Happy Thursday Critters! Can you believe we’ve made it to December?! Today we have an interview with debut picture book author Anitra Rowe Schulte, who I’m thrilled to be featuring on Critter Lit! Not only is she a fellow Two Lions author who I share an editor with, but her debut picture book has received glowing and starred reviews and was just named a best book of 2021 by Kirkus Reviews. So exciting! Anitra’s book, DANCING WITH DADDY, illustrated by Ziyue Chen, is a truly spectacular debut and one that is not to be missed!

So without further ado, please welcome Anitra Rowe Schulte!

Where do you live?

I live in Geneva, Illinois, which is 30 miles west of Chicago, where suburbia ends and pumpkin patches begin.

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

When I was in kindergarten, I joined my first writer’s group at my local elementary school. At the Young Authors Club, I worked on developing ideas and turning them into picture books. I was hooked! There were lots of clues along the way, leading me back to this first love, but I really started working on my craft seriously about five years ago, in 2016.

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

My road to publication was a little windy at first. As I was learning the craft, I played around and experimented a lot. But the stories that always seemed to connect most with others were those inspired by emotions and experiences that I lived through first-hand. I met my agent, Stephanie Hansen, at a live pitch session in 2017. The story that I pitched her that day never sold, but it jumpstarted a wonderful relationship. After a kidlit author friend suggested that I lean into telling my family’s story, I gave that a go and found it to be so natural and powerful! My debut, DANCING WITH DADDY, illustrated by Ziyue Chen, is very much based on my family life. That story went on submission in 2018 and sold within a couple of months. I cannot say enough good things about my editor, Kelsey Skea, and the Two Lions team! The entire experience has been a total dream come true.

Can you share a bit about your process?

For me, a new idea usually arrives unexpectedly, like a colorful string just outside my door. I pick it up and twirl it around a bit, to see what it wants to be. Then, with an idea in my mind, I start pulling that string. I pull and pull and loop and weave until something starts to take shape. I will not stop until I run out of string or hit a nasty snag. Most of the time, I’m writing at my kitchen table. But if the string is still coming while I’m out driving my daughters to therapy or soccer or piano, I will not hesitate to write in parking garages, parking lots or someone’s driveway. My laptop never leaves my side!

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

I am in three critique groups, and one of the things that keeps me from getting stuck is sharing stories with these three groups in separate waves. I send my first polished draft to one group. When the story is a little further along, I’ll send it to the second group. When it’s close to polished and final, I’ll send it to the third group. That way, I’m always inching a story forward, toward becoming the best story it can be, but also getting fresh eyes at every step along the way.

I get a lot of new ideas from my three daughters and from tuning into the things that I love and make me tick. I also received great advice at a writing conference once: To think of something that you really want to impart or share with someone in your life. I’ve found that concepts conceived in this way have a built-in audience and point of view and an emotional clarity that never wavers – a true north.

Anything you can’t live without while you write?

Black coffee or green tea and peanut butter spoons topped with mini M&Ms. If you’ve never tried this, I warn you: It’s life changing and dangerously good.

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

So many! I love picture books by Margarita Engle, Kelly DiPucchio, Pat Zietlow Miller, and Kelly Starling Lyons. They always choose the perfect and most-poignant words and grab hold of your heart. I also love everything that illustrators Marla Frazee, Cindy Derby, Corinna Luyken, and Sophie Blackall create.

Dream project to work on?

There is a middle grade story inside me, about small-town life, sister bonds, and magical circumstances that I keep noodling. I’d love to figure that story out. There is so much I want to say about what it’s like growing up with big dreams, hungry for an artistic outlet, all the while wrestling with a love + disdain for the isolating endless rows of corn and soybeans. It keeps swirling in the grain bins of my mind. Someday…

Tell us about your debut book.

When my husband Dan was about to take our three girls to a father-daughter dance, I started imagining what the night would be like. The story that resulted was DANCING WITH DADDY. The main character of the story is inspired by my oldest daughter, who has a chromosome deletion (4p-), which is called Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome. After years of checking out library books, and not finding any PBs with characters that reminded me of our family, I decided to write something that I wanted to see on the shelves. Here’s the story summary:

Elsie can’t wait to go to her first father-daughter dance. She picked out the perfect dress and has been practicing swirling and swaying in her wheelchair. Elsie’s heart pirouettes as she prepares for her special night. With gestures, smiles, and words from a book filled with pictures, she shares her excitement with her family. But when a winter storm comes, she wonders if she’ll get the chance to spin and dance her way to a dream come true.

*Interior Art from DANCING WITH DADDY by Anitra Rowe Schulte, Illustrated by Ziyue Chen, published by Two Lions*

What’s up next for you?

My second picture book, WILLOW AND BUNNY, illustrated by Christopher Denise, will be released in Fall 2022. I’ve seen sketches and a few pieces of final art, and it is jaw-droppingly gorgeous. Christopher captures the mood with such gravity and tenderness. WILLOW AND BUNNY, a story about a small bunny and a protective willow tree, is inspired by the scary moments that thrust people under the same canopy, and how difficult it can be to find light on the other side of devastation. With friendship, love and courage, we can make it through tough times – it’s a message that I really wanted to convey to my children, and I hope other readers feel it in their hearts, as well.

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

This is a real toss up – it’s gotta be either Muppets Take Manhattan or Footloose. I’ve watched each of them at least 50 times. I’ve always been a real Kermit lover (he was on my 4-year-old birthday cake), and I love all the over-the-top characters and dance numbers. This probably why I also love Footloose. Plus Kevin Bacon.

Huge thank you to Anitra for stopping by Critter Lit! Congrats on your fantastic debut! We can’t wait for WILLOW AND BUNNY!

Anitra Rowe Schulte is a children’s book writer, whose picture book debut DANCING WITH DADDY, illustrated by Ziyue Chen (Two Lions) publishes on Dec. 1, 2021. Her second picture book WILLOW AND BUNNY, illustrated by Christopher Denise (Two Lions) is set for Fall 2022. Anitra is a proud member of the 2021 debut group PB Debut Troupe 21 and the upcoming group PB Tales of 2022. Anitra is represented by Stephanie Hansen of Metamorphosis Literary Agency. She lives in Geneva, Illinois, with her husband, three daughters, and super-sweet kitty Pancake. Anitra is an active member of SCBWI and 12x12 and a 2021 PBChat mentor.

FOR MORE INFORMATION visit Anitra online at www.anitraroweschulte.com or follow her on social media:

Twitter: @anitraschulte

Instagram: @anitraroweschulte

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

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of DANCING WITH DADDY?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, December 9th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Debut Author Kristy Everington

July 8, 2021Authors, Debut Interviews, InterviewsLindsay Ward4 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have a fantastic interview with a debut author whose book ISOBEL ADDS IT UP, illustrated by AG Ford, just released this past June with Random House Studio. I’m thrilled to have her with us today to talk about her debut, road to publication, and process.

So without further ado, please welcome Kristy Everington!

Where do you live?

I’m from Perth, Australia, and now live in the San Francisco Bay Area. It’s a beautiful area – I enjoy all of the local wildlife, especially the tiny baby deer right now! And we have a neighborhood owl, Howard.

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

I discovered picture books when I was studying for my MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults at Vermont College of Fine Arts. I came into the program writing young adult fiction and hadn’t even really read any picture books! In my first semester, I had Kathi Appelt as my advisor, and thought it would be a waste not to try picture books with a picture book master!

I invested my time in reading and writing picture books, and fell in love! There’s so much to love in the picture book space – the brevity of the stories, the interplay between the text and art, the humor, the heart. I’ve learned a lot of things I didn’t know from reading non-fiction picture books too – I firmly believe picture books aren’t just for children!

