Let's Talk Illustrators #300: Cathy Fisher

From the moment I saw the cover of The Panda's Child, written by Jackie Morris, I was blown away (for more on that, check back tomorrow!). From the story to the illustrations to the book's design, The Panda's Child is super special, and I'm glad I get to share my interview with illustrator Cathy Fisher about it here today. Enjoy! 

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 #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 #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 #258: Shahrzad Maydani

I recently had a chance to interview Shahrzad Maydani, illustrator of Always Sisters: A Story of Loss and Love, written by Saira Mir. Shahrzad always finds powerful and meaningful projects to work on, and it was such a pleasure delving into her process for this book.

I do want to issue a light trigger warning for this interview, as the book deals heavily with topics related to neonatal death and grief.

STILL THIS LOVE GOES ON

Still This Love Goes on, based on the song by Buffy Sainte-Marie and illustrated by Julie Flett, celebrates community and hopeful promise of seeing loved ones again soon.

Let's Talk Illustrators #225: Isabel Roxas

I finally, finally got to talk to my friend Isabel Roxas! We talked about her newest illustration work on Sophia N Lee's picture book Holding On, as well as how her picture book work differs from her comic book work. It was a blast to talk to her, I hope you enjoy our chat!

Let's Talk Illustrators #202: Tracy Subisak

Amah Faraway, written by Margaret Chiu Greanias and illustrated by Tracy Subisak, about is a story many children and families can relate to right now. With people scattered throughout the world, many children have not yet had a chance to meet important people in their lives in-person, and Tracy does a wonderful job of bringing the shyness and love that comes with meeting new family to life! Enjoy our chat!

AWAKE

Awake by Mags DeRoma is full of surprises around every corner.

TIME IS A FLOWER

Time Is a Flower by Julie Morstad is a thoughtful mediation about the passage––and concept––of time.

OVERGROUND RAILROAD

I completely missed Overground Railroad by Lesa Cline-Ransome and James E. Ransome from last year, and I'm so glad it found its way to me.

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 BEAR AND THE MOON

The Bear and the Moon by Matthew Burgess and Cátia Chien is a sweet story about love and loss.

Let's Talk Illustrators #157: Naoko Stoop

I was so excited to talk to Naoko Stoop, illustrator of Yumi Heo's last book Sun and Moon Have a Tea Party. Naoko's illustrations in this book are so sweet and very uniquely made, but I'll let her reveal the details below. Take a closer look at this beautiful book with me!

Let's Talk Illustrators #136: Elizabet Vukovic

It was such a pleasure to chat with Elizabet Vukovic about her newly illustrated picture book An Ordinary Day, written by Elana K Arnold. We talked about some of my favorite topics, including the mechanics of portraying death in picture books and the joys of using only complementary colors to convey tone. Enjoy the read!

SUCH A GOOD BOY

Such a Good Boy by Marianna Coppo is the cutest story about inherited familial pressures I've ever seen.

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 #94: Elise Peterson

In Brontez Purnell's The Nightlife of Jacuzzi Gaskett Jacuzzi balances "normal" childhood issues like not fitting in at school and wondering if people in galaxies far, far away have it easier than he, with watching his younger brother for hours at a time and coming to grips with hating his mother's boyfriend. Although the story is technically fiction, these are real issues experienced by children every day. Add in Elise Peterson's mixed media collage illustrations, and the entire story suddenly feels like a scrapbook: the story becomes even more grounded in reality because not only is the story relatable, but the illustrations themselves are photos pulled from Elise's own life. It was an honor to chat with Elise about her process for bringing this story to life in a visual way.

Let's Talk Illustrators #87: Josée Bisaillon

Ten Cents a Pound by Nhung N. Tran-Davies and Josée Bisaillon is one of those rare mirrors and windows books. It's a mirror in the sense that any parent can understand working themselves down to the bone for their child's future, and it's a window, at least for me, into everyday Vietnamese culture and life beyond the glamour shots we see in the movies. With touch points any parent can understand, like wanting your child to get a better education that you did, or wanting them to simply sprout wings and leave the nest, this book kindly and gently reveals a mother-daughter relationship no parent or child will soon forget. I got a chance to talk to Josée about her illustration process, both for this book and in general, and it's an honor to share that conversation here today.

Let's Talk Illustrators #78: Cátia Chien

I had the pleasure of working with Cátia Chien about a year and a half ago over at All the Wonders when the team took a closer look Elaine Magliaro's Things to Do (I maintain that this is still one of the best features we put together!). So when her new book The Town of Turtle, written by Michelle Cuevas, came across my desk I knew without a doubt that I wanted to talk to Cátia about it. Now, four months after the book has been out in the world, I finally have a chance to share our conversation with you about a book that cannot help but lift the spirits of everyone who reads it.