Happy Thursday Critters! I’m thrilled to be back this week with an illustrator interview! I love all the authors and author/illustrators we have on Critter Lit, of course, but It’s not often I get to feature an illustrator. Today we have an immensely talented illustrator who has illustrated over 60 books! She’s here to tell us all about her new books (4 came out last year!) and some insight into her process.

So without further ado, please welcome Christina Wald!

Where do you live?

Cincinnati, Ohio

How many years have you been in publishing?

Since the early 90s. I started doing Children's books in 2005.

How did you first get published?

I first did art for role-playing games in the 90s. I took my portfolio to conventions and eventually did work for Dungeons & Dragons, Star Wars, and Lord of the Rings books and cards. I refocused my portfolio in the early 2000s and my first picture book was in 2005 for Publications International. It was Look, Find & Learn: Animals of the World. I got my first books from art directors seeing my portfolio online starting with Scholastic. I did art for Scholastic News for many years.

Do you illustrate full-time?

Yes.

What inspires you to create picture books?

I love the medium and form of storytelling. I am now getting into writing but it is tricking because my schedule fills so quickly. My book about sketching just went to print and it was the hardest thing I have ever done. I had to project manage, write, hire and editor and designer, and create any additional artwork. It makes me respect all those roles in a new way. I am used to doing all my illustrations and handing them off to the designer. It has also emboldened me to write more for children's books and comics. This is a great time to fuel your own dream projects. I have so many ideas.

What surprised you the most working as an illustrator?

Each project is so different. No two books are alike and it can be hard to predict how long it will take to paint. There are so many factors.

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

The creative freedom and the joy of doing something I love. Every part of the process is so interesting. I love researching whatever animal I am illustrating or figuring out the look and design of characters and the spaces they inhabit in the story.

I have traveled to many places to research for books I had to illustrate. Once, I met with bat rescuers for a book I illustrated by Carole Gerber called Little Red Bat. I also went to Montana for The Wild Life of Elk by Donna Love, which was a partnership with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the US Forest Service. Most recently, I went to Switzerland to photograph a village I was illustrating for Werd & Weber. Sometimes I meet with scientists and contact people for illustration details for historical illustrations.

Thumbnailing and researching a new book is so full of excitement and possibility.

What do you find difficult working as an illustrator?

Scheduling and planning. I am always working on several projects and am booked through 2025. I have to make sure I make time for family, travel, and interests. Balance is so difficult and yet very important. Illustrating a children's book is like running a marathon and a graphic novel is like 10 marathons. You cannot finish one in a couple of all-nighters.

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

Through urban sketching and my sketchbook. Getting into urban sketching made me remember why I love drawing.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

I try to sketch every day.

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

People are so supportive. I had a friend send my portfolio to his editor when I was first getting into kid's books and recently, I got a really nice referral from another illustrator for a really cool book. There is so much generosity. I have several groups of artist friends I meet with online and we share our projects and talk about the business.

Recommended reading?

My favorite books growing up were the McCloskey books like Blueberries for Sal and the Francis series by Russell and Lillian Hoban. My current favorites are Dan Santat (Oh No! Or How My Science Project Destroyed the World, Beekle), David Wiesner (Mr. Wuffles is GENIUS), and Aaron Becker (Journey).

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

That is tough to say, I have had the opportunity to work on some really cool books with many amazing authors and teams. I had the opportunity to illustrate the San Diego Zoo's Centennial picture book in 2015 and Sloth's Treehouse Inn is with the same team from the zoo. I also recently illustrated about about Kew Gardens (Return to Kew Gardens) by Marsha Varrow which had really lovely characters and is unique. It was also really exciting to work with Mazza Museum.

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

Be patient.

Can you tell us about your newest book?

Sloth's Treehouse Inn came out last fall. It is about Santiago the sloth letting all his animal friends live in his tree to escape the destruction of the rainforest. It was so fun to illustrate. Sloths are a favorite animal of mine, I love their faces. The Cincinnati Zoo and the San Diego Zoo have the same species of sloth so I went to the Cincinnati Zoo to sketch and watch them.

*Studies for SLOTH’S TREEHOUSE INN by Carrie Hasler, Illustrated by Christina Wald*

*Interior sketches for SLOTH’S TREEHOUSE INN by Carrie Hasler, Illustrated by Christina Wald*

*Interior art from SLOTH’S TREEHOUSE INN by Carrie Hasler, Illustrated by Christina Wald*

I actually had 4 books (Sloth's Treehouse Inn, Return to Kew Gardens, The Train Rolls On to the North Pole, and Alp Nik) come out late last year. COVID was a crazy time and a bunch was released at once. I also had a book re-release from Storey Publications called The Barnyard.

*Interior art from THE TRAIN ROLLS ON TO THE NORTH POLE written by Jodi Adams, Illustrated by Christina Wald*

What’s up next for you?

I am finishing Hadori Stands Up by Shari Lyon. Shari wrote the San Diego Zoo Centennial book and this is the 4th in her Read to Me, Sing to Me series. It is about a hippo who stands up to poachers to save her friends. It is a really moody and cool book with a earworm song. It will be available soon through Kickstarter, stay tuned but following my Instagram or blog. I also have two more train books coming up. The latest, The Train Rolls On to the North Pole, came out in fall 2022. The one I am working on is The Train Rolls On to the County Fair. I have a couple more books lined up to be revealed soon.

*Interior sketches from Hadori Stands Up written by Shari Lyon, illustrated by Christina Wald*

*Interior art from Hadori Stands Up written by Shari Lyon, illustrated by Christina Wald*

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

Keep creating work and stories. Don't get distracted by comparing yourself to other creators online. Focus on the type of art you want to do and love; it is the road to happiness.

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

Madeline, of course.

Huge thank you to Christina for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on all your new books!

CHRISTINA WALD is a designer, illustrator, and educator. She has illustrated over 60 picture books, many about animals of all types! She also teaches illustration and narrative story telling at Northern Kentucky University. She loves to travel and sketch all over the world and just got back from New Zealand. Her book Sloth's Treehouse Inn came out in the fall and Sketching Here & Everywhere is out at the end of May. Mazza Museum acquired some of her works a couple years ago for their collection and the Toledo Children's Library also has a piece of her work from Little Red Bat. She lives in Cincinnati, Ohio with her husband and 3 cats.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Christina follow her on online: christinawald.com or follow her on Instagram: @christinawald_art

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of SLOTH’S TREEHOUSE INN, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of SLOTH’S TREEHOUSE INN?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, May 25th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Illustrator BlueBean

February 9, 2023Illustrators, debut interviewLindsay Ward3 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with illustrator BlueBean, visiting with us all the way from Malaysia. I’m thrilled to have her with us today to talk about her creative process and new book, THE WAY WE SAY HELLO, written by Andrea Denish, which just published with Starry Forest Books this month!

So without further ado, please welcome BlueBean!

Where do you live?

Hello! I am BlueBean. I’m from Malaysia. Recently, I moved to a new town far away from the city and work in my home studio.

How many years have you been in publishing?

Three years and counting.

How did you first get published?

I feel happy that I got an offer from the client which is a sweet start for me.

Do you illustrate full-time?

Yep, I am a full-time illustrator. I worked as a concept artist at an animation studio before becoming a freelance illustrator. I spent many years exploring different paths, including teaching, working in the wild, picking fruit, and growing avocados. These are the things that inspire me to keep creating. After my last job at the capsicum greenhouse, I started drawing again, and a few months later, I got a chance to draw my first picture book.

What inspires you to create picture books?

I love books! Children's picture books have always been one of my favorite books to collect. Maybe it counts as one of the reasons? :D

What surprised you the most working as an illustrator?

I think illustrating a book is something I never dreamed of! I love how my art came out on the spreads and tells a story with the colors. Currently, I want to create more lovely picture books and it is one of my big goals!

