PENGUIN CHA-CHA is my first book as both author and illustrator, so my process was very different than when I’ve illustrated manuscripts written by other authors.
Usually I receive a manuscript from a publisher, I read it over—that first read tickles the first glimpses of images into my head—and then I decide if that manuscript is one that I want to spend months illustrating.
Illustrating stories by other authors gives me a chance to illustrate ideas that I wouldn’t have had otherwise and brings variety to my work.
For example, in THE GOODBYE CANCER GARDEN, the author Janna Matthies wrote about a family growing a healthy vegetable garden as Mom recovered from cancer. It’s a powerful story of healing. Since I’ve never gone through something like that, I wouldn’t have thought to write that story, but Janna experienced a very similar cancer battle in her own life before writing this hope-filled story. As soon as I read that manuscript, I knew it would be an important book for many families. It was an honor to be able to illustrate it.
Another part of illustrating someone else’s manuscript is to add my own voice to the book through the illustrations. I need to figure out what to add to the story they’re telling, and that may mean showing things in the illustrations that the author never thought of. (That’s why publishers like to keep the authors and illustrators away from each other.)
In the picture book CORA COOKS PANCIT by Dorina K. Lazo Gilmore, Cora feels ignored at first by her family. To echo her feelings, I drew a little dog that follows Cora around wanting to play, so he brings her more and more toys on each page. Cora ignores him.
Just as Cora gets her happy ending, the dog gets his own happy ending when Cora finally plays with him. The dog wasn’t part of the text by the author. The dog is my own contribution to rounding out the story with the illustrations. Since parents are usually busy reading the words, they may not even notice the dog, but be assured that the kids who are hearing the story and studying the illustrations definitely notice that dog! Kids are master picture readers, so that’s always something I think about as I decide how to draw my half of the story in books written by someone else.
My process for PENGUIN CHA-CHA was different from the start because the illustration came first instead of the manuscript. Way back in 2007, I drew an illustration of penguins dancing. I used to be in a swing and Latin dance group and I liked penguins, so I decided to combine two things I liked to create a fun portfolio piece.
Around the same time I had tried my hand at writing my first picture book manuscripts about other subjects. I had a meeting with an editor and showed her my picture book manuscripts and also my portfolio. She remarked about how much more my face lit up when we got to the dancing penguin illustration than when I talked about my manuscripts!
So I realized I really needed to write about the things that make my face light up. Makes sense, right? So I wrote story after story about dancing penguins. It was much harder to write a wonderfully marketable picture book than I thought it would be! What remained constant were the dancing penguins, but the plots of the stories were all over the place. Those penguins danced for years as I figured out my story. I even licensed them out as wrapping paper at some point. I finally sorted out my story as it played as images in my head. I only wrote down the words that I felt were necessary and not shown in the illustrations. In the end, my editor at Random House asked me to add in a bit more text. I may be the only picture book author that’s happened to—usually they want to cut words!
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Writing my own books allows me the freedom to draw my favorite subject matter and favorite kinds of characters and things that make my face light up like dancing penguins. And the story usually starts with an image for me. Illustrating someone else’s manuscript brings more variety to my work and new experiences. So I love both!
Speaking of new experiences, I’m currently illustrating a picture book written by Danielle Steel called PRETTY MINNIE IN PARIS. For research, I visited Paris—what a lovely city to experience! The story combines Paris, a fashion runway show, a long-haired teacup Chihuahua, and a stylish little girl. Oh la la! Watch for PRETTY MINNIE in the fall of 2014.
Thanks, Kristi, for giving us a glimpse into your process!
PENGUIN CHA-CHA releases today! Happy Book Birthday, Kristi!
And lucky readers, Kristi is giving away a PENGUIN CHA-CHA prize pack! You’ll receive a signed book, magnet, bookmark and sticker! Just leave a comment below by September 5th to enter, and if you’d like to ask Kristi a question, you can do so there, too.
You can learn more about the book at PenguinChaCha.com and download a Storytime Activities Kit.
Also follow Kristi’s blog at KristiValiant.blogspot.com.
89 comments
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August 27, 2013 at 8:21 am
tammi sauer
I am in love with that cover!
Congratulations, Kristi.
Cha-cha-cha!
August 27, 2013 at 9:08 am
Kristi Valiant
Thanks, Tammi! I’m the Regional Advisor for Indiana, and I’m greatly looking forward to meeting you at our Picture Book Day in a couple weeks!
August 27, 2013 at 8:23 am
A. Reid
Such fun! Thank you for sharing.
