Other Children's Picture Books Illustrated by KC Snider
The Magic Violin, Does Heaven Get Mail?, Alley Cat, Andy and the Albino Horse, Andy and Spirit Go to the Fair, Andy and Spirit in the Big Rescue, Andy and Spirit Meet the Rodeo Queen, The Adventures of Andy and Spirit, Book 1, The Christmas Angel, One Family's Christmas, RV Mouse, Preston the Not-So-Perfect Pig, Cartwheel Annie, Ruthie and the Hippo's Fat Behind, The Golden Pathway, A Short Tale About a Long Tail, Katie Didn't, A Star in the Night, Fredrico the Mouse Violinist, I Don't Want a Haircut, Baby Jesus is Missing, Monster Maddie, Stilts the Stork, What is that Thing?, The Milk Horse, Cowboy James, Get Your Manners Out of Your Pocket, God Loves You Whoever You Are. Coming Soon: The Town of Masquerade, Andy and Spirit in Search and Rescue.
About The Author
Mary Jean Kelso is an award-winning (Best Spot News 2008 Award from The Nevada Press Assoc. and Best Spot News 2009 from The National Press Association)) multi-genre' author who has written for many newspapers and magazines throughout her life besides writing Young Adult novels, Historical Romances for adults and Childrens Picture Books. She also worked as an Editor for pharmaceutical magazines and as a Customer Services Representative for a Raytheon Company. Mary Jean started writing as a young child when her father acquired what would, now, be called an antique typewriter and moved forward with newer and better equipment until electric typewriters came into being and got in on the beginning of word processors and computers. Because of the family history, which Mary Jean is deeply interested in, her adult novels have mostly been set in the time of Cowboys and Indians. She is the great-great-grandaughter of Catherine McCucheon Jennings who led the settlers on the Runaway Scrape after Mary Jean's great-great-grandfather, Gordon C. Jennings, was killed at the Alamo. Her great-grandfather, Samuel Jennings, was a Texas Ranger. Because of a generous supply of historical figures on both sides of her family, Mary Jean has felt it extremly valuable to introduce young people to history and geneaology. So, you will see this in historic settings in her books. She works hard to be true to factual places and happenings even though writing fiction. "If you know where you come from, perhaps you can figure out where you are going or why you are trying to get there," Mary Jean says. Mary Jean has just had six more contracts signed. Mary Jean has completed the fifth and sixth Andy books that follow Andy and Spirit in the Big Rescue and Andy and Spirit Meet the Rodeo Queen. The latest will be Andy and Spirit Go on a Day Count and Andy and Spirit in Search and Rescue and Andy and Spirit Ride a Train. She is now hard at work on number 8. The 4th in ithe Andy and Spirit series, Andy and Spirit Meet the Rodeo Queen, recently released. RV Mouse released in March 2010. Knowing that the Andy stories are appropriate for older children, Guardian Angel Publishing released the first four Andy books as a Tween book as The Adventures of Andy and Spirit, Book 1.
Cowboy James, the story about a little boy in Pee Wee Rodeo released in August 2011. It is Mary Jean's first hardcover book and is available in all formats.
The next adventue of Andy and Spirit -- Andy and Spirit in Search and Rescue is soon to be on KC's drawing board. It is a story about a dog that has been dumped and needs rescued. Andy, Spirit and Tracy go in search of her and then must figure out why she keeps running back to where they found her. The exciting news about these the book is that it will also be available in both hardback and soft cover as well as a varitey of digital formats.
KC and Mary Jean hope you enjoy the stories and adventures Andy and Spirit have together. For a wonderful song about the two of them, look for "Heroes" by Janie Robinson. Listen to a preview at www.myspace.com/janiejazzgirl
Cowboy James, the story about a little boy in Pee Wee Rodeo released in August 2011. It is Mary Jean's first hardcover book and is available in all formats.
The next adventue of Andy and Spirit -- Andy and Spirit in Search and Rescue is soon to be on KC's drawing board. It is a story about a dog that has been dumped and needs rescued. Andy, Spirit and Tracy go in search of her and then must figure out why she keeps running back to where they found her. The exciting news about these the book is that it will also be available in both hardback and soft cover as well as a varitey of digital formats.
