Ellen Davis – #6 on The Gittle List 2015 (Illustrator)
The first board book to win a spot on The Gittle List
How did it feel to win a spot on The Gittle List Top 10? While I have won awards for my work as a medical illustrator, Amos Likes to Jump was my first published picture book. It was immensely gratifying to be recognized for the hard work that collectively went into this book. As a first-time author and illustrator team, we are thrilled to have placed on the Gittle List. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for our second book in the Amos series.
Interior illustration by Ellen Davis
What children’s book contains your favorite illustrations? I love the whimsy of Shel Silverstein’s work. The starkness of his illustrations in The Giving Tree lend themselves so beautifully to the emotions in the text.
What is your favorite children’s book? My favorite children’s book of all time is The Lorax. I love the illustrations of the candy-like other world filled with truffala trees and the way Dr. Suess plays with light and darkness to evoke the changing mood in the book. I read it so often to my cousin’s child a few summers ago that I almost know every word by heart, and yet I never tired of it. To me, that is the mark of a lasting book.
Which artists or writers most influenced or inspired your work? Currently, one of my favorite children’s book illustrators is Will Terry. The use of light and color in his work really inspires me. He uses light very purposefully in order to set the mood of his illustrations, and his attention to detail is truly respectable.
What is your favorite color or color combination? I like using varying shades of blue and turquoise in my work. It’s a very calming color and I use it in most all of my work, children’s book and otherwise.
Interior illustration by Ellen Davis
Why did you decide to self-publish? Because the Amos books are about a real dog, [the author] Margaret Lowder really wanted to ensure that our books are true to the spirit of Amos himself. I did not anticipate the sometimes condescending attitude towards self-published books, but have been glad to see some recognition that authors are now choosing this route willingly over traditional methods.
Do you prefer to work digitally, by hand, or both? I prefer to combine traditional and digital methods in my work. I create my sketches in 2B pencil and apply color digitally. There is something about hand-wrought work that I think will always be appealing to readers.
Tell us about your latest project. I am currently working on final illustrations for the second book in the series of Amos Tales, entitled Amos Bounces Back: A Tale of Too Much TV. This book is due for release in the Summer of 2016. In order to reach an older audience, this book will be a large picture book (not a board book like Amos Likes to Jump).
Interior illustration by Ellen Davis
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? I had a professor in graduate school for Medical Illustration who passed away as I was working on this children’s book. Professor Mascaro taught that you should draw, draw, draw, and draw some more. He [also] told me that besides drawing, the best thing I could do was to really understand color.
What do you do to market your books? Aside from setting up readings and signings in shops, libraries, and schools, we have an active social media presence on facebook and instagram. We have a blog on amosthedog.com where we share dog treat recipes on #TreatYourselfTuesdays, and we promote the book through blogs and magazines.
Ellen is a science lover turned artist who found her niche as a medical illustrator. With a BFA in Scientific Illustration and a master’s degree in Medical Illustration, Ellen is well versed in color and design. Whether painting Amos or anatomy, she brings dynamic color and energy to her work. Ellen’s specialties include children’s book illustration, medical illustration and animation, veterinary illustration, and pet portraiture. When not creating art, she can be found cooking and spending time with her chocolate lab, Nala.
Buy Amos Likes to Jump* Board Book Activity Book
Contact Ellen
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Medical Illustrations
Aviva Gittle writes and publishes children’s stories in English and Spanish. Each year, Aviva runs The Gittle List contest to support her fellow indie authors. Oh, she also loves children’s picture books and is always on the lookout for great ones. The 2016 Gittle List Contest is in full swing: submission guidelines. Follow @AvivaGittle and signup for Gittle News (look right) to be the first to know when they are posted! 😺
Julián Galván – #7 on The Gittle List 2015 (Illustrator)
Julián Galván earned the #7 spot on The Gittle List for No Birthday for Mara, a book he illustrated that was written by Mariana Llanos. (Read my review.)
