Ella German

This little book was one among many that caught my eye at our weekly trip to the bookstore of our favorite library.  I noticed it was an old book and it had very pretty drawings of rabbits.  I wanted to buy it, but it almost didn’t make the cut, as I had only seven odd dollars with me and my children and I selected about $10 worth of books.  How glad I am that I kept it in my selection!

The story is about a bunny who has always dreamt of being one of the chosen 5 Easter bunnies that deliver all the eggs to the boys and girls on Easter.  Being only a short-legged country girl, she is laughed at by the strong, long-legged male bunnies.  And then, she finds herself grown and married with 21 babies.  When her babies become children, she teaches 2 to sweep, 2 to make the beds, 2 to cook and so forth.  In such a manner she teaches them to handle all the upkeep of the home.  When her little rabbits are “half grown up” one of the 5 Easter bunnies retires and there is a contest to see who will take their place.  Mother goes with her children, if only to watch.  ”Old, wise, and kind Grandfather bunny”, who will decide the replacement, is simply not impressed with all those big and long-legged ones.  For to be a chosen one, you also need to possess kindness and wisdom.  He notices Mother bunny and calls her forward.  He finds all those qualities in her and she becomes not only a chosen one, but the bravest one of all. 

If ever there was a book to represent the current stage of my life!  My little ones are not yet half-grown, but it is only now, after spending years nurturing three babies at home, that I can pursue my artistic dreams.  I only hope that a wise “Grandfather” will notice me.    

My five year old son created this story yesterday, titled What Can I be?  He dictated the story for me to write down (so he could copy the letters), then cut out his own pages and completed his 7-page work solely in pencil.  The full text:

Once upon a time there was a plant.  The plant said, “Why can’t I be something else?”

“I want to be, maybe, a trellis, or a house, or a wall, but maybe I might be a screen, or a lock for a cabinet, or I could be grapes.”

“No, I’ll be grass.” 

The end.  “Good bye.”

When I get to, “No, I’ll be grass.” I hear in my head, “And he was. And probably still is.”  That’s Jack Kent’s ending line from Just Only John, a story about a little boy who wishes he too were something else.  I also see this as a basis of a Leo Lionni story.  Or is that just me?

Here are some images from the picture book I’ve finished (I use that term loosely – finished, as in picture book dummy finished).  It’s called Butterfly Rolls.  It’s about a Mommy who would really just like to bake some bread, but her daughter has other ideas for the day.

from Butterfly Rolls (after daugher and Mommy come together to bake)  – Marker, Colored Pencil, & Ball Point Pen

“Combine Dry” from Butterfly Rolls - Pencil, Marker, Colored Pencil, Ball Point Pen

Double page spread from the pencil sketch dummy book showing “Beat” on the left and “Combine Dry” on the right.

Yes, it’s still in its infancy.  But I conceive this site as a showcase for my drawings and children’s book ideas, and as a place to link to my many other homemade projects (everything from sock monkeys to my redwood arbor in my beloved garden).  As my garden grows, so shall my art portfolio – slowly, sometimes in explosive bursts, but always (hopefully) with beauty.