Happy Thursday Critters! I’m honored to be posting an interview with the incredibly talented Rachel Isadora today! She has had an amazing career in publishing, including a Caldecott honor for BEN’S TRUMPET. I’m thrilled she is with us today to share her experiences and TWO new books written with Robie Rogge, published by Holiday House, releasing this month.
So without further ado, please welcome Rachel Isadora!
Where do you live?
New York and France.
How many years have you been in publishing?
Approximately 40 years.
How did you first get published?
I was a ballet dancer and after an injury prevented me from dancing for a few months, I brought some drawings I had done to McMillan Publishers. I met Elizabeth Shub, an editor, and she asked me if I would like to do a book with her. Having had no formal art or writing training, she patiently worked with me and the result was my first book, Max. I returned to dance and continued to illustrate and write books at the same time.
Do you write/illustrate full-time?
Yes, I have all these years and continue to do so.
What inspires you to create picture books?
I enjoy thinking of new ideas and how to illustrate them. Many times, my visual ideas come first, things I want to draw, and the story follows. I enjoy creating new ways to express the illustrations. I use various mediums; watercolor, pastels, oil paint, collage and have done a few books on the computer.
What surprised you the most working as an author/illustrator?
I was very surprised that I could actually write and illustrate a book. As I said, I had no training in neither art nor writing and, from the beginning, learned to do so on the job. I was very proud when I got my first contract and then was presented with my first book. I remember getting on the bus, in New York, and showing all the riders around me my book, Max.
What is your favorite thing about being an author/illustrator?
I love working alone. When I was a ballerina, I was always in the presence of others. Being in my studio working by myself, listening to music, is total joy.
What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?
I am thinking all the time about ideas I’d like to express whether visually or through writing. I read a great deal, observe people around me, visit many museums and go to the theater, etc. All of these stimulate new ideas. I think of ways in which I can interpret them and then express them in a children’s book.
Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?
Whether illustrating or writing or painting, I do it everyday.
What has been the highlight of your career thus far?
It’s all been a high.
Can you tell us about your newest book?
I’m doing two books for Holiday House both of which enter a new realm for me, they are “lift-the-flap” books. They involve more than turning the page and require a child’s physical participation. This meant I had to do more complicated layouts and planning. I think both books lend themselves to their themes, one is manners (I Say Please and Thank You: Lift-the-Flap Manners) and the other animal sounds (After the Buzz Comes the Bee: Lift-the-Flap Animal Sounds). When the child opens the flap, there is a surprise finale.
(Flap closed) Interior art from I SAY PLEASE AND THANK YOU written by Robie Rogge and Rachel Isadora, Illustrated by Rachel Isadora published by Holiday House, October 2021
(Flap open) Interior art from I SAY PLEASE AND THANK YOU written by Robie Rogge and Rachel Isadora, Illustrated by Rachel Isadora published by Holiday House, October 2021
(Flap closed) Interior art from I SAY PLEASE AND THANK YOU written by Robie Rogge and Rachel Isadora, Illustrated by Rachel Isadora published by Holiday House, October 2021
(Flap open) Interior art from I SAY PLEASE AND THANK YOU written by Robie Rogge and Rachel Isadora, Illustrated by Rachel Isadora published by Holiday House, October 2021
(Flap closed) Interior art from I SAY PLEASE AND THANK YOU written by Robie Rogge and Rachel Isadora, Illustrated by Rachel Isadora published by Holiday House, October 2021
(Flap Open) Interior art from I SAY PLEASE AND THANK YOU written by Robie Rogge and Rachel Isadora, Illustrated by Rachel Isadora published by Holiday House, October 2021
What’s up next for you?
I will soon be working on another flip the flap book for Holiday House, The Nutcracker. I look forward to this book as dance is always my favorite subject to paint.
Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors and illustrators?
In order for this, or any other career to work, you must go at it continually, all the time. That’s the kind of devotion it takes to succeed….and, of course, only you and you alone can determine what success means to you.
And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?
Dirty Dancing, boiled down to one. I knew many people involved in this movie…..
Huge thank you to Rachel for stopping by Critter Lit today! You’ve had such an incredible career and we are big fans!
Rachel Isadora has written and illustrated more than two hundred children’s books, including Ben’s Trumpet, a Caldecott Honor book. A former ballet dancer, she is also a fine artist with a special interest in dance. Rachel lives in France and New York City.
FOR MORE INFO about Rachel, visit her online: http://www.rachelisadora.com/ or follow her on social media:
Twitter - @chomsk7
Instagram - @rachelisadoraart
BUY THIS BOOK To order Rachel’s books, click here.
WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of I SAY PLEASE AND THANK YOU! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, October 21st! US addresses only please.