Interview with Deb Adamson

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with author Deb Adamson to talk about her road to publication, writing process, and TWO new books: THANKFUL THANKSGIVING, illustrated by Benedetta Caprotti, and GOD SENT YOU WITH LOVE, illustrated by Allessia Trunfio, published by Cottage Door Press. I’m thrilled to have Deb with us today!

So without further ado, please welcome Deb Adamson!

Where do you live?

I live on the shoreline of Connecticut.

How many years have you been in publishing?

I’ve been in publishing for nearly 30 years but took a long  break from submitting, to homeschool my son. Just stepped back into querying five years ago.

How did you first get published?

I was published by Millbrook Press. My first book, is titled Monkey See Monkey Do and Animal Exercise Book for You! It is a rhyming book that encourages mimicking animal movement. It teaches a little natural history along with getting kids up and active.

Do you write full-time?

I do write full time. I also teach a weekly memoir writing class for adults. I’ve been doing that for ten years and absolutely love it!

What inspires you to create picture books?

Everything! Inspiration is really everywhere. Sometimes I can’t keep up with the ideas that spark a picture book. Of course developing an idea into a picture book is always the biggest challenge—making the idea make sense and come to life.

What surprised you the most working as an author?

How challenging the writing is. I tell my adult writing students that writing for children is even more challenging. Every word counts.

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

Seeing children enjoy my books. School visits that allow me to see several kids all at once having fun and being inspired. 

What do you find difficult working as an author?

Continuous rejection. 

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

I sometimes take a respite from writing to paint in watercolor, garden or practice guitar. The switch in creativity seems to reboot my writing. Breaks are necessary.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

I do write most days. I feel like if I don’t, then I step out of the mindset or story and it becomes more challenging to see it through to completion.

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

Other kidlit authors! The moral support from others who understand the business is invaluable. We write alone so much of the time that having a support system is crucial. I’ve mostly found it on Twitter and Instagram but also have a small dependable local community too.

Recommended reading?

I just read, the picture book Every Dog In The Neighborhood by Philip C. Stead and illustrated by Mathew Cordell. It is an intergenerational/dog story. Two subjects near and dear.

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

Staying with it long-term feels like a highlight. With so much rejection I feel proud of myself for not throwing in the towel. I enjoy the process, so most days when I can immerse in a story feel like a highlight of my career.

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

That even if an editor buys one book from you or your agent, they are not guaranteed to ever like anything else you write! Getting published doesn’t really make it any easier to get a book deal. It continues to be a competitive endeavor.

Can you tell us about your newest book?

I have TWO new board books out!

Thankful Thanksgiving, illustrated by  Benedetta Caprotti is a book that encourages young children to be thankful not only on Thanksgiving day, but all year. It follows a young mouse family as they festively celebrate the holiday with family and friends.

Interior art from THANKFUL THANKSGIVING by Deb Adamson, Illustrated by Benedetta Capriotti, published by Cottage Door Press

Interior art from THANKFUL THANKSGIVING by Deb Adamson, Illustrated by Benedetta Capriotti, published by Cottage Door Press

God Sent You With Love is a poem of praise from a mother to her child. It’s a keepsake book meant to gift at baby showers, baptisms and births. It is beautifully illustrated by Allessia Trunfio with warm light throughout. I wrote it as someone who suffered through the challenges of infertility and when I finally got my son, felt immensely blessed.

Interior art from GOD SENT YOU WITH LOVE by Deb Adamson, Illustrated by Alessia Trunfio, published by Cottage Door Press

What’s up next for you?

I’ve got several school visits and bookstore signings scheduled this fall to promote these two new books! Stay tuned for new titles on the horizon.

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

Find a writing community. You cannot stay with this if you don’t have support. 

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

The Breakfast Club! A creative cast of characters.

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

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Deb Adamson’s books can be silly sweet and often a combination of both.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Deb Adamson or her books visit her online or follow her on social media: Twitter and Instagram @DebAdamsonBooks

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

WIN A COPY! Want to win a giveaway copy of THANKFUL THANKSGIVING?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, November 10th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Author Sherry Shahan

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with author Sherry Shahan, who has published over 40 books for children, from picture books to young adult novels. Her newest book, PURPLE DAZE: A FAR OUT TRIP, 1965 just released this past December. I’m thrilled to have her with us today to talk about her experiences, career, and advice to upcoming authors and illustrators making their way into the industry.

So without further ado, please welcome Sherry Shahan!

Where do you live?

A laid-back beach town in California called Morro Bay. 

How many years have you been in publishing?

My first children’s book, Fifth Grade Crush, appeared in 1986 from a school book fair publisher.

How did you first get published?

I met a presenter at a writer’s conference who agreed to critique my manuscript for a reasonable fee. She liked it so much that she shared it with one of her editors. They published my first six books.

Do you write full-time?

Yes.

What inspires you to create picture books?

Six of my seven picture books are nonfiction and were sparked from interests in the world around me. My grandson inspired my fiction picture book That’s Not How You Play Soccer Daddy. 

What surprised you the most working as an author?

The community is genuinely caring, encouraging, and supportive. It’s one big, vibrant family.

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

A year ago I would’ve said visiting schools and libraries, sharing the love of creating stories with young readers. While I enjoy interactions with children on Zoom, I look forward to returning to in-person meetings.

What do you find difficult working as an author?

As in all aspects of life, things can happen that are beyond my control. I once had a four-book contract cancelled because the publisher changed directions. 

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

I can lose myself searching topics of interest via in Google. I subscribe to AtlasObscura.com podcast and CNN’s online newsletter “The Good Stuff.” I’m enjoying the many webinars about writing available to us right now.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

I reach for scissors and paste when I need a ‘screen’ break. I have drawers full of words and pictures snipped from magazines. I find collage a mind-quieting and creative outlet. 

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

A student in my first course at UCLA (“Writing Picture Books”) sold the manuscript she was working on. It was the first of her many publications. 

Recommended reading?

Writing Picture Books: A Hands-On Guide from Story Creation to Publication by award-winning author Ann Whitford Paul. I especially appreciate the revision exercises that help identify potential problems.

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

Making lifelong friendships with others who are passionate about children’s literature. That includes writers, illustrators, editors, teachers, librarians and those I’ve mentored.

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

Give yourself permission to fail, but never give up. I once sold a nonfiction picture book manuscript after 40 rejections. People ask, “Why didn’t you send it to them in the first place?” I respond, “Because they didn’t exist when I began submitting.” 

Can you tell us about your newest book?

A young adult novel in verse PURPLE DAZE: A Far Out Trip, 1965. It was inspired by letters sent to me from a friend who served in Vietnam. I’d kept them nearly 50 years.

What’s up next for you?

I’m playing around with an idea for a picture book about hydroponics, sparked by experiments in my kitchen. I’ve been growing carrot tops and celery bottoms in jars of water on my windowsill.

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

Join SCBWI and attend webinars. Sign up for writing classes. Consider a mentoring program. Seek out a critique group that has experienced writers and/or illustrators. Artists have unique viewpoints when it comes to pacing, page-turns, what should be presented in words, and what should be left to illustrations. Experiment with different genres.

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

That’s easy since I’m an avid dance student: Flashdance and Footloose. 

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Huge thank you to Sherry for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your new book! We can’t wait to read what you write next!

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SHERRY SHAHAN lives in a laid-back beach town on the Central Coast of California where she grows carrot tops in ice cube trays for pesto. She has forty children’s books to her credit, preschool through young adult, fiction and nonfiction. Her YA novel in free verse and traditional poetry features a tumultuous time in history, PURPLE DAZE: A Far Out Trip, 1965. Her short form writing has appeared in Highlights, Cricket, Cobblestone, Boys Life, and more. She holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts and taught a creative writing course for UCLA for ten years. She enjoys hearing from other book lovers: kidbooks@thegrid.net

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Sherry or her books, visit her online: www.sherryshahan.com

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of PURPLE DAZE: A Far Out Trip, 1965 click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of PURPLE DAZE: A Far Out Trip, 1965?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, April 15th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Author Lisa Katzenberger

Happy Thursday Critters! I hope you are all staying warm wherever you are— here in Ohio it is a whopping 12 degrees today! Sunny and beautiful, but frigid! Today we have an interview with Lisa Katzenberger to celebrate her newest book, IT WILL BE OKAY: A STORY OF EMPATHY, KINDNESS, AND FRIENDSHIP, illustrated by Jaclyn Sinquett. The timing of this book could not be more relevant and I think we all need books that support this message in our lives right now. I’m thrilled to have Lisa with us today to share her journey in publishing and her fantastic new book!

So without further ado, please welcome Lisa Katzenberger!

Where do you live?

I live in La Grange, Illinois—a suburb of Chicago. It’s a suburban with a bit of an urban feel. We live within walking distance of La Grange’s downtown, elementary school, and most importantly library!

How many years have you been in publishing?

I had my first short story published in 2005. I didn’t get paid a thing, but I was super happy!

How did you first get published?

I started my writing career with short stories, and have had a handful published. But my first book was a Work For Hire project for Capstone, published for the school and library market. A friend referred me to her editor, who invited me to send her a couple picture book manuscripts. And while she didn’t pick those up, she did ask me to write Triceratops Would Not Be a Good Ninja. It was a good way to dip my toe into the publishing world.

Do you write full-time?

Oh I wish I could! I do freelance technical writing work from time to time, and am currently working with author Bethany Hegedus as her author assistant and helping run her Courage to Create program. Then I have my mom job to my 10-year-old twins, which requires a lot of time right now to help them through e-learning. 

What inspires you to create picture books?

My kids. They have such a silly way of looking at the world. Maybe they say something funny or ask a question and it will spark an idea for me.

What surprised you the most working as an author?

How long the process takes to get a picture book published. I knew the writing and revising portion itself is long, but I didn’t understand how long the illustration process takes. So after a picture book manuscript is acquired, it can be 18-24 months before it’s published.

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

That I get to make things up! I can live in a world where anything goes. It’s very freeing!

What do you find difficult working as an author?

The writing process itself is difficult. So is the revising. And editing. And coming up with new ideas. To use art notes or not, that decision is tough too. It’s all really hard—but I absolutely love it!

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

I like to go for walks (if it’s not a freezing Chicago winter day!) and listen to podcasts or music. The movement and the sounds get the quiet part of my brain moving.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

No, not really. I don’t write every day, or listen to music, or go through any type of routine. Sometimes I write when it hits me and sometimes I make myself get up out of bed early and think of it as work. I’m kind of all over the place!

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

I love the community I’ve built through the SCBWI Illinois region. I’ve made really good friends (who I miss terribly during the pandemic!) who I can talk to about the writing journey. We meet for coffee or dinner and even have a kidlit book club. It’s so great to have friends who understand what you’re going through.

Recommended reading?

I am currently in love with I Am Every Good Thing written by Derrick Barnes and illustrated by Gordon C. James and Eyes That Kiss in the Corners written by Joanna Ho and illustrated by Dung Ho. I also adore everything Tammi Sauer writes. 

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

I think it’s been showing my kids that if you work hard and stick with it, you can make your dreams come true. They know I wanted to be a writer since I was a kid myself, and inspiring them is more meaningful than any book deal.

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

That my life wouldn’t magically improve when I got an agent, or signed a contract, or saw my book in a store. I don’t know what I expected, but all these felt so regular and not so magical.

Can you tell us about your newest book?

IT WILL BE OK: A Story of Empathy, Kindness, and Friendship is about an anxious, overwhelmed giraffe and his loyal zebra friend whose patience and presence help him face his greatest fear head-on.

Interior art from IT WILL BE OKAY: A STORY OF EMPATHY, KINDNESS, AND FRIENDSHIP by Lisa Katzenberger, illustrated by Jaclyn Sinquett

When Giraffe sees a spider, he climbs a tree to hide. His friend Zebra finds him, listens to his feelings, and stands by his side. It is beautifully illustrated by Jaclyn Sinquett.

Interior art from IT WILL BE OKAY: A STORY OF EMPATHY, KINDNESS, AND FRIENDSHIP by Lisa Katzenberger, illustrated by Jaclyn Sinquett

What’s up next for you?

I don’t know! More writing. I have a chapter book out on submission and will be going out on submission with another couple of picture book manuscripts over the next few months. Cross your fingers for me!

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

Keep going and don’t give up. It take A LOT of work to get published, but it is SO worth it. You will have hiccups along the way—and if you’re anything like me—feel like a fraud from time to time and that everything you created is crummy. But at least you created something, and that’s the first step. You can turn the crummy into incredible through hard work, solid critique partners, and passion.

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

The Breakfast Club. I so wanted to be a glamorous Claire, but I was in fact a nerdy Brian.

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

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LISA KATZENBERGER lives in La Grange, IL in a hundred-year-old Victorian house with sloping hardwood floors, glass doorknobs, and the tiniest bathroom you've ever seen. She lives with her husband and amazing boy-girl twins. Lisa’s an active member of SCBWI, where she volunteers as the Social Media Coordinator for the SCBWI-Illinois region. She works part-time as a technical writing consultant to fund her writing conference habit. Lisa is represented by Wendi Gu of Sanford J. Greenburger Associates.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Lisa or her books, visit his website at www.lisakatzenberger.com or follow her on social media:

Twitter: FictionCity

Instagram: LisaKatz17

Pinterest: LisaKatzenbergerKidLit

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of IT WILL BE OKAY, click here.

