Let's Talk Illustrators #398: Flavia Z Drago

I am so excited to share my interview here with Flavia Z Drago, just in time for the release of the boxed set of The World of Gustavo: Three Spooktacular Stories! Check out below how the series evolved and learn more about how the illustrations came to life!

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 #314: Angie Kang

I was so lucky to catch up with up-and-coming author-illustrator Angie Kang about her debut picture book Our Lake. I hope you enjoy taking a look at this beautiful, sweet book with us and how it came together!

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 #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!

Let's Talk Illustrators #278: Marion Kadi

I am so thrilled to present my interview with visual artist Marion Kadi, author and illustrator of 2021's BolognaRagazzi Opera Prima winner Harriet's Reflections. There's a lot to love about Marion's first picture book and her English-language debut, so I'll get right to the point and let her show you! 

Let's Talk Illustrators #265: Nancy Whitesides

Today I'm very pleased to share an interview for a book very near and dear to my heart. Grief Is an Elephant, written by Tamara Ellis Smith, touches on the intricacies of feeling grief, and the book is thoughtfully illustrated by Nancy Whitesides. Nancy was gracious enough to share her process with me, and you can take a closer look at that below.

Let's Talk Illustrators #196: Samantha Cotterill

I was so lucky to get a chance to chat with one of the most versatile illustrators I've ever met, Samantha Cotterill! If you take a look at Samantha's body of work, it's clear she works hard to create a unique illustration experience based on the tone of the text she's illustrating, and Thankful was created in her incredible diorama style (one of my favorites!). Samantha let me pick her brain, and our chat is below--enjoy!

THIS SMALL BLUE DOT

This Small Blue Dot by Zeno Sworder reminds readers about the interconnectedness of everything and everyone on Earth.

FELIX AFTER THE RAIN

Felix After the Rain by Dunja Jogan explores the power of utilizing a support system when it comes to mitigating grief and bringing levity and perspective to upsetting situations.

THE THREE MONKS

The Three Monks by Shaobai Li and Juxiang Tao tells the tale of three monks prone to infighting who decide to travel the world together.

Let's Talk Illustrators #138: Reza Dalvand

I was so pleased to catch up with Reza Dalvand about What Could That Be?. Reza has published over fifteen picture books in Iran, Europe, and Asia, and I'm so thrilled to see them making their way to the States (and quickly, too!). I hope you enjoy our conversation about his career so far and what he's working on now!

BLACK IS A RAINBOW COLOR

Black Is a Rainbow Color by Angela Joy and Ekua Holmes is celebratory, historically-rooted poetry about Black representation in America.

Let's Talk Illustrators #129: Vanessa Brantley-Newton

Get ready, everyone! Today I'm talking to the incredible Vanessa Brantley-Newton about her newest book Just Like Me, which showcases her expertise in using a wide array of mixed media and textures to heighten the overall design of her books. Vanessa took time to chat with me about what it's like to be writing and illustrating books, how her process has evolved, and what she has on the docket next. Enjoy!

STARS AND POPPY SEEDS

Stars and Poppy Seeds by Ukrainian husband and wife team Romana Romanyshyn and Andriy Lesiv is a stunning combination of art and mathematics.

Let's Talk Illustrators #118: Jenni Desmond

I was lucky enough to chat with Jenni Desmond about her newest picture book Migration, written by Mike Unwin. Jenni is known for working on books with environmental themes, and her illustrations in Migration are another feather in her overflowing cap of beautiful books. Enjoy our conversation!

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Boom! Boom! Boom! by Przemystaw Wechterowicz and Marianna Oklejak is a colorful and rocking good time.

Let's Talk Illustrators #112: Daniel Egnéus

I was lucky enough to get a chance to chat with Athens-based illustrator Daniel Egnéus about his illustration process for Lubna and Pebble. I've been a long time fan of Daniel's work since I saw his adaptation of Little Red Riding Hood back in 2011, so it was an extra special treat to talk to Daniel about his work in children's literature, specifically with a text designed to raise awareness of the refugee crisis. I hope you find our conversation insightful and thoughtful. 

Let's Talk Illustrators #111: Cindy Derby

It was downright delightful getting to know up-and-coming picture book creator Cindy Derby. Cindy released two books in March: her author-illustrator debut How to Walk an Ant, and Climbing Shadows: Poems for Children, written by Shannon Brammer. Cindy's process is fascinating, so let's get right to it! And don't worry: only 3 ants were harmed in the production of this interview.

Let's Talk Illustrators #85: Jon Agee

I will admit that sometimes I wait to interview a book creator. Not because that person is busy––books and books might go by while I wait––but because I'm waiting for the right book, the book I have to talk to them about. Jon Agee is one such creator, and the book I've been waiting for is The Wall in the Middle of the Book. You probably know Jon's work by now (they've won many, many, awards), but I waited for this book because it addresses what a book is: two rectangles connected by a line down the middle. Wall puts forth a hilarious story that uses the gutter (middle of the book) as its crux and opens our minds to the possibilities of what lies outside of the book itself. Enjoy our conversation!