Katy Bratun - Children's Book Author & Illustrator

My Gift Store

admin — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 18:24:40 +0000

I am having lots of fun these days designing my own line of gift items based on the many characters I have created in my book illustrations. I will be adding several items to my online gift store in the near future, so I hope you will check back once and a while to see what’s new!

Click here to link to my zazzle.com gift store.

Just Mommy and Me

admin — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 21:56:26 +0000

Illustrating this book about a romp in the jungle was just about as much fun as jumping from puddle to puddle in the rain. It was quite a romp for me to paint — I invented imaginary animals, insects, and plants, and I loved animating the monkey mom and her rambunctious monkey son. This is a perfect Mothers Day book about spending the day in imaginary play, and also becomes a pretty dandy good night book to share before bedtime.

Deer Mouse at Old Farm Road

admin — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 21:46:53 +0000

I love mice. Every chance I get I sneak them into my illustrations where kids can find them, peaking out from a flower pot or sneaking under a stair. I loved designing this backyard wildlife book and sketching out the interior pages. It is so intriguing to think of the world from a mouse’s point of view – the size of a leaf or a flower to a mouse can be the equivalent of the size of a midsize sedan to us. And a curious and hungry cat can be quite, well, dramatic – and worthy of a quick dash for cover! This book was curated by a gentleman from the Smithsonian Institution. This involved, among other things, counting deermouse’s whiskers on every page, and checking that all flowers and feathers were appropriate to the particular habitat. It was quite a pleasure being taken so seriously, especially when most of my artwork is whimsical and involves dressing animals in hats and sweaters. A tip of my artist’s beret to the fine curator for his attentions…

This book comes in two sizes, large and small, and also can include a dandy stuffed mouse and/or tape.

Sadie’s Sore Throat

admin — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 20:54:00 +0000

This story about a giraffe with a a sore throat is cozy and fun to read. The book features the warm and kind Dr. Hippo who helps Sadie to get well. The Dr. Hippo series, created by Charlotte Cowan ( an M.D. herself ), is a wonderful collection of stories that comfort kids with childhood illnesses. Pamphlets in pockets on the back covers supply worried parents with information about when to take a child to the doctor, treating common illnesses, etc. Dr. Hippo is such a charming character that doctor visits just seem less scary – I fell in love with him myself while painting the pictures for this story.

Books in the series would be a fun gift for new moms and dads, kids, or kind doctors you know….

Katie Caught a Cold

admin — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 20:23:52 +0000

Katie starts sneezing and sniffling after ice skating practice. With some help from the doctor and her concerned mom, she gets well in time to compete in the ice skating show.

This story about a polar bear cub with a cold is cozy and comforting. Created by Charlotte Cowan (an M.D. herself), the book features Dr. Hippo – such a warm and fun character I fell in love with him myself while painting the pictures.

A pamphlet tucked in a pocket on the back cover provides parents with pertinent information about this childhood illness – when to take a child to the doctor, how to treat the common cold, etc. This is a fun gift for a new mom and dad, kids, or that kind doctor you know….