What is your favorite thing about being an illustrator?

Creating things and enjoying what I’m doing.

What do you find difficult working as an illustrator?

Creating things and enjoying what I’m doing. Yep, the same answer as the previous question. I have to admit nothing I enjoy is easy, which is why I feel more fulfilled every time I complete a challenging task.

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

I do other things. Writing, baking, traveling, and hopping into a nice cafe for food and good vibes. And, I play games and badminton sports!

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

Most of the time, I will set a goal first before the creativity comes to life, like planning what value I want to bring out, or how the arts would affect others. Then, I sketch the idea and also research it.

*Interior sketch from THE WAY WE SAY HELLO, written by Andrea Denish, illustrated by BlueBean, published by Starry Forest Books*

*Interior art from THE WAY WE SAY HELLO, written by Andrea Denish, illustrated by BlueBean, published by Starry Forest Books*

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

I’ve met super nice and talented people, including book illustrator friends, although I have to say that I am actually a very shy person. For this book title, the whole project was challenging, yet I appreciated having the creative freedom given by the Starry Forest team to make the best work I could.

Recommended reading?

Jimmy Liao from Taiwan impressed me a lot since I was a teenager. His arts are quiet, yet so vivid and emotional. I have always loved his books, especially The Sound of Colors: A Journey of the Imagination. The illustrations are just phenomenal and filled with details.

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

This “The Way We Say Hello” book of course is one of the most exciting picture books I have drawn. Since the illustrations are created in gouache and digitally, it's also the first book I have drawn in traditional media, this was the hard part, and it took me a lot of courage to take the first step. I first painted my book spread with gouache, then digitally touched up the painting and finished it.

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

Honestly, I don’t know. But if I’m thinking now, I hope to receive any kind of positive words! They are meant for me! And I love good advice from great people or leaders. Sometimes, I may feel lost and I will need guidance.

Can you tell us about your newest book?

First of all, I would like to thank Lindsay for having me in this interview. This book is a lovely book, written by Andrea Denish, and everyone is welcome to read it, whether you are an adult or young! I also read this story to my cat, Yibby who I brought home for New Year's and it was a great welcome gift for her.

Here’s a bit about the book:

A young child searches for the best way to welcome a new baby to their family as they ask, "A special day. A special place. How will you greet a special face?" With rhyming text, heartwarming art, and educational facts about cultures and customs around the world, The Way We Say Hello takes you as far as Tibet and as near as your front yard as you learn greeting after greeting.

Along the way, you'll also discover how to welcome the world into your heart in different languages, gestures, and places. You can say "namaste," "howdy," or "annyeong." You can use traditional greetings like the Māori hongi or European cheek kisses. You can use sign language to greet those who are hard of hearing, or send a card to someone far away.

Perfect for new big siblings, baby showers, and kids curious about different cultures and languages. There are so many ways to greet someone new, no matter where they're from or what language they speak--so how will YOU say hello?

What’s up next for you?

Currently, I am working in an upcoming art gallery in a bookstore. Stay in touch with my social pages, where I’m always sharing news. At the same time, warmly welcome you to visit my online shop at https://bluebeanart.etsy.com

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

“Love what you do! Do what you love!” These are the words that popped into my head. I know that sometimes we are asked to choose between two options. But I hope that in the adult world, we wouldn’t have to select a single answer to a multiple-choice question—we can always do our best to balance many aspects at the same time.

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

I must say is the main little girl with a bubble ponytail! I hope everyone can feel her cuteness and sweetness!

Huge thank you to BlueBean for stopping by Critter Lit today!

BLUEBEAN 蓝豆, is an artist and book illustrator from Kuala Lumpur. Her real name is Angela. She is currently working in her home studio where she creates all the illustrations and goodies.

Her paintings' inspiration comes from the beauty and harmony of nature. She loves the calm feeling and whimsical stories with cute and quirky fellows. While characters with tiny paws are her huge sparks, she admires all kinds of creatures in the wilderness.

Her arts appear in picture books, animation, music videos, and advertisements. She also has a small online shop selling products that she makes.

Spending most of the time creating, BlueBean jumps around for stores and wonder. She enjoys good movies, and music and is a huge book lover. Sometimes she attends art events and mostly has a tea party with forest buddies.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about BlueBean or her work, visit her online:

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

Website: https://bluebeanillustration.com

Online store: https://bluebeanart.etsy.com

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

WIN A COPY! Want to win a giveaway copy of THE WAY WE SAY HELLO?! 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 Susanna Leonard Hill and Illustrator Betsy Snyder

October 25, 2022Authors, book release, Interviews, Illustrators, Vet InterviewsLindsay Ward15 Comments

Happy TUESDAY Critters! This week we have TWO awesome interviews with THREE amazing creators. Today, we are celebrating the release of ALPHABEDTIME, written by Susanna Leonard Hill, illustrated by my friend and critique partner Betsy Snyder, and published by Nancy Paulsen Books! I’m thrilled to have both of these fabulous ladies with me today on their book birthday!

I was lucky enough to see the art for this book come together so it’s an honor to be featuring this book and interview as a bonus post this week.

So without further ado, please welcome Susanna Leonard Hill and Betsy Snyder!

It’s lovely to have you both here on Critter Lit!

Susanna: Thank you so much for having me on your blog today, Lindsay!

Betsy: It’s great to be here!

Where do you live?

Susanna: I live on Blueberry Hill in Unionvale, NY, a map dot so small it is like a well-kept secret

Betsy: Independence, Ohio

How many years have you been in publishing?

Susanna: My first book was published in November, 2002, so almost exactly twenty years.

Betsy: About 17 years.

How did you first get published?

Susanna: My daughter was starting kindergarten, and we had just moved to the area so she didn’t know anyone. I asked the school for a couple names of nearby classmates so we could arrange a playdate. The first person I called wasn’t home. The second was Liza Voges and she brought her son over to play a few days later. We talked while the kids played and I asked her if she was a SAHM or if she did something else. She said she was a children’s literary agent. I said, I write children’s books! She asked to see my work, but it took me 6 months to get up the nerve to show her. I was afraid she wouldn’t like it, and then things would be awkward at school get-togethers. I could just imagine myself trying to use my power of invisibility to avoid the embarrassment of facing her at the kindergarten Halloween party. But when I finally did show her a handful of manuscripts, she was enthusiastic. She became my agent, and she sold my first book to Simon & Schuster within the year. She has been my agent and friend for twenty years, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without her!

Betsy: Publishing a children’s book was on my career bucket list since studying Illustration in college (Go Flyers!), but I knew I needed to get more illustration experience (and benefits!) first. Following graduation with a degree in Visual Communication Design, I worked as a staff designer at a small publisher and later as both a designer and illustrator at American Greetings. Around 2005, just when I decided it was time to get serious about getting published, serendipity struck. Brian Cleary, a coworker, who also happened to be an accomplished children’s book author, approached me about the possibility of illustrating his new manuscript Peanut Butter and Jellyfishes: A Very Silly Alphabet Book. He connected me with his publisher Lerner Books, I sent them my portfolio, and they offered me my first book contract! That opportunity and a referral from a friend led me to my agent Lori Nowicki at Painted Words, and that soon led me to a 3-book (and later 5-book) contract with Random House writing my own books.

Do you write/illustrate full-time?

Susanna: I write as full-time as I can manage, between teaching writing, school and library visits, and a lot of time spent on family commitments.

Betsy: The hours I dedicate to work vary depending on my project load and my family’s needs (I have a 5yo, 8yo and crazy 5mo puppy-monster). Right now, I’m more part-time, but I fit work in whenever I can (during school days, puppy naps and in the wee hours after everyone else is asleep). But my mind never stops thinking about book ideas (ask my family!).

