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The Origins of an Idea
Get a behind the scenes look at the beginnings of an idea for a picture book inspired by nature in the city. I was delighted to wake one morning to the noisy going-ons of a mourning dove couple setting up home in my top floor window in the back of the building. Over the first summer of the pandemic I was privileged to watch the development of two families from the same couple and was inspired to write a story about it and how it effected my life and brought a new sense of won

Traci Van Wagoner
May 223 min read
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Good Morning, Mourning Dove
Another picture book creation journey begins where a pair of mourning doves nest in my window, and I pose a question: bars or no bars on the windows?

Traci Van Wagoner
May 152 min read
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Look Out! Boomer is Coming!
Update on the book making process following Boomer's journey from sketches to final book.

Traci Van Wagoner
Mar 14, 20231 min read
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Boomer Update
You are all due an update for Boomer! Time has gotten away from me with so much of my attention at the drawing board with this project,...

Traci Van Wagoner
Dec 1, 20222 min read
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BOOMER Coloring
Let the Painting Begin! The sketches have been approved, and now it’s time for the paint play to start! Splish, splash! I've started with...

Traci Van Wagoner
Sep 6, 20222 min read
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Boomer Character Development
One of the best parts of illustrating children's books is developing the characters that live within those books. I've had a ton of fun...

Traci Van Wagoner
Jun 16, 20221 min read
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A New Picture Book Project
Great news! I'm illustrating another picture book! I'm thrilled to be diving into illustrating a new picture book, Boomer, written by my...

Traci Van Wagoner
May 19, 20221 min read
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New Picture Book on Submission
I apologize for my lack of posting lately. I've been busy, busy painting and creating art for two big games which successfully...

Traci Van Wagoner
Nov 17, 20214 min read
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Hiring an Illustrator for your Children's Book
​I hope this will be helpful to both the authors seeking to hire an illustrator and illustrators working with authors who are...

Traci Van Wagoner
Jun 2, 20214 min read
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