I don't really care what
YOU think. I'm the author
of this book. You're the
illustrator. That means I'm
in charge of what happens,
and you draw whatever I
tell you. So if I say Chloe
found a birthday present on
the ground..."
"Whose book is this?" is the question asked so that the owner might identify it for anyone wanting to read it, too. We meet Mac on the title page, then Adam on the acknowledgements page, and finally Chloe...the star of the book!
Chloe is one of those characters who are so interesting, you can't help but start asking yourself questions about her. How does she know just where to find loose change, and how did she get so much? Why only the merry-go-round? Whoa, wait a minute...get on with the story!
Because of the abundance of loose change this week, Chloe is able to ride the merry-go-round until she's dizzy and unable to find her way home through the forest. In Mac's version of the story HE is telling, Chloe meets up with a lion while lost. Adam draws a dragon, so much cooler. Mac is put off. After all, he's the writer and he has creative license for the trajectory of HIS story. Adam's irreverent behavior concerning the accompanying illustrations ticks Mac off. A new artist is quickly hired.
With Hank Blowfeather as the talented new illustrator; the story can begin again! Chloe has indeed been startled by a lion; not as startled as Adam who becomes its next meal. The lion is not as scary as one might expect, and Mac asks Hank for a more fearsome feline. Could he make him look more like Adam would draw him? Nope!
A second artist is now without work and Mac becomes both author and illustrator. It's a big mistake! He admits defeat, is about to give up; then, a poorly drawn Chloe tries to clarify the situation. Don't they all have an important role to play in getting the story told?
A phone call, a request, a most sincere apology and a search for help in getting Adam out of the lion is the culmination of this hilarious story that will make readers and listeners laugh out loud, while also making them think about the evolution of a book through cooperation and the creativity of both artist and author. They are sure to love the banter, Chloe's attempts to get them back to the task at hand, and the 'all characters on stage' ending.
This is collaboration at its finest. They are a star team. Now, please take the time to go to the following link and see them in action:
"http://www.youtube.com/embed/m-QLaSrYl1o"
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