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

After I finished studying, I started going to conferences and learning more about the business side of writing. I spent a lot of time researching agents and how to go about querying them. I started querying with other picture books first and then moved onto Isobel Adds It Up. It was one of the very first picture books I had written, but it went through a lot of revisions before I started querying it!

I had just revised it at the Big Sur Writing Workshop when I sent the first query for that manuscript to my now-agent, Jordan Hamessley. It was the first manuscript we put on submission to editors. It went through some more revisions before selling. It sounds simple when you summarize it, but it all took a lot of time and there was definitely a lot of angst involved!

Can you share a bit about your process?

I write picture books by hand first. I like to write with a pencil rather than a pen – there’s something freeing about the pencil not being permanent and having the ability to erase what I’ve written! I often think of titles first. It usually doesn’t take very long to write a first draft, but then it can take some time to hone the story.

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

I go for daily walks around the neighborhood, and there’s always lots of things to see and think about. Ideas come from everywhere, so just paying attention to news stories, pop culture, and regular happenings in life gives me ideas. My cats alone give me lots of inspiration for stories!

Anything you can’t live without while you write?

I like to light a candle and have a cup of tea. My favorite writing tea is white tea with pomegranate, but it’s been discontinued and my supply is dwindling so I need to find a replacement!

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

So many! Some of my favorites are Oliver Jeffers, Carolyn Crimi, Jon Klassen, Sophie Blackall, Sean Ferrell, and Mac Barnett.

Dream project to work on?

One of the very first picture books I wrote was based on my cats when they were kittens called Chicken Face and Lily, and I have dreams of that being made into a picture book series and maybe even a TV show! I would never get sick of writing about their adventures.

Tell us about your debut book.

Isobel Adds It Up, illustrated by the talented A.G. Ford, is about a girl who loves math, but she is interrupted by the ruckus caused by her mysterious new neighbors. The inspiration came from my own noisy neighbors, which is something I think a lot of people can relate to after spending the last year at home!

*Interior art from ISOBEL ADDS IT UP by Kristy Everington, illustrated by AG Ford with Random House Studio*

What’s up next for you?

I’m working on a few picture book ideas – mostly funny ones with animals.

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

Ooh, it’s a toss up between Dirty Dancing and The Lost Boys, but I will have to say Dirty Dancing. My friends and I were all obsessed with it when it first came out. I even saw Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights at the cinema when it came out. My friend who I saw it with swore me to secrecy because she was embarrassed (sorry, Al)!

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

Originally from Perth, Australia, KRISTY EVERINGTON now lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and quite a lot of cats. She enjoys exploring the California coastline and visiting as many lighthouses as she can. Kristy holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts.

FOR MORE INFORMATION visit Kristy online: https://www.kristyeverington.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kmeverington

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

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy ISOBEL ADDS IT UP, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of ISOBEL ADDS IT UP?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, July 15th. 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 and Illustrator Abi Cushman

July 16, 2020book release, Debut Interviews, Interviews, IllustratorsLindsay Ward37 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! I’ve been so excited to share today’s debut author interview for a while now, as Abi Cushman’s new picture book, SOAKED, is one I’ve been anticipating the release of for quite some time now. SOAKED officially released this past Tuesday with Viking Books for Young Readers and has received glowing reviews all around.

So without further ado, please welcome Abi Cushman to Critter Lit today!

Where do you live? I live in the same town I grew up in -- Niantic, CT. Seventeen-year-old Abi did not see that one coming.

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

I remember trying to draw Huckle Cat and Officer Flossy from the Richard Scarry books when I was in elementary school. But it took me thirty more years to nail down my own voice and get my characters and storylines to fit into the unique format that is a picture book.

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

My road to publication, in some ways, has been relatively short. It took me three years to get a book deal after I decided to make a serious effort at becoming a published author-illustrator. In 2015, I was a new mom reading lots and lots of board books and picture books to my daughter. I had an idea for a story, so I created a dummy and joined a local critique group. Nine months later, I landed an agent with that story. In 2017, I won the PEN New England Susan P. Bloom Discovery Award for the second dummy I wrote, as well as the Tassy Walden New Voices Award (for CT unpublished authors). I thought this was IT. That this was the story that would sell, because it had won those awards and got editor interest immediately after my agent sent it on submission. But things never lined up for that story, and I was crushed. Luckily, I used those feelings of dejection in a new story called SOAKED! which featured a very glum bear stuck in the rain, and I ended up selling it in 2018!

I should note too that throughout my publication journey, I’ve found the support of the kidlit community to be absolutely wonderful. The friendships I’ve made online and in-person have bolstered me up when I most needed it. This is something I’ll always treasure.

Can you share a bit about your process?

When I’m creating a story, I do a lot of rough sketches first and then piece everything together like a puzzle. I’ll draw thumbnails and then a rough mini dummy to figure out page turns and pacing.

After getting feedback, I make a larger dummy with more polished sketches. Once everything is approved, I create the final art by first drawing the characters with a mechanical pencil on computer paper. I scan those into Adobe Photoshop and adjust the levels to make the outlines nice and dark.

Then I apply the color with a Wacom Cintiq tablet. I keep most of the characters on their own layer/group in Photoshop so that I can move them around if necessary. And after drawing in the background and building up the colors and details, I arrive at the final art!

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

I write ideas or snippets of text down in my ugly sketchbook [https://taralazar.com/2020/01/04/storystorm-2020-day-4/] along with rough drawings of characters and scenes. When I’m in between projects, I go back through my sketchbook and see if anything catches my interest. And if so, I do more sketches to try to develop the idea further and see if it has legs.

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

If I’m doing final art, I need a mechanical pencil with a good eraser. I definitely don’t get things right the first time for the most part. I also prefer peace and quiet while I work.

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

I am inspired by so many authors and illustrators, but to name a few who not only excel on a technical level but also stand out for their perseverance, resilience and drive:

Maral Sassouni (illustrator of The Green Umbrella)

Maral Sassouni (illustrator of The Green Umbrella)
Ken Lamug (author-illustrator of the upcoming graphic novel Mischief and Mayhem)
Arree Chung (author-illustrator of Mixed, founder of StorytellerAcademy.com)
Rebekah Lowell (author-illustrator of the upcoming MG novel in verse The Road to After]
The Soaring 20s crew (2020 debut picture book authors and illustrators)

Dream project to work on?

One thing I love about being an author-illustrator is the ability to create my own projects. True these projects have to be pitched by my agent and then accepted by an editor (and the editorial team, and the sales & marketing team, and the publisher), but at least I’m not waiting for something awesome to just land in my lap. I’m out there making something out of nothing. So usually my dream project is the one I’m working on now! That said, if an art director or editor had a manuscript they thought would be a perfect fit, I would love the opportunity to illustrate it.

Tell us about your debut book.

Soaked! is about a bear caught in a rainstorm- his ice cream cone is soggy, his cashmere sweater has shrunk, and he definitely does not want to try hula-hooping with a hula-hooping moose. But his trio of friends help him see that having fun isn't dependent on sunshine and clear skies.

What’s up next for you?

I am wrapping up final art for my second book with Viking, Animals Go Vroom! It challenges readers to guess what goes roar, hiss, or honk and has little peekaboo windows. I think it’s a fun read-aloud, and I’m really excited to share it with everyone next summer.

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

The Princess Bride. But I didn’t watch it until the 90s when a teacher put it on at the end of a field day to pass the time before dismissal. We only watched the beginning and I remember thinking, “WOW. What is this?? It’s absolutely awful. The color and scenery look so fake!” But then slowly but surely, I came to realize it was the greatest movie I’d ever seen.