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

Interview with Author Troy Wilson

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have a fantastic interview with author Troy Wilson. I’m thrilled to share his work with all of you as I’m a huge fan of fractured fairy tales and retellings. His newest book, GOLDIBOOKS AND THE WEE BEAR, illustrated by Edwardian Taylor, just came out this month with Running Kids Press.

So without further ado, please welcome Troy Wilson!

Where do you live?

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. As the crow (or plane) flies, it's about 75 miles from Seattle.

How many years have you been in publishing?

My first picture book came out in 2004. So, by that measure, I've been in publishing for 17 years (though I did get paid for some opinion pieces starting in 2001).

How did you first get published?

I had dreamt of being either a writer or cartoonist since about second grade, but I never put in the hard work necessary to make that dream a reality. Then in October of 2000, at the ripe old age of 30, I finally buckled down and started putting my nose to the writing grindstone. Since I was starting at ground zero and was in a hurry, I focused entirely on short pieces. And in a year's time, I had gotten an opinion piece published in a local alternative weekly, won third place in a local Postcard Fiction competition, and signed the contract for my first picture book (titled Perfect Man). 

I had certainly received all kinds of rejections for all kinds of work during that initial year, and would go on to receive countless more. But as for Perfect Man in particular? Never received a single rejection for it. I sent Perfect Man to exactly two publishers: Orca Books and a small start-up that I no longer remember the name of (I don't think they're around anymore). Orca said yes, and I jumped at their offer, withdrawing it from the other publisher. I had no agent and no contacts at Orca. Just a decent manuscript and a whole lot of luck. 

I wrote all kinds of short material initially. Opinion pieces, book reviews, news stories, human resource reports for government. But over the years, my interest in the other stuff has diminished, and only the kids’ stuff has remained. 

Do you write full-time?

Nope. I might do it full-time at some point, but right now I'm also working part-time as a stock clerk at a local supplement store. Picture books aren't super-lucrative, and neither are books in general. Sure, substantial payments can roll in sometimes, but it's very much feast or famine. I'm happy that my day job is an active one, to offset the sedentary nature of writing. Plus, my co-workers are top-notch.

What inspires you to create picture books?

Other creators' amazing picture books inspire me to create picture books.

What surprised you the most working as an author?

Everyone talks about how hard it is to break in, and it certainly can be. But for me, staying in was even harder. I thought that after my first picture book saw print, I'd have a picture book come out every year or two thereafter. Not so. My first picture book came out in 2004. My second picture book came out in 2005. My third picture book didn't come out until ... drumroll ... 2015! And believe me, that wasn't for lack of trying. I was writing and submitting the whole time, but to no avail. Rejection, rejection, and more rejection. Thankfully, I had a ton of fiction published in kids' magazines during the long book drought. Those published stories helped keep my spirits up, and the feedback from the magazine editors helped me continue to improve my craft. 

And here's the funny thing about that drought-breaking third book: it was a rhyming book - and rhyming books are notoriously hard to place. Anyway, things have been going great since then. I signed on with my agent Hilary McMahon just in time for her to negotiate the contract for my sixth picture book. This year, books 8 and 9 are being released. Even so, I know full well that another book drought could hit me at any time. Can't take anything for granted. Just have to keep keeping on.

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

Creating picture books is my favorite thing about being an author. I love the collaboration with so many talented, dedicated, and insightful people. The artists, the editors, the designers, my agent, and everyone in between.

Inspiring, entertaining, and educating kids is great, too, of course. But for me, the creation part is super-duper-great.

What do you find difficult working as an author?

The waiting is the hardest part. Publishing moves at a glacial pace. You just have to accept that as a given.

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

I honestly haven't had a problem with rust or new ideas in a long time. But I certainly do have problems figuring out what to do with ideas once I have them. Sometimes when I'm having trouble writing the thing, I write *about* the thing instead. For instance, I knew I wanted to do a fractured version of Jack and the Beanstalk, but even with a specific angle that I won't yet reveal, there were still a million different ways that angle could go. So I refrained from jumping into a draft. Instead, I wrote about the various options in a thinking-out-loud kind of way. After a couple years of periodically jotting down Beanstalk thoughts while I did other things, a fully-formed Beanstalk manuscript sprang up practically overnight (well, more like over a few weeks - but still, it came together relatively quickly when I was finally ready for the draft stage). And just so I don't totally scare everyone away from this technique, I want to assure you that my writing-about-the-thing practice doesn't always – or even often – take two whole years (!) to break a log jam. This just happens to be the only example that comes to my mind right now.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

I tend to work in silence. Not total silence, of course. The ambient sounds of the world always seep in. I just mean that I don't play any audio when I sit down at my computer to write. Same whenever I'm out walking alone. No podcasts, no music. It's just me, the ambient sounds, and whatever writing breakthroughs pop into my head. 

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

Goofing around with writer Ame Dyckman on Twitter is always a joy. She puts out lots of fun stuff, and genuinely seems to appreciate getting fun responses back. She has a generous, give-and-take, improv sensibility.

In general, I find Kid Lit Twitter to be invaluable. So much support and knowledge and humor. So much lovely artwork. So many great book recommendations. To be sure, Twitter has plenty of toxic zones, but Kid Lit Twitter is a rejuvenating oasis.

Recommended reading?

I recommend you read loads and loads of contemporary award winners and bestsellers (along, of course, with whatever happens to catch your eye and strike your fancy). But you don't need my help to find those. So instead I'm going to point out two under-appreciated gems:

Knot Cannot by Tiffany Stone and Mike Lowery

Glister by Andi Watson

And if you follow me on Twitter, you can check out my “Books I Enjoyed This Week” tweets. I just post the covers, with no further review or explanation, but people still seem to like them. And believe me, not everything I read makes the cut.

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

This is hard to narrow down, so I'll pick two.

The first highlight was when Stan "The Man" Lee heaped praise upon my first book, a superhero tale called Perfect Man. I'd been eagerly devouring all sorts of comics, including Marvel Comics, from a very young age. So having Mr. Marvel himself applaud my and illustrator Dean Griffihs's work was quite a thrill.

The second involved the launch of a picture book titled The Sinking of Captain Otter. It was inspired by a little book I wrote and drew way back in Grade One called Captain Otter. Because of its origins, the publisher and I launched the book at the elementary school where I created the original. It was pretty amazing to come full-circle like that. I dedicated it to my first grade teacher and my six-year-old self.

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

Same answer as my biggest surprise. I wish someone had told me that staying in is as hard as getting in.

Can you tell us about your newest book?

Goldibooks and the Wee Bear is published by Running Press Kids and illustrated by Edwardian Taylor. It is the second book/reading-themed fairy tale I've done with Running Press Kids. The first was Little Red Reading Hood and the Misread Wolf, illustrated by Ilaria Campana. You don't have to read one to make sense of the other. They do go great together, though.

Interior Art from GOLDIBOOKS AND THE WEE BEAR by Troy Wilson, Illustrated by Edwardian Taylor

Here's the Goldibooks summary:

"In this adorable reimagining of the beloved classic, Wee Bear is on the hunt for something new to read. As he sets off through the woods, he stumbles upon Goldibooks's house. While she and her parents are out for a walk, Wee Bear makes himself at home. But Mom's books are too hard (hardcovers) and Dad's are too soft (paperbacks). Thankfully, Goldibooks's book collection is juuuust right! With a pile of books in-hand, Wee Bear sits down to read. But Mom's chair is too hard, and Dad's chair is too soft. Thankfully, Goldibook's chair is juuuuust right!

Exhausted from hauling around so many books, Wee Bear tucks himself into bed. But Mom's bed is too hard, and Dad's bed is too soft. Thankfully, Goldibooks's bed is juuuust right! And that's where Goldibooks and her parents find him when they return home. As the story unfolds from there, readers are reminded that the best books are those we share with friends".

Interior Art from GOLDIBOOKS AND THE WEE BEAR by Troy Wilson, Illustrated by Edwardian Taylor

What’s up next for you?

My first picture book with Candlewick hits shelves in the fall. It's illustrated by Eve Coy, and it's different than anything I've done. More heart, and less humor. It'll be interesting to see how it's received.

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

To be successful, you need at least these three things: persistence, luck, and talent. Of the three, persistence is by far the most important. Persistence gives you more chances to be lucky, and persistence gives you more chances to grow your talent. Persistence, persistence, persistence.

And bear in mind that the day before a big breakthrough usually feels exactly the same as any other day. You don’t know what is around the next corner. You don’t know how close you might be.

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

I don't really have favorites. Not a favorite food or a favorite color or a favorite season or a favorite anything else. A Fish Called Wanda is pretty fun, though.

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Huge thanks to Troy for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congratulations on all your fantastic books!

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TROY WILSON is the author of nine picture books and 15 stories for kids’ magazines. Troy has no kids – except for his inner kid. He lives in Victoria, BC.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Troy or his books, visit him online: www.troystory.ca or follow him on social media:

Twitter: @TroyStoryToo

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

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of GOLDIBOOKS AND THE WEE BEAR and LITTLE RED READING HOOD AND THE MISREAD WOLF?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, February 4th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Author/Illustrator Eva Byrne

Happy Thursday Critters! I’m thrilled to feature an interview with author and illustrator Eva Byrne today! I was first introduced to Eva’s work when she released her debut as an author/illustrator, Along Came Coco: A Story About Coco Chanel, which I adore. If you haven’t read it— go out and pick up a copy. It’s utterly fabulous!

Many of you may be familiar with Eva’s illustration work, as she was the illustrator for Savanah Guthrie and Allison Oppenheim’s Princesses Wear Pants, a New York Times bestseller, which will soon be made into a Netflix series. I can’t wait for you all to meet Eva and her wonderful work!

So without further ado, please welcome Eva Byrne:

Where do you live?

I am lucky enough to live in the West of Ireland, right beside the sea in County Sligo. It is a beautiful part of the world.

How many years have you been in publishing?

I have been a freelance illustrator since I graduated from FIT in 94, I’m old enough to remember running into the editorial offices of newspapers with hand-drawn barely dry illustrations!

How did you first get published?

I was first published in national newspapers here in Ireland and in women’s fashion magazines. It was such a thrill to see my work in print. The very first children’s book I illustrated was for a French educational company, the editor had seen my work in a French fashion magazine and thought my fashion illustrations were a nice match for a book aimed at young teenage girls.

Do you write and illustrate full-time?

I do write and illustrate full-time.

What inspires you to create picture books?

I’m inspired by people’s stories, as a child I loved being around my grandmother and great grandmother and hearing the stories of their lives, also I worked for years as a fashion illustrator and I adore bringing fashion in the children’s books I illustrate.

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

I’m surprised by how fond you become of the characters you have brought to life, I suppose it makes sense, you spend a lot of time alone in the studio figuring out the characters and drawing their reactions to the situations they find themselves, it’s a pretty personal relationship. 

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

There are so many wonderful things about being an author/illustrator, from the excitement when you sign with an agency, then when you are offered a book deal, to building a relationship with an editor whose work you have admired and then the thrill of seeing your book in print!

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

I find the few days after you have finished a book quite difficult, you have spent quite intense amounts of time alone and then you hit send and its all gone, then you turn around and the laundry room looks like a tornado just hit it and never mind the rest of the house. There is also that weird phase when you have become so used to your own company that you have to remind yourself to make an effort to see your friends and when you do you feel a tiny bit awkward because you need to brush up on your social skills! Luckily I have very understanding friends.

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

I love stories about women and hidden histories particularly when they link into fashion so I tend to reach for my huge stacks of Vogues and Harpers Bazaar and try to find articles about trailblazing women in history/fashion.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

I habitually buy new sketchpads for each new project I’m working on however I also habitually end up drawing on envelopes, receipts  and another bits of paper I can find in my car while my brand spanking sketchbooks sit untouched in my studio. I need to work on that!

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

I had the pleasure of visiting the Conte West school in Connecticut last year with Along Came Coco (my first author/illustrated book) and the response of the children  was so joyous and welcoming it just blew me away. 

Recommended reading?

I would recommend reading the new children's books that come into your library, I do get funny looks from the other parents when I am sitting on a tiny chair surrounded by picture books, I would also recommend Show Me A Story by  Leonard S. Marcus for an enjoyable and informative read.

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

There are so many highlights in a children’s book career, each time you walk into a bookstore and see a book you have worked on sitting there, it’s such a cool moment, I recently walked into a store and saw Along Came Coco which I wrote and illustrated and Piglette, written by Katelyn Aronson, illustrations by moi, sitting side by side, that was pretty thrilling. (I probably need to get out more).

One definitive highlight was when Princesses Wear Pants made it onto the New York Times bestseller list. That was incredible.

Also, when I got the email that Piglette was getting her very own sequel, Piglette’s Perfect Plan, which comes out next year, that was pretty special and then when Abrams bought my latest book, SuperNana which I wrote and have just finished illustrating a few days ago, that was a real highlight!

