Jessica MavromatisAUTHOR - ILLUSTRATOR
The Fly That Won’t Die, with a plaid book spine on the left

The Fly That
Won’t Die

A humorous and heartfelt picture book about a stubborn little fly who refuses to leave - teaching patience, persistence and the surprising ways friendship can form.

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Illustrations

A cheerful orange crab among bubbles and seaweed

A little look at my latest illustrations.

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Freebies

The Fly That Won’t Die coloring sheet

Print, color, make and enjoy!

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Books

Current books, upcoming projects
and behind the scenes.

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Latest Updates

Black illustrated hands with a bracelet and ring

A new print
in the works…

A pink toy shop decorated for the holidays

Little buildings
lately…

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Upcoming Events

NOV7Story time @ Couth Buzzard BooksGreenwood, WANOV21Fox Island Holiday MarketFox Island, WA
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LET’S SHARE A STORY

Story Time & School Visits

Bring The Fly That Won’t Die to your classroom, library, or bookshop. I’d love to hear about the readers you have in mind.

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Tell me your location, age group, and preferred dates.

jessica@frella.com

A LITTLE NOTE FROM JESSICA

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Books

The Fly That Won't Die

WRITTEN & ILLUSTRATED BY JESSICA MAVROMATIS

The Fly That Won't Die

My first picture book — a funny little story about a persistent fly, friendship, and finding your place.

Amazon →Barnes & Noble · Hardback →

What Readers Are Saying

“The sweetest book ever. Beautiful illustrations. Sweet story. My daughter and I really enjoy reading this at bedtime. Highly recommend!”

Amazon reader · Verified purchase

“A very cute story that made me smile and surprised me in the best way.”

Amazon reader · Verified purchase

“This book is so sweet!! Made me and my daughter smile.”

Amazon reader · Verified purchase
Read more reviews on Amazon →

The Story Behind the Book

You know those house flies that somehow seem to live forever? The ones that buzz around your kitchen no matter how many times you swat, shoo, or open the window? That’s where this all started — with one of those flies.

Read the full story

At first, it was just a passing thought: “This fly refuses to give up. It’s kind of impressive, really.” Then that silly idea stuck with me. What if that fly had a story? What if it wasn’t just annoying… what if it had a purpose?

That’s how The Fly That Won’t Die was born.

But I had a few hiccups. I never thought I could actually write or illustrate a book myself. I’ve always loved picture books and illustrating, but creating one felt like something “real authors” or “real illustrators” did — not me. So, for a long time, I did what we all do when something scares us: I procrastinated and wallowed in my self doubt.

But just like the fly, the idea wouldn’t leave either.

Eventually, I decided to stop waiting for the “perfect” time and just go for it. I told myself that the end goal didn’t have to be perfection — it just had to be finished. I wanted to see this little fly come to life somehow, even if it meant learning everything along the way.

So I wrote. I rewrote. I drew, erased, redrew, and I doubted myself many times over. But then I finally started to see this stubborn, funny little character take shape.

After a year of fits and starts, ruminating in my head, mistakes and massive learning curves, The Fly That Won’t Die was finally ready to take flight.

This project started with one (or several) persistent fly — and a reminder that sometimes, the ideas that won’t leave you alone are the ones worth chasing.

I’m so excited you’re here. The Fly That Won’t Die is available now, and I can’t wait for you to meet this stubborn little fly!

NEXT STORY IN THE WORKS

Why'd You Sting Me, Bee?

A new picture book about Larry, a bee, and a misunderstanding. More soon…

Illustrations

Little worlds, familiar places, and characters with stories to tell. Select an illustration to take a closer look.

A hermit crab holding a No Vacancy signNo VacancyView artwork ↗ A pink cupcake with sprinkles and a candleBirthday CupcakeView artwork ↗ Two birds with pink hearts on a dark green backgroundLove BirdsView artwork ↗ Four sardines in a tin with the words Glad We’re TightGlad We’re TightView artwork ↗ A smiling green turtle among reedsLittle TurtleView artwork ↗ A gnome in a red hat among flowers and a ladybugGarden GnomeView artwork ↗ Three little carrots peeking out of a flowerpotGrowing TogetherView artwork ↗ A cheerful orange crab among bubbles and seaweedUnder the SeaView artwork ↗ Three striped jellyfish among sea plantsJellyfish FriendsView artwork ↗ A red and white striped carton full of popcornPopcornView artwork ↗

Freebies

A few little things to print, color, make and enjoy — including goodies inspired by my books.

Preview of the printable Fly coloring sheet

The Fly That Won't Die

Color Fly and learn a few fun facts about him.

DOWNLOAD PDF →
Jessica’s illustrated self-portrait holding a bouquet of flowers

Hello!

I’m so happy you are here! Some tidbits about me – I’m a former full time graphic designer, turned Mom, turned part time designer/decor lover/baking lover/retired Etsy Shop owner, to now turned illustrator/picture book maker. Whew!  That was a lot, but it sums me up professionally and creatively in a nutshell. This site was my old blog where I would share freebies (feel free to still grab some in the archives), recipes and new findings in my shop. But now that I’ve done a pivot (anyone else hear Ross’s “Pivooot” from Friends every time that word is used?!), it’s the home to where I share some of my illustration musings, updates on my picture book in the making and what I am up to professionally.

A little back story on the why and how I decided to create a picture book, is from one little nagging fly. I’ll share more as my book comes to fruition so I don’t give it all away, but the idea for a children’s picture book struck me several years ago with a fly (or several) that wouldn’t leave. Just like the fly, the idea never left my thoughts. I hummed and hawed because I didn’t (don’t) know the first thing about writing and/or illustrating a children’s book, but after many self deprecating thoughts and finally deciding to put my big girl pants on and having a go at it…here I am. I can now call myself a published author-illustrator. I’m growing my illustration work, slowly but surely, and doing things I never imagined I’d be doing just a few short years ago.

I hope you enjoy some of my illustrations I share here, but please check out my Instagram and give a follow for even more!

XoXo
Jessica

A new print in the works…

Hands illustration in black with cream accentsHandsView artwork ↗Flowers illustration in black with cream accentsFlowersView artwork ↗Bird illustration in black with cream accentsBirdView artwork ↗Zebra illustration in black with cream accentsZebraView artwork ↗

Little Buildings Lately

Bookshop decorated for the holidaysBookshopView artwork ↗Fire Station decorated for the holidaysFire StationView artwork ↗Toy Shop decorated for the holidaysToy ShopView artwork ↗Post Office decorated for the holidaysPost OfficeView artwork ↗Townhouse decorated for the holidaysTownhouseView artwork ↗

Latest Updates

New illustrations, book news, and little things from the studio.

The homepage entries are design-preview examples. Full updates will be added before launch.

Upcoming Events

November 7

Story time @ Couth Buzzard Books
Greenwood, WA

November 21

Fox Island Holiday Market
Fox Island, WA

Fox Island Holiday Market

November 21, 2026
Fox Island, WA

Fox Island Christmas Market poster, featuring an illustrated fox carrying a gift. November 21, 2026.

Come Say Hello

For story time, school visits, book events, illustration inquiries, or just to say hi.

Email me at jessica@frella.com.

Plan a Story Time or School Visit

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