Announcing: "Pip: A Very Special Little Caterpillar"

(Order from Rebecca Macri Books)

My latest project was illustrating a children's book, Pip: A Very Special Little Caterpillar. Written by Rebecca Macri, this beautifully written story features Pip, a very special little caterpillar, who is based on New Castle, PA's own local hero, Phillip Macri (Rebecca's brother-in-law). It is a children's story of hope, perserverance, and the vastness of a mother's love. Pip the caterpillar learns to face his challenges and his fears with a can-do attitude, hard work and a belief in his own potential, as he realizes that the greatest gift a mother can give to her child is her love.

This 10 x 10, 48-page hard cover book with dust jacket and full color illustrations is a gift to be shared with every mother and child regardless of age.

Pip: A Very Special Little Caterpillar is now available for $16.95 plus tax from Rebecca Macri Books . It will also be distributed by Warren Publishing, Inc., nationwide in selected bookstores and gift shops.

Here is a sample of my illustrations for the book. It was a departure from my usual classical style of realistic painting in oils; these were done with acrylics on paper, and gave me a chance to let my imagination run wild! It was fun gathering pictures of butterflies and caterpillars and sythesizing them into the characters of Pip and his family, and creating the tiny world they inhabited. Immediately below is the cover illustration, showing Pip in his cocoon.

I enjoyed this experience very much. If you like the illustrations and need an artist to complete your book, please contact me here.