Hello from Austin, Texas.

Books have a funny way of becoming part of who we are. They can make us laugh, teach us something, help us heal, give us somewhere to escape, introduce us to people and worlds we never imagined, or remind us of exactly who we were when we first read them. That wonderfully broad relationship between books and the people who read them is a big part of the world I’m building at Jaybie D.

I write and illustrate award-winning children’s picture books, including Mei-Mei Flying With Flair, Donkey Dell, Beware the Guarded Heart, Haunted House, Easter Bunny Blunders, and others. My stories encourage young readers to Look Closer, whether that means discovering something about themselves, understanding someone else, questioning what they first believed, or seeing the world around them a little differently.

But the story doesn’t have to end with the book. Through school author visits, hands-on workshops, lesson plans, and free activities, I create opportunities for kids and educators to take ideas beyond the page and experience them in new ways.

And then there’s the bookish side of Jaybie D. The products I create can be inspired by reading, genres, creativity, personality, nostalgia, humor, a season of life, or simply that wonderful feeling of seeing something and thinking, “That is so me.” Some things have a deeper message. Some are comforting or encouraging. Some are playful, seasonal, a little snarky, or simply fun. They don’t all need to mean the same thing.

There is often more to discover in a story, in the world around us, in the people we love, and in ourselves. Sometimes the discovery is meaningful. Sometimes it simply makes us smile. Either one is welcome here.

So whether you found Jaybie D. through a picture book, a classroom experience, something that made you laugh, or a design that somehow feels like it was made for you, I hope you’ll stick around and see what else there is to discover. There’s always more to the story.

P.S. P.S. Wondering where “Jaybie D.” came from? It began as a playful blend of my husband's name, Jay, and Debbie, me! Over time, it grew into the creative world you see today, centered on books, reading, storytelling, creativity, and the people who love them.