A 'Garden of Smiles': Young illustrator, author collaborate on new book
Columbia Falls resident Kelly Potter describes herself as a “freak about Dr. Seuss,” and would love to be called the new Dr. Seuss.
Potter and her second cousin Ava Hall of Somers recently self-published a children’s book, “The Garden of Smiles,” that tells of a place that can only be visited in a dream. This imaginative place is in the clouds where a ticklish moose, rainbow fish and friendly trees live.
It took them two years to take the book from start to finish. Potter, who worked in early childhood education for more than 15 years, wrote the story in only two days. Yet she struggled with the illustrations for her story until she realized they needed the creativity of a child. Hall, who is now 10 years old, has a natural talent to draw and especially loves using colored pencils. The fourth-grader has taken many art classes including several at the Hockaday Museum of Art where she recently won an award for her artwork. She also takes piano lessons and will do cross country this spring.
In January 2014, Potter asked her cousin to do the illustrations. Hall imagined all the characters including a little girl with two blonde braids. Potter recalled crying when she saw the girl, because she didn’t realize her story had a character. Hall sees the story from a totally different perspective, Potter said. Most of the illustrations were completed over spring and summer break. Potter copied the originals, touched them up with colored pencils staying true to Hall’s colors, and placed them on a background of torn scrapbook paper. There were only about three characters that Hall had to redraw to fit what Potter wanted.
They are planning to have book signings in Columbia Falls, Kalispell and at Hall’s school in Somers. The cousins said they are both nervous to share the book with others, but they said being together will make it easier. Potter has lived here since she was a child. Her parents are Roger and Kathy Beck.
Potter’s long-term goal is to become a Scholastic author. She grew up loving Scholastic books and has always wanted to write children’s books. Since this is her first book, Potter didn’t have any idea how to do any of it and didn’t have anyone nearby who could help her. Early on, she went to an author group in the valley, which only had novelists and nonfiction writers, the group didn’t know how to help a children’s writer. So she went to the Internet. She used YouTube to learn most of what she needed, but she had to get professional help to layout the book pages.
A lot of people’s help went into the book, Potter said. About 10 people read the story, although most of them had a hard time being honest. She is thankful that one of her readers caught that one of the pages was missing a flea. Hand-making the book was also a challenge. She ran out of scrapbook paper for the backgrounds at 3 a.m., which sent her running to the craft store hoping to find matching paper. Potter is busy with her day job, daycare for two toddlers and her 14-month-old grandson, so her most creative time is usually at night.
Their next book, “The Great Candy Castle,” is already written and ready to be illustrated.
Hall can’t wait to get started again.
Her artistic ability runs in the family. Her dad, Darren Hall, creates replica grand prix race car engine covers. Hall recalled that her dad helped with some of the more advanced drawing techniques such as making gummy bears look translucent and using complementary colors. The story’s imagery, twisted worms and a rolling mountain of marbles, also challenged her.
The “Garden of Smiles” is available on Amazon for $10.99 or contact Potter at potterhousepublishing@gmail.com to obtain an autographed copy.
People can also like “The Garden of Smiles” Facebook page to learn more or email Potter to join the mailing list.