Andrea Torrey Balsara, author & illustrator

We tend to be quite hard on ourselves, often for no reason at all. We have to remember to treat ourselves the same way we would treat someone else. Be patient with yourself, the same way you would be with a small child. Be polite to yourself, the same way you would be to a stranger. Give yourself the same care & attention that you give to others and watch yourself bloom. The background of this post is also one of my art pieces! If you’d like to see more, visit torreybals...ara.com/artwork/ ! . . . #dragonfly #quote #quotesoftheday #quotesaboutlife #quotesdaily #quotestags #quotesforlife #dailyquotes #inspirational #happy #positive #motivationalquotes #lovequotes #thegoodquote #art #artist #artwork #artistsoninstagram #watercolour #watercolorpainting #dragonflyart #natureart #natureartwork #selflove #selflovequotes #selfloveclub

I have always loved red foxes. Their color alone is enough to have me staring at them, in awe of their beauty. I have tried many times to paint them over the years, but this is the first time I feel satisfied with the result. I sketched the image first on a sketch pad, scanned my sketch, and then worked digitally. I duplicated and flipped the image so that it became two foxes staring at each other, their tails forming a heart. It took a couple of weeks to feel like what I had... on paper/screen was what I wanted to express. These foxes are available on print and plush pillows at Balsara Boutique. A portion of each sale will go to fund charities that support building a better world #art #artist #artwork #artoftheday #blogpost #blog #digitalart #drawing #illustration #sketch #fox #foxes #foxart #sketching #artprogress #artprogression #redfox #love #arttips #arttipsandtricks #kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitillustration

Book Review! From cover to cover, I loved this book. Odin, a.k.a. Odie, a brindled, eight year-old dog, is the narrator of this gentle guide of what life is like from a dog’s perspective. We are given a tour of his backyard, complete with friendly fish, lizards, frogs and toads, and even squirrels who peek out from bird houses. The reader is taken along on Odie’s daily activities: walks in the forest, digging holes, and trips to the beach. Throughout the book, Paw Smart s...idebars teach children about the wonders of the natural world. A gentle sense of humor adds charm to the story, as the images of a smiling Odie in fancy hats attest. As a dog owner and animal lover myself, I could see from the photos that this is one happy, beloved dog. At the end, we discover that Odie is a rescue, and information is given on how the reader & family can adopt a new beloved family member of their own. With three puppy-mill rescues myself, the subject of adopting rescues, and kindness to animals is close to my heart. The sweet, sensitive way this story is told will have a lasting impact on its readers, and will do much in the quest for a world in which kindness to animals is a given. This book is an invaluable, gentle way to teach children respect, love, and wonder of our animal friends. #odie #bookish #kidlit #reading #bookroundup #kidlitillustrator #kidlitauthor #support #bookreview #book #bookworm #booklover #booknerd #bookaddict #bookcommunity #bookrecommendations #authorlife #authorssupportingauthors #authorscommunity

Today, I have a fun surprise to share with you...I’ve teamed up with 30+ fantastic authors to give away a huge collection of Inspirational Fiction & Nonfiction books to 2 lucky winners! And did I mention the Grand Prize winner gets a brand new eReader? You can win my book The Nightingale's Song, plus books from authors like Suzanne Woods Fisher and Jan Thompson. Enter the giveaway by clicking here https://www.booksweeps.com//inspirational-fiction-nonfict/ Good luck and enjoy!

Looking for something new to read with your little ones? Here’s a sneak peek into MOUSE TALES, the first book of the Happy the Pocket Mouse series, by Phillip Roy and illustrated by me!! This book has been read to tens of thousands of students of all ages across Atlantic Canada and Ontario. Join Happy on his adventures - torreybalsara.com/books/mouse-tales/ ! ... #kidlitartist #kidlitillustration #kidlit #authorsofinstagram #authorlife #authorscommunity #kidsbooks #kidsbooksforsale #bookworm #childrensbooks #childrensbooksph #childrensbookseries #childrensbooksboost #kidsbooksph #kidsbooksforsaleph #animation #art #childrensillustration #digitalart #digitalillustration #picturebookartist #bookish #reading #bookroundup

Ahoy, my Piggywinkles! Sail with GREENBEARD THE PIRATE PIG as he sails the Seven Seas in search of ADVENTURE! With his ratty first mate, Snug Rumkin, Greenbeard sets sail on THE GOLDEN LETTUCE, determined to become a proper pirate! If you're a blogger and would like to sign up to participate in this virtual book tour, click the link below for more information: https://www.silverdaggertours.com//greenbeard-the-pirate-p #blogtoursignup #childrensbooks #childrensbooktour

The book trailer for my young adult illustrated novel, The Great & the Small.

