The Authors & the Illustrators
As an avid composer of prose, Clayton always had a talent for creativity in writing. Having been captivated by superhero characters, Clayton recalls finding unconventional ways to entertain himself and his friends while growing up in New York City.
A dedicated father and business professional, Clayton believes "How the Peacock Got Its Feathers” speaks to his early moments at a young age when he began formulating various ways of putting his thoughts and creations on paper. Some texts were motivated by teachers, others through sheer boredom. Now, prose and text are mostly a means of personal expression. Clayton continues to regularly pen and encourages others to never underestimate their abilities to "exhale" onto paper as well.
Born in New York City, Cherylann has fond memories of visiting and checking out selected storybooks from the Queens Central Library. However, it is the memory of a short story her older brother wrote while in elementary school that moved her to co-author "How the Peacock Got Its Feathers”.
She believes in the transformative power of storytelling - whether teaching young children about self-acceptance through the adventures of a peacock or helping adults recognize and escape harmful relationship patterns. Her background in human development and education informs the stories she writes. She understands how people grow, change and sometimes - despite every opportunity - resist transformation. This understanding shapes narratives that are both compassionate and unflinchingly honest.
Ryan is a freelance illustrator and a graduate of Ringling College of Art & Design in Sarasota, Florida. He has worked on a number of children’s books, one of which he wrote and illustrated himself as well as other numerous advertisings, design and commission works.
To learn more about Ryan and see more of his art, visit trautmannart.wordpress.com/about/
Developed on a whim by U.S. Air Force veteran Basil Robinson, "Basil's Busy Day" was initially intended as humor to describe how he would most likely spend time a particular day off from classes while his wife was at work. With a few adaptations using real life situations and personal experiences, the story evolved into the recounting of a young boy's sincere attempt to balance engaging in fun activities that are of great interest to him with that of taking care of responsibilities that he finds less stimulating.