How did it feel to win a spot on The Gittle List Top 10? I feel delighted to hear that No Birthday for Mara has won a spot on The Gittle List Top 10 [for 2015]. It is a great opportunity to get children, families, and colleagues learn about this great book written by Mariana Llanos. In my home country, Argentina, I have gotten some awards for my artwork and, luckily in the USA, many people like my illustrations. I am overjoyed to get this award.
What’s your earliest memory of drawing or writing? I recall myself drawing for the first time when I was about three years old. I remember I used to draw on a table in the kitchen of my parents´ house. The drawing were very basic, like circles, lines, and small people, like stick figures; and I also remember I made them talk to each other, and pretended they were talking to each other. Something one of my small daughters do now while playing with dolls and ponies.
Interior illustration from “No Birthday for Mara” by Julián Galván
What is your favorite children’s book? It is a difficult question to answer, but I can choose some to share with you. Aesop´s Fables were my favorite when I was a kid, but I also like books like The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson, and Cuentos de la Selva (Jungle Stories) by Horacio Quiroga. In general, children´s books which contain animals illustrations are my favorite ones.
What is your favorite color? Blue is my favorite color. I always related blue to the color of the sky and the sea, and both provide a great inspiration to me.
Do you prefer to work digitally, by hand, or both? I usually start working by hand, after that I color the illustrations with pencils, markers or watercolors, and finally I add different effects using digital software. I work this way, because I feel that a direct contact with the pencil and a sheet of paper is an authentic channel of expression, and creativity. At least, it works for me, and I can get the most of an idea.
Tell us about your latest project. My latest projects are also connected to other indie writers in USA, who publish books for children and for educational purposes. Not only have my illustrations appeared on books, but also on t-shirts and other stuff.
Interior illustration from “No Birthday for Mara” by Julián Galván
Tell us 3 strange and wonderful things about you.
- I think one of these 3 things is my good sense of humour, I am very positive, even in very difficult situations, I always look on the bright side of things. This thing about me has helped me overcome tough situations.
- I collaborate with a non-profit organization. I try to share my artwork to sponsor their job or events.
- I am a journalist and I also enjoy writing articles, making interviews, and working on my news portal. Journalism is also a passion to me.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? I think the best piece of advice I have ever been given is something my eldest daughter told me not too long ago. She said “There are no age limits for new opportunities.” [This] is something very wise and true, and it was a surprise that a nine year old girl could come up with such a great piece of advice. She told me that when I was doubting to start working as a freelancer.
Julián Galván is a creative Argentine illustrator and cartoonist born in the city of La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Besides being a passionate artist, he is also a fully accredited journalist. He has worked not only for Argentine graphic media, but also for Spain and the United States. Julián has three daughters who motivate him to draw children´s books, and create funny and expressive characters. They love stories, fantasy worlds, and enjoy watching him illustrate them. In fact, they are usually near when he draws, sitting on a small table next to him drawing, or playing.
Contact Julián
Website
Hire Julián on Upwork.com
Aviva Gittle writes and publishes children’s stories in English and Spanish. Each year, Aviva runs The Gittle List contest to support her fellow indie authors. Oh, she also loves children’s picture books and is always on the lookout for great ones. The 2016 Gittle List Contest is in full swing: submission guidelines. Follow @AvivaGittle and signup for Gittle News (look right) to be the first to know when they are posted! 😺
Cotey Gallagher – #5 on The Gittle List 2015
#5 on The Gittle List 2015
Cotey Gallagher earned the #5 spot on The Gittle List for Have You Ever?, a book she wrote and illustrated. (Read my review.)
How did it feel to win a spot on The Gittle List Top 10? Winning a Top 10 spot on The Gittle List was extremely exciting for me! As a small indie illustrator/author, it is really gratifying to see people enjoying my work. Friends and family always give support, but having another professional acknowledge my hard work gives it some validity. In college (ages ago), I had received a few scholarships for my illustration, but this is the first real award of my professional career.
What’s your earliest memory of drawing? To be honest, I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t drawing or painting. When I was six I wanted to draw interior design, when I was nine I wanted to be a fashion designer, and when I was eleven I wanted to illustrate album covers. The latter career goal swayed my interest into the wide world of illustration vs. fine art. Why paint something to hang on one wall when I could paint something to be put into print and have a potentially huge audience? My writing was always that of a novice; the only real writing I did as a child was in a diary. I couldn’t necessarily get much feedback from that, but I always got a great amount of respect for my art from my family and peers.
