 KLiC: What was your inspiration for A House in My Barrio? PS: When I was 10 or 11 years old, there was a house near my school that I loved to visit. After school, I would open the gate to this tiny house, knowing that inside, I would be welcomed with warmth and greeted with open arms. This story is a tribute to those who are the heart of their barrio, serving their communities through simple acts of love. But it is also a call to action to care for those who once looked after us and who, because of illness or old age, can no longer care for themselves. Can we give back the same love they gave us? KLiC: Please tell us about your writing process. How long did it take you to write and sell this book? PS: For me, the writing process starts with a childhood memory. Then I write a loose draft, and finally I begin building the structure. With A House in My Barrio, though, I struggled to find the right structure and to express the message in a way that felt true to the story. Then, one day, the shadow lifted, and I could clearly see the heart of the story once more. Writing the book took longer than I expected, a little more than a year! I had just sold How to Eat a Mango, and another manuscript wasn't selling at all. I was terrified that I wouldn't be able to do it again! As a result, the writing process was somewhat painful: beautiful as a creative force, but as slow as fear could make it. In the end, though, everything worked out. While the writing took over a year, the submission process was incredibly fast. It took less than two days to receive an offer!  KLiC: What are your favorite illustrations by Olivia Sua in the book ? PS: The first spread is my favorite! I believe Olivia’s illustrations truly capture the feeling of infinite love, care, and kindness. Olivia Sua brings the text to life with rich colors and incredible detail. I’m grateful for her work, and I’m sure readers will be effortlessly transported into the story of Mamá Elena and Manuel.  KLiC: What’s the one thing you want children to take away from your book? PS: That, despite what the news might show, we humans are capable of beautiful gestures and heroic acts, so I hope that when readers close the book, they will feel uplifted and inspired, knowing that building community and sharing love are in our own hands. KLiC: What’s next for you? PS: On June 1 of next year, my third picture book will be out in the world! Vida Dreams, illustrated by the incredibly talented and fellow Venezuelan Marianne Ferrer and published by Kids Can Press, is a story about the reasons behind immigration and the resilience that accompanies those decisions. It is a powerful story that I hope will touch the hearts of every reader.  Paola Santos is a children's book author born and raised in Venezuela. After moving to Canada, she found the courage to share the words and stories that had long been enclosed in her imagination. Her stories are now woven with her culture, experience in a new country, hope, happiness, and diversity. Paola holds a bachelor's and a master's degree in Literature and Children's Literature and Reading Promotion. She is the author of How to Eat a Mango / Cómo se come un mango (Neal Porter Books / Holiday House), 2024, and A House in My Barrio (Henry Holt / Macmillan), 2026. She lives in Edmonton.
 KLiC: What was your inspiration for Do You See Me? RGM: It sparked from observing my son and his school mates. Seeing how kids want to know that you notice them, what they are doing - do you see me? especially something they are excited about. I thought how their perspective of do you see me? is about being noticed and their parents or adults in their life sees more, something deeper - beyond the immediate, momentary thing. I thought that juxtaposition was an interesting concept, ultimately leading to the child’s reflection on the words spoken to them and expressing their new view of themselves. KLiC: Please tell us about your writing process. How long did it take you to write and sell this book? RGM: From idea to publication was about nine years. A couple of months ago, I looked back through old files and saw that I logged the idea in early 2017. I also found the initial, incomplete draft from May 2017. At that time, for one reason or another, I set it aside. Then in late 2019 there was a lot of public discourse about black girls and black women in terms of invisibility. That discussion brought me back to this manuscript. Although the desire to be seen is universal - and how the manuscript started, it was this specific conversation that reignited the spark and path to completing a submittable manuscript. It went on submission at some point in 2020, I received feedback from an editor that liked the concept, provided feedback, and was open to a rewrite and resubmit. I sat with the feedback but ultimately, I realized they didn’t fully connect with my intent for the manuscript. It would have been a completely different book. Then in early 2021 my former agent informed me that an editor at Roaring Brook Press was interested in the manuscript and wanted to talk to me about some points for revision and their vision for Do You See Me?. We had a great conversation - she got it! Within a couple of weeks, I received an acquisition offer.  KLiC:What are your favorite illustrations in the book? RGM: I love Reggie Brown's vision for the book, the blustery beach day setting. Some favorite illustrations include a scene where water splashes through rocks/boulders as the characters navigate the terrain with varying expressions - delight, caution and curiosity. The tender moment between mom and daughter sitting, looking out at the ocean as the mom asked the important reflective question. And I’m really drawn to the spread about facing fear. The way Reggie positioned the girl on that tree trunk, the expression on her face - it really pulls me in. KLiC: What’s the one thing you want children to take away from your book? RGM: I want children to know their value and understand what it truly means to be seen. KLiC: What’s next for you? RGM: I’m actively seeking new representation, looking at some manuscripts with fresh eyes for revision opportunities and working on completing a picture book dummy.  LaRonda Gardner Middlemiss is the author of I Love Me! (Beaming Books, 2020) and Do You See Me? (Roaring Brook Press, 2026). She also illustrated Meet Freida Amenze Friday by Doris Imahiyerobo-Umoinyang (Clear Fork Publishing 2025). LaRonda discovered writing by way of motherhood. Her son’s love of story time immersed her in the wonderful world of picture books. Enjoying books with various themes and approaches to storytelling, from the quirky to the quiet, eventually inspired her to begin writing stories of her own. She hopes to someday both author and illustrate her own books. Books that will entertain, enlighten and empower children across the globe. She lives in North Carolina.
