The Southern Utah Book Festival is back! Check it out this week with the main event on Saturday, September 20th. Plenty of author panels, book signings, and activities to delight readers of all ages. I’ll be on a picture book panel from 11 – 11:45 am with kidlit friends. Be sure not to miss the DRAW-OFF at 2pm! Hope to see you there!
This Sunday is World Oceans Day! Celebrate by joining me Sunday, June 8th from 12:30 – 3:30 at the Las Vegas Discovery Children’s Museum for a fun presentation about nudibranchs. Learn all about these amazing colorful (and carnivorous) sea slugs, discover your own species, and take home a special piece of wearable art. All supplies provided. Funded in part by The NEA and Nevada Arts Council.
Bonnie Kelso is the author and illustrator of several books for children. NUDI GILL: POISON POWERHOUSE OF THE SEA introduces children to the fascinating nudibranch, a carnivorous soft bodied mollusk. A 2023 Nevada Center for the Book “Great Reads from Great Places” children’s book selection!
A young girl explores the wooded area near her home and encounters a variety of animals that are curious about their new visitor. Tails twitch, bodies ripple, and leaves drift. They watch each other from a safe distance. Could the Wonder of the Woods be YOU? Wonders abound as you explore nature in this lyrical picture book about curiosity and harmony.
I can’t wait to see you there!
Bonnie Kelso writes and illustrates books for children that educate and inspire. She facilitates art workshops for her local community and beyond. NUDI GILL: Poison Powerhouse of the Sea, introduces kids to the tiny but fierce nudibranch. SEA SMILES & SLEEPY SEA are part of a three-part series pairing childhood milestones with fascinating sea animal facts. Coming soon:DEXTER THE STAND UP DOG, shares the true story of a canine internet sensation who adapted to walking upright after a tragic accident.
Create your very own passport-sized travel journal, the perfect companion for your next adventure, or a creative keepsake to capture memories from past journeys!
These easy-to-make accordion-folded journals are designed to be ultra-portable, so you can document your travels anytime, anywhere. With a handy pocket in the back, you’ll have a special place to store treasures like ticket stubs, maps, and tiny mementos. Not planning a trip just yet? No problem! Transform it into a personal vision board to help manifest your next getaway. Wherever your adventures take you, this journal will be right there with you!
These workshops are free and open to the public. All supplies are included.
See you there!
Bonnie Kelso writes and illustrates books for children that educate and inspire. She facilitates art workshops for her local community and beyond. NUDI GILL: Poison Powerhouse of the Sea, introduces kids to the tiny but fierce nudibranch. SEA SMILES & SLEEPY SEA are part of a three-part series pairing childhood milestones with fascinating sea animal facts. Coming soon:DEXTER THE STAND UP DOG, shares the true story of a canine internet sensation who adapted to walking upright after a tragic accident.
How much do I love presenting to kids about nudibranchs? This much!!! Join me this Saturday at the Las Vegas Natural History Museum for fun and activities all about my favorite creature of the sea, the nudibranch! I’ll be performing two interactive shows. Times and details can be found here: https://www.lvnhm.org/event-details/the-nudibranch-show-2025-04-26-11-00
About the Events:
Apr 26, 2025, 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM & 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM
Las Vegas Natural History Museum, 900 Las Vegas Blvd N, Las Vegas, NV 89101, USA
Special Guest: Bonnie Kelso
11:00-11:45 AM – The Nudibranch SHOW!
Best for grades K-2nd (45 minutes)
In this program, Bonnie shares her love for strange and unusual sea animals. She’ll introduce a cast of odd marine characters and describe each of their special talents. Bonnie will read aloud her informational picture book NUDI GILL. Afterwards, she will guide the class in some creative role playing exercises as they imagine the life of a nudibranch. The students will be guided step-by-step as they draw Gill, the nudibranch. Lastly, Bonnie will answer questions and challenge students to discover more about nudibranchs after the presentation.