What inspires you to create picture books?

Susanna: When you get right down to it, are there any books better than picture books? I love the interplay of words and art. I love the age group for whom they are written, for whom all the world is new. I have 5 children and 3 grandchildren (plus, technically, I was a child myself once upon a time in the last millennium) and that is a constant source of inspiration – the funny things they say and do, their wishes and fears, their wonder and curiosity, the milestones they pass, the things they sometimes misunderstand because they’re young and everything is new, the challenges they face, the feelings that seem bigger than they are sometimes – it all inspires ideas for picture books. And there is something wonderful about reading picture books with little ones who are just learning about the world.

Betsy: I love creating characters and stories that spark imaginations. Some of my favorite memories as a young child are of my family reading to me, and getting lost in the pictures (like Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey). It’s such a gift to be able to make books that families can snuggle up with and read together.

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

Susanna: I was most surprised by how many people are involved in the creation of a book. When I was little, we didn’t have authors come visit our school. I thought of them as wise old hermit men (or women) – picture Merlin – who lived in isolated places like mountaintops, or hobbit holes in the woods, and wrote amazing books that were perfect straight out of the starting gate. I had no idea that they might have agents, or how much editors might help them improve their books before publication, or that there were separate art directors, or all the people involved with marketing and publicity. A traditionally published book isn’t something you do completely on your own. It really takes a village.

Betsy: When I entered publishing, I didn’t anticipate that I’d need to hone my public speaking skills for author events. I’m not a natural at being in the spotlight, so the idea of putting myself out there was intimidating at first, but I’ve grown to genuinely enjoy and embrace the more social side of being an author and connecting face to face with my audience.

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

Susanna: If I can have a part in helping to entertain, educate, delight, inspire, comfort, reassure, or engage young readers in a way that brightens their day and invites them to love books and reading, I feel like that is the most fulfilling work I can do. And although it’s hard and requires effort, it doesn’t feel like work the way some things do because it is also such a pleasure. Is there a better job than getting to make up stories all day long?

Betsy: Definitely meeting my readers and sharing my books with others. Holding my published book in my hands for the first time is pretty special too.

What do you find difficult working as an author, or illustrator?

Susanna: For me, the difficult part of working as an author are all the extras. If I could only write, that would be great! But there are so many other things to do! Social media and maintaining an online presence. Arranging and doing school, library, festival, conference, and bookstore events. Doing what you can to publicize your books. Don’t get me wrong – it’s all important and I’m happy to do it. But those are not things I’m particularly comfortable with. I would rather talk up someone else’s books than my own. Twenty years in, I still get nervous any time I have to speak in public. And anything I know about marketing/publicity I’ve learned as I go, and I know I could be a lot better at it.

Betsy: Imposter Syndrome is no joke and self doubt can be paralyzing. When I find myself feeling stuck in a rut with a project and negativity creeps in, it has helped me to have a network of creative friends to reach out to, and in turn, to offer my support when they need it. This creative collaborating always fills my cup and gives me the confidence boost I need to get back at it.

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

Susanna: One of my favorite things to do is write or type out someone else’s book – a book I love. There’s something about writing or typing it that helps get my creative wheels turning and gets me in the right mindset. If I haven’t written for a few days, or if ideas are slow to come, this can often be a way to get things rolling.

Betsy: I take a walk, play with words, think up catchy titles, get goofy with my kids, browse at the library or bookstore, start with a fun format, or dig up nuggets of ideas that I’ve set aside.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

Susanna: I always write my first drafts longhand – pen on paper. I just think better that way.

Betsy: I’m pretty prolific at collecting my ideas. I’m always typing notes into my phone—during showers, road trips, etc.—and emailing them to myself to tuck away into folders for revisiting later.

Also, at the beginning of every project, I do a brain dump to empty the clutter in my head and get to the good stuff. My problem is always TOO many ideas vs. a lack of ideas.

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

Susanna: I’m not sure I can point to one single instance, but I find the Kid Lit community in general to be wonderfully friendly and supportive – a group of genuinely lovely people I’m deeply glad to be a part of.

Betsy: Having my artwork from Tons of Trucks (by Sue Fliess) accepted into the Society of Illustrators Original Art Show and attending the opening in NYC was an experience I’ll always remember. It was such an honor to be in the company of so much talent in one room.

Recommended reading?

Susanna: Writing Picture Books by Ann Whitford Paul, The Nuts & Bolts Guide to Writing Picture Books, by Linda Ashman, The Writer’s Guide to Crafting Stories for Children, by Nancy Lamb, picture books, picture books, and more picture books.

Betsy: Some of our family favorites are Swashby and the Sea (Beth Ferry and Juana Martinez-Neal), Bob, Not Bob! (Liz Garton Scanlon, Audrey Vernick, Matthew Cordell), The Wolf, the Duck, and the Mouse (by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen), We Don’t Eat Our Classmates (by Ryan T. Higgins), and Sophie’s Squash (by Pat Zietlow Miller and Anne Wilsdorf)…and there are SO many more.

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

Susanna: The highlight of my career thus far has been when kids light up when they recognize one of my books and tell me they have it, or they’ve read it, and they love it. A close second is when I get emails, sometimes including photos or videos, from parents or grandparents telling me one of my books is their little one’s favorite and gets read every night, or drawings or thank you notes from kids. Also, becoming a New York Times Bestseller was pretty amazing and not something I ever thought would be on my resume! That was an honor I never expected.

Betsy: It’s a 3-way tie between landing my first contract to both write and illustrate my own books with Random House (beginning with Haiku Baby), having my work accepted into the Society of Illustrators Original Art Show, and publishing a 4-book novelty series with Chronicle Books (I Can Dance, I Can Play, I Can Dream, I Can Explore).

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

Susanna: Writing can be isolating, even for introverts who are pretty happy on their own, and it was hard in the beginning not having anyone to talk to who understood the writing life. So, I wish someone had told me when I first started that the internet was coming, and that communication, critique partners, support, the opportunity to further my writing education through webinars and online classes, and most importantly friendship with other writers was about to become so much more possible. The internet is a double-edged sword, but it’s worth it for the connection to other writers. I have met so many wonderful people online, and it is a joy when I get to meet them in person at conferences.

Betsy: Just because it feels hard doesn’t mean you aren’t good at it or that you aren’t meant to do it. Making a book is hard work every time, even for experienced authors and illustrators. Every book presents a new challenge to solve that is difficult in its own way and needs its own unique solution. There is no road map, and sometimes you have to go down many paths, and even backtrack, to find the right one. This process is not easy for anyone, but when you see it through to the other side, it’s so worth it.

Can you tell us about your newest book?

Susanna: My newest book is ALPHABEDTIME, illustrated by the amazingly talented Betsy Snyder, and published by Nancy Paulsen Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House. In case you couldn’t tell from the title, it’s a book about putting the alphabet to bed ☺ It is written in rhyme, and is (I hope!) lively and fun, while also being an opportunity for young readers to practice the alphabet and feel the safety and security of being part of a large, rambunctious, and happy family. I am proud of the text, but Betsy’s art really takes it to the next level. She put so much thought and care into creating it. It is clever, bright, and energetic, and filled with details that make looking at the pictures so much fun! Every single character has multiple things associated with it which begin with his or her letter. B alone has at least 8! The dog and the cat appear on every page and are fun to look for. And after M appears, there are bunnies to find, too. I feel so lucky that Betsy was the one to illustrate this book. She really brought it to life in the best possible way!

Betsy: Here’s a sneak peek…

*Interior Art from ALPHABEDTIME by Susanna Leonard Hill, Illustrated by Betsy Snyder, Published by Nancy Paulsen Books*

Betsy: The book begins with all the letters plus Mom and Dad at the dinner table (but none of the letters are revealed yet).