August 27, 2013 at 8:25 am
Rita Borg
Hello kristi,
Your books are so different and the illustrations are lovely. What a brave step you tole from being an illustrator to writing pbs too. Good lUck with it. Love your penguins, too.
August 27, 2013 at 8:25 am
loriannlevyholm
A powerful message that really struck a cord…do the things that make your face light up….it reminds me of a quote by the poet Rumi, “When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy.”
August 27, 2013 at 10:18 am
Kristi Valiant
Oooo… lovely quote.
August 27, 2013 at 8:28 am
jcestes
What’s cuter than dancing penguins? Congratulations on your book birthday!
August 27, 2013 at 10:21 am
Kristi Valiant
The only thing I can think of cuter than dancing penguins, would be baby dancing penguins. Next book?
August 27, 2013 at 8:38 am
rnewman504
Congratulations Kristi! Your illustrations are wonderful! Much success with the book. One-two-cha-cha-cha! Ole!
August 27, 2013 at 8:38 am
Evelyn Christensen
Kristi, this was such fun to get to read about some of your journey and process. As you know, I’ve adored your illustrations for years–ever since first seeing your avatar on the BlueBoard. And I remember your penguin portfolio piece from the Midsouth conference contest. It’s so exciting that this penguin book has become a reality at last!! Huge congratulations! And your book trailer is a delight–just as I’m sure the book is..Hugs, Ev
September 1, 2013 at 10:09 am
Kristi Valiant
Aww… thanks. See you soon at Midsouth, Ev!
August 27, 2013 at 8:46 am
Freckled Daisy Creations
As an inspiring illustrator/author I absolutely live this post! It gives me new inspiration and insight- paired along with PiBoMo coming soon those juices are flowing full force! Thanks!
August 27, 2013 at 8:47 am
Roelant Dewerse
I really like your illustrations Kristi, and your book trailer was great! I’ll look out for it in our bookshops in Adelaide, Australia.
August 27, 2013 at 10:24 am
Kristi Valiant
If you find it in Australia, please send a pic! I know a couple wonderful kid’s writers in Australia – Susanne Gervay and Christopher Cheng.
August 27, 2013 at 8:52 am
Joan
What fun to read about your process-very inspiring for other illustrators who also want to write. Looking forward to seeing your new releases!
August 27, 2013 at 8:55 am
Dorothy
Thank you, Kristi, for your story.
I love the dancing penguins. We went to a dancing party last night where my granddaughter and her partner, both teachers of ballroom dancing, received cheers and applause for their waltz. The penguins are doing very well in their dancing experience.
August 27, 2013 at 9:01 am
Priya Gopal
I love the energetic illustrations, they remind me of my days as a teenager when I was trying to master the cha-cha and other ball room dancing.
Q: did you study live dancers to get the right and energetic movements on paper?
August 27, 2013 at 10:29 am
Kristi Valiant
I used to compete and perform in swing, Latin, and ballroom dance, so a lot of the dance movements came from my own experience and twirling around in my studio. I also studied lots of photos of dancers, but drawing from photos usually results in stiff drawing for me. Back in art school, one of my classes visited a professional ballet studio during rehearsals. Incredible!
August 27, 2013 at 9:01 am
joanwatsonmartin
A perfect book for my great grandaughter who “performs” her dance routines constantly.
August 27, 2013 at 9:03 am
Jessie
How exciting! Beautiful illustrations. I love hearing about illustrators’ processes, I sometimes feel like a stalker but I just want to absorb as much knowledge and good vibes as possible!
August 27, 2013 at 9:10 am
katiemillsgiorgio
So cute! Love the illustrations and look forward to reading it!
August 27, 2013 at 9:37 am
Ashley Bohmer
Congrats, Kristi!–I’ve added your lovely book to my “Must-Have” list. 🙂
August 27, 2013 at 9:45 am
Lori Alexander
Adorable! I love what you said about children being “master picture readers.” That they are! Best of luck, Kristi.
August 27, 2013 at 10:09 am
Jeri Baird
I attended the SCBWI Summer Conference where Andrea Pinkney (Scholastic) mentioned how important it is for writers and artists to find their spark. You have found yours! Congratulations! I have great-nieces who will love this book!
August 27, 2013 at 10:12 am
ReneDAube (@9261Aube)
Congratulations on your book birthday! I LOVE the dancing penguins! I will be keeping my eyes open for your book; my brother and sister-in-law are ballroom dance teachers and this would be a great gift for them! They will love it! I am encouraged by your comment about writing that which lights up your face~helps me to know I’m on the right track with my story. Thanks for sharing your journey. Rene` Diane Aube
August 27, 2013 at 10:32 am
Marina
Thank you for sharing about illustration process!
