VAIL, Colorado — In September 2006, when children's book literary agent Sandy Ferguson Fuller received a submission of sample drawings from artist Louise Schroeder, Fuller knew she had something special.

The package contained two dozen colorful paintings of five comical bluebirds, packed with personality and potential. Each sample portrayed the little birds visiting different geographical habitats and wearing gear appropriate to the locale, like ponchos in the rainforest. “

These bluebirds appeared to be on a quest to observe remarkable, real birds around the world, but there was no story, just artwork with clever captions. I thought, how can I craft this into a kids' book?” Fuller says.

Well, call it the birth of the “Blues.” Herself a published author/illustrator, Fuller put on her writing hat and created a written proposal to accompany Schroeder's drawings. After some serious “birdstorming,” they agreed that the Blues would become an official band of birdwatchers who also like to sing and to teach kids about the popular sport of birding.

Fuller switched hats again to act as agent for the book, and shopped the proposal to a number of children's book publishers. Her agency, Alp Arts Co., is located in the Vail Valley. Within a few months, she got the call and a series contract offer from Dawn Publications.

“'The Blues Go Birding Across America' is the first of five books in the new series,” said Fulller, who will read and sign books at the Bookworm of Edwards in Tuesday.

And just completed for August release, the second book is “The Blues Go Birding at Wild America Shores.”