Process
Making the ‘ROSA’ Art: Character Design
Some ‘Behind-the-scenes’ art-making for ‘What Rosa Brought’ (releasing in UK bookstores March 2024)… In the earliest stages of making art for books I tend to focus on characters first (especially in the case of non-fiction books). Rosa is based on author Jacob Sager Weinstein’s mother as a child, and her parents and grandma are 3 other…
Read MoreBreak Cards – Free Download
Over on my newsletter Creativi-Tea Time and on the In Kinship Podcast, I shared about my work routine and about the break cards that I use during workdays. Here’s a copy you can download and print – with some blank cards to fill in your own custom break activities. (These are for individual, personal use…
Read MoreFor Illustrators Who Want to Know About Children’s Book Publishing
I get frequently asked for information on children’s book illustration and publishing, and unfortunately I’m unable to respond to each individually, so I’ve compiled all the beginning info that I have to share with folks here, for anyone who’s looking for it! This information is based on my personal experience and it’s important to say…
Read MoreScene Writing Exercise for Illustrators
When designing the illustrations for a scene in a book, here are questions I ask to help explore the visual options…(Feel free to download and print this for your own use. If you re-post this, please keep my copyright info attached and link to my blog if possible. Thanks!)
Read MoreHOME IN THE WOODS – Behind the Scenes Video
A behind-the-scenes video detailing the process of writing and illustrating Home in the Woods When I was finishing the art for ‘Home In The Woods’, I had an idea to make a “little” book video to help share some of my behind-the-book stories. When my husband Adam agreed to make it, I had no idea…
Read More‘Home In The Woods’ book video—PROCESS
Another piece to the ‘Behind the Scenes’ making of my book HOME IN THE WOODS, this section focusing on the art process. Video by Adam Wheeler, and special sound work by Alex Reeves. (3:11 min) Buy HOME IN THE WOODS at your local indie bookstore-or- Barnes and Noble , or Amazon.com
Read MoreHOME In The WOODS—AHA Moment #1
Writing….a process filled with so many questions needing to be answered, problems to be solved. One of the most frustrating things about the creative process can be the uncertainty, questions, puzzles, doubts, unresolved issues…which result in much banging of the head against a wall. On the flip side of that same coin are the most…
Read MoreWork Spaces and Places
4th grade teacher Jennifer Keller sent out this fun tweet: As I searched for a pic of my workspace to share, I saw many photos I’ve snapped of places I’ve written (or illustrated), so I pulled together a bunch more to share here! I’ve written and illustrated in so many locations over the past 7…
Read MorePicture Books Are Not Easy To Write
I recently attended a wonderful opening exhibit at the University of Minnesota’s Andersen Library, The ABC of It , which has hundreds of children’s book treasures—original artwork from Poky Little Puppy, Millions of Cats, Goodnight Moon, Maurice Sendak, Tomi dePaola, Beatrix Potter…oh, and an 18 foot replica of the Goodnight Moon bedroom (!)—on display. If you have…
Read MoreMy SCBWI LA National Conference Keynote
Last month I attended the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators summer conference in Los Angeles, and was invited there by Lin Oliver to give my first keynote speech for one of their national conferences. It was an incredible honor to be invited, and it marked a big milestone for me as an SCBWI…
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