What children’s book contains your favorite illustrations? By far, The Book that Jack Wrote by has some of my favorite illustrations. I am a huge Daniel Adel fan. I have followed his caricature illustration in magazines for years, and found his ability to cross genres and illustrate children’s books as well inspiring.
Why did you decide to self-publish? My choice to self-publish came relatively easy to me. Prior to “Have You Ever?”, I illustrated a series of 4 books for a local author depicting the 4 seasons of Vermont. She chose to self-publish, and I found it a learning experience of what to do vs. what not to do when publishing. After finishing my book dummy, I did an extensive amount of research on which book publishers would actually accept un-agented submissions. They were few and far between, but I put my work out there to a handful of traditional publishers and waited… No response. I didn’t let it get me down; in fact it fueled me to learn more about self-publishing. I felt I had something really unique to share and was not willing to give up quite yet. I am glad I self-published, because I feel that I was able to have complete control over what I envisioned the book to be.
Interior illustration by Cotey Gallagher
Do you prefer to work digitally, by hand, or both? I am fully a “by hand” personality. From drawing, to painting, to my crafts, it doesn’t feel real unless I am holding it up on a piece of paper. There is something so much more genuine when you can see small flaws in a hand painted piece. I am not perfect, neither is my art. I do work digitally from a design perspective though. I find it easier to arrange a page’s text and sometimes the composition in a less “permanent” medium.
Interior illustration from “Have You Ever?” by Cotey Gallagher
Tell us about your latest project. I just finished my second self-published book titled The Literally Illustrated Collection of Idioms, Metaphors and Euphemisms. It is an assortment of common figures of speech we use in every day vernacular, but with the silly twist of taking the subjects literally! The illustrations are all highly imaginative, and all of the figures of speech have helpful definitions for the reader.
What do you do to market your books? Locally, I am very grassroots; I try to get my face out there by doing book signings, TV and newspaper interviews, and readings at local libraries. On a broader scale, I have done research into getting interviews with bloggers, and putting my book out to as many contests as I can. I use social networking sites like Facebook and LinkedIn to create buzz and interest. Cross-marketing is something I have just begun doing, and am excited to see the results!
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? “Make the mistake.” The worse thing that will happen is that you will learn from that mistake. If you don’t take the risk, how can you ever really be sure about the result? I have a tendency to play it safe, but any time I choose to challenge myself, I have found I have the reward of knowledge, no matter the outcome.
Artist Cotey Gallagher was born and raised in picturesque Vermont. She attended college at the Art Institute of Boston (now Lesley University College of Art and Design) in Boston, MA, receiving a BFA in illustration. Her main focus is editorial and caricature, but has always had a passion for children’s books. She is a self-proclaimed “Word Nerd” and has always enjoyed crossword puzzles and word games. Cotey resides in Salisbury Vermont with her husband, son and cat.
