Studio journal

Finishing The Bird in the Egg: From Cover to Animation

After I drew all 24 pages of The Bird in the Egg, my work wasn’t over. I made a front and back cover, two animated films (a book trailer and a teaser), motion studies of Finch, and a coloring book, The Adventures of Finch, for ages 4–8 that is coming soon. This is everything that came after.

October 2, 2026 · By D.G. Alonso

Finch, a little blue bird, with an eggshell over his head

The cover, front and back

I wanted the front cover to set the rule for the whole book: a warm yellow forest drawn in white lines, and one small blue bird with an eggshell on his head. For the back cover I kept it simple, with a single question.

Front cover of The Bird in the Egg by D.G. Alonso — Front cover

Back cover: Why does Finch hide in an eggshell? — Back cover: “Why does Finch hide in an eggshell?”

Finch, up close

Finch standing with the eggshell over his head — Bold blue and black against the yellow world, so your eye always finds him.

How did I animate Finch?

I also animated Finch for two short films: a book trailer and a teaser.

Trailer. Finch flies in, lands on a branch and says hi.

Teaser. Two eyes in the dark, then Finch, up close.

Motion studies

Before an animation, the character has to move like himself. These are some of my small tests.

Walk cycle. Finch’s little steps, on repeat.

Finch with a pava, the straw hat of Puerto Rico’s countryside — a nod to where I grew up.

Animation test. A machine of gears, and a claw that picks Finch up.

Coming next: a coloring book

My next project with Finch is The Adventures of Finch, a coloring book with Finch and his forest friends, for ages 4–8. Here are its covers and a few of the pages inside.

Front cover of The Adventures of Finch coloring book — Front cover

Back cover of the coloring book: Finch next to the words Let’s paint! — Back cover: “Let’s paint!”

A peek inside

Coloring page: Finch, with his eggshell on, stands on top of a friendly elephant’s head — Finch on top of a new friend

Coloring page: Finch paddles across a river on a crocodile’s back while two birds row canoes past tall rocks and a fish peeks out of the water — A river race, with a crocodile for a boat

Coloring page: Finch walks down a forest path between tall grass and round stones — Down the forest path

downloadDownload these pages freeshopping_bagGet The Bird in the Egg

Meanwhile, the free coloring pages and the free activity sheet are ready to print, and my next picture book is already on the drawing table: read about Life.

shopping_cartGet it on AmazonFree activity sheet