 KLiC: What was your inspiration for MADE FOR MORE? CIW: I had originally titled the book SKIN LIKE THE MOON but my editor Anne Hoppe wanted something more positive, and I agreed, the title didn’t fit with the message of the story. MADE FOR MORE is from the last line of the book. Anne pointed it out as a possible title and I agreed, it was the perfect fit! KLiC: Please tell us about your writing process. How long did it take you to write and sell this book? CIW: My writing process for MADE FOR MORE was unusual. It usually takes me a few weeks to figure out the first draft of a story, and a few months, maybe even a year or two to edit and revise. I like to work on a story and then set it aside for a bit so that I have fresh eyes when I’m revising. But the first draft of MADE FOR MORE was done in a day. It poured straight out of my soul and onto paper. It was written in July, went out on submission in August, and my agent received the first offer in September. I’ve sold eight picture books but MADE FOR MORE was by far the fastest. KLiC: What kind of research did you do? CIW: I didn’t really do any research for MADE FOR MORE since it’s inspired by my life and experiences. I always joke that my life hack for writing is to write fiction, because nonfiction takes so much additional time/energy for researching, fact checking, reaching out to museums, specialists/experts, professors etc. But in the last few years I’ve become interested in a number of nonfiction topics and while the researching part is fun, organizing information isn’t my strong suit.  KLiC: What are your favorite illustrations by the talented Gael Abary in the book? CIW: My favorite illustration is the spread of the main character surfing. The first time I saw it I teared up, it’s beautiful! KLiC: What’s the one thing you want children to take away from your book? CIW: I want kids to love/embrace their skin, the color, texture, freckles, moles, scars, all of it. It’s a part of what makes you unique and connects you to your history, family, and life story. KLiC: Do you have any tips for pre-published authors? CIW: My tip is to write what you love, what you’re passionate about, what is personal and important to you. That’s where I’ve found success, in being myself and sharing my heart with the world. KLiC: What’s next for you? CIW: I love reading to kids, so lots of school and library visits. I have three books coming out next year. CHOPSTICKS ARE with Chronicle Books, ALL THE WAYS WE LEARN with Rise x Penguin Workshop, and one picture book that is still unannounced. I’m working on a middle grade novel as well, and eagerly waiting to share more good news. Thank you so much for having me!  Chloe Ito Ward is the author of LOVE GROWS HERE, illustrated by Violet Kim, and published by Albert Whitman and MADE FOR MORE, illustrated by Gael Abary, published by Allida/HarperCollins. Her other books include CHOPSTICKS ARE, out SPRING 2026 with Chronicle Books and ALL THE WAYS WE LEARN arriving Summer 2026 with Rise x Penguin Workshop.
A former curriculum director, Chloe has a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. She spent the last decade teaching kindergarten, where she discovered her passion for picture books. When Chloe isn’t perfecting her ramen recipe, you can find her rock climbing or chasing her husband, son, and their imaginary dog Miso across Kalapaki beach.
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 We are so excited to host Nada Shawish Dutka on our blog today. We asked her about her debut picture book, Cookies and Crescent, which just released! It is illustrated by Zelma Firdauzia and published by Abrams Kids KLiC: What are your favorite illustrations in Cookies and Crescents? NSD: This is my favorite spread in Cookies and Crescents: Reem and Sara are sitting on the lawn of Reem’s new home. The reader is behind them, and the two characters and the reader pause to look up and see the bright new moon for the first time together. For me, the illustration captures seeing something as new again, as though seeing it for the first time. I love the idea that after the hustle-and-bustle of a city, a big move, and big emotions about big changes, a new perspective can culminate in a quiet moment like this one. Zelma Firdauzia illustrated this scene so, so beautifully. KLiC: Do you have any tips for pre-published authors? NSD: Authorship is scary! Book-making is a long process, you have to put yourself out there after a lot of laboring and iterating over your writing, and people will judge you and your book. Three best tips I got when I started: 1. Work on your craft; 2. Do your research (and read a lot); 3. Don’t be afraid. Give yourself the knowledge, safe space, and permission to write because no one else is going to give that to you. That’s the first hardest part. KLiC: Is there anything you want readers to know about you or about Cookies and Crescents? NSD: It’s amazing we’re seeing so many books on Muslim holidays and with Arab representation among other community representations, and many great books are doing the important job of educating curious readers about marginalized communities or are focused on being collective identity-proud. As many of my peers have said, there were virtually no books like them in English when I was a kid. They are absolutely needed and beloved. Now, I also want more books to try to push or widen the box that marginalized authors are sometimes put in, and I’m trying to challenge myself to write those kinds of books, or take on projects that can open more doors for other authors.  A daughter of immigrants to the United States, Nada now leads digital marketing for brands. Previously, Nada worked in nonprofit advertising and traveled to report on internal development and humanitarian conditions of refugees and underserved communities. Nada is writing about growing up, influenced by her Palestinian heritage. She has a Master’s Degree in English Language and Literature from Michigan State University and lives in Northern Virginia with her family where she loves to cook, travel, and do anything outdoors. Find her on social media: Instagram: @nadawritesbooks Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/nadawrites.bsky.social For more information or to order Cookies and Crescents, click here: https://store.abramsbooks.com/products/cookies-and-crescents |
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