KC and Mary Jean hope you enjoy the stories and adventures Andy and Spirit have together. For a wonderful song about the two of them, look for "Heroes" by Janie Robinson. Listen to a preview at www.myspace.com/janiejazzgirl
About The Illustrator
- KC Snider
- KC is an honors graduate of The Eugene School for Art. Her love of the western life and of wildlife has been developed since her youth, with her natural talent for drawing and color exhibited since she was ten years old. Originally specializing in Western Art, KC now has a collection of oil paintings, lithographs, and pencil drawings that include portraits of the All-American Cowboy and Cowgirl and their lifestyles of days gone by. KC had planned to become an illustrator when she was in art school, but when circumstances intervened, she turned to fine art as an outlet to express herself. However, KC has always considered her work to be a form of illustration because even her paintings “tell a story.” In 2007, KC illustrated two children’s books, The Christmas Angel, with author Mary Jean Kelso and The Magic Violin, with Mayra Calvani. Both books are published by Guardian Angel Publishing and are also available as an e-Book. She has now finished illustrations for the first book in a series about an albino horse named “Spirit” and the special children who get to know her. Andy and the Albino Horse was published in April 2008 by Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
2012 BOOK SIGNINGS AND AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR EVENTS
FRIDAY MARCH 9, 2012 - 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
KC will be showing her Western fine art and signing books at the LIONS Convention at Eagle Crest in the Juniper 2 room.
SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2012 - 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Mary Jean will be signing books at ART PAWS at McKinley Arts & Cultural Center Outdoor Arena at Keystone & Riverside Drive, Reno, NV.
KC will be showing her Western fine art and signing books at the LIONS Convention at Eagle Crest in the Juniper 2 room.
SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2012 - 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Mary Jean will be signing books at ART PAWS at McKinley Arts & Cultural Center Outdoor Arena at Keystone & Riverside Drive, Reno, NV.
Society of Childrens Book Writers and Illustrators
KC is proud to announce that she is now a member of the Society of Childrens Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).
What Inspired Writing this Series from Mary Jean
Inspiration for the Andy series came about from one of K.C.s paintings.
When we did the signing for The Christmas Angel at The Western Art Roundup in Winnemucca last year, I saw the painting K.C. had done of a horse with crooked ears. On the drive home that night I kept thinking about horses with disabilities and knew I had to write something along that line.
I tried to think of some other flaw a horse might have that would make it be rejected by the herd. One morning the minute I woke up the word "albino" popped into my head.
Writing is a logical process for me. One sentence leads to another and another. I had no idea I was going to write about a therapy horse and a boy with disabilities but the two seemed to come together naturally since they both had physical problems and both were targets to be bullied--the boy by a classmate and the horse by the other horses.
I planned to write only one book about Andy and the Albino Horse but K.C. verbally "sold" the idea to the publisher and when she read the first book she informed me she would send a contract for it but as a series. So, we have a basically open-ended contract for however many books I write with Andy and Spirit that the publisher likes. As long as the readers enjoy the books we'll try to keep them coming.
For me the fun is the creative process when I am getting the surprises as I write just like the reader gets them when they read.
When we did the signing for The Christmas Angel at The Western Art Roundup in Winnemucca last year, I saw the painting K.C. had done of a horse with crooked ears. On the drive home that night I kept thinking about horses with disabilities and knew I had to write something along that line.
I tried to think of some other flaw a horse might have that would make it be rejected by the herd. One morning the minute I woke up the word "albino" popped into my head.
Writing is a logical process for me. One sentence leads to another and another. I had no idea I was going to write about a therapy horse and a boy with disabilities but the two seemed to come together naturally since they both had physical problems and both were targets to be bullied--the boy by a classmate and the horse by the other horses.
I planned to write only one book about Andy and the Albino Horse but K.C. verbally "sold" the idea to the publisher and when she read the first book she informed me she would send a contract for it but as a series. So, we have a basically open-ended contract for however many books I write with Andy and Spirit that the publisher likes. As long as the readers enjoy the books we'll try to keep them coming.
For me the fun is the creative process when I am getting the surprises as I write just like the reader gets them when they read.
Andy and Spirit -- Two Years Out
As K.C. and I prepare to head for Winnemucca, NV for this year's Western Art Roundup it seems appropriate to update you on what has transpired in this two year journey with Andy and Spirit.
In 2007 the very germ of a story idea began to form after Mary Jean left the book signing she and K.C. had done to launch their first children's picture book through Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. Their first book project together The Christmas Angel had recently been released. With K.C. artwork on display, it seemed like a natural place to introduce the new adventure.
During the day, one of K.C.'s paintings inspired Mary Jean to write a story about a horse.
