Chappy Goes to the Beach is a warm and wonderful story about kindness, courage, and the magic of friendship.
A tidy writing-and-illustration desk in photographic realism, set near a large window with a view of a soft-focus Martha’s Vineyard shoreline. On the light wood desk lies a sketchbook open to character designs of a playful puppy and smiling starfish, along with rough thumbnails of picture-book pages featuring beaches and Chappaquiddick landmarks, all drawn without any visible text. Colored pencils, watercolor pans, and a mug decorated with tiny starfish motifs are scattered neatly around. A small stack of finished Starfish and Puppy books sits to one side, covers facing up. Gentle, diffused daylight pours through the window, casting delicate shadows and highlighting the textures of paper and art supplies. Shot from a three-quarter overhead angle, the composition feels creative, inviting, and whimsically professional, perfect for showcasing the author’s process.

Joan Pretty’s roots go deep into the sands of Chappaquiddick Island, where she spent her childhood exploring miles of open beach on horseback. A lifelong animal lover, Joan has shared her home with countless dogs and horses over the decades, finding a special kind of joy in their companionship.

A cozy reading nook scene in photographic realism, centered on an open “Starfish and Puppy” children’s book resting on a pale blue upholstered armchair. The pages show an illustration of the puppy and starfish sitting together on a sandy Martha’s Vineyard beach, gazing toward a distant lighthouse on Chappaquiddick, all drawn without text. A soft knit blanket in pastel stripes is draped over the chair, and a small stack of other Starfish and Puppy books sits on a nearby side table. Warm afternoon light filters through an unseen window, creating a gentle glow and subtle shadows. Captured at an eye-level angle with a shallow depth of field, the mood is comforting, playful, and perfect for family story time.

Contact

authorjoanpretty@gmail.com

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