Join our mailing list to learn about updates~ launch dates (2027?)... Be the first to know about pre-order sales ~ future book signings ~ exclusive author limited edition copies!
〰️
Join our mailing list to learn about updates~ launch dates (2027?)... Be the first to know about pre-order sales ~ future book signings ~ exclusive author limited edition copies! 〰️
under construction- preview only
〰️
under construction- preview only 〰️
“I’m so excited to share the final cover of this book at last! Collaborating with award-winning illustrator Tim Deberd has been an absolute joy, and I feel incredibly grateful to bring this vision to life together—just in time for America’s 250th.”Author- Jody P. Walters— "What is the MORE, in a More Perfect Union?" featuring: Pauline's American Pride
July 3, 2026
Come along…
Little Hattie Grace is asking the question, “What is the -MORE-in a More Perfect Union?”—alongside her mother, she journeys through a story about a young girl named Pauline, who adventures to Washington, D.C., and New York City with her travel club, in what Pauline’s history teacher calls “The Living Classroom”. They not only discover what it means to be a good citizen, but also their responsibility to themselves, their country, and each and every human. Though this story-within-a-story fits on the bookshelves of 9-12+year-olds, it can be enjoyed by readers young and old alike—parents, grandparents, teachers, librarians, VOTERS, or curious future Voters- join first-time author, Jody P. Walters, and award-winning illustrator, Tim Deberd, in this book of American Pride—as they reach to keep democracy alive! Come along —you never know—you just might find the inspiration for YOUR More!
Unlock the MORE, in this Story-Within-a-story…….
While you wait for a copy to hit a bookshelf near you...keep scrolling to explore more of behind the scenes!
While you wait for a copy to hit a bookshelf near you...keep scrolling to explore more of behind the scenes!
Behind The Scenes….
Letter from the Author-
Hello Friends- I hope you are just as excited for the future release of “What is the MORE, in a More Perfect Union?” featuring Pauline’s American Pride, as I am!
Have you ever wondered what it takes to create a book? If you said “YES!”, you might want to explore a little further down the page, as I share the process of this book!
Currently, the manuscript is 100% complete. A manuscript is the author’s original version of the work before it is published. In fact, my manuscript has been finished for a really long time. One of the things about publishing a book is that it takes a lot of waiting and patience!
What started as an idea when I was in middle school underwent many revisions and lots of editing—until one day, I was ready for the second-hardest part of the process: finding an illustrator to bring my story to life! My illustrator, Tim Deberd, and I worked really hard to share our ideas and create the cover that will eventually sit on bookshelves! I hope you will continue to explore below to see the first Character Concepts that Tim came up with from the visions I shared… and how, from there, he was able to sketch four different raw Cover Concepts in The Journey To A Cover. Here, you will discover what I loved most about each cover sketch and how, by taking the elements I loved from each, we decided on the art direction he would develop into the final full-color version.
In addition, I hope you explore the main page navigation bar to learn more about me, Jody P. Walters, in About the Author ~ and meet my illustrator, Tim Deberd, in the Illustrator Gallery. You will find the inspiration behind the story in the Photo Gallery, where you will meet my daughter, the real-life Hattie Grace, who isn’t so little anymore! If you ever get lost on the page, look for the American flag in the white box at the top; that always takes you home!
As we move closer to completion, I will update the site to include pre-order sales…AND a Free downloadable Book companion!
To stay in touch, ask a trusted adult to help you join our mailing list via the “Learn More” button at the bottom of this page to stay updated on the book's progress and be the first to know about release dates, pre-order sales, and future book signings.
When the book is finally released, it will be available on various platforms, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and more….BUT only here on the official book/author website will you find exclusive limited-edition copies for sale.
I hope you come along for the ride… and are inspired to find your more!
Much love — Jody Pauline
This website is a work in progress! If you find a link that is not working or you find an “error”, please be kind and just let us know by messaging us! Some areas are still being developed so check back later, if you don't see what you are looking for! The journey to a cover…
….
Concept #1 —What I loved: Podium & bunting!
….
Concept #2—
What I loved:
The thought
bubble & stars!
….
Concept #3: —totally different art direction!
What I loved:
The sweetness… maybe we will use this somewhere else in the interior!
Concept #4—
What I loved:
The American flag &
incorporating the
thought bubble!
Combining
the details I
loved! The
Podium & the
thought
bubble! Moving
forward to
Switch out the seal on the podium
to a bunting and refine the flag a bit more!
…
Now we have bunting and a slightly different flag…more standalone.
Moving forward, Tim and I revisited the flag development….
to place it behind the building and
refine the stars & stripes!
Bringing the
flag into focus
…Moving
forward, just slightly
tweak the color a bit,
to ensure the title still
stands out and Tim
thoughtfully chooses
our colors!
Final Cover—Tim worked his talent
and brought to life
my characters and
the essence of my
story in this beautiful
cover!
Character concepts
Early Character concepts by the award winning illustrator: Tim Deberd
Publishing a book comes in so many stages. What starts out as an “idea” can often unfold through many phases, over a lifetime. From having the seeds of inspiration planted in the heart, to watching a story take on new shapes over the course of many years, to one day watching the full scope of the project come to fruition as it is roughly placed on paper. The research and revisions, the countless readings for tone and rhyme to flow, to finally holding a completed manuscript in one’s hands. Then, it’s placing trust in the hands of all the others who make a manuscript into a published book become a reality. From editors to formatters, to one of the most important partners a children’s book author must make…the illustrator! Sometimes you hit little bumps along the way, but it’s the dream to not give up and continue persevering to find exactly the right fit! For me, it was very important to honor the work of a real artist rather than use AI. So when I discovered Tim Deberd’s work, I was moved by his talent to create characters that felt real, like those from vintage children’s books of my own childhood, and, most importantly, by finding an artist who could make MY story come alive. Working with Tim was such a delight. He has been patient and thoughtful with my characters. When his very first character concepts made it to my hands, it brought tears to my eyes, because I knew that through my art of written expression and Tim’s art of visual expression…we were creating a book that was going to be very special. I knew that what was once a childhood dream WAS becoming a reality!
Come along, you just might be inspired to find
YOUR
MORE!
A Responsiblity to yourself, your country and each and every human!
〰️
A Responsiblity to yourself, your country and each and every human! 〰️
“Freedom is not a state; it is an act. It is not some enchanced garden perched high on a distant plateau where we can finally sit down and rest. Freedom is the continuous action we all must take, and each generation must do its part to create an even more fair, more just society. “
—John Lewis (1940-2020)