story about a fastidiously clean young pig who doesn’t quite fit in—until he makes friends with another unlikely mud-avoider—Little Frog. One reviewer said: “In the spirit of Ferdinand the Bull, (Bynum) introduces an endearing character who does not like the very thing he's supposed to love.”
Rock-a-Baby Band (2003, Little Brown) written by Kate McMullan. Ten little babies rock the house with anything they can find—from a tambourine, bells, and a guitar, to rattles, wooden spoons, and even a Bundt-cake pan! A multicultural quartet takes center-stage in this bop-along baby adventure. (CD included)