Let's Talk Illustrators #267: Travis Jonker

You might know the name Travis Jonker from any number of places: Travis runs the School Library Journal blog 100 Scope Notes, he is half of The Yarn podcast with Colby Sharp, he represents a third of The Undies/Endies Awards with myself and Carter Higgins, and he's an author! Now Travis has added another feather to his cap with his illustrator debut Just One Flake, and it's my absolute pleasure to share his journey with you all here. Enjoy!!

Case(wrap) of the Mondays

We've got a case(wrap) of the Mondays!

Crushes of the Week: October 22-28, 2023

This week's crushes:

1. Scroll by Hui Li (Christy Ottaviano Books, October 2023)
2. Do You Remember? by Sydney Smith (Neal Porter Books, October 2023)
3. The Bees of Notre-Dame by Meghan P. Browne and E. B. Goodale (Random House Studio, October 2023)
4. 100 Chapatis by Derek Mascarenhas and Shantala Robinson (Owlkids, October 2023)
5. The Museum of Nothing by Steven Guarnaccia (Minerva, October 2023)
6. Don't Blow Your Top! by Ame Dyckman and Abhi Alwar (Orchard Books, October 2023)
7. Desert Queen by Jyoti Rajan Gopal and Svabhu Kohli (Levine Querido, October 2023)
8. The Snow Man: A True Story by Jonah Winter and Jeanette Winter (Beach Lane Books, October 2023)
9. See You on the Other Side by Rachel Montez Minor and Mariyah Rahman (Crown Books for Young Readers, September 2023)

       

Endpapers for the end of your week!

Down to the Last Detail: ALPHABEASTS

I'm just absolutely obsessed with the cover treatment on this book! Embossing? Check! Spot gloss?? Check!! Glitter foil??? Check!!!

2023 Undies and Endies Awards: Nominations Open

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Once again I'm joining Travis Jonker and Carter Higgins for the The Undies: Case Cover Awards and the The Endies: Endpaper Awards!

Rules and nomination form for favorite undies are here.

Rules and nomination form for favorite endies are here.

Nominations close November 12. Good luck!!

Let's Talk Illustrators #266: Sarah Gonzales

I was lucky enough to chat with Sarah Gonzales, illustrator most recently of The Only Way to Make Bread, written by Cristina Quintero. Among many topics, we spoke about how she always makes a conscious effort to work her personal experiences into her illustrations and how she feels her process has evolved (and continues to evolve!). Enjoy!