DEBORAH DURLAND DESAIX & KAREN GRAY RUELLE Deb  Karen Deb studied art at the University of North Carolina in Asheville, and got her MFA in illustration at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Karen studied everything but art at the University of Michigan, where she also got a Master’s degree in Library Science.
They both settled in New York City. Deb met her partner George Inge IV, another artist, at an arts & crafts fair. Karen met her husband, Lee Ruelle, also an artist, at a printmaking workshop. Karen and Lee’s daughter, Nina, was born in 1991. She’s an artist, too. Deb and Karen both began their separate careers as children’s book authors and illustrators. Along the way, they held various other jobs. Karen was an editor, a reviewer, and a librarian. Deb taught illustration at her alma mater, SVA. One day, Karen decided to take an art class at SVA. Deb was the teacher, and it was friendship at first sight! They’ve been best friends ever since. After a few years of books and friendship, Deb and Karen decided it would be fun to do some books together. They started with a picture book about an old tree in a park in New York. They wanted their book to show how the city grew up around the tree over two centuries, as the tree grew. (The Tree will be out in Fall, 2008, from Holiday House.) For their next book, they tried something different. Hidden on the Mountain is the result of their collaboration. Deb moved away from New York during this time. First she moved to Connecticut, where she taught illustration at the University of Hartford. Then she moved back to Asheville, North Carolina, where she and George set up a ceramics and sculpture studio. Living in two different states makes the collaborative process more difficult, but Deb and Karen have figured out how to do so very effectively. They enjoy working together so much, they plan to do many more books that way. In fact, they’ve already begun research for two of them. Stay tuned!  Karen & Deb
Photo Credit: Nina Ruelle OTHER BOOKS BY KARENBark Park (Peachtree Publishers)
written and illustrated by Karen Gray Ruelle "An exuberant offering that will be a hit with many young dog lovers." Booklist Harry & Emily Adventure easy-reader series (Holiday House) all written and illustrated by Karen Gray Ruelle: Easy as Apple Pie -- "Cheery and pleasant." Kirkus Reviews Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Book Award Selected for inclusion in ABC Choices for Children, Association of Booksellers for Children The Thanksgiving Beast Feast -- "Delightful." School Library Journal Selected for inclusion in Children’s Books Mean Business exhibition and catalog, American Booksellers Association/Children’s Book Council Joint Committee Just in Time for New Year’s! -- "A fun story that beginning readers will enjoy." School Library Journal Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award Great Groundhogs! The Monster in Harry’s Backyard -- "Ideal for beginners." Kirkus Reviews Spookier Than a Ghost -- "An easy reader that will delight children." School Library Journal April Fool! -- "Offers both challenge and appeal." Booklist The Crunchy, Munchy Christmas Tree -- "Engaging." Booklist Easter Egg Disaster -- "Funny." Booklist Mother’s Day Mess -- "Entertaining." Booklist Snow Valentines -- "An attractive addition to holiday shelves." School Library Journal Dear Tooth Fairy -- "Entertaining, satisfying chapters about a familiar rite of passage." Booklist The Book of Baths (Harcourt) written by Karen Gray Ruelle illustrated by Lizi Boyd The Book of Bedtimes (Harcourt) written by Karen Gray Ruelle illustrated by Lizi Boyd The Book of Breakfasts (Harcourt) written by Karen Gray Ruelle illustrated by Lizi Boyd 75 Fun Things to Make & Do by Yourself (Sterling) written by Karen Gray Ruelle illustrated by Sandy Haight OTHER BOOKS BY DEBKnow What I Saw? (Roaring Brook Press)
written by Aileen Fisher illustrated by Deborah Durland DeSaix "A book that will captivate children." School Library Journal In the Back Seat (Farrar, Straus & Giroux) written and illustrated by Deborah Durland DeSaix "A stunning book." American Bookseller Pick of the List, American Booksellers Association Hilary & the Lions (Farrar, Straus & Giroux) written by Frank DeSaix illustrated by Deborah Durland DeSaix "The illustrations capture all the magic and mystery of a sleeping city." Publishers Weekly Parents’ Choice Honor for Illustration, Parents’ Magazine Returning Nicholas (Farrar, Straus & Giroux) written and illustrated by Deborah Durland DeSaix "Briskly paced and brimming with mystery." Kirkus Reviews The Girl Who Danced with Dolphins (Farrar, Straus & Giroux) written by Frank DeSaix illustrated by Deborah Durland DeSaix "Illustrations rich in texture, detail, color, and the hauntingly ethereal quality of dreams." School Library Journal Treasure in the Air (Henry Holt) written by Lisa Westberg Peters illustrated by Deborah Durland DeSaix "Refreshing, harmonious, and realistic illustrations." Booklist OTHER BOOKS BY KAREN & DEB
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