 KLiC: What was your inspiration for PECOSITA? AKN: I've had a tough relationship with my freckles my entire life. My editor and publisher, Denene Millner, always admired them and eventually convinced me that there should be a children's book celebrating freckles--and celebrating your differences. I think I *just* fell in love with my freckles while writing the book! KLiC: Please tell us about your writing process. How long did it take you to write and sell this book? AKN: This one was very different. I usually write books for adults. My first children's book, Keep Your Head Up, was published a few years ago, and it was an amazing process; the words poured out. Pecosita was much harder. It took me a while to get into the mind of a young girl who was gutsy and spunky and loved her freckles. I put it down several times, frustrated. My husband Shane, also a writer, asked if he could take a crack at it, and he just understood Pecosita right away. We then worked on it together, and that was new too. I've never co-written anything before.  KLiC: What kind of research did you do for Pecosita? AKN : I just looked in the mirror! Also, Pecosita's images are based on my daughter, Mazy. And, we live in a world now where freckles are very trendy, so I kept an eye on the beauty world. There are freckle pens out there now! KLiC: What are your favorite illustrations in the book? AKN: The cover is my very favorite because it's based on a photo of my daughter. We sent lots of family photos to our illustrator, Eric Velasquez. But when I saw the book, I gasped when I saw myself in there--like a real image of me! SO amazing. KLiC: What's the one thing you want children to take away from your book? AKN: The things that make you different are the very things you can celebrate! It's okay to feel your feelings about anything. But look in that mirror and see YOURself not anyone's perception of you. Keep a journal. At the top, everyday, write: I love myself because __________. And fill it in. And if you have access to music, make a playlist that makes you happy and listen to it! KLiC: Do you have any tips for pre-published authors? AKN: Always be ready to tell an editor or a publisher what your book is about very briefly. For this book, it was simple. Imagine the famous book "Freckle Juice" but for little girls who already have freckles and love them. KLiC: What's next for you? AKN: My next book for adults: Model Behavior is out next summer from Amistad/HarperCollins. Shane's work can be seen on his YouTube channel (@shanepaulneil), and his next essay will appear in the book Darling Nikki, a collection of tributes to Nikki Giovanni.  Aliya King Neil is an award-winning journalist and the author and coauthor of books for teens and adults. Her work has appeared in Vibe, Giant, Uptown, Essence, King, Ms., Us Weekly, and Teen People, among others. Her picture books include Keep Your Head Up and Pecosita’s Freckly Freckle Face. Visit her at AliyaSKing.com. Photo Credit: Shane Paul Neil  Shane Paul Neil is a writer, journalist, and photographer. His words and images have appeared in several publications including Gothamist, NPR, NBC News, and Ebony. Pecosita’s Freckly Freckle Face is his first book. From the Bronx, Shane now resides in New Jersey with his wife, Aliya King Neil. Follow him at @ShanePaulNeil across all social media platforms.
