Ellie Makes A Friend

I made a living creating art for going on 40 years.  As a graphic designer, illustrator and cartoonist I’ve learned that when it comes to cartoons adding lots of details doesn't necessarily make good illustrations.

A good cartoonist learns to refine their art and to break down illustrations to their core.  Drawing simple cartoons is an art.  Note I said ‘simple’ and not ‘amateurish‘.

Too often children's books will be illustrated by individuals that make their drawings too childish and crude.  Drawing like a child detracts from any story.

A good children's book illustrator has learned to minimize their art while still retaining interesting characters and locales. 

It’s not easy.  Ask any minimalist artist.

Artist and writer Mike Wu has successfully honed his craft down to its bare bones with just enough text and delightful illustrations using ink and watercolor to tell the tale of Ellie the artistic elephant.

In Ellie Makes A Friend a new animal joins Ellie and friends at the zoo.  Named Ping the panda, she is a talented artist.

At first Ellie is jealous but as she gets to know Ping she comes to appreciate her artwork.  She also realizes how much alike they are.

Soon Ellie and Ping become friends and learn from and appreciate each other. 

Ellie Makes A Friend is a delightful tale of making friends and opening oneself up to other possibilities. Look for other Ellie books by Mike Wu and Disney/Hyperion.