Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with an author/illustrator whose gorgeous sophomore book, PETE AND LEONIE: THE GREAT BABY SWAP just released with Dial Books for Young Readers on August 15th! I’m thrilled to have her with us today to talk about her new book, process, and road to publication.

So without further ado, please welcome Zoe Tilley Poster!

Where do you live?

In a meadow in the woods, in central Vermont.

How many years have you been in publishing?

My first book, THE NIGHT WILD, was published in 2022.

How did you first get published?

I worked for a year or two on a rough draft of THE NIGHT WILD, and with that, was very lucky to sign on with my wonderful agent Andrea Morrison. She sold the project to Dial Books, so I got to work with my editor and art director there - Kate Harrison and Lily Malcom - on both THE NIGHT WILD and PETE AND LEONIE.

Do you write/illustrate full-time?

I have in the past, but not right now. I have a three year old son, so I’m enjoying spending a lot of time with him these days. Making books takes a lot of creative energy that I find hard to maintain if I’m doing it 40 hours a week. 20 hours (or under) is much more sustainable for me.

What inspires you to create picture books?

It used to be my own experiences in nature, and hanging out with animals. That’s still important, but now I read to my kid a lot, and am hugely inspired by the things he laughs at and is delighted by. He likes excavating machines a lot. Bonus points if they get themselves into some hilarious disaster, and are operated by maniac frogs. These are not things I know how to draw, but I’m workin’ on it.

What surprised you the most working as an author/illustrator?

It’s surprising how much of a story gets edited out - usually by me, often my favorite parts - because those elements simply aren’t serving the greater good of the story as a whole. It’s the difference between making single pieces of stand-alone art (or poetry or prose) and making a whole story.

What is your favorite thing about being an author/illustrator?

Hanging out in my studio, listening to my music, going down the weird and exciting rabbit holes in my head.

What do you find difficult working as an author/illustrator?

The isolation. Aside from a small amount of collaboration with agent, editor and art director, it’s pretty solitary and can be lonely.

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

Take a break. Go on a road trip, indulge in the other things I love doing, notice what interests me or incites my emotions, and follow those paths.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

Setting limits on my day. I didn’t used to do that - I thought the harder/longer I worked in my studio, the more I’d get done. Now I know there are serious diminishing returns… and if I work too long, I become filled with self doubt and I can not see my work with any clarity. So stopping after X number of minutes/hours (whatever I decide in the morning) is critical to doing good work.

Can you share a positive experience you’ve had in the Kid Lit community?

I used to be part of a writers group, and everyone was so encouraging and helpful, genuinely wanting to boost each other up.

Recommended reading?

My son Iggy and I love these:

The ¡VAMOS! and EL TORO series by Raúl the Third and Elaine Bay

WONDROUS WONDERS by Camille Jourdy

STORIES OF THE NIGHT by Kitty Crowther

And for adults: BEAUTIFUL DARKNESS by Fabien Vehlmann and Kerascoët

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

Reading my second book, PETE AND LEONIE: THE GREAT BABY SWAP, to my son and hearing him laugh out loud. Best stamp of approval ever.

What is something you wish someone had told you when you first started writing/illustrating?

Rules REALLY ARE made to be broken! People tell you a lot about what can and can’t be done (and I think they mean what a publisher will or will not buy). I think it’s way more important to think about what you as a writer/artist do well, and to keep getting better at those things. Break a rule well enough… and someone will buy your book because you broke it (you just have to get it in front of the right eyes). At least that is my hope… because I only like to read wonderfully weird books.

Can you tell us about your newest book?

PETE AND LEONIE is about two babies - a human and a coyote - who trade places for a day. It’s a book for people who like to roll around in mud puddles. Or eat blueberry muffins. Or try out one thing, and then change their mind.

What’s up next for you?

I’m working on a story about fear, a girl and a dog.

Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors and illustrators?

Dig deep and find the story in you that no one else can tell! Don’t shy away from the hard stuff! I’m talking about aesthetics, writing style, content, theme. If something matters to you, really explore that. I want to live in a world where artistic integrity means something, and where artists make others feel like they are less alone, by shining a light on what is weird but very human.

And last, but not least, who is your favorite children’s book character?

Pearl from William Steig’s THE AMAZING BONE.

Huge thank you to Zoe for stopping by Critter Lit today! Thank you for sharing your latest book with us!

Zoë Tilley Poster is an illustrator who lives in Vermont with her husband and dog. Her debut picture book The Night Wild came out in 2022.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Zoe or her books, visit her online:

Website: https://zoeposter.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoetilleyposter/

BUY THIS BOOK To purchase Zoe’s books, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a giveaway copy of PETE AND LEONIE THE GREAT BABY SWAP?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, September 7th.

Interview with Author + Illustrator Jane Smith Part 2

March 30, 2023Authors + Illustrators, Vet InterviewsLindsay Ward3 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! Author and illustrator Jane Smith is back with us today, and I couldn’t be more excited because her new book, NAKED BUTT BUSTS OUT!, is absolutely hilarious, silly, and full of lots of giggles— my favorite kind! (To read our first interview with Jane, click here.) Jane is here to talk to us about her new book, process, and approach to creativity.

So without further ado, please welcome back Jane Smith!

It’s great to have you back!

Thank you so much, Lindsay! I’m thrilled to pieces to be here chatting about my hilarious new children’s book, Naked Butt Busts Out!

Tell us about your latest book.

Naked Butt Busts Out! is a laugh-out-loud picture book about being true to yourself. The story follows the cheeky little bunny, Naked Butt, who just want to be himself. But for Naked Butt, being yourself, means literally baring it all, and he discovers that everyone wants him to cover up his tail again! Especially his momma. So, he tries this best to keep his true self tucked under shirts and shorts, but when his clothes start feeling itchier and scratchier and tighter and tighter, Naked Butt can’t keep himself under wraps anymore—he BUSTS out! And to everyone’s surprise, Naked Butt’s hilarious city streak shows momma that standing out in the crowd isn’t just a good thing, it’s a lifesaver, and that being yourself can inspire others to uncover a whole new view of the world, too.

*Interior art from NAKED BUTT BUSTS OUT! by Jane Smith*

What inspired you to create this book?

Naked Butt Busts Out! was inspired by the universal experience of kiddos just not wanting to get dressed!! This is such a hilariously familiar developmental stage for the age range that hits the picture book sweet spot that it felt like a solid heart for a story. And when I married it to the metaphorical concept of being yourself equaling being naked, the whole book began to come together.

Can you tell us a bit about your creative process? How do you approach new ideas?

I like to have multiple books projects in-progress at any given time! I generally work on a story as long and as far as I know what to do with it. Then I put it away and pick up another WIP, and then switch back later once I’ve thought thru what comes next. I find that the time away in-between intense bursts of activity on developing a project is actually the secret magic ingredient that brings it altogether and fuels my creative process.

I approach new ideas both playfully and seriously! Seriously in that I always right them down—no matter how ridiculous or off-the-wall. And playfully in that I like to give myself feel reign to explore an idea by doodling—maybe characters or little bits or bobs from the ideas—and by brainstorming word lists—like free word associations, little one liners of text, etc. Usually, it’s thru this exploration that I discover if I have the heart of something true that I can continue to build on.

How do you shake the rust off when you feel stuck creatively?

I have lots of little tricks for this—taking a walk, doing a little yoga, mediating, reading, going to the bookstore or library, watching a movie or TV show, baking, cooking a new recipe, visiting a friend who lives close by, calling a friend who lives far away, doodling with no expectations. And if all else fails, take a nap!!

What do you find inspiring right now?

Right now, I’m very inspired by the wide world of indie publishing possibilities available to authors and illustrators! I think in an industry where the labors of creative professionals are very undervalued, while also being the bedrock of the whole industry, it is exciting that indie publishing provides affordable, accessible opportunities to take the reins as both creative artists and professional businesspeople.

Any new books that you are loving right now?

Two books I read recently that I can’t stop thinking about are: Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver (newly released last fall) and The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson (classic published in 1959). Both are gorgeously written and stay with you long after you finish the final page.

What’s up next for you?

More children’s books!!! I can’t share any details yet, but I’m excited, so stay tuned…

Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors and illustrators?

Your creative work is meaningful! Your creative effort is meaningful! But it will never matter MORE to anyone else than it does to YOU. So do not ever shy away from being your own best advocate, regardless of whether or not you’re agented, regardless of whether or not you’re traditionally published.

And last, but not least, favorite book character?

This is so hard! I have so many favorites! Ha ha! Ok—today I’m going to say Max and Ruby from Rosemary Well’s beloved series. How can you not adore this hilarious pair?!

Huge thank you to Jane for stopping by Critter Lit today! It was so great to catch up with you and hear about your hilarious new book! Congrats!

JANE SMITH is the author-illustrator of nine children’s picture books, including the popular Chloe Zoe series, Hello, New House and Miss Meow. Naked Butt Busts Out! is her first self-published title. Jane enjoys knock-knock jokes, cartoons and making kiddos laugh. She lives in sun-kissed Wilmington, North Carolina with her husband and super star daughter.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT JANE SMITH follow her on social media:

• Web Site: www.superjane.com

• Instagram & Facebook: @SuperJaneSmith

• Twitter: @SuperJaneArtist

• Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6302142.Jane_Smith

• Super Readers Club Newsletter: https://superreadersclub.substack.com/

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of NAKED BUTT BUSTS OUT!, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of NAKED BUTT BUSTS OUT?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, April 6th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Debut Author Ratha Tep

March 16, 2023Authors + Illustrators, Interviews, Debut Interviews, AuthorsLindsay Ward7 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with author, Ratha Tep, whose debut book, WALLY THE WORLD’S GREATEST PIANO-PLAYING WOMBAT, illustrated by Camilla Pintonato, published with Princeton Architectural Press last year. I’m thrilled to have her with us today to talk about her road to publication, process, and debut book!

So without further ado, please welcome Ratha Tep!

Where do you live?

After spending many years in New York City, and a four-year jaunt in Switzerland, I now live in Dublin, in a 180-year-old house by the sea.

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

I’ve never wanted to be anything but a writer. My parents only read me a handful of picture books when I was a child, though, so I never thought about the genre until I was pregnant with my first child, and was gifted Where the Wild Things Are. That was my first time reading it, in my 30s, and I was blown away. It really opened up a new world, and showed me the extraordinary possibilities of the picture book. The artwork is, of course, phenomenal, but what I love even more is the layered text and its gorgeous rhythm. The book does so much with so few words, and really gets to the heart of a universal experience in a novel way. I’ve wanted to write my own picture books ever since.

Tell us about your road to publication, what did that involve for you?

While I had dabbled with the thought of writing picture books for a few years, life sort of got in the way. My children were still very young, and I was also contributing to the New York Times, and other newspapers and magazines. I would say I first seriously thought about picture book writing in 2019, when I went to London to take a Guardian Masterclass on the subject. I had written one story at that point. But it wasn’t until a year later that I really hunkered down and went “all-in.” I joined SCBWI, and a critique group, and showed my stories to friends for feedback. I got very lucky in that my wonderful agent, Debbie Bibo, saw promise in Wally. She paired me up with the super talented illustrator, Camilla Pintonato, who really brought the manuscript to life. She infused the book with so much energy and humor. Having Wally poke out from the page? Brilliant!

Can you share a bit about your process?

I don’t think I have much of a process. But I have come to learn that for every great story, there are probably a dozen if not more stories that have led up to it. In the Guardian Masterclass I took, I think it was the writer, Alex Milway, who said that your first story probably won’t be accepted, but maybe your twelfth might be. What I do now is have several different stories going on at once. And whenever I have a kernel of an idea, say, if I’m out doing something with my kids, I’ll email it to myself as a note. Sometimes a spark is all it takes!

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

Listen to my kids! Wally literally came from my older daughter’s first experience with playing the piano at age 6. She started claiming—without seeing anyone else play—that she was the world’s greatest piano player. I thought it was both hilarious and exactly the kind of hyperbolic statement only a kid could make.

Anything you can’t live without while you write?

Make coffee. Emphasis on the making—not drinking. I literally make about five cups of coffee a day because I remember to only drink about a third of each cup before it gets cold.

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

I run a picture book recommendation site called Max’s Boat where I ask other writers and illustrators this very question, and am always learning about new (and old) books to dig into. There are so many authors that inspire me for different reasons that I don’t even know where to begin! So perhaps I’ll leave it at Maurice Sendak.

Dream project to work on?

My next book!

Tell us about your debut book.

Wally LOVES playing the piano, and starts claiming—without seeing anyone else play— that he’s the world’s greatest piano-playing wombat. So imagine his surprise when he realizes that there’s another piano-playing wombat who can play better than he can! Wally adds tap-dancing to his routine, then ball-twirling—just to be able to call himself the world’s greatest anything. But this other wombat outdoes him each and every time! Wally deals with the big and complicated feelings of envy and the all too human (or wombat-esque) desire to be the best—in a fun, madcap kind of way.

*Interior art from WALLY THE WORLD’S GREATEST PIANO-PLAYING WOMBAT by Ratha Tep, illustrated by Camilla Pintonato, published by Princeton Architectural Press*

What’s up next for you?

While Wally came out in North America in October, it’s only coming out in Ireland and the UK in April. I’ve never actually seen it in a bookstore yet, so seeing it on a shelf will be a thrilling sight! I also have a bunch of school and library visits lined up, and I’m really excited to finally get to share Wally in person!

And last, but not least, who is your favorite children’s book character?

Amos McGee. I normally love humorous picture books but A Sick Day for Amos McGee is just quietly perfect. And for their cameo roles, the stick insect in Mina by Matthew Forsythe and the family of beetles in The Little Wooden Robot and the Log Princess by Tom Gauld.

