About The Author
Paul Kirby is author of the children’s book series “The Many Adventures of Little Lady Katie.” He was inspired to create Katie’s world by his two grandchildren. Having grown up in Vancouver, Paul chose a West Coast environment to make Katie and her family, friends, and pursuits come alive. As books are added to the series, readers will get to know Katie, as caring, inquisitive, imaginative, kind, and so much more.
Paul’s intention was to focus on the incredibly formative years of three to ten-years-old. He wanted to build a world where his grandkids could enter and feel empowered, see wonderful possibilities, see that life can also be tough at times, and know that people were around to support them and love them.
About The Artist
Jin Zhang (@Jinolux) is a multidisciplinary artist who works in traditional art, digital painting, photography, and sculpture. He enjoyed his time at North Island College and Emily Carr University but not so much at Vancouver Film School
The Many Adventures of Little Lady Katie is his first book series after graduating, and he hopes it will be the first of many illustration adventures. Working on this series has been a fun journey and a great learning experience. He hopes readers can feel the good vibes in every brushstroke and enjoy Little Lady Katie's adventures as much as he enjoyed bringing them to life
Acknowledgments
I want to express my appreciation to all of the people who have supported me in making this series happen. I truly could not have kept going, much less have succeeded, had I not had encouragement and practical help from a great many people. My two grandkids have been the inspiration for these books and have patiently let me read various books to them over the years. There would be no books without their beautiful lives in my world.
My wife has given me the freedom and the constant support to be able to work for many hours over many years, without which not a single book would be done. It has been a long road to get here, and she has selflessly partnered with me to see it through. My son and daughter-in-law have consistently cheered me on, as well as helping with photo shoots (and parenting those two great kids). My son has also set up the website, helped to maintain it, and has been involved in many other ways.
I searched for years before I found the amazing Jin Zhang, who has been patient with me throughout the process, as he makes magic with his artwork. I could not imagine finding a more talented and gracious person to have partnered with in making Katie’s world come alive. My long (long) time friend Mike has helped me with editing and details, and has saved me in navigating the self-publishing process. That, and so much more has ben invaluable, as I have leaned on him throughout the process of turning these stories into books. There have been so many others, that have encouraged me from day one to keep going.
At the very beginning Ron, Khirsty, and Lori heard the first stories and gave me the encouragement to continue. Thank you, Britt, as your elementary teacher training, your thoroughly supportive nature, and your availability has helped me work through so many ideas and details. From there, well over 100 friends (you know who you are) have generously allowed me to read them Katie stories, as we have met for tea or a meal together, and have given me feedback and encouragement. It’s been well over a decade now, and dozens of books have come alive to form The Many Adventures of Little Lady Katie. None of it would have come to fruition without an amazing collection of dear friends and family.