September 28, 2021

Let's Talk Illustrators #192: Zara González Hoang

Mi Casa Is My Home, written by Laurenne Sala and illustrated by Zara González Hoang, is a beautifully bilingual window into a familia of kids, cousins, parents, and grandparents who cherish each other more than anything in the world. I got a chance to talk to Zara about her process for bringing this large, loud, and loving family to life, and it was so fun learning about how she drew inspiration from her own family. Enjoy our chat below!


September 25, 2021

Crushes of the Week: September 19-25, 2021

This week's crushes:
  1. Where Three Oceans Meet by Rajani Larocca and Archana Sreenivasan (Abrams Books for Young Readers, August 2021)
  2. Magic Candies by Heena Baek (Amazon Crossing Kids, September 2021)
  3. The Very Hungry Plant by Renato Moriconi (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, August 2021)
  4. Mister Fairy by Morgane de Cadier and Florian Pigé (Red Comet Press, September 2021)
  5. Monarch Butterflies: Explore the Life Journey of One of the Winged Wonders of the World by Ann Hobbie and Olga Baumert (Storey Publishing, April 2021)
  6. Two Grooms on a Cake: The Story of America's First Gay Wedding by Rob Sanders and Robbie Cathro
  
 

September 23, 2021

SUN AND SHIRO

Sun and Shiro and the Polka-Dot Snake by Hiyoko Imai follows the first two titular characters as they interact with -- and ultimately save -- the third titular character, the polka-dot snake.


September 21, 2021

Let's Talk Illustrators #191: Erika Meza

There's little chance at this point you haven't heard about My Two Border Towns, written by David Bowles and illustrated by Erika Meza, and there's good reason for that! Today I'm excited to jump on the praise train and share my conversation with Erika, who discusses her inspiration for the imagery and the evolution of the characters! Enjoy!


September 18, 2021

Crushes of the Week: September 12-18, 2021

This week's crushes:
  1. Black and White by Debora Vogrig and  Pia Valentinis (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, August 2021)
  2. Happy Cats by Catherine Amari, Anouk Han, and Emi Lenox (Abrams Appleseed, September 2021)
  3. Seasons by Hannah Pang and Clover Robin (360 Degrees, August 2021)
  4. Amazon River by Sangma Francis and Rômolo D'Hipólito (Nobrow Press, August 2021)
  5. Daniela the Pirate and the Witch Philomena by Susanna Isern and Gómez (NubeOcho, September 2021)
  6. Niki Nakayama: A Chef's Tale in 13 Bites by Debbi Michiko Florence, Jamie Michalak, and Yuko Jones (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, September 2021)
  7. I Wish You Knew by Jackie Azúa Kramer and Magdalena Mora (Roaring Brook Press, May 2021)

    
   

September 16, 2021

CAT AND DOG

Cat and Dog: A Tale of Opposites by Tullio Corda explores the primer concept of opposites in a visually fun way.



September 14, 2021

Let's Talk Illustrators #190: Carter Higgins

It's truly a magical moment when you get a chance to interview one of your idols! Talking to Carter Higgins about her illustration debut Circle Under Berry was truly a dream come true for me, having been a follower of her Design of the Picture Book blog for many years and then getting the chance to work with her many moons ago at the website All the Wonders. Circle Under Berry is an incredibly special book that works hard not to fit into any particular mold, and I hope you enjoy our chat about one of this year's most unique books for children!


September 9, 2021

ANTONIA

Antonia: A Journey to a New Home by Dipacho is the wordless story of a family who experiences loss as they leave the home they know to find a new home in a strange land.


September 7, 2021

Let's Talk Illustrators #189: Carmen Mok

Illustrator Carmen Mok has been on my radar for a long time now, as every book she works on has a tendency to feel inviting and personable. I feel super lucky to have had the chance to pick her brain about her illustration process for her new illustrated book I Hear You, Forest, written by Kallie George. With a special message about taking time to stop and smell the flowers, it's the perfect book for such a busy time in our lives. Have a read below!