A wonderful illustrator, Deborah Zemke, asked me to participate in The Next Big Thing, a global blog tour that started in Australia. You can read Deborah's blog post here.
Here's my last published book:
I have another book coming out in September but I'll be sharing about On Christmas Day, today.
1. What is the title of your current book?
On Christmas Day written by author Margaret Wise Brown was released last Christmas. It's published by Sweetwater Press/Books A Million.
I am the illustrator but the writer, Margaret Wise Brown wrote hundreds of books and stories during her life, but she is best known for Goodnight Moon, Big Red Barn and Runaway Bunny. Even though she died over 55 years ago, many of her books are still in print and new ones are being published. I was blessed enough to get an opportunity to illustrate one of those books. It was the chance of a lifetime and a gift to be able to illustrate this book.
3) What genre does your book fall under?
It's an early picture book written in rhyme. The original title was called Christmas Song but the publisher chose to change it to On Christmas Day.
4) How long did it take you to do the art?
About 3-4 months. It went much smoother than I anticipated, plus the art was needed that quickly.
5) What inspired you in illustrating this book?
I was so worried at first thinking..."Oh my gosh! These are Margaret Wise Brown's words!!!" But I prayed about it and soon I got out of my own head and asked God to paint through me and He did. It was amazing! It was one of the most satisfying jobs I have ever had the pleasure of taking on. It really was an honor. I just found this amazing quote which nailed it perfectly for me! :) "Art is a collaboration between God and the artist, and the less the artist does the better." -Andre Gide
6) What else about the book might pique the reader's interest?
I love the nativity story so that in and of itself is probably enough to pique any little one's interest but the story about Margaret Wise Brown, the author might be of interest to the parents and adults reading the book to the little ones. Here's a great website that gives more about her story. http://www.margaretwisebrown.com/
A wonderful illustrator, Joy Allen, is next on the tour.
Check out her blog around April 26th!
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