Ursula Murray Husted, creator of A Cat Story, creates a detailed portrait of life in a Renaissance artist’s studio in her upcoming middle-grade graphic novel Botticelli’s Apprentice. Set in Florence in the 15th century, the fictional story centers on a young girl who tends to artist Sandro Botticelli’s chickens and dreams of becoming an artist herself. Unfortunately, that path is closed off to girls, but Mella secretly teaches herself painting. When one of Botticelli’s apprentices tries to take credit for her work, she decides to stand up for herself and take a step toward achieving her ambition. Quill Tree Books will publish the 272-page graphic novel, rated for ages 8-12, on March 11, 2025, as a hardcover with an MSRP of $24.99 and a paperback with an MSRP of $15.99.

A Cat Story, also published by Quill Tree, was one of Rob Salkowitz’s holiday picks in 2020 (see “Gifts for Graphic Novel Fans”).