Local Artist Collaborates On First Book

by Vernon Robison
Moapa Valley Progress

Logandale resident and artist, Ciara Sprague, has recently finished illustrating her very first children’s book. Sprague collaborated on the project with Las Vegas author, Michael McIntire. The book, entitled “Thunder and Lightning” is expected to hit the shelves this week. They will be available for purchase at Books, Etc. in Overton.  The book tells the story about the origins of thunder and lightning. It is about a group of people in a small town who always seem to be caught by surprise by sudden rainstorms. They decide that there should be some signal given to warn them of oncoming storms. They travel into the mountain where the dark rainclouds reside and request that the cloud give such a signal which would allow them to take shelter in time. After many adventures, it is decided that the cloud will send thunder to warn of the coming storm and lightning to help light the way to safety.

The story was invented by McIntire while telling bedtime stories to his four grandchildren. “They had begun to develop a real fear of thunderstorms,” McIntire said. “This story was just an attempt to make thunder and lightning less frightening.”

The story developed over a period of time, McIntire said. Each time he told it it became more and more embellished and details were added. It turned out to be a favorite, and oft-requested, story.

“Thunder and Lightning” is McIntire’s first book. But he has had a life-time interest in telling interesting stories. “I have always been a great fan of the art of storytelling,” McIntire said. McIntire names radio features like Lake Woebegone Days and Tom Bodette as some of his favorites. He also remembers the days of the old fashioned radio programs which told stories. “My story-telling has been very much formed by these types of influences,” he said.

The book is loaded with brightly colored illustrations which are sure to stimulate its young child audience. It took nearly a year for Sprague to complete the illustrations for the book. “It was really difficult for me because it was the first time I’d ever done a project like this and I wanted to make sure that I got it right,” Sprague said.

“I think that, after all of her work, she hit the nail right on the head,” McIntire said of Sprague’s illustrations. McIntire said that he had spent quite a bit of time trying to find an illustrator for his story with no luck. “I couldn’t find anyone who could get the vision of what I was picturing for the story,” he said.

One day McIntire, who also works delivering mail to local post-offices, was expressing his frustration about illustrators to Overton post office worker, Donna Noto. She suggested that he get in touch with Sprague. From there, their collaboration was born.

“Ciara has been great to work with,” McIntire said. “She started right in and had no trouble creating just what I was looking for.”

Sprague, the daughter of Phil and Shauna Sprague of Logandale, grew up in the Moapa Valley and graduated from Moapa Valley High School in 2005. According to her mother, Shauna, Ciara showed a very early interest in drawing and illustration.

“She has been drawing almost since she was born,” Shauna said. “She has many, many binders full of her drawings and artwork.” Ciara explained that her artwork is influenced by cartoons and comic book styles. She is especially a fan of Disney cartoons and animation. In this book she used Prima colored pencils which gave the illustrations their bright, vivid colors.

“Thunder and Lightning” is currently available at Books, Etc. It can also be purchased directly from McIntire who can be contacted by email at morningstar childrensbooks@cox.net. The book will be featured in its publisher’s spring catalog and will be available through major national book distributors in the coming weeks.