I'm thrilled to announce that my YA novel, The Great & the Small, is now on the shortlist for Page Turner Awards '2020 eBook Award'!! If you'd like, check out my submission/profile by visiting pageturnerawards.com/ebook-award-fina/andrea-torrey-balsara #YAlit #YAauthor #YAlitillustrator #illustrations #YAfiction #YoungAdult #kidlitauthor #kidlitillustrator #prejudice #rats #plague #Stalin #racism #Ratties #authoritarianism #pandemic #conflict #bookboost #pageturnerawards #2020 #finalist #shortlist #thegreatandthesmall #bookawards #writers #WritingCommunity #writerslife #writerscommunity #writingawards

We all smile in the same language Happy World Smile Day! #worldsmileday #smile #love #smiley #kindness #bekind #peace #compassion #happiness #kindnessmatters #inspiration #gratitude #positivity #hope #positivevibes #selflove #joy #kind #mindfulness #loveyourself #selfcare #believe #happy #community #diversity #inclusion #unity #onelove #writingcommunity

This quote is from my YA book The Great and the Small. In this scene Fin dreams that Balthazar has the wings of a bird, and carries him far into the sky. I got the idea for the image from a dream I had, where I flew high over the ocean. Seagulls were swirling white specks below me. It was pretty amazing. Fin, on the other hand, is not so thrilled...!! Read more by visiting torreybalsara.com/books/the-great-and-the-small/ :) ... #yabooks #yabookstagram #prejudice #rats #plague #Stalin #racism #YAlit #YAauthor #YA #illustrations #YAfiction #YoungAdult #Ratties #authoritarianism #pandemic #conflict #YAnovel #wings #dreams #thegreatandthesmall See more

Make a difference with any purchase from BALSARA BOUTIQUE! A portion of each sale will go to fund charities that support building a better world - www.balsaraboutique.com Sweatshop Free! W.R.A.P. Certified! Eco-Friendly!... Retail Quality! Wood frames for the artwork are made from FSC trees! #childrensroom #framedart #childrensbookillustration #framedprints #childrensboutique #whimsicalart #whimsical #baby #childrensauthor #minimalism #nursery #decorativepillows #babiesroom #balsaraboutique #beyourself #kidsbooks #kidsbookshelf #kindnessmatters #kidsinteriors #giftideas #giftcards #childrensdecor #interiordesign #wrapcertified #ecofriendly #makeadifference See more

Ahoy there! This pirate shanty is from my picture book GREENBEARD THE PIRATE PIG! Greenbeard loves to sing. Unfortunately, none of his crew members love it when he does... Sing along and join him on his adventures by visiting torreybalsara.com/books/greenbeard-the-pirate-pig/ :) #picturebooksaremyjam #kidsbooks #kidsbookshop #kidsbookslove #kidsbookstobuy #kidsbooksforadults #kidsbooksinenglish #adventurebook #picturebook #picturebookart #picturebookillustration #Guineapigs #guineapig #pirates #pirate #piggies #adventure #kidlit #kidlitauthor #kidlitillustrator #illustrations #picturebook #adeventure #singalong #kidssongs #songstagram

2020 has flown by so fast, I can’t believe it's already fall! I hope everyone has a cozy and warm season ! #fall #fallcolors #fall2020 #fallweather #falltime #fallvibes #autumn #welcomefall #fall2020 #autumn2020 #leaves #harvest #cozy #staywarm #canada #kidlit #YAlit #womanbusinessowner #kidsbooks #picturebook #picturebookart #picturebookillustration

