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What do fairies do all day?
Do they work?
Do they play?
For children with innocence enough to believe, these are vital questions. “What Do Fairies Do All Day?” the first book from Purple Tree Publications, taps into a child’s curiosity with whimsical images, illustrated by local Grayslake artist and mother of two, Jaime Stokes Johnson.
Lake County Mom Illustrates New Fairy Book
Jaime, a former Biologist, turned Stay-At-Home-Mom, has been drawing since she was two years old. An Idaho native, her work has been featured in the Boise Weekly, a nationally juried art show, multiple auctions, and commissioned works. Despite her prolific work and love of illustration, she has no formal training. “I never pursued it but always wanted to,” said Jaime about an artistic career, “I made the decision to stay home to raise a family, and now that the kids are older, I have the time and energy to do what I’ve always wanted to do.”
Luckily, the opportunity to illustrate a children’s book is something that just fell into Jaime’s lap. After chatting with her cousin, author Jessica Lindstrom, she learned Jessica had the desire to publish a children’s book, but could never find an artist who could fulfill her vision. “I sent her some drawings and she liked them.” Hence these two cousins and moms gave birth to a new endeavor, a children’s fairy book.
Jaime’s drawings for “What Do Fairies Do All Day?” were inspired by the text. “I saw the drawings in my head,” she reports, “I started looking at the art in children’s books and started remembering what I liked about them as a child.” Certainly, being the mom of 6-year old and 4-year old daughters gives Jaime an added bit of insight.
It means a lot for Jaime to be able to showcase her work in this kind of forum, “It’s been huge. A lot of people will see my stuff more than ever before. It’s a very vulnerable position to be in, but I’m open to the vulnerability.
Purple Tree Publications has more books planned in the same vein including books for slightly older readers. “What Do Fairies Do All Day?” is ideal for early readers ages 3 to 7 and is available for purchase on Amazon.
You can own some of Jaime’s work off the bookshelf too. Her illustrations are available on both custom invitations as well as commissioned illustrations. I have personally commissioned work from Jaime myself. She was able to fulfill my son’s fantasy of turning into a “Superhero Robot.”
While Jaime’s work is capable of speaking to the hearts of children, she is in no way limited. Her pen wields a wide stroke and the breadth of her work is as vast as her talent.
To see more of Jaime’s work and to contact her for commissions or freelance illustration, connect with her on the Jaime Stokes Johnson Community Facebook page.
Find “What Do Fairies Do All Day?” available for purchase on Amazon.
Find more book suggestions on our Bookshelf!
Meet other local businesses that are MADE in Lake County!
By Loralie
Hainesville
When Loralie isn’t out exploring with her two pint-sized adventurers you’ll often find her in front of her computer plotting to take over the world (or at least Lake County.) She appreciates good friends, good food, expensive shoes and parents who make two lanes in the drop-off/pick-up line at school. Her spirit animal is The Hobbit. She invites you to join her on her quest for unique distractions, diversions and deliciousness in this county we call home.
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