"I couldn't get the image of that horse K.C. had painted out of my head as I was driving back home after dark on I-80 with nothing but freeway for two hours." Determined to write one book about a horse with a disadvantage, Mary Jean turned the idea over and over trying to figure out how this one piece could fit into a full story. Because the horse had to have a human, Andy came into the picture and the rest is history, as they say.
K.C. "pitched" the idea of the Andy series to Lynda Burch and thus Andy and Spirit will have adventures as long as Mary Jean can come up with new ideas. There are three books in the series in the "pipeline" and more to be written.
Now, preparing for the next book signing at the Western Art Roundup and looking back, Mary Jean and K.C. have seen five of their books in print, One about to release (The RV Mouse) and the cover for the 4th, Andy and Spirit Meet the Rodeo Queen, done. K.C. has illustrated many books for other Guardian Angel authors.
K.C. won eleven awards last year including The Indian Heritage Award and the Pioneer Heritage Award as well as many ribbons and honorable mentions. One of the First Place Gold ribbons went to a display of three of the original Andy and Spirit Go to the Fair watercolors. Now that book has Award Winning illustrations and we are very proud of them as well as the award for them. She will be entering another triple set of paintings from the Andy series this year.
In 2007 the very germ of a story idea began to form after Mary Jean left the book signing she and K.C. had done to launch their first children's picture book through Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. Their first book project together The Christmas Angel had recently been released. With K.C. artwork on display, it seemed like a natural place to introduce the new adventure.
During the day, one of K.C.'s paintings inspired Mary Jean to write a story about a horse.
"I couldn't get the image of that horse K.C. had painted out of my head as I was driving back home after dark on I-80 with nothing but freeway for two hours." Determined to write one book about a horse with a disadvantage, Mary Jean turned the idea over and over trying to figure out how this one piece could fit into a full story. Because the horse had to have a human, Andy came into the picture and the rest is history, as they say.
K.C. "pitched" the idea of the Andy series to Lynda Burch and thus Andy and Spirit will have adventures as long as Mary Jean can come up with new ideas. There are three books in the series in the "pipeline" and more to be written.
Now, preparing for the next book signing at the Western Art Roundup and looking back, Mary Jean and K.C. have seen five of their books in print, One about to release (The RV Mouse) and the cover for the 4th, Andy and Spirit Meet the Rodeo Queen, done. K.C. has illustrated many books for other Guardian Angel authors.
K.C. won eleven awards last year including The Indian Heritage Award and the Pioneer Heritage Award as well as many ribbons and honorable mentions. One of the First Place Gold ribbons went to a display of three of the original Andy and Spirit Go to the Fair watercolors. Now that book has Award Winning illustrations and we are very proud of them as well as the award for them. She will be entering another triple set of paintings from the Andy series this year.
Andy and Spirit - 3 years out
Since the first Andy book, Andy and the Albino Horse, released, K.C. and Mary Jean have been busy promoting the series and other children's books produced by Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
Andy and the Albino Horse, Andy and Spirit Go to the Fair, Andy and Spirit in the Big Rescue, Andy and Spirit Meet the Rodeo Queen and a tween book, The Adventures of Andy and Spirit, Book 1 have all been released in this short time.
Mary Jean has been busy writing more adventures for the two as well as several other childlren's books.
K.C. is well occupied illustrating not only the Andy books, but others Mary Jean has written and branched out to illustrate several other GAP authors' books as well.
Since the GAP authors and artists are gathering in Saint Louis in September, we won't be attending the Winnemucca Art Roundup this year.
Instead K.C. will be demonstrating illustration at the Children's Illustrators Museum in Saint Louis where many of the books produced by Guardian Angel Publishing are on display. There will be a big book signing at a major book store so if you are in the Saint Louis area, look for these events and come meet the authors, illustrators and publisher!
Andy and the Albino Horse, Andy and Spirit Go to the Fair, Andy and Spirit in the Big Rescue, Andy and Spirit Meet the Rodeo Queen and a tween book, The Adventures of Andy and Spirit, Book 1 have all been released in this short time.
Mary Jean has been busy writing more adventures for the two as well as several other childlren's books.
K.C. is well occupied illustrating not only the Andy books, but others Mary Jean has written and branched out to illustrate several other GAP authors' books as well.
Since the GAP authors and artists are gathering in Saint Louis in September, we won't be attending the Winnemucca Art Roundup this year.
Instead K.C. will be demonstrating illustration at the Children's Illustrators Museum in Saint Louis where many of the books produced by Guardian Angel Publishing are on display. There will be a big book signing at a major book store so if you are in the Saint Louis area, look for these events and come meet the authors, illustrators and publisher!
