Have you ever felt a fleeting presence, a shadow in your peripheral vision that vanishes as quickly as it appears, leaving you wondering if you truly saw anything at all? For author and illustrator Kevan Atteberry, this phenomenon took the form of a Cat Ghost, an elusive specter that sparked the creation of his poignant children’s book, “GHOST CAT.”
The genesis of the cat ghost story is rooted in a very real, very loved feline companion. Years ago, a black cat mysteriously arrived at Kevan’s home, becoming a cherished member of the family. Initially an outdoor cat, he gradually transitioned to an indoor/outdoor lifestyle, always choosing to return to the warmth and comfort of their home. For twelve years, this cat was a constant presence, until one day, he was found peacefully deceased in the yard.
This loss occurred during a particularly challenging time for Kevan and his wife, Teri, who was battling young-onset Alzheimer’s disease. The repeated need to break the news of the cat’s passing to Teri, each time met with fresh grief, highlighted the cruel nature of her condition. Eventually, Teri’s memory of the cat faded entirely.
Life shifted again when Kevan made the difficult decision to place Teri in an Adult Family Home after years of dedicated caregiving. It was during this period of solitude and reflection that the cat ghost appearances began. Perhaps it was the quiet of the house, the absence of routine, or simply the mind playing tricks, but these fleeting glimpses sparked an idea.
As a writer, Kevan naturally gravitated towards transforming this personal experience into a story. The initial drafts of “GHOST CAT” resonated deeply with his critique group, who recognized a profound personal narrative within the whimsical concept. They encouraged him to embrace the story’s deeper meaning, pointing out that the cat ghost was not just a spooky apparition, but a metaphor for the lingering presence of loss and the emotional landscape Kevan was navigating. The realization dawned that “GHOST CAT” was a story about navigating grief, finding the path forward, and the enduring capacity of the heart to love again, without diminishing the love that came before.
Publisher’s Weekly beautifully captured this essence, stating, “The heart, it seems, has room for everyone we have ever loved.”
Interestingly, “GHOST CAT” also marked a shift in Kevan’s artistic process. Breaking from his predominantly digital workflow, he embraced traditional media to create the illustrations for this deeply personal story. The resulting art style is distinct from his previous works, adding another layer of unique charm to “GHOST CAT.”
Initial thumbnail for spread 10-11.
Initial thumbnail for spread 10-11 of the book Ghost Cat, showing early artistic ideas.
First sketch for page 11.
First sketch for page 11 of Ghost Cat, depicting the initial drawing of a scene in the book.
Problem: page 10 and 11 were too similar. And besides that, the boy is not supposed to see the cat, yet he seems to be looking right at it.
Decided to keep page 10 as it was but change the angle on page 11 to more of a profile, putting the cat out of the sightline of the boy. This first rough sketch.
Rough sketch of page 11 of Ghost Cat, adjusting the cat's angle to be out of the boy's line of sight for storytelling clarity.
Created final pencil work (I would clean up in Photoshop.)
Final pencil work for page 11 of Ghost Cat, showcasing detailed pencil lines ready for digital refinement.
Created final illustration in Photoshop using pencil lines and the painted sources below.
Final illustration for page 11 of Ghost Cat, completed in Photoshop, blending pencil lines with painted textures.
These are the uncorrected colors and textures I used in coloring most of Ghost Cat.
Uncorrected color palette and textures used in the illustrations of Ghost Cat, revealing the raw color choices.
“Kevan, thank you so much for sharing the very personal story behind GHOST CAT–which was released June 11th!”
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