Ahoy me hearties! Here are a few reviews of my children’s book GREENBEARD THE PIRATE PIG! Join him on his pirate adventures by visiting torreybalsara.com/books/greenbeard-the-pirate-pig/ :) #picturebooksaremyjam #kidsbooks #kidsbookswelove #kidsbooksforsale #kidsbookslove #kidsbookstobuy #kidsbooksdelights #kidsbooksforadults #kidsbookshelfie #kidsbooksinenglish #adventurebook #picturebook #picturebookart #picturebookillustration #Guineapigs #guineapig #pirates #pirate #piggies #adventure #kidlit #kidlitauthor #kidlitillustrator #illustrations #picturebook #adeventure #bookreviews

Reading is dreaming with open eyes. When you read, words form concepts which capture the imagination and allows your mind to wander. The power of imagination is endless!! Visit torreybalsara.com to view my selection of YA and Children’s books, so that you too can dream with your eyes open ;) #quotes #quote #quoteoftheday #quotestoliveby #quotesoftheday #quotesdaily #quotesaboutlife #quotestags #quotesandsayings #quotesforlife #art #artist #artwork #artoftheday #artistic #artsy #womanbusinessowner #kidsbooks #yabooks #YAlit #YAauthor #YA #illustrations #YAfiction #kidlit #kidlitauthor #picturebooksaremyjam

There is only love. Everything else is the absence of love. This image is a painting I did, following the painting technique of Linda Kemp. Alongside it, is a quote that serves as a reminder that love is everything ! #unityindiversity #kidsbooks #KidsBookShelf #beautyofdiversity #watercolour #watercolor #inspirationalquote #quoteoftheday #quotestoliveby #quotestagram #diversity #diversitymatters #diversityandinclusion

My book, The Great & the Small, is now available in #IndieOntario, a collection of books from #localindieauthors available exclusively on the #BiblioBoard Library! This collection is available to patrons of participating #libraries across #Ontario! I'm delighted to #supportlocal and also to make this lovely book more #inclusive for #readers. Thank you! To learn more about The Great & the Small, visit torreybalsara.com/books/the-great-and-the-small/ #yabooks #prejudice #rats #plague #Stalin #racism #YAlit #YAauthor #YA #illustrations #YAfiction #YoungAdult #Ratties #authoritarianism #pandemic #conflict #YAnovel #thegreatandthesmall #bookboost #writers #WritingCommunity #writerslife #writerscommunity #booknerd #bookworm #bookish #booklover

Looking for new books to help ease your transition back into good habits (especially because school’s starting)? Check out torreybalsara.com to see my YA and children’s books! #backtoschool #backtoschoolready #backtoschool2020 #backtoschoolreading #kidsbooks #kidsbookstagram #kidsbookswelove #kidsbooksforsale #KidsBookShelf #kidsbookshop #kidsbookslove #kidsbookstobuy #yabooks #yabookstagram #YAlit #YAauthor #YA #illustrations #YAfiction #YoungAdult #kidlit #kidlitauthor #kidlitillustrator #picturebooksaremyjam

Wishing you a happy labour day up here in Canada! I can’t believe we are already celebrating the last long weekend of Summer 2020! Stay safe and I hope you are ready for the start of fall #labourday #labourdayweekend #labourday2020 #canada #canadalife #canadagram #painting #author #illustrator #kidslit #YAlit #kidslitauthor #kidslitillustrator #watercolour #watercolor #watercolourpainting #watercolorpainting #writer #writerscommunity #writing #writingcommunity #love

Happy read a book day!!! Sit back, relax and grab a book to celebrate and while you’re at it, maybe check out www.torreybalsara.com for a potential new read ;) #readabookday #bookstagrammer #kidsbooks #kidsbookstagram #kidsbookswelove #kidsbooksforsale #KidsBookShelf #kidsbookshop #kidsbookslove #kidsbookstobuy #yabooks #yabookstagram #YAlit #YAauthor #YA #illustrations #YAfiction #YoungAdult #kidlit #kidlitauthor #kidlitillustrator #picturebooksaremyjam

YA fans, we have something for everyone in this giveaway! Including a $100 Amazon gift card to score even more books! Enter here: http://bit.ly/igyagive Follow some amazing YA authors on Instagram for a chance to win a hardback copy of Fable by Adrienne Young, To Sleep In A Sea Of Stars by Christopher Paolini, Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo, All Your Twisted Secrets by Diana Urban, and a $100 Amazon gift card!... #yareads #yalit #ireadya #yabooks

