RELEASE DATE: OCTOBER 20, 2015

Contact Haley Stocking, Publicist 206/826-4318 hstocking@sasquatchbooks.com

Social Animals
A Berkley Bestiary
Ryan and Lucy Berkley


Are you a top dog, a social butterfly, or an odd duck? Enter the
Berkley Bestiary of Social Animals (Sasquatch Books; October
2015; $18.95), an imaginative collection of animal portraits and
stories from Ryan and Lucy Berkleythe creators of beloved Etsy
shop Berkley Illustration. This whimsical compendium is
guaranteed to delight readers of all ages, as we begin to see
ourselves and other animals in a whole new light.

For the first time, Ryan Berkleys pen and colored pencil

animal portraits are collected in book form (along with some

exclusive new ones), with accompanying stories for each animal
by Lucy Berkley. The Berkleys have been highlighted as Etsy
success stories multiple times and Ryan has illustrated for clients such as Nike, The Discovery
Channel, Urban Outfitters, Patagonia, and more.

Social Animals features profiles on characters such as The Brooding Bat, who was a loner until

she joined the Cave Circus with a gymnastic fruit fly act, and The Crafty Chipmunk, a professional
whittler whose passion project is a life-size wooden replica of Babe the Blue Ox.

This tongue-in-cheek illustrated social compendium will delight readers as well as have them

asking themselves which Social Animal am I?

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1904 3rd Avenue, Suite 710 SEATTLE, WASHINGTON 98101
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About the Author and Illustrator

Ryan Berkley, the human artist, likes to mix his job making meticulous
masterpieces with family festivities. On the drawing board, he's a stickler
for detail and accuracy, so much so that he tends to hold his breath and
squint while he's coloring. To balance those scrupulous studio sessions, he
always allows time for a more abstract activity. On most days, thats an
afternoon dance party with his children and hound dog. To him, nothing
refreshes his mental palate more than a good somersault while his threeyear-old plays air guitar.

Lucy Berkley, the matriarch and head of entrepreneurial operations, spends

a lot of her time coming up with ideas. She is a problem solver at heart, and
while she used to specialize in crossword puzzles, her solutions now revolve
around her duties as a full-time mom, business owner, writer, and dance
party co-captain. Because brainstorming occupies the bulk of her business
day, she enjoys evenings engaged in embroidery. While she thoroughly
relishes the chaos of her routine, she finds the minutiae of needlepoint a
relaxing counterpoint to consideration of the big picture.
For more about the Berkleys, visit BerkleyIllustration.com

Social Animals
A Berkley Bestiary
Illustrated by Ryan Berkley; stories by Lucy Berkley
October 2015 $18.95 80 pages Hardcover
ISBN: 978-1-63217-040-8
Available wherever fine books are sold.
Sasquatch Books 800/775-0817 www.sasquatchbooks.com

SASQUATCH BOOKS
1904 3rd Avenue, Suite 710 SEATTLE, WASHINGTON 98101
206/467-4300 TOLL FREE 800/775-0817 FAX 206/467-4301
www.sasquatchbooks.com

Its 2010, I just moved to Chicago, I

have my first real paychecks
coming in, and what do I do? I rush
to buy myself some big boy art,
of course. I hadnt even bought a mattress yet,
and the studio I shared with my writing
partner was so small we could cook and do
the dishes all while sitting in bed. Gosh darn it
though, our four new walls would look fab. I
literally braved a storm a tornado, to be
exact to get one of the last copies of Ryan
Berkleys gorilla prints before the storm got
too bad. Wrapped in layers of tissue paper to
protect it from the gale-force winds, I ran

With over 100 portraits to choose from, Ryan and

Lucy's shop has something for everyone from
movie lovers to those who want a Ryan Berkley
original.

home with a skip in my step. By now, Ryan and the charming animal portraits he
creates for his studio,Berkley Illustration,have become bestsellers on Etsy and a go-to
for quirky and fun home styling. At the time, however, his style was a totally new
concept to me. Here was someone with a new vision and a stylish way of bringing that
vision to life. Subtle colors and the wink of his furry subjects make me smile to this day.
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SASQUATCH BOOKS
1904 3rd Avenue, Suite 710 SEATTLE, WASHINGTON 98101
206/467-4300 TOLL FREE 800/775-0817 FAX 206/467-4301
www.sasquatchbooks.com

Ryan and his wife, Lucy, run Berkley

Illustrationfrom their home office in
Portland, OR. Their artwork first appeared
at the 2006 Crafty Wonderlandart and craft
show and the rest is history. When talking
about the beginnings of the company on his
site, Ryan says, We decided to do an
Ryan and Lucy used to rent studio space, but with two
kids and a dog to care for, the commute was proving
too difficult. The couple decided to move into a larger
home and turned this space into a home office. Wood
paneling and old carpet had to be replaced and what
Ryan calls "cardboard paper-like ceilings," had to be
updated immediately.

ancestor theme for our booth inspired by

our love of animals and also old-timey
portraiture. The ancestor animals did so
well at that first show that theyve

continued to evolve and multiply ever since. The two really are a team in every sense
of the word. Lucy runs the business side of the brand
filling orders, communicating with customers and
making sure everything is running smoothly, while Ryan
sketchesaway, creating his menagerie. Now with over
100 animals to choose from and the likes of Urban
Outfitters and Real Simple featuring their work, Berkley
Illustration truly is a lesson in how two people can build
a brand with a little passion and a unique idea. The
couple was generous to let us peek inside their home
studio and we couldnt be more honored. Garrett

All photos byRyan and Lucy Berkley

This playful corner of Ryan's office

truly embodies the quirky nature of
his work. Ryan has collaborated
with Nike, his art has been featured
in Real Simple magazine, and he
has sold prints at Urban Outfitters.

SASQUATCH BOOKS
1904 3rd Avenue, Suite 710 SEATTLE, WASHINGTON 98101
206/467-4300 TOLL FREE 800/775-0817 FAX 206/467-4301
www.sasquatchbooks.com