Huge thank you to Abi for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on all your success! We can’t wait to see ANIMALS GO VROOM! when it comes out next summer!

ABI CUSHMAN is an award-winning children’s book author and illustrator. She has also worked as a web designer for over 15 years, creating websites for libraries, towns, and local businesses. She runs two popular websites of her own: My House Rabbit, a pet rabbit care resource, and Animal Fact Guide , which was named a Great Website for Kids by the American Library Association. In her spare time, Abi enjoys running, playing tennis, and eating nachos. (Yes, at the same time.) She lives on the Connecticut shoreline with her husband and two kids.

For more information about Abi, visit her online or follow her on social media:

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook

Sign-up for Abi’s newsletter here for totally top secret sneak peeks and giveaways!

BUY THIS BOOK To order a copy of Abi’s debut picture book, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of SOAKED?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, July 23rd! US addresses only please.

Interview with Debut Author and Illustrator Sarah Kurpiel

May 14, 2020Authors + Illustrators, Interviews, Debut InterviewsLindsay Ward6 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! I hope you are all staying healthy and safe. Today, we have an interview with author and illustrator Sarah Kurpiel, whose debut picture book, LONE WOLF, comes out on May 19th. Congrats Sarah! I adore Sarah’s illustrations and I can’t wait to share this sweet book about belonging and family with all of you today.

So without further ado, please welcome Sarah Kurpiel!

Where do you live?

A suburb outside of Chicago. I’ve lived in the Midwest all my life.

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

I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember, but it was always just a hobby, a way to relax. Then, in college, one of my English professors included graphic narratives in his course. Those books had a profound effect on me. That was the first time I started thinking seriously about drawing stories. Flash forward a few years to my first library job as a part-time cataloger. A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip Stead and illustrated by Erin Stead crossed my desk. I read it on the spot. It had such heart and reminded me how much I loved picture books growing up. I knew that was the kind of story I wanted to make. It wasn’t until a few years later that I started drawing with the goal of publication, but these were the moments that set me on that path.

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

In 2018, a popular illustration account on Instagram shared one of my drawings. Thanks to that stroke of luck, I was contacted by Allie Levick and Rebecca Sherman at Writers House, who became my agents later that year. Their guidance and expertise was (and continues to be) invaluable. They helped me get my story, Lone Wolf, submission ready and secure a book deal with a great editor. In the months that followed, I went through several rounds of revision before starting the final art. The publication process is long and fluctuates between rushing and waiting. It’s helpful to have another project to focus on during the downtime.

Can you share a bit about your process?

I mostly use dry media brushes in Photoshop on a Wacom tablet connected to my computer. I started drawing digitally in 2016 and it clicked for me right away. I love the flexibility and possibilities of digital. I do a lot of sketching with pencil and pen on paper too. I always have a sketchbook.

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

Doodle. I love drawing for no reason at all. I love not knowing what I’m going to make before I begin. Sometimes I doodle a character who sparks a story idea. I also keep a list of things I could draw a thousand times without getting tired of drawing them and then use that to limit the possibilities of stories I might tell. That said, I’m very new to this. I’m still learning my own process.

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

Nothing in particular, but I do enjoy having coffee close at hand!

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

So many. Erin Stead, Molly Idle, Christian Robinson, Oge Mora, Richard Jones and Rebecca Green, to name a few. I follow artists of all kinds on Instagram, and seeing their work brings me so much joy.

Dream project to work on?

I’d love to make a wordless picture book one day. I admire those who’ve done it well. Some of my favorite picture books are wordless. I’m also fascinated by the wordless woodcut novels of the 1920s and 30s.

Tell us about your debut book.

Lone Wolf is about a Siberian husky mistaken for a wolf so many times that she starts to believe she is one. The main character, Maple, is inspired by my childhood dog, a husky who was goofy and stubborn in all the best ways. Lone Wolf is about identity, belonging, and family. I’m honored that it received a starred review from The School Library Journal. Lone Wolf will be published by Greenwillow/HarperCollins on May 19, 2020.

What’s up next for you?

I’m currently working on final art for my next picture book which hasn’t been formally announced yet.

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

Back to the Future. (Part 1. Definitely not Part 2.)

Huge thank you to Sarah for dropping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on LONE WOLF, we love it! We can’t wait to see what you create next!

SARAH KURPIEL is a librarian and author/illustrator from the Midwest. Her stories are inspired by nature, animals, and everyday life. Sarah has been doodling in the margins of notebooks for as long as she can remember. She started drawing digitally in 2016 and never stopped. Sarah uses a power wheelchair and considers her disability an important part of her identity. Her debut picture book, Lone Wolf, will be published by Greenwillow/HarperCollins in May 2020.

FOR MORE INFORMATION on Sarah, visit her online or follow her on Twitter @SarahKurpiel and Instagram @sarah.kurpiel

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

WIN A COPY! Want to win a giveaway copy of Sarah’s debut book, LONE WOLF?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, May 21st! US addresses only please.

Interview with Debut Author Amanda Jackson

September 12, 2019Authors + Illustrators, Authors, Debut Interviews, publishing, InterviewsLindsay Ward6 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we are joined by debut author Amanda Jackson, whose new picture book, MY SHAPE IS SAM, comes out September 17th! I’m so thrilled to be sharing this brilliant book with you all today! And bonus— Amanda’s book is illustrated by fellow illustrator, Lydia Nichols, who I studied illustration with at Syracuse. I can’t wait for you to all see this fantastic book these two incredibly talented women created.

So without further ado…please welcome Amanda Jackson!

Where do you live?

I live in Beaverton, Oregon, about 10 minutes from downtown Portland.

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

My husband and I moved to California in 2016. We’d gone for his job and quickly realized we wouldn't be staying for as long as we’d planned. In the meantime, I was offered a job working with a child with autism. However, without a commitment to staying in the area, I couldn’t, in good conscience, accept the position. It was that instability that kept me jobless, and presented a gift in disguise. I remember having to make the decision to stop worrying about what to do with myself, and try to make the most of this unstructured, uncertain time.

I’ve always loved writing, but had never tried writing for kids. Because most of my professional life has been spent with picture book readers/listeners, I started there. I wrote my first picture book story (which will of course never see the light of day) and realized this was “my thing.” That realization made me feel like the luckiest person in the world. And it was such a clear realization too. Like stumbling across something I’d been looking for my whole life. It was magic, and I dove in head-first.

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

In mid-2017, I participated in a Twitter pitch even called Pit2Pub. That’s where I connected with Charlotte Wenger, then an editor with Page Street Kids. She requested the manuscript for My Shape is Sam, and made an offer a couple months later! So exciting. It’s been a wonderful couple years of working with Charlotte and all the wonderful people at Page Street. They’re so collaborative and honoring of their makers’ hopes for their work.

Can you share a bit about your process?

Sure! I’m not a routine writer. I spend a lot of time at my desk, but it happens whenever I have the time. But I love to write, so there’s rarely a day I don’t do it. I’m always in the midst of a few projects at different stages. My favorite stage is revision. It’s not as overwhelming as a blank page, and it always reminds me of throwing pottery - the calm of having already done the work of getting something on the wheel, and then I just have to keep shaping it until it’s beautiful.

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

The best thing I’ve found for new ideas is reading. Lots. Good work is so inspiring, especially if I’m feeling stuck in one of my own stories. Like a palette cleanser, it helps me push “reset” and see my work with fresh eyes.

Anything you can’t live without while you write?

