When Mary Kratz learned that her aunt was writing a children’s book and needed an illustrator, she jumped at the chance to combine her two loves – early education and art.

The creative duo recently published Ella Bella Loves the Rain, the first book in what they hope will become a series. 

The 20-page rhyming book follows the journey of Ella Bella as she turns a gloomy day into a day of pure joy.

Kratz, who was born and raised in Drexel Hill, describes the main character as a sweet, adventurous girl who loves nature and is thrilled to go out into the rain.

The book was published in October by Austin Macauley Publishers, London, England. It is available on Amazon. 

Kratz graduated from Neumann University in 2013 with a BA in early education and a minor in art.

Now living in Schwenksville, she has read the book numerous times to her two-year-old son Calder. She and her husband, Jake, are expecting their second child in February. 

“We went through the process together,” says Kratz of working with her aunt, Suzanne Downey Farrell. “I wanted it to look hand-drawn so I didn’t go the graphic route.” 

Instead, she used colored pencils to draw the illustrations. 

Prior to becoming an illustrator, Kratz worked as a pre-k, kindergarten, first- and second-grade teacher.

She was always drawn to teaching the younger grades and used those teaching experiences to shape her drawings for the book. 

“I always wanted to do something with children’s books, and I may do one of my own someday,” Kratz notes. 

Kratz and Farrell are currently working on their second book, where readers may find Ella Bella at the beach.