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5 Stars Desert Baths Darcy Pattison Kathleen Rietz Syvan Dell Publishing 32 Pages      Ages 4 to 8 ………………….. Inside Jacket: As the sun and the moon travel across the sky, learn how twelve different desert animals face the difficulty of stay clean in a dray and parched land. Explore the desert habitat through its animals [...]

……………………… Kathleen Rietz Illustrator, Desert Baths with author Darcy Pattison ……………….. Please welcome to Kid Lit Reviews a prolific children’s book illustrator and fine artist Kathleen Rietz. She is here to chat with us about herself and her new book with Darcy Pattison titled Desert Baths. Hi, Kathleen, let’s start off with what first interested [...]

You can now join the "Champ's Story: Dogs Get Cancer Too!" fan page on Facebook.  Just click HERE, and the click the "Like" button at the top of the fan page.  Post your stories about the book, photos of your child reading the book, your own stories about how cancer has touched the life of you, your child or a pet.  I hope you enjoy this new way to interact with the publisher, author Sherry North, illustrator (me), and other fans of the book.

I have received such an overwhelming response ever since the release of my new book "Champ's Story: Dogs Get Cancer Too!", I can barely keep up. I wanted to share with you this customer review I saw posted at Amazon.com today. It made my day:
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This review is from: Champ's Story: Dogs Get Cancer Too! (Hardcover)
I do wish there were more books of this ilk and this quality available for children.

For adults, "cancer" has become one of the most terrifying words in our language. Most adults have some understanding of this disease, and after the initial shock of the diagnosis, can rely on knowledge, maturity and practiced emotions to deal with it...on some level at least. Children on the other hand know from a very early age that fear is involved but so often do not know why. They not only have fear of something they know is "not good," but they also have a fear of the unknown, which is indeed just as traumatic.

The author, Sherry North has used the story of a young boy and his beloved pet dog to inform the younger set just what it is they are dealing with when cancer; either of a family member, loved one, friend or pet, enters their life.

Cody and his pet Champ are preparing for an agility show and Champ is running through her paces. While petting Champ, Cody discovers a lump on her side. Cody makes a good choice in telling Champ she needs to see a doctor. Cody knows there is something wrong.

The author and illustrator, Kathleen Rietz then take us upon a journey; a journey of a victim of cancer. From the visit to the doctor's office, testing and on to the diagnosis of cancer and the treatment, the reader follows step by step. The child learns what to expect and when to expect it. The young boy shows the typical emotions of a child in this situation; shares his thoughts with his friends, and above all, becomes Champ's caregiver. You can see the care and love radiating out form the illustrations and words.

The author has used straight forward simply language to tell a complex story. Her tone is matter of fact but extremely tender, loving and understanding throughout the entire work. There is nothing scary or heart wrenchingly sad about the story; it just explains in a very understandable way what a child might well face. Information will quite often take away a lot of fear and the author certainly supplies quite a lot of good and valid facts in a relatively short book. Truthfully, I was amazed at just how much information she was able to pack into so few pages.

The last four pages of the book are sort of a "cancer fact primer" for adults to use in teaching children of this subject. Facts are given so that the reader can understand just what cancer is, how it is treated, fact and fiction surrounding this disease, coping with cancer and chemo and a page on what you can do to prevent cancer as you grow up.

The art work in this book by Kathleen Rietz is extremely well executed. Each of the frames, which cover two pages each, are done in mellow and soothing colors. Each illustration fits the text perfectly. The artist has captured the mood of each picture perfectly on the face of the dog without overly anthropomorphizing her subject...I like this...it adds much to the overall message of the book. This is a very skillful writer and skillful artist that have teamed up here!

This is an ideal work to be used in a classroom. Giving children knowledge of this disease before he or she has to actually face it, as many, many will, gives them a bit of a head start in the process of learning to deal with the many issues they will be faced.

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks

Hi Picture Bookies! This morning, as I work on my 4th picture book in less than 2 years, I am thinking back on my other books and my career as a children's book illustrator, and my favorite "stand-out" moments. As you may relate, illustrating a children's book is not a job as much as a journey. As artists, we give ourselves as we give our art, and lend our talents to a story in a way that is unique from any other artist.

So as I am reminiscing, certain "stand-out" moments come to mind, moments I am proud of or made me especially happy to be a picture book illustrator.

One of those moments was when I finished "The ABCs of yoga for Kids" and flew to CA for 2 book signings and a school visit. I was so proud! I felt as though I had accomplished something. Kids have been amazingly receptive to the book, and it has won 6 awards now. Every time I have ever handed the book to a child - even a child who is not old enough to read - I see them delight in trying out the poses they see illustrated in my book. they love pretending that they are frogs, dolphins, warriors...and I feel my job is done! You see, I grew up in a chaotic environment, and my "safe place" was found in the pages of my favorite children's book illustrations. Even before I could read, the pictures inside books sucked me in. I remember "The Ugly Duckling" and "The Patchwork Elephant" were two books that deeply engaged me and helped the world make sense to me. I don't know that "The ABCs of yoga for Kids" has the same exact meaning for kids that my favorite books meant to me as a kid, but in this age of video games, electronic over-stimulation and texting, I think that any book that can evoke a kid play an active role in "pretending" is accomplishing something grand! I am so grateful I was chosen to be a part of that experience.

