This post originally appeared on Epic Eighteen.

I can’t believe that my debut picture book, SCARLET’S MAGIC PAINTBRUSH, is out in the world! On release day, I brought my author copy to The Metropolitan Museum of Art, my favorite museum in the world (which is about a ten-minute walk from my apartment in New York City). I’ve been visiting The Met since I was a little girl. I love all the galleries, including the Greek and Roman galleries, the Egyptian Wing, and the American Wing. But my favorite section of this vast collection contains the French Impressionists. ​​My idea for SCARLET came to me as I was standing at The Met in front of a Monet canvas. I wondered what it would be like to have a magic paintbrush and paint perfect pictures. Then I thought of many “what if” questions about that paintbrush, about perfection, and about finding one’s own creativity. That was in 2016, and finally in 2018, I’m holding my debut picture book. The magical illustrations by Sandie Sonke make me catch my breath with each page turn. I really enjoyed visiting The Met with my book, and taking photos holding paintbrushes and the book in front of several of my favorite Monet paintings. And I’m hoping the museum bookstore will carry my book. That would be the continuation of this dream come true! Thanks for reading about my debut picture book release and enjoying these photos. Good luck with your book journeys! ​