Huge thank you to Ratha for stopping by CritterLit today! Congrats on your debut!

RATHA TEP was born in Cambodia and grew up in New York City, where her childhood consisted of, among other things, walking her rabbit on a leash on the concrete sidewalks, and weekly visits to the Children’s Reading Room at the Donnell Library. She went on to get degrees in English and in Economics at the University of Pennsylvania, and has also taken writing workshops and classes at Brown University and the New School.

Ratha is a frequent contributor to The New York Times. Her work has also appeared in print and online for publications such as The Wall Street Journal, T: The New York Times Style Magazine, Travel + Leisure, Afar, and Food & Wine, where she was an editor for seven years. Ratha has reported from New York, Paris, Milan, London, Zurich and Basel. She is now looking to create new worlds of her own, in which animal characters navigate their foibles and frailties with humor and spirit.

Ratha is happily settled in a 180-year-old house in Dublin filled with books and creaky floorboards. She loves, in no particular order, Sunday roasts with her family, curling up to read with her girls in the evening (and morning), and weeping willow trees. She recently started Max’s Boat, a picture book recommendation site where writers and illustrators share their favorite titles.
Her first picture book is about a wombat named Wally, who was the World’s Greatest Piano-Playing Wombat, until he realized he wasn’t.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Ratha or her book, visit her online or follow her on social media:

https://www.rathatep.com/

https://www.maxsboat.com/

Instagram:

@rathatepbooks

@maxsboat

Twitter:

@sailingwithmax

BUY THIS BOOK To purchase a copy of WALLY THE WORLD’S GREATEST PIANO-PLAYING WOMBAT, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a giveaway copy of WALLY THE WORLD’S GREATEST PIANO-PLAYING WOMBAT?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, March 23rd! US addresses only please.

DOUBLE Interview with Best Friends and Author/Illustrators Molly Idle and Juana Martinez-Neal!

February 16, 2023Authors + Illustrators, Interviews, Vet InterviewsLindsay Ward1 Comment

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!

Idle-Molly_Headshot_Photo by Molly Idle.jpg

Juana Martinez-Neal_Photo by Jade Beall.jpeg

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.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a giveaway copy of I DON’T CARE?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, February 23rd! US addresses only please.

Interview with Debut Author and Illustrator Becky Gehrisch

February 7, 2023Authors + Illustrators, Debut InterviewsLindsay WardComment

Happy Tuesday Critters! This week we have TWO fabulous interviews. Today we have a debut author and illustrator whose book, ESCAPE TO PLAY, released with Bookling Media in 2021. I’m thrilled to have her with us today to talk about her books, creative process, and upcoming projects.

So without further ado, please welcome Becky Gehrisch!

Where do you live?

I live in Delaware, Ohio. It is a picturesque Midwestern small town where I have found an abundance of inspiration for my art!

When did you know you wanted to write/illustrate picture books?

The interest has been stronger at some points in my life than others. When I was thirteen, I participated in a written and illustrated program, creating a picture book for competition. In my book jacket flap about the author, I wrote that I was considering writing and illustrating picture books as a career! It is funny now how it has come full circle!

In high school I focused on marching band and playing the clarinet, but art came back into my life at The Ohio State University. There, I fell in love with fine art and especially illustration and art history. I graduated with an art degree but didn’t quite know what I would do with it. After graduation, and moving to Delaware, Ohio, I began to paint for myself instead of for an assignment. I gave myself permission to create a silly, whimsical illustration of my dogs in the bathtub. That was the beginning of my debut picture book, Escape to Play.

Tell us about your road to publication, what did that involve for you?

After completing that silly painting of my dogs, I made another, then another. I felt this could be a great idea for a picture book. However, I needed to learn how the publishing industry worked to make that dream come true.

I spent years learning from industry experts, authors, and illustrators in the Central and Southern Ohio chapter of The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (scbwi.com). In addition, I frequented Twitter writing communities, submitting to critiques, and creating multiple picture book manuscripts. All the while, I continued to prune and polish what would become Escape to Play.

Can you share a bit about your process?

Escape to Play was unique, in that, as my first picture book, I learned a great deal in the process. Ideally, my process is to create a manuscript and then add the illustrations. With my first book, I created some illustrations and then put to words, in poetry, the perspective of three rowdy dogs and their adventure on the farm.

My acrylic paintings began as an idea. From scratch I would lay out a perspective drawing, adding in elements for the scene- a tractor, a truck, a piano, and a lake. I then built the rest of the world. Adding layer upon layer of acrylic, each painting took roughly 40 hours to create. It was a very long project, but I loved almost every minute!

When I was studying Renaissance art history, I found it fascinating how artists used the triangle in their compositions. With three dogs as my subjects, I placed them on the page to mirror this design dynamic. Other objects in the same illustration are used similarly to pattern the triangle shape.

*Interior art from ESCAPE TO PLAY written and illustrated by Becky Gehrisch, published by Bookling Media*

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

I can always rely on nature to bring inspiration! A breath of fresh air, a walk in the woods, or even relaxing on the front porch will rejuvenate my creativity. In addition, music is my immediate go-to for a pick-me-up. I am not sure how I would get through an artwork and the frustration it brings, without music to carry me along.

I love to be nonsensical. I may have watched Disney’s Alice in Wonderland one too many times, but I thrive on the absurd. Most of my story and illustration ideas either come from dreams or silly sessions with my family. I will say whatever comes to mind and play with those ideas. I often don’t feel like the idea is wholly mine, but rather something that just came to me.

Anything you can’t live without while you write/draw?

I require focus, music, and quiet space to create. Recently, I started posting “trust the process” on my worktable or easel. I tend to forget going into a new piece that it will be a mess for a while before it looks good! An upbeat music playlist is a must. Sometimes a podcast or a movie playing in the background are good enough. A good chunk of time is important, too! If the kids or daytime is too chaotic, I will work late into the night for the best focus. Once I’m in the groove with these things, I am lost in my work and time does not exist.

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

There are too many to mention, but some of the earliest inspirational author/illustrators are both Chris Van Allsburg and David Wiesner for their realistic and detailed style. Currently, Dan Santat has been a great inspiration in how I plan a picture book layout.

Dream project to work on?

I am excited to work on a picture book draft that I began in 2017. I won’t say too much about it, but I even took myself to Paris, France, to research the Eiffel Tower. The idea has not let me rest and I will stop in the oddest of places, to write down a new scene for it. The characters swim in my mind and it would be good for me to finally work on it!

Tell us about your debut book.

Escape to Play is a tale of three rambunctious dogs who escape to play while the farmer is away for the day. They explore each farmhouse room and exterior space, making a mess everywhere they go. The reader is left to imagine how the farmer will have to clean their disastrous mischief.

I included a little mouse, Norman, for kids to find on each page. In addition, there are twelve real-life, classic artworks on the farmhouse walls.

The back pages of the book share the artworks, questions, and art tidbits for kids to learn about! This has been a great element to have added for parents, teachers, and librarians to use for educational purposes.

What’s up next for you?

My publishing company, Bookling Media, will be choosing an author-illustrator to work with to publish their own work this year. In addition, I will work on my own book ideas and continue to teach and present to young and older audiences!

And last, but not least, who is your favorite children’s book character?

My favorite children’s book character as a child were the Berenstain Bears and the little critters. Amelia Bedelia is also amazing. I completely relate to her misinterpretations of things! More current characters that I love are the Pout-Pout Fish and Llama from the Llama, Llama series. I love a relatable character who isn’t perfect.

Huge thank you to Becky for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your debut!

Becky Gehrisch is an author, illustrator, and entrepreneur. Her debut picture book, Escape to Play, launched in 2021. Between picture book projects, she works as a portrait artist and manages her new publishing company, Bookling Media LLC. When she is not creating art, she speaks at schools, bookstores, and other venues. She is living her childhood dream by creating art and picture books that bring joy to the world.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Becky and her work, visit her online:

www.gehrisch-arts.com

@GehrischArts (all platforms)

www.booklingmedia.com

@booklingmedia (all platforms)

BUY THIS BOOK To purchase a copy of Becky’s book, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a giveaway copy of ESCAPE TO PLAY?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, February 16th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Author + Illustrator Amalia Hoffman

March 3, 2022Authors + Illustrators, Vet InterviewsLindsay Ward3 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have a wonderful interview with an author and illustrator with fifteen years of experience in kidlit! I’m thrilled to have her with us today to talk about her newest book, MASHA MUNCHING (Yeehoo Press), her road to publication, and experiences in kidlit.

So without further ado, please welcome Amalia Hoffman!

Where do you live?

Larchmont, NY.

How many years have you been in publishing?

15 years.

How did you first get published?

I wrote a story and created a book dummy with a color cover and three finished interior pages. I really didn’t know what to do with it and how or where to send it. Then I met someone who told me about the Society of Children’s Books Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI). I joined the society and went to a mini local conference. There I met people who told me about the SCBWI conference in LA. I flew there and took a couple of classes.

I started sending my dummy to agents. I didn’t get an agent but I sent it to those publishers who accepted non-solicited submissions.

It was a lot of work, but I learned how to write a query letter and eventually I got a “Yes!” from a publisher, located in Israel that published children’s books in English. I have a lot of family in Israel so while I was there; I visited the publisher (Gefen Publishing) and signed my first contact.

Do you write/illustrate full-time?

At this point, it’s almost full time. I do other things related to publishing, such as promotions, presentations etc. so that takes some time of my day as well.

What inspires you to create picture books?

For me, creating children’s books is almost like going back to my own childhood, remembering what I did and thinking about when I was a child.

Also, for many years I worked as a visual merchandiser. I created fantasy store windows for big stores in NYC. Kids used to stare at the window and I felt like, in a way, I was creating stories for them so I was inspired to write books.

What surprised you the most working as an author/illustrator?

I was most surprised when I started presenting my books to kids. I realized how perceptive they are. Kids notice the tiniest details in a book illustration.

What is your favorite thing about being an author/illustrator?

Spending time with kids and feeling like I’m enriching their lives.

I also love sitting on a rock by the sound in my neighborhood and letting my imagination loose. I feel like a kid and that’s a most wonderful feeling.

What do you find difficult working as an author/illustrator?

Like most authors and illustrators, I often have to wait months before hearing back from a publisher.

Editors are very busy and they can’t look at every submission right away. But I’m aware of the fact that this is part of the business.

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

I walk a lot and always end up in that wonderful park by the water. Sometimes I actually fall asleep. The Wi-Fi doesn’t work well in that area and that’s a blessing because I am completely detached and my mind opens up to new ideas.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

Every time I start a new project I clean up my studio and wipe up my work surface. This habit helps me to charge my creative battery and move on to something new and, hopefully, exciting!

Can you share a positive experience you’ve had in the Kid Lit community?

I have had many wonderful experiences in the Kid Lit community. I met incredible talented, amazing and caring folks. I had a great time at the SCBWI conferences where, before the pandemic, everyone showed up one night, dressed up in costumes. Some costumes were so creative and memorable. Everyone at the hotel was dressed in business attire and the SCBWI members showed up in feathers, sequins, beads, you name it.

Recommended reading?

Stories by Sholem Aliechem.

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

I can’t think of one highlight. When I receive a box of any of my new books and smell the fresh ink and see my illustrations in a new book, I feel elevated. After working on a book or so long, it’s always a highlight when I see them for the first time.

What is something you wish someone had told you when you first started writing/illustrating?

I wish someone had told me to be tough and not to fall apart at every rejection.

Can you tell us about your newest book?

Masha the goat is tired of eating the same boring farm food every day. She says goodby to her beloved friends and sets off on her search to find something else to eat.

Along the way, Masha discovers a wonderful restaurant where the waiter welcomes her in.

But Masha’s choices of “delicious foods” and her behavior doesn’t seem to be appropriate for restaurant dining. Masha realizes that everything is tastier when shared with good friends and the freedom to behave like a goat. She returns to the farm and delights her friends by using her experience at the restaurant to make new dishes for them.

The theme of the book is that sometimes, we need to explore outside of our own limited horizon, only to discover that home is where we feel the most comfortable and safe.

Masha is curious. She needs to leave her beloved friends in order to find out what’s out there. Her journey is one of discoveries and struggles along the way.

At the end, she chooses to go back home but the story makes it clear that the journey was well worth it.

Masha has gained knowledge that she can put to good use. Now, she can enrich her friends’ life by using her experiences at the restaurant and making new dishes from that wonderful basic ingredient—hay!

MASHA MUNCHING, by Amalia Hoffman, Chinese Edition, Yeehoo Press

What’s up next for you?

Besides Masha Munching, I have two other books launching in 2022 and I’m working on another story that was just acquired.

Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors and illustrators?

Stay true to yourself! Don’t write what you think will sell, because truth is, no one really knows what will sell. If you’re an illustrator, don’t try to mimic someone else’s style.

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

9-5.

Thank you to Amalia for stopping by Critter Lit! Congrats on Masha!

AMALIA HOFFMAN is an author, illustrator and storyteller. She grew up in Jerusalem, Israel. She now resides in Larchmont, NY.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, visit Amalia’s website or follow her on social media:

Facebook: @Amalia.Hoffman.5

Twitter: @AmaliaHoffman

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoffman.amalia/?hl=en

BUY THIS BOOK To order MASHA MUNCHING, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of MASHA MUNCHING and MY MONSTERPIECE?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, March 10th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Author and Illustrator Carolina Farías

February 17, 2022Authors + Illustrators, Interviews, Vet InterviewsLindsay Ward3 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with an author and illustrator, whose newest book, CHAMELEON CAN BE, came out this past fall with Yeehoo Press. I love Chameleon and all his friends and the message of the book is wonderful! The art is brilliant, bright, and charming and I can’t wait to share this fantastic book with you all!

So without further ado, please welcome Carolina Farías!

