This month I'm tickled pumpkin spice orange (Yes, I know the expression is pink, but orange is so much more October-y! Ha!) to be chatting it up with the smart & funny author-illustrator, Constance Lombardo! Constance is the author of Tiny Spoon vs. Little Fork (illustrated by Dan & Jason) and the author-illustrator of the middle grade Mr. Puffball series. Her debut picture book, Everybody Says Meow, is an Anna Dewdney Read Together Award Honor book. She lives in Asheville, NC, where she enjoys walking and talking to her old beagle, Louie, who has pretty much seen it all. You can enjoy more of Constance's book work here!
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| Let the battle begin! Ha ha! |
Q: Your hilarious NEW picture book, Tiny Spoon vs. Little Fork, releases this month on the debut list from imprint Hippo Park! (Hooray! Congratulations!!). Give us the full scoop/stab on all the details!
A: Thanks, Jane! This one’s been in the works a long time. Inspired by feeding my baby solids for the first time (he’s now 19!) and sensing a funny story in the ordeal.
Over many revisions, the characters Little Fork and Bubby Wabbit joined the cast. And a battle of the utensils was born. Everything came together beautifully (and hysterically) when we found the perfect illustrators: the amazing comic-book duo Dan and Jason!
With the dialogue-only format and their dynamic art, Tiny Spoon vs. Little Fork now reads like a super-fun graphic novel for little kids.
(Psst! You can pre-order your very own copy here:)
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| The baby that started it all! |
A: Great question!
Like with Everybody Says Meow, I did several dummies for this project. But I always felt I was not the right illustrator. I know my strengths (the stuff of legends!) and drawing things like spoons and forks and kitchen interiors is not one of them.
My excellent editor and I worked for a long time to get the story just right. And then we found Dan & Jason. Honestly, I had no idea it would be SO fun to work with other illustrators. It felt amazing to watch my story exceed anything I could have imagined in their hands!!
Dan & Jason really got to the heart of the story, while also bringing in their signature brand of humor and energy (Definitely check out their books!! I love the Barb series and Blue, Barry & Pancakes!!)
Q: With Tiny Spoon vs. Little Fork your sense of humor is once again front and center! Dish with us a bit about being a funny lady creating funny books, and why you think they are important.
A: My sense of humor is the result of:
1. My funny family (four silly siblings!)
2. Repeated viewings of Bugs Bunny
3. Obsessing over humorous books as a young person. (i.e. Never Eat Anything Bigger than Your Head by B. Kliban.)
Picture books are my favorite, and funny picture books are my uberfavorite—so of course, that’s where I want to be.
I love everything about visiting classrooms, but the best part is hearing kids laugh at my books (in a good way!) Music to my ears! I’ve worked in schools and I know kids (and teachers) deal with so much—the thought of being a funny moment in their day thrills me.
And what better way to get kids excited about reading? Hey, books are fun! Maybe I’ll read another one!
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| Wheeeeeeee! |
Q: Tiny Spoon vs. Little Fork is your fifth children’s book with editor Jill Davis—amazing! What advice would you give fellow kidlit creatives about sparking, nurturing and maintaining long-term relationships in publishing?
A: I am so thankful to my wonderful agent, Lori Nowicki, for connecting me with Jill Davis—she is an amazing editor! (and a sweetie!)
The first time I spoke to Jill, I was so nervous about talking to a big-time NYC editor! Within minutes, we were laughing, finding common ground, and just simpatico. We have the same sense of humor and of course the same passion for storytelling. She pushes me to do my best, but in a way that always makes me feel supported.
For my first Mr. Puffball book, Jill asked me to change the format from graphic novel to highly-illustrated MG novel. I believed in my graphic novel, but trusted Jill’s vision and valued this opportunity. So I made those changes. And got a three-book contract.
One thing Jill said that really stuck with me is: “I expect you to take my suggestions. But not all of them!” (paraphrasing)
So my advice to creatives is: of course, be true to your vision. But also be open to the surprising amount of revising required to get your story published, and the expertise and knowledge of a talented editor. Listen, be flexible, and make those changes. But not all of them.
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| Too much fun! Check out these super fun book activities! |
Q: The key to long-term success in children’s book publishing is endurance + resilience. In what ways, do you practice resilience as a creative professional? How do you handle both success and rejection over time?
A: Agreed!
My various writer/illustrator groups and creative friends are a huge help! Sharing the struggles and the celebrations—knowing we’re there for each other...it’s everything.
Rejection is hard. But it’s something everyone deals with (exceptions out there, please PM me and divulge your secret!) Sometimes I just have to nap it out.
Re: success—I’m lucky to live in Asheville—a town with several indie bookstores (like Malaprops, where I’m having my launch for Tiny Spoon vs. Little Fork!) When I or a friend publishes a new book, we celebrate like its 1999. (or some other fun, pre-pandemic year.)
Also, I used to put all my creativity into abstract painting. I lived in NYC, and in general, that world is so snooty. In comparison, the kidlit world is all rainbows and unicorns! I love being part of such a beautiful creative community.
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| The one, the only—Constance Lombardo! |
Q: Describe your most perfect summer vacation.
A: Hot flashes have ruined summer! And I’m not a big traveler, but I always love going to NYC. Sitting in the café at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, looking at the statues and the people and the people as still as statues, drawing both with the sunlight streaming in, while sipping an incredibly overpriced tea. That’s perfect.
Seeing a Broadway Musical is also good! Kinky Boots was my favorite!
Thanks for hosting me on your wonderful blog, Jane!!
My pleasure! Thank YOU so much, Constance, for giving us the scoop on your hilarious new book! Congratulations!