A few character designs from Pete and Fremont, showing the reference and inspiration. I also include the first versions of Pete (the poodle) and Rita (the chimp). Rita especially gained more depth after art director Samantha McFerrin asked me to make her more feminine. Author Jenny Tripp gave the Lipizzaner Sisters wonderful MittelEuropean accents that reminded me of Zsa-Zsa and Eva Gabor.
Update: I should mention that the shackled grizzly bear in the reference photo is being relocated, not destroyed.
John Manders' Blog 
John, this is fascinating. I’m going to repost for the benefit of my animal author friends!
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