Rascally Ravens of Greystone Farm picture book
Pre-order info will be posted shortly.
Raven couple Carmen and Angelo set up housekeeping in farmer Hattie’s backyard and help themselves to whatever her garden provides. They tease Hattie’s bloodhound, Buster, take kindling from her woodpile, and even “borrow” her scarf to line their nest. The ravens finally get their comeuppance when Dink, the runt of their brood, falls out of the nest right in front of Buster’s doghouse. When Dink and Buster become fast friends, will the ravens choose to let Buster and Hattie raise Dink on their own or to forge a “blended family?”
Will be on view at
Texas Woman's University Blagg-Huey Library Library, Denton campus • late February – mid May 2025
Greater Denton Arts Council, Patterson-Appleton Arts Center, Denton, TX • Sept 16 - Nov 29, 2025
As a professional educator and life-long naturalist, I draw upon research and direct observation in the New England, Southwest, Midwest, and Texas landscapes to realize my picture book characters. Rascally Ravens, written by Patricia Petersen and illustrated by me, features Carmen and Angelo, a mischievous raven pair who take up residence in farmer Hattie’s backyard, creating adventures and challenges for her and themselves. While the book’s primary purpose is entertainment, the exhibition will also model for children and adult audiences my research process, storyboards for sequencing page layouts, and full-color illustration techniques to inspire viewers to tell their own visual narratives.
Color & Size: Ravens have shiny black feathers and can grow up to 25 in. long with a wing span of over 4 ft.
Speech: Ravens have their own calls, but can also learn to talk like people and animals.
Intelligence: Ravens can solve complex problems and have a good memory for sounds, food sources, and human faces.
Clutch: The number of eggs, usually 3-7, a mother raven will lay. Eggs are usually light green with brown flecks.
Food: Ravens aren’t picky about their diet. They forage wild fruit and nuts, but will also eat pet food and garbage.
Cache: Food that ravens store by hiding it under leaf piles, and clumps of snow.