Hmm the only thing I can think of is quiet. It sounds fun to write with music on (especially to influence the mood of my story), but my brain just doesn’t work that way.

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

Oh my gosh so many. Several picture book authors that come to mind first: Julie Fogliano, Ryan T. Higgins, Anna Walker, Oliver Jeffers... there are so many more. I’m inspired by the ability to pack a punch with a few simple words. That’s one of the reasons I adore this craft. And a few of my favorite illustrators: Lydia Nichols, Fiona Lumbers, and Beatrice Alemagna.

Dream project to work on?

A series. I would LOVE to work on a project that extends beyond one picture book. To create characters that readers get to know (and look forward to!) through multiple books. Ah that sounds like so much fun.

Tell us about your debut book.

MY SHAPE IS SAM is about Sam, a square who lives in a world of shapes. Everyone has a job to do, depending on their shape. But Sam doesn’t like stacking like the squares. He wants to roll like the circles.

My hope is that this story helps readers challenge norms that don't fit them. And that they continue to discover who they are, in spite of prescriptive expectations.

What’s up next for you?

I’ve always got projects in progress, so for now, more writing and revising!

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

Ha! Hmm. Crossing Delancey is way up there. It stars Amy Irving and Peter Riegert, and it’s not super well known. I’m such a sucker for the unlikely lovers trope, plus the music is great (I think it’s the only soundtrack I own!), I’ve seen it a million times.

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

AMANDA JACKSON writes stories for kids and their grown-ups. She's pretty sure there's nothing better in the world. She grew up in Pennsylvania, where she discovered her love of making: drawing, crafting, sewing, cooking, storytelling. Anything to give her imagination a voice. When she was six, someone gave her a journal. She instantly felt at home with the magic that happens when words come from inside, pass across the page, and connect with someone else. In her twenties, Amanda moved to Portland, Oregon, and cozied right into the land of gray skies and creative living. She finished her degree in Human Development, worked with lots of awesome kids, and married her love. Of all the happies in her life, writing is one of the happiest. And she’s beyond thrilled to share her words with you.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Amanda Jackson visit her online or follow her on social media:

Twitter: @Amanda2Jackson

TO ORDER Amanda’s book, ring up your local bookstore or click here.

BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Want a chance to win a copy of MY SHAPE IS SAM?! Comment on this post or share it on Twitter. One lucky winner will be selected Thursday, September 19th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Cassandra Federman

September 5, 2019Authors + Illustrators, Authors, Debut Interviews, Illustrators, InterviewsLindsay Ward3 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! I’m so excited to have Cassandra Federman stop by today! Her debut book as an author/illustrator, THIS IS A SEA COW, just came out September 1st and IT IS ADORABLE! I can’t wait for you all to check it out!

So without further ado, please welcome…Cassandra Federman!

Where do you live?

I’m originally from Massachusetts, but I’ve lived in Los Angeles for the past 12 years.

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

About 5 years ago. I pitched an idea for a picture book to my husband (also a writer) and he encouraged me to go for it. He even got me a membership to SCBWI (Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) for our first anniversary. I think he might know me better than I know myself.

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

A lot of hard work! I hadn’t done any sketching since I was a teen, so I had a lot of catching up to do. I taught myself Photoshop, since that seemed to be the way the industry was heading. I went to as many SCBWI events, mingles, and conferences as I could. I started a critique group full of amazing individuals that I’d met at those events. I applied for every contest I could find through Twitter, kidlit blogs, and SCBWI. Finally, in 2017, I won two mentorship contests. The dummy I polished with the help of my mentors landed me my agent, Jenna Pocius. Jenna put two of my dummies out on submission and the second dummy sold in 48 hours!

Can you share a bit about your process?

Sure! The manuscript always comes first for me. I know that a lot of illustrators work the other way around, but I think I’m more of a writer who illustrates than an illustrator who writes. The manuscript goes through several rounds of notes with my critique group before I send it to my agent for her thoughts. After she’s signed off, I create the book dummy. The style of illustration I use really depends on the book. For instance, This Is a Sea Cow, was designed to look like a child’s school report, so I use a lot of photography and found objects. I also hand lettered it so that the writing would look like a child’s. Other dummies of mine include a graphic novel where I use ink and half tones, and an underwater story using watercolor and various other traditional media that I scan into photoshop. Once I complete the dummy, I send it back through my critique group, then to my agent for notes. Finally it goes out on submission and I start working on the next thing. (If I’m not working on something, then waiting on responses is excruciating!)

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

I think I’m lucky to be an author-illustrator because I can switch back and forth between writing and sketching, which allows me to keep the creative juices flowing. A tool I’ve found very helpful is Google docs. Whenever I get an idea I just pop it into a google doc with some notes. That way I’ve always got a list (that I can access from a phone or an iPad or a computer) of ideas to go back to.

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

A digital tablet of some kind: iPad or Wacom Cintiq.

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

Kate Beaton, Jon Klassen, Dan Santat, Sophie Blackall, Shannon Hale, Lucy Ruth Cummins, Mo Willems, Ame Dyckman, and the list goes on!

Dream project to work on?

Oof, I don’t know. I guess any project that changes childrens’ lives for the better. Whatever THAT project is, I want to do it.

Tell us about your debut book.

This Is a Sea Cow is a fourth-wall-breaking book designed to look like a second grader’s school report on sea cows. The subject of the report does not like her portrayal, so Sea Cow--or Manatee as she prefers to be called--comes to life to set the record straight.

What’s up next for you?

I’ve got some exciting stuff in the works that I hope to be able to talk about soon!

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

The Princess Bride. I walked down the aisle to the theme song.

Huge thank you to Cassandra for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your debut! We are so excited to see what you do next!

CASSANDRA FEDERMAN is a writer and illustrator in Los Angeles, CA. She is originally from Massachusetts, but like manatees, she hates to be cold. She wanted to grow up to be a comic book artist and a marine biologist. She decided this book accomplishes both of those things. In college she studied abroad in Belize, where she rescued an orphaned manatee. She hopes this book will result in the rescue of many more.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Cassandra Federman visit her online or follow her on social media:

Twitter/Instagram: @CassFederman

TO ORDER Cassandra’s book, ring up your local bookstore or click here.

BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Want a chance to win a copy of THIS IS A SEA COW?! Comment on this post or share it on Twitter. One lucky winner will be selected Thursday, September 12th! US addresses only please.

Debut Interview with Jenn Harney

July 11, 2019Authors + Illustrators, Debut Interviews, InterviewsLindsay Ward4 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! It’s been a while— but it’s great to be back! I’ve had a crazy few weeks with ALA and deadlines— I’m trying to push through the rest of the summer until baby no. 3 arrives! BUT I’m so excited to be back to our interview schedule with fellow local author and illustrator Jenn Harney! I’m thrilled to be sharing Jenn’s work with you all today. Her debut, UNDERWEAR! just came out this past April with Disney/Hyperion and it is HILARIOUS— I just know you’re all going to love it!

So without further ado…please welcome Jenn Harney!

Where do you live?

Twinsburg, Ohio. I usually say “Clevelandish” because people know where Cleveland is. Twinsburg, not so much.

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

I met Tomie dePaola from a far at a Young Author’s Conference when I was, I think, in second grade. It was the first time it ever occurred to me that people could write and illustrate books as a job.

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

I was VERY VERY lucky. When I signed with my agent, Rachel Orr, she asked if I wrote. So, I started writing. My first story went nowhere. My second story was UNDERWEAR! It was picked up by Stephanie Lurie at Disney Hyperion on its first round of submissions. Right time. Right place. Right Editor. I was very lucky.

Can you share a bit about your process?

