Book Process: Character Development Part 1
I’m so excited to introduce you to the characters in my upcoming picture book, Where Do Stories Live?. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how one of them came to life.
This book comes out on May 5, 2026 with Kokila Books/Penguin Kids, and is available to preorder at your local indie bookstore and wherever books are sold. Learn about exclusive preorder extras with Wild Rumpus Bookstore here!
PREORDER WITH PERKS FROM WILD RUMPUS HERE
This is Anvi. She is one of the sisters who we go on a journey with in this story. Avni is a collector, keen observer, and big sister.
She loves to . . .
collect leaves (especially ones with faces)
be a helper
play with dogs (especially Idli and Pancake)
draw
help cook dinner
spot bunnies
visit her Masi (aunt)
dig her hands into dirt
learn about lifecycles
run her finger over smooth stones
seek stories.
This is the kind of leaf with a face that Avni especially loves:
These are some of my early sketches of Avni. You can see how they progressed from the messy pages of my sketchbook to refined sketches to a final painting.
Where Do Stories Live? arrives on May 5th and is available to preorder at your local indie bookstore and wherever books are sold. Learn about exclusive preorder extras with Wild Rumpus Books here!
