Make your own special Valentine's Day card with Chloe Zoe and I! We've teamed up with arts organization, Art Makes Us, to bring you an easy and fun craft video—
Monday, February 14, 2022
Thursday, February 10, 2022
Wednesday, February 9, 2022
Super Star Children's Book Review: Sylvia and Marsh Start a Revolution!
Welcome to the monthly children’s book review feature here at Bird Meets Worm! My team of reviewers—Joan Charles, Laurie L. Young—and I are thrilled to pieces to be celebrating an exciting variety of gorgeous children’s books across all genres that delight, challenge and intrigue! Here at Bird Meets Worm we believe the world is a better, happier, more empathetic place for you and me and everyone when we connect through the magic of storytelling. Look for a new review on the second Wednesday of every month.
SYLVIA AND MARSHA START A REVOLUTION!:
SYLVIA AND MARSHA START A REVOLUTION!:
The Story of the Trans Women of Color Who Made LGBTQ+ History
Written by Joy Michael Ellison • Illustrated by Teshika Silver
Independent Bookstores
Reviewed by: Laurie L Young
Written by Joy Michael Ellison • Illustrated by Teshika Silver
Cover Design by Rosamund Bird
Picture Book • 32 pages
Jessica Kingsley Publishers • 2020
ISBN: 978-1-7877-5530-7
Through bright, fun, and energetic illustrations, the story of Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera is simply and engagingly told. This kid-friendly version is a spirited, streamlined account of their lives and their work, focusing mostly on the good they did—and less on the troubles they faced.
Born poor and often homeless themselves, they endured abuse and arrest for dressing in women’s clothing and living as their authentic selves. Marsha and Sylvia were at the forefront of the Stonewall Rebellion in 1969, and even though there are differing versions of this event, it is presented here as a triumph, with Marsha taking the lead in the fight against the police.
After the Stonewall Rebellion, they opened their home to young transgender girls and created STAR, the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries, to help transgender youth get off the streets and have a place where they were acknowledged, accepted, and safe. They committed their lives to fighting for LGBTQ rights and demanded justice for everyone.
The author’s notes in the back of the book go more deeply into the biography of their lives, and include easy-to understand definitions of what it means to be transgender, non-binary, and gender fluid. There is also more history of the Stonewall Rebellion, which changed the way gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans people were treated in the United States, and sparked demonstrations across the country that continue to this day.
This book is a great introduction to the history of LGBTQ rights in the United States, and also includes questions and discussion topics for parents and teachers, as well as a list of other resources and activities.
Buy this book:
Barnes & Noble
Bird Meets Worm Bookshop
Picture Book • 32 pages
Jessica Kingsley Publishers • 2020
ISBN: 978-1-7877-5530-7
Through bright, fun, and energetic illustrations, the story of Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera is simply and engagingly told. This kid-friendly version is a spirited, streamlined account of their lives and their work, focusing mostly on the good they did—and less on the troubles they faced.
Born poor and often homeless themselves, they endured abuse and arrest for dressing in women’s clothing and living as their authentic selves. Marsha and Sylvia were at the forefront of the Stonewall Rebellion in 1969, and even though there are differing versions of this event, it is presented here as a triumph, with Marsha taking the lead in the fight against the police.
After the Stonewall Rebellion, they opened their home to young transgender girls and created STAR, the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries, to help transgender youth get off the streets and have a place where they were acknowledged, accepted, and safe. They committed their lives to fighting for LGBTQ rights and demanded justice for everyone.
The author’s notes in the back of the book go more deeply into the biography of their lives, and include easy-to understand definitions of what it means to be transgender, non-binary, and gender fluid. There is also more history of the Stonewall Rebellion, which changed the way gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans people were treated in the United States, and sparked demonstrations across the country that continue to this day.
This book is a great introduction to the history of LGBTQ rights in the United States, and also includes questions and discussion topics for parents and teachers, as well as a list of other resources and activities.
Buy this book:
Barnes & Noble
Bird Meets Worm Bookshop
Independent Bookstores
Reviewed by: Laurie L Young
Thursday, February 3, 2022
Tuesday, February 1, 2022
Super Star Interviews: Lala Watkins
Welcome to my monthly interview feature! I’m so excited to be interviewing all the fabulous artists, illustrators and designers I’ve meet over the years (both personally and virtually!) and sharing their artwork and experiences here on Bird Meets Worm. Look for a new interview on the first Tuesday of every month.