Andy and Spirit 4 years out
Andy and Spirit in Search and Rescue
KC recently finished the cover art for this latest book. We are awaiting title text to be added before putting it up on the site. She will be working the illustrations for this book -- #5 in the Andy series. I think everyone will enjoy the story of a dog in need of rescue.
Some history: the first four books are compiled into a Tween book resulting in The Adventures of Andy and Spirit. It has recently been adapted for the Kindle and is on Amazon both as a print book and in the Kindle Store for ebook readers. It is also available from other digital outlets and Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. in a variety of formats.
This latest edition, Andy and Spirit in Search and Rescue, involves the main characters searching for a dog that has been dumped and is wandering around near a ranch. No matter what happens the dog keeps returning to the same spot. Why? Find out when you read the book which should be available soon.
Mary Jean continues to write new stories for the series as well as other childrens' books and young adult and adult novels. Her second in the Lynne Garrett series (#1-Goodbye Is Forever) #2) No Time for Goodbye will release in March 2012 with a cover displaying some of the beautiful buildings in Virginia City, NV.
Recently accepted by Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. are Andy and Spirit Ride a Train and Birds in the Flower Basket.
Guardian Angel Publishing released Cowboy James in August 2011. It is in paperback and hardback and all digital formats including downloads and DVD.
Andy and Spirit are "alive and well." Seven books are written with illustrations done or to be done by KC. She is working on the artwork for the fifth in the series, Andy and Spirit in Search and Rescue. Six and seven are in the queue. No. eight is under construction.
If you would like to suggest a subject for and Andy book please email Mary Jean at MJKEL@aol.com
We thank you for your continued support. Enjoy!
KC recently finished the cover art for this latest book. We are awaiting title text to be added before putting it up on the site. She will be working the illustrations for this book -- #5 in the Andy series. I think everyone will enjoy the story of a dog in need of rescue.
Some history: the first four books are compiled into a Tween book resulting in The Adventures of Andy and Spirit. It has recently been adapted for the Kindle and is on Amazon both as a print book and in the Kindle Store for ebook readers. It is also available from other digital outlets and Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. in a variety of formats.
This latest edition, Andy and Spirit in Search and Rescue, involves the main characters searching for a dog that has been dumped and is wandering around near a ranch. No matter what happens the dog keeps returning to the same spot. Why? Find out when you read the book which should be available soon.
Mary Jean continues to write new stories for the series as well as other childrens' books and young adult and adult novels. Her second in the Lynne Garrett series (#1-Goodbye Is Forever) #2) No Time for Goodbye will release in March 2012 with a cover displaying some of the beautiful buildings in Virginia City, NV.
Recently accepted by Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. are Andy and Spirit Ride a Train and Birds in the Flower Basket.
Guardian Angel Publishing released Cowboy James in August 2011. It is in paperback and hardback and all digital formats including downloads and DVD.
Andy and Spirit are "alive and well." Seven books are written with illustrations done or to be done by KC. She is working on the artwork for the fifth in the series, Andy and Spirit in Search and Rescue. Six and seven are in the queue. No. eight is under construction.
If you would like to suggest a subject for and Andy book please email Mary Jean at MJKEL@aol.com
We thank you for your continued support. Enjoy!
Andy Series Titles in Print and to be Released
Andy and the Albino Horse
Andy and Spirit Go to the Fair
Andy and Spirit in the Big Rescue
Andy and Spirit Meet the Rodeo Queen
The Adventures of Andy and Spirit - Book 1
Andy and Spirit in Search and Rescue - Coming Soon
Andy and Spirit Go on a Day Count - Release Date Unknown
Andy and Spirit Ride a Train - Release Date Unknown
Andy and Spirit Go to the Fair
Andy and Spirit in the Big Rescue
Andy and Spirit Meet the Rodeo Queen
The Adventures of Andy and Spirit - Book 1
Andy and Spirit in Search and Rescue - Coming Soon
Andy and Spirit Go on a Day Count - Release Date Unknown
Andy and Spirit Ride a Train - Release Date Unknown
Links List
- Andy Page
- Andy Series Trailer
- ARGONN, Animal Rescue Group of Northern Nevada
- Guardian Angel Publishing
- K.C. Snider Blog
- K.C. Snider website
- Made in Nevada
- Mary Jean Kelso
- Reviews by Heida blogspot
- “Persuasive Women” Interview Series Features Alison Sansone of Be There Bedtime Stories with Mention of Guardian Angel Publishing