Thomas, Mcintyre Create ‘Are They Alike?’ Picture Book

After taking a drawing class from Ann Thomas at Peninsula School of Art, part-time Fish Creek resident Mike McIntyre asked Thomas whether she would like to create a picture book together. The resulting work, Are They Alike? (aretheyalike.com), is a heartfelt story about the loving relationship between a grandparent and grandchild that can help to develop social and emotional skills in children when they read it with adults. 

During their first meeting, McIntyre and Thomas committed to creating a contemporary book that is reminiscent of a classic and that positively, sensitively tackles growing older. To accomplish this, Thomas aged the characters over an 18-year span, and McIntyre designed a minimalist layout with fun, “learn-to-read call-out words” and a story with touches of humor.

McIntyre is a designer, teacher and marketer who appreciates nostalgic items such as classic picture books, fountain pens, paper airplanes and mechanical windup toys that convey simplicity, honesty and authenticity. Thomas is an artist, illustrator and teacher who enjoys capturing children’s emotions in sensitive images.