Jeanne Balsam, a well-known member of the blogging community, has published a charming children’s book about butterflies.
Jeanne has wanted to write and publish her own children’s book for 13 years, and “Where Do Butterflies Go at Night?” is the result of her persistence and passion. It’s beautifully written in rhyming verse and the illustrations are gorgeous. I’ve read it to my resident expert – my 3 year old granddaughter – at bedtime, and she loves the book.
Why butterflies? I asked Jeanne.
“The idea came from what I actually saw outside my own office window – so many cabbage white butterflies on the privet hedge just on the other side of my driveway. As the day went on, they disappeared, yet reappeared in a flourish each morning. I wondered where they went, and then started imagining it through a child’s eyes, and voila!”
Jeanne has operated her own graphic design business for years, providing illustrations for her clients. She also has a line of greeting cards, journals and other products featuring Frenchies (French bulldogs).
Being an illustrator helped her to write the book, as she imagined the pictures as she wrote. But on this project, Jeanne focused on the writing. She worked with Stella Mongodi, another illustrator.
“I actually requested that particular illustrator because I knew she could bring the magic to my words better than my own style of drawing could. I’m very lucky that Stella did the art – she’s excellent.”
The book has been described as “magical” and “dreamy”. Perfect for a bedtime read!
“Where Do Butterflies Go at Night?” is available at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble and: https://bookshop.org/p/books/where-do-butterflies-go-at-night-jeanne-balsam/18077133
Congrats, Jeanne!
Cynthia Reyes 