Eliza, I am so sorry for your loss. Your love and admiration for your grandmother shines so brightly in your post and on every page of A Home in the Woods, and it's clear that she thought the world of you. Thank you so much for sharing both her story and yours with the world. You and Marvel have touched so many hearts and continue to inspire us all.
I am so sorry to hear your loss, Eliza. I love the book, and I love the beautiful memory you share with Marvel. Thank you for sharing. Sending you lots of love.
We were so sad to hear of Marvel's passing this morning, but oh so grateful we still get to hold her close to our hearts as we read her book. A Home In the Woods is still our favorite picture book. You created something that is mesmerizing, beautiful, heartbreaking, comforting, and joyful all rolled into one. It has made such a lasting impact in our home. You actually have a photo of my 3 kiddos (oldest son, and two little girls) holding the book, wearing their paper crowns, and eating our Home In the Woods dinner by candlelight in our dining room/homeschool room. It is a memory we cherish. Your words & illustrations have inspired my middle daughter particularly. She is now 12 and has self published her own book, Sophie's Pink Balloon, about our dog. Thank you for not giving up on writing and illustrating your book. It will continue to touch lives and inspire future generations.
Oh my, Melissa - how lovely to read this message from you. THANK YOU 💖! Your words make me so fuzzy-hearted. And oh how fun that one of the fan photos here was from YOU! One of my favorites, and Marvel LOVED the photos. I hope it's ok that I shared it here - would they like me to add their names or your family's last name? Yay for your daughter making books!
Eliza, you are more than welcome to use that photo :-) and we are so glad you have already! What great memories it brings to see it. You can certainly add their names: Quinton, Lacey, and Natalie if you'd like. Keep sharing your stories and illustrations. What a gift you are! It was so inspiring to hear how long it actually took to make A Home In the Woods a reality. Talk about perserverance! Could you recommend what paints, brushes, etc. would be helpful for a 12 year old budding illustrator? My daughter, Lacey, would love to know this from you. Thank you once again!
Thank you, Melissa! 🥰 (Names are added to the photo.)
Re: painting materials - I'm not an art teacher so these are just my own thoughts - for new and budding artists (at any age who aren't working professionally), I would look at "Student Grade" paints. If you don't have a local art store to show you their selection, go on DickBlick.com and you'll see this as its own section in whatever type of paint you're looking at. Don't worry about brands at this point - just go for affordability. (You can also use Blick.com to check that a brand's rating is comparable to the others). For watercolors, she can see if she likes pan watercolors or tubes better, or use both for different things (pans are quick and easy, but can't mix large washes of custom colors well - tubes can be a bit higher maintenance). A good starter set would include: a cool yellow (like Hansa), a warm yellow (cadmium yellow), cool red (rose or alizarin crimson), warm red (cadmium red), cool blue (Ultramarine), warm blue (Cerulean), and then Burnt Sienna or Burnt Umber. (Ultramine blue + Burnt Sienna mixed equally make a rich black!). I wouldn't get too fancy with brushes - just buy a small set of different sizes/shapes for watercolors, and a separate small set for acrylics (again, look at student-grade options). The ones she uses most will become the ones to replace more often.
Oh Eliza, my heart goes out to you. What a tender and sad time. I especially loved the photo of Marvel asleep with your book, open on her lap. The love went full circle — her to you and back, and then out to us. It’s more than beautiful. Seems other-worldly. xoxo
This book is such an wonderful tribute to an incredible person. That picture of Marvel with the book is so lovely--and by looking at the pages you can instantly tell how many times she read through it. What a gift! I hope your family is doing well in this time of grieving, a long season in itself.
❤️❤️❤️
I'm sorry for your loss. What a beautiful life.
love Home in the Woods! Thank you for sharing Marvel's story with the world. May she rest in peace.
That's so wonderful to hear, Joanne, thank you!
Such a beautiful remembrance, Eliza. Thanks for sharing Marvel with us. Our hearts go out to you and your family in this time of loss.
Thank you so much, Nancy!! 💖 back to you
Sending all the love to you and your family ❤️ what a special connection to have with Marvel and to celebrate her through this book.
