Let's Talk Illustrators #92: Isabelle Simler

I was lucky enough to chat with author-illustrator Isabelle Simler about her illustration and story processes for her 2018 picture book A Web. Isabelle has more than proven herself to be a master of her craft, what with numerous awards and endless praise on books like Plume and The Blue Hour. Today I talked to Isabelle about what it's like to look at the world through the lens of another (in this case, a spider!) and how she sets herself up to tackle these new challenges and points of view. Enjoy!

THE VISITOR

The Visitor is yet another stunning book by light box dioramist Antje Damm (who I interviewed last year).

Crushes of the Week: December 2-8, 2018

This week's crushes:

1. Rain by Anders Holmer (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, October 2018)
2. The Bandit Queen by Natalia and Lauren O'Hara (Puffin, November 2018)
3. Foods of the World by Libby Walden and Jocelyn Kao (360 Degrees, September 2018)
4. She Made a Monster: How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein by Lynn Fulton and Felicita Sala (Knopf Books for Young Readers, September 2018)
5. The Ink House by Rory Dobner (Laurence King Publishing, October 2018)
6. Farmer Falgu Goes to the Kumbh Mela by Chitra Soundar and Kanika Nair (Karadi Tales Picturebooks, September 2018)
7. Where in the Wild by Jonny Lambert (Tiger Tales, September 2018)
8. A Ray of Light by Walter Wick (Scholastic Press, February 2019)

       

First Friday 5: Treading New Ground

As we get ready to begin a new year, many of us will find ourselves treading new, unfamiliar ground. What will the new year bring? Who will we meet? And who will we lose? The characters in these five comics explore entirely new worlds—sometimes together, sometimes alone—and find themselves forever shaping their new environments.

#kidlitpicks November Round-Up: 18 Visually Wonderful Picture Books

Sometimes a picture book story is elevated to the next level by its outstanding illustrations. Electrifying art that "illuminates" the written narrative with gusto. Those picture books that you are happy to take your time with, soak up the visual spectacle and enjoy. As an introduction to art and the power of imagination, these picture books do more than just please the eye. They change the mind with new creative ideas and show young readers just how wondrous the world can be. 

During December the @kidlitpicks book club featured books about celebrating. A huge thank you to Liam from Words And Illustrations for the vibrant theme!

Crushes of the Week: November 25-December 1, 2018

This week's crushes:

1. Be a Maker by Katey Howes and Elizabet Vukovic (Carolrhoda Books, March 2019)
2. Mirror Play by Monte Shin (minedition, September 2018)
3. Tomorrow by Nadine Kaadan (Lantana Publishing, September 2018)
4. Everest by Sangma Francis and Lisk Feng (Flying Eye Books, October 2018)
5. Dream Big, Little One by Vashti Harrison (LB Kids, October 2018)
6. We Travel So Far by Laura Knowles and Chris Madden (Firefly Books, August 2018)

     

SEEING STARS

Seeing Stars: A Complete Guide to the 88 Constellations by Sarah Gillingham is an introductory guide for young star gazers, and catalogs all 88 internationally recognized constellations.

RIVERS

Rivers: A Visual History from River to Sea by Peter Goes surveys rivers from around the world and offers colorful graphics about their histories.