Where do you live?

I live in La Plata, Argentina, home of the beautiful National University of La Plata, 40 minutes away from Buenos Aires.

How many years have you been in publishing?
I have been working in children's illustration and editing books for nearly twenty years.

How did you first get published?

My First book was “En el Principio”, an adaptation of the Bible for kids. The main difference is that the story takes place in the room of Paco, a little kid whose mother is in charge of the Creation of the world that surrounds him. The book took two years of hard work and I had the privilege to work with the amazing art editor Daniel Goldín and be published by the “Fondo de Cultura económica”.

Do you write and illustrate full-time?

Yes, I do! And I also find the time to give classes both at the faculty and the high school of art in La Plata. I find teaching very inspiring and motivating for my daily illustration work.

What inspires you to create picture books?

Inspiration can strike at any time and anywhere, any moment in everyday life. Perhaps something that is visually interesting lights a spark, so I take a photo to reference later. My love and constant research on illustrated books also drives my work. There is a part of me that still enjoys going into those worlds contained within the pages of those beautiful books I used to read when I was a little girl.

What surprised you the most working as an author/illustrator?

The mere notion of working as an illustrator was a novelty to me!

I was fortunate enough to attend one of the best universities in the country and get a degree in fine arts, but I never thought as time went by that children's illustration was going to be the perfect place for me.

What is your favorite thing about being an author/illustrator?

I love telling good stories, and one way of achieving that is finding interesting characters. I take my time to give my characters some distinctive personality. It is funny because I try to get in their shoes and imagine what they are thinking or feeling, even if they turn out to be a dog or a lion!

As a teacher in illustration it’s great to interact with the kids and explore their imaginations. It’s amazing how unusual and interesting some of their ideas can be. I try to encourage them, especially the ones who think that they can’t draw. They are usually the ones who don’t come up with the obvious stuff.

What do you find difficult working as an author/illustrator?

Finding focus! There are so many options and so much work to do that sometimes you just have to force yourself to stop and take things slowly.

I’m very passionate about my work. Sometimes I get so many ideas floating around that I have to take a thousand notes, and filtering them to get the best ones is sometimes a really tedious task.

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

Most ideas start small so the most important thing is to know that we shouldn't rely on an ideal ´eureka´ moment or a rush of sudden inspiration. Instead, ideas are to be found in our everyday activities and in the most random things we stumble upon in life.

When working on a book I always reflect on my own childhood memories, how I was feeling and reacting to the world around me. As a child, the only place where I felt safe and useful was in front of a blank sheet of paper.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

Although inspiration can strike anytime and anywhere, I play my part to create my ideal setting: random local coffee shops where to sip some cappuccino and enjoy chocolate cake. I usually make some notes and tuck them away. Then one day in the future a new story may begin to emerge. All the best ideas need time to brew by themselves.

Can you share a positive experience you’ve had in the Kid Lit community?

I love being able to share different experiences with colleagues. It’s always great to have another perspective and a different look regarding the same issues we encounter in our everyday work on an illustration. It’s wonderful to get so much help and support!

Recommended reading?

I have all of my favourite books here on the shelf of my studio. I love Argentinian Cartoonist and Illustrator Carlos Nine and I collect everything published by Quino. His humor and illustrations are amazing. I’m completely obsessed by his work!

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

I think interacting with young students is always a joy. Apart from that, I would say that I loved working for the movie Where the Wild Things Are based on the books by Maurice Sendak and collaborating with Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo (Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo), an Argentine human rights organization with the goal of finding the children stolen and illegally adopted during the military dictatorship of the late seventies.

And of course my last book Chameleon can be has also been one of the most fulfilling experiences I’ve had.

What is something you wish someone had told you when you first started writing/illustrating?

Such a big question. I think it’s important sometimes to broaden your influences. It is fine sometimes to put aside picture books and start looking for inspiration in the work of writers, artists and directors who may not have much to do with illustration!

Can you tell us about your newest book?

Chameleon Can Be came to life in a very small room while having a session with my therapist. I was opening up to her and expressing some concerns I had about one of my kids, when she suddenly said something that has stuck in my head ever since: "Well, she will have to find out who she wants to be"

*Interior art from CHAMELEON CAN BE by Carolina Farías, published by Yeehoo Press*

I carried that phrase with me for the next few days. I started working on a short word list. English is not my native language, but some words sounded perfect for what I had in mind: CAN BE… CHAMELEON…BEAUTIFUL …FLOWER… FRIENDS… and with those concepts in mind I started doodling on my iPad.

At some point I sketched this very messy drawing of a Chameleon as a beautiful flower. I really liked it, so I drew it over and over. Then some other characters came up: a ladybug, a bee and a frog. Chameleon and his friends were born!

I hope that kids and adults reading this book will fully enjoy the journey and take the trip to find out who they want to become.

What’s up next for you?

I have always been intrigued by writing about those romantic concepts that bring us together, such as love, kindness and connection. Currently I’m working on a book about the things that make us different, unique and special.

Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors and illustrators?

I think the best piece of advice I can give to someone starting out is to work really hard and follow your heart. And always trust your gut!

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

I can’t pick just one. I love Forrest Gump, E.T. and Back to the future!

If I stumble upon them on TV I can’t resist watching them until the very end.

Huge thank you to Carolina for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your beautiful book!

Carolina Farías is an award-winning author and illustrator of over 40 books. After receiving her bachelor’s degree in art, she began teaching at the University of Graphic Design and Visual Communication in La Plata. Her artwork is created using a variety of mediums with traditional and digital techniques. Carolina is part of the White Ravens 2008 list for the Bologna Book Fair, where she has also been selected to represent Argentina. She currently lives in La Plata, Argentina.

FOR MORE INFORMATION visit Carolina online: www.carolinafarias.com/ar

Instagram: instagram.com/fariasillos

BUY THIS BOOK To order CHAMELEON CAN BE, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of CHAMELEON CAN BE?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, February 24th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Author + Illustrator David Catrow

November 11, 2021Authors + Illustrators, Interviews, Vet InterviewsLindsay Ward3 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with the incredible author and illustrator, David Catrow, whose books I’ve adored since wanting to become an author/illustrator myself. I remember the first time I discovered STAND TALL MOLLY LOU MELON and poured over the illustrations— so much to look at! One of my favorite details in his books are the dogs— they are fantastic and such accurately, hilarious portraits of canine behavior. I’ve always loved David’s books and I’m thrilled to have him with us today to talk about his experience in the industry and his new book, I WANT AN APPLE: HOW MY BODY WORKS, by David L. Harrison with Holiday House.

So without further ado, please welcome David Catrow!

Where do you live?

I live in Ohio but mostly I live inside my head. Being an artist is a 24/7 existence and there are times when it’s hard to separate what is actually happening around me and what I am imagining or wish was happening around me. Which is probably why I’m not in an occupation like brain surgery or being an airline pilot.

How many years have you been in publishing?

My First Book was published in 1990 which is well... a long time ago (you probably should do the math, I am a picture person)

How did you first get published?

It was completely unexpected actually, I was studying to be a doctor at the time and someone asked me if I could illustrate the procedure for doing an emergency cricothyrotomy on an un-anaesthetized patient in the middle of nowhere. My drawing was published in the Journal of Emergency Medicine and here I am.

Do you write/illustrate full-time?

Yes, I write and illustrate full-time, but I would happily do it more if I could figure out how to get the earth to rotate a little bit slower thus gaining me a few more hours of daylight.

What inspires you to create picture books?

Oh, anything and everything—you name it, I’ve been inspired by it... (Go ahead, name something, the first thing that comes into your mind and just shout it out!) I heard you! YUP, I’ve been inspired by that too.

What surprised you the most working as an author/illustrator?

What surprises me the most is that I’m never done. The minute I’ve finished a book that I think pretty much says it all, I’ll suddenly think of something else to say- (which is surprising because most people who talk to me think I’m a person of few words.)

What is your favorite thing about being an author/illustrator?

My Favorite thing about being an Illustrator is, that not only do I have something that I love to do, but I am able to keep doing it for as long as I wish. After I’m done being an artist I plan on devoting all of my time to learning how to catch a frisbee in my mouth.

What do you find difficult working as an author/illustrator?

For me the most difficult thing is trying to swat away all the pesky other ideas that buzz around my head and interfere with me doing my work that is front of me.

For me the most difficult thing is learning that I can get carried away sometimes and forget what it is that am supposed to be doing.

-which reminds me of a funny story about an elephant, a turnip, and a guy named Ned who all decide to go on a road trip together- Ned didn’t have a driver’s license so the turnip has to drive, because, honestly, whoever heard of an elephant driving a car.

(sorry, what the question again?)

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

I get lots of sleep, I eat right and I take a multi-vitamin.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

I eat right, I get lots of sleep, and I take a multi-vitamin.

Recommended reading?

Everything and anything.

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

Waking up and doing what I love to do—Oh and playing with my dog.

What is something you wish someone had told you when you first started writing/illustrating?

I wish someone had told me that you can’t do it all.

Can you tell us about your newest book?

Your body is busy, busy, busy! Learn how it works in this funny-but-informative book.

I want an apple. Smart brain, help me find one. Sniffy nose, smell the apple. Bright eyes, help me see it.
Legs, feet, arms, teeth, tongue, tummy . . . and long intestine too . . . all snap into action when a child decides she wants an apple. A clever and humorous introduction to body parts and their function.

*Interior art from I WANT AN APPLE: HOW MY BODY WORKS by David L. Harrison, illustrated by David Catrow with Holiday House*

Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors and illustrators?

Keep working hard at what you love to do and eventually you will make it- no matter what it is that you want to do- whether it’s juggling on a tightrope, walking in space, writing poetry, or singing an aria, or anything in between- all the people that are doing those things now, were once like you.

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

Turner and Hooch.

DAVID CATROW is a political cartoonist, artist for animated films, and illustrator of best-selling books for children, including two New York Times Best Illustrated books. His books for Holiday House, which he also wrote, are The Fly Flew In and Fun in the Sun. He lives in Ohio. Learn more about him at Catrow.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about David, visit him online: www.catrow.com

Or follow him on social media:

@DavidCatrow (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)

BUY THIS BOOK To order David’s books, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of I WANT AN APPLE: HOW MY BODY WORKS?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, November 18th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Author and Illustrator Laura Vaccaro Seeger

October 28, 2021Authors + Illustrators, Interviews, Vet InterviewsLindsay Ward3 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have a fantastic interview with the incredibly talented, two-time Caldecott honor winning Laura Vaccaro Seeger! I’m such a huge fan of her books and she has had an amazing career in publishing— I’m so thrilled she can be here with us today!

So without further ado, please welcome Laura Vaccaro Seeger!

Where do you live?

My husband and I have a home in Rockville Centre, Long Island, and an apartment in Manhattan, New York.

How many years have you been in publishing?

20.

How did you first get published?

I was extremely fortunate to have met Neal Porter - my editor and publishing soulmate - almost immediately after I began looking for a publisher. He’s been my editor for every one of my books - we're now working on my 21st book together. It’s kind of a long story, actually. You can read more about it here: https://studiolvs.com/educators-kids/2017/7

Do you write/illustrate full-time?

Yes.

What inspires you to create picture books?

Everything! But I am mostly inspired by the human condition. While my books are quite varied, I think they are all, at their core, about empathy, love, and friendship.

What surprised you the most working as an author/illustrator?

Hmm. That’s a tough question! I suppose what has surprised me most is the tendency in publishing for people to consider each other family. There is a real sense of sincere friendship that I find totally endearing.

What is your favorite thing about being an author/illustrator?

Now, that’s an easy one to answer. I love that each book is a completely new blank canvas. I enjoy the process of making picture books and feel lucky that Neal and I work together so organically. I am fortunate to be able to both write and create art, and I love it that I can work at the beach, at home, anywhere! And mostly, it’s so rewarding to know that my books are (hopefully) enjoyed by children of all ages.

What do you find difficult working as an author/illustrator?

I find it challenging to adhere to a schedule, which is probably a common problem for most people who work at home. There are so many distractions, so discipline is a must. And even more difficult is the inevitable encounter with writer’s block!

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

I go for a long run at the beach.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

Not really. It truly is an organic process.

Can you share a positive experience you’ve had in the Kid Lit community?

My favorite and repeated experiences are when I get to hang out with other authors at literature conferences and festivals. We always have so much fun together and I’ve made so many wonderful author friends over the years. One memory that really stands out is when Kadir Nelson, Chris Crutcher, and I were in Singapore together. One night after dinner, we decided to go carpet shopping. After an amazing and hilarious haggle session with the shop owner, we got great deals on a couple of carpets and then proceeded to carry them around the city in the rain while we (unsuccessfully) tried to hail a taxi. We laughed so hard that night and we all still talk about it.

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

Interacting with children is always a joy. It’s such a privilege to be able to create for and present to them. And I must admit that recognition from librarians, teachers, and publishing professionals means so much to me. We artists/writers can be very hard on ourselves, so it’s reassuring when our books win awards and receive starred reviews. But the highlight of all highlights were the two Caldecott Honors, for sure!!

What is something you wish someone had told you when you first started writing/illustrating?

I’m not sure what I wish someone had told me, but I’m thankful for the advice an author friend gave me when I was working on my first book - he said the most important thing is to find my voice.

Can you tell us about your newest book?

RED will be released in a few weeks, and I’m very excited about it. It was inspired by all the division in our society, particularly the last few years. The book explores the many shades of the color red, but more importantly, it’s about red in terms of anger, conflict, rage, empathy, and love.

*Interior art from RED by Laura Vaccaro Seeger, Published by Holiday House Books*

What’s up next for you?

Right now I’m working on a book called I’M NOT LOST.

Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors and illustrators?