Thank you for the love Jason - it is so very special 💚
Eliza, I am so sorry for your loss. Your love and admiration for your grandmother shines so brightly in your post and on every page of A Home in the Woods, and it's clear that she thought the world of you. Thank you so much for sharing both her story and yours with the world. You and Marvel have touched so many hearts and continue to inspire us all.
Take good care, now and always,
Missy
I really appreciate this, Missy ~ thank you so much! Caring wishes back to you 💖
I am so sorry to hear your loss, Eliza. I love the book, and I love the beautiful memory you share with Marvel. Thank you for sharing. Sending you lots of love.
Thank you dearest Mapes!
Absolutely beautiful post - and book. Much love to you ❤️❤️❤️
Awww, thank you so much, Jacob 💖
We were so sad to hear of Marvel's passing this morning, but oh so grateful we still get to hold her close to our hearts as we read her book. A Home In the Woods is still our favorite picture book. You created something that is mesmerizing, beautiful, heartbreaking, comforting, and joyful all rolled into one. It has made such a lasting impact in our home. You actually have a photo of my 3 kiddos (oldest son, and two little girls) holding the book, wearing their paper crowns, and eating our Home In the Woods dinner by candlelight in our dining room/homeschool room. It is a memory we cherish. Your words & illustrations have inspired my middle daughter particularly. She is now 12 and has self published her own book, Sophie's Pink Balloon, about our dog. Thank you for not giving up on writing and illustrating your book. It will continue to touch lives and inspire future generations.
Love, Melissa and family
Oh my, Melissa - how lovely to read this message from you. THANK YOU 💖! Your words make me so fuzzy-hearted. And oh how fun that one of the fan photos here was from YOU! One of my favorites, and Marvel LOVED the photos. I hope it's ok that I shared it here - would they like me to add their names or your family's last name? Yay for your daughter making books!
Thank you again. 💖
Eliza, you are more than welcome to use that photo :-) and we are so glad you have already! What great memories it brings to see it. You can certainly add their names: Quinton, Lacey, and Natalie if you'd like. Keep sharing your stories and illustrations. What a gift you are! It was so inspiring to hear how long it actually took to make A Home In the Woods a reality. Talk about perserverance! Could you recommend what paints, brushes, etc. would be helpful for a 12 year old budding illustrator? My daughter, Lacey, would love to know this from you. Thank you once again!
Thank you, Melissa! 🥰 (Names are added to the photo.)
Re: painting materials - I'm not an art teacher so these are just my own thoughts - for new and budding artists (at any age who aren't working professionally), I would look at "Student Grade" paints. If you don't have a local art store to show you their selection, go on DickBlick.com and you'll see this as its own section in whatever type of paint you're looking at. Don't worry about brands at this point - just go for affordability. (You can also use Blick.com to check that a brand's rating is comparable to the others). For watercolors, she can see if she likes pan watercolors or tubes better, or use both for different things (pans are quick and easy, but can't mix large washes of custom colors well - tubes can be a bit higher maintenance). A good starter set would include: a cool yellow (like Hansa), a warm yellow (cadmium yellow), cool red (rose or alizarin crimson), warm red (cadmium red), cool blue (Ultramarine), warm blue (Cerulean), and then Burnt Sienna or Burnt Umber. (Ultramine blue + Burnt Sienna mixed equally make a rich black!). I wouldn't get too fancy with brushes - just buy a small set of different sizes/shapes for watercolors, and a separate small set for acrylics (again, look at student-grade options). The ones she uses most will become the ones to replace more often.
Hope that helps!
Oh Eliza, my heart goes out to you. What a tender and sad time. I especially loved the photo of Marvel asleep with your book, open on her lap. The love went full circle — her to you and back, and then out to us. It’s more than beautiful. Seems other-worldly. xoxo
Thank you, sweet K! Isn't that photo just the sweetest? Yes to full circle ❤️🥰. xo back
This is one of my absolute favorite picture books. So many treasures here: the book, Marvel, and you.
This book is such an wonderful tribute to an incredible person. That picture of Marvel with the book is so lovely--and by looking at the pages you can instantly tell how many times she read through it. What a gift! I hope your family is doing well in this time of grieving, a long season in itself.