Q: I absolutely adore your bright, happy artwork and all the good vibes it rainbows out into the world! Dish with us a bit about your creative process, inspiration and positive attitude!
A: Oh, you’re so sweet! I’m so glad that my work resonates with you and many others. It truly lights me up. It’s something that I’ve been working hard on ever since I could hold a crayon. In addition to my long-term relationship with the sun, I also have a life-long friendship with Growth. It’s what fuels me to keep going creatively. I LOVE learning ways to improve my lettering or new techniques for illustration. There’s just so much I don’t know and it’s kinda wonderful. It’s that childlike wonder/curiosity that allows me to be inspired by the people and world around me. So many ideas—you never know when your pal inspiration will drop in.
Q: Your brand-new-perfect-for-Valentine's-Day picture book, I Love You More Than Ice Cream, just released with Penguin Random House! Congratulations!! Give us the full double scoop!
A: Oh yes! This was my first time working on a children's book. I felt proud but anxious, so it's very near and dear to me—and did I mention I'm a big fan of ice cream? I have a list of the top 5, and Ben & Jerry's Strawberry Cheesecake is #2. Thank you to the Little Tigers team for reaching out. When they asked me to work on the project, I was overjoyed! I'm so happy to have it out in the world and see the vibrant illustrations and lettering I did. Such a fun book!
Q: You have an extensive background in product development, having worked for super star brand like Sanrio and Cartoon Network. How have these experiences influenced your children’s book work?
A: Oh wow, that’s a great question. I never thought I would be at any of those places, let alone working in product development. It’s still such a dream and I appreciate every job that has led me to where I am now. I would say that because those brands like Cartoon Network, Sanrio, and the others I had the pleasure to work at have a theme of being for the kid at heart and/or joy. They all want to provide smiles for someone other than themselves and add that bit of delight into the world.
So for me, that is something I value and is a purpose in my life. Learning how these brands do what they do, how to come up with innovative ideas, learning how to develop a good work ethic and relationship building with teams and others really helped me build my skills. As I mentioned before, I love growth and with that encouragement and support—I felt confident that I have a place in the world to add smiles to.
Q: You have the philosophy that “my work is like a summer pool party and everyone’s invited!” Chat with us bit about what this means to you and how it manifests in your artwork.
A: Haha, oh yes! Fun fact! I came up with that on the spot for those intros you did for class and it just stuck, because it perfectly describes my whole vibe and work. It’s also a great opener. To me, a pool party is a place to lighten the load. It’s a place people get together and have fun connecting and vibing. So many things happen at a pool party that you leave and can’t wait for the next one. My work is like a pool party. I put the work out there in the world for everyone to come and see and if they like it—they are invited to the other “parties” I put out. As the “hostess” of the party, it’s nice to see how everyone feels about it, and for the most part, they all enjoy themselves and want more. I just hope it adds to their day and makes them smile for a bit before going about their business afterward. Gives them something good to keep and remember for always.
Q: What is a typical workday in the studio like for you? Set the scene (workspace, materials, accessories) and describe your creative flow (rituals, inspiration, process).
A: Welcome to my studio! It has changed over the years but one thing’s for sure—it’s always a place of peace, good vibes, and inspiration. Before starting I say hello to my creative space and set the intention to create joyful things that align with me and the project today. Sip my beverage and then I like to find a good playlist, podcast, or movie to be in the background while working—so there are a few minutes of that.
Q: Describe your most perfect Sunday.
A: My most perfect Sunday is waking up to the sun rays saying hello in my room. It’s still early but it’s quiet and I take it all in. This is for me. I make breakfast which involves various flavored pancakes and whipped cream. It’s yummy! I save some to enjoy the next day for another delightful morning. Then I clean everything up and myself. I get my blankets, toss them into the dryer for 15 mins and begin to set up camp on my bed. A few books are on standby on the side with some snacks and my laptop. Once the dryer stops, I bring the blankets back to the bed where I stay for the rest of the day. All cozied and bundled up–watching movies, reading, or chatting away. And all the dogs in the world (or maybe 2) that are fluffy and cute join me. We get up later for ice cream sundaes and return for bed. It’s the most perfect lazy Sunday for me!