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

I wish someone had told me to stop waiting for the perfect story. Agents and editors know if a story appeals to them and if it’s something that they can work with and what I’ve found is that it is a collaboration, and it is all the better for that.

Can you tell us about your newest book?

My newest book out in the world at the moment is Piglette by Katelyn Aronson, it is an absolutely gorgeous book about a little pig with big city dreams.

Interior art from PIGLETTE by Katelyn Aronson, illustrated by Eva Byrne

Jacket from PIGLETTE

It is a whimsical and gentle, perfect for cosy reading bedtimes. I loved illustrating this book and found being in the studio with Piglette was the perfect antidote to all the news beyond the studio door.

Art from SuperNana by Eva Byrne to be published by Abrams 2021

What’s up next for you?

Coming up next would be the revisions for SuperNana— tweaking the artwork here and there to get it as close to perfect as I can. I’m really excited about this book! When I started writing SuperNana I had no idea she would turn into such a spandex wearing powerhouse!

Also, I have been itching to get stated on a non-fiction picture book bio about Catherine Dior, Christian Dior’s younger sister who was a member of the French Resistance during WW2, the world famous perfume Miss Dior is named in her honor but so few know the story behind this remarkable woman.

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

To younger illustrators/authors I would say keep drawing and writing, really hone your craft so that it is your voice and vision that comes through the work.

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

The 1980s movie that sticks in my head is Flashdance not because I’m such a great dancer more because of all the family vacation photos where I’m wearing a pink headband, in a misguided attempt to look like Jennifer Beale but in reality I’m looking a lot more like the Karate Kid. My mother did try to warn me…

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Huge thank you to Eva for stopping by Critter Lit today! We love your books and are so excited to see Piglette and SuperNana out in the world!

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EVA BYRNE has worked as a professional Illustrator since 1994 in editorial, advertising, package design and children’s book publishing. Recent clients have included Viking, Penguin Random House, Abrams Books for Young Readers, Collins Press, Orion, Simon and Schuster, American Girl, Netflix, Atomic Cartoons, Claire’s Accessories.  

In 2017, Eva illustrated the New York Times bestselling Princesses Wear Pants and her follow up book Along Came Coco was chosen for a Bank Street Book of the Year award.

Eva’s background is in Fashion Illustration, where she has worked with clients such as Estee Lauder, Calvin Klein and Brown Thomas. Her work has been commissioned as gifts for front row guests during London Fashion Week.

This year Eva worked as a wardrobe consultant with Atomic Cartoons and Netflix on the upcoming series based on Princesses Wear Pants. She is currently writing and illustrating a new book, SuperNana, which will be published by Abrams in 2021 and illustrating Piglette’s Perfect Plan to be published by Viking Press 2021.

FOR MORE INFORMATION visit Eva online.

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of PIGLETTE, click here.

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

Interview with Author Lydia Lukidis

Happy Thursday Critters! This is our last interview of 2019— what a year it has been! I’m so thrilled that Critter Lit had the opportunity to interview so many talented authors and illustrators in 2019 and can’t wait to dive into 2020 with you all! We have lots of exciting things planned. Thank you all for being apart of Critter Lit and our small contribution to the Kidlit community.

Today we have author Lydia Lukidis joining us. Lydia has written over 40 picture books for kids! I’m so excited to share her work and experiences with you all.

So without further ado…please welcome Lydia Lukidis!

Where do you live?

I live in Montreal, Canada. I’m a Canuck, eh!

How many years have you been in publishing?

I’ve been a freelance writing and journalist for the last 20 years, and have been exclusively writing for children since 2013. Before that, I was writing children’s plays and putting on marionette shows.

How did you first get published?

My first published trade picture book was in 2014. It was with a small independent publisher and though I didn’t make much money, it was a fantastic experience and I learned a lot about the industry.

Do you write full-time?

Yes, I write full time. My writing is split in three directions: trade writing for my own projects, writing work-for-hire projects for educational publishers, and giving literacy workshops and author visits in elementary schools. I think it’s important (and fun!) to work with children.

What inspires you to create picture books?

I love kidlit in general. I would say my favorite, so far, are chapter books. There’s something magical about creating stories for children who are just learning to read independently. That said, I also love picture books. I appreciate how you can sum up a whole story with heart and feeling in such a short read. Picture books can have quite the impact on their audience.

What surprised you the most working as an author?

I was surprised at how slow everything is, and how frequently agents/editors don’t reply. But now that I’ve been at this for a while, I totally get it. It’s a competitive industry, and agents/editors don’t have enough time either. But…it’s still slow!

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

I LOVE the fact that children get to hold my books in their hands and enjoy them. I remember when I got my first “fan mail.” A child actually took the time to write me a letter and tell me how much he adored my book. That experience blew my socks off. Sure, big advances and working with the big 5 are real dreams, but that child’s letter reminded me of what’s truly important.

What do you find difficult working as an author?

Apart from how slow the industry is, I find the constant slew of rejection challenging at times. Over the years, I’ve developed very tough skin and I don’t get phased by rejections. But when you get close, or your book goes to acquisitions but then they pass, it can sting.

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

I’m never at a loss for new ideas. In fact, I have way too many. The discipline and magic happens when I go through the ideas, and figure out which ones have the most potential, and focus on developing those.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

I think it’s important for all writers to read a lot, both the classics and contemporary work. You need to keep reading, especially in your genre, as much as you can. You also need to do continual research of the industry. You need to know what’s happening, and who’s who etc. Subscribe to blogs and newsletters, get involved in online writing groups, these are essentials. Once you immerse yourself in the world, the ideas and inspiration will flow.

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

They are ALL positive experiences! The writing community is very generous and kind. Writers tend to support one another, and share information and resources. For example, groups like Kidlit411 and Sub it on Facebook have literally helped shape my career.

Recommended reading?

So much! Right now, here are some I currently bought and am excited to devour:

The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed Science by Joyce Sidman 

Who Wet My Pants? by Bob Shea 

Nine Months: Before a Baby Is Born by Miranda Paul

Merci Suárez Changes Gears by Meg Medina 

Dory Fantasmagory (entire series) by Abby Hanlon

Two Dogs in a Trench Coat (entire series) by Julie Falatko (everything she says and writes is hilarious!)

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

My book The Broken Bees’ Nest just got nominated for a CYBILS Award! When I found out, I think I nearly fainted. It’s a big honor, especially since their picks are based on kid appeal.

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

I wish I had become a member of SCBWI right away. I didn’t know about them for a while, and literally spent a few years compiling information about publishers. Little did I know, they send you a large comprehensive book listing publishers when you become a member.

Can you tell us about your newest book?

My book NO BEARS ALLOWED was published in July 2019 by Blue Whale Press. I’m proud of this book because it’s a story that helps cultivate empathy, which I think is very much needed in the world today. The story is about overcoming your fears, and also, not judging others. The main characters Rabbit and Bear seem quite different at first, but eventually develop an unlikely but beautiful friendship.

What’s up next for you?

I’ve been working on a lot of new projects, nonfiction seems to be my favorite passion right now. I have a new nonfiction picture I’m excited about which was vetted by several experts in the field, and have been querying agents with it. 

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

Here’s a lesson I learned over the years:

That even though it may sometimes feel that your actions do not get noticed, they DO MATTER. You just might not see it right away. For example, let’s say you’ve been querying some dream agents but have not been getting favorable replies. Just remember this: you never know what may happen in the future. I had this interesting experience where one of my dream agents chatted with me once, and mentioned one of my past queries. All this time, I thought my queries were getting lost in cyberspace, but- they were still being received and read. Agents and editors may feel moved by your work though they may not offer you a contract (right away). It’s often a question of timing.

The moral of the story: keep working hard towards your goals. Your path to success may not be linear, but in time, you will find your way.

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

Easy, CLUE! I can’t even count how many times I’ve seen that movie. It’s completely ridiculous and right up my alley in humor.

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Huge thank you to Lydia for joining us on Critter Lit today! Congrats on your new book and all that you have accomplished! We look forward to seeing what you do next!

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LYDIA LUKIDIS is a children's author with a multi-disciplinary background that spans the fields of literature, science and puppetry. So far, she has 3 trade picture books, 33 eBooks, as well as over dozen educational books published. Her latest STEM book The Broken Bees’ Nest was nominated for a CYBILS Award. Lydia is also passionate about spreading the love of literacy. She regularly gives writing workshops in elementary schools across Quebec through the Culture in the Schools Program. Her aim is to help children cultivate their imagination, sharpen their writing skills and develop self-confidence.

FOR MORE INFORMATION on Lydia Lukidis, follow her on social media:

Website: http://www.lydialukidis.com/

Blog: https://lydialukidis.wordpress.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LydiaLukidis/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LydiaLukidis

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lydialukidis/?trk=hp-identity-name

Interview with Author and Illustrator Susan Reagan

Happy Thursday Critters! Today I’m very excited to be sharing the work of one of my dear friends and critique partners, Susan Reagan! Sue is an incredibly talented illustrator and writer and I’m thrilled to have her with us on Critter Lit. Her newest board book, SIMON SAYS OPEN THE BOOK, written by Emilia Zebrowska, published with Creative Company this month. Her work is stunning and I can’t wait to share it with you all!

So without further ado, please welcome the fantastically talented Susan Reagan!

Where do you live?

I live in Tremont, a neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio. Our neighborhood was once called the Southside. We sit directly between Cleveland’s Downtown and the Steelyards that once fueled the economy and life of the neighborhood. I love living in a city neighborhood!  It’s full of history and diversity and is my greatest inspiration as an artist. 

How many years have you been in publishing?

Quite a few. The first books I illustrated were for Christian publishers. But it wasn’t my primary source of work, I worked for American Greetings as an illustrator for the first half of my career. I still freelance for them; it’s my bread and butter work.

How did you first get published?

I had a brief stint with an agent back in the mid 90’s who got me my first book. It was MY LITTLE BOOK OF BIG BIBLE PROMISES. But it wasn’t a leap into publishing. I stayed with American Greetings for a while after that.

Do you write/illustrate full-time?

I have always illustrated full-time but for many markets. It’s only over the past five years that I have decided to dedicate myself mostly to publishing and picture books (I still have bills to pay so I do some other freelance too). I am working on my writing. I have a couple of manuscripts just about ready to share with my agent. They have been in the works for years. Writing is much more challenging for me than illustrating but I love to push myself. I have also started teaching illustration as adjunct faculty at the Cleveland Institute of Art. I’m loving it! 

What inspires you to create picture books?

My own manuscripts are based on visual puns or a funny phrase. I like silliness but the books I love to illustrate are more serious or complex. My drawing style is more observational and less character design driven. I love the use of line and I love a subtle limited color palette.

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

I guess what surprised me most is just how involved the process is and how different it is from the other types of illustration I’ve done. It’s a slower paced business and it took some time for me to adjust it. I‘m accustomed  to a quick turn around on assignments. But I love how much time I get to spend with a book while illustrating it. I love having time to really think things over.

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

I draw, design, paint, concept, every day!

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

The toughest part is sending out finished work and waiting. Even when you know the work is good there is something about waiting to hear from a creative director or an editor that makes most artist anxious. Most of us are naturally tough on ourselves. We don’t do this work just for ourselves. We want to hear that it worked; that we created something acceptable, beautiful, funny, touching, informative, whatever the goal. Also, I feel the weight of illustrating someone else’s story. I want to do right by them. I know how hard they worked to create their beautiful writing.

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

I was feeling a bit rusty a few years back. I got so caught up in the business of illustrating and creativity that I got a little lost. I went back to my first love of drawing people. I participated in The 100 Day Project on Instagram and made a drawing a day of people I observed. It really energized me. I loosened up my line work and started trusting my instincts again. I made so many discoveries that are now a part of my illustration style.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

Coffee is important. I think better when using my iPad and sitting in my living room than I do anywhere else. Also I like quiet when I am thinking so no music or background noise. If the windows are open and it’s a cool day— that’s the best!

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

My critique group without question! For over five years now I have benefited knowing these very talented women, one of which is the writer of this blog. Lindsay Ward, Betsy Snyder, Kellie DuBay Gillis, and Alissa McGough. Each one so smart, honest and talented! We give each other honest feedback and support each other’s successes and dreams. I have learned so much from this amazing group!

Recommended reading?

I’m reading THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD by Colton Whitehead. I would highly recommend it!

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

Last January I signed with Stephanie Fretwell-Hill at Red Fox Literary. I have already signed on to illustrate a book by Beth Anderson, who has visited this blog. She’s an amazing writer. I love AN INCONVENIENT ALPHABET and I can’t wait to get my copy of LIZZIE DEMANDS A SEAT. The title I will be working on is PRUDENCE WRIGHT AND THE MINUTE WOMEN, about Prudence Cummings Wright and the ways that women used their skills and ingenuity to contribute to the American Revolution. I’m just getting started!

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

Take the work seriously but don’t take yourself too seriously. Actually I have probably been told that a 100 times, I need to listen better.

Tell us about your newest book.

SIMON SAYS OPEN THE BOOK, written by Emilia Zebrowska, from Creative Editions just released this month. It’s a sweet little bed time board book  in which one last game of Simon Says turns into a fantastical journey into the night and off to dreamland.

