Nervous Nellies artist collaborates on children’s book
“The Littlest Elf: Marvin McGee and the Candle of Fate” is the collaboration of pictures and prose and created by two Southwest Florida residents, Dave Drotleff and Erin Snedeker.
The book is available online at www.barnesandnobel.com as well as www.amazon.com. Check for it with local bookstores during the upcoming Christmas holiday season. The story was written for parents and children of all ages, but is specifically geared for young readers ages 7-12.
First-time author, Erin Snedeker, 19, is currently a second-year student at Edison State College in Fort Myers, Florida. She initially wrote the Littlest Elf as a Christmas present for her seven-year old brother. Erin says she has always loved writing and prefers to craft stories with a positive teaching message. Born in Naples, Erin graduated from Estero High School in Fort Myers, teaches piano lessons and comes from an artistic family.Dad Andrew Snedeker plays oboe and English horn with the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra and Mom Jeannie Snedeker teaches dance and drama at Bonita Springs Elementary School. Both parents encouraged Erin to write and publish the book.
Also from Fort Myers, where he has lived for 18 years, Dave Drotleff is responsible for bringing the Littlest Elf to life through his delightful sketched and air-brushed images. This is his eighth children’s book; the others are out of print although some can occasionally be found on eBay.
Dave’s distinctive Disney-like cartoon style is evident through many local business logos including Fort Myers Beach restaurant, Nervous Nellies Ugly’s Waterfront Bar, and other island businesses such as Island Cow, Matzaluna’s, Captiva Cantina, Congress Jewelers and others. A graduate of the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, Dave has been creating art for his clients for nearly three decades.
Dave and Erin connected professionally through a recommendation to Erin’s dad from a local printer. “When he started sending me sketches,” adds Erin, “I knew immediately this was the artist to illustrate my book as his drawings were exactly how I had envisioned them in my head.” The team is already working on their next joint venture, “Strudell McDoogal and his Fabulous Flugal,” a children’s book about a boy who learns that it is okay to be yourself and stand up for what you believe in.