Let's Talk Illustrators #397: Jaque Jours

I am happy to present my interview with Mexican creator Jaque Jours! We're talking about her debut picture book The Muéganos, which she received a FONCA fellowship to write and illustrate in 2023. Learn more about this "sweet" and personal book with me!

Let's Talk Illustrators #393: Akin Duzakin

I was lucky enough to talk to Akin Duzakin, illustrator most recently of Fly Away Home, written by Betty Quan. It was a pleasure picking his brain about this book and his process in general, enjoy learning more about both!

Let's Talk Illustrators #392: María José de Tellería

I am very please to share my interview with María José de Tellería about The Green Otter, written by Eduardo Halfon. The illustrations are just as sweet and unique as the text, and it was a pleasure and an honor talking to María about how they came together. Enjoy!

Let's Talk Illustrators #381: Myungae Lee

I read Late Today––by Jungyoon Huh and Myungae Lee and translated by Aerin Park––back in June and instantly fell in love with the story and illustrations. It is such an honor to present my interview today with illustrator Myungae about the book, digging into what makes it so special. Enjoy!!

Let's Talk Illustrators #380: Azul López

Today I'm pleased to share my interview with Mexican author-illustrator Azul López about Croco (available in English and Spanish), translated by Kit Maude. This uniquely designed book runs vertically to capture some stunning images and deep emotions. Read on to learn more about how Azul developed and created it!

Let's Talk Illustrators #379: Lorenzo Sangiò

It was such a pleasure talking to Lorenzo Sangiò about The Night Giant, written by Lorenzo Coltellacci! Take a sneak peek with me behind the process of illustrating this sweet book with a giant heart (and an actual giant!).

Let's Talk Illustrators #378: Nat Cardozo

I am very pleased to present my interview with author-illustrator Nat Cardozo about her illustration and story processes for Origin, translated by Layla Benitez-James and Ian Farnes. Nat works in a format called pyrography, which I have never talked to anyone about before, so it was edifying and fascinating to hear about how her lush illustrations came to life. Enjoy!

Let's Talk Illustrators #374: Matthew Forsythe

Today I'm proudly sharing Matthew Forsythe's insights into his process for creating the funny and moving book Aggie and the Ghost. I hope you enjoy learning about this book as much as I did!

Let's Talk Illustrators #369: Zuzanna Celej

I was so lucky to grab illustrator Zuzanna Celej for a quick chat about her newly illustrated book The Vase with the Golden Cracks, written by Fran Nuño. This is a special book for so many reasons, and I'll let Zuzanna tell us more about the story and illustrations, but I would be hugely remiss if I didn't point out that one of the most special parts of this book literally has to be felt to be appreciated: The pages of the book are made from stone, not trees! This gives the book quite the unique tactile experience, and it's one of many excuses to run out and find it in person. Enjoy our interview about the illustration process for The Vase with the Golden Cracks!

Let's Talk Illustrators #365: Susie Ghahremani

I have long been a fan of Susie Ghahremani. It was her award-winning book Stack the Cats that put her on my radar (see my review from almost 9 years ago to the day here), and I've been itching to find an opportunity to interview her since. It turns out, Rosemary Long Ears was that opportunity! Tune in below to check out the process behind creating it.

Let's Talk Illustrators #324: Jenny Lucander

Today I'm talking to Jenny Lucander about Freya and the Snake, written by Fredrik Sonck. You can tell from the cover that this is a playful book with a lot of serious layers to it, and I'm excited to share our conversation here about the process behind making the illustrations for this unique book. Enjoy!

Let's Talk Illustrators #318: Anaïs Lambert

I feel so lucky to share here today my chat with Belgian author-illustrator Anaïs Lambert about her illustration and storyboard for Giant Steps. This was such a fun interview to conduct, I hope you enjoy taking a closer look at this quintessential spring book!

Let's Talk Illustrators #306: Cristina Sitja Rubio

The cover of The Most Beautiful Winter really draws you in, so it's no surprise that I found myself having to askVenezuelan author-illustrator Cristina Sitja Rubio about her process for the whole book. Please enjoy this most beautiful peek at the process for creating a most beautiful book!

Let's Talk Illustrators #301: Eliza Kinkz

I am very excited to share my interview with author-illustrator Eliza Kinkz today about her illustration process for Mamá’s Magnificent Dancing Plantitas, written by Jesús Trejo. Mamá’s Magnificent Dancing Plantitas is the much-anticipated follow-up to the award-winning 2023 picture book Papá’s Magical Water-Jug Clock by the same duo, so there was lots to talk about! Let's dive in!

Let's Talk Illustrators #300: Cathy Fisher

From the moment I saw the cover of The Panda's Child, written by Jackie Morris, I was blown away (for more on that, check back tomorrow!). From the story to the illustrations to the book's design, The Panda's Child is super special, and I'm glad I get to share my interview with illustrator Cathy Fisher about it here today. Enjoy! 

Let's Talk Illustrators #297: Melodie Stacey

It was such a treat getting a chance to pick illustrator Melodie Stacey's brain about her newest picture book Else B. in the Sea, written by Jeanne Walker Harvey. Enjoy peeking behind the curtain with me to learn more about how the story of Else B came to life!

Let's Talk Illustrators #294: Saki Tanaka

Today I am so pleased to share my interview with debut picture book creator Saki Tanaka! Her first book is called Between Words: A Friendship Tale, and Saki graciously takes us on a deep-dive (pun intended!) of her process with lots of process images to share. Please enjoy!

Let's Talk Illustrators #290: Minnie Phan

I am so pleased to share my interview with Minnie Phan, illustrator of Simone by Viet Thanh Nguyen. This quiet book is touching and beautiful, and I'm grateful Minnie let me share her process of creating the character Simone and bringing her world to life with you all today. Enjoy!

Let's Talk Illustrators #286: Noar Lee Naggan

I am so pleased to share my interview with Noar Lee Naggan today! We discuss his new picture book The Storyteller, written by Lindsay Bonilla, the unique process behind making the illustrations, and the inspiration for the characters we see in the final book. Happy reading!

Let's Talk Illustrators #284: Carla Haslbauer

I got a chance recently to catch up with German illustrator Carla Haslbauer about her illustration process. Today we're talking about her most recent US publication There Are No Dragons in This Book, written by Donna Lambo-Weidner. I hope you enjoy this claw-some interview with absolutely zero dragons in it!