Another recent release is YOU AND ME, another board book from Creative Editions, written by Rebecca Kai Dotlich. It made the American Library Association’s list of Notable Children’s Books for 2019. I was pretty happy about that.

What’s up next for you?

I just turned in LIGHTS OUT. I am very excited about this book! It’s a wonderful story written by Marsha Diane Arnold, published by Creative Editions, about the disruption that happens in nature and animal behaviors from too much light. It releases next fall. Here’s a sneak peek:

Sneak peek from LIGHTS OUT! written by Marsha Diane Arnold, Illustrated by Susan Reagan

Sneak peek from LIGHTS OUT! written by Marsha Diane Arnold, Illustrated by Susan Reagan

Sneak peek from LIGHTS OUT! written by Marsha Diane Arnold, Illustrated by Susan Reagan

Sneak peek from LIGHTS OUT! written by Marsha Diane Arnold, Illustrated by Susan Reagan

I’ll have another board book Creative Editions titled READY OR NOT. And then as mentioned above, PRUDENCE WRIGHT AND THE MINUTE WOMEN IN 2022.

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

I would say to remember that sometimes it can take a while to have the breakthrough you are looking for. Work on what you love and seek good critiques and don’t be afraid of an honest opinion. 

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

I don’t necessarily have a favorite but I remember laughing so hard at A Fish Called Wanda and Raising Arizona that I thought my sides would split. Wonder what I would think now?

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Huge thank you to Susan Reagan for stopping by Critter Lit today! We can’t wait to see all the fantastic books you have coming out!

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SUSAN REAGAN’S picture books include YOU & ME by Rebecca Kai Dotlich (Creative Company, 2018), SIMON SAYS OPEN THE BOOK by Emilia Zebrowska (Creative Company, 2019), and LIGHTS OUT! by Marsha Diane Arnold(Creative Company, 2020). She is currently illustrating PRUDENCE WRIGHT AND THE MINUTE WOMEN by Beth Anderson (Calkins Creek, 2022). Susan graduated with a BFA in Illustration from the Columbus College of Art and Design. She teaches illustration techniques as adjunct faculty at The Cleveland Institute of Art. Susan lives with her husband and three “mangy mutts” in Tremont, a historical neighborhood of her hometown of Cleveland, Ohio.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Susan Reagan visit her online or follow her on social media:

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

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

BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Want a chance to win a copy of SIMON SAYS OPEN THE BOOK?! Comment on this post or share it on Twitter. One lucky winner will be selected Thursday, September 5th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Illustrator Christopher Denise

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.

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.

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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!

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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.

Interview with Author/Illustrator Debbie Ridpath Ohi

Happy Thursday Critters! I’m so excited about today’s interview because our guest is…wait for it…

DEBBIE RIDPATH OHI!

I absolutely adore Debbie’s books and I’m thrilled to have her on Critter Lit and share her fabulous interview with you all. Debbie’s newest book, I’M WORRIED, written by Michael Ian Black, just released in June. If you haven’t read this series, you are missing out! I’M WORRIED is the third book in the I’m Bored! Series. The art is playful and wonderful and the text is spot on. Go check these books out! Debbie also offers incredible advice, templates, and posts about writing and illustrating children’s books on her site inkygirl.com.

So without further ado…please welcome Debbie Ridpath Ohi!

Where do you live?

I live in Toronto, Canada.

How many years have you been in publishing?

It depends what you mean by publishing.

My first children’s book came out in 2012: I’M BORED was written by Michael Ian Black and illustrated by me, and was published by Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers. My first book for grown-ups came out in 2001: THE WRITER’S ONLINE MARKETPLACE published by Writer’s Digest Books.

I think that the first thing I ever had officially published was a series of comics I created when I was in high school which ended up appearing in a cross-Canada newspaper for schools. I ended up winning their overall writing contest - I won a typewriter!

But the very first thing I had unofficially published was a family magazine I created with the aid of my sister and brother called FAMILY WEEKLY. I was the editor, and we all contributed stories, comics, puzzles, contests, and jokes.

Debbie Ridpath Ohi and Michael Ian Black

Do you write/illustrate full-time?

Yes! 

My first full-time job, was a computer programmer/analyst.

What inspires you to create picture books?

Interacting with young readers. 

Michael Ian Black and Debbie talk to young readers at Savoy Bank Street in Westerly, RI

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

When I first started illustrating picture books, I was amazed at how much creative input I had. I came from a writer’s world, after all, and used to think that a picture book illustrator just illustrated the author’s text. What I found: there is soooooooo much more to being a children’s book illustrator!

If I could give my young self some advice about writing picture books, it would be this: Leave room for your illustrator. Their creative vision matters just as much as yours. I feel incredibly lucky to have been working with authors, art directors and editors who understand this.

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

Two favorite things:

1. The part of the creative process when you fall so deeply into your work that everything else around you disappears.

2. Talking with young readers.

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

Trying not to compare myself to others.

It’s hard not to do this, especially when I’m on social media so much!

The fact is that there are ALWAYS going to be people who seem to be in a better place than me, whether it’s book contracts or awards, bestseller lists, getting more attention and public praise, and so on.

Two things that help the most:

• Trying to focus on enjoying my own journey at my own pace.

• Talking with young readers and hearing about young readers who love my books. I know I’ve mentioned this earlier, but I do find this helps ground me, reminding me of what’s really important. Sure, I may not have made it onto such-and-such list or someone posted a bad review of my newest book BUT (!!!!) here’s this earnest 2nd-grader who tells me that reading my book inspired her to write a story or draw a picture or helped her in some way.

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

Read books. Get out of my office and take a walk. Going to SCBWI and CANSCAIP events. Hanging out in person with Kidlit friends. Read more books.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

What I find helps me the most: focusing on the FUN, and not being afraid to make mistakes.

For me, this means using inexpensive art materials during creative play. I find it hard to immerse myself in fun creative experimentation if I’m using a piece of watercolor paper that costs $5 a sheet, for example. 

Another important factor for me: uninterrupted focus time. This can be as short as 15 minutes, but I need to know that during that 15 minutes, I’m not going to be interrupted. This means no Internet, no phone calls, etc.

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

Omigosh - this is such a hard question because there have been so many!

Here’s just one: Lee Wardlaw was the first children’s book professional who ever encouraged me in my writing. She was also the one to first tell me about the SCBWI, introduced me to people at my very first conference. After working with me on my first middle grade mss, she introduced me to her agent, Ginger Knowlton at Curtis Brown. Ginger is now my agent.

Recommended reading?

One of my favorite writing craft books right now is THE MAGIC WORDS: Writing Great Books For Children and Young Adults by Cheryl Klein.

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

So many highlights to choose from! I’m grateful for all of them.

But I would say one personal highlight was meeting Judy Blume in person after illustrating some of her revamped middle grade and chapter books with Atheneum / Simon & Schuster Children’s.

Photo by my Simon & Schuster editor Justin Chanda, moments after I burst into tears after Justin introduced me to Judy Blume.

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

Working on your craft is important, it’s true, but you also need to get out and start meeting people in the industry. Yes, you are an introvert who dreads the whole idea of “networking” - but you CAN learn how to do it, and will make good friends in the process.

Also, be prepared for rejections. Many, many rejections. Learning how to handle rejection is an essential skill before and after publication.

Can you tell us about your newest book?

I’M WORRIED is a new picture book written by Michael Ian Black and illustrated by me (Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers), and is part of the I’M.... series of books about emotions. The first was I’M BORED and the second was I’M SAD.

This newest book in the series is about Potato, who is worried about everything. Because anything might happen. When he tells his friends, he expects them to comfort him by saying that everything will be okay. Except they don’t. Because it might not be, and that’s okay too. Still, there’s one thing they can promise for sure: no matter what happens…they will always be by his side.

Spread from I’M WORRIED written by Michael Ian Black, illustrated by Debbie Ridpath Ohi

Spread from I’M WORRIED written by Michael Ian Black, illustrated by Debbie Ridpath Ohi

Spread from I’M WORRIED written by Michael Ian Black, illustrated by Debbie Ridpath Ohi

What’s up next for you?

I’m working on illustrations for GURPLE & PREEN, a picture book story written by Linda Sue Park. I’m excited about this project because Linda Sue wrote it especially for me to illustrate with my broken crayon art! Our book is coming out from Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers in 2020.

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

Intelligent perseverance is as important as talent.

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

So hard to choose! I’m torn between Back To The Future (1985) and E.T. (1982).

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Huge thank you to Debbie for stopping by Critter Lit today! We are so excited about all of your fabulous books! Congrats on all your success!

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DEBBIE RIDPATH OHI is the author and illustrator of Where Are My Books? (2015) and Sam & Eva (Simon & Schuster, 2017). Her writing and/or illustrations have appeared in over 20 books for young people, including titles by Michael Ian Black, Judy Blume, Rob Sanders, Aaron Reynolds, Lauren McLaughlin and Colby Sharp. Her newest book is I'm Worried, a sequel to NY Times Notable I'm Bored and I'm Sad, written by Michael Ian Black and illustrated by Debbie. Debbie posts about reading, writing and illustrating children’s books at Inkygirl.com. You can find out more about Debbie and her work at DebbieOhi.com as well as on Twitter at @inkyelbows and Instagram at @inkygirl.

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

BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Want a chance to win a copy of I’M WORRIED?! Comment on this post or share it on Twitter. One lucky winner will be selected Thursday, July 25th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Author/Illustrator Scott Magoon

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with the incredibly talented author and illustrator Scott Magoon! I’m so excited to share this interview with all of you as well as Scott’s newest book, LINUS THE LITTLE YELLOW PENCIL, which I think is his best work yet! I love the message in LINUS and the art is utterly spectacular.

Scott was one of the first people in the publishing industry who took the time to give me feedback on my illustration portfolio back when he was an art director at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. He offered his time and advice when I was just starting out, which I will always be grateful for. I was lucky enough to have a few people, including Scott, offer their insight at the beginning of my career. Which is exactly what Critter Lit is all about!

So without further ado, please welcome Scott Magoon!

Where do you live?

I live in Reading, Massachusetts. 13 miles north of Boston. Amy Krouse Rosenthal once pointed out to me that my town’s name looks like it could be pronounced as in ‘reading a book.” As an author I liked that of course. But our town is in fact pronounced as in “Otis Redding.” Whom I also like. 

How many years have you been in publishing?

Scads. I joined Candlewick Press as a book designer way back in 2003. So, what’s that, 100 years? From there I went on to HMH as an art director. I was working as a freelance illustrator and writing all through those years until finally going full-time with writing and drawing in 2015.

Art from LINUS THE LITTLE YELLOW PENCIL

How many books have you published?

I’ve published 27 books. I don’t have a favorite but I tell students on my school visits when they ask that I love each book for a different reason. One I love for the characters, another for the setting, maybe another the experience I had drawing it. I try to LEARN SOMETHING from each book so that I’m always improving. 

Do you write/illustrate full-time?

Yes. It’s terrifying and exhilarating at the same time. Terrifying because my family’s relying on my creativity. What if it gives out? On the other hand, it’s exhilarating for all the reasons you’d think. Opening those doors of imagination and seeing what’s inside. More often than not they open to brick walls. Finding the doors that go somewhere takes time and that’s what going full-time has afforded me. That, and a very short commute. 

Art from LINUS THE LITTLE YELLOW PENCIL

What inspires you to create picture books?

Primarily, I love solving the puzzle. The discovering, developing of an idea. Then crafting the story alongside the the visual style of a book. 

Beyond that, I love putting story and art together for young readers because I remember how powerful reading was for me as a student. Being a part of someone’s reading adventure is a privilege and I find that keeps me going as well. 

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

The endless promotion of one’s own work. You’re always sort of on. Also that people have actually heard of and read my books. And in far-flung places like Taiwan or Australia. It’s nuts. I didn’t expect that kind of exposure.

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

Visiting with students for my school visits. I get to talk about reading, drawing and writing and answering their questions. I draw digitally for them. I can only hope they learn and are inspired. I get a little nervous every time before I go onstage but once I’m on, its all good. Bottom line, it’s fun to do it.

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

Managing social media. Like so many of us, I like to genuinely engage with people. While I do my best with it, social media is designed for snippets of interaction I’ve yet to master. It all just leaves me feeling...cold. Surely I’m not alone in this! Sigh. If only there was some kind of online forum where I could reach out to people and discuss it. ;)

Art from LINUS THE LITTLE YELLOW PENCIL

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

Change perspective. This usually involves travel near or far—or a trip to a museum. Take in as much new stuff/points of view as possible: books, movies, music, food, people, culture. A good night’s sleep helps too. 

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

I stay organized. It allows me to have as much time as possible to be creative and not waste time looking for stuff. Also: I answer emails in the morning after I drop my boys off at school. I do this so that my correspondence has a first-thing verve—and so it’s out of the way and the rest of my day is for my creative stuff!

