Hooray for Chloe Zoe!

Super Jane Smith celebrating her new picture book, "It's Easter, Chloe Zoe!"!

Super Jane Smith reading to the kiddos!!

What a fantastic crowd!! SO much fun!

Have you gotten your Chloe Zoe books signed yet?!

Moon, Schmoon—

© Jane Smith • Now that's a LOT of love!!!

Super Star Interviews: Ken Min

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.

This month I’m happy to be catching up with the superstar Illustrator, Ken Min! Ken was amongst the very first illustrator friends I made when I first moved to Los Angeles. We met at the SCBWI’s annual conference and have been friends & crit buddies ever since. Ken grew up on the works of Margret & H.A. Rey, William Joyce, and DC Comics. He was born and raised here in Los Angeles and studied illustration at Art Center, College of Design. He has storyboarded for various commercials and animated TV shows such as Futurama, Fairly Odd Parents and Pig, Goat, Banana, Cricket. His illustration work has been recognized numerous times by the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI). In 2012, the first picture book he illustrated, Hot, Hot Roti For Dada-Ji, received the Picture Book Honor Award for Literature from the Asian Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA). These days, you will find Ken illustrating, storyboarding, writing, and dreaming up stories for children. You can see more of his fabulous artwork here.

Gesundheit! Gesundheit! Gesundheit!

Q: You have not just one, but TWO fabulous new picture books releasing this Spring (2016)! Give us the full scoop on both Ah-Choo! and What Does It Mean To Be An Entrepreneur?—how the projects came to be, how you developed them and what you love the most about each—you know, all the good stuff!

A: For a time, I was privileged to help organize the local SCBWI Illustrator's Day event for Los Angeles. One year I met the art director for Sterling Publishing and we became friends. On and off, over time, I'd joke with her that we should work on a project together. She'd laugh and say when the right book came along, she'd let me know. And that project arrived in 2014. Ah-Choo! is a story about a boy who would really like to have a pet, but his sister is allergic to animals. He brings home a different pet and his sister pretty much sneezes throughout the whole story (thus—the title) but in the end, they find a pet that works out. I had a lot of fun designing the characters and all the animals. If memory serves, there are 33 potential pets in all—such a range of different animals that I had to Google about half of them since I wasn't familiar with all of them. Since the sister sneezes throughout the tale, I thought it would be fun if her sneezes (Ah-Choos) were different each time. Different graphics, different looks/incidents. My first thought was depicting wooden letter blocks young children play with and spelling out "Ah-Choo!". I liked how that came out and tried coming up with different hand lettered type for the rest of the different scenes. 

Hmmm? Who to choose?!

With What Does It Mean To Be An Entrepreneur? (Little Pickle Press) my agent sent me the manuscript to look over. Even though I was hip deep in working on the Sterling book, there was something in the manuscript that appealed to me. When I can start to imagine what I might do visually with a story, it's hard to walk away from a project. On the surface, the manuscript doesn't necessarily have a narrative direction. It doesn't give you a situation or structure. It's not set in a zoo or a farm or something like that. But there was something inspirational in the words that I thought would be encouraging to kids and possibly spur them to action. I tried thinking of different activities that a child might do as a business—selling lemonade, cookies, etc. I used to wash the family cars as part of my allowance and somewhere in there, combined with dogs and the notion of a doggie (car) wash came about. My art director liked the idea, but wanted to add a fantastical element to it. She mentioned space and robots and I hooked in on the idea of robots. Since a lot of car washes have automated elements, I thought it would be fun to put robots in those places. Plus it gave our main character a bit of a science/engineering background. 

Super smart engineering girlie—awesome!!

Q: You are a talented animator & storyboard artist, having worked on TV shows such as Futurama, Fairly Odd Parents and Pig, Goat, Banana, Cricket. How have your experiences working in animation influenced your work in children’s book publishing?

A: Working as a storyboard artist, the whole idea there is STORY. Visualizing how the plot is narrated. What information you are feeding the viewer. Telling the story visually, but also keeping it simple and straightforward without a lot of clutter. Focusing on the key idea of each scene. All those learned techniques really do carry over into working on a picture book. All of those attributes for storyboarding are also the same in telling a picture book story. 

Q: In recent years, the movement to inspire, create and support more diverse books for children has become a force. As an Asian American illustrator, what efforts in the children’s book publishing community would you praise? And what changes would you like to see?

A: The fact that it's being discussed is a good step forward. And people talking with one another, leads to action like we have seen with the "We Need Diverse Books" campaign. 