It’s really important, when trying to find a publisher, to find one that publishes books like yours. Many authors spend years getting rejections because they’ve not found the right match for their work.

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

When Harry Met Sally.

Huge thank you to Laura for stopping by Critter Lit today! We are so lookiing forward to RED! Congrats on your stunning collection of books!

Laura Vaccaro Seeger is the author and illustrator of nearly two dozen acclaimed picture books, including Why?, the recipient of four starred reviews, and the popular Dog and Bear series, the first of which won the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award. She has been awarded a Caldecott Honor twice, for First the Egg and again for Green, and a Geisel Honor twice, for First the Egg and One Boy. Blue, her companion to this book and Green, received four starred reviews. Red is the final book in her color trilogy.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Laura, visit her online: studiolvs.com

Or follow her on social media:

@lauravseeger (Twitter)

@LauraVaccaroSeeger (Facebook)

BUY THIS BOOK To order Laura’s book, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of RED?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, November 4th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Author and Illustrator Rachel Isadora

October 14, 2021Authors + Illustrators, Interviews, Vet InterviewsLindsay Ward4 Comments

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*

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.

Interview with Debut Author and Illustrator Annelouise Mahoney

August 12, 2021Authors + Illustrators, Debut InterviewsLindsay Ward3 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! Today’s interview is a fellow author/illustrator at Two Lions, who shares the same editor with me (shout out to the fabulous Kelsey Skea!). I’m such a fan of the books Two Lions publishes and am thrilled to interview one of their newest author/illustrators and share her fantastic debut picture book!

So without further ado, please welcome Annelouise Mahoney!

Where do you live?

I live in Southern California.

When did you know you wanted to write/illustrate picture books?

I fell in love with picture books as a child but I didn't realize it was something I could do until I was in college. I was studying illustration at UMass Dartmouth and I was lucky enough to have Karen Klingon as an illustration professor, she suggested writing and illustrating for children to me and that is when the seed was planted.

Tell us about your road to publication, what did that involve for you?

I began with SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators). That is my number one recommendation to everyone who asks me where to start. When I was ready to dedicate myself to the craft of writing for children I enrolled in, Writing Picture Books For Children, with Sherry Shahan through UCLA Extension. I went on to take Intermediate Picture Book Writing with Terry Pierce. My daughters were very young and the online classes made learning accessible to me. When I was ready to dive deeper, I enrolled in Art Center College of Design, Finding Your Voice evening class. That class was taught by Marla Frazee. She taught me to find the emotion in the story and to dig for the heartbeat and pull that thread through the book to tie it in the end. She taught me that it’s okay to be afraid and to feel vulnerable — and do the work anyway. With her encouragement, I began posting art on social media. While I was actively involved with SCBWI art challenges, such as DrawThis, Anna Olswanger reached out to me through email and asked if I might be interested in writing for children, seeking representation and if I had any work I could show her. Anna and I worked on revising JULIUS AND MACY for about a year until she felt it was ready for submission. I'm very grateful that during that submission process Kelsey Skea at Two Lions took a chance on me. I feel incredibly lucky.

Can you share a bit about your process?

Sure. I'm still learning and growing but I found that waiting on the words and sticking with the pictures first is my way of finding the story. I'm very messy and experimental in the beginning of a story, my sketches are loose and not pretty. I'm very open to feedback and, as hard as revisions can be, I really enjoy them. It's a refocus and revision and reseeing that clarifies the story and I enjoy that digging part.

When the story is forming and I can see it, I start cleaning up the illustrations a bit to focus on composition and expression.

As for the illustration part of the process, I like to make small thumbnail color sketches of the book before painting the final art. The color sketches are there for me to work out my color palette, and to get a sense of light and shadow before I begin the final art. Once I have a sense of the color, I draw everything out in pencil then scan that into the computer. I print out the illustration on watercolor paper, I do this because I get nervous about redrawing the illustration on a light table and it saves me some time too. The next step is painting in watercolor and scanning it back into the computer when it is dry. I can make adjustments in photoshop and make sure each spread is fitting in the template of the book.

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

To get new ideas flowing I need to play, and not be precious. I find that if I get too precious with a story, I freeze up and get stuck. It's like trying to make something perfect before it's had a chance to grow. For myself I find the best kind of "shaking the rust off" is loosely sketching, daydreaming, watching kids play or being out in nature. I find animals endlessly fascinating, spending time with our pets, a walk around town, a hike to see wildlife, all of that gets me inspired.

Anything you can’t live without while you write/draw?

Hmm. My favorite thing is quiet, but during this past year and a half with everyone home...that is hard to come by. I do like to settle in and have coffee, water and snacks nearby.

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

Oh my goodness, so many! Some of my favorites are Lisabeth Zwerger, Stephanie Graegin, Emily Winfield Martin, Holly Hobbie, and Marla Frazee.

Dream project to work on?

I feel JULIUS AND MACY was a dream project for me. Something I wanted to make so very much. I know the next book will be made with all the love and care I can give it and that will make it my next dream project.

Tell us about your debut book.

My debut book, JULIUS AND MACY: A VERY BRAVE NIGHT, released on April 1, 2021 with Two Lions publishing. It's a woodland tale about bravery and friendship. My main characters, Julius and Macy, like to play heroes. Julius pretends he’s the defender of the forest, while Macy has a quieter strength. When their snack disappears one night, they decide to track down the only one who could have taken it—the Night Goblin. They both have to be brave in their own ways, and they ultimately discover that the real thief isn’t anything like they imagined.

*Interior Art from JULIUS AND MACY: A VERY BRAVE NIGHT by Annelouise Mahoney, Published by Two Lions*

With its endearing characters, this gently told tale reminds us that we each have courage within us and that kindness can make all the difference.

What’s up next for you?

I'm working on another picture book dummy, and continue to jot down ideas as they come. I'm excited to be a Spotlight Speaker at SCBWI CenCal Writer's Day this October and other literary events this fall.

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

Oh my gosh, that's a fun question. I have to say, The Princess Bride. I love that fairytale movie, and how it begins with the reading of the book.

Thank you for having me on Critter Lit today! It's wonderful to spend some time with you.

Huge thank you to Annalouise for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your debut!

ANNELOUISE MAHONEY was born and raised in Massachusetts, where she spent her childhood playing pretend, making up stories, and drawing pictures. She moved to Los Angeles after college, where she worked in animation and comics. She loves to explore the forest, can’t resist a cave, and has a lot of love for all those named Julius in her life. Annelouise lives in Southern California with her family.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Annelouise, visit her online: www.AnnelouiseMahoney.com

or follow her on social media: Twitter: @WoodlandAbbey | Instagram: @Annelouise_Mahoney

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of JULIUS AND MACY: A VERY BRAVE NIGHT, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of JULIUS AND MACY: A VERY BRAVE NIGHT?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, August 19th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Debut Author and Illustrator Emma Reynolds

July 22, 2021Authors + Illustrators, debut interview, InterviewsLindsay Ward2 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with author and illustrator Emma Reynolds, whose debut picture book, AMARA AND THE BATS just released with Atheneum Books for Young Readers. I’m such a fan of this book, and connected with it immediately. When my now six-year-old was a baby, he loved to watch the bats at the zoo— he would sit in the stroller staring up at them, fascinated. Now we have bats that live around us, and every once and while I catch him staring up just like he used to as a baby. Emma’s book is a wonderful story about activism, climate change, and how kids can make a difference in their own communities. There are also fun bat facts woven throughout the story too! I’m thrilled to have Emma with us today to chat about her new book, road to publication, and advice for up and coming authors and illustrators.

So without further ado, please welcome Emma Reynolds!

Where do you live?

Manchester UK!

How many years have you been in publishing?

I signed with my agent Thao Le in August 2018, and my first illustrated book came out in June 2020. My author-illustrator debut ‘Amara and the Bats’ is out now in July 2021! So about 3 years in total.

How did you first get published?

I got my first book deal as an illustrator shortly after signing with my agent, as Justin Chanda at Simon & Schuster had seen the announcement and my illustrations suited a book project.

‘Amara and the Bats’ began as a dummy book that I made when I was applying to agents, and was actually why my agent signed me. We then worked on the book some more, and pitched to publishers, and we announced the book deal with editor Julia McCarthy at Atheneum Simon & Schuster in May 2019!

Do you write/illustrate full-time?

Yes, and I currently also teach illustration one day a week at a university.

What inspires you to create picture books?

I absolutely love the format! For me they are the perfect balance of words and images, and I love how powerful picture books are, as humans first experiences of stories. They can change lives.

What surprised you the most working as an author/illustrator?

I used to work as a character designer for kid’s TV, and it was a very fast paced job. With publishing, I found the phrase ‘hurry up and wait’ to be true! It was a huge shock to me that a three week plus wait for the next round of feedback was normal, when I had been used to much quicker turnarounds. And then when final art is signed off it’s go go go! I am (almost haha) used to it now, but that was the hardest adjustment for me.

What is your favorite thing about being an author/illustrator?

I love love love telling my own stories! I am so excited that I get to craft a whole world, it is an amazing experience and job to have and I am so happy I get to do this.

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

Live life! After a big project and a busy period, it’s good to take a break and live life, see friends, absorb some new experiences and remain curious. This is when I naturally find that I’m in a place for new ideas. It’s important to remember to take time off as a freelancer, or you’ll find yourself just working constantly, and that isn’t healthy or conducive to inspiration long term.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

I listen to the same music a lot. There are particular mixes I listen to a lot on YouTube, and I have listened to them so much there are no surprises that make me jump, so I can hyper focus and stay in the zone with them on.

Can you share a positive experience you’ve had in the Kid Lit community?

Yeah for sure – I met some absolutely lovely author-illustrators who are also repped by my agent, and we have become close friends. Having people in the industry to talk to, bounce ideas off and ask questions is so important, and I’m so grateful for this – they are my rocks!

Recommended reading?

Ooo so many! I recently really loved picture book ‘What Will You Be?’ written by Yamile Saied Méndez and illustrated by Kate Alizadeh. And for 16+ readers I love graphic novel ‘Woman World’ by Aminder Dhaliwal.

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

Honestly, being able to make my dream book – ‘Amara and the Bats’, I have dreamed of making my own books since I was 5 years old, so 28 years later it is a reality and I am just so grateful and happy! Amara is my whole heart, and it was selected as a Junior Library Guild gold standard selection which is a huge honour and I am so proud of this.

What is something you wish someone had told you when you first started writing/illustrating?

Ooo definitely related to what I’ve said above – that long waits for feedback are normal, and to make sure to take down time, because you’ll need it! And, protect your weekends.

Can you tell us about your newest book?

'Amara and the Bats' is about a little girl who loves bats and is sad when she moves to a new town and finds out that the bats no longer live there due to losing their habitat. She is inspired by real life youth climate activists to take action, and rallies her friends to save the bats! It is all about bat conservation and rewilding, showing how amazing bats are, and giving hope for the next generation struggling with climate anxiety. Bat facts are weaved in throughout, and there are practical steps to take action to help bats and useful links in the back too.

*Interior art from AMARA AND THE BATS by Emma Reynolds, Atheneum Books for Young Readers*

What’s up next for you?

Since the beginning of this year I’ve been working on my next book. We got the offer a year ago but we haven’t announced it yet, and I can’t wait to be able to share more about it soon! Hint – fans of the themes in Amara will enjoy this too.

Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors and illustrators?

Make the art of your dream project that you want to be hired for, and post it online and send it to clients and agents you want to work with! Manifest :D That is exactly what I did with ‘Amara and the Bats’, and it worked!

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

PREDATOR!

Huge thank you to Emma for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your debut!

EMMA REYNOLDS is an illustrator and author based in Manchester, UK. Amara and the Bats is her author-illustrator debut. Passionate about storytelling and creating unique characters, Emma has been dreaming of making her own books since she was five. Emma started the #KidLit4Climate illustrated campaign, bringing together thousands of children’s illustrators and authors from more than fifty countries in solidarity with the youth climate strikes. She is inspired by nature, animals, adventure, and seeing the magic in the everyday.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Emma, visit her online or follow her on social media:

http://www.twitter.com/emmaillustrate

http://www.instagram.com/emmaillustrate

Amara and the Bats is out now in the US and UK editions, order worldwide here:

emmareynoldsillustration.com/amaraandthebats

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of AMARA AND THE BATS, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of AMARA AND THE BATS?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, July 29th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Debut Author + Illustrator Skylaar Amann

June 24, 2021Authors + Illustrators, debut interview, Debut Interviews, InterviewsLindsay Ward2 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have a fantastic interview with a debut author/illustrator whose book is simply stunning. I’m a huge fan of any ocean themed books (maybe it’s the Californian in me) and LLOYD FINDS HIS WHALESONG is absolutely lovely! I can’t wait for you to hear from our author/illustrator and more about this beautiful book.

So without further ado, please welcome Skylaar Amann!

Where do you live?

Portland, Oregon

How many years have you been in publishing?

As a published author, just about a year! Lloyd Finds His Whalesong is my debut and it came out in 2020. But I’ve been writing and illustrating (and revising!) for several years before that.

How did you first get published?

A few years ago, I sent a promotional illustration postcard to Page Street Kids, and Kristen Nobles responded with a very nice email about my work. Although we’re on opposite coasts, we connected over one of my ocean/boat scenes, which was really cool because the ocean is really important to me. Soon after that, I submitted a draft of Lloyd to her. I went through many (many, many, haha) drafts with Kristen and Courtney Burke (who became the acquiring editor). We eventually landed in a place where the story was solid, and I finally got that “yes.” I ran around my house screaming when I got the news!

Do you write/illustrate full-time?

No, while I would love to reach that goal at some point, right now I do a mish-mash of work. My writing and illustrating work takes up a lot of my time, but I also work as a freelance corporate copy editor.

