Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have a DOUBLE interview with real life besties Molly Idle and Juana Martinez-Neal! I’ve been a long time fan of their individual books— they are STUNNING and you should check them out immediately here and here if you haven’t already. I’m so excited to have them BOTH with us today to talk about their road to publication, creative process, and their newest book, I DON’T CARE, written by Julie Fogliano, published with Neal Porter Books this past November, which Molly and Juana illustrated together.
So without further ado, please welcome Molly Idle and Juana Martinez-Neal!
Where do you live?
As we are two, we’ll answer in a world-class-ping-pong game style!
Juana: I live in small coastal town in Southeastern Connecticut. Before moving here in February of 2021, I always lived in the city. I love small town living!
Molly: I can see why you do! Your small town is completely and utterly charming! It aaaaalmost makes me want to move there too… but right now the weather here in Arizona is perfect. 70 degrees in February. Ask me again in July :)
How many years have you been in publishing?
J: Let me see… I decided to start making children’s books in October of 2005. That does not mean I was published, but that I was determined to be. So, what? Seventeen and a half years here and counting. Moll?
M: Almost the same! I left animation with the idea that I’d like to start writing and illustrating in 2003. So… 20 years now?! Eek!
How did you first get published?
J: My work was first published by educational and small publishers. It is not until July of 2016 that I was published by one of the “Big-Five” (four now?) here in the United States. It was “La Madre Goose: A Nursery Rhymes for los Niños”, written by Susan Middleton Elya, published by Putnam/Penguin Random House.
M: We’re on the same page again! After years of juggling small illustration jobs, and caring for small people as a new mom, Penguin Random House gave me my first big break too! Viking Children’s Books published Tea Rex, in 2013.
Do you write/illustrate full-time?
J & M: Yes, we do!
What inspires you to create picture books?
M: I love creating and exploring the relationships between characters. In the process I not only get to know and better understand them, I get to know and better understand myself too.
J: And I make books about finding our own selves, our identities, our places in the world, the reason why we are in this world. That’s a constant personal search and what drives me to make new work.
What is your favorite thing about being an author/illustrator?
M: Ooooo, there are so many that it’s hard to pick a favorite! One of the things I love most is the feeling when something ineffable falls into place. Like when I’m sketching and sketching, trying to capture the essence of a character and then, suddenly, find them—“There you are! It’s you!”
J: I agree with Molly. That’s an amazing moment! I love being able to create the worlds that we want to see exist.
What do you find difficult working as an author/illustrator?
M: Deadlines. They’re my Achilles heel!
J: We are best friends for a reason! My biggest challenge is that we create our own schedules. It can be a trap when you are so easily distracted.
What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?
M: For rust, I recommend WD40 — it really helps get things moving. For ideas, I recommend work. I used to worry all the time that I’d run out of new ideas. But then I noticed that as soon as I wrapped up one story another idea would present itself! Finishing one seems to get things moving for another. Work is the WD40 of my mind!
J: As I was saying, I can get distracted and bored easily which is the reason why I’m a mixed media artist. If I use different ways of making the art, I have to be present while I’m solving this new puzzle. A new puzzle I just made for myself.
Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?
J: Same answer as above but with a contradictory twist, I need routine. Having my quiet walks outside, listening to my favorite music, making art in a room where natural light floods the space are all a-must.
M: Same. I love new puzzles, but I love to them with a fresh cuppa coffee in my favorite mug, next to my pencils organized by color, with my work mix playing, next to the sunny window… no wonder we’re besties!
Can you share a positive experience you’ve had in the Kid Lit community?
J: I have to say meeting Molly Idle. Have you met her? She’s pretty amazing!
M: Jinx! I was going to say meeting YOU!!!
Recommended reading?
Lightning-Ping-pong-round!
M: A Polar Bear In the Snow, by Mac Barnett and Shawn Harris
J: What is Love?, by Mac Barnett and Carson Ellis
M: Kafka and the Doll, by Larissa Theule and Rebecca Green (I’m so glad you introduced me to this one, Juana!)
J: I love that book! Give it a second read and then read I Talk Like A River, by Jordan Scott and Sydney Smith.
What has been the highlight of your career thus far?
M: I mean, we could say winning Caldecotts…that feels like bragging. But it was incredible to have our books honored!
J: They were a huge recognition for our work. Hooray for awards!
M: And Hooray for teachers, and librarians, and Readers!
J: Yes!!!
Can you tell us about your newest book?
J & M: Our newest book is “I Don’t Care”, written by Julie Fogliano and published by Neal Porter Books. We co-illustratred the book, a process that was both scary and fantastic at the same time. We have been critique partners for years but not until this story that we had worked on a book together!
Juana’s Favorite Interior Illustration from I DON’T CARE, written by Julie Fogliano, illustrated by Molly Idle and Juana Martinez-Neal, published by Neal Porter Books
Molly’s Favorite Interior Illustration from I DON’T CARE, written by Julie Fogliano, illustrated by Molly Idle and Juana Martinez-Neal, published by Neal Porter Books
What’s up next for you?
J & M: We’re making more books together, and we’re each making board books too!
J: Alma’s Words, two new bilingual board books, are releasing September 5, 2023: Alma and Her Family and Alma, Head to Toe, with two more books coming in 2024.
M: And I have Flora and Friends ABCs, publishing October 10, 2023, with an entire flock of new bird buddies, and Flora and Friends Colors flying off shelves in 2024!
Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors and illustrators?
J: Making children’s books requires drive, determination, and a thick skin. It is a matter of when, not if , it will happen. Your time will come!
M: Agreed! That’s one of the nicest things about the publishing industry. There’s no limit on how many stories can be told. If you make good work- there’s a place for it. There’s always room for one more!
And last, but not least, who is your favorite children’s book character?
J: If I have to pick just one, it is The Little Prince from El Principito (The Little Prince).
M: One?! I’ll pick two: Toot and Puddle. Two best friends who are very different and very similar at the same time. Remind you of anybody?
HUGE THANK YOU to Molly and Juana for stopping by CritterLit today! It was truly an honor!
MOLLY IDLE is the author and illustrator of the Caldecott Honor–winning book Flora and the Flamingo. She is also the creator of Tea Rex, the mermaid tales Pearl and Coral, and Witch Hazel. Molly lives with her fabulous family in Tempe, Arizona—where she can most often be found with a cup of espresso in one hand and a pencil in the other, scribbling away on her next book.
FOR MORE INFORMATION about Molly or her work visit IdleIllustration.com or follow her on social media:
@mollyidle on Instagram
@mollyidle on Twitter
JUANA MARTINEZ-NEAL is the author and illustrator of the Caldecott Honor–winning book Alma and How She Got Her Name. She also illustrated New York Times bestselling picture book Tomatoes for Neela by Padma Lakshmi; Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard, which won a Robert F. Sibert Medal; and La Princesa and the Pea by Susan Middleton Elya, for which she won a Pura Belpré Illustrator Award. Juana Martinez-Neal lives in Connecticut with her family.
FOR MORE INFORMATION about Juana or her work, visit juanamartinezneal.com or follow her on social media:
@juanamartinezn on Instagram
@juanamartinez on Twitter
Check out I DON’T CARE on the Holiday House website here or follow on social media: @holidayhousebks on all platforms.
BUY THIS BOOK To purchase a copy of I DON’T CARE click here.
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