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

Our industry’s so supportive and positive. I’ll never forget how established authors and illustrators reached out to me when my first books were published with words of encouragement. I felt welcome. Also, I enjoy attending conferences and meeting my fellow authors and illustrators—of all experience levels. They are, more or less, my co-workers. As a digital illustrator, I find its pretty cool to dive deep and talk about our drawing tools with someone who knows them as well I do; someone who speaks your language. 

Art from LINUS THE LITTLE YELLOW PENCIL

What is your favorite picture book?

THE DOT by Peter Reynolds. It speaks to me every single day as a creative person. His philosophy in that book—make a mark and work it. See where it goes. That’s it. It’s a powerful notion. LINUS owes a debt to THE DOT. I think also it has something to do with how Peter’s been a force in my creative life; he and I have been friends for 15+ years.

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

The journey I’ve been on—and continue on— with RESCUE & JESSICA has been a particular highlight. There’s been an overwhelming outpouring of love and good things from that book. But none of that would have come to pass if I hadn’t made the leap to full-time. I would not have had the time, its production timetable was too demanding. So to answer your question I’d say being able to write and illustrate full-time.

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

Feed your imagination more. Write more. Sketch more. Worry less. Don’t let the bastards get you down. 

Tell us about your newest book?

Linus the Little Yellow Pencil is about being creative and being kinder to our creative sides. The story is about a pencil who loves drawing. So when the art supply family art contest opens, he wants to win the Pencil Cup. He starts drawing his favorite things but no sooner does he finish his work than Ernie his eraser erases all of Linus’ drawings. “They’re not good enough,” Ernie says. Frustrated by this literal back and forth, Linus loses his faith in his abilities and it’s only after he meets the wise Smudge (a pencil shaving mystic who lives inside a cave [pencil sharpener]) does LInus realize how he and Ernie can work together. The story is literally drawn from my own feelings of frustration with drawing over the years. I hope it connects with artists young and old. 

What’s up next for you?

 I’d like to branch out to other shelves. Middle grade, chapter books—I’d like to work on a graphic novel. I’ve got the beginnings of one now. 

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

As a marathoner I’ve learned to 1. pace myself and 2. run the mile I’m in. I’ve tried to apply those lessons to my professional life. I’ve learned that being in business for the long run is not a sprint. That to succeed we must persist, fail, sacrifice, be disappointed over and over (and over) again. We must be dedicated to hard work and good habits. Be enthusiastic and good to work with. It turns out all of these things require lots of energy and focus. So—I’ve found the trick is to find a sustainable pace and reasonable level of expectation for my books. Find that pace for yourself over time and you’ll reach that finish line, whatever it may be.

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

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Favorite lines: “Never had one lesson!” “Ninnne Times.” “You’re not dying, you just can’t think of anything good to do.”

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Huge thank you to Scott Magoon for stopping by Critter Lit today! We are so excited for LINUS! Congrats!

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SCOTT MAGOON is a former art director turned full-time author/illustrator of several acclaimed picture books including the New York Times best-selling Rescue & Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship by Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes. It recently won ALA’s Schneider Family Book Award that honors books the expresses the disability experience for young readers. He also illustrated the Misunderstood Shark books by Ame Dyckman, the Nuts series with author Eric Litwin, Spoon and Chopsticks, by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, and I Have a Balloon By Ariel Bernstein. He's also the author and illustrator of Breathe, The Boy Who Cried Bigfoot and the forthcoming Linus The Little Yellow Pencil.

He lives with this family in Massachusetts.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Scott, visit his website or follow him on social media:

Facebook.com/Scott-Magoon

Twitter: @smagoon

Instagram: @skortch

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

BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Want a chance to win a copy of LINUS THE LITTLE YELLOW PENCIL?! Comment on this post or share it on Twitter. One lucky winner will be selected Thursday, May 30th! US addresses only please.

What's up on deck? Tune in next week for an interview with author/illustrator Mikela Provost!

Interview with Author/Illustrator Philip Stead and Illustrator Erin Stead

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

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

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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!

Interview with Author Julie Falatko

Happy Thursday Critters! I’m so very excited about our guest today— the amazingly talented and oh so funny Julie Falatko! We are huge fans of Julie’s books in our house, Snappsy the Alligator…need I say more??? I’m thrilled to feature an interview with Julie today and share her latest book THE GREAT INDOORS, illustrated by Ruth Chan, which has already received a starred review and has been selected as a Junior Library Guild book!

So without further ado…please welcome Julie Falatko!

Where do you live?

I live in Maine, outside of Portland. I don’t want to make anyone else jealous, but it’s the best place to live. In my opinion. For me. And maybe you? You probably love where you live. And – oh, wait. If I talk about how great Portland is, everyone will move here, and then it will be overcrowded and not so great anymore. So never mind. I live in Maine, outside of Portland, and it’s adequate.

How many years have you been in publishing?

My first book, Snappsy the Alligator (Did Not Ask to Be in this Book) came out in 2016.

How did you first get published?

I got published in what I think is The Standard Way: I queried agents who seemed like a good fit, got an offer from the slush pile, and then that agent submitted my manuscript to an editor, who acquired it. People sometimes want to hear of some secret talisman (“oh, I see, so my mistake was that I wasn’t wearing red, got it”) but the truth is The Standard Way is the way it usually happens.

Do you write full-time?

I…do. I certainly spend a full-time number of hours working on writing and writing-related tasks, like publicity. But if I was not married to someone with a full-time job that pays decently and comes with health benefits, I would not be writing full time. I write full-time hours, but haven’t gotten to a point of full-time pay yet.

What inspires you to create picture books?

Picture books are my favorite literary medium. There are so many directions they can go, and, at their best, they are perfect nuggets of someone’s view of the world. It’s inspiring to try to rise to the challenge of fitting so much story and nuance and entertainment into such a small package. But honestly most of my ideas involve talking squirrels and birds and alligators and dogs, and those ideas are probably best suited for a picture book. 

What surprised you the most working as an author?

How long it truly takes to make a picture book. I had known it wasn’t a quick process, but I hadn’t really absorbed that it was a two-and-a-half-year process at the very minimum, and often much longer. I’ve come to love the long lead time, both because it makes for a better book, but also because it allows me to have a lot of different projects going on at once. 

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

I’m supposed to say my favorite thing is hearing from kids, but the truth is that’s my second favorite thing. The fact that I get to write such silly stories with jokes that first and foremost are in there just to crack myself up – that’s my first favorite thing. I am so lucky this is my job.

What do you find difficult working as an author?

The answer to this has probably changed a bit over the years, but right now the answer is that I’m having trouble focusing. 2017 was a very scattered year, focus-wise, and since then it has been a constant struggle to force my brain to remember what it’s here to do, and to rein my thoughts in from what they apparently want to do, which is tap dance in the many fields and meadows that have nothing to do with my writing work.

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

I get up. I move around. Mostly I go outside. I take my dogs for a walk every morning, and much of that walk is spent mulling over ideas and talking them out loud to see what sounds right.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

I like to make a list every day of what I’m planning on getting done, and then I’m pretty good about forcing myself to sit down and do it. I do often light a candle. I do often meditate in the morning. I always exercise first thing, because I feel like it gets my blood moving and sends some blood to my brain which makes my ideas better (I have no idea if this is a scientific principle or just my general notion that exercise helps me think, and I’m afraid to find out, in case it’s not true). But the biggest thing is that I feel so grateful that right now this is my job, and so I’m very determined and motivated to work as hard as I can at it. The books don’t get made unless I write the words, so, no matter what, it’s up to me to sit down and write them.

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

The people of the children’s book world are just the nicest. The whole darn thing has been a positive experience. The entire community is all about boosting and supporting and shouting our celebrations, and it’s lovely. Whenever I do meet other children’s book makers or librarians or teachers in person, we all spend the entire time talking about how much we appreciate each other and each other’s work. In my experience, children’s book makers seem like incredibly nice people online, and then you meet them, and they’re even nicer than you thought they were.

Recommended reading?

I just read Damsel by Elana K. Arnold and it completely blew me away. I also just read When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon, which is a few years old, and I can’t believe it took me so long, because I adored it. Recent picture books I loved are Another by Christian Robinson and Bikes for Sale by Carter Higgins and illustrated by Zachariah OHora. Also I just finished the graphic novel Sheets by Brenna Thummler and I love how it mixes genres, and the illustrations in it are incredible.

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

The book launch party for Snappsy the Alligator (Did Not Ask to Be in This Book), at Books of Wonder in New York City, was an incredible and overwhelming day. Snappsy illustrator Tim Miller and I signed books for hours. It was cool enough just to have a published book with my name printed on the cover, after so many years of homemade books where I wrote my own name in crayon. And then to pack the bookstore with friends and family to celebrate Tim and my debut together was unforgettable. I also had the richest hot chocolate I’ve ever had in my life on that day. But that’s probably not relevant. 

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

Do the work. You can only get so far on industry connections or on wishing really hard. Yes, there is some luck involved. But none of the luck happens unless you do the work first. So always, always, prioritize the work.

Can you tell us about your newest book?

The Great Indoors is about a group of forest animals who go on vacation inside a human family’s house every year, during the same week that the human family goes camping. It is absolutely based on my own family’s yearly camping trips, and how the week starts off with us thrilling at the wonder of nature, and ends with us ready to trade large sums of money for a toilet that flushes.

What’s up next for you?

The third book in the Two Dogs in a Trench Coat series is out in May. They go on a class trip to a museum in this one. It’s pretty silly.

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

There are no tricks to succeeding in this business. If you’re querying, follow the rules on an agency’s website. Be kind. People remember kindness, and they also remember jerkiness. Above all, put in your time, and don’t rush it. Publishing is a slow business, so there’s no reason for you to move quickly. Take your time to make sure your work is as good as you can make it. And keep working.

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

Well, this is impossible. I’m tempted to create a spreadsheet. I just. How? This is my favorite movie decade. Ok. Fine. It’s a tie between The Breakfast Club and Real Genius.

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Huge thank you to Julie Falatko for stopping by Critter Lit today! We are so excited about your upcoming books and can’t wait to see what you do next!

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JULIE FALATKO writes about misunderstood characters trying to find their place in the world. She is the author of several picture books, including the Snappsy the Alligator  books, and of the Two Dogs in a Trench Coat chapter book series. Julie lives in Maine with her husband, four children, and two dogs, where she maintains a Little Free Library in front of her house.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Julie and her work, visit her online here or follow her on social media:

Twitter

Instagram

 Facebook

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

BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Want a chance to win a copy of THE GREAT INDOORS?! Comment on this post or share it on Twitter. One lucky winner will be selected Thursday, May 2nd! US addresses only please.

What's up on deck? Tune in next week for an interview with author/illustrator Philip Stead and illustrator Erin Stead!

Interview with Author Natascha Biebow

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with Natascha Biebow, author of THE CRAYON MAN: THE TRUE STORY OF THE INVENTION OF CRAYOLA CRAYONS, illustrated by Steven Salerno, which just released last month. How cool does this book sound?! I’m so excited about this biography and I can’t wait to share it and Natascha’s work with all of you!

So without further ado…please welcome Natascha Biebow!

Where do you live?

I live in London, England.

How many years have you been in publishing?

I published my first book in 1995, and have worked as a children’s book editor since 1993.

How did you first get published?

I wrote my first book, Eleonora, a true story about how elephants mourn each other, as part of a children’s literature course at Smith College. It was kicking about for a couple of years before I decided to show it to the publisher of a small children’s picture book imprint, ABC. I was surprised and delighted when she said she’d like to publish it. The publishing industry was very different then – no social media (!) or easy way to get the word out – so, though it sold reasonably well, it is sadly now out of print.

Do you write full-time?

I wish! But I’m lucky that I have a day job that I love – I edit children’s books freelance for big and small publishers, and coach and mentor authors and illustrators to fine-tune their work pre-submission through my literacy consultancy Blue Elephant Storyshaping.

What inspires you to create picture books?

Picture books are my passion. I have an affinity with this young age group and love the synergy of words and pictures working together.

What surprised you the most working as an author?

The Crayon Man: The True Story of the Invention of Crayola Crayons is my first non-fiction picture book, so I was surprised by the amount of research and fact-checking that was involved, even in late stages of book production, and how much time this took. But I enjoyed doing it!

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

I love that you get a printed book at the end of your creative journey that you can share with young readers so that you can enthuse them with the story too. I love connecting with young readers (and grown-ups’ inner child).

What do you find difficult working as an author?

Possibly the most challenging aspect is that picture books evolve in the course of their editorial journey and sometimes you have to reconcile aspects of your original vision with the final version. This is part of the creative, collaborative approach, though, and leads to a better book ultimately.

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

I look for ideas all around me – from people, pets, the news and experiences . . . I try to learn at least one new fact a day. A walk is often great for getting unstuck and figuring out stuff too. 

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

I don’t keep extensive notes – most of my work is done in my head! I love stationery though – so doodling with colored crayons is a great way to brainstorm ideas and tap into my inner child.

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

I have volunteered for over 20 years as the Regional Advisor for the SCBWI British Isles region. It has led to so many great opportunities to help learn new skills and make connections with people in the industry. I learned how to make a book trailer from fellow volunteers. I met my agent at the SCBWI conference in LA. I took a non-fiction writing course recommended by another writer that got me connected to the non-fiction Kid Lit community. And so much more! People are really very giving and supportive.

