Let's Talk Illustrators #271: Tatyana Feeney

I got a chance to talk to the incredible Tatyana Feeney about a fun new poetry series launched this year called Petite Poems. Tatyana illustrated August title Theme in Yellow: A Classic Ode to Autumn, written by Carl Sandburg, and with another coming next year it's exciting to feel like I'm catching her on the brink of something special. Enjoy the read!

Let's Talk Illustrators #187: Romana Romanyshyn and Andriy Lesiv

Collaborative duo Romana Romanyshyn and Andriy Lesiv have made some of my favorite books over the years (check out Stars and Poppy Seeds on my Favorites of 2019 list here), so it was an extra special treat to catch them both to discuss their work together. Most recently they published Sight: Glimmer, Glow, Spark, Flash!, a follow up to last year's Sound: Shhh . . . Bang . . . Pop . . . Boom!, and this vibrant series serves as an engaging and immersive set of scientific learning! Enjoy!

Let's Talk Illustrators #173: EB Goodale

I was so excited to chat with EB Goodale about her newest picture book The House of Grass and Sky, written by Mary Lyn Ray. EB breathes life and joy into to the titular house, and she gets a chance to showcase a wide range of significant moments with delicacy and curiosity that has viewers longing for more. Enjoy our conversation!

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.

UNDER THREAT

Under Threat: An Album of Endangered Animals is the stunning collaboration between nonfiction author Martin Jenkins and graphic designer Tom Frost.

A DIFFERENT STORY

A Different Story by Adolfo Serra reminds readers that although we are all unique, we're all similar in a lot of ways, too.

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!

THE FATE OF FAUSTO

The Fate of Fausto by Oliver Jeffers is a cautionary tale that reminds readers of the fate that awaits selfish people.

A LIFE MADE BY HAND

A Life Made By Hand: The Story of Ruth Asawa by Andrea D'Aquino is a biography of lesser-known wire sculptor Ruth Asawa.

THE LITTLE RABBIT

We're in the sweet spot of waiting for winter to end and spring to start, so it's the perfect time for The Little Rabbit by Nicola Killen. 

Let's Talk Illustrators #98: LK James

I got a chance to catch up with LK James about her debut book The Full House and the Empty House, a powerful allegory about the complexities of inequality in friendships. It's a book I've been waiting for since I saw the cover many moons ago, and when I finally got to read the book I was pleased to see that the story hits every single note I'd hoped it would. It was a pleasure talking to LK, and I hope you enjoy our conversation about her rather impressive debut book.

NATIONAL PARKS OF THE USA

National Parks of the USA by Kate Siber and Chris Turnham takes readers on a tour of America's greatest (you guessed it!) national parks.

THESE COLORS ARE BANANAS

These Colors Are Bananas by Tamara Shopsin and Jason Fulford is one of the most innovative color concept books I think I've ever seen, and I'm obsessed with it.

THE CAROUSEL OF ANIMALS

The Carousel of Animals by Gérard Lo Monaco is not only a pop-up book, it's also a carousel book, which means that it can be opened accordion-style so that it forms a circle around the spine of the book. 

NIGHT AND DAY

Hooray for over-sized opposites books where you can lift flaps, peek through giant holes, and play with pop-ups! I'm talking, of course, about Julie Safirstein's Night and Day, which is one of the most fun and interactive opposites books I've seen yet!

FEATHER

Before I could get my hands on it, I'd heard non-stop buzz about Rémi Courgeon's Feather. Not really into sports (and less into boxing), I didn't really pay the buzz any attention until the one fateful afternoon I caught sight of the cover. I was hooked after that.

ANIMALS HIDE AND SNEAK

Remember when I did all those posts recently about books showcasing complementary colors and I lamented the fact that there aren't more books with yellows and purples? I can lament no more!

Let's Talk Illustrators #26: Basak Agaoglu

If you haven't heard of debut author-illustrator Basak Agaoglu by now, I can safely say that won't be the case for long. Her debut The Almost Impossible Thing published in April 2017 to critical acclaim, and given the complexities of her debut (which we'll get into below!), the world is definitely waiting with baited breath to see what she'll create next. Basak was kind enough to stop by and chat about her foray into children's books and how she unexpectedly came to write her incredible debut. Enjoy!

PEN PALS

Alexandra Pichard's Pen Pals is the endearing story of an ant named Oscar who is set up with an octopus named Bill through his school's pen pal system. Despite some rather significant (and hilarious) differences, the two become fast friends, and their story is told through the letters they write each other.

Making It Up As They Go

Remember Crockett Johnson's Harold and the Purple Crayon? Harold draws his own adventure so the narrative is carried entirely by his actions. It's pretty rare for characters to have more control over the story than the author or narrator, but there are some picture books out right now that do something very similar, piecing together the story seemingly "on the fly." So let's talk about them!