Betsy: From here, Alpha Mom announces “TIME FOR BED!” and we meet each of the letters in order and follow them through the book as they scramble and ready for bed.

Betsy: But even once the alphababies are rounded up and put to bed, there are surprises. Can you guess what happens next?!

Betsy: Fi-nally, the alpha babies are all tucked in again—almost. (This is the part where you have to read the book to find out how it ends!)

What inspired this story/art?

Susanna: This book wasn’t exactly inspired. I was having a hard time thinking up something to write about one cold winter morning – you know the feeling, where you stare at the wall and consider that doing your taxes would be more fun than facing that blank page – and I just decided to write an alphabet book. Of course, there are many very good ones out there already, so I had to think of something that hadn’t been done yet. It took me a fair amount of playing around, experimenting with bad (some very bad ☺) ideas before, in an effort to just feel like I was writing something, anything, I wrote alphabet alphabet alphabet across my page. When I read it out loud to myself, it started to sound like “alphabed”, and that made me think of bedtime, and suddenly, EUREKA! I thought, ALPHABEDTIME! I’ll write a book about putting the alphabet to bed.

Betsy: I’m lucky that I had an already-amazing manuscript to inspire my art (since all Susanna had was a blank page!). It was love at first read for me. My inspiration was part what Susanna put into her writing—the skillful rhyme, bouncy cadence and playful pacing—and part what she left out. The manuscript had an openness that allowed me the freedom to explore a strong visual narrative and weave in fun alphabet references along the way.

In terms of the characters (26 kids, 2 parents, and 11 pets—PHEW!), I wanted the entire alpha family to be colorful, diverse and quirky with lots of personality and alphabet details. My own kids loved playing “art director” and offering up their ideas and opinions along the way, and my real art director Marikka Tamura with designer Cindy De La Cruz helped me wrangle all those kiddos onto the pages in the very best way.

What’s up next for you?

Susanna: I have a couple other books coming out in December – WHAT LITTLE GIRLS ARE MADE OF and WHAT LITTLE BOYS ARE MADE OF – and one coming out next summer – YOU’RE THE STAR IN MY SKY – all for Sourcebooks. And I’m in the middle of contest season on my blog, where I run the Halloweensie, Holiday, and Valentiny Contests for Children’s Writers.

Betsy: More books! I’m about to jump back to working on some new ideas that I am pretty excited about.

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

Susanna: Try to love what you do. Try not to get caught up in what’s trendy, or what you think will sell. Write for yourself. Write what you love. If you feel passionate about what you’re writing, that will come through in your work and make it shine. And whether you sell it or not, you will have written something that’s meaningful to you. It might be something that really doesn’t turn out well but that you learn a lot from writing. Whether it’s good or not so good, every manuscript you write makes you a better writer.

Betsy: There is no one roadmap to get published—every artist’s journey is unique. Seek opportunities, like stepping stones, that get you closer to your goals. Looking forward, you cannot always see how one thing will lead to another, but it inevitably will.

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

Susanna: That’s like asking who your favorite child is! It’s impossible to pick just one! But, if I had to pick just one, (er, per age group) I guess I’d say, for picture books, Frances, from Russell Hoban’s series, for middle grade Anne of Green Gables, and for YA, Karou from The Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy. (That was practically only one!)

Betsy: Lola from the Charlie and Lola book series by Lauren Child.

Huge thank you to you both for stopping by Critter Lit today! Happy Book Birthday to ALPHABEDTIME!

Susanna L. Hill (susannahill.com) is the author of three New York Times bestsellers, including Moon's First Friends: One Giant Leap for Friendship, and the award-winning author of over twenty-five more books for children, including Punxsutawney Phyllis, Can't Sleep Without Sheep, and the popular When Your Lion Needs a Bath series. Her books have been translated into French, Dutch, German, Japanese, Chinese, and Thai. She does frequent school and library visits, teaches picture book writing, and has a popular picture book blog. Susanna lives in New York's Mid-Hudson Valley where she practices the alphabet with her children and two rescue dogs.

Author-illustrator Betsy Snyder's smile-inducing art can be found on everything from social expressions products, board games, plush, decor, fabric, wallpaper, and of course—books! Since making her publishing debut, Betsy has illustrated and/or authored over twenty books. Betsy lives in northeast Ohio, where she enjoys cozying up to doodle with her art-loving family of four (plus one furball puppy), and venturing out to schools and libraries to encourage kids (and even grown-ups) to share their stories and chase their dreams. Learn more about Betsy and her books at www.betsysnyder.com.

BUY THIS BOOK To purchase a copy of ALPHABEDTIME, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a giveaway copy of ALPHABEDTIME?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, November 3rd! US addresses only please.

Interview with Author Rosie J. Pova and Illustrator Monika Filipina

February 10, 2022Authors, Illustrators, InterviewsLindsay Ward5 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have DOUBLE the fun with a DOUBLE interview featuring both the author and illustrator of the same book! I’m so excited to introduce to you both creators of THE SCHOOL OF FAILURE, A STORY OF SUCCESS, a brand new picture book from Yeehoo Press, releasing May 10, 2022.

As you all know, making a picture book is a unique process when the writing and illustrating is done by two separate people. It’s amazing when it all comes together as one cohesive book, even though, in most cases, the author and illustrator never communicate with one another during the process. Everything is typically handled through the publisher— and yet a beautiful book is created! Like magic! Well, that and a ton of creative energy and hard work. I’m so excited to share two halves of the same book with you today.

So without further ado, please welcome author Rosie J. Pova and illustrator Monika Filipina!

Photos: Left: Rosie J. Pova, Right: Monika Filipina

Where do you live?

ROSIE: I live in Dallas, TX, but I'm originally from Bulgaria.

MONIKA: I live in Torun, Poland.

How many years have you been in publishing?

ROSIE: I've been writing for publication for over 17 years now.

MONIKA: About 10 years.

How did you first get published?

ROSIE: It only took me 12 years to get a yes from a small traditional publisher, but it was actually a triple yes as they offered me contracts on three standalone books--two picture books and one middle grade novel--and that's how I got started with traditional publishing.

MONIKA: I was starting while I was still studying at university. I first worked did small jobs designing books, then I illustrated my first book of good-night poems for a Polish publisher. After finishing my BA degree I found an agent and did small illustrating jobs. During my MA I started working as a junior designer at one of top educational publishers based in London. It was a great experience that gave me insight to the publishing work. I got to see how a book comes to life from scratch. However after a couple of month I got my first big illustration job and had to quit.

Do you write/illustrate full-time?

ROSIE: I do, yes--I write full time. But I also coach and mentor emerging and pre-published authors, helping them advance their writing careers and move closer to their publishing goals.

MONIKA: Yes! I am lucky to be working as a full time illustrator.

What inspires you to create picture books?

ROSIE: Anything and everything! I love that kidlit format, and I'm definitely partial to picture books in particular, even though I write for children of all age groups--from board books to young adult. I call picture books "little geniuses" because they are such simple yet profound multi-taskers that accomplish so much, as an art form, in such little time and space.

MONIKA: I guess that my biggest inspiration at the moment are my children. I spend vast amount of time with them and it is natural that I observe how they play, move, talk and get lots of inspiration from them. Having said that, I find inspiration from many other things - I love running in the forest and spending any free time in the outside. It is just when I am lucky to see something interesting that stories and ideas come to me on its own.

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

ROSIE: How much my stories transform when a professional illustrator comes on board, the art is added to the words, and my story becomes a real book. It's such a thrill to see! Also, the amazing questions kids ask me when I visit schools!