What inspires you to create picture books?

I remember being inspired by picture books as a little kid. I wanted to write and draw them back then when I was first reading them. I was enraptured by the illustrations, which I would stare at for a long time, or I’d look at them repeatedly and always see new details.

As an adult, I’m inspired by a lot of current creators, especially illustrators, who make such magical and beautiful worlds, and images you can fall into. As a writer, I’m inspired by the misfit kids (myself included) who have feelings, stories, and adventures that I want to share. Things that don’t always fit the mold. Right now, I’m working on finding more authenticity in my writing voice, leaning into that weirdness and not worrying so much about what others will think of it or if it’s marketable (that’s future Skylaar’s problem).

Some of my stories are inspired by my real life and some are aspirational -- things I wish I had experienced as a kid. Creating some of that childhood joy is inspiring to me.

I’m also always and forever inspired by nature — especially the ocean. I grew up on the Oregon Coast and that wild and rocky Pacific shoreline was a darn-near religious experience for me. If I can put even a sprinkle of that sublime wonder in my stories, I’ll have succeeded.

What surprised you the most working as an author/illustrator?

The waiting! The timelines are slower than what I’m used to coming from a background in tech and marketing where projects often have to turn around the same day, or even the same hour. Now that I know the lay of the land, it’s a little easier to understand the timelines, although I can get anxious wondering what’s happening on the other side sometimes -- even just waiting to hear back from a critique partner! It’s not a lack of patience, it’s more the anxiety that builds up internally that makes waiting hard. Learning to chill and do other things (not be totally consumed by writing) has been helpful but I’m still learning to do that!

What is your favorite thing about being an author/illustrator?

Probably getting to take the worlds and stories that bounce around my head and put them to use, get them on paper. I spend a lot of time dreaming up worlds and ideas without realizing I’m doing it. Plenty are just random thoughts that aren’t stories, just daydreams or wonderings and so on. But when I’m lucky enough that one of those worlds connects with other people, and I get to then turn it into a book -- there’s nothing better!

What do you find difficult working as an author/illustrator?

Even before the pandemic, I was working alone most of the time. I actually like a lot of things about working alone, but sometimes it gets old. Connecting virtually with other writers has helped with that.

The work itself is also hard! Writing, rewriting, sketching, coloring -- it all takes work, continued learning, and practice. I tend to worry people won’t like anything I’m making, so I have to work on quelling that voice. But working on improving my skills also helps with growing my confidence. I feel like an imposter sometimes! I really put myself into my stories and want to create the best possible books I can, so I don’t like the idea of letting anyone down.

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

I don’t really understand where my ideas come from! Sometimes they just pop up out of nowhere as little kernels, a random sketch, or a strange phrase that runs through my mind. And then I develop them from there. When those kernels aren’t popping up, I tend to stress out. If I get stressed like that, sometimes I need to take a break, not try to force it, read other books, do other fun things … maybe even get some sleep!

That said, I don’t believe in waiting around idly for inspiration to strike. If I’m really stuck, I’ll brainstorm ideas, just jot down concepts or lines, or sketch a random character and see if it goes anywhere. I also like to work on other stories or just paint or draw for fun (not with a story in mind) … and see where that goes.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

I tend to work at my desk or on my couch (or in coffee shops in the Before Times, sob). Having specific work spaces helps me focus on work. I’m not the type to say you should work every day -- life happens. But I do think consistency and self-discipline is important. So I set deadlines or goals for myself, especially when I’m developing an idea that no one else is yet invested in. Other than that, I try to be pretty flexible so my work doesn’t feel ritualistic. I feel that if you get too precious about it, it becomes a barrier to getting anything done.

Can you share a positive experience you’ve had in the Kid Lit community?

I’ve had some great support over the last couple of years from the KidLitCollective group. We were formerly called the Perfect2020PBs as a group of debut picture book authors in 2020, and it’s nice having that support system.

I also have to give a shout out to my critique partner Nora Nickum who is a fabulous writer and fellow ocean lover. She’s an incredible editor, and (I don’t know if she realizes this) she helped me believe I could write middle grade. If you’re reading this, Nora — thank you, it means so much to me!

I’ve also been working as a picture book mentor with WriteMentor for the last few years, and I’ve found that community to be really supportive of each other, no matter what stage of the journey anyone is at. It’s really cool to see people (myself included) progress and I enjoy helping others with the knowledge I’ve gained -- and then see them do the same!

Recommended reading?

I just read Seaside Stroll by Charles Trevino and illustrated by Maribel Lechunga. Geez, that book is gorgeous!

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

Getting the news that I had an offer on Lloyd was such an exciting moment. It felt like a huge turning point after years of struggle. Signing with my incredible agent Jessica Watterson last year was also amazing, and another big milestone. Even though there are still ups and downs to this day, every celebratory moment I have, like selling Smile, Sophia, feels like the newest and best highlight.

What is something you wish someone had told you when you first started writing/illustrating?

I don’t know that anyone could have convinced me by telling me (I think I needed to experience it myself) but I’d say: The process takes time and everyone is on their own path. That’s cold comfort when you’re struggling or getting tons of rejections, (or watching others succeed) but if you keep developing your skills and improving bit by bit, you can move forward.

SKYLAAR_AMANN_LLOYD FINDS HIS WHALESONG.jpg

Can you tell us about your debut book?

My current book out right now is Lloyd Finds His Whalesong. It’s the story of a little humpback whale whose voice is too quiet to sing the whalesong. He seems destined for silence until he finds a mysterious ukulele in the kelp forest and must use it and his newfound voice to help his family out of danger.

*Interior art from LLOYD FINDS HIS WHALESONG by Skylaar Amann, Page Street Kids*

Lloyd is fiction, but the story includes some real-life whale things, like the way humpbacks communicate with each other and the effects of noise pollution. The book has some fun back matter too about how real whalesong works and how other noises in the ocean can affect whales.

Growing up on the Oregon Coast, the ocean was a huge part of my life. I was lucky to see whales like Lloyd migrating offshore, as well as orcas that would occasionally come into the bay, plus tons of other marine life. My illustration work has always centered on the ocean, whales, the biodiversity of tidepools, and marine science/conservation. I’ve drawn whales for years. Eventually one of them started to become Lloyd, and that was the start of the idea behind the story. I also learned to play ukulele some years ago, and it was really cool to have this new way to communicate and share stories. I guess that rubbed off on Lloyd, and the rest is history.

What’s up next for you?

My next book is called Smile, Sophia and it’s coming out in 2022 from Feiwel & Friends! It’s about a girl who loves dinosaurs and science -- but she only smiles when she wants to, not when grownups expect her too. It’s filled with lots of fun STEM visuals, and I’m really excited to share it with the world!

Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors and illustrators?

The journey can be really long, winding, and hard. And it doesn’t have an end point. It’s not like reaching a certain milestone (like getting an agent, selling a book, etc.) is the end. Each is just a new beginning. I’m always trying to improve my illustration skills and my ability to tell stories, and I don’t see that stopping no matter what I achieve. So I’d just say keep learning and be persistent. Find avenues that help your mental health when it gets hard. Be kind too. Kindness is very important.

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

So hard to pick, but probably Beetlejuice (although The Last Unicorn left a lasting impression, lol. The Red Bull really scared me!).

Huge thank you to Skylaar for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your beautiful debut book! We can’t wait to see Smile, Sophia when it comes out!

SKYLAAR AMANN is the author-illustrator of Lloyd Finds His Whalesong, (Page Street Kids, 2020). Her next book, SMILE, SOPHIA, is forthcoming from Feiwel & Friends in 2022. She is an affiliated artist with the Climate Science Alliance, a picture book mentor for WriteMentor, and a member of SCBWI and Women Who Draw. Skylaar specializes in children's and science-themed art, with clients including Surfrider, Pinna, Sitka Sound Science Center, 826 Seattle, Adventure! Children's Museum, Scientific American, and Paxton Gate. She has fifteen years of experience in communications and now works as an author, illustrator, and editor. Skylaar is represented by Jessica Watterson of Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency.

FOR MORE INFORMATION visit Skylaar online: www.skylaaramann.com.

Or follow her on social media:

Twitter: www.twitter.com/skylaara

Instagram: www.instagram.com/skylaara

ACTIVITY SHEETS: Lloyd freebies (coloring pages, music, and more info): www.skylaaramann.com/lloyd

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy Skylaar’s books click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of LLOYD FINDS HIS WHALESONG?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, July 1st! US addresses only please.

Interview with Debut Illustrator Erica De Chavez

June 3, 2021Authors + Illustrators, InterviewsLindsay Ward2 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! I’m so thrilled to be sharing today’s interview, because TODAY we have Erica De Chavez stopping by Critter Lit! She is super talented and one of the best book designers EVER— now I may be a little biased because she also happens to be my book designer. BUT she really is. I’m so grateful I’ve had the opportunity to work with someone as talented as Erica, and there is nothing better than completing a picture or board book and handing it off to a designer who you completely trust to make your work marry seamlessly with the text. I have also probably put her through the ringer lately with the type of books (hello nonfiction!) we’ve been working on together at HarperCollins so I’m so very grateful she had time to be with us today to talk about her debut illustrated book, her experience in the industry, and upcoming projects.

So without further ado, please welcome Erica De Chavez!

Where do you live?

I am a former Brooklyn, NY transplant that now resides in sunny Clermont, FL.

When did you know you wanted to write/illustrate picture books?

It was at the end of my junior year in art college. I was already planning for my illustration senior thesis project which was completely un-related to children's books. Fortunately, I took an elective class in my spring semester, Illustrating Children's Books. That class and my professor, Tom Casmer, literally changed my art journey trajectory. I went from not knowing what I was going to do with my passion for art and how I was going to make money or find a job doing art to becoming hyper-focused on the children's publishing industry, the picture book writing and creation process and all things picture books from then on. Though I always had a healthy interest in children's art and media which I voraciously consumed through my love for all animated shows, films, anime, comics, and manga very early in my life. I'm also blessed to have parents and grandparents who read to me often when I was a child and encouraged my appetite for reading and libraries.

Tell us about your road to publication, what did that involve for you?

I left FL after graduating with my BFA in Illustration and went to live with my brother in Queens, NY who is a graphic designer for men's fashion. I spent much of my early career doing freelance projects for small educational toy companies and picking up illustration commissions here and there. It was after my second attempt applying to HarperCollins Publishers for a design assistant position that I broke into the industry working under Martha Rago, who was already a well-known art director at the time. She taught me everything I needed to learn about children's book design and sharpened my design eye for meshing typography and children's book art. I met many children's book authors and illustrators as her assistant, many of them award-winning and others fledgling creators starting out their publication careers. I became a member of SCBWI, CBIG, and attempted to create many art critique groups until I finally met kindred spirits and formed The YEA Girls artist collective. My small, tight-knit artist community grew to include professors at NYC art colleges, other designers who also wanted to pursue illustration careers on the side and more prolific mentors and teachers who are active authors, illustrators, and editors themselves. It was through an SCBWI conference twitter thread that I met Annie Fox, the author of The Girls' Q&A Book on Friendship and co-founder of Electric Eggplant. A former artist I hired to illustrate a picture book returned the favor and hired me to illustrate for The Future Is Ours sticker book. And it was through my SCBWI.org portfolio page that Kendra and Claire-Voe OCampo found my art and decided to reach out to me to illustrate Mighty May Won't Cry Today.

You are now a Senior Designer for HarperCollins. Can you tell us about your experience working on both sides of the table in publishing?

It's been an education into the industry, the decision making process, the team collaborations, seeing and working daily with the tons of un-named people who read, edit, market, finance, manage, proof, and sell the books and countless more. It's literally like a curtain being pulled back. I realize how little most book creators know about how the decisions for some of the direction for their books come from. And that's honestly for the better, in my opinion. It helps save the creators' mental fatigue and emotional distress and allowing them to focus on what they do best, writing and illustrating. I find as a book designer, you're the glue to all the bookmaking departments, so that comes with a lot of personality managing, too. You work with and for a WIDE range of personalities inside a publishing house. It's also a day job that I depend on for my daily expenses; it's my livelihood. But it sometimes can feel like a drag, energy-wise. Many may not realize it, but designers are working on anywhere between 30-60 book titles all at the same time, managing books that are publishing on seasons sometimes three years out. It's a bit bonkers. No one told me the job required such heavy multitasking capabilities. Compartmentalizing can help, but it's hard to "turn off" at the end of a work day. I live and breath children's books now. It's literally my life. It can feel overwhelming and burn out is frequent. But it's fulfilling and satisfying work, especially when I flip through and read the books I helped create and guide. My knowledge and experience as a book designer better informs my own personal artwork and stories.

Can you share a bit about your process?

My artwork always starts with a sketch in a tiny sketch book. I love tiny sketchbooks that don't feel too precious or overly expensive. I draw from life and drot down bits of story ideas that come fast and fleeting. I often bounce ideas with my partner for characters and story beats that are half finished and are bookmarked for later days. When I focus in on an idea for a project I look up inspiration and reference photos and experiment with art materials. I try to create a series of images based on a theme or a piece of story I'm inspired by. Nothing is ever fully formed, it's more experimental. Then I sit down to write, which also starts very loose with a plot timeline and character biographies. The story and storyboarding thumbnails happen at the same time with pencil and paper, which is much faster for me than drawing on a tablet. I scan my drawings in along with some paint textures and redraw/edit final illustrations. Sometimes I transfer final drawings with a light pad to heavy watercolor paper and use a mix of watercolor, gouache, colored pencils, crayons, and graphite that I scan in to further edit digitally in Photoshop. I sometimes scan pen and ink hand lettering or line work from my sketchbook or loose drawing paper and incorporate those into my illustrations digitally as well. But my process always begin with pencil to paper.

