Marigold is a celebration of the seasons and the cycle of life. It is a predictable sequence of events, but rich with unexpected visual detail. There is opportunity to look, laugh and learn on every page. It's simple short verse make it a good choice for small children and early elementary readers, as well as the adults who read to them.

Marigold plants and Marigold grows, but what (or who) is Marigold? Marigold, the picture book, is a celebratory romp through the seasons; following the turning of a year and the life cycle of the book's namesake. It is a predictable sequence of events, but unexpected characters and the rich color and visual detail of the ink and watercolor illustrations transform the ordinary into a series of surprising seasonal perspectives.

There is opportunity to look, laugh and learn on every page. Marigold relies on visual story to appreciate its subtle twists. The author and illustrator has set up an "Aha" moment that she hopes will delight. Very short simple lines of verse make it a good choice for small children and early elementary readers, as well as the adults who read to them. Marigold holds the promise of being enjoyed by both tiny planters of seeds and avid gardeners.

Kathryn (Kate) Darnell is a freelance illustrator and calligrapher with over 30 years of experience as a maker of pictures. Her illustrations have appeared in and on everything from annual reports to children's books. She is the Illustrator of Fibblestax by Devin Scillian and a series of state readers from Sleeping Bear Press, as well as a number of university press and independently published books. Her calligraphic work includes company logos, private commissions and a font design: "Sweeney". Recent work includes animated calligraphy and calligraphic poetry films that have been screened globally. She has a degree in fine art from the University of Michigan School of Art and has done additional independent study in digital illustration, color and animation. She also shared her skills with students for almost 40 years in independent workshops and as an adjunct professor of art. Kate is a knitter and a gardener. Color rules and marigolds abound. She is a native of Michigan in the U.S and lives with her husband (without a cat or dog) in East Lansing - a bicycle ride away from her downtown studio.