As for changes, I think individually, we need to assess each story we write or each manuscript we're offered and look carefully and decide what is the make up of the character we are going to envision. Does it automatically become a "white" character or could it be someone of a different ethnicity? Could the heritage of a character of color add shading and depth to the story that wasn't seen on a first impression? Definitely consider all avenues. Because what we produce goes out into the world and should reflect what is going on. It starts at square one and is carried forth from there. 

Oops!!! That's SO cold!

Q: What was your most treasured picture book as a child? What is your most favorite picture book now? Why?

A: That's a tough one—coming up with a treasured picture book from the past. I don't have a strong recollection from that time. Maybe Curious George. I always had a fondness for the adventures of that monkey. And Pooh—although it might have started with the Disney version before I came to appreciate the A.A. Milne original. I do recall having this one book that was an album of dinosaurs that I looked at constantly. I will say, the book that really got me thinking about illustrating for picture books is William Joyce's George Shrinks. I came across this while working at a bookstore. I think it was the first time in a while that I really "looked" at picture books and was just taken by all the different styles of art that was out there in the market today. I had recently finished up art school and was looking for a direction and finding that book really made an impression on me. Ten years later... :)

As for a recent favorite book, that would have to be Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen's Extra Yarn. I really like the rhythm and the cadence of the story. When I'm trying to work on my own picture book ideas/stories, I like to read other books to get my head in the right space and this is always the first book I like to re-read. And the art is just amazing. 

It's all blue skies and good times!

Q: Describe your most perfect day.

A: It can be a combination of different things, really. Working on a painting—when I get into a nice groove, there is a nice flow happening that's euphoric. It can also be spending time browsing through a favorite bookstore or lunch with my friends that I haven't seen in a while. It can be watching a really good movie and leaving the theatre on a high and savoring those choice moments. Taking in a ball game and having your team come from behind to win. It can be a "Ferris Beuller" style of day or a simple, laid-back day with a good book. All in all, it probably comes down to finding those moments in life that make you smile. 

Thank you so much for catching up with us here at Bird Meets Worm, Ken! Congratulations on your fabulous new picture books!!

It's Easter, Chloe Zoe!

It's Easter, Chloe Zoe! • © Jane Smith

I'm so EXCITED to share my NEW picture book, "It's Easter, Chloe Zoe!" It is the second in a series of 6 from publisher Albert Whitman & Company. In Chloe Zoe’s second title, Chloe Zoe and her friends are going to the big Easter egg hunt! Chloe Zoe wants to find the sparkling golden egg with a special prize inside! Everyone’s Easter baskets are filling up except Mary Margaret’s. So Chloe Zoe and friends work together to help fill her basket. But when Mary Margaret finds the sparkling golden egg, Chloe is upset! What will the trio find when they crack the egg open? Buy it here today for your special little one, a friend or yourself!!! It makes the most lovely addition to an Easter basket! XO

Happy Valentine's Day from Super Jane

Super Star Interviews: Cale Atkinson

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.

This month I’m thrilled to be catching up with the very talented Illustrator, Cale Atkinson. Cale is a fellow artist with Tugeau2 Art Reps and I am a huge fan! Cale is an illustrator/writer/animator currently residing in Kelowna Canada. Believing in tea more than sleep, Cale is constantly working on numerous projects. His work can be found in children’s books, animated shorts, television, and games. You can view more of his artwork here!

Cale's superstar picture book, To the Sea!

Q: Your career has been very self-directed from foregoing a traditional art/film education to moving back and forth from in-house studio work to freelancing. Dish with us about your boldest career choices and what following your dreams means to you?

A: I’m not sure what my boldest choices are along the way, but I do think an important aspect of my career thus far has been not shying away from making changes and taking on new challenges. This has meant taking risks, leaving reliable jobs, and a lot of work!

Ever since I was a kid I’ve always been quite driven and determined to create/tell stories in some way for my job/career/life. The things I’ve wanted to accomplish seem to be ever changing and growing (from comic strip artist to comic artist, filmmaker, television show creator, animator, picture book author/illustrator...) No matter how unprepared, unskilled or inexperienced I am, I always go after each new goal with all my might. I suppose many of my choices have been kind of ‘bold’, though you could also probably call them stubborn or naive. :)

I believe following your dreams means you love/want/believe-in something so much that you are willing to push, work and face your fears to make it a reality, no matter how many people tell you no.

How lovely to visit Venice with a trio of monster friends!