Recommended reading?

Yes, read read read every new picture book you can get your hands on. In terms of craft-based reading, I love Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass– though it’s about novel-writing, all the elements and thinking logic are the same for picture books.

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

I love that you get a printed book at the end of your creative journey that you can share with young readers so that you can enthuse them with the story too. I love connecting with young readers (and grown-ups’ inner child).

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

I was awarded a SCBWI Marketing Grant to fund a mini-book tour this May, and so I’m excited to be able to connect with young readers in person!

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

That I’d have to teach myself all about marketing and then implement it!

Can you tell us about your newest book?

The Crayon Man: The True Story of the Invention of Crayola Crayons is a non-fiction picture book biography: the true story of Edwin Binney, a man who had a knack for listening and making what people needed, whose love for color led to the invention of one of America’s most iconic toys – Crayola crayons. In a world where we take crayons for granted, what must it have been like to only have slate and chalk? It’s a fabulous journey of color and creativity, an inspiring story for the next generation of inventors who will be our future.

What’s up next for you?

Hopefully more non-fiction picture books. I am also writing a series of chapter books, which is a new venture for me.

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

I’ve realized that if you’re serious about writing for children and getting your work published, you need to make a real effort to carve out the focus and time and just do it. There is no greater writing tip than butt on seat.

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

E.T. heart-warming, flying bicycles, “E.T. phone home!” – all part of my childhood.

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Huge thanks to Natascha for stopping by Critter Lit today! We love your new book and can’t wait to see all your upcoming projects!

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NATASCHA BIEBOW’S favourite crayon color is periwinkle blue because it makes her heart sing. She loves to draw and make stuff, just like the inventor of the Crayola crayons. She lives in London, where she writes, edits, coaches and mentors children’s book authors and illustrators at Blue Elephant Storyshaping, and is the long-time Regional Advisor of SCBWI British Isles. In 2018, she was awarded an MBE for her services to children's writers and illustrators.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Natascha and her work, visit her online here or follow her on social media:

Facebook

LinkedIn

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

BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Want a chance to win a copy of THE CRAYON MAN: THE TRUE STORY OF THE INVENTION OF CRAYOLA CRAYONS ?! Comment on this post or share it on Twitter. One lucky winner will be selected Thursday, 25th! US addresses only please.

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

Interview with Author/Illustrator Corinna Luyken

Happy Thursday Critters! Today CORINNA LUYKEN is here! I’m such a huge fan of Corinna’s work, as I know all of you will be too. Her first book, THE BOOK OF MISTAKES, was my favorite book of 2017. Corinna’s books are incredibly beautiful and insightful, and I can’t wait for all of you to see MY HEART, her newest picture book that will be released on January 8th. It is simply exquisite.

So without further ado, please welcome Corinna Luyken!

Where do you live?

In Olympia, WA, at the base of the Puget Sound.

How many years have you been in publishing?

My first book, THE BOOK OF MISTAKES, came out in 2017.

How many books have you published?

MY HEART is my third book as illustrator, second as author/illustrator.

Do you write/illustrate full-time?

I do!  It’s been an eighteen year dream of making picture books, and I feel incredibly grateful to be doing this full time.

Interior spread from MY HEART

What inspires you to create picture books?

I’m in love with the form of the picture book, the way that words and images can work together to make something bigger than either one alone. Although I love to draw, and I love to write, it’s the magic that happens when they come together that thrills me.

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

After having a debut book that was well received, it really surprised me (in retrospect, maybe I shouldn’t have been so surprised) how difficult the second book became. Because suddenly I started to worry about what other people would think, and if the second book would measure up to the first one. I stressed myself out about all of this a lot more than I thought I would. Doubt and self judgement can be useful tools as an illustrator, but they can also paralyze you if you don’t keep them in perspective. I re-started a morning meditation practice in the midst of my second book, which helped a lot. Sometimes it’s good to remember that we are tiny specks on a spinning planet in a vast universe. Which helps me to create from a place of love, instead of fear.

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

Finding out that a book I’ve made has touched someone else’s heart.

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

Balancing my devotion to my work and the amount of time it takes to make beautiful books with being a mom can be very difficult. But being a mom has also opened up my heart in a very big way. It’s a balancing act, but worth it.

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

Going for walks is great. Being near the ocean or any water also helps me to quiet my mind, which makes me more receptive to new ideas. Slowing down, in general, is a good thing. When I’m rushing around too much, it’s hard for me to make room for anything new. 

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

I try to start every day with quiet meditation time. Whether things are going really well, or I’m struggling with something… either way it helps to keep it all in perspective. A hot cup of tea or coffee is also necessary!

Interior spread from MY HEART

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

I’ve found this community to be full of many kind, generous people. Some of the most meaningful experiences have been small kindnesses early on in my career from people who were further along in the journey. Marla Frazee showed some interest in a dummy that I brought along to my first national SCBWI conference, and even went on to share it with an editor. The editor didn’t end up acquiring the story, but the fact that both of them saw potential in the project meant so much at the time. And then, a few years later (after many revisions) that dummy went on to win the SCBWI Don Freeman Work In Progress grant. And now, almost five years (and many more revisions) later, it is going to be my next book, MY HEART.

What is your favorite picture book?

I have SO many favorites!  I can’t choose just one…  but THE VERY PERSISTENT GAPPERS OF FRIP by Lane Smith and George Saunders is the book that made me want to make books.  

I also adore WHEN GREEN BECOMES TOMATOES by Julie Fogliano and Julie Morstad, EXTRA YARN by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen, EMILY’S BALLOON by Komako Sakai, WAVE by Suzy Lee, MIGRANT by Isabelle Arsenault and Maxine Trottier, SCHOOL’S FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL by Adam Rex and Christian Robinson, DU IZ TAK by Carson Ellis, ALL THE WORLD by Marla Frazee and Liz Garton Scanlon, NOTHING by Jon Agee, THE IRIDESCENCE OF BIRDS by Hadley Hooper and Patricia MacLachlan …. and many many more.

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

There have been so many highlights! Watching my daughter hug our first copy of THE BOOK OF MISTAKES tightly to her chest (the book was inspired by and is dedicated to her), getting my first packet of thank you art from a classroom full of kids in the mail, receiving a note that I had won the Leo Award for my first book (Leo is a young boy who has created his own award for his favorite book of the year!), and also hearing from Lane Smith, who illustrated the book that made me want to make books (see above) that he loved THE BOOK OF MISTAKES.

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

Persistence is more important than talent. Persistence, and truly loving the work.

Interior spread from MY HEART

Tell us about your newest book?

MY HEART is coming out January 8th. It's a celebration of the heart (in all its varied emotions), as well as an ode to love, and to keeping your heart open. 

What’s up next for you?

I’m just finishing up illustrations for WEIRD LITTLE ROBOTS, which is a middle grade written by Carolyn Crimi and coming out from Candlewick in fall 2019.  

I’ve got a few other exciting things lined up, but I can’t talk about most of them yet! But I will be making another book as author/illustrator with Dial that has a lot of arguing in it. And the next picture book I’m working on is called NOTHING IN COMMON by Kate Hoefler. It is about an old man, a hot-air-balloon-flying dog, and two kids who appear to have nothing in common, but perhaps do where it counts most.  

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

I think it’s really important to read as widely as possible. To fall in love with an enormous variety of work. Not just the work that is similar to what you want to make. The more books you love, the wider the pool of words and images that will filter through you and into your work. If you only love a few artists or writers, often, without even meaning to, the work you make will end up being overly influenced by them. And the world doesn’t need another Carson Ellis or Isabelle Arsenault or Jon Klassen. The world needs YOU and your voice. For me, the best way to create a unique style is to open your heart very wide and study the vast web of work that came before you. The more that you can find to love, the more varied your influences will be and the more you will, without even trying, develop a unique voice and style.

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

Labyrinth!

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Huge thank you to Corinna Luyken for stopping by Critter Lit today! We are so excited to see all of your upcoming books!

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Corinna Luyken grew up in different cities along the West Coast, and after studying at Middlebury College, she settled in Washington State, where she draws inspiration from nature, her family, and the human form.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Corinna and her work visit her website: www.corinnaluyken.com or follow her on Twitter or Instagram @CorinnaLuyken.

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

BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Want a chance to win a copy of MY HEART?! Comment on this post or share it on Twitter. One lucky winner will be selected Thursday, December 20th! US addresses only please.

What's up on deck? Tune in next week for a Critter Lit Interview with author/illustrator Lindsay Moore!

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Interview with Author Tricia Springstubb

Happy Thursday Critters! I’m so excited for today’s interview because it’s with none other than the fabulously talented Tricia Springstubb, who also happens to be a friend of mine and fellow local author here in the Cleveland area. Tricia writes early chapter books, middle grade, and picture books—she’s a triple threat! Many of you may know her from her latest series, the CODY books, which are wonderful! Here at my house, we are big fans of PHOEBE AND THE DIGGER. Her writing is lovely, insightful, and powerful. I’m honored to share her work with you today and give you all a sneak peek at her process.

So without further ado, please welcome Tricia Springstubb!

Where do you live?

I live in Cleveland Heights with my husband, my garden and Billy the cat. We have three grown daughters and here’s how lucky we are--our two grandbabies live a bicycle ride away. 

How many years have you been in publishing?

I’ve been publishing since prehistoric times.  

Do you write full-time?

Yes--I told you I’m lucky! 

What inspires you to create books for children?

Children are the world’s most passionate readers—no one believes in and cares about story more deeply than they do. The world is still so new for them, and their hearts are wide open. I feel privileged to write for them. 

What surprised you the most working as an author?

That children treat you like a rock star!

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

I still get the craziest thrill when I find one of my books on a library or bookstore shelf. 

Also, I love working with illustrators. I’ve been so lucky (lucky!) to have many talented, visionary artists do the covers and spot art for my novels. The illustrators for my picture books and chapter books make the whole much greater than the sum of its parts. I’m always so excited getting those first sketches. You feel you know your story inside out, and then you see it through the artist’s eyes and it takes on a whole new, rich dimension.  

What do you find difficult working as an author?

When I’ve lost my way and know that I need to go back in for a major revision or possibly even start over from scratch. There’s a certain relief in scrapping something you know isn’t working, but it’s also hard to let go of all those weeks and months of writing.  

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

I always write in the morning, when I’m closest to my dreams and before the world has a chance to make me cranky. After I finish, I go for a long walk or, in summer, a swim. Almost always I get another idea or two, or untangle some knot in the plot-- I make sure to carry pen and notebook in my pocket or swim bag! 

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

Kid lit has always been a warm and generous community, and it’s getting even better. Social media has allowed us to come together over so many wonderful causes. Just in the last few months, I’ve been part of #kidsneedbooks, where we donate books to teachers who need them for classroom libraries, and #kidsneedmentors, where we’re partnering with teachers and students to encourage writing and creativity of all kinds.  

What is your favorite picture book?

Yesterday I’d have said Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig. Today I’ll say Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans. Tomorrow I might say Big Red Barn by Margaret Wise Brown. Can you tell I’m re-visiting the classics with my grandbabies? I couldn’t even begin to choose among contemporary picture books—one after another, they are breaking new ground in text and art. Breath-taking!  

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

What a slow, slow writer I am, and how there seems to be no help for it. I try to tell myself that I’m creating something that never existed before, something I hope will last for a long time—but I still wish I didn’t have to go through a zillion drafts every time!!! (Maybe it’s better that I didn’t know all this when I first started.) 

Tell us about your most recent book?

This past spring, the fourth and last book in my Cody series published. Cody and the Heart of a Champion rounds out a year in the life of Cody, her family, her neighbors and friends. The books are inspired by my own diverse, lively, Cleveland neighborhood. They’re about the things that loom big in kids’ lives: whether the teacher likes you; how to do the right thing even when it’s really hard; not being good at soccer. Every few pages there’s an illustration by the genius Eliza Wheeler, who gives the characters and settings the perfect comic and sweet (but never too sweet) touch. 

What’s up next for you?

I’m revising a new middle grade novel of which I must not yet speak, and looking forward to my new picture book, Khalil and Mr. Hagerty. Candlewick will publish it in 2020. It’s inspired both by my late grandfather and by an Iraqi refugee family with whom my family has become close friends. The illustrator is Elaheh Taherian and you really, really want to look up her work right now at elahehtaherian.com

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

In the 80s we were raising our three kids and I swear we didn’t go to the movies more than twice the whole decade. I remember loving Tootsie but I’m not sure if that’s because it was good or I was so happy to get out of the house. I pretend to have seen The Goonies even though (ssh) I really haven’t.

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Huge thank you to Tricia Springstubb for stopping by Critter Lit to chat today! We can’t wait to see all of your upcoming books!

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Tricia has been publishing picture books, chapter books and middle grade novels for over thirty years. Her work has received many starred reviews and appeared on numerous Best of the Year lists. Her books have won the Parents Choice Silver Award and the Ohioana Award for Children’s Literature, been nominated for state reading awards, and been chosen by the Junior Library Guild. She is a frequent speaker at schools, libraries and conferences.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Tricia and her work visit her website: triciaspringstubb.com or follow her on Twitter @springstubb.

