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Toronto illustrator teams up with Paul McCartney on children's book

Paul McCartney is shown in this illustration from his kid's book called "Hey Grandude" in this undated handout photo. Canadian illustrator Kathryn Durst says it's a thrill to see her name alongside Paul McCartney's on the cover of the rock legend's new children's book, "Hey Grandude." THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Penguin Random House, Kathryn Durst

Toronto-based illustrator Kathryn Durst says she’s found a true collaborator in Paul McCartney after working closely with the rock legend to bring his bedtime tale for grandchildren to the page.

McCartney revealed the cover of his upcoming children’s book “Hey Grandude!” featuring Durst’s drawings on social media Wednesday.

Durst says some authors take a hands-off approach to the visual side of storytelling, but she and McCartney spoke several times on the phone to discuss his ideas for the illustrations. 

She says McCartney had direct input into the “retired hippie-ish” design of the titular Grandude, inspired by a nickname by from one of his eight grandchildren.

When she met McCartney in Montreal last fall, Durst says she felt like she was seeing an “old friend.”

“Hey Grandude!” is set to be published by Random House in September.

The Canadian Press