Erin Ulrich -

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This dream has been a long time coming. So long that as I sit here to write about it, I’m almost without words.

Today we introduce a bear cub named Growly to the world. The first installment in our children’s chapter book series, The Growly Books, is just the beginning of a great adventure for the young bear. That’s exactly how I feel today.

For centuries the bears of Haven have lived quiet lives,
high in the mountains at the edge of the great Precipice.
That all changes for a young cub named Growly
when he receives a mysterious message.
With just his backpack and glider, Growly sets out on a
desperate journey to find his grandfather’s long lost friend
. . . and to find a way back home.

The Growly Books: Begin releases today, with paperback and Kindle formats available. Here’s what people are already saying about the book:

“Delightful in every way, Growly is already carving his place into history alongside other classic children’s tales.”
~ Logan Wolfram, Owner of Allume Media and Writer at Life for Dessert

“The very first night I started this book with the boys, it received the highest compliment it can get from them: ‘Keep reading, Mommy!’”
~ Erin Mohring, Co-Founder of The M.O.B. Society and writer at Home with the Boys

“Begin is full of suspense, with surprises around every corner. It’s a great adventure novel that would definitely appeal to the imagination of young readers and younger listeners . . . An excellent choice for a family read-together, with plenty of opportunities for discussion about the choices we make in life and where they lead.”
~ Sara Figueroa, Youth Services Librarian, Indian Valley Public Library, Telford, PA

Sometimes dreams are slow coming. Sometimes the twists and turns along the way leave us wondering where the path will lead. I’m sharing a bit about this at Holley Gerth’s blog today. That post is a little glimpse into some lessons I’ve learned through the journey of following this dream that has become a book.

Will you take a minute to visit The Growly Books website today?
I think you’ll love Growly as much as we do!

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children's book sneak peek - illustration by be small studios

sketch drafts by Annie Barnett

Finding time for creativity in the midst of the day to day is often a challenge for my husband Phil and I. Wait . . . let me rephrase that. Our job requires us to be creative, but finding time for our own creative projects is difficult. By the time we’ve designed for others, we’re usually spent.

It’s worth carving out time
to bring a dream to life.

(tweet this)

That’s exactly what Phil and I have done over the past few months. We’ve been writing our first children’s chapter book. The story came to life in the early morning hours, during stolen daytime moments, and late into the night. Life and work must go on, but when something is truly important and the time is right, so much can be accomplished. We sent the manuscript to the amazing Sandra Peoples, who read our words and showed us how to make them even better.

With the story ready, we knew there was still an important element missing. What children’s book is complete without illustrations?

It’s an odd feeling to entrust your beloved characters to someone in hopes that they will read and see and bring them to life just as they are in your mind’s eye. You write the words, but do they translate clearly to someone else? It’s a huge question. And it was incredible to see how closely Annie of Be Small Studios managed to capture the personality of our characters in her illustrations.

It won’t be long now . . . the book is coming soon. If you’d like to hear more, sign up for the Growly Books email updates below:

You can also find the Growly Books on Facebook!