My process always starts with drawings. I love character design and that’s where I start. Just doodling characters and seeing if any of them have any merit. Then, I play with the story. I write everything on legal envelopes. Easy to throw out. Usually I thumbnail a dummy as I write. Everything is always visual with me. The words come afterwards.

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

I’ve learned that if I’m having a bad drawing day to walk away from it. It’ll pass. If I force it, nothing looks good. I’ll get more done in a good drawing day than if I try to force it on a bad one. The Colour Collective weekly drawing challenge is a huge part of the rust shaking, too. Just a great group of illustrators. Just follow the #colour_collective tag on Fridays around 2:30 EST, and you’ll see what I mean.

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

Something to listen to. Not music. Usually has to be an audiobook, or episodes of MST3K or RuPaul’s Drag Race. Have to have talking in the background.

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

So many! Bill Watterson, Paul Coker Jr., Tomie DePaola, Tom Yohe, Steven Kellogg, P.D.Eastman, Richard Scarry, David McKee, Alan Tiegreen....I could keep going.

Dream project to work on?

Little Golden Books. I’ve always wanted to do a Little Golden Book.

Tell us about your debut book.

UNDERWEAR! Started with a Colour Collective piece I did. The story worked itself out on a walk with my ever stubborn corgi lodged under a bush and my ever loud self yelling “Get out from under there.” And he looked up at me like “Under where?” and it clicked. Steve went on an extra long walk that day as I looked like a crazy person tapping out syllables and talking out loud about underwear.

UNDERWEAR! Is pretty much autobiographical. I am the frazzled parent who just wants to get their kid out of the tub, into PJs and off to bed. My daughter is said kid who finds ENDLESS ways to keep herself out of bed. I think every parent has been on both sides of this story. And, stories about underwear are never not going to be funny. It’s just a fun word to say.

What’s up next for you?

My second book SWIM, SWIM, SINK is slated for launch in early 2020. Fingers crossed I can just keep working along.

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

Amadeus or Empire Strikes Back or Time Bandits. Don’t make me choose. (Oooo...Sophie’s Choice is good too!)

Huge thank you to Jenn for stopping by Critter Lit today! We are so excited for you and your fantastically funny debut! Congrats!

JENN HARNEY has illustrated several picture books, including Todd Tarpley’s HOW TO BECOME A KNIGHT (Sterling), NEVER CRUMPET WITH A TRUMPET (Boyd Mills Press), SMELLY KELLY (Boyd’s Mills Press). She has
also illustrated the covers and interiors for Jennifer Hamburg’s Hazy Bloom series (FSG), and Susan Lurie’s Wanda Seasongood series (Disney-Hyperion).

Jenn made her author-illustrator debut with UNDERWEAR (Disney-Hyperion) to be followed up by SWIM, SWIM, SINK in 2020 (Disney-Hyperion). She enjoys working at break-neck pace at her desk while binge watching old episodes of “Mystery Science Theater 3000” and “RuPaul’s Drag Race”. Jenn lives in Cleveland, Ohio, with her husband, her daughter, a dog named Steve and the ghost of the oldest living goldfish in North America.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Jenn visit her online at jkharney.blogspot.com or follow her on social media:

Instagram + Twitter: @jennharknee

TO ORDER Jenn’s book, ring up your local bookstore or click here.

BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Want a chance to win a SIGNED copy of UNDERWEAR?! Comment on this post or share it on Twitter. One lucky winner will be selected Thursday, July 18th! US addresses only please.

What's up on deck? Tune in next week for an interview with author/illustrator Debbie Ridpath Ohi!

Interview with Debut Author and Illustrator Mikela Prevost

May 30, 2019Authors + Illustrators, Interviews, Debut InterviewsLindsay Ward3 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have a fabulous interview with debut author and illustrator Mikela Prevost whose book, LET’S HAVE A DOG PARTY! came out in March. I adore this book so much! It’s cute, funny, and oh so charming with a lot of heart— my favorite combination. Here’s a sneak peek for those of you who haven’t read Mikela’s wonderful debut yet…

Kate and Frank are best friends. To celebrate Frank's birthday, Kate throws him a party with all her favorite things: lots of friends, dancing in circles, loud singing, and sparkly confetti everywhere. But best friends don't always have the same taste in parties. Frank prefers quiet, sun-drenched naps on his favorite rug. So he hides. Kate must find a way to bring Frank back to the party--on his own terms.

I’m thrilled to have Mikela with us today, so without further ado…please welcome Mikela Prevost!

Where do you live?

In the Valley of the SUN! Phoenix, Arizona.

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

As a kid, I wasn't terribly good at reading but I always had the pictures in books to help guide me through the story in one way or the other. But by 2nd grade, I had started to grow in my reading abilities and at that point, the Harry Potter books of my day were Shel Silverstein's Where the Sidewalk Ends and The Light in the Attic. I devoured these books, for the brevity of the poems and the child-like pen and ink illustrations.

Silverstein's illustrations seemed so approachable, something that I could do. Drawing came much easier to me than reading, so seeing how a story could be encapsulated in such a brief poem along with an outlandish drawing was so attractive to me. The worlds he created through his poems always had me wondering what else happened beyond that last sentence.

As a writer and illustrator now, I want to try and give young readers that sense of "seen" as Shel Silverstein did for me.

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

Signing with a literary agent was the best way for my work to evolve. I attended SCBWI's Winter Conference in 2017 where Rebecca Sherman of Writer's House came across my work. She loved my illustration work and knew that my writing had potential. Over the course of several months, I was writing stories and sending sketches to Rebecca but she really wanted to start my career off on the right foot, so she pushed me to produce my best work. I'm so thankful she did, as I look back and see those earlier stories - I would not want them out in public! When the story idea for Let's Have a Dog Party! came, Rebecca made me feel like I had struck gold! We sent the text, dummy and two finished illustrations out, it went to auction and we found a great home for the story with Joanna Cardenas who (at the time) was the editor for Viking/Penguin.

Can you share a bit about your process?

Writing and illustrating is such a balancing act - having just enough of the best words while allowing the illustrations to do some heavy lifting. I try to write more than I need then weed out what is superfluous to the story.

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

I "squeeze the sponge dry" on a topic until I've exhausted every possible story idea. I write out ideas until I reach the end of the page. 95% is garbage worthy, but I will stumble on a gem that makes me so excited, I won't sleep at night.

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

While writing, I listen to a curated instrumental playlist that cues up my brain to stay focused on just that story. While illustrating I binge podcasts and watch/listen to old Mystery Science Theater 3000 episodes. And I keep the coffee flowin'.

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

My illustration friends Molly Idle, for her graceful, luscious line work and joyful colors and Juana Martinez-Neal, who captures the essence of children so innately. Also, her talent with patterns is second to none! An author I aspire to emulate is Jon Agee - his humor is so wry yet it translates to children in the perfect way. My Rhinoceros was my own personal masterclass in writing.

Dream project to work on?

Anything that results in a kid loving a book so much, it falls apart. That, to me, is the true mark of a successful book.

Tell us about your debut book.

With Let's Have a Dog Party! I was sitting in my office, wracking my brain for a good story idea, while my kids and a few neighbor kids were running back and forth by my door chasing our little dog Pepper. She's a good-natured dog that will tolerate anything, but I knew eventually the chaos would reach a crescendo and she would take off running. If I wasn't there to stop this fiasco, I imagined a party breaking out. That's where the idea came from - I liked the idea of the kid characters just deciding out of the blue that "today" was Frank's birthday and using whatever they had on hand to celebrate. Like my kids, I knew a point would come that the characters would realize the poor dog had hit his limit and need to de-escalate the situation.

What’s up next for you?