Photo Credit: Shane Paul Neil  We are so excited to interview author Dr. Haleh Massey about her graphic novel Say Something, Poupeh Babaee!, illustrated by Ghazal Qadri. Read more below. Kidlit in Color: What was your inspiration for Say Something, Poupeh Babaee! ? Dr. Haleh Massey: I originally wanted to name the book Poopy Baby, but that didn’t go over well with my editor. I get it. It’s an important topic and probably shouldn’t be listed in the scatology category. KLiC: Please tell us about your writing process. How long did it take you to write and sell this book? HM: After I went to school for a loooooong time to become a clinical psychologist, I finally sat down to write my first book. Problem was, besides a creative writing class in high school, I didn’t know the first thing about writing for fun. Let’s just say that original manuscript was a lot of talking heads and long-winded Shakespearean monologues about my childhood that I thought were funny. Thankfully, my stubborn mule personality was determined not to give up. Oh, and at the beginning, all my protagonists were white because that’s all I ever read growing up. My husband/BFF, therapist and author, Christopher Massey aka William DeNoyer, gently reminded me that I should write about my own experiences as an Iranian immigrant. So, I went back to the proverbial drawing board. Ten long years and many, many rejections later (sob), I was finally able to land an amazing agent, Heather Cashman, at Storm Literary Agency. A few years after that, with Heather’s patient guidance on explaining what a plot is, she sold my first book to Little Bee. And the rest, really, is history. KLiC: What are your favorite illustrations in the book? HM: I love the Nowruz scene because it is literally me, every single year, trying to balance that darn egg on Iranian New Year. And I’m not like some other people who, we won’t name names, balance the egg using the cracks and crevices in the floor. I do it for real. And then someone accidentally knocks it over and I have to wait till the next year to balance my egg again. Although, according to Poupeh’s cousin, Afrooz, the egg balancing thing on spring equinox is all phony boloney and can be done any old day of the year. I refuse to fact check because it will ruin the magic of Nowruz for me. Kind of like construction at Disneyland, but worse. KLiC: What’s the one thing you want children to take away from your book? HM: All kids matter. And all feelings matter. And people should be nice to each other. Period. KLiC: Do you have any tips for pre-published authors? HM: Take on my stubborn mule personality and NEVER. GIVE. UP. If I could learn to write a book after not knowing what a plot was, or setting a scene, or having all my characters float around in time and space, so can you. KLiC: What’s next for you? HM: My semi-autobiographical book My Name is Harriet Mansoor (NOT Hairy Man Suit)! (Lee & Low) is coming out on May 26! It’s sequel, My Name is Hangameh Mansoor (NOT Harriet Mansoor)! (Lee & Low) is coming out Spring ’27! Yippeeeeee -- Dr. Haleh Massey is a licensed clinical psychologist and marriage and family therapist and shares a private practice in the suburbs of Los Angeles with her husband/BFF, author Christopher Massey aka William DeNoyer. In an effort to promote herself on social media without having her clients find her, Dr. Massey shadows as Dr. Wood E. Woodchuck, Ph.D, LRAT, LMNOP, a dapper school psychologist—and rodent—at Rodentia Elementary School in Rodentia, USA. In addition to marrying her husband/BFF and having two beautiful children, Dr. Massey’s lifelong dream has been: 1) to have an unlimited supply of turkey sandwiches and, 2) become a published children’s book author. While she’s still working on the first dream (any/all deli partnership inquiries welcome), her debut middle grade graphic novel, Say Something, Poupeh Babaee! illustrated by Ghazal Qadri (Little Bee Books) was recently released. Dr. Massey's middle grade novel, My Name is Harriet Mansoor (NOT Hairy Man Suit!) illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh (Lee & Low), comes out Spring '26, and its sequel, My Name Is Hangameh Mansoor (NOT Harriet Mansoor!) (Lee & Low) in Spring '27. My website is: DrHalehMassey.com. I also have another website: AskDrWoodchuck.com   KLiC: What was your inspiration for Every Breath, Every Blessing? DW: This story is a gem forged through the fire. Three years ago, our community was rocked by the tragedy at Covenant School here in Nashville. In the days following, I journaled my longing and lament. The tension was palpable in our community, balancing the care our young ones needed while acknowledging our own difficult emotions. I perceived how parents and leaders were navigating difficult conversations with children, and I had a heightened awareness of our collective need to wrap ourselves in warmth, love, and reassurance. KLiC: Please tell us about your writing process. How long did it take you to write and sell this book? DW: I wrote reflections during those tender days to comfort my own heart. As a Pastor and leader who regularly shares words in various formats, I considered that the reflections that helped me could also be a blessing for others. One of my passions in writing children’s books is shaping perspectives on relevant issues. I realized that a book like this would be in line with the type of work I’ve been pleased to publish. So began the process of editing my reflections and formatting a manuscript. I was thrilled when HarperCollins imprint Zonderkidz eagerly jumped on board to partner in sharing this story.   