Lorisa Harrell | Writing & Illustration for Children’s Books

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“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”
The Little Prince

Lorisa Harrell is a graphic designer, writer and illustrator. Currently, she’s working on working on several children’s picture book titles including an adoption series and the retelling of the story of Jonah and the whale.

“Children are a marvel, so curious and pure of heart. It's amazing to me how they have no problem expressing every emotion all at once... in the middle of the dairy aisle. Nevertheless, this raw honesty of heart inspires me and I want to be a kid when I grow up. This is why I write for them.”
– Lorisa

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Illustration

Sneak Peak: “Sarah and the ocean”

Sarah loves water. She dances in sprinklers, splashes in puddles and takes long baths pretending to be a mermaid. However, Sarah's never been to the ocean. A family vacation changes all of this and Sarah quickly discovers the ocean is nothing like her bathtub. To make things worse, her cousins teasing has left her too scared to get back in the water. Grandma (who sees and knows all!) steps in and takes Sarah to the aquarium where she learns about the ocean and the marvelous animals and plants that call it home. With renewed confidence Sarah races back the to beach to jump in the waves and search for ocean life.

A little background...

I have never liked not knowing what was under the water, but the more I learn of the ocean's wonders the less fearful I become. This is the inspiration for Sarah's story. She overcomes fear by learning—which eventually leads to a really great day at the beach.

This book is available for representation.
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Sneak Peak: “Chirp Chirp Chirp”

At the break of dawn a little bird named Harold begins to chirp and keeps on chirping much to the frustration of his neighbors. Mouse gets angry, Squirrel wriggles with worry and Frog grows very frustrated with the non-stop chirping. However, if this little bird can get everyone see what he is seeing then they could celebrate the new day too.

Based on a True Story:

One morning a little bird began chirping outside my window. He kept chirping over and over for hours! It was starting to drive me crazy but then I considered what could be so important to chirp like that? Maybe he has never seen a Spring day or smelled petunias before? Maybe he just realized how amazing and big the sky is, or maybe he just woke up and the warm sun wooed him into endless song? This pondering turned my grouchy attitude around and I have a little bird to thank for getting me to look out the window and see the beauty of my day. I decided to name him “Harold” and write my version of his story. He shall always be a ‘herald of hope’ and I look forward to his return every year.

This brightly illustrated book celebrates type as image as Harold’s chirps swoop and twirl around his neighbors with increasing volume. The pages grow in sunrise colors as you follow the characters from the dusk till daybreak hoping they’ll break out of their grumpy and anxious attitudes and embrace a brand new day.

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