I can't say just yet - but I can say I'm excited!

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

Ghostbusters! And it still is my favorite movie! I saw it in the theater with my Dad, so I'll always have the good memories to associate with the movie.

Huge thank you to Mikela for stopping by Critter Lit today! We can’t wait to see your debut book and all that you do!

MIKELA PREVOST is an author and illustrator currently residing in Phoenix, Arizona with her husband and their three kids. Born and raised in Southern California, she received her BFA from the University of Redlands, and an MFA in Illustration from California State University of Fullerton. Writing and illustrating for children has been her life-long pursuit and passion. Her work is driven by the desire to capture the whimsical innocence and unique perspective from which a child sees the world.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Mikela visit her website or follow her on social media:

Instagram

Twitter

Facebook

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

BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Want a chance to win a copy of LET’S HAVE A DOG PARTY?! Comment on this post or share it on Twitter. One lucky winner will be selected Thursday, June 6th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Debut Author and Illustrator and Husband and Wife Team Megan and Jorge Lacera

April 4, 2019Authors + Illustrators, Authors, Debut Interviews, Illustrators, InterviewsLindsay Ward7 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! Today, we have an interview with debut author and illustrator Megan and Jorge Lacera! A husband and wife team, their debut picture book, ZOMBIES DON’T EAT VEGGIES!, released this week in both English and Spanish! I’m thrilled to share their work with you today!

So without further ado…please welcome Megan and Jorge Lacera!

Where do you live?

Our home is Cypress, Texas, y’all—a suburb of Houston.

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

Collaborating has always been our jam. We met while we were both working in the kids’ entertainment studio at American Greetings in Cleveland, Ohio. It didn’t take long for us to realize that we both love everything about stories—reading them, watching them, critiquing them, arguing over them! Creating stories together is magical.

Once we got married, we started thinking more about picture books. We loved that we could create something from beginning to end and execute the full vision that we collectively dreamed up. Super appealing.

After Jorge attended a week-long illustration seminar with faculty that included amazing creators like Adam Rex, James Gurney, and Rebecca Leveille Guay, we were both inspired and excited so we started to really go for it. Our first attempts didn’t exactly come together (re: they were a mess), but we kept evolving. When a little zombie kid character named Mo shambled his way into Megan’s brain, we knew we were onto something that we couldn’t let go.

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

We put a ton of time and energy into learning and sharpening our craft. Years. We attended local and national SCBWI conferences. Read countless books, studied their structures and forms. Founded a critique group that was very focused on achieving publication-level work. Completed a seminar with Mira Reisberg’s Children’s Book Academy. Made dummies, critiqued the heck out of them, threw them out, started over.

After all that we felt confident in querying agents. We’re now represented by John Cusick at Folio Jr. (he’s awesome!). ZOMBIES wasn’t on submission all that long before the offer from Lee and Low came in. We absolutely love Lee and Low and have so much respect for their integrity and dedication to multicultural stories and creators. Editor Jessica Echeverria’s offer letter was unbelievable….she got EVERYTHING we were going for with ZOMBIES and more. Perhaps cliché, but collaborating with Jessica and Lee and Low feels meant to be.

From signing the deal to the book’s release, two years have passed. Much of that time has been on revising, revising, revising. Some days were challenging, but holding the final book in our hands is totally worth it!

Can you tell us about how you work together as a husband and wife team?

Usually when we tell people that we work together they look totally mystified. “On purpose?!?” they ask.

Yep. We really do love working together.

We work at home. After we get our son off to school, we talk over coffee and breakfast. Usually that includes some debate over the latest news stories or a movie we watched the night before. But there’s also a review of our goals for the day, ways to divide up the work, reminders of our big vision and where we’re headed. In addition to our books, we also consult and freelance for companies together—so there are those projects that require collaboration and sometimes quite a bit of negotiation on how it will all get done on time.

The day from there depends on where we are in the process. At the concept stage of a book, we’re together a lot….sketching out ideas, outlining a plot, building art reference, watching movie clips. Once we’re on the same page, we both go off separately; Megan to write the manuscript, Jorge to draw. Then we come back together to review and critique everything we’ve both done.

People often want to know if we argue. Of course we do! Part of we’ve learned while collaborating at companies is how important healthy disagreement and creative conflict are to the process. Ideas and stories get better when you can push each other to go even further. Respectfully, while keeping your focus on the work. We welcome the “conflict” now because we know it means there’s room to grow…our standards are pretty high and holding each other accountable to those standards is key to our process.

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

Consistent exercise is really important to both of us. Jorge does Cross-fit and Megan does hot yoga. Sweat seems to clear space for creative work. We take walks most days and talk about where we’re at with a project or hammer out details of what’s working and what isn’t.

It isn’t always easy to remember (okay, you might have to drag us kicking and screaming) but taking days off from working to go see a movie, eat Torchy’s Chips and Queso (it’s amazing and totally dangerous), or just do a whole lot of nothing can open up room for ideas and fresh energy.

Getting new ideas isn’t really an issue; it’s zeroing in on the ones that speak to us most urgently, knocking them around enough to slough off the dust and craggly parts, and then carefully cultivating them into the special somethings that they become.

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

Jorge: I work digitally primarily. I recently made the switch to a Dell Canvas and I’m not sure how I survived before. It’s upped my game and I love it.

Also, Cuban crackers. Nom, nom.

Megan: My Macbook Air. So not unique, but I love me some coffee while clicking and clacking away.

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

Gosh, there are tons. To name just a few…

Adam Rex

Paulo Coelho

Yuyi Morales

Kate DiCamillo

Judy Blume

Peter Brown

Mac Barnett

William Joyce

Tony and Angela DiTerlizzi

Alice and Martin Provensen

Jon Klassen

Dream project to work on?

This is our dream. We loved creating ZOMBIES, we love our current projects, and we really can’t wait to get started on all the stories we have popcorning around in our heads. We’ve been planning for this time in our lives, working day and night to make it happen. So eternally grateful!

Tell us about your debut book.

Mo Romero is a zombie who loves nothing more than growing, cooking, and eating vegetables. Tomatoes? Tantalizing. Peppers? Pure perfection! The problem? Mo's parents insist that their niño eat only zombie cuisine, like arm-panadas and finger foods. They tell Mo over and over that zombies don't eat veggies. But Mo can't imagine a lifetime of just eating zombie food and giving up his veggies. As he questions his own zombie identity, Mo tries his best to convince his parents to give peas a chance.

The Spanish edition ¡Los Zombis No Comen Verduras! is also available and features details exclusive to that edition. Our story has a lot of puns and zombie jokes that wouldn’t work with a straight translation. Yanitzia Canetti adapted ZOMBIES and did a wonderful job!

We hope you’ll love our quirky story about family, self-discovery, and the power of acceptance!

What’s up next for you?

We signed a two-book deal with Lee and Low Books (their first for picture books!) so we are already working on book #2 (monsters may or may not be involved). We also have several other projects in the works, including more picture books and illustrated middle grade series.

We’ve also created several animated series for kids. One is currently in development…stay tuned for more news on this in the coming months!

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

Megan: A hard choice of epic proportions, but I have to go with The Neverending Story. What I wouldn’t do for a luck dragon like Falcor!

Jorge: Impossible to pick just one. Okay, fine! Monster Squad.

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

JORGE LACERA was born in Colombia, and grew up in Miami, Florida, drawing in sketchbooks, on napkins, on walls, and anywhere his parents would let him. After graduating with honors from Ringling College of Art and Design, Jorge worked as a visual development and concept artist for companies like American Greetings and Irrational Games. As a big fan of pop culture, comics, and zombie movies, Jorge rarely saw Latino kids as the heroes or leads. He is committed to changing that, especially now that he has a son.