August 27, 2013 at 10:35 am
Heidi Grange
What a fun post! I love hearing about how authors/illustrators create their books. I love the idea of dancing penguins.
August 27, 2013 at 10:57 am
Pia Garneau
Congratulations! Love the movements of the penguins! Makes me want to take lessons. Where can I get that wrapping paper?
August 27, 2013 at 11:42 am
Kristi Valiant
Sorry, Pia, I don’t think the wrapping paper is for sale anymore. I had only licensed it for one manufacturing year, and I doubt there’s any still around since that was years ago. Thanks for the comments!
August 27, 2013 at 11:19 am
Aaron Zenz
Sure to light up many other faces as well! It looks great!
August 27, 2013 at 12:07 pm
Lynne Marie
LOVE the illustrations — great PB for dance school waiting rooms, too! Great job! XO
August 27, 2013 at 12:52 pm
Pat Miller
To me, penguins have always seemed ready for a ball in their ever present tuxedos. Thanks for giving them the opportunity to finally attend, and us such a great book to share with our children!
August 27, 2013 at 1:08 pm
David
Kristi, your title and cover are irresistible for children of all ages!
August 27, 2013 at 1:13 pm
LeslieG
Those penguin poses rock! Love the trailer, too. Thanks for sharing, and congratulations!
August 27, 2013 at 2:04 pm
Maria Gianferrari
what great illustrations! I love your trailer too, Kristi! Can’t wait to read this and see your amazing illustrations. Get the cha-cha started!
August 27, 2013 at 2:52 pm
julie rowan zoch
Love how you combined your own character with your other passion to create a PB! Good luck with it and I look forward to hearing more about your next one too! Paris, huh? Sweet!
August 27, 2013 at 3:06 pm
Laura Zarrin
I can’t wait to see this book in stores! It’s so wonderful.
August 27, 2013 at 3:30 pm
Amy
I really enjoyed reading about your writing/illustrating process; thank you for sharing, Kristi. Congratulations on Penguin Cha-Cha – I know a kiddo (and her ballroom dancing dad) who would love this book.
August 27, 2013 at 3:36 pm
Penny Klostermann
Very fun to hear how your illustration took you to your story! I can’t wait to read Penguin CHA-CHA! The trailer is delightful!
August 27, 2013 at 3:57 pm
Julie Grasso
I loved this interview Tara and Kristi. Penguin Cha Cha looks awesome. I thing little G who has just discovered dancing would love it. Best wishes on your release.
August 27, 2013 at 5:56 pm
jacquesartandbooks
Fabulous, wonderful and incredible. You’re thoughts on illustrating books for others VS your own book resonates with me. Love your penguins, love the trailer and I am sure to love the book. Congratulations.
August 27, 2013 at 6:14 pm
Sarah M. Isaacson
This is really helpful, as I often think that if I had a superpower, it would be able to write AND illustrate children’s books! Sharing your process really helps me understand how to best write a story, and to “let go” when the illustrator receives it–to be able to be excited and open to what the illustrator is going to contribute. Alas, I am not published yet, and no contracts in sights, but what a great contribution to my journey. Thanks also for sharing the perspective of the child!
August 27, 2013 at 6:45 pm
Louann Brown
You can’t go wrong with dancing animals! Love your penguins and your publication story. It’s great to hear from an author/illustrator!
August 27, 2013 at 6:47 pm
Christie Wright Wild
I loved hearing your story. Thank you so much for sharing. And thanks for the giveaway too! I try to work on the ms that lights up my face!
August 27, 2013 at 8:07 pm
Genevieve Petrillo
I love this post! Congratulations and good luck with the penguins. Was the Danielle Steele book just an excuse to go to Paris? Or was it necessary research? Did you go to a runway show while you were there. Or ever?
August 27, 2013 at 9:24 pm
Kristi Valiant
The Danielle Steel book was an excellent excuse to go to Paris! But I truly wanted to experience Paris firsthand to draw it in such a high profile book. There are a lot of small visual differences between Paris and US cities and I want to get those details right. I also visited Danielle and her sweet dog who inspired the story at their apartment. I didn’t go to a runway show – those are extremely hard to get in to and not during my visit. Maybe someday. 🙂
August 27, 2013 at 8:53 pm
Ramona
Love the idea of a musical book especially with penguins! Thank you Kristi for sharing your process of writing and illustrating, it’s so interesting.
August 27, 2013 at 9:26 pm
Elizabeth Dailey
So happy for you, Kristi! Can’t wait to see the book!