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

I consume a lot of media and art in all forms. I read books, comics, manga, graphic novels, biographies, and motivational texts. I watch movies, mostly animated films and tv shows. I listen to podcasts occasionally until I get tired of it and sometime I enjoy the hum of silence. I go out and enjoy nature. I like to run long distance, hike, throw a frisbee around, and kayak. I also garden and observe nature. I listen to live music and I love traveling to different countries. All of the things I enjoy in life outside of art and design inadvertently inspire my art and design work! Life is very cyclical. So as long as I live fully, I'm never without a good idea.

Anything you can’t live without while you write/draw?

A cup of good milk tea, black or green. A good music playlist that lists my mood and makes me smile. And a good snack! I'm a creative muncher.

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

Oliver Jeffers inspired my art and career as soon as I dove back into picture books in college. Erin Entrada Kelly inspires me to write stories about kids that are like me, colored and Filipino-American and just like every other kid with a dream. Simona Ciraolo and Lorena Alvarez Gomez continue to inspire me to make beautiful children's books because their books so gorgeous and the stories all feel like emotional little jewels. Their books feel like precious objects sitting on my book shelves.

Dream project to work on?

I dream of working on my first author-illustrated children's book debut, be it picture book or graphic novel or maybe even an illustrated chapter book. I dream of working on many projects in a long and fruitful children's artist career. I'd love to work with publishers big or small on stories that move readers emotionally and positively.

Tell us about your debut book.

Mighty May Won't Cry Today, is about an imaginative little girl named May who tries not to shed a tear on her first day of school. She navigates through unexpected challenges with clever positivity and mindful breathing techniques. With the help of her two moms May learns why it's OK to cry and that we all do sometimes. The story really hits home for me because I am a pretty emotional person (aren't all creatives?) and I was an emotionally sensitive kid. I cried through my short stint in daycare and cried through the first week of kindergarten during which my mother had to leave work daily and come eat lunch with me at the school cafeteria. I love that this story tells kids it is totally OK to cry. I wish I had been told that more often when I was young.

*Interior Art from Might May Won’t Cry Today by Kendra & Claire-Voe Ocampo, illustrated by Erica De Chavez*

What’s up next for you?

I'm finishing up an illustration series I started last year in the middle of the pandemic creating portraits of some of my friends and family members who are health care workers and Asian-American. I'm also focusing on a series of mini illustrations from a set of rejected sketches that didn't make it into the final The Future Is Ours sticker book, taking the opportunity to experiment with new color palettes and try to evolve my digital illustration style. And I'm also reworking a picture book dummy into a sequential paneled book format—very much a work in progress.

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

My Neighbor Totoro. It epitomizes everything I love about children's stories and art made for children.

Huge thank you to Erica for stopping by Critter Lit today! We are so excited for your debut and can’t wait to see what you do next!

ERICA DE CHAVEZ is a Filipino-American children's book designer by day for HarperCollins Publishers and by night transforms into a freelance author-illustrator. She is the illustrator for the indie published middle grade advice book, The Girls' Q&A Book on Friendship by Annie Fox and contributed over 40 fun stickers to The Future Is Ours: Feminist Stickers to Express Yourself by Duopress Labs. Her latest publication is a picture book, Mighty May Won't Cry Today, by Kendra and Claire-Voe Ocampo, is a National Indie Excellence Award finalist.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Erica or her books, visit her online at www.PandaErica.com or follow her on social media:

Instagram: @PandaErica

Twitter: @PandaErica

Facebook: www.facebook.com/PandaErica

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of MIGHTY MAY WON’T CRY click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a signed copy of MIGHTY MAY WON’T CRY?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, June 10th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Debut Author/Illustrator Paddy Donnelly

April 22, 2021Authors + Illustrators, InterviewsLindsay Ward5 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with author/illustrator Paddy Donnelly! His newest book, THE VANISHING LAKE, just came out this week with Yeehoo Press. The art in this book is charming and the story is fantastic too— it’s based on a real lake in Ireland that disappears and reappears depending on the weather. I love a good mystery. I’m thrilled to have Paddy with us today to chat about his new book and becoming a debut author/illustrator.

So without further ado, please welcome Paddy Donnelly!

Where do you live?

Belgium, however I'm originally from Ireland.

When did you know you wanted to write/illustrate picture books?

My background is in web design. I've never formally trained as an illustrator and only started experimenting with illustration a few years ago. I got into making iPhone apps for kids, which was a great mix of design and illustration, and that then got me interested in trying my hand at picture books. Around the end of 2017 I started broadening my portfolio with children's illustration work and I signed on with my illustration agent. In 2018 I started working on illustrating my first children's books. I hadn't really thought I would be writing my own stories as well, but I gave it a go in 2018 and found I absolutely loved the process. Having that total creative control over both the words and pictures really appealed to me.

Tell us about your debut author illustrated picture book.

THE VANISHING LAKE - Something mysterious is happening at Grandad's lake. There are days the lake is beautiful, shimmering, and full. And then there are other days . . . where the lake is completely empty! Meara asks her granddad why the water disappears, but doesn't believe any of his far-fetched stories of mermaids, giants and narwhals. Meara sets out to uncover the truth for herself. Little does she know the answer is much larger than she realizes...

This story is actually based on a real place, close to where I grew up in Ballycastle in Ireland. It’s a lake called Loughareema which actually does disappear and reappear every few days, depending on the weather. Growing up in Ireland, storytelling is an important part of life, so I was surrounded by myths and legends from a young age and I think that’s had a big influence on what stories I like to write about.

Sketch from THE VANISHING LAKE by Paddy Donnelly

Interior Art from THE VANISHING LAKE by Paddy Donnelly

Tell us about your road to publication, what did that involve for you?

For my author illustrated picture book, I had the initial idea around spring 2018. My agent pitched it to publishers and Yeehoo Press purchased the rights to the story about a year after that, and I created the artwork during the summer of 2019. The Chinese version of the book was released in fall 2020 and the English language version will be released on April 20th 2021. In total I think it was about three years from idea to publication. During that time I illustrated a number of other picture books, including a recent one - HERE BE DRAGONS, written by Susannah Lloyd which follows a rather hapless knight who thinks he knows exactly how to find a dragon. He travels right to the spot marked ‘X’, past treasure, suspicious bones, and many signs telling him to turn back. The knight is missing all the signs of the dragon, but kids surely won't.

Can you share a bit about your process?

For my author illustrated picture book the story was based on the real Vanishing Lake, Loughareema. I think I must have been reminded of it one day and thought it could be an interesting idea for a picture book. When you grow up with a wonder like this on your doorstep, you definitely take it for granted, and I hadn’t really thought about it in years. I thought the title itself was intriguing and then I set off to develop a story around that. The mystery of ‘why’ the lake would disappear and reappear had potential to be a good driving force for the story, and then setting the character up to be unwilling to believe these reasons, spurred myself on to come up with crazier and crazier ones. That’s how the story started with me and it developed from there. I knew how many pages I'd have in the story, and I knew there had to be certain beats like the lake there, then disappearing, then there again, and I knew I wanted 3 or 4 wild stories to feature and then a resolution at the end. So once I had those basic big blocks in place, I started to write. And then the writing had an influence on the illustrations, and the illustrations had an effect on the words and I bounced back and forth along the way. For creating the illustrations, I use a Wacom Cintiq and Photoshop. I've always worked digitally as my background is in graphic design, so even my sketches will be done on the tablet.

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

I play the Irish sport of hurling over here in Belgium: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1Vw66Zs0dQ Sport is such a fantastic way to clear your head, escape and recharge. Especially as I work from home (although everyone is doing that now) it's tough to sometimes separate your home and work life. So getting out of the house and participating in a team sport really helps me find that balance.

Anything you can’t live without while you write/draw?

Apart from my Wacom Cintiq and Photoshop, I guess coffee and biscuits!

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

Chris Haughton's blend of storytelling and unique visual style is incredibly inspirational. His use of vibrant colour and the way he can give a seemingly simple story so many layers is amazing.

Molly Mendoza's book Skip is a masterpiece. You really feel like you fall into the psychedelic artwork.

Ximo Abadía's amazingly textured and unusual style just feel timeless and yet other-worldly. I love it.

Dream project to work on?

My favourite book as a child was Watership Down, so if I got to work on illustrations for an edition of that, that'd be amazing.

What’s up next for you?

I actually have my second author illustrated picture book - DODOS AREN'T EXTINCT - coming out in Spring 2022, so I'm working on the illustrations for that as we speak. A Dodo reveals a huge secret: they're not actually extinct—they've been hiding in plain sight all this time, and they're not the only ones... Along with that, I have a few other picture books all in the works.

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

Back to the Future.

Huge thank you to Paddy for visiting us at Critter Lit today! Congrats on your new book— it’s fantastic! We can’t wait to see your upcoming titles.

PADDY DONNELLY is an Irish author & illustrator living in Belgium. He grew up on the north coast of Ireland, surrounded by mythical stories of giants, magical creatures and shape-shifting animals - all set in a stunning landscape from another time. All of this prompted his love for nature, animals, the sea and storytelling. He creates his illustrations digitally, but loves working with a textured, painterly approach. The Vanishing Lake is his debut author illustrated picture book, based on a real lake close to his childhood home in Ireland. He wishes Pluto was still a planet.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Paddy or his books, visit him online: http://lefft.com or follow him on social media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paddy/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/paddydonnelly
My Books: http://lefft.com/books/

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of THE VANISHING LAKE click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of THE VANISHING LAKE? Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, April 29th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Author/Illustrator Matthew Cordell

April 1, 2021Authors + Illustrators, Illustrators, Vet InterviewsLindsay Ward3 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with extremely talented, Caldecott medalist, author and illustrator Matthew Cordell! His newest illustrated book, FOLLOW THAT FROG, written by Philip C. Stead, came out early this year and is the third book in their picture book trilogy featuring Sadie and and her Aunt Josephine. It has received starred reviews from both Booklist and The Bulletin for the Center for Children’s Books, and is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. FOLLOW THAT FROG is a must have for your library. I’m a huge fan of Matthew’s work and I’m thrilled to have him stop by Critter Lit today!

So without further ado, please welcome Matthew Cordell!

Where do you live?

I live in the far northern suburbs of Chicago. A little town called Gurnee.

How many years have you been in publishing?

My very first publishing gig was a middle grade novel called The Gorillas of Gill Park by Amy Gordon. That came out in 2003 from Holiday House so... (takes out calculator) 18 years!

How did you first get published?

My wife, author Julie Halpern, and I were submitting a picture book proposal around to a number of publishers in 2001-2002. One publisher, Holiday House, asked me if I would be interested, instead, in illustrating a middle grade novel. Of course, I jumped at the chance. It was a terrific first project to get my feet wet as an illustrator. Incidentally, the picture book Julie and I were hoping to get published, Toby and the Snowflakes, happily found a home with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (simply called Houghton Mifflin at the time) and was published in 2004.

Do you write/illustrate full-time?

Yes. I worked as an illustrator nights and weekends for 7 years until I made the leap to go full-time in 2007.

What inspires you to create picture books?

I love the audience. Children are tremendously inspiring to me. They are bursting with hope, potential, beauty, and brilliance. Everything is new to them and they are open to new experiences. And they are open and honest about their feelings. It's exciting to create art in this space. I'm a big picture book fan. I love the storytelling dance between words and pictures. Picture books are immensely challenging to make. To create a book that speaks to both a child and an adult is quite the task. When it works, it's absolute magic!

What surprised you the most working as an author/illustrator?

Up until I met Julie and she suggested the idea of making a children's book together, It had never occurred to me. I'd been an artist in different ways all my life, but I hadn't thought about children's books since I, myself, was a child. I didn't have children in my life at the time. Honestly, initially, it didn't sound very appealing. But Julie won me over by showing me lots of lots of picture books. Her childhood favorites as well as contemporary successes. I was blown away by how incredible picture books could be. I'd completely forgotten! Once I started working with publishers, and sharing books with children, it was all so tremendously inspiring. I loved it. I love it. So... what surprised me the most about working as an author/illustrator? All of it.

What is your favorite thing about being an author/illustrator?

I think it's a tie. Being able to draw everyday for my job. And getting to hang out with kids all the time for my job.

What do you find difficult working as an author/illustrator?

Being, essentially, a freelance artist, it can be stressful at times, not having the stability of other jobs. Health insurance, regular paycheck, job security, etc. But there's an invaluable freedom in my situation that I wouldn't trade for anything.

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

I try to get away from my desk--every day if I can--to go for walks out in nature. It helps to break away from what I'm working on, and to get the blood pumping, and to immerse myself in the outdoors. I love animals and I'm really into birding. I sometimes bring my sketchbook and draw. I often get new ideas and jot them down. I have high cholesterol too, so a daily walk is a win-win.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

I'm very much a creature of habit. I've been drawing with the same brand of ink for years with the same type of pen nibs on the same brand of paper. If I find something that I like, I'm not usually looking around for something different or better. Sometimes, though, I wouldn't mind breaking out of my shell to try new things and experiment with new media and techniques.

Can you share a positive experience you’ve had in the Kid Lit community?

When I was first starting out and didn't know very many people at all, Julie and I were at an ALA cocktail reception. I was standing against a wall feeling and looking awkward as can be. Someone came up and introduced himself to me. He recognized my name on my name tag and remembered some mailers or postcards I'd sent his way. We had a nice conversation and he was very kind about my work. I was genuinely surprised and moved by the gesture he made. It was David Gale, longtime editor at Simon and Schuster. In the years that followed, whenever I saw him at conferences, we would say hello and have a nice chat. Sadly, David passed away last year, but I'll always remember that party and his kindness and the warm welcome he showed when I really needed it.

Recommended reading?