This month I'm thrilled to pieces to be kicking off a new year of super star interviews with an author/illustrator/designer who is a true ray of sunshine: Lala Watkins! Lala and I are studio mates at Stimola Literary Studio, and I'm a fangirl for her fabulous artwork! Lala lives in sunny Florida, and is a self-proclaimed connoisseur of good vibes. She graduated with a BFA in Graphic Design and Interactive Communications from Ringling College of Art & Design. When she’s not working, Lala enjoys ice cream, looking for ways to grow, and having fun in her own way with the people around her. You can enjoy more of her delightful artwork here.
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| How much do you love this?! |
Q: I absolutely adore your bright, happy artwork and all the good vibes it rainbows out into the world! Dish with us a bit about your creative process, inspiration and positive attitude!
A: Oh, you’re so sweet! I’m so glad that my work resonates with you and many others. It truly lights me up. It’s something that I’ve been working hard on ever since I could hold a crayon. In addition to my long-term relationship with the sun, I also have a life-long friendship with Growth. It’s what fuels me to keep going creatively. I LOVE learning ways to improve my lettering or new techniques for illustration. There’s just so much I don’t know and it’s kinda wonderful. It’s that childlike wonder/curiosity that allows me to be inspired by the people and world around me. So many ideas—you never know when your pal inspiration will drop in.
My creative process is “to just do it and see what happens” and it changes based on my mood. It can be intense or not. I listen to how my gut is feeling in the moment—if I’m in the mood for drawing right away I set up my space on my desk (or lay in bed). Turn on something to listen to. Get my sketchbook, a pen, and a pencil, and draw or write what comes to mind. Later I discuss with myself whether I like where it’s going or not. Afterward, I do some research on colors, techniques, etc, and make a mood board or a Pinterest board. Then proceed, to my Ipad working on Procreate or Adobe Fresco. If I’m not in the mood for drawing or have any worries (like self-doubt) about the project I’m working on—I’ll allow myself to sit with the feeling and do something relaxing like reading or watching tv and return to it later or the next day.
I think for my attitude, I’ve always felt a strong need to prioritize my joy and happiness and want that for people around me. In doing so, I inspire others to take a chance and do what their heart desires. I bring joy to them thru my words, art, and whole being— because of that I allow someone space to do the same. Everyone around me is a flower waiting to bloom and I’m the gardener—I want to see these flowers thrive and live their best lives–so I water them as best as I can. It’s just exciting to find ways to sprinkle play, love, and fun into the world because it could always use a little more.
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| Now that's a dance PARTY I want to go to! |
Q: Your brand-new-perfect-for-Valentine's-Day picture book, I Love You More Than Ice Cream, just released with Penguin Random House! Congratulations!! Give us the full double scoop!
A: Oh yes! This was my first time working on a children's book. I felt proud but anxious, so it's very near and dear to me—and did I mention I'm a big fan of ice cream? I have a list of the top 5, and Ben & Jerry's Strawberry Cheesecake is #2. Thank you to the Little Tigers team for reaching out. When they asked me to work on the project, I was overjoyed! I'm so happy to have it out in the world and see the vibrant illustrations and lettering I did. Such a fun book!
I Love You More Than Ice Cream by Becky Davies and illustrated by Lala Watkins is a funny bedtime book about a cute little girl and her family tucking her in each night with love in fun different ways—including my favorite, dancing doughnuts! It's full of joy, humor, love, and lots of smiles. Pictured above is one of my favorite spreads; it's the first time I worked with so many characters in a spread and the hardest. It came out so beautifully!
(Psst! You can get your own copy of I Love You More Than Ice Cream here:)
Independent Bookstores
Q: You also have a fun new picture book, Bus Stop, releasing later this year with Cameron Kids! (Yay! Congratulations!) Give us the scoop on this upcoming title—what’s it all about & what has been the most exciting part of illustrating it!
A: Oh, thank you, thank you!! Let me tell you, that book was such a pleasure to work on. Thank you to my agent Erica, the author Angela, and the team at Cameron Kids for the opportunity.
Q: You also have a fun new picture book, Bus Stop, releasing later this year with Cameron Kids! (Yay! Congratulations!) Give us the scoop on this upcoming title—what’s it all about & what has been the most exciting part of illustrating it!
A: Oh, thank you, thank you!! Let me tell you, that book was such a pleasure to work on. Thank you to my agent Erica, the author Angela, and the team at Cameron Kids for the opportunity.