KLiC: What are your favorite illustrations in the book? DW: I always champion rich racial representation, and am pleased with how Paran Kim painted the kids with beautiful skin tones. The presence of a child with a cochlear implant is one of the book’s most precious inclusion. One spread shows a Black mama pushing her daughter on the swing. Their joy wraps around my heart and reminds me to delight in simple pleasures with my loved ones. Illustrating rainy and sunny day scenes helps kids understand how the seasons flow together in life and how we can embrace each day. KLiC: What’s the one thing you want children to take away from your book? DW: In the journey of life, we all face ups and downs. I want children (and adults alike) to be empowered to take life one breath at a time and count the blessings in each day. KLiC: Do you have any tips for pre-published authors? DW: Place yourself in a community to encourage others and be empowered in your writing journey. Whether it is around shared identity or similar genres, we are better together. Be your biggest fan! Stay excited about the words you hope to put out into the world. As often as possible, grow through webinars, conferences, and resources to be ready for the publishing journey. KLiC: What’s next for you? DW: My tenth picture book, Love Lives On, releases in August. In addition, I am working on collaborative projects and branching into middle-grade writing. I also have non-fiction stories to share with the world. The writing life is a wild and wonderful adventure!  Dorena Williamson is a best-selling author of nine children's books showing how differences in race, ability, and background can be curiously explored and joyfully celebrated. She is a longtime bridge-builder and clergy in a multicultural faith community in Nashville. She and her family call Smyrna, TN, home.
Visit her at http://dorenawilliamson.com  KLiC: What was your inspiration for HEIRESS OF NOWHERE? SL: The story began with a question: What would happen if someone who had always lived on the margins suddenly inherited enormous power? Lucy has spent most of her life in the background—first as a maid, then as a research assistant to a magnate who runs his shipping empire from Orcas Island. When she unexpectedly inherits the estate and the business, it throws the entire island into turmoil. I was also inspired by the edge-of-the-world setting of Orcas Island in Washington State. It’s a beautiful place with deep history, rugged landscapes, and a strong sense of community. Putting a mystery inside such a small, close-knit world creates wonderful tension—because everyone knows everyone, and secrets are very hard to keep. KLiC: Please tell us about your writing process. How long did it take you to write and sell this book? SL: I start with a healthy dose of curiosity. A story has to absorb me for the entire journey, so I need to be hooked from day one. I knew I wanted to set the book in the San Juan Islands, and when I closed my eyes and imagined the story, I saw a girl walking down a beach and coming across the remains of someone very important to her. From there the questions began: Who was this person? Why was the discovery so meaningful to her? We sold the book off a proposal and a few chapters to my wonderful editor, Sarah Dotts Barley, for her new imprint, Sarah Barley Books. The first draft of HEIRESS OF NOWHERE took about a year to write. After that, I spent several more months revising the manuscript with my editor, shaping the clues and strengthening the characters. Mysteries require careful plotting, so I spent a lot of time making sure the pieces of the puzzle fit together. From the first idea to the finished book, the process took about two years. KLiC: What kind of research did you do for HEIRESS OF NOWHERE? SL: Research is one of my favorite parts of writing. For this book, I spent time learning about the history and ecology of the Pacific Northwest and the San Juan Islands. I read about the plants and animals of the region—things like murrelets, tide pools, forests, and coastal wildlife—because the natural world is such an important part of life on the island. I also visited the island and spoke with experts at the local museum as well as longtime residents to better understand early 20th-century communities in the Pacific Northwest. I toured fish canneries (cooler than you might think!) and learned about fishing methods, the kinds of boats people used, and the many different people who worked in those industries. And somewhat unexpectedly, I also became an expert on lime production. KLiC: Tell us about your cover art (cover provided by Sarah Barley Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's) SL: HEIRESS OF NOWHERE isn’t an illustrated book, but I do love the atmospheric cover art. I think it captures the intense mood of the story and hints at the gothic mystery readers will find inside. And I always encourage readers to check out the case under the dust jacket—it has a fun surprise. KLiC: What’s the one thing you want readers to take away from your book? SL: I hope readers come away thinking