12:00-12:45 PM – Design YOUR OWN Nudibranch
Best for grades K-5th (45 minutes)
In this program, Bonnie shares explains that there are over 3,000 species of nudibranchs and that additional species are still being discovered. She will read aloud her informational picture book NUDI GILL. She will identify and explain the different parts of nudibranch anatomy. Afterwards, she will guide students step-by-step as they invent their own undiscovered species of nudibranch. Lastly, Bonnie will answer questions and challenge students to discover more about nudibranchs after the presentation.
See you there!
Bonnie Kelso writes and illustrates books for children that educate and inspire. She facilitates art workshops for her local community and beyond. NUDI GILL: Poison Powerhouse of the Sea, introduces kids to the tiny but fierce nudibranch. SEA SMILES & SLEEPY SEA are part of a three-part series pairing childhood milestones with fascinating sea animal facts. Coming soon:DEXTER THE STAND UP DOG, shares the true story of a canine internet sensation who adapted to walking upright after a tragic accident.
“Hey, y’all!” she says feeling into her southern roots.
This Saturday (10/26/24) is my book launch party from 12pm – 2pm at Buffy’s Book Boutique. Buffy’s is the cutest book store in Las Vegas! You have to come check it out.
Buffy’s Book Boutique 3585 S Durango Dr #103 Las Vegas, NV USA 89147
I’ll be reading WONDER OF THE WOODS, published by Little Press and One Little Earth. It is a lyrical nonfiction story about exploring nature in a gentle and respectful way. I will also have an art activity for kids (or crafty adults) and will be available to sign books. There will be some swag and a giveaway, too! RSVP here to reserve your copy of the book: https://buffysbookboutique.com/events/1233820241026
If we’re lucky, maybe Buffy herself will make an appearance. No promises.
See you at Buffy’s!
Bonnie Kelso writes and illustrates books for children, is a muralist and facilitates art workshops in her community and beyond. Her newest picture book, WONDER OF THE WOODS is a lyrical nonfiction story about exploring nature in a gentle and respectful way. Her debut picture book, NUDI GILL, released April 4, 2023. SEA SMILES, the first of a three-part series, released February 20, 2024. Coming in November: QUAIL TRAIL. A lover of nature and travel, she often wanders about outside with her family whenever an excellent opportunity to do so presents itself.
I want to start this post with an apology. My last post was in February and a TON has happened since then. I admit that I have not been very good at keeping readers informed on what has been happening with Nudi Gill. Here’s the condensed (but still exciting) update:
Nudi Gill the Card Game Crowdfundr event is now live! You can reserve your copy of this limited edition deck and be a part of supporting the first ever card game all about marine mollusks. Check it out!
Nudi Gill: Poison Powerhouse of the Sea has been selected as the “Great Reads from Great Places” children’s book to represent Nevada at the National Book Festival in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, August 12th at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. This is a huge honor, and I’m so excited to participate. If you’re in the DC area that weekend, stop by and say, “Hi!”
I have a fun line up of library visits scheduled for the Southern Nevada region. Keep reading for dates and locations.
Nudi Gill has been getting a lot of positive feedback and I’ve even started receiving some fan art. This makes me extra happy. So, please send me yours! You can email it to me at artistbkelso@gmail.com and I will post it on my website in a special place of honor.
Whew! Now I feel so much better. Thank you for your patience.
Now… THE GLORIOUS DETAILS!
Nudi Gill the Card Game:
I designed this colorful and funny card game with the whole family in mind. It’s easy to play and a great way to learn more about nudibranchs and other marine mollusks.
I hope you will support my project so that I can have these cards printed and distributed to all the nudibranch enthusiasts out there.
Check out my Crowdfundr page to learn more about the project and reserve your limited edition copy before they’re gone. You also have the option to gift a deck to a local Las Vegas Elementary School.
NUDI GILL Summer 2023 Library Visits:
Nudi Gill Pin-Ups! The Coloring Book:
Nifty Nudibranchs and Other Sassy Sea Slugs:
Along with the release of my book, I created this companion coloring book based on my blog post series.