Alrighty, so Bus Stop is a lovely picture book by Angela H. Dale and illustrated by yours truly. It’s about a snowy day at a bus stop and how all the neighborhood kids bide their time in fun ways while wondering, "Where is the bus?" The most exciting part of illustrating it was exploring a new technique for me, which was adding texture to the art. I made so many different textures and had fun playing with paints, paper, and brushes. I went around the house looking for cardboard and other materials to scan and use—that now even after the book is finished my parents still give me items they say I can use for another project. It’s kinda adorable and I appreciate their support.
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| Aren't beach days the best?! |
Q: You have an extensive background in product development, having worked for super star brand like Sanrio and Cartoon Network. How have these experiences influenced your children’s book work?
A: Oh wow, that’s a great question. I never thought I would be at any of those places, let alone working in product development. It’s still such a dream and I appreciate every job that has led me to where I am now. I would say that because those brands like Cartoon Network, Sanrio, and the others I had the pleasure to work at have a theme of being for the kid at heart and/or joy. They all want to provide smiles for someone other than themselves and add that bit of delight into the world.
Using those experiences helped my children's book work by creating pieces that aligned with my values of joy and making sure others had a voice to relate to. Creating illustrations that make everyone’s heart emote the heart-eyed emoji no matter where they are. You are seen—you belong here-you make today better...That’s what I want to create in all the bookwork that finds its way to me.
Q: You have the philosophy that “my work is like a summer pool party and everyone’s invited!” Chat with us bit about what this means to you and how it manifests in your artwork.
A: Haha, oh yes! Fun fact! I came up with that on the spot for those intros you did for class and it just stuck, because it perfectly describes my whole vibe and work. It’s also a great opener. To me, a pool party is a place to lighten the load. It’s a place people get together and have fun connecting and vibing. So many things happen at a pool party that you leave and can’t wait for the next one. My work is like a pool party. I put the work out there in the world for everyone to come and see and if they like it—they are invited to the other “parties” I put out. As the “hostess” of the party, it’s nice to see how everyone feels about it, and for the most part, they all enjoy themselves and want more. I just hope it adds to their day and makes them smile for a bit before going about their business afterward. Gives them something good to keep and remember for always.
 |
| So easy to be creative in a dream studio like this! |
A: Welcome to my studio! It has changed over the years but one thing’s for sure—it’s always a place of peace, good vibes, and inspiration. Before starting I say hello to my creative space and set the intention to create joyful things that align with me and the project today. Sip my beverage and then I like to find a good playlist, podcast, or movie to be in the background while working—so there are a few minutes of that.
For my book projects, I begin by looking at the manuscript or brief I was given and just jot down words on a sticky note of what I’m feeling. Then I just sketch it out with my pencils, my inks, or pens. I don’t always play with my materials unless it’s needed for the project or I need a creative break to play. I set a Pomodoro timer that is 4 sets of working in spurts of 25 mins with 5 min to 15 min breaks in between. I work digitally almost all the time so it’s me and my Ipad. Once it looks good, I transfer it to Photoshop and make edits.
And that’s it. It’s pretty simple with lots of back and forth, changes, and being gentle with myself along the way. It’s very important to remind myself of that in the process. I think I can get very in my head sometimes and overthink it–so I try to be patient in all my art projects. I think that helps my creative flow so much by allowing and accepting all my feelings it helps me be better creatively in my work. Oh, and we can’t forget snack breaks! My favorite part.
 |
| Feel good comic! Made my day for sure! |
Q: Describe your most perfect Sunday.
A: My most perfect Sunday is waking up to the sun rays saying hello in my room. It’s still early but it’s quiet and I take it all in. This is for me. I make breakfast which involves various flavored pancakes and whipped cream. It’s yummy! I save some to enjoy the next day for another delightful morning. Then I clean everything up and myself. I get my blankets, toss them into the dryer for 15 mins and begin to set up camp on my bed. A few books are on standby on the side with some snacks and my laptop. Once the dryer stops, I bring the blankets back to the bed where I stay for the rest of the day. All cozied and bundled up–watching movies, reading, or chatting away. And all the dogs in the world (or maybe 2) that are fluffy and cute join me. We get up later for ice cream sundaes and return for bed. It’s the most perfect lazy Sunday for me!
Thank you so much, Lala, for chatting it up with us here at Bird Meets Worm! It was an absolute pleasure!!!
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