Interior illustration from “Have You Ever?” by Cotey Gallagher
Buy Have You Ever? by Cotey Gallagher
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Book website
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Simone Wolowiec – #4 on The Gittle List 2015
 #4 on The Gittle List 2015 Simone Wolowiec earned the #4 spot on The Gittle List for You Talk Funny Too, a book she illustrated for indie author Lee Coulter. (Read my review.) How did it feel to win a spot on The Gittle List Top 10? It’s always a positive experience to be given recognition. You Talk Funny Too, was my first children’s book collaboration as an illustrator. To be awarded the #4 spot on the Gittle List makes makes me very proud and certainly has encouraged me to illustrate more books! This is my first time I’ve ever received an award for creative work, and I love that there is a book competition for self publishers such as The Gittle List Contest which is so accessible. Which artists most influenced or inspired your work? There are several artist which have inspired and influenced my work. San Diego artist Grant Pecoff encouraged me to pursue my passion for art and to simply paint what I love, not what people want! Grant’s ability to capture light and vibrancy in his art makes you feel so alive! Vladimir Kush (surrealist artist) inspires my surreal mind, to think out of the box and challenge my creativity. American pop artists Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein inspire an element of simplicity, vibrancy and precision to my work. (Cool Kid’s Board Book based on Warhol art.)  Interior illustration by Simone Wolowiec What children’s book contains your favorite illustrations? My favorite book of illustrations is Where The Wild Things Are, written and illustrated by Maurice Sendak. His illustrations are detailed beautiful artworks, so timeless and atmospheric. His use of line drawings in his art is unique! He captures so well the transforming power of imagination, the imagination of a little boy Max who transforms his bedroom into another world. What is your favorite color or color combination? I love red! It’s vibrant and for me it really represents adventure, and passion. It always makes me feel good. Color combinations are fascinating to me. I really go by the visual feelings the colors give me. I like to find a balance between the use of warm and cool colors. I love using red/pink and blue together. Do you prefer to work digitally, by hand, or both? I prefer working with my hands. At this point in my career I’m definitely embracing the love for painting and drawing with my hands, constantly learning and pushing my techniques as an artist. However I am impressed by the artistic effects digital work can add to a piece and would like to combine both hand and digital art in the near future. Tell us about your latest project. I am currently in collaboration again and sketching characters and illustrations for a new children’s book to be self published later this year. I am also working on my painting collection (oil on canvas) for my 2016 art show.  Interior illustration by Simone Wolowiec What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? The best advice I’ve been given is quite simple, but very powerful. “If you don’t believe in what you are doing, why would anyone else.” What do you do to market your books? We’ve marketed extensively to social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn with enormous support. Local community marketing has, however, been a key to our success. This has included book launch celebrations, art show events, music events and the support of local art/gift shops who stock our book. Marketing to teachers and schools by offering class book reading days have also been a great way to share our book, and fun too!
Buy You Talk Funny Too on Amazon* *Please support my indie book business by clicking on the book covers or using the links posted in my blog to buy books and other products. This way, Amazon gives me a little commission that helps me continue the website for you and other readers. Thank you!
Contact Simone
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Bonnie Ferrante – #3 on The Gittle List 2015
Bonnie Ferrante earned the #3 spot on The Gittle List for The Amida Tree, a book she wrote and illustrated. (Read my review.)
How did it feel to win a spot on The Gittle List Top 10? Had you ever gotten an award for any of your other work? It’s always lovely to have someone recognize your work as worthwhile. I have won several writing contests and been awarded three Ontario arts Council grants for novels in progress.
What’s your earliest memory of drawing or writing? I can’t remember writing my first story but I can remember creating it. I was a puppet fanatic and used to entertain other neighborhood children with my shows on the back step. Thirty years later I met one of my previous audience members and the first thing she mentioned was how much she had loved those little plays.
What children’s book contains your favorite illustrations? There are far too many wonderful illustrated books to pick just one: Zen Shorts, The Complete Adventures of Peter Rabbit, The Dragons Are Singing Tonight, Peppe the Lamplighter, Grandfathers Journey, The Eleventh Hour and more.
What is your favorite children’s book? This changes constantly as I become aware of new books. I do have a soft spot for The Jolly Postman or Other Peoples Letters by Janet and Allan Ahlberg.
The Amida Tree interior illustration by Bonnie Ferrante.
Which artists or writers most influenced or inspired your work? Eric Carle, Graeme Base, Beatrix Potter, Dick Bruna, Ezra Jack Keats, Maurice Sendak, C. S. Lewis, E. B. White, Bill Martin Jr., Arnold Lobel, A. A. Milne, and many, many more.
Why did you decide to self-publish? I started late in life, trying to get published after I retired. Unfortunately, I don’t have enough healthy time left to wait while a manuscript circulates through publishing houses for months or even years.
Do you prefer to work digitally, by hand, or both? I used to work in acrylic and pencil crayon but since developing Parkinson’s disease, I now work digitally. It is a huge learning curve. As my tremor increases, that is also becoming more difficult. So now I’m trying out photography (which is always been a passion), in my books.
