(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Luke Flowers, a local author and illustrator, whose recent book has landed on a New York Times Best Seller List credits his time spent growing up in Buena Vista in part with his success. “Growing up in a really small town, you know not much to do but sit and take my sketchbook down to the barn,” Flowers said.

Flowers has now written or illustrated more than 80 children’s books including “Just Try It!” a book written by Phil and Lily Rosenthal. Phil is the creator of the popular TV show “Everybody Loves Raymond” and the popular Netflix show “Somebody Feed Phil.”

The book “Just Try It” features a Colorado Springs tie-in and a personal connection to Flowers. “I’m glad they let me sneak it in there,” Flowers said. “When they said we were doing food truck, I said I know I food truck that has to be in there and I kind of put that in there and it went through and then they really loved it.”

The book is available now everywhere books are sold and is currently at number seven on the New York Times Children’s Best Seller List.