Not all the illustrators actually have a home in Utah. Some were students at Brigham Young University; some have gone to live in places such as Idaho, Maine and New York. But they all have a Utah connection. And many are really making a name for themselves.

Brett Helquist, for example, grew up in Orem and graduated from BYU. He now lives in New York, where he is perhaps best known for his illustrations for "A Series of Unfortunate Events," by Lemony Snicket. But he's also done illustrations for books by Blue Balliett, and he now has written a book of his own, "Roger the Jolly Pirate."

Matthew Armstrong is a relatively new illustrator, but he has hooked up with the C.S. Lewis estate and has done illustrations for a "Chronicles of Narnia" series, including a pop-up book with Robert Sabuda. Armstrong is from Salt Lake City and has studied at the Visual Art Institute in Sugar House. He also draws and paints for video games and comic books.

Richard Hull teaches at BYU and has done work for Judith Viorst's books, among others. Hala Wittwer teaches at BYU and BYU-Idaho and has worked with folk writer Jane Yolen and others.

Mark Buehner is another of the "we knew him first" artists, Layton says. "There was a time when Harvey Potter was more famous in Utah than Harry Potter — OK, it wasn't long, but 'Harvey Potter's Balloon Farm' was very popular. And who knew his 'Snowmen at Night' would become such a big success?"

Layton notes she was surprised to find out that Lily Toy Hong lives in Sandy. "We sold her books for years, and I always loved them." Fumi Kosaka grew up in Japan, went to BYU, lived in New York and then moved back to Utah. "She has a totally different style. I love her humor."

Robert Barrett teaches at BYU and "is well known in the art world outside illustration. He did the art for 'Silent Night: Holy Night: The Story of the Christmas Truce,' and is now working with a publisher in the Midwest on a series of Bible stories," Layton says.

Ben Sowards, who teaches at Southern Utah University, has also done work locally with Shadow Mountain, including the artwork for "A Christmas Dress for Ellen," with story by LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson, and the Leven Thumps books by Obert Skye.

Will Terry grew up in Washington, D.C., and now lives in Cedar Hills. "Of all the illustrators here, I think he is the least afraid of color," says Layton.

Greg Newbold, who teaches part time at BYU and is working on a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Hartford, "does the most wonderful landscapes," she adds. "An illustrator not only has to create characters, he has to create the environment. I just love Greg's sense of nostalgia."