welcome 2012

 Hugs for a happy 2012!

party animals finger puppets!

Just in time for the holidays, the party animals finger puppets I illustrated for Mudpuppy are now available here. I think they would would make great party favors. I had so much fun working on this project...I love the idea that the child's fingers become the animals' legs. Oscar, my real-life dog-friend, even made the cut! WOOF-WOOF! Can't you tell he's a big party animal?

fallin' in love....again

Every year it's the same. Summer winds down, and I get mopey about saying good-bye to warm weather. I hold on desperately to those last glorious, hot, sunny days. Bare feet. Freckled cheeks. Flowy skirts. Fresh-cut grass. Open windows. Cricket chirps. Firefly nights.

Then, whether I like it or not, fall settles in. And "Oh yeah!",  I remember how much I actually love fall and everything that comes with it. Cool, crisp skies. Low, golden sun. Earthy air. Crunchy hikes. Backyard bonfires. Distant drums of the high school band at half-time. Harvest time. Hay rides. Ohio apple-pickin'. Pumpkin patches. Halloweeeeen! Front-yard-maple red against patches of bright blue.

So today, as I do this time every year, I declare Fall as "my favorite and my best" (as Charlie and Lola would say). Always. Forever. That is, until I see the first snowflake...I'm fickle like that about my seasons.

Wishing all of you a leaf-crunchin', apple-munchin', fall-lovin' weekend.

best fan mail EVER

Earlier this week I was working on finishing up a manuscript to send off to my editor, which is always a bit scary for me since I'm less confident about my writing than I am with my art. Isn't it funny (and wonderful) how affirmations seem to come your way just when you need them to? Perfect, unexpected little surprises that you need in a BIG way are the definition (at least in the unofficial Betsy dictionary) of my favorite word: serendipity.

So, I thought I'd share three-year-old Adler's heartwarming "fan mail" to me. I got this letter via her mom and dad's email. Dictation begins:

I love you, Betsy Snyder.
I love Sweet Dreams Lullaby. I like all the pages.
I have the same quilt from my Bubbe like the rabbit's.

How do you feel?
What books do you like?

I live in Pepper Pike.
I live in northeast Ohio, too.

From Adler

So, how could I resist? I immediately wrote back:

Please tell Adler:

Thank you, Adler Indiana.
I LOVE that you love my book!
I also have a quilt, one that my mother made for me. The bunny in the book looks like my pet bunny Lu-Lu.

I feel happy that you wrote me a letter. And I feel hungry because it's time for dinner.
I like books about animals and nature and friends the best.

I live in an old house.
I live in northeast Ohio, too!

From your book buddy Betsy

Thank you, Adler. This was just the motivation and reminder I needed.

kindle surprise!

So, I got a fun surprise call from my friend Megan yesterday morning. She was all excited to tell me she saw my book Sweet Dreams Lullaby in the new Kindle Fire promo video on Amazon.com. WHAT?!?!!!! WOO-HOO!!! I had no idea! Now that was fun news to get on a cold, rainy Saturday morning.

You can view the video here, or as an attachment below. Look for the book cover at 1:03 min. and 2 interior spreads at 1:15 min.

peaceable kingdom featured artist

Thanks to Peaceable Kingdom Press for choosing me as their current "featured artist". What a great group of creative peeps to work with!

tons of trucks! sneak peak

Just a little announcement to let you know my next illustrated book, Tons of Trucks, by Sue Fliess, comes out July 2012. It seems so far away, but I know it will be here before I know it. Book description reads:

Preschoolers meet many different, useful vehicles and the adorable animals who drive them in this playfully rhythmic tour of trucks. Presented in the same successful format of Matthew Van Fleet's Tails, bright colors, touchable textures, shiny metallic paper, and moving parts are a feast for little ones' eyes and fingers. Like the sweet animal characters who drive them, kids are sure to shout "We love all trucks!"

It's not available for pre-order just yet, but should be soon, via Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Amazon, or your favorite bookstore. I had so much fun illustrating this interactive book and have definitely developed a new life-long appreciation for trucks!