MEGAN LACERA grew up in the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio, with a book always in her hands. She became a writer and creator of characters and worlds for entertainment companies like American Greetings, GoldieBlox, and Hasbro, and later formed her own creative company (Studio Lacera) with husband Jorge Lacera. After reading many stories to their son, Megan realized that very few books reflected a family like theirs--multicultural, bilingual, funny, and imperfect. She decided to change that by writing her own stories.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Megan and Jorge and their work, visit them online here or follow them on social media:

Twitter: @Jlacera @MeganLacera

Instagram: @Jlacera

Facebook: @MeganAndJorgeLacera

LinkedIn: @Jlacera @MeganLacera

TO ORDER Megan and Jorge’s book, ring up your local bookstore or click here.

BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Want a chance to win a copy of ZOMBIES DON’T EAT VEGGIES?! Comment on this post or share it on Twitter. One lucky winner will be selected Thursday, April 11th! US addresses only please.

What's up on deck? Tune in next week for an interview with debut author Cathy Ballou Mealey!

Interview with Debut Author B.J. Lee

March 7, 2019Authors, Debut Interviews, InterviewsLindsay Ward12 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! I’m thrilled to be interviewing debut author B.J. Lee today! Her debut picture book THERE WAS AN OLD GATOR WHO SWALLOWED A MOTH, illustrated by David Opie, was just released on February first of this year!

Gators and panthers and crabs, oh my! The classic cumulative tale There Was an Old Lady gets a Floridian flourish in this charming adaptation. Down in the southern swamps a hungry gator accidentally swallows a moth. Of course, he swallows a crab to get the moth! What will he swallow next? The gator predictably continues swallowing bigger and bigger creatures until the unexpected happens―all over the page! Along the way to its hilarious ending, the story―strengthened by the delightful illustrations―introduces readers of all ages to the many critters, both big and small, of the Florida swamp. With a familiar use of repetition and an abundance of rhythm, this silly story is perfect for read-aloud experiences.

So without further ado, please welcome B.J. Lee!

Where do you live?

I currently live in Florida, though I’m originally from the Northeast.

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

Writing picture books and poetry for children happened purely by accident. I had been an aspiring novelist when I had an accident and had to have shoulder surgery. After the surgery I had severe bicep tendinitis for two years. I couldn’t even hold a pencil. I realized I would have to write something shorter if I was to write it all. I started studying children’s picture books and poetry and discovered I could write the stuff. That’s how it all began.

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

My road to publication started with a poem published in the SCBWI Bulletin in 2010. Three years later I had my first poem published in a children’s poetry anthology, and three years after that I had my first picture book acceptance. I have had poetry published in 25 poetry anthologies to date. This is my first picture book.

Interior illustration from THERE WAS AN OLD GATOR WHO SWALLOWED A MOTH

Can you share a bit about your process?

I live and breathe writing, I work at my office computer and also have an area set up in the living room with a comfy chair, bookshelves on either side, and a reading stand so I can have materials at eye level. I generally start in a journal and then transfer to a word doc on my computer.

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

I don’t have any trouble generating ideas. If anything, I have too many ideas and tend to overwork. To recharge, I do chores, enjoy nature or play in my swim spa.

Anything you can’t live without while you write?

I love my Peter Pauper Press journals and my Kimberly 2B graphite drawing pencil. I also can’t live without my pooch, Bijoux, who is always happy to help.

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

Both poets and lyrical picture book writers (fiction and nonfiction) inspire me. Joyce Sidman was an early influence. Both Lee Bennett Hopkins and J. Patrick Lewis have been mentors. My favorite illustrator is Pamela Zagarinsky who is simply wondrous! I also think Calef Brown is quite magical.

Dream project to work on?

I’d love for Joan Rankin to illustrate one of my dryly humorous poetry collections for McElderry Books, my dream poetry publisher.

Tell us about your debut book.

THERE WAS AN OLD GATOR WHO SWALLOWED A MOTH is based on the popular cumulative rhyme, There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly. Gator lives in a Florida lagoon, where he encounters many Florida animals and can’t help but…well…swallow them! Gator is a larger-than-life character with universal appeal. Radio personality, PatZi Gil, called this book “evergreen” on her program Joy on Paper.

What’s up next for you?

I’m working on fiction and nonfiction picture books and poetry collections as well as a verse novel.

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

High Fidelity – wait, that’s 90’s – I guess I’d have to say Out of Africa.

B.J. Lee is a former college music librarian turned full-time author and poet. Her debut picture book, There Was an Old Gator Who Swallowed a Moth, released on February 1, 2019 from Pelican Publishing. Additionally, she is an award-winning children’s poet with over 100 poems and stories published/forthcoming in major anthologies by such publishers as Little, Brown, National Geographic, Bloomsbury and Wordsong. Magazine credits include Spider, Highlights, and The School Magazine. She lives in Florida with her husband, poet Malcolm Deeley, and toy poodle Bijoux.

B.J. Lee is available for school visits including assemblies and writing and poetry workshops with a musical component. She can be reached at bjlee@childrensauthorbjlee.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about B.J. and her work visit her website or follow her on Twitter @bjlee_writer and Instagram @b.j.lee

TO ORDER B.J.’s book, ring up your local bookstore or click here.

FOR COLORING PAGES from THERE WAS AN OLD GATOR WHO SWALLOWED A MOTH click here.

BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Want a chance to win a copy of THERE WAS AN OLD GATOR WHO SWALLOWED A MOTH?! Comment on this post or share it on Twitter. One lucky winner will be selected Thursday, March 14th! US addresses only please.

What's up on deck? Tune in next week for an interview with debut author Jamie L.B. Deenihan!

Interview with Debut Author Cathy Breisacher

February 14, 2019Authors, Debut Interviews, InterviewsLindsay Ward7 Comments

Happy Valentine’s Day Critters! Today we have an interview with debut author Cathy Breisacher, who will release TWO books this year! How awesome is that?! Her first, CAVEKID BIRTHDAY comes out next month with Charlesbridge, and her second CHIP AND CURLY: THE GREAT POTATO RACE, in May with Sleeping Bear Press. So exciting! I love the humor in Cathy’s books and I can’t wait to share her work and writing process with you all today.

So without further ado…please welcome Cathy Breisacher!

Where do you live?

Thank you so much for having me on your blog!

I live in Pennsylvania in a town called Hollidaysburg, which is located in the South Central part of the state. It is a small town nestled among the beautiful mountains. From my office where I do my writing, I often sit and stare out the windows at the mountains and admire the beauty of it all.

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

I have always been fascinated with stories, but I was especially drawn to the magic of picture books when I was in graduate school studying to become an elementary school counselor. At the campus library, there was a room for Education majors filled with picture books. It was wonderful. I would get caught up in the stories (ones that I remembered from my childhood and new ones that I wanted to use in the classroom). I started thinking about how fun it would be to write my own books someday. But, I didn’t actually pursue this idea until several years later. One day, I received a brochure in the mail about a Children’s Book Writing Conference in Chautauqua, New York put on by the Highlights Foundation. I was so intrigued. I had not written any stories up to that point, but I signed up for the weeklong workshop anyway. As a result of being around so many amazing children’s authors, I caught the kidlit bug. While at the workshop, Jane Yolen recommended joining SCBWI. It was an excellent piece of advice, and it was the first thing I did upon returning home. After that, I started attending SCBWI events and trying to learn as much as I could about the craft of writing children’s picture books.

