The Stuffed Animal Mansion Is Finally Here

After weeks of sketches, revisions, and imagination… the Stuffed Animal Mansion finally exists in color.

A few weeks ago, I shared the behind-the-scenes process of building pages 7–8 of my children’s book; from my original vision notes, to rough sketches, to revision feedback back and forth with my illustrator.

At the time, the painting itself had not started yet.

Now it finally has… and seeing this spread fully painted for the first time honestly felt surreal.

This is the first (and only) exterior view of the Stuffed Animal Mansion in the book. I wanted it to feel enormous, playful, welcoming, joyful, and slightly over-the-top in the way children imagine magical places.

There are stuffed animals peeking from windows waving from balconies.
Twisting towers and pillow-like textures to feel soft and happy.
Warm golden light glowing from inside, inviting Jonner into his new home.

And now… it finally exists outside my imagination!

One of my favorite parts of this process has been watching how much collaboration goes into every page. What starts as a simple idea slowly evolves through sketches, revisions, artistic problem solving, and layers of paint until suddenly a world begins to appear.

I’m incredibly grateful for an illustrator who has partnered with me creatively through all of it. Watching Millie bring this story to life has been one of the most special parts of this journey.

And honestly, seeing the final line on these pages: “I love heaven already.”

…hit differently once the painting was complete.

We still have more pages ahead, but this felt like a milestone worth sharing.

The Stuffed Animal Mansion is finally real.

If you’d like to continue following along as this world comes to life (and be the first to know when the book becomes available for pre-order), I’d love for you to subscribe.