A. Michael Shumate – illustratör

Between 75 to 80% of all books are sold online, whether they are hardback, paperback or digital. That means the first cover a customer is likely to see is going to be about 160 pixels tall or smaller. That, in turn, means that some design techniques that used to work are no longer viable. Learn the 21st Century approach to book cover design because people do judge a book by its cover.

In the forest outside Bethlehem, a little pine tree sees the angels announce the birth of the newborn king. He overhears shepherds planning to take a gift to the baby. The pine tree tries to wake up the other trees that have worthy gifts for the king but it's winter and they can't wake up. So he decides to go himself, even though he has no proper gift.

Ratilda's four children are almost old enough to go out on their own. Before they do she wants to teach them where they can always get water: down at the river. But getting back home is harder than they expected.