May 31 Update

May 25:
Today I decided to draw a bluebird on the same page as the blue crab. I decided on the bluebird as I have a lot of fond memories of my Grandmother’s bluebird houses, and while the loud and sassy bluejay has more blue and is often confused for the bluebird, I think the quieter and shyer true bluebirds are a little bit under appreciated despite the fact they’re often mentioned as representatives of happiness in songs and artwork.
I had a lot of fun with the backgrounds as well, and was able to hide the word blue in both the blue crab’s and bluebird’s backgrounds quite well! The bluebird will be perched on a branch above a Rose-of-Sharon in front of some bushes, and the blue crab will be standing among seaweed and reaching up to catch the poem! I am very proud of this page. I think the book is starting to come together!

May 26: As I have decided on a different page layout for the book, I am discarding this page’s layout, getting rid of the headings, and making a better background for the page. I tried to make a nighttime scene for the frog but it the grass makes the frog look out of proportion so I’m probably going to have to scrap that part entirely.

May 31: Today I tried to sketch out as many fun animals as I can, but I ended up focusing in this brilliant fella instead. I’m starting with the Rufous Hummingbird. They’re so shiny! I’ve always had a fascination with hummers after watching my grandmother’s very busy feeder. Living in the Midwest they were all the ruby-throated sort, so imagine my surprise and delight when I found there were many species of the little creatures! Also this particular hummer nests as far north as Alaska. I would never have guessed that. Frankly I’m in absolute awe at these guys migrations and ability to adapt to so many habitats. They’re amazing!