27 Aug 2025 2 min read

Color Me Thrilled

Closeup of the best ride EVER.

Hello, dear readers!

Another lovely review of Seven Ways Through the Woods came in, and Booklist is a fan:

Light-drenched digital spreads in saturated colors layer dappled foliage, glittering rivers, and charming pockets of detail with cinematic flair...

and

An imaginative exploration of self-direction, this debut picture book from the seasoned middle-grade author invites curious readers to savor the possibilities in stepping off the path.

Hooray! The full review will be out September 1st.

And please remember that the book will now be published on September 16th (not the 9th, as previously announced), and that every pre-order gives a griffin its wings. 🦅🦁🪽

The cover of the book "Seven Ways Through the Woods" by Jenn Reese and Devin Elle Kurtz. A young kid with a red coat and mischievous expression stands before a forest. The shadow of a griffin flies in its depths. — Pre-order, I dare you!

Surprise Coloring Page

The Greenwillow team surprised me with this lovely coloring page based on one of the spreads in the picture book, and now I'm sharing it with you. If you (or anyone you know) does have some fun with this, please send me a picture! I would love to see what you come up with.

ColoringSheet_7Ways

Art by Devin Elle Kurtz

ColoringSheet_7Ways.jpg

5 MB

Local Art Sale

In non-writing news, I recently participated in a community art sale to benefit the Multnomah Arts Center. I sold prints, cards, stickers, and some miscellaneous sculptures that I needed to get out of my house.

Half of a circular table jam-packed with stacks of art prints in bright mats, cards hanging from wire shelves, and a tray with stickers. — I've got a lot of stuff crammed onto that little table!

I love working this fair because you cannot work at your own booth. I don't have to awkwardly try to sell my own art, I can enthusiastically sell other artists' creations. I really love seeing the crowds ooh and aah over hand-made treasures.

OOTD

Most people post a photo for "Outfit of the Day," but you're getting a watercolor doodle. I acquired some tremendously baggie jeans and paired them with an oversized hoodie to create this incredibly comfortable "walking hug" ensemble.

A pen-and-ink doodle of a person (me!) wearing baggie jeans and a hoodie. It's very silly. — That's my hair on a good day.

Whenever you want to picture me, please picture me wearing this. (You'll be correct more often than not.)

Thanks for reading,

Jenn