My new, favorite new-to-me book is Owl Moon by Jane Yolen and John Schoenherr. I've been obsessed with owls and owling this winter, and several folks suggested I look at Owl Moon. I knew of it, of course, being a Caldecott medal-winning book, but I had never seen it. (I'm embarrassed to say!) I bought a copy from my local bookshop and it most definitely lives up to the praise. It is a perfect picture book. Perfect text. Perfect art. It really captures the spirit of birding, owling, sharing a magical experience between father and child. I love it so much.

Screen Shot 2021-03-31 at 9.08.31 PM.png

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

Without a doubt, when Wolf in the Snow received the Caldecott Medal in 2018. It was a shock, surprise, explosion of emotions, and it still gets me choked up. It's hard to fathom that a book of mine is part of that rich and wonderful legacy.

What is something you wish someone had told you when you first started writing/illustrating?

That on top of writing and illustrating, you'll need to work as a public speaker, publicist, amateur educator and mentor, and other unexpected crash course, odd jobs. There are a lot of hats to be worn in this business. Making the books is just one part of it.

Screen Shot 2021-03-31 at 9.09.43 PM.png

Can you tell us about your newest book?

I have two new books that just came out. Bear Island is my newest author/illustrator picture book about a girl, Louise, and her family processing and healing over the loss of their pet dog. Much of it plays out on a lake island that Louise visits and encounters a massive grizzly bear. Follow that Frog! is the third book in a picture book trilogy by Philip Stead and me (the first two being Special Delivery and The Only Fish in the Sea). All three of these books are wild, weird, madcap adventures starring headstrong, unflappable Sadie and her eccentric Great Aunt Josephine. These books are so much fun and were so much fun to illustrate!

*Interior art from FOLLOW THAT FROG, written by Philip C. Stead, illustrated by Matthew Cordell*

What’s up next for you?

My next book to come out (September 7, 2021) will be What Isabella Wanted, by Candace Fleming, pictures by me. It's a fascinating picture book biography of Isabella Stewart Gardner, late 19th century world traveler and art collector who built and opened her own museum in Boston at the turn of the century. In the 1990's there was a late night heist where several priceless drawings, paintings, and artifacts were stolen, and the mystery has never been solved.

Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors and illustrators?

Read lots and lots of picture books. Know the past, present, and future--what's coming out next. Having that education of the world of picture books and publishing, and also knowing what you personally like and don't like, is one of the best things you can do for yourself.

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

Definitely the original Star Wars Trilogy. (Even though the first film was a 1977 release) I was a huge Star Wars kid and am now a huge Star Wars grown-up.

Huge thank you to Matthew for stopping by Critter Lit today! We are so excited about your upcoming books. Congrats on all your success!

MATTHEW CORDELL is the Caldecott Medal-winning author and illustrator of Wolf in the Snow and Hello Neighbor!: The Kind and Caring World of Mister Rogers, recipient of four starred reviews, and the illustrator of numerous highly acclaimed children's books including Philip C. Stead's books Follow That Frog!, The Only Fish in the Sea, and Special Delivery, which was a Washington Post Best Book. He wrote and illustrated Another Brother, Wish, and Hello! Hello!, a New York Times Notable Children's Book. Matthew lives near Chicago with his wife, author Julie Halpern, and their two children.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Matthew, visit him online: http://matthewcordell.com

or follow him on social media:

Twitter: @cordellmatthew

Instagram: @cordell_matthew

TO ORDER Matthew’s books, ring up your local bookstore or click here.

BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Want a chance to win a copy of FOLLOW THAT FROG?! Comment on this post or share it on Twitter. One lucky winner will be selected Thursday, April 8th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Author/Illustrator Sandra Salsbury Part 2

March 11, 2021Authors + Illustrators, Debut Interviews, InterviewsLindsay Ward8 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! Isn’t it awesome when things come full circle? I love it. It just feels right. Like all is right with the world— which let’s be honest, is a rare feeling these days. Needless to say, today our interview is very full circle.

Back in 2018, I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to mentor Sandra Salsbury, an up-and-coming author/illustrator, through Writing With the Stars. If you don’t know about this fantastic mentorship, click here. It is very cool and an amazing opportunity for unpublished authors, illustrators, and author/illustrators. Hopefully, it will be up and running again in the near future.

When I first interviewed Sandra, she hadn’t found an agent yet and was unpublished— which I knew was only a matter of time. She is supremely talented (see stunning art below). So, I’m thrilled that today, I get to interview Sandra as an author/illustrator with a debut picture book, BEST FRIEND IN THE WHOLE WORLD, which just came out with Peachtree Publishing. This is the manuscript and book dummy that led me to select her to mentor. Like I said— full circle. So cool.

So without further ado, please welcome Sandra Salsbury!

Where do you live?

I live in Berkeley, California in a house full of ferns.

When did you know you wanted to write/illustrate picture books?

Drawing was always one of my favorite hobbies growing up, but I didn’t seriously consider art as a career until after I had already started college. One semester as a biology major and I realized that I should probably study art instead. I spent 4 years getting a BFA in illustration and it wasn’t until my last semester, when I enrolled in children’s illustration because it fit my schedule, that I realized picture book illustration might be something that interested me.

Tell us about your road to publication, what did that involve for you?

The funny thing about the road to publication is that it’s hard to pinpoint when it really starts. I took that first children’s illustration class in 2006, the semester I graduated with my BFA. I didn’t feel ready to go out there in the world, so I continued to get an MFA as well. In 2011, I started getting published as an illustrator, mostly with educational companies and small presses. Finally, in 2014, I realized that to get the kind of agent I wanted and the sorts of work I was interested in, I would need to try writing as well. In 2016, I came up with the idea for Best Friend in the Whole World and started developing it. In 2018, I won a mentorship with you and then went on to win the Don Freeman Grant from SCBWI. I also signed with my agent at the very end of the year and we went on submission in 2019. After 7 months of being on submission, we had offers from 2 publishers and selected to publish with Peachtree. From there, everything came together fairly quickly (at least, compared to the rest) and now the book is out! So, it only ended up taking about 15 years.

*Thumbnails, sketches, and final art from BEST FRIEND IN THE WHOLE WORLD by Sandra Salsbury*

Can you share a bit about your process?

When I begin working on a story, it spends a long time in my head at first. I like to figure out the major plot points, my middle, and my end, all before I even look at a piece of paper. I will sometimes begin by writing out the opening lines of my story in my head. Once I feel like I have a good understanding of where I am going, I will do character sketches and start working on the manuscript. After I have the words written out, I will do thumbnails of my pages and then go back and forth between the words and the pictures until I find the right balance. At this point, I usually realize there’s something impossibly broken with the story and I will agonize over how I didn’t see it sooner and how the story is terrible, but after a couple weeks of hand-wringing, the answer will smack me in the face and end up with something that works.

The process for my art involves many incremental steps from thumbnails (each stage getting more detailed), to value studies, to color roughs, then line art, and finally the final paintings. The paintings are done on Arches 140lb cold press watercolor paper with Prismacolor Col-Erase pencils in brown and Winsor & Newton paints in Cadmium Yellow, Scarlet Lake, French Ultramarine, and Burnt Umber.

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

Read more books! I find that if I don’t read enough picture books, all my ideas slowly dry up. I start to worry that I will never get another good idea in my life. I tell all my friends that it’s over and I have to quit. And then finally, I go to the library and pick up a pile of new books and magically, inside those books are also new ideas.

Anything you can’t live without while you write/draw?

When I am writing or drawing, I actually need total silence and zero distractions. So much of the writing and drawing process is about thinking for me that I can’t work with music or tv in the background. However, once I get to the painting stage, I don’t need to think anymore and I love listening to audiobooks. When painting Best Friend in the Whole World, I finished fourteen audiobooks in six weeks.

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

My current picture book obsession is Pokko and the Drum by Matthew Forsythe. I also am in love with In A Jar by Deborah Marcero. Some illustrators I routinely look at are Julia Sarda, Rebecca Green, Jon Klassen, and Jessixa Bagley.

Dream project to work on?

The wonderful thing about being an author-illustrator is that if I can dream it up, I can work on it! I would love to someday do a middle grade graphic novel and right now the only thing really stopping me is my own fears (in my defense, graphic novels seem really scary).

Tell us about your debut book.

Roland lives a quiet life all by himself. One day, he stumbles across someone to be his new best friend. It’s fine it’s just a pine cone! But soon signs start popping up in the woods that make Roland realize someone else might be missing their best pine cone friend and Roland must make the choice between having a good friend and being a good friend.

*Interior Art from BEST FRIEND IN THE WHOLE WORLD by Sandra Salsbury*

The funny origin story of this book is that once when I was a child I found a perfect stick and then tragically lost it later that day. The inexplicable and irrational bond I felt with that stick has stayed with me into adulthood and I wanted to write a story that captured the bond children can have with their friends—real or imagined.

What’s up next for you?

Hopefully more books! I have a couple more ideas that feel could actually turn into something, so I’m currently coxing them to life. Some of them are being more stubborn than others.

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

If I had to pick just ONE, it would definitely be The Princess Bride. I know a million people probably pick The Princess Bride, but that’s only because it’s SUCH AN AMAZING MOVIE!

Huge thank you to Sandra for stopping by Critter Lit again! We are so so proud of you over here at Critter Lit and can’t wait to see what you come up with next!

Sandra Salsbury grew up in the Santa Cruz mountains, where she made friends with many pine cones and sticks. She received a BFA and MFA in illustration from the Academy of Art University. She currently lives in Berkeley with her husband, a large collection of staghorn ferns, and countless spiders who provide moral support, as the great spiders in literature are known to do. For more information about Sandra or her book, visit her online or follow her on social media:

Website: www.sandrasalsbury.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/sandrasalsbury

instagram: www.instagram.com/sandrasalsbury

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of BEST FRIEND IN THE WHOLE WORLD, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of BEST FRIEND IN THE WHOLE WORLD?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, March 18th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Author and Illustrator Ginnie Hsu

February 4, 2021Authors + Illustrators, Illustrators, Interviews, Vet InterviewsLindsay Ward7 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we are joined by an incredibly talented author and illustrator. I’m a huge fan of her work— I love her compositions, details, and color palettes! And she also happens to be professor of illustration at my alma matter, Syracuse University. I can’t wait for all of you to check out all her books.

So without further ado, please welcome Ginnie Hsu!

Where do you live?

Upstate NY.

How many years have you been in publishing?

So far, two happy years. I am learning so much, and I am so grateful for the experiences.

Screen Shot 2021-02-03 at 9.26.10 AM.png

How did you first get published?

My agent, Anne, told me someone was interested in having me illustrate a farm book! I love farms, and it was perfect. The Farm that feeds us was out last July, and it was one of the happiest days last year.

Do you write and illustrate full-time?

Now I am! I am also teaching Illustration at Syracuse University.

What inspires you to create picture books?

Telling stories in a lovely way, and I love to draw.

What surprised you the most working as an author/illustrator?

The amount of time you have to put in to create, think and experiment. It’s fun and time-consuming at the same time.

What is your favorite thing about being an author/illustrator?

I get to tell the story and illustrate the way I want it to be.

What do you find difficult working as an author/illustrator?

Oh, there is never enough time for me. I wish there are 48 hrs a day. I will spend 28 hrs drawing and write stories! I don’t sleep a lot. haha

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

Go out for a drawing adventure in the wild. I love walking and just walk in nature.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

I always start writing and play with the materials first if I want to play nowadays. And, I have to have tea, coffee, and some snack around.

Can you share a positive experience you’ve had in the Kid Lit community?

Yes. I met so many friendly people. I love all the editors I work with. They are some of the most amazing people I met. So encouraging.

Recommended reading?

From my reading list this year. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison! I am almost done with it and highly recommend it!

Also, poetry!

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

I get to grow as an illustrator and be an illustrator. If you told me I get to draw for a living ten years ago. I would not believe you. Haha, It’s genuinely a dream that comes true.

What is something you wish someone had told you when you first started writing and illustrating?

There are going to be ups and downs, and your drawing will grow as you grow.

And, don’t focus on a style. Focus on how you draw and what you want to draw.

Can you tell us about your newest book?

Yes. My newest book is Lady Bird Johnson, That’s Who, written by Tracy Nelson Maurer.

It’s about the former first lady, Claudia Alta Johnson, aka Lady Bird Johnson, who help make America cleaner and greener!

Interior art from LADY BIRD JOHNSON, THAT’S WHO by Tracy Nelson Maurer, illustrated by Ginnie Hsu

What’s up next for you?

I am currently working on a couple of books now and am also researching the book I am writing. I am very excited to jump into the other areas, like creating fabrics and products for my shop. It’s a never-ending career that’s full of excitement and surprise.

Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors and illustrators?

Yes! Thank you all for creating! The world is so much better with stories you create and share.

And last but not least, favorite 80s movie?

My neighbor, Totoro!! I grew up watching Miyazaki movies. It’s still one my favorite.

Huge thank you to Ginnie for stoping by Critter Lit today! We are such a huge fan of your illustrations and can’t wait to see what you come out with next!

GINNIE HSU is an Illustrator, a Designer, an Educator, and a Maker living in Upstate New York. Her work is often inspired by my everyday life, human living, and her love for nature. She has received recognition in Creative Quarterly 55, 3x3 International Illustration Show No.15 (Picture Book Bronze, two Professional Merits), AI-AP International Motion Art Awards 6 (winner), and Uppercase Magazine No.38 “Fresh. Her clients and publications have included Macmillan, Henry Holt, Benchmark Education, Old Dungate Press, Breathe Magazine, American Greetings, and Babbel Magazine.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Ginnie or her books, visit her online:

Instagram: @ginniehsu

Website: helloginniehsu.com

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of any of Ginnie’s books, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of LADY BIRD JOHNSON, THAT’S WHO?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, February 11th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Author Gianna Ruggiero

November 12, 2020Authors + Illustrators, Debut Interviews, IllustratorsLindsay Ward3 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! One of my favorite things is picture books that center around food. I love to cook and bake and I always enjoy a good food driven story. Today I’m sharing a new picture book that celebrates the joy of food: EVERY NIGHT IS PIZZA NIGHT, which released in September, written by New York TImes Bestselling chef J. Kenji Lopez-Alt and illustrated by Gianna Ruggiero. I’m thrilled to have Gianna join us today to talk about her debut picture book and road to publication.

