Book trailer credit: Jocelyn Rish

Gail writes stories that spark curiosity, joy and connection. Her picture books invite young readers to play with language, explore emotions, and appreciate the natural world. Each book is thoughtfully crafted and beautifully illustrated, offering families a meaningful and memorable reading experience.

Click a book to learn more and see where you can purchase them online or in-store. 

Inspired by a true story, Into the Thicket begins with the moment the author’s young son discovered an injured baby rabbit — an encounter that sparked a heartfelt journey of care and connection.

This tender picture book follows a boy and the rabbit he hopes to help, gently exploring themes of compassion, courage, love, and the bittersweet beauty of letting go. It invites young readers to develop empathy and a deeper appreciation for the natural world, showing how even the smallest acts of kindness can ripple through a great, big world.

Featuring stunning watercolor illustrations by acclaimed Ann Arbor artist John Megahan, Into the Thicket is a story families will return to again and again.

ORDER NOW — BookBaby Bookshop  |  use code INTRO for $5 OFF

A PORTION OF PROCEEDS WILL BE DONATED TO BENEFIT WILDLIFE REHAB & CONSERVATION.

Please note: the book will take a couple of weeks (later July) to appear for PRESALE in other online bookshops. Don’t hesitate to ask your favorite shop to carry it!

The picture book, How Happy Is a Lark? introduces children to a fun and poetic aspect of language. Turning similes into questions, timeless ponderings (or are they really questions we’ve never dared to consider before now?!) like “how wise is an owl?” and “how sly is a fox?” are finally revealed in funny and delightful ways.

The book features joyful stories and artwork that will make your children laugh out loud. “How silly is a goose? A goose dresses in a clown costume and has a one goose parade down Gooseberry Lane …” Buy the book to enhance your child’s imagination and inspire more joy in their reading and writing.

Bookstores

Adventure, Ink, Milan

Booksweet, Ann Arbor

Brewed Awakenings, Saline

Coreander’s Children’s Bookshoppe, Grosse Pointe Park

Schuler Books, Ann Arbor

Vault of Midnight, Ann Arbor

Into the Thicket is expected in stores above shortly after the release date, Aug. 21. Stay tuned for additional bookshops. 

Libraries:

Ann Arbor District Library

Milan Public Library

Plymouth District Library

Troy Public Library

Ypsilanti District Library & Book Mobile

Internationally

Scribbles and Quills, Trinidad, West Indies

If the book isn’t on the shelf yet, feel free to ask your local store or librarian to carry it!

“An enchanting story!” 

—Phil Myers, Professor Emeritus, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Curator Emeritus (Mammals), Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan; Senior Advisor, Animal Diversity Web

“Emotionally packed story with wonderful and helpful details about cottontails … beautifully written, educational … gives hope … a child’s emotions and abilities can work wonders and save lives.”

—Karen OConnor, Help4 Wildlife Director, Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator, DNR, Michigan

“How joyful is this story!  The “happiness” comes through on every page. Each page is a pleasant story in itself. I would love to see the sequel!”

—Ira

“More fun than …  We’ve all heard the expressions: “happy as a lark,” “sly as a fox,” “proud as a peacock,” “stubborn as a mule.” But whoever stops to consider just how happy, sly, proud, or stubborn these creatures—and countless others who’ve been enshrined in their own sayings—really are?

Lucky for young readers, author Gail Kuhnlein and illustrator Jenny Kalejs have not only considered the questions, but also applied their imagination and talents to answering them. The result is this delightful picture book for children ages 3-6.

Bonus features: a last-page list of fun facts about the characters in the book and a challenge for kids to think up their own simile, turn it into a question, and illustrate it. Sounds like more fun than … well, you know.”

—N. Pokerwinski