TO ORDER a copy of any of Tricia’s wonderful books, ring up your local bookstore, or click here.

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BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Want a chance to win a copy of CODY AND THE FOUNTAIN OF HAPPINESS?! Comment on this post or share it on Twitter. One lucky winner will be selected Thursday, December 6th! US addresses only please.

What's up on deck? Tune in next week for a Critter Lit Interview with debut author Hannah Holt!

Interview with Picture Book Author Anika Denise

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we are joined by the fabulously talented Anika Denise. I had the pleasure of meeting Anika and her husband, illustrator Christopher Denise, a little over three years ago at a writing workshop. It turned out we were represented by the same agent. Both are such lovely and talented people, and I’m thrilled to be sharing Anika’s books with you today.

I was first introduced to Anika’s work through her book MONSTER TRUCKS, illustrated by Nate Wragg, which is one of my oldest son’s absolute favorites. So much so that it was the theme of his 2nd birthday party. I mean you can’t beat monsters and trucks in the same book! Seriously—we are on our third hardcover copy. That’s how much we read this book. Thankfully, MONSTER TRUCKS is now available as a board book too, should we need a fourth copy….

Needless to say, we are big fans of Anika’s books in my household!

So, without further ado, please welcome Anika Denise!

Where do you live?

We live in Barrington, Rhode Island — a tiny town in the tiniest state.

How many years have you been in publishing?

Gosh *counts on fingers* nearly 12 years! 

How many books have you published?

I have six books out in the world right now, and four more coming soon.

Do you write full-time?

Up until recently, yes! For the next year, I’ll be working in-house as a copywriter for a toy company. It’s fast-paced, fun, and different. But I haven’t abandoned my personal writing projects. I do my best to schedule in writing time on my days off. 

What inspires you to create picture books?

My kids, for sure! Having children allows me to experience the world through their lens. It also makes me pause and really consider the world they’re inheriting. In the current climate of divisiveness and isolationism, I’m inspired to create (and support) diverse stories of hope, empathy, and inclusion — especially “own voices” books that invite readers to step outside themselves and see the world through the perspective of marginalized communities.  

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

I think at first I was surprised by how much the work of promoting a book and connecting with readers falls to the author. Now that I’ve been doing this awhile, I have a greater understanding of how many books are on a publisher’s list and the limited resources a single title might have. I’ve come to embrace and enjoy making my own connections.

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

The fame and money. HAHAHA! (Just kidding.) What I love most is the feeling of creating something that didn’t exist until I put in on a page. It’s the closest I’ll ever come to having a super-power. There’s magic in it. And most magical of all is the fact that a kid somewhere is sitting and enjoying a story I conjured. It’s truly rewarding.

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

Well, I suppose (as evidenced in my recent acquisition of a day job) it is making a sustainable living with writing. I’m married to a children’s book illustrator, so supporting a family in a two-freelance income household can be challenging at times.

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

I love creativity journaling. I just received an early copy of a book written by my friend and mentor, Leigh Medeiros, called The 1-Minute Writer (forthcoming from Simon & Schuster.) The book offers a series of unique 1,10, and 20-minute writing prompts. It’s amazing how the ritual of a daily writing practice, even at 1 minute a day, can clear the cobwebs and provide fertile ground for your next story idea. If you’re a doodler—check out Peter Reynolds’s Start With A Dot journal.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

Before I write, I light a candle and get the essential oil diffuser in my studio going. I sit for a few quiet minutes and express gratitude. I ask my muses/ angels to show up to support me. It’s a little like prayer, a little like mediation, and a little like visualization. I’m always happier and more productive when I begin this way.

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

The kid lit community has been such a gift, it’s tough to pick just one — but last March, I traveled to the UK with a group of writers and illustrators. We visited famous children’s book sites in England the first week; then spent the next week writing in a castle in Scotland!

And oh! I flew an eagle owl on the castle’s falconry grounds.

What is your favorite picture book?

The Snowy Day is one of my favorite books from childhood. 

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

There have been many highlights, but perhaps the most special was holding the first copy of my forthcoming book Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré, illustrated by Paola Escobar. My husband brought the envelope to me as a surprise at my book launch party for Lights, Camera, CARMEN!. For many reasons, but particularly as an author with Puerto Rican heritage, this book is dear to my heart. It took me several years to write. My only regret is my father didn’t live to see it published. He knew I was working on it, and he was very proud. 

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

Don’t ever compare your career to others. In the age of social media, it can be difficult not to. But comparison almost always leads to unnecessary suffering. You do you.

Tell us about your newest book?

My newest book is Lights, Camera, CARMEN! illustrated by the amazing Lorena Alvarez Gómez. It’s the follow-up to Starring Carmen! (Abrams 2017). In this installment, everyone’s favorite one-girl sensación is back, and has her sights on winning a contest to be in a commercial. She enlists the help of her adoring hermanito, Eduardo, but things don’t go exactly to plan.

What’s up next for you?

2019 will be a busy year for book releases. Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré will be on-shelves January 15. Bunny in the Middle, a new picture book collaboration with Chris, releases July 2. And in December, The Love Letter, illustrated by the incomparable Lucy Ruth Cummins, will be out in the world. I’m also revising a new picture book biography on Rita Moreno!

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

Keep going, you’re almost there!

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

The Goonies

Thanks so much for stopping by Critter Lit to chat with us today, Anika! We can’t wait to check-out all of your upcoming books!

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Anika Denise is the celebrated author of many picture books, including Lights, Camera Carmen!, Starring Carmen!, Monster Trucks, Baking Day at Grandma’s, Bella and Stella Come Home, and Pigs Love Potatoes. In 2019, to coincide with Women’s History Month, HarperCollins will publish her forthcoming book, Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré illustrated by Paola Escobar. Other new titles coming in 2019 include Bunny in the Middle illustrated by Christopher Denise, and The Love Letter illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins. Anika lives in Rhode Island with her family.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Anika and her books, visit her website at www.anikadenise.com.

TO ORDER a copy of LIGHTS, CAMERA, CARMEN! ring up your local bookstore, or click here.

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BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Want a chance to win a copy of LIGHTS, CAMERA, CARMEN!?! Comment on this post or share it on Twitter. One lucky winner will be selected Thursday, October 4th! US addresses only please.

What's up on deck? Tune in next week for Critter Lit’s Must Reads for October!

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Interview with Picture Book Author Josh Funk

Photo Credit: Carter Hasegawa

I had the pleasure of meeting Josh Funk for the first time this past June at ALA in New Orleans. My husband and I attended a party hosted by Two Lions for their authors, librarians, and other book-loving folks. Hours later, in the heart of the French Quarter, I ended up sitting around a table with my husband, Josh, and Sue Fliess (another Two Lions picture book author) talking about books, publishing, writing, and all the bits in between.

For those of you who are in this business, you know how rare it is to get face time with other writers and illustrators, we are usually holed up in our offices or studios, in our own heads, spread out all over the country. Needless to say, it was such a treat sitting around chatting about books that night.

We are big fans of Josh's books in our house and I'm thrilled to share his work with you today!

So without further ado, please welcome Josh Funk! 

Where do you live?

Outside Boston, Massachusetts (in the United States … on the planet Earth)

How many years have you been in publishing?

My first book (Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast) came out in 2015, but I started writing my very first really really horrible picture book manuscript in the summer of 2011.

How many books have you published?

As of today, I have seven books published (but my 8th and 9th will be released within the next month).

Do you write full-time?

Nope. I’m a software engineer during the day. I write books in the evenings, over weekends, and during bathroom breaks.

What inspires you to create picture books?

I really enjoyed reading with my kids - and I think they enjoyed reading with me. I just want to create entertaining picture books for kids and the adults that read with them.

What surprised you the most working as an author?

Every time I see the art for one of my books for the first time, I am blown away by how amazing it is! Picture book illustrators are the most talented artists in the world today!

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

Connecting with readers. There’s no question that this is my favorite aspect of being an author.

What do you find difficult working as an author?

The worst is when you have to cut something out of a story that you really liked (like a good joke or a clever rhyme), but you know the book will better as a whole without it.

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

I think about what I want to see illustrated. As someone who can’t draw, but gets silly ideas in my head, I try to think about what I’d want to see a really talented artist create - and then write a story about that!

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

Very little. I kind of just work on things whenever and wherever the mood and idea strikes. As I’m writing books that generally have fewer than 500 words, I can write them on my phone, edit a few words as I’m falling asleep, or change a line in the car (when I’m not driving). I’m kind of a haphazard writer.

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

The kid lit community is pretty amazing. I have to say that most people I meet are super supportive. I’ve been a member of a local writing community called The Writers’ Loft (in the Boston suburb of Sherborn, MA). I’ve met so many people who’ve given me critiques, advice, and support that really pushed me in the right direction on the way toward publication.

What is your favorite picture book?

Today, I’m gonna go with Iver and Ellsworth by Casey W. Robinson and Melissa Larson. But I frequently have new favorites as there are so many amazing books created all the time.

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

The fact that I’ve published a book at ALL! How crazy is it that there’s a book in libraries, bookstores, and even bookshelves in kids’ bedrooms with words that I wrote?! How did this happen?!?

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

Keep writing new things. You may feel very strongly about your first story - but as you revise and get feedback and learn about the craft and business of writing for children, you’re going to improve as a writer. So your second story will start off in a much better position than the first. And the third will be even better. So don’t revise that first story to death. Write something new. And then write something newer.

Tell us about your newest book?

Lost in the Library: A Story of Patience & Fortitude, illustrated by Stevie Lewis comes out on August 28th! This is the first picture book about Patience and Fortitude, the two lion statues that faithfully guard the New York Public Library (in fact, this book is published in partnership with the NYPL). When Patience goes missing, Fortitude realizes that Patience has ventured inside the library. So for the first time ever, Fortitude abandons his post to search for Patience before the sun rises and we, the readers, get to explore the library for the first time alongside Fortitude.

What’s up next for you?

Next month the third book in the Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast series, Mission Defrostable, illustrated by Brendan Kearney, comes out (on September 25th). In this action-packed adventure, the fridge is freezing over - and Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast have to travel to parts of the fridge they’ve never ventured ... and need to enlist the help of one of their fiercest rivals. Dun. Dun. DUN!

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

Have fun. Keep learning. And don’t give up.

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

Spaceballs.

Thanks for inviting me to chat!

Thank you Josh for stopping by Critter Lit to chat with us today!

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Josh Funk writes silly stories and somehow tricks people into publishing them as books - such as the Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast series (including The Case of the Stinky Stench and the upcoming Mission Defrostable), How to Code a Sandcastle (and the upcoming sequel How to Code a Rollercoaster), It's Not Jack and the Beanstalk, Dear Dragon, Albie Newton, Pirasaurs!, and the forthcoming Lost in the Library: A Story of Patience and Fortitude (in conjunction with the New York Public Library), It's Not Hansel and Gretel, and more coming soon!

Since the fall of 2015, Josh has visited (or virtually visited) over 300 schools, classrooms, and libraries. Josh is a board member of The Writers' Loft in Sherborn, MA and was the co-coordinator of the 2016 and 2017 New England Regional SCBWI Conferences.

Josh grew up in New England and studied Computer Science in school. Today, he still lives in New England and when not writing Java code or Python scripts, he drinks Java coffee and writes manuscripts.

OR MORE INFORMATION about Josh Funk, visit him at www.joshfunkbooks.com and on Twitter at @joshfunkbooks.

TO ORDER A COPY of LOST IN THE LIBRARY or MISSION DEFROSTABLE visit your local book store, or click here.

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BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Want a chance to win a SIGNED copy of LOST IN THE LIBRARY or MISSION DEFROSTABLE by Josh Funk?! Comment on this post below or share it on Twitter. Two lucky winners will be announced Thursday, September 6th! US addresses only please.

What's up on deck? Tune in next Thursday for an interview with debut picture book author Beth Anderson!

Interview with Picture Book Author + Illustrator Betsy Snyder

Photo Credit: Donna Von Bruening

I'm very excited for today's interview because it's with the lovely and incredibly talented Betsy Snyder, who also happens to be one of my critique partners and a very good friend. I actually knew Betsy's books before I knew her. As a bookseller, I fell in love with HAIKU BABY, Betsy's debut book, the first time I saw it. The art is charming, bright, and fresh. Anyone who walked in to the bookstore looking for a baby gift walked out with a copy of HAIKU BABY. 

Skip ahead a few years later. I had just moved from Boston to Cleveland with my future husband and started making connections with other writers and illustrators in the area. And who did I meet? Betsy Snyder. Sometimes it's really amazing how small the world can be. We had lunch and I clicked with her instantly. Eventually Betsy and I, along with three other lovely and talented women, created a critique group together, which we've been doing for almost seven years now.

Spread from HAIKU BABY by Betsy Snyder

I have learned so much from Betsy, watching her come up with creative new ways for kids to interact with books, and I'm thrilled to share her work with you today!

So without further ado, please welcome Betsy Snyder! 

Where do you live?

Independence, OH

How many years have you been in publishing?