THE NIGHTINGALE’S SONG is a book that I wrote and illustrated. It celebrates diversity, unity and humanity! Children reading the book will see THEMSELVES in its pages, and will see themselves as BEAUTIFUL. Read more by visiting www.torreybalsara.com <3 #diversity #diversitymatters #diversityisbeautiful #diversityrules #diversityinbooks #diversityinbeauty #diversityisbeauty #DiversityBooks #kidsbooks #diversitypublications #diversityrocks #motivationalspeaker #diversitystrong #kidsbooks #kidsbookstagram #KidsBookShelf #paintingsofinstagram #paintingfun #beautyofdiversity #picturebooksaremyjam #UnityinDiversity

A while ago I submitted my YA novel "The Great & the Small" to Page Turner Awards... Now, I'm thrilled to find out I am a first place finalist for their eBook Award! If you'd like, check out my submission/profile by visiting pageturnerawards.com/ebook-award-fina/andrea-torrey-balsara #YAlit #YAauthor #YAlitillustrator #illustrations #YAfiction #YoungAdult #kidlit #kidlitauthor #kidlitillustrator #prejudice #rats #plague #Stalin #racism #Ratties #authoritarianism #pandemic #conflict #bookboost #pageturnerawards #2020 #finalist #thegreatandthesmall #bookawards #writers #WritingCommunity #writerslife #writersofinstagram #writerscommunity #writingawards

Meet Snug Rumkin! This ratty first mate pirate is from my book Greenbeard the Pirate Pig. Follow his Pirate adventures by visiting www.torreybalsara.com :) #kidsbooks #kidsbookswelove #kidsbooksforsale #KidsBookShelf #kidsbookshop #kidsbookslove #kidsbookstobuy #kidsbooksdelights #kidsbooksforadults #kidsbookshelfie #kidsbooksinenglish #kidsbooksworthreading #paintingfun #adventurebook #picturebook #picturebookart #picturebookillustration #Guineapigs #guineapig #pirates #pirate #piggies #adventure #kidlit #kidlitauthor #kidlitillustrator #illustrations #picturebook #picturebooks #adeventure #Rats #Ratties

MOUSE VACATION is the fourth volume of the beloved Happy the Pocket Mouse picture book series. Learn more by visiting www.torreybalsara.com :) ... #kidsbooks #kidsbookstagram #kidsbookswelove #kidsbooksforsale #KidsBookShelf #kidsbookshop #kidsbookslove #kidsbookstobuy #kidsbooksdelights #kidsbooksforadults #kidsbookshelfie #kidsbooksinenglish #kidsbooksworthreading #paintingsofinstagram #paintingfun #adventurebook #picturebook #picturebookart #picturebookillustration #kidlit #kidlitauthor #kidlitillustrator #illustrations #mouse #mice

MOUSE PET is the third tale in the picture book series, Happy the Pocket Mouse. Check out torreybalsara.com/books/mouse-pet/ for more details! #kidsbooks #kidsbookstagram #kidsbookswelove #kidsbooksforsale #KidsBookShelf #kidsbookshop #kidsbookslove #kidsbookstobuy #kidsbooksdelights #kidsbooksforadults #kidsbookshelfie #kidsbooksinenglish #kidsbooksworthreading #paintingsofinstagram #paintingfun #adventurebook #picturebook #picturebookart #picturebookillustration #kidlit #kidlitauthor #kidlitillustrator #illustrations #mouse #mice

JELLYBEAN MOUSE is the second tale in the exciting picture book series, Happy the Pocket Mouse. Learn more by visiting torreybalsara.com/books/jellybean-mouse/ :) #kidsbooks #kidsbookstagram #kidsbookswelove #kidsbooksforsale #KidsBookShelf #kidsbookshop #kidsbookslove #kidsbookstobuy #kidsbooksdelights #kidsbooksforadults #kidsbookshelfie #kidsbooksinenglish #kidsbooksworthreading #paintingsofinstagram #paintingfun #adventurebook #picturebook #picturebookart #picturebookillustration #kidlit #kidlitauthor #kidlitillustrator #illustrations #mouse #mice