Tell us about your latest project. I have several things on the go. I switch back and forth between projects, letting them lie for a while in order to come back with fresh eyes. My newest publication is Tell Me Where: Animals and Babies. It is a collection of humorously modified photographs that teach children spatial concepts.
The Amida Tree interior illustration by Bonnie Ferrante.
Tell us 3 strange and wonderful things about you. Not much pressure there! I am a Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Lay Leader. I’m a seventh generation Canadian. I love doing all needle arts and am continuing to sew and stitch in spite of my tremor.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? Make time to do what you love.
What do you do to market your books? I’m not very good about this. I am on word press, twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and other social media. I do presentations at schools, libraries, and public venues.
Any advice for writers thinking about self-publishing a children’s picture book? Get it vetted by someone who is a tough critic and won’t spare your feelings before you publish. Pay someone if you have to.
Bonnie loves living in Northern Ontario, Canada even though she spends most of the long winter indoors writing. She chants, bikes, gardens, reads, stitches, volunteers, studies the Dharma, draws, photographs, plays/works on the computer, attends live theatre, enjoys being trounced in Scrabble by her husband, Fred, and is presently tackling decorating her new home. Her granddaughters keep her young. Once upon a time, she was a public grade school teacher.
Contact Bonnie:
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Bev Stone – #2 on The Gittle List 2015
Bev Stone, earned the #2 spot on The Gittle List 2015 for The Red and Black Ladybug. Bev is a two-time winner; her book, They Told Us Something Wonderful Was Coming snagged the #1 spot in 2014.
How did it feel to win a spot on The Gittle List Top 10? I was elated! I thought it was quite brilliant to announce them one at a time this year. I know, I, and I’m sure many others, anxiously awaited each new day, and each time another book was announced, I thought, ‘Wow, that book sounds so great!’ Then of course I worried that mine might not make the list. I’m enormously grateful to Aviva Gittle for putting in the time and effort it takes to showcase and help all of us indie writers.
What’s you earliest memory of drawing or writing? My earliest and best memory of drawing and painting is in Ms Moscerelli’s 6th grade classroom. Teachers, please know that all the wonderful things you do have a lasting effect on your students. Ms Moscerelli loved art so her class started with an art project every morning. When it was time to put that project away and open our math books, she’d say, “everyone open your books to page ….. ; then she’d say, “Bev, you can continue with your art.” Now, I may not be great at math as a result, but she certainly made me feel very special and helped to start me on my art journey.
What children’s book contains your favorite illustrations? There are so many talented illustrators out there and so many illustrations I love. The Lion And The Mouse, by Jerry Pinkney has to be one of my recent favorites and one purchase I made from last year’s Gittle List, The Kings Dream, written by Harris Tobias and illustrated by Cathy Reene, has some beautiful illustrations.
What is your favorite color or color combination? I love blue hues. I 
usually work with a pretty small palette. Some people say they can recognize my art by the colors I use.
Why did you decide to self-publish? You know, I find self publishing very easy and a perfect fit for me. I’m very happy with the whole process because it allows me to illustrate my own stories and put out as many books as I’d like. The thought of self publishing is a little scary at first — just like anything unknown — but I’ve been publishing with Createspace for about 3 years now and they’ve made it a great experience so far.
Do you prefer to work digitally, by hand, or both? I illustrate all of my stories with watercolors on watercolor paper.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? The best piece of advice I was ever given was when my daughter and son were born and friends told me to ignore all the little things that really don’t matter and spend all that precious time with my babies. That wasn’t hard to do at all! Now I can apply that to things around the house that I don’t want to do so that I can spend my time writing and illustrating instead. That works, right?
What do you do to market your books? Well….Hmmmm, I have to admit I’m not very good about marketing my books. I think I’m getting better but I have to be honest, if I could just write them and illustrate them and not worry about marketing, I’d be happy. Actually, the best thing I’ve done, is to enter my books in the The Gittle List contest. In her prompting to get the word out for all indie writers, she’s led me in directions I wouldn’t have otherwise gone, Twitter, for example. You can follow me @Bevstone13. Thanks Aviva Gittle! Also, Melissa Crane, who is in charge of media at the gallery where I show my paintings, has been amazing at getting the word out locally.