The other "stand-out" moments for me have been choosing the people to whom I want to dedicate my books. That is an important decision, I think, a chance to publicly thank and acknowledge the people who have propelled me toward where I am today, played an important part in my past or my present, or offered support and guidance. I dedicated "Little Black Ant on Park Street" to my mother, who gave me a love for art, nature and God. I would not be the artist I am today if not for her influence.

What are your "stand-out" moments as a children's book illustrator?

Last week I received my first copy of my latest illustrated children's book "Champ's Story: Dogs Get Cancer Too!", by Sylvan Dell Publishing, written by Sherry North. The book is due to be released this August.

It's such a great feeling holding a new book in my hand. It always brings back memories of all of the hard work that goes into illustrating a children's book.


I dedicated the book to my dog, Sunshine. :)

I finally received my first sample copy of my newly illustrated book "Little Black Ant on Park Street" from Soundprints the other day.


Then I found this great review...Click here to read it!

I am giving away one FREE "The ABCs of Yoga fr Kids" coloring book at my children's illustration blog! Go there for instructions on how to win.



Also check out the cover artwork for my latest book "Champ's Story: Dogs Get Cancer Too". The book will be published in 2010 by Sylvan Dell Publishing. They have been wonderful to work with!



There are many new updates at my website as well.

After several delays, the new release date for my illustrated book "Little Black Ant on Park Street" (Soundprints Publishing) is December 2009. I took these photos of the spreads with a pocket camera, and will repost them when I get actually high quality scans. But I was so excited I just had to show you now! It was hard to choose only 2 spreads from the book, but I cannot give away the story. So until December, this will have to satisfy!

Because of the success of the book "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids", this accompanying poster is being released. I believe it will be sold through the official website, as well as Amazon.com. It is meant to be used as a fun poster for kids to hang on their walls, as well as an instructional tool for yoga studios.

Watch for more info on an upcoming "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids" coloring book as well.

© Kathleen Rietz
As you celebrate Independence Day 2009, please remember our soldiers and their families who miss them.

I was invited by Timber Trails Elementary School in Hoffman Estates, IL, to read and demonstrate yoga poses from my latest illustrated book "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids". We had a great time! The book was a big hit. I was later informed that one little girl went home and immediately told her mom "We have to order this book, Mom!"

I am delighted to announce that my latest illustrated children's book "The ABC's of Yoga for Kids" has been awarded a silver medal in the category of Yoga/Pilates by Living Now Book Awards. Yay!

I will be reading from "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids" and demonstrating yoga poses with a group of first graders at a local school here in Illinois this Wednesday as the school celebrates Literacy Week.

My current book illustration project, "Little Black Ant at Park Street", should wrap up by the end of May, and I am looking forward to getting back to new projects and blogging again. I miss you all!

Hi Everyone! The time has finally come - I will be flying out to California in just a few short days to attend two book signings for my new illustrated children's book "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids". One of the signings is at 6:30 Friday evening at Village Books in Pacific Palisades. They will be hosting a kids' pajama party and author Teresa Power and I will be demonstrating yoga poses with the kids and reading from the book. This event is open to the public, so come on out! I would love to meet you!

Sorry I have not bee around much in Boggerland lately. I am so busy with my books - I guess we all have been through this. I want to especially thank Bron Smith for his willingness to tell me what he knows about school visits and all of the other wonderful wisdom he imparted on me. He is truly one of the nicest people I have "met" while blogging!

Congrats to everyone on your latest successes. I do not always have time to comment, but I do read each post via my email.

Happy New Year, Picture Bookies! Why not check out my latest article for The Prairie Wind, the SCBWI-IL's online newsletter. The article is called "Artist's Agents, 101", where I share with readers the basics of what an artist's agent's job is, and what they can do for you.


I wish everyone a Happy, Healthy and Successful New Year!

© Kathleen Rietz
I just wanted to say thank you to all of the Picture Bookies for allowing me to be a part of this group for another fun year. I hope we all have great projects awaiting us in 2009! It's been fun to see you all grow in your craft. Cheers!

I just received this little sneak preview from Teresa Anne Power, author of "The ABC's of Yoga for Kids"! It is so exciting to see the cover of the book now. It makes it seem all the more real to me....even though I still have so many of the illustrations yet to finish before the book can be published! Watch for more details on how you can pre-order the book in upcoming weeks.

©Kathleen Rietz
Prints and notecards of my illustration "Happy Halloween" are now available and on sale through the month of October at my online shop!

I rarely post any of my design work here, but since I am adding these to my surface design portfolio on my website, I thought I might give you a taste.
Yep, I do a little of everything.

©Kathleen Rietz
©Kathleen Rietz
Great News! 8"X10" prints are now available for "Sea Princess" and "Happy Halloween". All prints are signed and printed on 5 star archival quality matte paper with archival inks, shipped in a protective sleeve. For a limited time, they are available for $20 USD each. More designs will be made available in the future, but for now I am debuting my 2 most popular illustrations.

©Kathleen Rietz
Only 3 studies of one character instead of 4...but I always liked how this turned out and wanted to show it.

©Kathleen Rietz