Let's Talk Illustrators #395: Kobi Yamada and Charles Santoso

Today's interview is extra special because I'm talking to not one creator but two! I finally got a chance to catch up with renowned duo Kobi Yamada and Charles Santoso, who have created a wealth of gorgeous books together including Others, which published this past March. Enjoy taking a closer look at how these two talented creators work together!

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 #389: Hsu-Kung Liu

It's clear from the moment you hold Little Monk Writes Rain by Hsu-Kung Liu, translated by Rachel Wang Yung-Hsin, that it's going to be a special book: it opens vertically! The interior is just as special, and it's my pleasure to share a behind-the-scenes look at how the book came together!

Let's Talk Illustrators #376: Rafael Sica

I was lucky to get a chance to chat with debut Brazilian children's book and seasoned comics creator Rafael Sica about No One Slept, translated by Bruna Dantas Lobato. It was such a thrill getting to talk to Rafael about his illustration inspiration for the book, which just so happens to be one of my favorite illustrators––but I won't spoil the surprise! Enjoy our chat!

Let's Talk Illustrators #372: Hyewon Kyung

I hope everyone enjoyed the retrospective I ran in August! Today we're back to our usually scheduled program with Hyewon Kyung, author-illustrator of I Am a Lioness, This book caught my eye the moment I saw it, and I'm excited to share the process behind creating it with you all! I'll let Hyewon take it from here!

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 #323: Catarina Sobral

I am pleased to share my interview with Catarina Sobral about Ashimpa: The Mysterious Word , translated by Julianna Barbassa, here today! This is a particularly exciting interview for me because I have owned the Portuguese edition for over a decade, and now that it's publishing in English I have a chance to show you the process behind making it! Enjoy taking a closer look at this gorgeous and whimsical book with me!

Let's Talk Illustrators #319: André Carrilho

I am so excited to share my interview with illustrator and caricaturist André Carrilho! Today we're talking about his gorgeous new book My Dear Sea which captures some of the most beautiful nuances of a summer day. Enjoy the read!

Let's Talk Illustrators #317: Dayeon Auh

I am so excited to share my interview here today with Dayeon Auh, author and illustrator of The Three-Year Tumble: Based on a Korean Folktale, translated by Tim Mohr. The story is much more than it seems and it was fun to unravel this tale with Dayeon over the course of the interview. Read on!

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 #299: Veronika Kotyk

As we get closer to the spooky season, it seems apt that we begin to spice in some of the spookier books! Today I'm pleased to share my chat with Veronika Kotyk, illustrator of  Spooky Celebrations Around the World, who reveals her process for creating the stunningly vibrant illustrations. Don't be spooked, dive into this celebratory book with me!

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 #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 #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 #279: Xin Li

I am very pleased to present my conversation with Xin Li, author and illustrator of I Lived Inside a Whale. This is one of those books that I knew would be an interview on the site just from the moment I saw the cover (though the casewrap and endpapers didn't hurt either!), so I hope you enjoy learning as much about your process as I did!

Let's Talk Illustrators #275: David Dolenský

We're back with our first interview of the year, a conversation with Czech tattoo artist, graphic designer, and illustrator of Tibbles the Cat David Dolenský. Written by Michal Šanda, Tibbles the Cat is a story as unique and fascinating as its illustrator, and I hope you enjoy a peek behind the curtain when it comes to how David created the illustrations. Happy New Year!

Let's Talk Illustrators #270: Maryam Tahmasebi

I am very proud to share this special interview with Maryam Tahmasebi about her illustration process for Empty & Me: A Tale of Friendship and Loss, written by Azam Mahdavi and translated by Parisa Saranj. This bilingual Persian-English picture book was originally published in Iran, and I'm so pleased to talk to Maryam about bringing it Stateside for her US illustrator debut. I hope you enjoy taking a closer look at this meaningful book with me. 

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 #263: Susan Gal

I recently talked with Susan Gal, illustrator of Kristen Hubbard's book Dear Stray. The subject of this picture book is particularly near and dear to my heart, so I was very pleased that this is the book we got to discuss. Take a closer look at this special story below!

Let's Talk Illustrators #261: Ana Matsusaki

As someone who essentially collects illustrator interviews (and literally collects illustrated children's books), it's only natural that I'd want to talk to debut author-illustrator Ana Matsusaki about her book The Collector of Heads, translated by Bruna Dantas Lobato! Enjoy a peek behind the curtain of this gorgeous picture book debut!