Behind the book
Original pencil sketches by Paul Myrick, next to the finished illustrations they became.
The cover
The cover sketch spans the front and back: two cats on the fence facing away (on the back), then facing us on the cover. The lettering sketch below worked out how the title would stack.
Front and back cover sketch
Title lettering sketch
The finished cover
Sketch to page
Pencil sketch
In the book
On the sofa
The first pages open with the two cats at home. The window grid and the framed picture on the wall were there from the first sketch.
Pencil sketch
In the book
Peeking through the window
A bird on the branch, a worm in the grass, and two cats watching from behind the panes.
Pencil sketch
In the book
The open door
Only a pair of legs and an open door. The sketch kept the idea; color and shoes came later.
Pencil sketch
In the book
The big leap
Motion lines and stretched bodies sell the dash outside.
More sketches
Studies and ideas from the sketchbook, including cats peeking around the door and a leaping cat study.