Any advice for writers thinking about self-publishing a children’s picture book? All I can say is that it’s been a wonderful experience for me, so if you’re thinking about self publishing, definitely give it a try. I would caution however, have no expectations, accept to enjoy the process and the fact that you actually succeeded in getting that book you’ve been working on in print. Yay!!! Do it. You’ll be glad you did.
Bev Stone is an artist and indie 
children’s book author. Bev started painting and drawing at an early age and was first introduced to watercolor in elementary school. Today Bev paints in both watercolor and oil and continues to write children’s books while living in the beautiful state of Idaho, overlooking the Snake River. Many of her paintings and book updates can be found on her website, www.artbybevstone.com.
You can follow Bev on Twitter: @BevStone13
Credits: All illustrations in this interview post are created and owned by Bev Stone and come from her award-wining children’s book The Red and Black Ladybug.
Liam John Alex: The Art of an Autistic Child
- At April 25, 2015
- By Aviva Gittle
- In About Children, Articles, Artist, Feature
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Liam John Alex as a toddler.
Meet Liam John Alex
[Updated 12/19/16] Understandably, 11-year-old Liam’s mom, Lynn Alex, will first use the adjective “autistic” to describe him. There is no doubt that this is the first thing you do need to understand about Liam. But, when Lynn posted one of Liam’s drawings on Facebook, I saw another prominent feature of his personality: Artist.
As a children’s picture book author, I review the portfolios of many artists. Let’s face it; art is subjective. But, I think I have a pretty good eye for talent. I asked Lynn to provide more pictures of Liam’s drawings so that I could share them with you. Let’s see if you see what I see. 🙂
This is Liam’s most recent work:
Christmas Card Contest, 2016
Cubist Evergreen Tree, 2016
Holland Tulips in One Point Perspective
“Tree” by Liam John Alex. Texture and color. This little boy gets it.
“Snowman” by Liam John Alex. Note the shading and shadow. The beautiful green, splash of color from the birds, and the falling snow.
“Ornaments” by Liam John Alex. He draws the filament inside the bulbs and the glow on the outside. I’m in awe that a 10-year-old thinks to capture the details of the lights.
“Bird” by Liam John Alex. I love the contrasting earth tones in the leaves with the colorful feathers. It’s a detail I think most kids (and adults) would skip.
10-year-old Liam John Alex
John Liam Alex is an 11-year-old autistic child. He continues to show his talent as an artist. Among his favorite things to read is the National Geographic Animal Encyclopedia. (What he’s reading in the picture below, left.) Liam lives with his mother, Lynn, and his father, Scott, in Hammonton, NJ.
Rebecca Bielawski: #9 on The Gittle List 2014
Indie author and illustrator Rebecca Bielawski won the #9 spot on The Gittle List 2014 for her book, Meet Bacteria! (See Aviva’s review of the book.) This is book one of the MUMMY NATURE series. The second book in the series, Bees Like Flowers, is free April 25th & 26th. Both books can be purchased for a great price any day!
How did it feel to win a spot on The Gittle List Top 10? I was excited to win a place on the Gittle List Top 10. It’s always nice to receive some recognition for your work. As a totally independent children’s book creator I believe that The Gittle List is a good way to increase diversity in children’s literature and I am grateful for the opportunity to participate.
How did you hear about The Gittle List and why did you decide to enter your book? The list came to my attention on a Google Plus community board. I hope it continues to grow year by year as self-published authors are often excluded from the competition processes and there is a level of prejudice against us. This is one of the reasons why I entered one of my books.
What’s your earliest memory of writing and drawing? I used to write poetry as a child. I grew up in New Zealand where 
creative writing and art is encouraged and nurtured from an early age. My mum is an artist and my childhood was full of artsy, crafty activities. There were always art materials under the Christmas tree. I remember doing watercolour paintings from photos in the National Geographic when I was little.