MONIKA: Working as an illustrator has been a learning curve all the way. There is many things that nobody tells you before you got ‘out there’. What surprises me at the moment are emails with requests to illustrate an entire book within a month. It makes me wonder who are the people that can illustrate this and I must say, I would love to chat with them! It takes me 3, sometimes 4 days to finish ONE illustration so I would really love to know the trick to work faster!

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

ROSIE: My favorite thing is visiting schools, interacting with kids, and sharing my stories and my journey as a way to inspire them to pursue their own dreams.

MONIKA: I get to do what I always wanted to do! I remember that as a child I dreamt about being a children’s book illustrator. I am an individual and do not feel good working with other people so being independent freelance illustrator is absolutely great. I also manage my own timetable which means I can work when I want (though I have been working days, nights and weekends lately as I have been finishing new books!)

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

ROSIE: Definitely the long waiting at every step of the process--from finding and agent, to waiting for replies while on submission, to anxiously awaiting for the book release--it takes years! This business can be so slow and unpredictable. As a prolific writer, I'm eager to have multiple books releasing each year, so a lot of patience is required.

MONIKA: One of the most difficult things for me is pricing my work! I lack self-confidence to value my work and at times I forget how much work it took to do what I do :) I also find very difficult to manage my schedule. I tend to take on far too much work and end up working crazy hours.

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

ROSIE: I read, brainstorm, write down things my kids say, read kid lit blog posts or simply wait and trust that an idea is coming, knowing that I need to stay open to receiving it.

MONIKA: I love jogging, exercising and yoga. These are great ways to freshen up my mind. Also, taking a break and going to the woods or to the seaside work magic!

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

ROSIE: No, not really. I like being flexible with creativity and open to the unexpected.

MONIKA: I need a good breakfast in the morning before I can start to think. When I work I like to have a movie playing in the background. It is funny because when I look at the illustrations I did I can remember what movie or tv series I watched while working on that particular artwork :) at the moment I have been watching Harry Potter movies, again!

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

ROSIE: I've gotten so much help and support from the kidlit community over the years, in many forms--from critiques, advice and resources to peers helping me spread the word about my books and purchasing them... it's such a great and generous community, and I can't imagine anyone doing this alone. The support has been invaluable and so much appreciated!

MONIKA: Every bit of support, warm comment and advice is positive and helpful during the times we have now.

Recommended reading?

ROSIE: Oh, so many new books that I can recommend, but let me mentions just a few titles:

Home for a While by by Lauren Kerstein, Illustrated by Natalia Moore

Clovis Keeps His Cool by Katelyn Aronson, Illustrated by Eve Farb

A Flood of Kindness by Ellen Leventhal, Illustrated by Blythe Russo

Dancing with Daddy by Anitra Rowe Schulte, Illustrated by Ziyue Chen

... and so many more!

MONIKA: Always Harry Potter! I grew up with the series and have been in love with this magical world ever since I read the first book. I also love Jo Nesbo’s books - Harry Hole series is fantastic. I have also read his other work and he is just a brilliant writer I guess. (How can it be that two of my favourite book series are about Harry?)

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

ROSIE: Definitely seeing my book, Sunday Rain, featured in The New York Times and Parents magazine, as well as having an incredible, interactive read-aloud video created by Bri Reads on her YouTube channel that now has over 73K views in just nine months! Oh, and one more to mention... when a school in San Diego told me they want to turn my upcoming book, The School of Failure: A Story about Success, into a play!! I cannot wait to see that!

MONIKA: I am proud that the first picture book I illustrated, OH WHAT A TANGLE, won Best World Picture Book at China Shanghai International Bookfair. It also always brightens my day when I receive complimentary copies of my books.

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

ROSIE: I wish someone would've told me to join a critique group right away.

MONIKA: I wish that I actually believed some things that I was told. For example I wish that I focused on developing and improving my own visual language instead of taking on commercial jobs and working the way I was told to working. I wish that I believed more in my talent instead of taking on far too many jobs in the past. I also wish that someone told me not to take on jobs that terms I am not totally happy with.

Can you tell us about your newest book?

ROSIE: Yes, I'm quite excited about it and cannot wait to share it with readers! It's a fractured fairy tale about how the road to success is paved with mistakes.

MONIKA: THE SCHOOL OF FAILURE is a truly wonderful story about success. I did my best to bring the characters to life and to make each of them unique. I really think that children need this story to believe in themselves and never give up :)

*Interior art from THE SCHOOL OF FAILURE, A STORY ABOUT SUCCESS by Rosie J. Pova, illustrated by Monika Filipina, published by Yeehoo Press*

What’s up next for you?

ROSIE: Next for me is launching a new writing course for emerging picture book writers.

My agent and I are also on submission with a few different stories, so hopefully more new books will be in the pipeline for me soon.

MONIKA: I have been extremely busy and there is a few more books with my illustrations coming up soon. I plan to slow down over the summer months, rest in our caravan by the sea and learn to surf.

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

ROSIE: Read newly published books in the genre you write, find a critique group, but also invest in your craft and get professional feedback, write a lot--don't get stuck on one story--and finally, be open to feedback and don't be afraid to experiment with your work. Sometimes, you can be pleasantly surprised with the outcome.

MONIKA: I don’t think I can stress this enough because this is the thing I have the most difficulties with: BELIEVE IN YOURSELF! Believe in your work and your talent because you have a very unique gift! Even if it does not work out, as in the SCHOOL OF FAILURE, sooner or later, you will find a way to make it work.

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

ROSIE: Dirty Dancing.

MONIKA: INDIANA JONES!

Huge thank you to both Rosie and Monika for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your fantastic new book!

ROSIE J. POVA is a multi-published, award-winning children's author and kid lit Writing Coach. Her latest picture book, Sunday Rain, was featured in The New York Times and recommended by Parents magazine. Her upcoming picture book, The School of Failure: A Story About Success will be released in spring 2022 in both China and the USA.

Rosie loves to visit schools and her interactive workshops empower students to unleash their creativity and grow in confidence through reading, writing, and creating.

She has been featured on TV, radio, podcasts, and print media, and also speaks on women's and moms topics.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Rosie visit her website: RosieJPova.com or follow her on social media:

Twitter: @RosiePOV [https://twitter.com/RosiePOV]

IG: https://www.instagram.com/rosiepova/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/RosieWrites

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosie-j-pova-childrens-author/

As a daughter of two karate masters, MONIKA FILIPINA’s life was very active. From the youngest age she trained sports and was competing all over Europe and in 2000 Monika even won a gold medal at the World Karate Championships in Lisbon, Portugal! Despite such adventurous childhood, drawing was the thing that she was most passionate about. So one day, Monika simply decided to pack her bags and move to the UK to study. In 2011 she completed BA with Hons in Illustration at the University of Wolverhampton and was honored Dean’s Prize for Excellence in Visual Communications and was chosen one of Highly Commended Students at the D&AD New Blood Show. Soon after that, she moved to Cambridge and in 2014 have successfully completed Master’s degree in Children’s Book Illustration at Cambridge School of Arts.

In 2013 the book that Monika illustrated, “Oh! What a Tangle”, published by Digital Leaf, was awarded the Golden Pinwheel award for best International children’s book and Shanghai Children’s Book Fair! So far she was very lucky to be working with lovely clients all over the world and keeps making her dream come true every day.

She has recently founded her own baby clothes brand for which she designed all illustrated all the outfits. Monika lives with her two little kids, two not so little cats and one totally grown up husband in her hometown - Toruń, Poland. In her free time she enjoys running, yoga and fitness.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Monika, visit her online: https://monikafilipina.art/

https://thebrightagency.com/uk/childrens-illustration/artists/monika-filipina

Or follow her on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/monikafilipina/

https://www.facebook.com/MonikaFilipinaIllustration

BUY THIS BOOK To order THE SCHOOL OF FAILURE, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of THE SCHOOL OF FAILURE?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, February 17th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Illustrator Rachel Sanson

August 19, 2021Illustrators, Interviews, Vet InterviewsLindsay Ward2 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with a fabulous illustrator who released a new book with Sleeping Bear Press in March, THE LADY OF THE LIBRARY, written by Angie Karcher. I’m thrilled to have another illustrator stopping by Critter Lit today to share her experiences in Kidlit, process, and advice for other creatives out there!