about courage in a new way. Lucy doesn’t begin the story as the most powerful or confident person in the room. She isn’t even sure where she belongs. But over time she learns that leadership doesn’t come from status or inheritance—it comes from integrity and the willingness to face problems head-on. Sometimes the people who seem least likely to lead are exactly the ones who change things. KLiC: Do you have any tips for pre-published authors? SL: My biggest advice is simple: keep writing and keep reading. Writing is a craft that improves with practice. Every story teaches you something new. Reading widely is just as important, because it shows us all the different ways stories can be told. And finally, be patient with yourself. Publishing can take time, but every book begins the same way—with someone sitting down and writing the first page. KLiC: What’s next for you? SL: Right now I’m back in the forest, following story trails. It’s a great place to be. I love sniffing out story ideas and following them to wherever they lead. And of course, I’m excited to share HEIRESS OF NOWHERE with readers and hear what they think about Lucy’s story.  Stacey Lee is the New York Times bestselling author of historical young adult fiction, including The Downstairs Girl, a Reese’s Book Pick; Luck of the Titanic, which received five starred reviews; and Outrun the Moon, winner of the Asian Pacific Award for Literature. A native of southern California and fourth-generation Chinese American, she is a founder of the We Need Diverse Books movement and writes stories for all kids (even the ones who look like adults).
 KLiC: Please tell us about your writing process. How long did it take you to write and sell Rica Baptista: The Box of Possibilities? JCB: I am a ‘pantser’ by nature. A single sentence will often come to mind and, without a clue of where the story is going, I start writing. Some people have great success writing this way, but I find that when I write longer pieces, my plot falls flat even though I’ve been told that my characters are strong and the voice is spot on. The problem is that when I try to be a ‘plotter’ and carefully lay out all of the details beforehand, I lose the voice. My remedy was to find middle ground - I’ve become what I call a ‘quilter.’ I allow myself to write scenes as they come to me. With a very slight outline, so slight that I don’t know if I can even call it an outline, I begin to weave the pieces together. Some scenes make it into the story and some don’t, but this ‘quilting’ method allows me to have some idea of where the story is going while keeping the voice strong. I’m not a fast writer but, since THE BOX OF POSSIBILITIES was sold on proposal (I already had a contract for the first book in the series), I had no choice but to write it somewhat quickly. Luckily, it flowed! KLiC: What are your favorite illustrations in the book? JCB: As a chapter book, THE BOX OF POSSIBILITIES has black and white illustrations on some, but not all, of the pages. But even in black and white, Gladys Jose managed to capture the personalities of the characters perfectly. That’s evident even from the first illustration you see, which is the book’s cover. Rica and her best friend Laini’s expressions reveal their excitement about what could potentially be in the box while Rica’s older cousin Serenity looks completely annoyed at their excitement. When I saw the very first illustration of Rica (for the first book in the series, LLAMAS, IGUANAS, AND MY VERY BEST FRIEND), I was excited because the day before I had just put my granddaughter’s hair in the same style, including the clip on the side of her hair. I was happy to see an authentic representation of a young Black girl. KLiC: What’s the one thing you want children to take away from your book? JCB: I want kids to be encouraged to dream! Imagination is the building block for anything that ever has ever been or will ever be accomplished or invented. KLiC: Do you have any tips for pre-published authors? JCB: Build community. Find the people who will encourage you when you’re feeling discouraged, who will offer honest feedback, and who will genuinely celebrate your wins. Fortunately, there are an abundance of wonderful people in the kidlit community. If I ever decide to quit writing (which I might have done a few times - it didn’t take), I will still find ways to stay connected to the kidlit community. KLiC: What’s next for you? JCB: I’m very excited about my next project! Read to Grow, a Connecticut based literacy organization, asked me to write a board book for them. LOVE GROWS HERE will be donated through the organization’s partner hospitals. Last year their Books for Babies program distributed books to 25,000 expecting families and families with newborns in Connecticut.  Janet Costa Bates is proud to share her Cape Verdean American heritage through the RICA BAPTISTA series and picture book, SEASIDE DREAM. Honors for her picture book TIME FOR BED, OLD HOUSE include an NAACP Image Award nomination, starred reviews, and multiple 'best books' lists. Her latest book, LOVE GROWS HERE, will be gifted to 70% of newborn families in Connecticut through the Read to Grow organization. When she's not doing bookish stuff, she enjoys letting her grandchildren wear her out. You can find Janet online at janetcostabates.com and on Instagram @jcostabates.
