After years of painting and teaching watercolor, Diana has begun illustrating the stories she has been writing for children -- it's Picture Book time! Diana is a member of the SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) and HCCWIG (Hunterdon County Children's Writers & Illustrators Group). In the past she has done other illustration work shown in the samples below. Yes, she is available for commissions: please her.

Published Picture Books

The Land of Discards

In a lonely part of a forest, discarded dolls, action figures, and other toys, with broken or missing parts, have created their own happy kingdom. When a bag of tiny kittens, in a garbage bag, is tossed there, the Discards have to free them, get them fed, and eventually go out into the world which had thrown the toys away, to find homes for these kittens. Joy can be found in solving problems and helping others.

The back matter has ideas on creating ones own land of Discards.

           

Escape the Hungry Catfish

Three goldfish in the pond each create houses they think are totally safe. A catfish threatens to destroy their houses and eat them. This fishy take on the three pigs story has the fishes creatively working together toward a surprising happy ending. Back matter on goldfish care, facts about goldfish and catfish, and two drawings for the reader to color are included.

           

The Bears on North Haven

The Bears, Shawn's stuffed animals, have been vacationing with Shawn and his family on North Haven island off the coast of Maine. When Shawn and his family return home, the bears are accidentally left behind, stranded on North Haven. What do they do? How are they saved? Read their story to find out.

           

Jillian's Hats

Jillian likes to think about people who have different occupations. By wearing different hats, she essentially tries out different occupations. From the illustrations the reader sees that things go wrong while experimenting with these occupations, that is, until she tries on a beret. That hat fits best because Jillian is an artist. Young readers will want to try on hats from their own collections as they role play magicians, nurses and doctors, artists, fire fighters, and others.

           

What Do You See?

As a young boy searches for his kitten he finds the tracks made by many animals. Tracks progress from one animal to another. Each animal is portrayed on one page with his tracks and on another page as an outline within which are small images of what that animal sees in his world. As you progress through the book you see how all animals, plants, and humans are related by what they see and do. We are all connected in this world. Young children will especially enjoy teasing out all the different images as they find these relationships. Hopefully children will realize that because we are all connected in this world we should all care for one another. Additional pages have quizzes and a page for the young reader to draw what he sees in his world.

           

Panda Platoon

Panda Platoon, tells the story of Bamboo, a panda who flies to Maui when he needs a change of diet and scenery. He gets a job at Cappy s Juice Bar and Mixed Plates. His boss, Cappy the Maui cardinal, starts Bamboo out on their adventures. Bamboo s first foray leads to rescuing a family of Nene Geese from the hungry mongoose Merwin. With new friends, Bamboo leads in rescuing the defenseless and helping to make Maui clean and green. Finally the Panda Platoon is created, including the Underwater Division.

           

Zorrie Electra... Boo Barn Consultant

Zorrie Electra tells the story of a young witch, who with her creative skills, is able to not only feed her animal friends but help save a farm.

           

Ronnie's Friend Trike

Ronnie's Friend Trike tells of an independent and imaginative boy, Ronnie, who overcomes relative poverty with a recycled tricycle which takes him and his best friend Michael on both real and imagined adventures.

           

Rocking out to Sea

Rocking out to Sea Published in December 2013 is a tale of Laddie, a small boy who lets his imagination take him away to many places, using the Rocking Boat his father made him. Eventuallly Laddie figures out that his little sister Lacey is the perfect choice for sharing these adventures. This publication is unique in that it is read calendar style.

Charlemagne to the Rescue

Charlemagne to the Rescue, Third Place winner in the 3rd ABC's Children's Book Competition has been published! Click on the scroll below to find out how to order.

         

This book can help children build self esteem and adjust to new situations and places.

Read more about Charelmagne at Charlemagne's web site, charlemagnethefish.com

Other Picture Books

The books below are in the process of being illustrated, and manuscripts are constantly being revised. They have not as yet been published, although Diana hopes they will be soon. The books often include fish, cats, and other animals.