So without further ado, please welcome Rachel Sanson!

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Where do you live?

I live in Bristol in the UK. At the moment I’m in a shared house with 3 lovely housemates and a very chaotic Bengal cat.

How many years have you been in publishing?

I’ve been in publishing for about 5 years now.

How did you first get published?

I first got published after signing with my first agency, I illustrated a small educational book for a Canadian publisher. It was my first experience illustrating professionally, I think you’d struggle to find it now and I’m ok with that!

Do you write/illustrate full-time?

At the moment I do, I work in a shared studio space with other creatives which is great.

What inspires you to create picture books?

I’ve always loved telling stories not had much experience with writing, so instead I told the stories through drawing. It's a lot of fun to flesh out an imaginary world and the characters in it.

What surprised you the most working as an illustrator?

You learn very quickly about things you do on autopilot, for example shortcuts you take in drawing and objects that look nothing like they should! Because working professionally with publishers is a much more collaborative process these things are pointed out to you, and you discover a lot about yourself.

What is your favorite thing about being an illustrator?

I most enjoy being able to draw silly things for a living! It’s great to be given the freedom to explore a subject as you want to, and being trusted to come up with the right results.

What do you find difficult working as an illustrator?

Of course it’s always stressful to be in a career where your income isn’t stable or guaranteed. The most difficult part is probably convincing other people (and yourself) of your worth. Unfortunately, it is still really common to be offered work with unacceptably low fees, and having the confidence to question and say no to that is something I only learned over time.

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

I’ve learned that I personally go through phases of having ideas and feeling inspired and at other points being much more in the mood for organization and problem solving. It’s not always convenient but I think it’s good to try to go with the flow and not fight against whatever mood you’re in. Some days you can sit with the sketchbook in front of you and feel completely stuck and other days you’re filling pages up as fast as you can.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

I’m trying to get better at planning out work and putting in a good amount of research before diving straight into line art, which is sensible but difficult for me as I like to work things out as I go. I also try to draw every day even if it’s just a few sketches that don’t go anywhere.

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

The Kid Lit community on social media was really helpful while building my portfolio after graduating from university. I’ve met a really positive group of people who encouraged and inspired me as I was developing my portfolio. It’s been amazing to see so many of these artists go on to be published and bring out gorgeous books. I think it would have been very hard to stay motivated without positive feedback from other people in the illustration world.

Recommended reading?

I’ve been reading a lot of end-of-the-world novels which I don't think anyone needs lately! So I’ll suggest some recommended listening instead. If you’re a creative you can’t go wrong with The Creative Pep Talk and Make it then Tell podcasts.

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

Probably the first time I received a copy of one of the books I illustrated, it was amazing to have it as a real object!

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

Generally, Know your worth! And on the technical side it’s really important to learn the fundamentals of drawing before you try to develop a style. Styles are something that appear over time whether you notice it happening or not and it’s much harder to work backwards and figure out why your stylized characters look strange. So get out there and sketch from life!

Tell us about your newest book.

My newest picture book is The Lady of the Library, written by Angie Karcher and published by Sleeping Bear Press. It's the story of a ghostly lady haunting a library that is about to be closed. All seems lost until a little girl appears and the two team up, putting together some wild ideas to attract visitors and bring the place back to its prime!

*Interior art from THE LADY OF THE LIBRARY by Angie Karcher, illustrated by Rachel Sanson published by Sleeping Bear Press*

The story focuses on the importance of libraries and community space, and its main character is based on The Grey Lady of Willard Library. The employees of the real library were so happy to be haunted that they set up online webcams for anyone to try and catch a glimpse of their ghost!

Working on this book was a lot of fun, it was a great opportunity to draw some dark spooky scenes and, of course, lots and lots of books.

What’s up next for you?

Right now I’m taking a bit of time to experiment with my work and try new things, as well as trying my hand at writing a few story ideas. I’d love to keep working on picture books in the future.

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

Be nice to people and don't be worried to approach your peers! Most illustrators I’ve met are really lovely friendly people, and it’s great to have people in the know who can support and advise you. Also a lot of us work from home, and are away from office small talk, so we’re pretty up for a chat!

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

My favourite 80s movie has to be Labyrinth. It’s probably also my favourite movie generally!

Huge thank you to Rachel for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your new book!

RACHEL SANSON is an illustrator of children’s books and is currently based in Bristol, UK.

Originally from a tiny town in the North of England, she graduated from the University of Lincoln with a degree in illustration after 3 years in a little studio perched on the top of a very steep hill.

Rachel loves to work on children’s fiction and enjoys illustrating weird and wonderful characters and the worlds they live in.

Rachel’s past work includes the Topsea middle grade novel series and the Tails from History educational book series. Rachel’s first picture book, The Lady of the Library was published in 2021 by Sleeping Bear Press.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Rachel, visit her online: https://www.rachelsanson.co.uk/

or follow her on social media:

Instagram @Rachelsansonillustration

Twitter @rachel_sanson

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of THE LADY OF THE LIBRARY, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of THE LADY OF THE LIBRARY?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, August 26th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Illustrator Nadja Sarell

April 15, 2021Illustrators, Vet InterviewsLindsay Ward4 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with the immensely talented Nadja Sarell! Her newest board book, EAT UP, BEAR!, written by Terry Pierce, came out earlier this month with Yosemite Conservancy. As a longtime freelance illustrator, I’m thrilled to have her with us today to share her experiences and advice.

So without further ado, please welcome Nadja Sarell!

Where do you live?

I live in Helsinki, Finland.

How many years have you been in publishing?

About 15 years, on and off.

How did you first get published?

I had shown my portfolio to an editor in a publishing house I knew well during my illustration studies. Soon after my graduation I received my first commission from her—a book with black and white illustrations.

Do you illustrate full-time?

Yes, I work as a full-time freelance illustrator for children's books and educational publishing.

What inspires you to create picture books?

I'm inspired by characters—who they are, how they feel, where they live. For me, illustrating a picture book is like creating a play on stage, maybe because I was a dancer before changing into children's book illustration. I love the stage, but I prefer to be the one hiding behind the scenes!

What surprised you the most working as an illustrator?

How the world is full of excellent authors and illustrators! I feel humbled to be able to fit in among them all.

What is your favorite thing about being an illustrator?

I love to work with books that the children will read again and again with their families, in schools and so on. It's the child reader that is the most important thing for me. The whole experience of a time spent together reading and looking at pictures, and the child learning to read both text and visual narrative.

What do you find difficult working as an illustrator?

Sometimes it's hard to make the ends meet, if you only work for children's publishing. I think a lot of illustrators need to do other jobs like teaching, running online shop, graphic design, etc.

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

I look for inspiration from outside my studio.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

I need to get started in the morning!

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

We have a great association for illustrators in Finland and it's such a big help to be able to get support from fellow children's book illustrators close to home. I'm also a part of a small virtual support group of five designers/illustrators from around the world.

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

Probably signing up with my illustration agent Astound and being able to receive commissions outside Finland, from clients like Yosemite Conservancy! This board book was really special and one of my highlights, definitely.

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

Don't expect anyone to come and knock on your door. This advice was for the days before social media. It has changed the game completely, especially for visual artists.

Can you tell us about your newest book?