12 (What? Twelve?!)

How many books have you published?

21

Do you write and illustrate full-time?

Yes (mostly). My life is a mix of mothering my books and my small children and that balance changes as it needs to. But I write/illustrate as full-time as I can.

What inspires you to create picture books?

I love the way kids learn and explore the world and I seek to make books that support that process and inspire a similar sense of wonder. I was lucky to have a childhood filled with good books and I can remember poring over the pages, studying the details of the pictures and getting lost in the magical worlds books create.

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

I didn’t anticipate that along with becoming published would come requests for author programs and needing to get comfortable with public speaking. Being in the spotlight can feel intimidating for somewhat introverted creative-types like me that are most cozy in their quiet studios—YIKES! But now, I can genuinely say I LOVE getting out and sharing what I do with schools, libraries, museums and the author/illustrator community. More experience, consulting with educators to hone my programs, and seeing those eager little (and big) faces in the audience have really helped grow my confidence and minimize the jitters.

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

Every project is a new adventure! I like the feeling of immersing myself in whatever I’m working on—I learn a little (or a lot) more with each new book I make. It’s so rewarding to be able to help a vision evolve from start to finish and then to finally see a book in print and be able to share it with others.

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

Starting a new book is exciting, but with that, there is also a murky place where I have way TOO many ideas and no direction or anchor. That’s when I feel lost and stuck and unsure—and sometimes it’s hard to see a way out of that. Each book is a new challenge, so I don’t think this process gets easier—but I am getting better at trusting that my good ideas will eventually take shape and get there with practice and persistence. As Dory would say, “Just keep swimming!”

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

I find inspiration in my kids, browsing at the library or a bookstore, creative chats (like with my critique group), nature walks, and travel.

I especially look at what’s out there and what’s not—my best ideas are often born around opportunities.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

Making lists (and losing them—ha!). But seriously, I love making lists and when I broke the index finger of my writing hand earlier this year, I almost went crazy. I have actually found that for me, this brainstorm process is less about holding on to the ideas, and ironically, more about letting them go to clear up more creative space in my head. 

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

Having work from Tons of Trucks (written by Sue Fliess) accepted into the Society of Illustrators Original Art Show and attending the opening in NYC was definitely a kid lit highlight for me. Mingling with that much talent and passion in one space was pretty dreamy.

What is your favorite picture book?

Do you really think I can pick just one? 

As a kid: Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey, The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams, and The Funny Thing by Wanda Gag

Now: The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle, All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon and Marla Frazee, and When Green Becomes Tomatoes by Julie Fogliano and Julie Morstad

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

It’s still hard to beat my first-ever submission becoming a 3-book (and later 5-book) contract with Random House. I’ll never forget my agent’s email with the subject line “Get out the champagne!!!” I’m so grateful my editor Heidi Kilgras saw something in me and helped me get my start with writing my own books.

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

It’s supposed to feel hard—but that struggle doesn’t mean you aren’t good enough. 

Tell us about your newest book?

I Can Dream and I Can Explore (May 2018) are the two newest books in the interactive series published by Chronicle Books. In terms of a theme, I Can Dream is centered around aspirational occupations, like a firefighter, astronaut, marine biologist, artist and more. I Can Explore is about being on-the-go—traveling by land, water, air and even snow.

The entire series shares the same format solution, text direction, and empowering message celebrating both independence and teamwork. Touch-and-feel covers and interactive holes on every page invite the reader to animate the characters by wiggling their fingers. Every book ends with a surprise gatefold finish, bringing all the characters together for an inclusive grand finale. 

I had so much fun developing this format and rolling it out over four books (and I still have more ideas!). Working with my Chronicle team was a dream (special shout-out to Ariel Richardson, Tara Creehan and Amelia Mack)—our visions were on the same page from the beginning, so our partnership felt easy and effortless.

What’s up next for you?

I’m working on a picture book with Susanna Leonard Hill. And thinking up new book ideas!

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

There is no one secret path (and certainly no shortcut) to getting published. It’s a journey and experience unique to each person, because we each come from different places and bring along our own influences and talents.

Networking with other authors and illustrators (via SCBWI, critique groups, workshops, etc.) is a great way to learn from the paths of others—and begin to forge your own. Plus, it can be a long road, so wouldn’t you rather have some travel buddies on your journey?

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

The Princess Bride and Dirty Dancing

Thank you so much for stopping by Critter Lit today Betsy!

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Author and illustrator Betsy Snyder has twenty years of experience creating for the children's market. Her smile-inspiring art can be found on everything from social expressions products, board games, plush, decor, fabric, wallpaper, and of course—children’s books! Since making her publishing debut in 2007, Betsy has teamed with a diverse mix of publishers, earning recognition from groups including the Society of Illustrators, The New York Times, Scholastic Parent & Child Magazine, Indie Next List, the Cooperative Children’s Book Center and Please Touch Museum. Her newest titles, I Can Dream and I Can Explore (May 2018), join the earlier I Can Dance and I Can Play in an innovative board book series with Chronicle Books.

Betsy lives in Independence, Ohio, where she enjoys cozying up to doodle with her art-loving family of four and venturing out to schools and libraries to encourage kids (and even grown-ups) to share their stories and chase their dreams.

For more information about Betsy and her books, visit her online at www.betsysnyder.com. Follow her on Twitter @betsysnyderart or on Facebook: www.facebook.com/betsysnyderart.

TO PURCHASE A COPY of I CAN DREAM or I CAN EXPLORE visit your local bookstore, or click here.

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BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Want a chance to win a SIGNED copy of I CAN DREAM or I CAN EXPLORE by Betsy Snyder?! Comment on this post below or share it on Twitter. Two lucky winners will be announced Thursday, August 30th! US addresses only please.

What's up on deck? Tune in next Thursday for an interview with picture book author Josh Funk!

Interview with Picture Book Author Tammi Sauer

I'm so excited for today's post! Starting this month, Critter Lit will be posting a new monthly feature, interviewing veteran picture book authors and illustrators! How exciting is that?! I can't wait to share with you the awesome line-up of authors, illustrators and author/illustrators to come! My hope is that their advice and insight will inspire you to go out there and create!

If you tuned in to Critter Lit last Thursday, you already know that we are big fans of TRUCK, TRUCK GOOSE! in my household, so naturally I was thrilled to hear there was going to be a sequel: GO FISH! by the fabulously talented Tammi Sauer and illustrated by Zoe Waring (whose illustrations are oh so cute!) Critter Lit shout out to Zoe and her adorable illustrations!

Go Fish! Written by Tammi Sauer, Illustrated by Zoe Waring

I've been a fan of Tammi Sauer's work well before I was a mom reading her books with my kiddos. My first encounter with her work was as a bookseller, before I was published. Mostly Monsterly, illustrated by Scott Magoon, is one of my favorite picture books, because I believe baking and sprinkles do make everything better. Personally, I think we all need WWBD (What Would Bernadette Do) bracelets for a little guidance every now and then.

Needless to say, I'm honored to be interviewing Tammi Sauer this week! Make sure to comment at the end of this post for a chance to win one of Tammi Sauer's new picture books: GO FISH! and KNOCK KNOCK, which are both equally hilarious and charming. 

So without further ado, please welcome Tammi Sauer! 

Where do you live?

My family and I live in Edmond, Oklahoma, with one dog, two geckos, and a tank full of random fish.

How many years have you been in publishing?

Cowboy Camp, my first book, debuted in 2005. It's still in print. Yeehaw!

How many books have you published?

I have 23 published picture books. I have another 10 that are under contract. 

Do you write full-time?

I am a full-time writer, but I spend a lot of my time presenting at schools and writing conferences across the nation.

What inspires you to create picture books?

I never set out to be a writer. My plan was to be a third grade teacher. During my senior year at Kansas State University, however, I had the best teacher of my life. Dr. Marjorie Hancock began every class in a beautiful way--she shared a picture book. This class involved a lot of reading, but it involved a lot of writing as well. One day, Dr. Hancock pulled me aside and said, "Tammi, you have a gift with words. You should pursue publication." Knowing Dr. Hancock believed in me helped me to believe in myself.

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

I love when something I have written really connects with a kid. I recently received a video from a mom that featured her reading GO FISH! to her toddler. The kid was belly-laughing the whole time. I'm honored that something I created played a part in such a great mom and kiddo moment. I also receive the best mail from kids. One of my favorite letters ended with the line, "Do not tell her this, but I like you more than Kelly Clarkson." Another favorite letter ended with a line that might be the loveliest compliment I have ever received:  "You make me light up like Christmas lights." Awwwww!

What do you find difficult working as an author?

For me, the absolute hardest part about the picture book creating process is coming up with a good idea. A wow idea. An irresistible-to-editors idea.

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

When I visit schools, I always tell kids to celebrate the weird stuff in life. The weird stuff is good material for stories. 

KNOCK KNOCK, for example, got its start from a weird thing that happened to me. One day, I had a ton of work to do, but I kept getting interrupted. My doorbell rang. My phone rang. My dog barked. Everyone in the entire world texted me 362 different times. The more interruptions that came my way, the more frustrated I got. 

Later, I got to thinking that maybe I should write a story about a character who grows increasingly frustrated because he gets interrupted again and again and again. But, in the story, I wanted all of those interruptions to end up being a Very Good Thing. I also wanted those interruptions to be funny.

So, yes, apparently, I now have this brand new book all because I was really annoyed one afternoon. Hooray!

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

I like it to be quiet when I write. That helps me to get in the zone. I also like a 32oz. cup of unsweetened mango ice tea. I have a cup of it next to me right this very minute.

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

I wish I had known all of the stuff that needs to go into a picture book! This is my all-time favorite quote about writing picture books: "My main considerations for any picture book are humor, emotion, just the right details, read-aloud-ability, pacing, page turns, and of course, plot. Something has to happen to your characters that young readers will care about and relate to. Oh, and you have to accomplish all that in as few words as possible, while creating plenty of illustration possibilities. No easy task."--Lynn Hazen

I would have loved to have had this advice from day one!

Tell us about your newest books?

GO FISH! (HarperCollins), illustrated by Zoe Waring, features Goose and his friends. The group sets out for a fine day of fishing, but things don't exactly go as planned.

For this book as well as for the book Truck Truck, Goose! which features the same cast, I had a specific audience in mind. I wanted to give kids who are just starting to read the opportunity to feel like accomplished readers. To do this, I kept the text in each manuscript to a minimum and included a lot of art notes. Zoe's charming and hilarious art tells the bulk of these stories.

Knock Knock Written by Tammi Sauer, Illustrated by Guy Francis

KNOCK KNOCK (Scholastic Press), illustrated by Guy Francis, stars a bear named Harry who is all set to hunker down for hibernation, but his woodland friends have other ideas. 

While this book is written almost entirely in knock knock jokes, it contains a real deal story with characters, conflict, and commotion. What is more, it's full of humor, but it has lots of heart, too.

When writing this book, I not only wanted to tell a story in an entirely new way, but I wanted the text to encourage lots of audience participation. I've test-driven this book at school visits, and it's been a huge hit with the crowds.

What’s up next for you?

In September, a quiet kid gets paired with a noisy kid in Quiet Wyatt (Clarion), illustrated by Arthur Howard. And in November? A beaver and a raccoon make a big discovery in Making a Friend (HarperCollins), illustrated by Alison Friend. 

In 2019, my pals Wordy Birdy and Nugget and Fang will be back in Wordy Birdy Meets Mr. Cougarpants (Doubleday), illustrated by Dave Mottram, and Nugget & Fang Go to School (Clarion), illustrated by Michael Slack. A new character will be joining the mix, too, in A Little Chicken (Sterling), illustrated by Dan Taylor. This book stars Dot. She's a little chicken who, let's face it, is a little chicken. 

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

Yes! Find a good critique group. Not only will you receive valuable feedback on your manuscripts and/or art, but it's so nice to have people to celebrate and commiserate with! Make sure, however, that the other members of your group are at least as good as you are--preferably better. You want these people to push you to make good things great. 

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

While I am a huge fan of The Breakfast Club, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, and The Goonies, top billing goes to Ferris Bueller's Day Off. I love you, Ferris!

Thank you for chatting with us today Tammi!

Tammi Sauer is a full time author who presents at schools and conferences across the nation. She has 23 published picture books with major publishing houses including HarperCollins, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Penguin Random House, Scholastic Press, Simon & Schuster, and Sterling. In addition to winning awards, Tammi's books have gone on to do great things. Nugget & Fang was made into a musical and is currently on a national tour, Wordy Birdy was named a Spring 2018 Kids' Indie Next pick, an Amazon Best Book of the Month, and a Barnes & Noble Best Book of the Month, and Your Alien, an NPR Best Book of the Year, was recently released in Italian, Spanish, Korean, and French which makes her feel extra fancy.

For more information about Tammi Sauer or her books, visit her online at www.tammisauer.com or follow her on Twitter @SauerTammi

BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Want a chance to win a copy of GO FISH! or KNOCK KNOCK by Tammi Sauer?! Comment on this post below. Two winners will be selected Thursday, August 2nd!

What's up on deck? Tune in next week for Critter Lit's August Picture Book Picks!