I can’t believe this is actually, finally, happening, but here it is… PRESENTING:

I wrote this picture book 1800 years ago.

Or, okay more accurately… let’s see… my oldest is 15 and was about 3 at the time, so that makes this story about 12 years old! Oh my, how time does fly.

I’ve changed very little about this story in 12 years.  So, why has it taken so long to get this beauty into actual, hold-able existence?

Illustrations. The necessity of a picture book.

I was working with a friend for years on illustrating Berries for Bruno. She had a great vision for the character and also wanted to see this story in a hold-able, read-aloud-able form. But life sometimes gets in the way, as life is prone to do, and it never quite made it.

But over the years, I’ve held onto hope that Berries for Bruno would be shareable some beautiful day. And that beautiful day arrived with the help of my very talented husband, Mike Dazzo.

Mike is amazing. I’m not even going to soften my brag here. He is able to work with technology in so many different ways. And has come up with some truly pizzazzful creations. Last year, he discovered a hidden talent for AI music when he created an entire album for me for Mother’s Day. He went on to come up with many more unique songs and continues to add to the Artificial Fallacy collection. You can check it out on Spotify HERE, and his music is available on a multitude of other platforms.

So, how does this relate to Berries for Bruno? We’re living in an era where we have the opportunity to leverage AI to create some truly fantastic things. Like illustrations for a certain book that would have forever sat sadly in my laptop, unshared. But it isn’t easy. Working with AI to create characters and scenes that are consistent is a huge challenge. And when those characters are not only unique but also nonhuman–say, bears, for example, that challenge is multiplied.  And, the illustrations also needed to capture the essence of said charming bears.

That’s a tall order!

And that’s where Mike Dazzo comes in with his tech knowledge and creativity. He was able to bring sweet Bruno to life. To bring Bruno’s world to life. To make it possible to share this story–that has been waiting in the wings for over a decade, out into the world.

And release him.

So, without further ado, I present my sweet picture book, BERRIES FOR BRUNO

“Bruno the bear is set in his ways and he knows what he wants. Red berries and trout! But when his familiar foods are nowhere to be found, Bruno is left with a grumbling tummy and a foul mood. Until he meets Bernice, who encourages him to try something new. With a friend by his side, he just might discover that trying something different can be on, so sweet.

With vibrant, whimsical illustrations, this heartwarming tale celebrates friendship, adventure, and the surprises that come with an open mind.”

Available online: Amazon, Bookshop,  Booktopia (Australia) and Barnes and Noble.