Q: Comics and cartoons have played a huge role in shaping you into the fabulous Illustrator you are. Give us the scoop on your biggest comic and cartoon influences from both childhood and today.

A: Whewph, it’s always hard naming influences. Growing up my biggest influences would have to be The Simpsons, Gary Larson, Sergio Aragones, Ben Edlund (creator of The Tick), Disney, Don Bluth, George Lucas, Spielberg…

Today there is such a wealth of inspiration at our fingertips on the internet it makes it hard single out influential modern artists, there would be far too many to try and name here. Most of the old illustration/animation greats are still a big source in inspiration to me as well, such as Eyvind Earle, Mary Blair, Martin & Alice Provensen, Charley Harper, Ward Kimball…I’d say we are living in a great time for animation in both feature length and television. I love what Laika is producing and am so inspired by their work. I am also so happy cartoons like adventure time, gravity falls and over the garden wall are being made. Inspiration abound!

Don'tcha just LOVE this little guy?!

Q: I simply adore your illustration series of animal professionals in their workspaces!! Tell us every little thing about how these pieces came to be from idea to sketch to finished series.

A: Thanks so much! They are so fun to do! I love working on illustrations that you can fill up with little details that help tell a narrative. One random day doodling or writing, I thought it would be really fun to do a series of animals as professors, where as you see them at their cluttery busy desk, and can tell what they study through the details around them. I brainstormed a bunch of different animals (with the help of some of my friends!) and then picked the first ones I was excited to do. As far as process is pretty much went from a somewhat clean sketch, to being scanned in and all painted in Photoshop :)

Quiet froggie friend!

Q: In animation, the process is all about consistency and conformity. In what ways in your personal and contract work do you break out of this to define your artwork as uniquely you?

A: Tough question! I’m super lucky to be in a position now where I get to create the style/look of most the things I work on. I think making time to do your own personal work is SUPER important. It is completely in my personal work where I spent time experimenting, playing with designs and finding what appeals to me most, which in turn is where I’ve developed the look of my art. When working on projects for clients (no matter if for animation or illustration) I think it’s hard to experiment or try new things as you want to make sure the client will like it, so generally, you play it more safe. I would say your personal art is like your testing ground, and if the tests are a success it can lead to and drive your contract/paid work. Pretty much 99.9% of all my best opportunities have come from personal work/projects I decided to do for fun, and this is still the case now. I think artwork that is uniquely you shines through best when there is no specific reason you are doing it, aside from the challenge, fun and love of it.

Wishing on a star for forest friends!

Q: With your background in both children's publishing and animation, you are a master of visual storytelling. What advise would you give fellow illustrators about how to 1) set the tone/mood of a story 2) establish the setting of the story and 3) create drama/action/tension.

A: Definitely not a master! More of a fake-it-until-one-day-I-make-it kinda guy :)

1                Know the mood/feeling you want your story or image to have. If I don’t know that feeling in my head before starting, it makes it 1000 times harder for me to get the image out. I think if you want an image or story to have feeling, you need to feel it. After you got that then you can play with layout, colours, design and all the art elements to help try and push that feeling/mood as much as you can.

2                I think the setting of your story has to come from the story itself. A big help if you only have a vague idea is research! Use that beast known as the internet to get ideas of what would be in such settings or if possible, check out similar settings in real life and take pics/notes!

3                Experiment in the early stages with simple small thumbnail drawings. Play with blocking in different layout ideas and trying different colour combinations at a very top level rough to try and find the feel you’re going for. Thumbnails are a perfect process for trying many, many, many ideas and not getting consumed in details or spending too much time on any specific one.

Q: Describe your most perfect Sunday.

A: Drinking tea and answering these questions on the couch is a pretty great way to spend this one. Otherwise I would say being somewhere warm, working on an exciting project/story, going for a swim and then checking out a new movie in the theatres :)

Awww, shucks! Thanks so much for catching up with us here at Bird Meets Worm, Cale!!

It's Valentine's Day, Chloe Zoe! Book Launch Party

I'm pleased as punch to invite your to join in the book launch party for It's Valentine's Day, Chloe Zoe!  Come celebrate! The book is the first in a series of 6-picture books releasing from publisher Albert Whitman throughout 2016, featuring the sweet elephant, Chloe Zoe! We will be giving Chloe Zoe a fabulous launch for her first book at Pages Bookstore with a reading & book signing, complete with some fun extras and lots of valentine candy! It will be a sweet valentine celebration perfect for sharing the love! Bring your little ones, bring your friends, bring your valentine! Hope to see you there! XO