Illustrator Interviews
It's time to get to know your favorite (or soon to be favorite) illustrators by reading our exclusive interviews! Get ready to feast your eyes on some truly super artwork.
Artwork is a very important part of children’s books, especially picture books and graphic novels, and now many chapter books too. When you read an illustrator interview on The Children’s Book Review, you’ll often get an insiders look or a behind the scenes visit of the illustrator’s studio and creative process. You could also learn how the illustrator’s own life experiences shaped their artwork and storytelling abilities, or what their most used art supply is, or which children’s book character they would love to create artwork with. With so many featured illustrators, there is certainly something for everyone here, but we wonder which illustrators will be or are your faves. Be sure to let us know through our Twitter handle, and share your thoughts with us on Instagram or Facebook with #thechildrensbookreview.
To get you started, here are some of our more recent illustrator interviews:
Illustration Inspiration: Renée Graef, Illustrator of Thérèse Makes a Tapestry
Caldecott Honor-Winning John Rocco Talks About Blizzard
Deborah Underwood and Claudia Rueda Discuss Here Comes the Easter Cat
Be sure to peruse through the illustrator interviews below, you’ll be so glad you did!
Steers introduced the first children’s book that he both wrote and illustrated, Tractor Mac Arrives at the Farm—originally published by Golden Books. He has continued to create and self-publish more children’s books in his Tractor Mac series. We talked to him about the inspiration behind the lovable Tractor Mac and why kids so readily embrace books about “things that go.”
It’s a great pleasure to share Sara Woster’s captivating new Book Set 3 (just published by Home Grown Books) with our TCBR readers.
Lisa is an incredibly talented painter and designer much in demand these days. Her latest book Imogen, written by Amy Novesky, details the great passion Imogen Cunningham committed to her groundbreaking photography and her three growing boys. We’re delighted to share our chat about becoming an artist, unusual animals, and all things Imogen!
Oliver Jeffers describes himself as “a maker of art,” but he’s really much more than this. He’s an extraordinary painter, designer, and author of many award-winning picture books. His latest picture book “This Moose Belongs to Me” concerns the trials and tribulations with ownership, antlers, and the rules of being a good pet. We’re honored to feature his thoughts on writing, illustrating, and bookmaking.
A hilarious and whip-smart take on fractured fairy tales, from rising stars Mac Barnett and Adam Rex.
David A. Carter is the amazingly talented paper engineer behind 75 pop-up books, including the bestselling Bugs in a Box® series that has sold more than six million copies.
Lindsey Manwell is a gifted illustrator and painter. She’s also the illustrator-in-residence for LitWorld. In her awe-inspiring blog A Year in Paris, she chronicles her year abroad living with her newlywed husband in Paris. To celebrate World Read Aloud Day this March 7, Lindsey agreed to speak with TCBR about her work with LitWorld, her determined path to publication, and the beauty and grandeur of Paris.
Anna Grossnickle Hines is the author of over sixty-five, much-cherished books for children. She has an infectious joy for creating stories, like Daddy Makes the Best Spaghetti and Peaceful Pieces, children will learn from and return to again and again. Her most recent “book” is actually an app for the iPad, adapted from her book Not Without Bear.
Marla Frazee is the award-winning author and illustrator of many celebrated bestselling books including The Seven Silly Eaters, Stars, The Boss Baby, Roller Coaster, and the Clementine series. Her acclaimed books All the World and A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever received the Caldecott Honor Award.
Patricia Polacco is the much-loved, award-winning author of many children’s picture books. She has most recently published Bun Bun Button and Just in Time, Abraham Lincoln.