Let's Talk Illustrators #387: Nancy So Miller

I was lucky enough to get a chance to chat with debut author-illustrator Nancy So Miller about her particularly unique illustration style for Sun, Moon, and Star: A Folktale from Korea. Nancy's process is intricate and beautiful, and I'm excited to show you more!

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 #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 #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 #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 #305: Sara Lundberg

Meow, meow [clears throat] today we're doing it the cat way with The Cat Way by Swedish author-illustrator Sara Lundberg and translated by B.J. Woodstein. My entire life has pretty much been done the cat way, so this interview felt quite natural to me! I hope you enjoy a peek at how this book and our main character came together.

Let's Talk Illustrators #304: Melissa Sweet

Today's interview is a little unconventional because normally I try to time interviews with book publication dates (give or take a few months). This time, though, we're turning back the clock to celebrate a book that turned ten this month. I'm talking to Melissa Sweet about the highly-praised, award-winning 2014 picture book The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus, written by Jen Bryant, and it's such a blast from the past that I'll let Melissa take it from here!

Let's Talk Illustrators #302: Elenia Beretta

It was such a pleasure talking to Elenia Beretta about Yours, Befana: A Letter from the Winter Witch, written by Barbara Cuoghi and translated by Genni Gunn. Far from spooky this quiet, beautiful book lets readers in on the secrets of the folklore surrounding Befana, the winter witch. So without further ado, let's check out Befana's and Elenia's secrets! 

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 #298: Marije Tolman

I am so pleased to share my interview with Dutch author-illustrator Marije Tolman here today! We're focusing on her newest book Quill the Forest Keeper and the stunning and unique techniques she used to create the illustrations. Please enjoy this behind-the-scenes look at Marije's process!

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 #288: Uma Krishnaswamy

I am so happy I had a chance to talk to Uma Krishnaswamy, illustrator of Look! Look!, written by Uma Krishnaswami. We talk about creating a companion to a book twelve years later, including the challenges and rewards that come with the process. Enjoy!

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 #282: Sally Soweol Han

I recently found myself lucky enough to chat with Sally Soweol Han about her author debut Tiny Wonders! Sally has been illustrating for a while now, but Tiny Wonders marks her foray into the writer world, and it was no tiny wonder learning about her process. Happy reading!

Let's Talk Illustrators #281: Cornelia Li

I am thrilled to present my interview with the immensely talented Cornelia Li! Today we're talking about Gravity Is Bringing Me Down, written by Wendelin Van Draanen. This was undoubtedly the perfect book for me to talk to Cornelia about (talk about room for creativity!), and I hope you enjoy our chat!

Let's Talk Illustrators #272: Kate Gardiner

I am very pleased to share with you all today my interview with the venerable Kate Gardiner. Kate is the debut illustrator of Small Places, Close to Home: A Child's Declaration of Rights: Inspired by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, written by Deborah Hopkinson. I hope you enjoy learning more about how the visuals came together for this meaningful book and Kate's personal connections to the text! 

Let's Talk Illustrators #250: Lian Cho

Oh No, the Aunts Are Here, written by Adam Rex and illustrated by Lian Cho, is a laugh-out-loud story with inviting, diverse, and all-too-relatable illustrations, and I'm so glad I got to catch up with Lian about her illustration process. Let's dive right in!!

Let's Talk Illustrators #244: Abigail Halpin

Recently I spoke with veteran illustrator Abigail Halpin about her most recent picture book Mouseboat, written by Larissa Theule. We discussed Abigail's career so far, what she has planned for the future, and the importance of leaning into certain emotions (even the hardest ones) to best connect with a manuscript. Enjoy the read.

Let's Talk Illustrators #243: Morissa Rubin

I recently got a chance to catch up with author-illustrator Morissa Rubin about how she created Dot, Dot, Polka Dot, a board book that takes a unique approach to exploring the fabric patterns that make up a child's quilt. Enjoy a peek at how this book got made!