Miss Jillian Meets the Seasons

In this book, the first of a series with toddler Miss Jillian, Miss Jillian experiences the seasons in colors, sounds, textures, and close encounters of different kinds. In each watercolor illustration, there is also a photo of one of the objects Miss Jillian sees. Along the way, the child reader will be able to point out various birds, cats, dogs, and butterflies, among other familiar sights.

       

Babies on the Block

is a rollicking board book about the babies on the block. Of different races, these babies live on the block and they certainly enjoy life.

       
           

Raising Dragons Is Tough to Do

Alexander had no idea what he was getting into when he rescued the abandoned nest of eggs.

           

Moeava and He'e, a Hawaiian tale of Friendship

Moeava, a young Hawaiian boy, and He'e, the Day Octopus, form an unusual friendship. Moeava first saves He'e, but then He'e solves Moeava's preschool problems with the help of building blocks and his own cleverness. Together they are unbeatable.

Mele Kanoa - His Own Song

All male humpback whales sing the same song. Or do they? A tale of an individualistic creative Hawaiian humpback.

           

Lucy in the Galapagos

Lucy loves the hat her best friend gave her; it shades her eyes so she can clearly see the animals in the Galapagos. In the heat, it keeps her cool. However, misfortune in the guise of a curious fur seal strikes as the seal takes Lucy s hat. Across the islands travels Lucy s hat, and Lucy is always one step behind. Of course there is a happy ending. We also meet brother Bernie, who is clueless as to his sister s quest, and enjoys the Galapagos in his own way.

    

Catalpa Chases Halloween

A kitten goes on his first big adventure and discovers Halloween.

    

Nutley Wiggens - Frog Extraordinaire

Nutley Wiggens is not like other frogs. He does not want to eat bugs sit on wobbly lily pads, or do other frogly things. Nutley wants to see the world, especially Mystery Pond.

    

The Magic Rabbit

Serena and her younger brother Lenny search for the Magic Rabbit so they can wish on him to bring their daddy home "from war" to be there for Lenny's birthday. Although this story has no miraculous ending, it does bring the children to a happy compromise and realization that all is well in their world.

Out of the Way, Little Deer!

Little Deer learns to stand up for himself against other bullying deer during a winter when the food supply is low.

We Are Not Alike

Aubergine and Ambertina are twins but are struggling to keep their individuality.

Goldilocks Makes Amends

What happens after Goldilocks runs amuck among the bears.

Selma Is a Shepherdess

2000 years ago Selma is a shepherdess among shepherds.

The Mall Walkers

In which we meet a resourceful small girl on a special search.

Early Chapter Book

Andy Finds a Friend

Andy, a colt, overcomes his background of abuse and finds a friend.

Middle Grade Chapter Books

I Guess I Can Live with This

Shawn McNulty, Jr. has a lot on his platter: the first year of middle school, the 8th grade bullies, his mom s pregnancy and the resulting threat to her and the new baby, his new little sister, and last, but most importantly, his dad s brain tumor. How does Shawn manage or adapt to all this? With humor? With his friend Amy s mentoring? With muddling on through? With fumbles here and there, and a few tears as well as laughs, Shawn begins to learn to change what he can change, and live more or less happily with what he can t.

This middle grade novel should be particularly entertaining for boys from 9-13. It will be illustrated by the author in black and white drawings and also by Shawn McNulty himself.

I Missed My Bus		If I Had A Pet Lion
Sixth Grade Is Overwhelming

The Land of the Discards

Welcome to this unusual land - we'll say no more here

The Garden of Teeny Tiny Delights (in graphic novel form)

Join five (toy) bears as they have adventures in a garden.

Button Meets a Hummingbird

First Page

Published

Illustrations for cards for The Art of Game Design by Jesse Schell.

The book
The cards
The tee shirts

Lens of Unification

Lens of Community

Lens of Surprise

New Jersey Festival of Ballooning

Cookbooks

        

Create Your Own Guide to Writing Children's Books