The 32-page coloring book is hosted by Gill, but focuses more on other nudibranch and sea slug species. You can learn interesting facts about them and their scientific names.
Of course, in true Nudi Gill fashion, it is also peppered with jokes and quirky personalities.
Oh, and you won’t want to miss that centerfold spread featuring Gill in all his glory.
Wishing you a super summer,
Bonnie Kelso writes and illustrates books for children and adults that encourage individualism and brave self-expression. She facilitates art workshops for her local community and beyond. Her debut picture book, NUDI GILL, released April 4, 2023. A lover of nature and travel, she often wanders about outside with her family whenever an excellent opportunity to do so presents itself.
I’d like to take a moment to thank each and every one of you who have shared this NUDI GILL PIN UP series with me over the last 20 months. That’s right! This is the last NUDI GILL PIN UP, because my book NUDI GILL: POISON POWERHOUSE OF THE SEA is releasing next month on March 7th!
Today I have a special Valentine’s Day treat for you! This little candy colored nudibranch is so delectable you’ll want to dip it in chocolate and nibble its mantle like a sea slug bon-bon. Ewww, maybe not.
Chromodoris Annae is one of my all time favorite nudibranchs. That’s why I modeled my character Gill after them.
Here’s an early character design of Gill:
I’ve always had a special place in my heart for nudibranchs. Maybe it’s because they are so tiny and beautiful, but also fierce carnivores. They can suck the poison out of their food and use it as a weapon. Talk about superpowers! What’s not to love about that?
Did you know that nudibranchs have tiny little shells when they are still in their larva stage of development? The shells disappear before they begin to develop into their adult form. Check out this magical video of baby nudis:
Nudibranch are part of the gastropod family and many gastropods, like sea snails, have shells. Nudibranchs evolved over the years maximizing their poison defense mechanisms and no longer need to carry a shell for protection. They prefer to go…
NAKED!!!
I love the confidence of that. So I needed to make sure Gill’s personality exuded attitude.
Here’s a nostalgic look back at all the NUDI GILL PIN UPS!
Bonnie Kelso writes and illustrates books for children and adults that encourage individualism and brave self-expression. She facilitates art workshops for her local community and beyond. Her debut picture book, NUDI GILL, releases in March, 2023. A lover of nature and travel, she often wanders about outside with her family whenever an excellent opportunity to do so presents itself.
Happy New Year everyone! I know, I know, maybe it’s not so new anymore since it is already January 29th. I can’t believe how fast this month flew by. But, never fear, there’s still time to oooh and awwww over this little cutie nudi from the Tropical Western Pacific Ocean. Specifically found in many locations including Indonesia, Philippines, Solomon Islands, Mabul, New Britain, the Davao Gulf, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Sulawesi, Great Barrier Reef and Taiwan. Wow! This little one really gets around.
Check out the line work on this beauty! This photo shows Halgerdabatangas hanging upside down. See those bumpy orange spots on the nudribranch’s body? Those have a special name that I love.
In anatomy, a tubercle is any round nodule, small eminence, or warty outgrowth found on external or internal organs of a plant or an animal. I love learning new words.
Three cheers for TUBERCLES!
Want to learn another cool word? Those thin orange lines on the nudibranch’s body make up a specific pattern that is seen in other places in nature. Do you know what it is? This giraffe has the same kind of pattern in its fur.
By the way, if you like educational wormholes as much as I do, here’s a link to a fascinating webpage I stumbled upon all about leaf structures. Go geek out and get the skinny on a whole new world of words.
Bonnie Kelso writes and illustrates books for children and adults that encourage individualism and brave self-expression. She facilitates art workshops for her local community and beyond. Her debut picture book, NUDI GILL, releases in March, 2023. A lover of nature and travel, she often wanders about outside with her family whenever an excellent opportunity to do so presents itself.
Bonnie Kelso 