Into the Thicket LAUNCHED | As featured in The Children’s Book Review

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Gail Kuhnlein - Children's Book Author
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watercolor of a rabbit beating a shooting star in a race across the Milky Way

You’re invited Into the Thicket

Gail’s new picture book is available

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Book trailer credit: Jocelyn Rish

Into the Thicket

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How Happy is a Lark?

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Meet the author: Gail Kuhnlein

Image credit: J Adrian Wylie

Gail Kuhnlein is “as happy as a lark” to publish her first children’s picture book. She’s been writing stories since she was young. She’s just as excited about her new picture book, Into the Thicket, summarized on the books page.

Gail majored in journalism and public relations at Michigan State University. She worked in the field for over 30 years, most recently at the University of Michigan’s Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. People she met at UM were instrumental in publishing her picture books, a long-awaited dream come true.

She savors life with her husband, Tim, just outside Ann Arbor, Michigan. They adore their two adult sons, Davey and Trevor and bunk with the sweetest kitties in the galaxy. Learn more

Carousel photos are COURTESY OF the following: 1. Kathy Ram Cales and Magnolia Rose, credit: Kristal Abts  2. Leah and Bobby Block 3. Prosanta Chakrabarty 4. Amy Sanford 5. Matthew Foltz 6 & 7. Adam Hulyksmith 8 & 11. The Doyles 14. The Eiswerths

1. Gma and granddaughter cozy up
2. Hmm…even tastes good
3. Father and daughter read
4. Amy and her first granddaughter
5. Thanks for your support, Matthew!
6. Bedtime for Lear with Dad/Adam
7. Lear likes the cucumber page
8. Holiday gift idea: thanks Sarah, Allie, MaryAnn!
9. Gail signing books for her neighbors
10. First author event at Leon & Lulu
11. Koda especially likes the rabbit page!
12. Gail is as happy as a lark :)
13. Little Free Library sighting!
14. I signed books for friends’ Eric & Denise’s grandnieces/nephews
Adventure, Ink shop window with a number of books including How Happy Is a Lark?
Book sighting in shop window in downtown Milan!

Elevate your event with Gail

Gail is delighted to read to school children in the greater Ann Arbor and Detroit areas, and beyond, as arranged, lead activities, and for signings. 

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Author in the news

Screenshot of article from The Saline Post
  • August 2025 | SCBWI’s The Mitten blog features Into the Thicket’s book birthday interview with Gail
  • August 2025 | Into the Thicket nominated for a Goodnightreads All Star Award 
  • July 2025 The Children’s Book Review features Into the Thicket with a stellar review
  • October 2024 | Ann Arbor Observer profiles Gail in the Saline City Guide - My Neighborhood: Home Is Where the Heart Is
  • August 2024 | Grosse Pointe News highlights Gail’s reading at Coreander’s
  • August 2024 | Author Shutta Crum features Gail and her book in Wordsmith’s Playground
  • April 2024 | Gail featured in SCBWI-MI’s The Mitten blog in its introductory What I Wish I’d Known series & their Hugs & Hurrahs column
  • April 2024 | KID TESTED.  Story Monsters approved Lark is a Story Monsters Approved Winner in the categories: Picture Books Fiction, First-Time Author & Illustrations
  • February 2024 | Lark earns a five-star review from Readers’ Choice Book Awards — advances to contest
  • Dec 2023 | How Happy Is a Lark? places in  the Story Monsters Royal Dragonfly Book Awards | 2nd place New Author Fiction | Honorable Mentions Best Cover Design & Illustrations and Picture Book 5 & Under 
  • Oct. 6, 2023, | Ann Arbor Family Press | How Happy Is a Lark? A journey of language, creativity, and collaboration 
  • Aug. 29, 2023, | The Saline Post | Local author publishes children’s book

Gail, Jenny and John are available for media interviews. If interested, please contact us using the contact tab above.

Upcoming events

A close-up of a stack of open books with pages fanned out, capturing a study atmosphere.
November 15, 2025, 2pm - 4pm

Baldwin Public Library Local Author Fair

Birmingham, Michigan

The Baldwin Local Author Fair celebrates writers and illustrators living in the area.

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Little Boy Lying in Bed with a Corgi Dog

Wildlife lovers will appreciate Into the Thicket

Buy now from BookBaby

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Contact

Ann Arbor, MI
Email gbkauthor@gmail.com

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Society of Childrens Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) logo with owl's head
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Images by EKATERINA BOLOVTSOVA, Pixabay on PEXELS