Suddenly, the ink turned glossy as though it were wet. Rickman witnessed the slow movement as the blob slinked off the page looking for somewhere safe. Refuge found on a piece of illustration board.

As the morning light seeps in through the window, young Ethan awakes. Readying for another day at school, Ethan grabs his illustration board and prepares for the school day. His art sketches are due and he has yet to create anything good.

Being the son of a famed graphic artist has its challenges. Everyone expects Ethan to be an artist too. The problem; Ethan can barely draw stick figures. That is until he discovers the ink blob right on his illustration board. He pokes at it and the blob recoils sending defensive spikes out like a sea urchin.

Slowly Ethan realizes the blob has a life and personality of its own, and a name. Inkling. It can draw, and learn, soaking up the ink of all the pages it travels across. 

As Ethan discovers Inklings secrets and power, can they help his dad’s writers block and Ethan’s creative juices? When classmate and foe Vika starts investigating Ethan’s new found artistic ability, she discovers Inkling.

What happens when the secret of Inkling leaks out?  How will Ethan protect Inkling from those who want to profit from Inkling?

Delve into the depths of your imagination to discover what happens to Inkling.
(New Hampshire Great Stone Face Book Award nominee, 2020)

Booktalk #2

Only the cat was awake to see Inkling form on Ethan’s father’s sketch pad. It doesn’t take long, however, for Ethan’s whole family to be caught up in the wonder of this ink blot that escaped the world of the sketchbook and can now read, draw, and communicate with humans. Inkling can even do homework, transform into a puppy for a little sister, and help a troubled dad overcome writer’s block! But as the kind, creative blotch soon discovers, its best efforts and adventures can lead to misunderstandings and even danger. Sometimes trying to help people get “unstuck” can make things even more sticky for everyone, especially for an ink blot who’s just trying to help out.   (Dorothy Canfield Fisher Book Award 2019 - 2020)

Booktalk #3

The Rylance family is stuck. Dad's got writer's block. Ethan promised to illustrate a group project at school-- even though he can't draw. Enter Inkling. Inkling begins life in Mr. Rylance's sketchbook. But one night the ink of his drawings runs together--and then leaps off the page! This small burst of creativity is about to change everything. It's not until Inkling goes missing that this family has to face the larger questions of what they-- and Inkling--truly need. (Sunshine State Young Readers Award Books 2020-2021)

Booktalk #4

When ink from Ethan's father's sketchbook comes to life and jumps off the page, Ethan, his sister Sarah, and his father find that Inkling helps each of them in unique ways as they deal with grief and struggle to move forward following the death of Ethan's mother (Sunshine State Young Readers Award Books 2020-2021)

Booktalk #5

When an inkblot who can write, listen, learn, and draw, jumps out of Mr. Rylance's sketchbook, Ethan believes he may be the answer to their family’s problems and names him Inkling. Fantasy. (Rhode Island Children's Book Award 2021)