HOT SUMMER GIFTS Shopping with Kelly

Undeniably, summer is probably the best season in the northwest. Whatcom County has so much to offer in fun, from hiking in the mountains, to biking the backroads and trails, to kayaking in the bay. And in between we have restaurants serving local food, berries, ice cream, and spirits. As I write this, hummingbirds are flying around and diving into the trees, which looks like so much fun. We are also blessed with artists that live in the area that share their creativity with us. You will be able to see some of their work at the Farmer’s Market and we happily feature some of their wares in our stores.

Phoebe Wahl is an award-winning children’s book author, illustrator, and surface designer whose work focuses on themes of comfort, fantasy, and intimacy with nature and one another. She grew up in Washington state and credits her free-range childhood in the Northwest for much of her inspiration and values. Phoebe’s first children’s book, Sonya’s Chickens was the recipient of the Ezra Jack Keats Book Award for New Illustrator, and her most recent book, Little Witch Hazel was an Indie Bestseller, Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Title, as well as being named one of the Best Books of 2021. All of us at the store just adore her illustrations and always look forward when a new delivery of her books and cards come in.

Phoebe’s Diary

by Phoebe Wahl available in September, hardcover, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Drawn from real life, here is a bracingly honest illustrated diary of a teenage girl that captures the explosive turmoil and joy of adolescence. Meet Phoebe. She’s cool and insecure, talented and vulnerable, sexy and awkward, driven and confused, ecstatic and tragic. Like you.