What is your favorite children’s book? I don’t have just one favourite. All Kiwi kids, myself included, loved Bad Jelly the Witch by Spike Milligan. It’s so ridiculous, politically incorrect and written as if it was your dad telling you a story and making it up as he goes along. It’s unpretentious. There are many others I loved as a child and new classics I discover every day. Currently The Moon and Farmer Mcfee by Margaret Mahy and Tabby McTat by Julia Donaldson There are too many to mention. I love children’s books. I would rather read a picture book than a novel any day.
Interior illustration from Meet Bacteria!
What was the inspiration for your book? Bacteria are awesome. I would have liked to study microbiology so when I set about making the Mummy Nature series, it was the first book that I wanted to do. The book was inspired by my own interest in the subject and by my children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for unknown cool stuff.
Did you have to overcome any obstacles to completing the book and getting it published? When I came to publish these two latest books, Meet Bacteria! and Bees Like Flowers, I had already dealt with most of the difficulties involved with publishing so it was much easier than the previous books. There are always obstacles to deal with such as updating and improving file formats to ensure that my digital books have the highest quality images and reading experience possible. [T]here are similar challenges with the printed books.
Tell us about your latest project.
I am working on the third book in the MUMMY NATURE series. When it’s completed I will do the Spanish versions. Then, I have two books that have been kicking around in my head and on scrap paper for a long time that I am dying to write. I think they will both be mixed media projects.
Tell us 3 strange and wonderful things about you. I wouldn’t describe myself as strange or wonderful but a few things about myself: I’m shy; I’m terrified of public speaking, I’m very untidy, I’m not very good at teamwork and I’m glad this is not a job interview.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? You’ve got to know when to hold ’em and when to fold ’em. Kenny Rogers 🙂
Once upon a time in England there was a Kiwi girl. She was unsatisfied with her job peeling onions at a factory in Norfolk and yearned for a better life were she could harness her untapped artistic potential and unleash all her pent up rhymes. One day when she realized she had no tears left to cry for the onions she packed up and moved to Spain, fell in love with a handsome Systems Administrator, had two kids, became a children’s author and lived happily ever after.
Buy other books by Rebecca Bielawski*
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*Please support my indie book business by clicking on the book covers or using the links posted in my blog to buy books and other products. This way, Amazon gives me a little commission that helps me continue the website for you and other readers. Thank you!
Betty Palatin: #10 on The Gittle List 2014
#10 on The Gittle List 2014. Click to buy.
Indie author and illustrator Betty Palatin won the #10 spot on The Gittle List Top 10 2014 for her book, Jane Bakes a Pumpkin Pie. (See Aviva’s review of the book.) The book is free April 5th & 6th and can be purchased for a great price any day!
How did it feel to win a spot on The Gittle List Top 10? It was a very pleasant surprise. I’ve never gotten any award before.
How did you hear about The Gittle List and why did you decide to enter your book? I heard about The Gittle List in one of the Facebook groups I follow. I wanted to try and see if my ebook has a chance.
What’s you earliest memory of writing? My work with children requires me to make up different stories that motivate their education and direct their attention. I wrote and illustrated my first story when I was 16. It was called Why do hares have long ears? and it was a school assignment.
What is your favorite children’s book? I don’t have a single
From “Jane Bakes a Pumpkin Pie” written and illustrated by Betty Palatin.
favorite book. I have many of them and I like them all. My childhood favorites were fairy tales.
What was the inspiration for your book? I wanted to explain different customs and traditions to the children in my country. Pumpkin pie is not very common here [in the Czech Republic].
Did you have to overcome any obstacles to completing the book and getting it published? The biggest obstacle was mastering the fixed-layout ebook formatting. My son handles that for all my ebooks.
Sneak Preview! Interior illustration from Betty Palatin’s new book.
Tell us about your latest project. It’s a story about a girl who’s not feeling well and her friends are trying to help her. They make a circus show and finally they manage to cheer her up. I’m also working on a story about overcoming fear.
Tell us 3 strange and wonderful things about you. I like children and people around me. Strange things about me? I don’t know.