So without further ado, please welcome Gianna Ruggiero!

Where do you live?

I currently live in Oakland, California, but originally hail from South Philadelphia. Proud of you, Philly.

When did you know you wanted to write/illustrate picture books?

I have always liked telling stories, and in college I remember doing a mock children’s book idea for a class. It was really fun and I experimented with photos and digital illustration. I knew then that this would be something I would like to pursue, but didn’t really know how. From that moment my career has mostly been in feature animation and video games. Children’s book illustration has always been on the back burner. In the past few years, I had finally started to pursue illustration more seriously by attending SCBWI events, networking with agents and publishers, and talking to published illustrators about their journey. That hard work seemed to pay off as it helped land me a spot with a literary agency.

Tell us about your road to publication, what did that involve for you?

Man, I wish I could be a little bit more inspiring and helpful, but it was pure luck and a backlog of portfolio work. I lost my job a couple years ago and tweeted out to the world wide webs sharing that I lost my job and was looking for work. Somehow that tweet landed on Kenji’s timeline and he took interest in me and my work. He later reached out to me asking if I would collaborate on a children’s book with him. I was optimistic, but I wasn’t aware of who Kenji was at the time, so to me he was a random stranger on the internet, thus it led me to be a bit hesitant. A lot of times internet strangers will email you asking for you to help do work on a screenplay they are writing, or their 5,000 page novel, and it goes nowhere. It’s a total crapshoot. But for me, I was lucky. Kenji not only turned out to be a famous chef, but a wonderful, talented, kind-hearted human that valued me and my work. I owe him many thanks.

Can you share a bit about your process?

My process usually starts out with a large amount of panicking, and what I can only describe as me flailing wildly around in circles, drawing things that somehow amount to an idea. Then I develop those half-baked ideas into a final concept.

Oh, boy. I feel like my process is always evolving. For some reason it is easier for me to conform to a style that is given to me from an art director than to form a style that I need to adhere to myself. For Every Night Is Pizza Night, it started out with a lot of reference gathering. Gathering styles from other illustrators I like, and photos of people I wanted to draw. From there it is a lot of scrappy sketching on paper or in the computer. I try to think a lot about the scope of the project, what kind of style I can commit to in a given time, what makes me happy, what the mood of the project is, things along that line that help inform how the final illustration will look.

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

Ever since I was a kid, I walked a lot. I walked to school, I walked to friends houses, the bus. Wherever I walked it was usually accompanied by a CD player. I found myself lost in daydreams. Whatever I would listen to would conjure up a mood, a style, characters, scenarios, and stories. I would visualize little snippets between characters or come up with story arcs. Still to this day, I do that mostly walking my dog or commuting to work. The only thing that has changed is the CD player.

That was a very long-winded way of saying: Music. Music gets me in a creative mood.

Another thing I do is get rid of my shame and turn off the judgemental side of my brain. When I am sketching and trying to enjoy whatever it is I am creating on paper, I try not to judge it or shame it. I just enjoy it and see where my brain takes me in that moment.

Anything you can’t live without while you write/draw?

The internet.

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

So many to name. I am a big fan of Emily Carroll and her short story horror comics. Big fan of Emily Hughes, John Bond, Amélie Fléchais, Joe Todd-Stanton, and Christian Robinson.

Dream project to work on?

I would love to work on a strange silly adventure, or some sort of fantasy book. I really like books that feature animal characters meeting strange characters. I loved “The Phantom Tollbooth” as a kid, and I just loved the strange and creative worlds; ones that have never been explored or thought up before.

Screen Shot 2020-11-11 at 8.52.44 PM.png

Tell us about your debut book.

Every Night is Pizza Night is about a young girl named Pipo who believes pizza is the best food in the world, that is until her parents tell her to go investigate. Pipo takes that as a scientific challenge, and goes on a journey in her neighborhood tasting different foods from different cultures. Pipo tries a whole range of foods from bibimbap to rice and beans. It is a book that celebrates different cultures, and diversity. It inspires kids and families to be adventurous, and try different foods while understanding that food can hold different traditions and meanings to us.

The book is light-hearted and funny. It also features pages that are explosive and whimsical whenever Pipo takes a bite of a new food she has never tried. It even features a pizza recipe in the back of the book for parents and kids to make together.

What’s up next for you?

Kenji and I are taking a much-needed break for right now, but I expect that sometime next year we might begin exploring a new book idea. Currently, I am enjoying just sketching and learning how to get better at roller skating. I am also coming up with a video game idea that I might pitch to my studio. So nothing too exciting, but that is fine for me.

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

The Thing! It is the best!

Huge thanks to Gianna for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your debut!

Gianna Ruggiero is a concept artist, video game developer, and illustrator. Every Night Is Pizza Night is her debut children’s book. She lives in Oakland, California.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Gianna or her work, visit her online: www.giannaruggiero.com or follow her on social media:

Instagram/Twitter @immagigi

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of EVERY NIGHT IS PIZZA NIGHT click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a SIGNED copy of EVERY NIGHT IS PIZZA NIGHT?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, November 19th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Author/Illustrator Kayla Stark

October 22, 2020Authors + Illustrators, Interviews, Illustrators, Vet InterviewsLindsay Ward4 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with author/illustrator Kayla Stark whose new book FRIENDS AT THE FIREHOUSE, which released in August with Chronicle Books, is one of the coolest lift-the-flap books I’ve seen in a long time! I’m so excited to share her work with you all today and continue our week of creatives that work with novelty and board books.

So without further ado, please welcome Kayla Stark!

Where do you live?

Nashville, TN USA

How many years have you been in publishing?

This is a rough approximation, but I think it’s been close to 4 years now!

How did you first get published?

Parallax Publishing reached out to me about illustrating a picture book called “Mr. Pack Rat Really Wants That”. The author saw my work on the Women Who Draw website and then asked the editor to email me. I think that’s a pretty unusual way for the publisher to reach out, but I’m so happy they did. I did a few tests before I officially landed the job. Since this was my first time working on a picture book, Parallax wanted to make sure I was up to it.

Do you write/illustrate full-time?

Yes, I do! I spend more time illustrating than writing at this point, but I’m hearing the siren call of writing and I can’t stay away. It’s intimidating because I’m not as practiced in writing, but I do want to pitch my own stories—and I have so many ideas!

What inspires you to create picture books?

That’s a good question. The picture book industry seems to be where my work best fits. In the beginning I didn’t set out to make my work fit the picture book industry, but once I became friends with other picture book illustrators and learned more about the industry I felt like I had finally found a place to park my work and settle in.

In my work I like to ask silly questions and play with ridiculous “what ifs”. Questioning and observing everything always leads me to an idea or story that begs for further exploration.

What surprised you the most working as an author/illustrator?

I was surprised when I saw how much work and energy went into the creation and promotion of a new book. It’s a true team effort! I’m also constantly surprised by how connected the illustration/publishing world is. Everyone knows everyone!

What is your favorite thing about being an author/illustrator?

There are 2 things that immediately come to mind.
#1 - I love the initial stages of a job. The research phase and open possibilities give me such a rush!
#2 - Once a book/project is finished I look forward to the promotional events. Launch parties, process posts, interviews, readings, signings etc. I’m an extroverted person and getting these opportunities to travel, meet, and speak to new people fills me up!

What do you find difficult working as an author/illustrator?

Sometimes the daily monotony and isolation gets to me. It can feel like I’m working in a vacuum and treading water. It’s imperative to keep up my momentum and focus in order to finish projects. Knowing I have to power through on the days I don’t feel creative is difficult. I try to spin it in my brain and think of it as leveling up my self discipline.

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

Hmmm…I’ll try a few different things. FaceTiming a friend who gets it is the best medicine. I’m so happy (and lucky) to be friends with a number of illustrators and other artists—both local and online! I’m a part of The Warren Studio here in Nashville, TN. When I need a change of pace I’ll go in and see people, get lunch, and just have a fun day.

Some other things I’ll do when I need new ideas is— read; workout; go to a museum*; schedule a trip*; go to my list of ideas and thoughts I keep in my phone; create a new color palette and imagine what type of scene or story would use it.

*I’m not doing these things currently due to Covid-19 safety concerns.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

I used to watch a little bit of TV after waking up, however I realized that when I do that my mind wants to be entertained all day instead of getting into work mode. Now when I wake up, instead of turning on the TV, I do these things in this order to feel like it’s time for work—open the blinds, brush my teeth, wash my face, grab my coffee, and walk upstairs to my desk.

I also like to be left alone for the first few hours of the work day. My husband has been working from home since March and I had to set up a no talking rule for the first 3 hours of the work day.

Can you share a positive experience you’ve had in the Kid Lit community?

Wow, most everything has been positive. Hmm…something that stands out is getting to know others in the Kid Lit community on Instagram. It’s led to friendships, critique groups, collaboration opportunities, agents, meet ups, and a wonderfully fulfilling life/career.

When I think about it, it’s crazy how many friends I’ve made through Instagram and the close knit connections of the kid lit community.

Recommended reading?
All of Martin Salisbury’s books on picture books and illustration.

The Fog by Kyo Maclear, illustrated by Kenard Pak.

Mac Barnett’s books are always a delight.

I’ll stick to these few for this purpose, but I need to make a whole list separated into categories.

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

I just illustrated the covers for a new release of classic titles (The Jungle Book, Black Beauty, Alice in Wonderland, and Treasure Island). It was surreal to see that job land on my desk and I am happy I was trusted to take on these beloved titles. I’ll be sharing those on my Instagram very soon along with some behind the scenes process posts!

What is something you wish someone had told you when you first started writing/illustrating?

This is still a job, sometimes you are going to have to put in extra hours and work when you don’t feel like it. Somedays it will feel like you are going nowhere and somedays you’ll feel on top of the world, but most days you’ll feel somewhere in between. Ask for help when you need it, take care of yourself, take criticism (but not personally), and just keep going. You will never feel like you’ve “arrived”, so stop expecting that. You are doing what you love, celebrate that!

Friends at the Firehouse by Kayla Stark, Chronicle Books — *Friends at the Firehouse* by Kayla Stark, Chronicle Books

Can you tell us about your newest book?

Friends at the Firehouse written and illustrated by me is a lift-the-flap journey through a firehouse. The annual parade is about to start and we need to find the missing Dalmatian puppy. There are 35 flaps to inspect and tons of details for kids to pour over. It’s published by Chronicle Books as part of their Double Booked series—which means the book is a unique die cut shape (a firehouse in this case) and opens from both sides as a gate fold!

Interior art from Friends at the Firehouse by Kayla Stark, Chronicle Books

It’s the most complex book I’ve worked on and it took me a WHILE to wrap my mind around everything as I was laying out the illustrations. I visited 2 local fire stations before starting and took hundreds of photos. The firefighters drove me around in the truck and I got to slide down the pole like a real fire fighter!

What’s up next for you?

I have some stories of my own I’m going to pitch! So I’ll be going into writing mode and working on getting a manuscript and book dummy together.

I’m also working on a language learning vocabulary book! —along the lines of Richard Scarry’s Big Book of Words, but with my own world and characters. :)

Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors and illustrators?

I know this is said over and over again, but I believe it bears repeating. Create the work you want to get hired to do! All the time I see and talk to artists that are just waiting for someone to hire them for their dream job, but there are no clear examples in their portfolio to show they CAN do that job. You have to show you can already do something before someone will hire you do it.

Draw and write a lot! Start building your social media platform now and engage with other people. It can be annoying to keep up with all the platforms, so pick 1-2 and post consistently!

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

Oooh. I’ll say The Shining. I’m not a horror nut, but there’s just something about that movie.

Huge thank you to Kayla for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your new book, we can’t wait to see your upcoming projects!

After graduating with a BFA from the University of Tennessee at Martin and working for a few years as a graphic designer; KAYLA STARK decided to shift into the world of her first love—illustration! She works both digitally and traditionally, depending on the project, and is most comfortable when settling into the beginning “research” phase of projects. The traditional media she uses most often are: watercolor, gouache, and colored pencils (she is on a constant search for the perfect, scratchy pencil texture) She is naturally very curious and asks a lot of questions—this quality is a constant fuel for inspiration.

She lives in Nashville, TN in a small house with her husband and 2 cats. Most of the time she is working upstairs in her studio, but a few days a week she joins a group of friends and fellow illustrators at a co-working space in East Nashville.

Kayla’s hobbies include playing board games, participating in (almost) any event, learning languages, and planning trips (she loves public transit). Some of Kayla’s favorite topics are birds, traveling, science, animal fun facts, and history.

She has done work for various clients including Highlights Magazine, Sleeping Bear Press and Chronicle.

FOR MORE INFORMATION visit Kayla online at www.kaylastark.com or on social media:

Instagram: @kayla_stark

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of FRIENDS AT THE FIREHOUSE click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of FRIENDS AT THE FIREHOUSE?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. TWO lucky winners will be announced on Thursday, October 29th! US addresses only please.

H E L L O C R I T T E R S !

My name is Lindsay Ward. I'm a children's book author + illustrator, wife to author Frank Tupta, mama to three wild boys, and an 80s baby who loves to bake. Most days you can find me writing and drawing in my studio at home in Peninsula, Ohio.

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