The impish look comes right before the paper shred. Don’t worry Rhythm, the book was saved in the nick of time!
Tail Wagging Bliss
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Category Archives: Picture Books
Percy Wins Book Award!
Gold Medal
Inspiration and Motivation
I can’t even begin to say how excited I am. The more I worked on the art for this book, the more I fell in love with little Percy. It was the first picture book I illustrated, and I feel so blessed to be a part of its making. I worked with two wonderful women, Patricia Schetter, the author and Kandis Lighthall, the educational contributor from ABTA Publications and Products. My illustration group from Make Your Splashes – Make Your Marks was invaluable for critiques and points of illustration wisdom. And of course my wonderful Tim (The Forester Artist) is always encouraging. I just can’t stop smiling!
The ABTA Publications and Products children’s picture book, Percy Learns to Fly, has been awarded the 2013 Gelett Burgess Children’s Book Award for outstanding contributions to children’s literature. A Gold Medal was awarded in Lifestyle: Motivation and Inspiration category.
Author: Patricia Schetter, M.A., B.C.B.A., Woodland, CA
Illustrator: Mary A Livingston (ME :D) Anderson, CA
Educational Contributor: Kandis Lighthall, Redding, CA
Percy Learns to Fly tells a heartwarming story by Patricia Schetter of fitting in while being different. Everyone can see Percy is different. He tries hard to fit in with his friends and do well in school. Join Percy in this heart-warming tale with moments of disappointment, excitement and joy as Percy Learns to Fly.
A page from Percy Learns to Fly
Includes an exceptional Teacher and Parent section with resources.
Hardback ISBN 978-0-9844660-1-6
Paperback ISBN 978-0-9844660-2-3
Here are a couple of websites with the book:
ABTA Publications and Products
also at
redtail.com (discount for the Red Tail site is code BLOG15 edit cart in checkout 😉 )
Meet Percy
I’d like to introduce you to Percy. He’s a love. The poor little penguin is hatched to a pair of gulls. Don’t worry, Percy has heart, lots of heart.
Percy is hatched to a gull family. Character development for Percy Learns to Fly. ABTA Products and Publications. Schetter/Livingston 2013
I met Percy through author/educator Patricia Schetter. Patty is an all around awesome gal who has followed her bliss. She is a Behavior Analyst and Autism Specialist and she teaches fellow educators. You can find out more about Patty here.
Percy Learns to fly was the first book I illustrated. Lucky me! To study for Percy, I went to the San Francisco Zoo and observed the penguins. You see, we don’t have penguins in the wilds of Northern California, so the zoo was pretty much my best option for a hands on look at the movements and behaviors of a penguin.
In Percy Learns to Fly, Percy faces danger.
As I poured over the story and got to know Percy, I fell in love with his personality and strong heart. Percy teaches a lot about persistence and how in the right environment, we too can soar.
So how about you? What’s your environment for bliss?
I’ll have more to post on Percy in the coming days…yes, that’s a tease, so stay tuned!
Mrs. Hatcher comforts Percy after a long day. Percy Learns to Fly
Pursuing Bliss
It’s been a pretty full summer as I have been pursuing bliss. Just over a year ago I signed up for an outstanding online course and critique group over at Make Your Splashes, Make Your Marks. Through this awesome course with Mark Mitchell I connected up with Picture Book Academy.
Growing in bliss is addicting!
One final plug about pursuing bliss, don’t miss Marsha and Mira’s Best Character-Driven Contest!!
Best of luck to you all!
Author’s Day at Lumberjack Fiesta
We had a great time at the 66th Annual Lumberjack Fiesta in McCloud, CA.
Publishing Birdies and Beasts
Replay the Fun
The Forester Artist and I joined Mark Mitchell of
Make Your Splashes, Make Your Marks
You’re Invited to replay the Free Q&A
RECORDED June 20, 2013
Publishing Birdies and Beasts
Down the Vulture Hole
The turkey vulture chicks are about 6.5 weeks old. Most large birds fledge around 10 to 11 weeks. Their chick down is giving way to juvenile feathers. The nest is becoming crowded. Their plumage will gradually shift to dark brown. It will be two years before the skin on their bald heads becomes red.
Previously, the chicks just observed and hissed at the GoPro. This time, they lunged at it so it will be the last visit by the GoPro. Soon they will climb out of the deep cavern they call home and begin living in the upper world.
At 6.5 weeks old the chicks are changing rapidly.
A little camera shy. The red glow is the GoPro record light.
No Place for UGLY Birds – a picture book about turkey vultures.
You may also like:
Wood duck Invades Nest – Ghost Babies Fight Back
Birds of a Different Feather
Eerie Sounds from the Vulture Nest
Vulture Chicks – 3 weeks
Peek-a-boo, We see two…
Turkey Vulture Shift Change
Turkey Vultures Hatched!
Turkey Vulture Rendezvous
Spying on the Vulture Nest
Bigger on the Inside
UGLY Birds Gather
Vulture Turf Wars
Across the Threshold
Turkey Vultures Hatched!
Est. hatch date range: sometime April 15-17. Empty shell pieces indicates hatched chicks.
Happy Hatching!!
Est. hatch date range: sometime April 15-17. Empty shell pieces indicates hatched chicks. the parent is hovering over chick(s). Sorry no images of the chicks, just the empty shells for now. But here is something for you –
Save 15% on No Place for UGLY Birds!
Edit your cart with discount code: 15hatch
Happy Hatching discount code good through 4-22-13.
No Place for UGLY Birds
Shasta Wildlife Rescue – Run for the Wild
On Saturday, April 6, I will be at Shasta Wildlife Rescue for their 13th annual SWRR Run for The Wild held together with the Open House and Baby Shower. At Anderson River Park, in Anderson, CA.
Be sure to see “Sunny” the turkey vulture, their very own Ugly Bird ambassador. Sunny was kind enough to show me how a turkey vulture moved and held itself.
So…if you are in the area, stop on by and say “Hi.”
No Place for UGLY Birds
“UGLY Birds” to Appear at Annual Return of the Buzzards!
Exciting news, especially for those of you in Hinckley, OH. My new picture book, No Place for UGLY Birds, will be available at EarthWords Nature Shop in time for the Annual Return of the Buzzards!
No Place for UGLY Birds
Not in my backyard
Scotty lives in a quiet little valley where not much exciting goes on. That is, until the day his neighbors decide the turkey vultures are too ugly.
No Place for Ugly Birds – An amusing story with unintended consequences.
Story – 763 words
Turkey Vulture Critter Chit-Chatter™ – 278 words
written and illustrated by Mary A Livingston
32 pages, 763 words
Red Tail Publishing
Hard Cover ISBN13: 978-0-9847756-7-5
Soft Cover ISBN13: 978-0-9847756-8-2
Sneaking Bliss 