Interior illustration from Jane Bakes a Pumpkin Pie by Betty Palatin.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? Hastiness is blind. Look carefully around you, there’s a lot of beauty around you. My father taught me that during our nature trips.
Indie author and illustrator Betty Palatin
Betty Palatin was born in Slovakia, where she studied primary school teaching before moving to the Czech Republic. She has been working as a kindergarten teacher and director for 40 years and she’s always looking for new ideas to motivate children. She likes working with stories and using them for activities. She says it’s a real joy to see the children happy while learning. Betty lives in Prague and she has two children and four grandchildren.
See all of Betty’s books for sale on Amazon!*
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Julián Galván: #8 on The Gittle List 2014
Julián Galván earned the #8 spot on The Gittle List 2014 for his illustrations in The Wanting Monster, written by Mariana Llanos. (See Aviva’s review of the book.)
How did it feel to win a spot on The Gittle List Top 10? Had you ever gotten an award for any of your other work? I feel delighted to hear that The Wanting Monster has won a spot on The Gittle List. It is a great opportunity to get children, families, and colleagues to learn about this great book written by Mariana Llanos. In my home country, Argentina, I have gotten some awards for my artwork. However, in the USA it is the first time, so I am overjoyed to get this award.
What’s you earliest memory of drawing? I recall myself drawing for the first time when I was about three years old. I remember I used to draw on a table in the kitchen of my parents´ house. The drawings were very basic, like circles, lines, and small people, like stick figures; and I also remember I pretended they were talking to each other. Something one of small daughters do now while playing with dolls and ponies.
From “The Wanting Monster” written by Mariana Llanos and Illustrated by Julián Galván
What children’s book contains your favorite illustrations? It is a difficult question to answer, but I can choose some to share with you. Aesop´s Fables were my favourite when I was a kid, but I also like books like The Gruffalo, and Cuentos de la Selva (Jungle Stories) by Horacio Quiroga. In general, children´s books which contain animals illustrations are my favourite ones.
Which artists most influenced or inspired your work? The artists that most influenced and inspired my work are related to my home country. Poly Bernatene, Carlos Nine, Manuel García Ferrer, Quino, are the first names of a long list of great artists that inspired my work, and continue doing it.
What is your favorite color? Blue is my favourite colour. I always related blue to the colour of the sky and the sea, and both provide a great inspiration to me.
Do you prefer to work digitally, by hand, or both? I usually start working by hand, after that I colour the illustrations with pencils, markers or watercolours, and finally I add different effects using digital software. I work this way, because I feel that a direct contact with the pencil and a sheet of paper is an authentic channel of expression, and creativity. At least, it works for me, and I can get the most of an idea.
Tell us about your latest project. I am working right now in the latest book by Mariana Llanos. It tells the story of a small girl, and her strong wish for a birthday present. It is very cheerful, and full of feelings. (Since the time Julián completed this interview, No Birthday for Mara is now available in English and Spanish.)
Tell us 3 strange and wonderful things about you. I think one of these 3 things is my good sense of humour, I am very positive, even in very difficult situations, I always look on the bright side of things. This thing about me has helped me overcome tough situations. Another thing about me is my will to help people who undergo serious problems, or diseases. I try to share my artwork to sponsor their job or events. I collaborate with a non profit organization who provides support for families who have a kid with cancer.
Title: “Which is Better?” by Julián Galván
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
I think the best piece of advice I have ever been given is something my eldest daughter told me not long time ago, she said, “There are no age limits for new opportunities,” which is something very wise and true, and surprising that a nine year old could come up with such a great piece of advice. She told me that when I was doubting to start working as a freelancer.
Julián Galván is a creative Argentine illustrator and cartoonist born in the city of La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Besides being a passionate artist, he is also a fully accredited journalist. He has worked not only for Argentine graphic media, but also for Spain and the United States.
Julián has three daughters who motivate him to draw children´s books, and create funny and expressive characters.
Contact Julián :
*Please support my indie book business by clicking on the book covers or using the links posted in my blog to buy books and other products. This way, Amazon gives me a little commission that helps me continue the website for you and other readers. Thank you!
