Let's Talk Illustrators #245: Kimberly Annece Henderson and Ciara LeRoy

Today I'm excited to share one of my more unique interviews, with Kimberly Annece Henderson and Ciara LeRoy about Dear Yesteryear. I say unique because there are no illustrations in this book, rather it features archival photos collected and presented by Kimberly supported by hand-lettered text done by Ciara. Again, a really unique and insightful interview––I hope you enjoy looking more closely at this incredible project that honors Black Americans!

Kimberly Annece Henderson photo credit: Kimberly Henderson; Ciara LeRoy photo credit: Ayna Lorenzo

GOTCHA!

Gotcha! by Clotilde Perrin and translated by Daniel Hahn is an oversized, lift-the-flap book about fairy tales and finding your inner power.

WHERE IS BINA BEAR?

Where Is Bina Bear? by Mike Curato is a gentle, yet powerful tale of two friends learning to understand and trust one another.

STROLLERCOASTER

Strollercoaster by Matt Ringler, Raúl the Third, and Elaine Bay is the ride of a lifetime!

STAR CROSSED

Star Crossed by Julia Denos addresses the difficulties involved in maintaining a long distance relationship and the things people do to stay connected to the ones they love.

THE THING ABOUT BEES

The Thing About Bees: A Love Letter by Shabazz Larkin is a poetic ode to familial love and bees.

 

Let's Talk Illustrators #149: Stacy Innerst

I was thrilled to get a chance to chat with illustrator Stacy Innerst about his unique illustrations for Claudia Friddell's Saving Lady Liberty: Joseph Pulitzer's Fight for the Statue of Liberty. Stacy's children's book work is always a product of intense research and what can only be described as method-arting: no one commits to a medium like Stacy! Check out his process below.

Let's Talk Illustrators #143: Henry Blackshaw

I recently caught up with Henry Blackshaw to talk about his zine-turned-debut-picture-book The Inner Child. Henry examines the strange things adults do, explains them to children, and even highlights how adult behavior is rooted in our childlike instincts. Have a read!

THE FRUITS OF YOUR LABOR

We've all heard about how a baby's growing size can be compared to fruit, but The Fruits of Your Labor: A Baby-Sized Guide to Your Baby's Size by Andrew Tobin might be the cutest representation of the concept ever.

Let's Talk Illustrators #74: Lane Smith & Molly Leach

Lane Smith and Molly Leach have been working together on books for over 26 years. Their first book together was The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales, and if that book proves anything it's that these two are meant to create books together. Lane is an author-illustrator and Molly is a book designer, and today I talk to both of them about their newest book A House That Once Was, written by Julie Fogliano. Their banter is fast-paced, hilarious, and insightful, so try to keep up!

Let's Talk Illustrators #72: Paul Harfleet

It's apparent from Paul Harfleet's debut that his picture book - graphic novel hybrid Pansy Boy contains a story that's very near and dear to his heart. It's a book where the cover tells you nothing and everything all at once about the story you are about to read, and it hints at the real-world impact of the events held within. I don't want to give too much away––I'll let Paul do that!––but it was absolutely fascinating to chat with Paul and learn about the origins of The Pansy Project and how Pansy Boy acts as a platform for discussing the nuances of homophobia and bullying. I hope you learn as much as I did!

DISAPPEARING ACTS

Disappearing Acts: A Search-And-Find Book of Endangered Animals by Isabella Bunnell is a colorful seek-and-find book for young readers looking to learn more about the world's endangered animals.

H IS FOR HAIKU

H Is For Haiku: A Treasury From A to Z by Sydell Rosenberg and Sawsan Chalabi finds fun and poetry in everyday moments.

NOBODY'S DUCK

Nobody's Duck by Mary Sullivan is a laugh-out-loud tale of family, friendship, and, of course, complete and utter exasperation.

ALL THE BUILDINGS IN PARIS

All the Buildings in Paris (That I've Drawn So Far) is the latest in James Gulliver Hancock's All the Buildings series (with his previous books focusing on New York and London), and I don't know if it's because he's honing in on Paris this time, but I think this one might be my favorite!

IF I HAD A DINOSAUR

If I Had a Dinosaur, written by Gabby Dawnay and illustrated by Alex Barrow, is a fantastical look at owning a pretty bizarre pet. Our protagonist wakes up one day and ponders aloud what it would be like to have... a dinosaur! She wonders if it could learn tricks, like sitting and rolling over, or what people what say if she brought it to school with her. And, of course, how she would handle its poop!

Let's Talk Illustrators #5: Júlia Sardà

I did an Instagram post a little while ago when I first got a copy of Kyo Maclear and Júlia Sardà's The Liszts and said that I felt like I had been waiting for this book my whole life. That sentiment hasn't changed one bit in the months that I've had it: the more I read the book the more I grow to love it. It's so beautiful and so quirky that you can't NOT find something to connect with. There's something for everyone in this book.

Júlia Sardà stopped by to talk about her process for creating the illustrations and font for this incredible story, and I'm excited to share her insight with you today!

THE LISZTS

I feel like have been waiting for Kyo Maclear's and Júlia Sardà's The Liszts my whole life. It might sound dramatic, but, hey, the Liszts are a dramatic people. A family of seven (including the cat), the Liszts make lists like they're going out of style.​ There are lists on the walls, the floors, the piano... everywhere. And if you're not on a list then​ you're dismissed pretty quickly. Until one day a stranger shows up and​ teaches the family how to open their minds.