This spring brings several published books for me, always very exciting. "Eat Up, Bear!" by Terry Pierce is a book where I had an opportunity to try a new technique and I really enjoyed it. We don't have black bears in Scandinavia, but you can come across a brown bear in the forest. This is why the children are taught to make some noise, so the bears know to avoid people. I did a lot of research for the board book, because it had to be informative and accurate as well as sweet and colorful. I love the research part!

*Interior art from EAT UP, BEAR! written by Terry Pierce, illustrated by Nadja Sarell*

What’s up next for you?

I'm working on two picture books at the moment, one for an indie publisher in the US, and one for a Finnish publisher. They are both based on real life main characters, so it's a whole new experience again. Then there will be some chapter books and a story book for the educational market. So it is quite a hectic time of the year!

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

You can always ask advice from your colleagues, especially when it comes to contracts, pricing, and other non-illustration things that are an important part of this job. And you're never ready as an illustrator, there is always room to grow! And don't work for exposure only, something that newcomers are often asked to do.

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

Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.

Huge thank you to Nadja for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on EAT UP, BEAR! We can’t wait to see what you come out with next!

NADJA SARELL is an illustrator living in Helsinki, Finland. She graduated with MA in Dance from Theatre Academy Helsinki. Soon after that she moved to a small town in North Wales to study children's book illustration. She graduated from North Wales School of Art and Design with BA in Illustration for Children’s Publishing in 2004.

Since then, she has worked as a freelance illustrator for children's publishing in Finland and abroad. Her clients include Hachette, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, and Yosemite Conservancy. She loves to teach art, illustration and dance for both children and adults.

If Nadja was an animal, she would be a cat living in an old mansion with a large fireplace and a comfy sofa. Her favourite things are music, dancing, black coffee, and chocolate.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Nadja or her books, visit her website or follow her on Instagram.

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of EAT UP, BEAR! click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of EAT UP, BEAR!? Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, April 22nd! US addresses only please.

Interview with Illustrator Christopher Denise

July 25, 2019Authors + Illustrators, Illustrators, Interviews, Vet InterviewsLindsay Ward10 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have the incredibly talented illustrator Christopher Denise stopping by to chat with us! I’m a huge fan of Chris’s books and I’m thrilled to share his work with all of you today! I was lucky enough to meet Chris and his lovely and talented wife, Anika Aldamuy Denise a few years ago at a writer’s retreat in Vermont. You can read Critter Lit’s interview with Anika here. Their newest book, BUNNY IN THE MIDDLE came out earlier this month with Henry Holt and has received wonderful reviews:

"This sweet picture book acknowledges the special place each sibling occupies in a family. . . Kids will savor adorable details, such as children's artwork on a bedroom wall and winsome animal students lined up for school in a tree. Charming and comforting."―Kirkus Reviews

So without further ado, please welcome Christopher Denise!

Where do you live?

We live in Rhode Island in a little bayside community just outside of Providence. We love it here! We found an old beach house, fixed it up (most of it), and built a studio out back. The best part is that we can walk barefoot to the beach.

How many years have you been in publishing?

I started in publishing before my graduation from Rhode Island School of Design in 1990. So, about 29 years ago. My first book, The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship, was published in 1994.

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How many books have you published?

Bunny in the Middle just published this July. It is my twenty-fifth book in trade publishing. When I first started out I published a number of books for the educational market.

Do you illustrate full-time?

I do! But it’s not necessarily like most full-time jobs. My wife, Anika Aldamuy Denise, is a kid lit author so in addition to our careers, we share responsibilities for taking care of all the house and family things. If I am on a deadline, she will step in and make sure all the home things happen. If she is in the thick of a project, I will take over. It’s not uncommon for either one of us to be back at work on a Sunday night.

What inspires you to create picture books?

I am inspired to create picture books that I like to read. Humor is big for me. I love to laugh and I love surprising and funny picture books! I also try to keep myself in a state of wonder. Children are fascinating and have such a truthful and amazing way of seeing the world. If you can tap into that, there is always inspiration.

What surprised you the most working as an illustrator?

The degree of tenacity that is required to stay in the field surprised me. While at RISD, I was fortunate enough to study with David Macaulay (Cathedral, The Way Things Work). Just before graduation, we had a long chat and he told me that it is not always the most brilliant or the most talented that make it in this business. You need the grit to stick with it, day after day, year after year.

What is your favorite thing about being an illustrator?

The ever-changing challenges of each book. Every author that I work with has a distinct voice and requires me to start over, to start fresh. I try to get myself into a beginner’s mind at the start of each project so I that I can respond to what is in front of me and what that particular book is asking for in terms of pacing, character development, and even the look of the book. It’s a wonderful way to be constantly in a state of growth and exploration.

What do you find difficult working as an illustrator?

The hours can be tough but I have gotten much better at managing production schedules. Even more difficult is managing the uncertainty of the market. You never really know how a book is going to land and if it will find its audience. That can make it difficult to plan and can be a challenge when raising a family.

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

Spending time with my family is hands-down the best thing I can do to generate new ideas or get a fresh perspective. It gets me out of my own headspace. The dinner table at our house is like a brain trust and the perfect place to beta test ideas.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

This sounds odd but I am habitual about routine. I need to show up in the studio and get in my hours. After so many years at this job, I know what works. I’m very good (an expert, actually) at breaking routine when I want to, but if I have too many days of distractions that take me out of the studio, I get very grumpy. Also exercise! It’s another way to get out of my own headspace and come back fresh.

Can you share a positive experience you’ve had in the kid lit community?

A few years ago I was asked to speak at Kindling Words East as a guest illustrator. I really didn't know what to expect but it was such a good fit for me, I ended up joining the committee and being their Resident Illustrator — and in many ways, finding a family. It truly is a safe and trusting place where we can discuss kid lit and the real nuts and bolts of living a creative life.

What is your favorite picture book?

A very tough question. I am going to skip listing the classics. But I can’t choose just one! I have so many favorites in different sub-genres of picture books and they change all the time. I do love I am Small by Emma Dodd. Swan by Laurel Snyder and illustrated by Julie Morstad, is a big favorite. Also Good Night Owl by Greg Pizzoli, and Days Like This by Simon James.

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

Hmm, another tough question. In a way, living as an artist and spending my days in the studio, I am living the highlight every day. I’m grateful for the good reviews, the stars, the acknowledgements, and certainly when something happens like your book lands on the NY times list! But looking back at highlights can be tricky because comparison is inevitable. Comparing what was then, to this day in the studio. It just doesn't not feel right to me. There are things I am proud of. Firefly Hollow was a journey that required me to grow and change in different ways. Recently, I completed and sold my first picture book manuscript and I feel great about it. But really today, with all the possibility it offers, is the highlight.

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

Don’t spend too much energy trying to prove yourself or working towards becoming something that you think that you should be. Allow the work to grow and to change. Just relax and have fun with it! Work hard at refining your tools but focus on allowing your individual, authentic voice to emerge.

Tell us about your newest book?

Bunny in the Middle written by Anika Aldamuy Denise!

We created Bunny in the Middle to celebrate the unique (sometimes challenging), but ultimately very special experience of being in the middle. Our middle is fearless but wise. She holds a unique place in the family. So we wrote a book to celebrate her — and all the middles out there.

What’s up next for you?

Oooo, I wish I could say more! Just last week we reached an agreement to publish my very first book that I have written and illustrated. Check the PW rights report-it may be in there this week!

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

Yes, the standard advice is true. Read tons of picture books. Your local librarian should be your best friend. If you can, volunteer to read at a story hour at your local independent bookstore. Reading aloud to an audience is one of the very best ways to really understand what makes picture books work. Once you get going, avoid the comparison game. I know that we all seek recognition for our efforts and award time can be tough for many. Don’t fall into that trap, it will not serve you. Celebrate great books and achievements by your fellow authors and illustrators — especially if they are underrepresented in the industry.

