These days there is a lot of talk about sisterhood.

Women coming together for equal rights, more strength, more power. But in the big scheme of things, nothing is more powerful than the relationship of sisters.

Former Fountain Hills resident and artist Claudia Smith and her younger sister, Donna Klein, also an artist, took total advantage of their abilities and their relationship to write a children’s book.

“We have always been close,” Smith said of Klein, who lives in Sedona. “We discovered our love of art growing up in Michigan.”

Their talents are different, but when Smith painted a semi-abstract frog, she decided to add a poem to it called “Johnny’s Pockets.”

Smith said she could envision the poem as a children’s book and talked to Klein about her idea.

Klein started working with digital art about two years ago and began working on illustrations for the poem.

“It was a really good collaboration,” Smith said. “There was a lot of give and take, and the book just grew in to its final stage.”

“Johnny’s Pockets” is a whimsical, sweet book about a little boy and all the treasures he has in his pockets. The text is fanciful and rhythmic, and the illustrations are energetic and colorful.

The sisters found a perfect balance for each of their strengths to complete the story of “Johnny’s Pockets” and what happens when his mother puts his jeans in the wash.

Smith said working with her sister was “a ball,” and they hope to be busy on a second children’s book soon.

Smith, who now lives in Scottsdale with her husband Hal Hunt, is a member of Fountain Hills Art League. She also curates a monthly art display at St. Anthony on the Desert Episcopal Church, as well as writes a monthly article in The Times about the displaying artists at the church.

Both she and Klein graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Fine Art. Smith has been an art teacher, interior designer and is a published cartoonist and illustrator.

Klein is a potter, sculptor, works in landscaping, etchings, photography and digital art.

Both sisters’ works have been sought and shown in galleries.

“We have been so blessed to have each other all our lives,” Smith said. “Donna is my best friend and just a wonderful person.”

Now that is the definition of sisterhood.