While angels and stars are traditional Christmas tree toppers, for Clover and Pumpkin, only a golden acorn would do.
The fluffy-tailed rodent pals scamper their way through “A Squirrely Christmas,” a new children’s picture book by Belmont residents Megan K. Palmer and Stephanie Suwarato – a first for both.
Palmer was inspired to write the story after looking out her window at a sight familiar to most people in the Northeast: squirrels jumping, digging and frolicking on the ground and high above in tree branches.
“They’re hilarious … they’re really fun to watch,” she said of the fuzzy critters.
As the squirrels in her backyard frantically ran around, they reminded Palmer of the hustle and bustle ahead of Christmas. Inspired, she wrote the first draft of her children’s picture book in 2023 about “what it would look like with the squirrels rushing” around during holiday time as they decorated a forest tree with colorful lights.
At the end of the tale, Palmer included real information about squirrels so readers could learn more.
“After kids see a funny story, a lot of them are interested in the facts,” she said, explaining why she wanted to add the nonfiction element.
Once an initial draft of the story was finished, Palmer decided to create her own company WinnBrook Press, named after the real Winn Brook that runs under her home, to self-publish the book.
Palmer said the press will focus on her own books first. Eventually, she “would love to open it up to publish other people’s work” or teach people how to open their own independent press.
She aims to have a second book ready for spring, though she said she was keeping the topic a secret for now.
Words Into Pictures
To bring her tale to life, Palmer had to find the right illustrator. Fortunately, she was already friends with one: Suwarato, a Belmont photographer and artist. The women had known each other for a few years as both are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
After viewing Suwarato’s artworks, Palmer said, “I thought they were really cute,” and asked if she’d be interested in illustrating her Christmas book.
Suwarato, who loves animals and nature, immediately said yes.
“I was really excited about it,” she said.
During the creative process, the women gave feedback to each other to improve the story, illustrations and design.
Suwarato drew out initial sketches for the book, helping both visualize the final version and make changes as needed.
“We worked really well [together],” said Palmer.
Suwarato created the images with acrylic paints. She estimates that the journey from sketches to the finished paintings took about six months.
In addition to writing an engaging story and crafting vibrant illustrations, Palmer said it is important to get feedback on the book from kids themselves.
“I believe in creating books for children, vetted by children,” she wrote on her website.
Palmer said after she read her 3-year-old son “A Squirrely Christmas” – without mentioning she was the writer – he said he loved it, which was a proud moment.
Although about eight kids looked at the book and made observations, Palmer said she aims to develop a more formal system in the future.
“I would love for my book to be previewed by kids to get their feedback,” Palmer said, “because they are the ones I’m writing for.”
