Meet Preston in Full Color: The Friendliest Cookie in the Jar
Exploring Friendship, Thankfulness, and Preston’s Glow
November and the Warmth of Belonging
November snuck up on us quietly. Softly. The shutdown finally lifted, and many of us felt the breeze and warmth in November’s hands. Gratitude lingered in the air. Days became shorter, the wind cooler. We reached for sweaters, lit candles, and carved out space for quiet moments with people we love.
Preston, the Macadamia cookie in my upcoming children’s book, is the perfect companion for this season. From his first sketched lines to his final form, he reflects the heart of November. Gentleness, connection, and the peaceful joy of community. Through his kindness and steady presence, he reminds me that gratitude is something we embody.
The Birth of a Macadamia Cookie
Preston’s story carries a soft boldness. Where Nora bursts with courage and curiosity, Preston enters as her warm counterbalance. His sweetness lingers instead of shouts.
His macadamia flavor was intentional. Macadamia cookies are rarely the first pick in a bakery, yet they are rich, comforting, and unforgettable. They feel like a hug. They feel like home. That is Preston. He is a soft-spoken, steady friend whose presence brings warmth to every scene.
As I drafted the story, he slowly became the cookie who shows what gratitude looks like in motion. He is baked with small acts of kindness, gentle encouragement, and that unmistakable glow of someone who simply shows up.
From Pencil Lines to Possibility
Before Preston danced through the story, he lived here in the early sketches. Four windows into who he was becoming.
In the top-left sketch, he opens his arms wide, freckles scattered like soft macadamia pieces. His smile says, “I’m happy you are here.” Even without color, Preston already feels like a friend who welcomes everyone. He is full of generosity.
In the top-right sketch, he stands with one arm raised, hat tilted, I gave him a sense of confidence. A cookie at home in the world!
The bottom-left Preston laughs with a radiating joy that spreads wide. With one arm in the air, it’s as if he is mid-story. Like he just met someone new.
And the bottom-right sketch shows him simply poised with a quiet smile. There is no hat or fluff here. He’s just a cookie who knows how to show up.
Every early drawing shows up Preston was always meant to be a cookie baked with gratitude. Any good community would fully welcome him.
The Preston Concept Drawing
Here is Preston stepping into color for the first time. This concept drawing was the moment he walked out of my sketchbook and into his world with arms open.
Standing between two brick walls, arms wide, he looks ready to greet anyone who passes. That welcoming posture is Preston’s entire spirit. Steady. Cheerful. Making space for others without hesitation. His warm browns and soft tones echo the comforting feeling of November, a month held together by gratitude and community.
This concept captured who he is at his core: the friend who says “You’re safe here,” without having to speak.
The Preston You’ll Meet
And here he is! Preston brought to life not just on the page, but right into the room with me. That’s exactly who he is. Always there. In this updated illustration, Brandon D. Gunning, my illustrator, captured Preston’s spirit so vividly! He feels like he could hop right out of the book and join in on the joy. And honestly, that’s exactly what he did.
In this picture, Preston is strutting beside me with that same musical bounce he carries through every scene in Nora Escapes the Bakery. His warm macadamia glow, expressive brows, and bright red shorts shine even brighter when he’s placed next to everyday life. It’s as if his whole presence is saying, “I’m grateful to be here with you. Come dance with me.”
Preston stopped being just a character for me. He became a companion in this path of becoming. His character is a reminder that gratitude shows up in the ordinary moments: dancing in the living room, laughing with people we love, and choosing joy even when life feels heavy.
Brandon captured ALL of that in this final version. Preston hums while he walks. He lifts spirits quietly. His light shines. Bringing him into a real-life moment made me realize how deeply his character was shaped by warmth, belonging, and thankfulness.
We need more Prestons! He belongs in our world just as much as he belongs in the book.
The Heart of Preston
Looking back at these iterations of Preston feels like watching a relationship deepen, from first impressions, to understanding, to love. Each step reveals more of a quiet courage and gentle spirit.
Preston’s presence in the story reminds me that gratitude shows up in these small ways:
Checking in with a friend
Sharing a laughter on a cold day
Calling on a steady friend when life feels heavy
Hearing a soft hum in the background while you work or cook
We don’t have to make grand gestures to feel a sense of gratitude. Preston teaches that community is built crumb by crumb, moment by moment.
What Preston Teaches Me
This November, Preston is my reminder to be thankful for the people who bring warmth into my world. To be grateful for the ones who stand with me quietly without fanfare. To be glad to have the ones who make space for joy, even in difficult seasons.
Honestly, I have a new definition for gratitude now. It’s not just saying “Thank you.” It’s being present. Sticking around. Listening intentionally. Bringing out the best in others so that they feel that sense of warmth and connection.
Your Turn
How do you plan on being a beacon of gratitude this season? I’d love to hear your thoughts!