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

I guess Star Wars falls in the wrong decade so I would say Back to the Future with Raiders of the Lost Ark being a close second.

Huge thanks to Christopher Denise for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on all your success and your first author/illustrator project— we can’t wait to check it out!

CHRISTOPHER DENISE is an award-winning illustrator of many critically-acclaimed books for young readers including Alison McGhee’s Firefly Hollow, Rosemary Wells’ Following Grandfather, Anne Marie Pace’s Groundhug Day, as well as several in Brian Jacques’s Redwall series. His books have appeared on the New York Times bestseller list and have been recognized by Bank Street College of Education, Parents' Choice Foundation, and the Society of Illustrators. Christopher lives with his wife and collaborator, Anika Denise (Baking Day at Grandma’s, Bunny in the Middle). They live on the coast of Rhode Island with three exceptionally nice people who happen to be their daughters.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Christopher, visit him online at http://www.christopherdenise.com/ or follow him on social media:

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Christopher-Denise-Illustrator-385062757194/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/cadenise

Blog: http://christopherdenise.blogspot.com/

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

BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Want a chance to win a copy of BUNNY IN THE MIDDLE?! Comment on this post or share it on Twitter. One lucky winner will be selected Thursday, August 1st! 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 Author/Illustrator Philip Stead and Illustrator Erin Stead

May 2, 2019Authors + Illustrators, Authors, Interviews, Illustrators, Vet InterviewsLindsay Ward4 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! I’m so thrilled about today’s interview— it’s somewhat of a fangirl moment for me, as I love their books so much. Each time I read one, I discover a new detail to fall in love with. Their newest book, MUSIC FOR MISTER MOON is stunning. We’ve been reading it at bedtime almost every night over here. I don’t think there is an intro I could write that would do them justice…so let’s just jump in, shall we?

Please welcome Erin and Philip Stead!

Where do you live?

We live in an old farmhouse in Northern Michigan, not too far from the Lake Michigan beach.

How many years have you been in publishing?

13 years.

How did you first get published?

PHIL: We moved to New York City when we were just out of college with the idea of getting into children's books. I worked briefly for the Brooklyn Children's Museum as a designer/illustrator and spent my free time hitting the pavement, talking my way into publishing offices. Meanwhile Erin worked in a children's bookstore, Books of Wonder, and then later took a job in design at HarperCollins. In the end it was a friend that helped us get a foot all the way in the door. Our friend, fellow bookmaker George O'Connor, passed some of my work along to Neal Porter, an editor at Roaring Brook Press. George had worked with Erin at Books of Wonder. Interestingly enough, Erin also worked with other future authors Nick Bruel, Jason Chin, and Julie Fogliano at the same store. All of those names ended up getting their break with Neal Porter as well. After George had linked me up with Neal he also suggested to Neal that Erin might be interested in illustration work. Up till then Erin had never done illustration work. In fact, she'd barely done any drawing at all in almost three years. In the few days between George's suggestion and Erin's first meeting with Neal I wrote a draft of A Sick Day for Amos McGee, then basically pitched it to both Erin and Neal at the same time over dinner.

Do you write/illustrate full-time?

Yep, we've been doing this full-time since the beginning, even before it made any financial sense to do so. We're just not good at multi-tasking. But we are pretty good at being broke.

What inspires you to create picture books?

Dusty, old, forgotten books, mostly. And animals.

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

We would read books (i.e. Dear Genius, by Leonard Marcus) that made it seem like all the illustrators and authors that we grew up reading were all actually friends in real life. This seemed cool, but unlikely to us. But even just a few years in it became clear to us that we all really DO know each other. We love knowing so many other bookmakers. It's one of our favorite things about the job.

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

Literally everything. We're both really hard on ourselves and we both contemplate quitting on an almost daily basis. By now though (and we say this often to each other) we basically have no marketable skills for the real world. We could be professional dog walkers maybe. That's about it.

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

PHIL: Erin is always cooking when she's stuck on a problem. Sometimes she avoids her desk for weeks and just cooks, cooks, cooks. It used to stress me out, the longer she'd go without setting pencil to paper. But now I know it's all just part of the process. Neither of us are prolific sketchers. We often go straight to final art from the idea in our head. So I guess cooking is akin to sketching for Erin. I find a lot of my inspiration outside of the children's book world. Aside from my love of used book stores I don't really stay too up to date on what's new, other than what my friends are making. I love movies, especially weird ones. And I love music. All music. I'm currently in love with an album by an Ethiopian jazz pianist named Tsegue-Maryam Guebrou. It's unlike anything I've ever heard and I'm sure it's trying to tell me something if I just listen to it long enough.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

Procrastination. And the making of coffee to do so.

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

We've done several school events through an organization called An Open Book in Washington DC. Their goal is to get books into the hands of kids who might not have access to book ownership otherwise. School events can be exhausting but we always leave our Open Book events feeling energized and in love with books again. When you see how much a book, just a single book, can mean to a kid it really puts a lot of the other troubles of bookmaking into perspective. It also helps you realize that your books don't really belong to you after they're finished. They go out and live their own interesting lives outside the studio.

Recommended reading?

Who Needs Donuts? by Mark Stamaty. A Barrel of Laughs, A Vale of Tears, by Jules Feiffer, and Bambert's Book of Missing Stories, by Reinhardt Jung. We recommend these books to pretty much anyone who will listen.

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

Making a book about our dog (Ideas Are All Around) and then getting her picture published in the New York Times thereafter.

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

That there will be a lot of public speaking. Neither one of us really considered that getting up and talking to grown-ups would be a big part of being a children's book illustrator. For two bonafide introverts it's kind of a bummer sometimes.

Can you tell us about your newest book?

We've been thinking a lot lately about what it would be like to grow up right now in a world that is all about over sharing and over stimulation. Quiet, alone time was essential to both of us as kids. It's still essential to us. I don't think kids are often allowed these days to do things alone—truly alone. Everything is always documented and shared. Music for Mister Moon is book about an introvert, made by two introverts. We hate to ever say what a books means, but at its core the book is meant to ask a question which is: can a thing have value if it isn't shared?

What’s up next for you?

Our next book is actually the 10 year anniversary edition of A Sick Day for Amos McGee. It'll come in a nice, cloth slipcase and have some bonus content inside. After that I've (Phil) got a book called In My Garden. It's the first ever book that I've illustrated but not written. It was written by Charlotte Zolotow and originally published in the 1960s with illustrations by Roger Duvoisin.

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

Always be curious.

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

PHIL: The Princess Bride

ERIN: Yes, definitely, The Princess Bride

Huge thank you to Phil and Erin for stopping by Critter Lit today! We are so excited to see what you make next!

PHILIP AND ERIN STEAD are the author and illustrator of the 2011 Caldecott Medal Book, A Sick Day for Amos McGee. They have collaborated on many books together including Bear Has a Story to Tell, Lenny & Lucy, and most recently The Purloining of Prince Oleomargarine, a New York Times bestselling reimagining of an unfinished Mark Twain fairy tale. Philip and Erin live in northern Michigan. Someday Erin hopes to learn how to play the cello.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Erin and Philip, visit them online:

Erin Stead’s Website

Philip Stead’s Website

TO ORDER Philip and Erin’s books, ring up your local bookstore or click here.

BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Want a chance to win a copy of MUSIC FOR MISTER MOON?! Comment on this post or share it on Twitter. One lucky winner will be selected Thursday, May 9th! US addresses only please.

What's up on deck? Tune in next week for an interview with author Sheri Dillard!

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.

Welcome to Critter Lit! A place where you can receive real advice from practicing authors, illustrators, and author/illustrators like me.

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Manuscript Critiques include comments on the following:

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Debut Interview with Jenn Harney

Interview with Author/Illustrator Philip Stead and Illustrator Erin Stead

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