AWARD-WINNING WRITER AND RENOWNED FINE ARTIST TEAM UP FOR NEW CHILDREN’S PICTURE BOOK

Orlando, FL — Diane Fredel-Weis, a screenwriter and former creative executive for The Walt Disney Company and R. Tom Gilleon, a fine artist and consultant for The Walt Disney Company, announced today the publication of their new children’s picture book, “The Cat That Wanted Out.”

The book, the first in a series, about an indoor cat who wants to go outside until he discovers “out” is a bigger adventure than he ever expected, was written by Fredel-Weis and illustrated by Gilleon.

It is a beautiful, 46-page book for young readers that Fredel-Weis describes as “text light yet story strong.”

“Aside from my professional background in developing content for children, it was from my personal experience as a mom that inspired me to create a book that welcomes even the earliest readers,” Fredel-Weis explains. “I kept chiseling the words, leaving only the ones that were essential to tell and progress the story.”

It is obvious she has great respect and admiration for Gilleon’s contribution to the book.

“Tom’s illustrations do much more than complement the story. Each illustration is a story of its own,” says Fredel-Weis. “When you look at the cat when he wants back “in,” you can’t help but linger at that page and feel for the cat.”

Is there a moral to the story? “There are both rewards and risks with stepping outside your comfort zone for children, adults and even cats,” states Fredel-Weis. “At the same time, we look forward to returning to what is warm and familiar.”

Fredel-Weis’ writing and producing credits include children’s programs for WPLG-TV, Miami, an affiliate of ABC, award-winning television commercials for Walt Disney World resorts as well as trailers for Disney animated and motion pictures, a program for the Disney Channel and a feature film that has appeared on Showtime and is currently airing on Lifetime.

Her creative talents have been recognized with numerous Addy Awards, an Emmy, and New York Film Festival honors.

While Gilleon has always worked as a fine artist, he began his career in the commercial field as an illustrator for NASA's Apollo programs and as a designer and illustrator with the Walt Disney Company and other theme park design groups.

Working with some of the great motion picture art directors led to Gilleon’s involvement in the motion picture industry as an illustrator and storyboard artist. One of his more interesting studio jobs was creating matte paintings for the movie, "Dick Tracy.”

Gilleon and his family live in Montana, which has been the inspiration for his popular fine art.

What’s next for the cat that wanted out? Fredel-Weis reveals there are many more adventures ahead for him. A list of upcoming titles which include: “The Cat That Wanted Out Goes Up, Up and Away” and “The Cat That Wanted Out Goes Down Under.”

For more information on or to order a copy of “The Cat That Wanted Out,” visit www.xlibris.com and click on “bookstore.”

For more information on R. Tom Gilleon, visit www.timberlinestudios.com.

To contact Diane Fredel-Weis, email her at fredelweis@aol.com.