 We welcome Cherise Harris, author and illustrator of THE TOY PLANE to the blog today. KLiC: What was your inspiration for The Toy Plane? CH: I first came up with the idea that inspired The Toy Plane years ago, during a class as a BFA Illustration student at the School of Visual Arts in NYC. In recent years, I decided to revisit that early idea and those early illustrations. My agent would always ask, what is the heart of the story? I had just given birth to my son, and I wanted to make a story that would be set in my country Barbados, and I knew I wanted to create a book that showed boys in a more tender story setting; which inspired the theme of loss, and how we cope with grief. KLiC: Please tell us about your writing process. How long did it take you to write and sell this book? CH: When I revisited this story idea, I originally wanted it to be a wordless picture book. I first wrote a summary of the story that I could illustrate from, and then sketched it out and made a book dummy. This process included critique and feedback from my agency, and when all edits were complete, my agent then pitched it to the editor. My editor loved the wordless story, but felt that including words would enhance the experience for children, especially in our targeted age group; so we decided to include a few words of story throughout the book. As both an illustrator and an author, this process worked well for me, and the written words became a blend of narration as well as a beautiful poetic journey, where the use of metaphor can take readers on a deeper interpretation of the illustrations. I would say the process to write and sell the book took roughly a year.  KLiC: What are your favorite illustrations in the book? CH: My favorite illustrations in the book include first in the beginning, when Leonard's father gifts him the toy plane, and Leonard is overcome with emotion. I really enjoyed showing this tender moment between a father and son. My other favorites are the fantasy scenes. Growing up in Barbados I loved fantasy books like the Chronicles of Narnia, but I didn't see children with skin like mine that were in stories like that. In The Toy Plane, I really enjoyed illustrating Leonard flying the plane among dragons and lions with wings! KLiC: What's the one thing you want children to take away from your book? CH: One thing I want children to take away from The Toy Plane is that it's okay to feel a range of emotions when it comes to processing grief. I want them to know that it's okay to cry- especially for boys. When I was making this book, I imagined boys in Barbados and around the world seeing themselves in the character of Leonard, going from being sad, to crying tears, to being lovingly embraced. In the book, children will see that we can go from feeling vulnerable to feeling brave and feeling joy. KLiC: What's next for you? CH: I'm currently working on my first early graphic novel series as both author and illustrator called Audrey's Magic Book Club!  Cherise Harris is an author and illustrator from Barbados. Her work centers around an interest in fairy tales and their role in telling deep, meaningful stories. Cherise uses pencil, watercolor, and clay, exploring her ideas in both 2D and 3D form. She has a master’s in illustration from Falmouth University in the UK.
Headshot credit: Ryan Harris  Today we feature Sili Recio & Elena Lawrence and their picture book, The Other Side of the Garden, illustrated by Brianna McCarthy. KLiC: Please tell us about your writing process. How long did it take you to write and sell this book? Elena told me this story on November 2, 2019. I know the date because it was recounted during one of our nighttime convos. She said "when I was little" and that phrase, combined with the things she was saying, made me take notes as she spoke. I wasn't sure what this would become, but it felt like such an important story. It sat in my notes app and I slowly created the full story around what she shared. I didn't send a proposal until July of 2021. Months later, I spoke to Denene Millner, my editor, and we talked about the themes. I took lots of notes, edited the story and submitted the final draft. We received a formal offer in October of 2022. KLiC: What kind of research did you do for The Other Side of the Garden? Because this was a story that Elena recounted as a lived experience, there wasn't a lot to research around the heart of the story. The research we did was around what other books existed in the space for kids. I felt that there was a need for more books like this one, and I'm now glad that it's here for others. I'm especially grateful to be in the company of a book like The Toy Airplane which offers another opportunity to dance with the topic of grief.  