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

After that event in Chautauqua, I knew I had so much to learn. I was a high school guidance counselor, and my job took up a lot of my time. I usually only wrote during the summer months. Eventually I realized that I wanted to devote more time to writing and trying to get published, so I decided to make a career change. I earned my Master of Library Science degree and switched from the high school guidance job in my district to the elementary librarian job. This move gave me more time to focus on books and, subsequently, my writing. I also started attending the NJ SCBWI annual conference. It was after my first conference that I landed an agent. A year later, CAVEKID BIRTHDAY sold to Charlesbridge, and a year after that, CHIP AND CURLY sold. Both books are coming out this spring. I made a lot of mistakes along the way, and I continue to learn. One of the most important things I have learned is the value of making connections. The kid lit community is filled with amazing people who are all willing to help one another. Sharing what we know and being open to learning from others is extremely beneficial and valuable. I also learned that things don’t happen overnight. We all need large amounts of patience and tenacity.

Can you share a bit about your process?

In my life, I try to be organized. In fact, I spend a lot of time organizing my work duties and things I need to do at home. But interestingly, when it comes to writing, I feel like I am scattered all over the place. I don’t have a normal process that is consistent from one story to the next, or from one day to the next. At any point in time on any given day, I’m jotting down story ideas or adding to a work in progress, or two works in progress, or even three. I may add lines to a couple of different stories, bouncing back and forth between them as inspiration strikes. I often work like this until one of my stories starts to gel and take off. I do this until I can churn out a first draft. It can take me months to get a first draft on paper. I spend a lot of time letting ideas marinate in my mind to see where they can go before I write things down. But, once I have a first complete draft written, then I focus on that story and revise and revise and revise. I love the revision stage, focusing on each line, each word, the overall story arc, and the page turn effects. The revision part of writing is my favorite part. I feel alive in writing when I have a complete draft that I can mold and shape into something fun to read.

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

Fortunately, the easiest thing for me when it comes to writing is thinking of new ideas. I have notebooks filled with ideas. Now, if I can just find the time to try my hand at each of these ideas to see which ones will take off. Some of my favorite story ideas sadly don’t come together. After working at them for a while I’ll just save what I’ve written knowing that I can always come back to it if inspiration hits again. There have been stories that I have worked on for too long, knowing that they weren’t working, but hoping to make some magic happen with them. Eventually I will come to that realization and move on to one of my other ideas. But, thankfully I always have more ideas swimming around my brain.

Anything you can’t live without while you write?

Oh, yes! Diet Pepsi and dark chocolate.

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

I love fun, funny, and silly picture books, so the authors I look up to include Mac Barnett, Aaron Reynolds, Jon Klassen, Corey Rosen Schwartz, Kelly DiPucchio, Ame Dyckman, Tammi Sauer, Jory John, and Ryan Higgins.

Dream project to work on?

I have really enjoyed the process of working on CAVEKID BIRTHDAY with the fabulous team at Charlesbridge and CHIP AND CURLY, THE GREAT POTATO RACE with the talented folks at Sleeping Bear Press. These two projects have seemed like dream projects to me. Everyone at both houses, along with both illustrators – Roland Garrigue and Joshua Henisz – has been incredible. I would enjoy working on a book with either of them again. In the future, I would also look forward to having one of the following folks illustrate a book of mine since I am a huge fan of their art: Dan Santat, Pierre Collet–Derby, Troy Cummings, Eric Rohmann, Jennifer Harney, etc. But, honestly, there are so many amazing illustrators and I am awe-struck at how art designers know how to choose the perfect illustrator for a story.

Tell us about your debut book.

CAVEKID BIRTHDAY, illustrated by Roland Garrigue and published by Charlesbridge will come out on March 5, 2019. In the story, Caveboy and Cavegirl are best friends and do all kinds of cavekid activities together. They also share the same birthday! So, with their birthday approaching, each one decides to get something special for the other. They both have something valuable that they can take to Caveman’s Collectibles to trade, but when it’s time to exchange gifts, they are in for a big surprise. However, these Cavekids are resourceful, so they use their imagination and creativity to come up with a way to have a satisfying and very happy birthday.

I really hope readers will see how much fun it can be to use their imagination and creativity when they play. The inspiration for this story came about during Tara Lazar’s PiBoIdMo (now called STORYSTORM) in 2014 when I spotted a clipart image of a caveboy and a cavegirl. I was looking for a way to mash two ideas together in a picture book. So, at one point I decided to mash the Cavekids with Christmas and I started writing. It didn’t take long before the idea of doing a twist on the Gift of the Magi popped into my head. I have always loved O. Henry’s story about the husband and wife who each take their most treasured possession and sell it to buy a perfect gift for the other one. So I decided to take that premise and have it take place during prehistoric time with Cavekids. After many rounds of revision, the Christmas theme got changed to a Birthday, and the rest of the story flowed from there.

What’s up next for you?

I have many other stories written and a couple of them are out on submission right now. I’m currently working on two other stories that I’m really excited about. I plan to keep writing fun, silly picture books and I’ll keep my fingers crossed that each one finds a perfect home at a publishing house.

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

Oh my goodness…the 80s is my favorite decade for movies and music. It would be very difficult, if not impossible, for me to choose just one. So, I’ll pick four (and even narrowing the list to four is a challenge): Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Dirty Dancing, E.T., and Top Gun. I don’t often watch movies more than once, but I’ve watched each of these movies several times. I enjoy many types of movies - funny, romantic, sweet, and dramatic. Just like books, my favorite movies have characters that are memorable, and a story line that stays with me long after I’ve watched it.

Huge thank you to Cathy Breisacher for stopping by Critter Lit today! We can’t wait to see your wonderful books out in the world this year! Congrats!

Cathy Breisacher is the author of the following spring releases: CAVEKID BIRTHDAY (Charlesbridge, - March 5, 2019) and CHIP AND CURLY - THE GREAT POTATO RACE (Sleeping Bear Press - May 15, 2019). She is also an elementary school librarian and former high school guidance counselor. Her passion is to write fun, silly, humorous picture books that will put a smile on kids’ faces. When she is not working or writing, she enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends. She loves all kinds of parks – national parks, theme parks, and Central Park – and is happy when she gets a chance to visit any of these. Cathy lives in central Pennsylvania with her husband.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Cathy and her work visit her website: www.cathybreisacher.com or follow her on Twitter @CathyBreisacher.

TO PRE-ORDER Cathy’s books, ring up your local bookstore, or click here.

BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Want a chance to win a copy of CAVEKID BIRTHDAY?! Comment on this post or share it on Twitter. One lucky winner will be selected Thursday, February 21st! 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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Picture Book Manuscript Critique

$125.00

Manuscript Critiques include comments on the following:

strengths of the manuscript
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marketability in the current children’s picture book market
Manuscript Critiques are returned within 2 weeks.

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$300.00

For author/illustrators looking for insightful feedback regarding their picture book dummy. Dummy Critiques include notes on the following:

a general review of both text and art
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Picture Book Manuscript Critique THREE ROUNDS

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For the writer who would like to delve in a bit more to the revision process.

Includes (1) 30 minute video chat critique session, plus two rounds of revisions with feedback provided after each revision via email.

Manuscript Critiques include comments on the following:

strengths of the manuscript
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Interview with Debut Author and Illustrator Sarah Kurpiel

Interview with Debut Author Amanda Jackson

Interview with Cassandra Federman

Debut Interview with Jenn Harney

Interview with Debut Author and Illustrator Mikela Prevost

Interview with Debut Author and Illustrator and Husband and Wife Team Megan and Jorge Lacera

Interview with Debut Author B.J. Lee

Interview with Debut Author Cathy Breisacher

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