Valley Cats: The Adventures of Boonie and River
Written by Gretchen Preston
Illustrated by Karin Neumann

About the Author
Gretchen Preston was raised in Portland, Oregon. Her parents read to their children every night at bedtime. She fell in love with stories as a very young child. Gretchen attended the University of Oregon and went on to graduate school at Arizona State University where she earned a master's degree in social work. She credits her writing prowess to learning to write in graduate school. Trained as a medical social worker, Gretchen frequently wrote newsletters, articles for professional journals and composed educational handbooks.

After retiring and moving to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, she had the opportunity to begin writing children’s books. This book, Valley Cats: The Adventures of Boonie and River, is the first in a series. Inspired by her Valley neighbors, Gretchen has dedicated this book to them. 

About the Illustrator
Karin Neumann was raised in Traverse City, Michigan. She grew up on a sll farm with two sisters and one brother. She loves the outdoors and especially enjoys hiking and biking the woods around her Michigan home.

During her younger years, she was fond of all different kinds of arts and crafts. She began focusing more on drawing and painting in her high school years. Karin received a bachelor of fine arts degree from Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan. It was in Marquette she met Gretchen Preston and was commissioned to illustrate Valley Cats.

Inspiration for each illustration came from the interaction of the characters of Boonie and River, as well as her observation of her own cat and the barn cats she had growing up. The medium used for the book was watercolor pastels. She also works with dry pastels and acrylic paints.  

Karin currently resides in Traverse City, working as a freelance illustrator and photographer.