dev petty

I love a challenge and writing picture books is as challenging as it gets. How do you tell a story with a handful of words? How can you be funny but not mean? Edgy but not sarcastic? Have a message without being cloyingly sweet?

Even once I was a successful artist in film and felt challenged and inspired (read: obsessed) with my work, my humor, my ideas sat still in the back of my mind and got soggy over time under the weight of long hours. I needed a challenge when I left my job. So writing picture books instead of working 80 hour weeks in film visual effects has been a sensible switch for a sort of A-Type person like me.

I live in Albany, right near Berkeley where I grew up. I spend most of my time looking after my two incredible daughters. I write, freelance and teach a little too. They, more than anyone, inspire me to write since I can't very well give them advice and not take it myself. The advice I give them? Be brave, be funky.