KLiC: What are your favorite illustrations in the book? Brianna is such a brilliant illustrator. This book wouldn't land with the power, beauty and depth that the story carries without her illustrations. When I saw the first sketches, my breath caught in my chest at the spread toward the end of the book where it shows the little girl's growth over time. I tear up recounting this even now. It reminded me of how much Elena has grown over the years, but also how much life has grown around our grief. Elena: I love every single illustration created by Brianna. I'm truly grateful we have such an amazing artist to help bring this project to life. If I had to pick one, I'd say it's the cover image where the girl is holding the butterfly. I also love the cats that can be found in the background throughout the book. KLiC: What's the one thing you want children to take away from your book? Elena: I hope that when kids read this book, they gain a sense of comfort. It can be hard losing someone at a young age, but it's important to understand it gets easier with support from others. Sili: I want children to feel seen and validated. We don't often explore what children are feeling after the loss of a loved one because they might not have the words to explain. I pray this gives them visibility and an understanding that they're not alone. KLiC: What's next for you? Elena would probably say college. She will be a junior next year and we are already discussing college visits, SATs, and application essays. I'm sitting in expectation as to what our little book will do for her as she moves forward in life. That's been the unexpected treat this project has provided. For me? There's another children's book in the works and I'm mulling over several other projects for older children and adults. But immediately next is the desire to be present with this new book, to sit with people in their grief – children especially – as this book makes it out into the world.  Sili Recio has been calling herself a writer since she won a trophy in a poetry contest in the sixth grade. She is an Afro-Dominican storyteller, disruptor, and Mami. Sili earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Rollins College. She entered the world of social media via her blog in 2010 and has never looked back. Sili lives in Florida with her daughter, the Frog Princess, and tries not to pass on her love of café con leche to her child. She is failing. You can visit her at SiliRecio.com.  Elena Djome Lawrence is an artist and violinist who excels in both her schoolwork and creative projects. Her literary debut picture book The Other Side of the Garden was inspired by a story she shared with her mother when she was nine years old. Her imaginative telling of her own grief serves as the foundation of the book, offering inspiration to those navigating their own journeys of loss.
Headshot credit: Deshay Washingtongton)  We are thrilled to have Judy Campbell-Smith on the blog today where she talks about her picture book, Baseball for Breakfast: A (Mostly) True Story, illustrated by Maggie Carroll. KLiC: What was your inspiration for Baseball for Breakfast? JCS: For this book, I was inspired by learning about the true story of Bill Veeck and the Milwaukee Brewers’ morning baseball games during World War II. I am a lifelong baseball fan, and I had been hoping to find an interesting slice of baseball history to bring to life in a picture book. Bill Veeck was such a colorful character in real life, and I could immediately imagine the potential layers and connections of the fun baseball games set against the historical backdrop of war. KLiC: What kind of research did you do for Baseball for Breakfast? JCS: I started off researching books about Bill Veeck and looking for some details about the morning baseball games. I was able to find even more information from historical records and newspapers. I was thrilled to find a website dedicated to history of Borchert Field, the stadium that the Brewers played in during the time period that my story is set. They had wonderful old photos from the 40’s, vintage paraphernalia, signage, and newspaper clippings. Then I looked at gathering information about what life was like in Milwaukee during World War II, especially for children. All of these resources gave me a good foundation of facts to support my fictional characters.  KLiC: What are your favorite illustrations in the book? JCS: It’s so hard to choose a favorite because Maggie Carroll has done such beautiful work. I fell in love with her art which feels vintage-inspired, but still fresh and energetic. If I have to choose a favorite spread, it’s the one that shows Pa in his naval uniform and Ma in the classic “Rosie the Riveter” outfit. They are surrounded by spot illustrations that show men going off to war and women working in the factory. I felt like Maggie’s approach was the perfect way to support the storytelling as it zoomed out from Jimmy’s family and showed what was happening in the wider world at the time. KLiC: What’s the one thing you want children to take away from your book? JCS: I hope children see that when times are tough, the way to get through it is by finding joy and becoming a helper. The book shows that there are many ways to help, and even small things can make a difference. You might not be able to reschedule a baseball game, but you can make someone laugh or share your cereal. These things matter too. KLiC: Do you have any tips for pre-published authors? JCS: Keep writing the stories that excite you and bring you joy. That is what will keep you going when the work is tough and the no’s pile up. But if you keep going, good things will come eventually.  Judy Campbell-Smith writes picture books that spark curiosity and celebrate diversity. Judy is Black and Puerto Rican, and she’s always trying to write books that she wished she had as a child. She is the author of AJ’s Neighborhood, Ice Cream Everywhere: Sweet Stories from Around the World, and Baseball for Breakfast: A (Mostly) True Story. Judy works for Made for PAX, a non-profit organization, and is very active in the kidlit community. She lives in Southern California with her husband and two children.
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