Maria Had a Little Llama started as an assignment for the SCBWI Spirit Conference back in 2009. I had just finished my MFA from the AAU and everything illustration related was nerve whacking! When I brought the dummy with me to NY, I never would have thought it would have been picked up. It's been a long road to get here, and it is utterly rewarding to see the proofs. Comes out August 2013 (Henry Holt).