"Upstream" was chosen to be in the Carbondale, CO “Deck the Halls” in the Carbondale Arts Center
Cover of Upstream: two salmon in a river under a smiling sun, with more salmon climbing a waterfall Click to see what’s inside! Meet Upstream

Illustrated stories for young readers

Books that swim, chew, and find their way home.

Thank you for visiting. I’m very excited to introduce my illustrated children’s books. My first is Upstream, inspired by my own Alaskan adventure. You can buy the standard copy on Amazon. My second book, Chew Story, arrives this December on Amazon.

Character sketches of Buzz, the Labrador puppy from Chew Story, drawn by Chris Daily Click to see what’s inside! Peek at Chew Story

Two illustrated books

Upstream

Upstream is Al’s first picture book, inspired by his own Alaskan adventure. Two brave salmon leave the ocean and climb rivers back to the place they were born. They travel hundreds of miles through rapids and past hungry wildlife to start a family. It is a read-aloud for classrooms and bedtime. The standard hardcover is on Amazon and on IngramSpark. It is also on shelves at independent bookstores in Carbondale and Glenwood Springs, Colorado, and at Barnes & Noble in Glenwood Springs and Encinitas. The book is a Mom’s Choice Awards Gold recipient and a Purple Dragonfly Award winner.

Chew Story

Chew Story arrives on Amazon in December. Buzz, a new Labrador puppy, turns wooden furniture into pieces the neighbors call modern art, and Mr. Mack tries to keep up. Bookstore shelves come later. Al is not taking direct orders yet. The sketches on that page are early studies.

School visits and questions go through the contact page. The about page introduces Al: a veterinarian, a SAG actor, and an outdoorsman who tells these stories.