August 27, 2013 at 9:34 pm
Natasha
Awesome book trailer!
Cha Cha was the name on my hockey jersey once upon a time and penguins are cool so I have a soft spot in my heart for your book without having read it. Looking forward to it.
Question: what was your original word count and where did you end up after adding?
Question: Presumably much of your story was in your pictures so what would you say was the main reason for needing more words in specific spots?
Thanks and congratulations.
August 27, 2013 at 10:12 pm
Kristi Valiant
Thanks! My original word count was around 440 and my end count around 460, so not much added. It was just a sentence here and there for transitions I think.
August 27, 2013 at 10:19 pm
pennymorrison
What stylish penguins! And I love the picture of Cora with the poor puppy under the table. (so much that I googled pancit to find out what it is.)
Thanks for reminding us to write about what we love.
August 28, 2013 at 8:13 am
Kristi Valiant
The recipe for pancit is in the book and it’s delicious!
August 27, 2013 at 11:09 pm
Ashley Bankhead
This was very interesting. Thank you for this post. I am not an illustrator, so it was neat to get a look into what they do.
August 28, 2013 at 12:10 am
writersideup
I’m a “Cover Girl” and this is one book I’d grab off the shelf! The title’s font is perfect, too! What gorgeous, lively, appealing work! 😀 And the premise!
Kristi, I write and illustrate, too (aspiring), only I typically write first, then illustrate my own work. As you know, picture books are the marriage of words and pictures and they need to complement each other, not repeat. I’m sure that, even the authors out there who don’t illustrate, are more drawn to picture books in which the pictures have an added feature or sub plot going on.
Thanks for sharing all this, ladies 🙂 Great trailer, btw—I WANT THIS BOOK! 😀
August 28, 2013 at 8:14 am
Kristi Valiant
Thanks! I drew the title font! We had gone back and forth on title fonts and hadn’t come up with any just right, so I offered to hand letter it. Loved that it turned out just how I wanted that way!
August 28, 2013 at 2:40 am
tinamcho
So cute! I love the trailer, too. I like what you said–to write what lights up our face. Thanks, Kristi and Tara!
August 28, 2013 at 6:28 am
Catherine
Thank you for sharing your experiences Kirsti. I love the idea of penguins dancing together and your illustrations are beautiful 🙂
Thank you for the giveaway too!
August 28, 2013 at 6:48 am
Ruth Schiffmann
Write about the things that make your face light up – I love that!! My homework today is going to be to make a list of such things. Thanks so much for this post. I enjoyed “meeting” Kristi and being introduced to her work.
August 28, 2013 at 7:09 am
aneducationinbooks
Lovely movement in those penguin illustrations!
August 28, 2013 at 8:20 am
Jennifer Rumberger
Happy Book Birthday, Kristi! I love your dancing penguins. I’m coming down to your Indiana Picture Day from Michigan, can’t wait to meet you! 🙂
August 28, 2013 at 11:19 am
Heidi
What a great post! I loved hearing about Kristi’s experiences, both as writer and illustrator. Congratulations on the Penguin Cha Cha! I can’t wait to read it!
August 28, 2013 at 11:23 am
Kelly
Adorable! Cannot wait to read the story.
August 28, 2013 at 11:35 am
laurimeyers
I wonder if that would work for us writers only – drawing a dummy with rudimentary sketches and then adding in the sparest words…hmmm…
August 28, 2013 at 5:22 pm
writersideup
Lauri, I would think so, and I would also think it would help you out with page turns, too! 😀
August 28, 2013 at 10:42 pm
Kristi Valiant
I think it would work well, but one thing to think about – Darcy Pattison said when she writes spare texts like author/illustrators do, she gets rejections saying the story isn’t fleshed out enough.
August 29, 2013 at 4:40 pm
writersideup
My thought on that would be more that the story itself—the backstory, characters, etc.—weren’t fleshed out enough when actually writing the story, too. But the thing that differs between authors and author/illustrators is that when you do both, your vision of how they play off each other is generally clearer in the writing process, right?
August 28, 2013 at 12:05 pm
Debbie
Even the wrapping paper is cute! Nice article, looks like a fun book!
August 28, 2013 at 3:58 pm
Marcy P.
I’m a dear friend of Dorina (Cora Cooks Pancit) and was so blown away (with her) at how perfectly your art captured her story. That was a successful match if I ever saw one! Now I live 3 hours away from Paris (in Germany) and it would’ve been fun to meet you there! Did you get to Shakespeare and Company? Anyway, excited about both of your new books. Congrats! 🙂
August 28, 2013 at 10:39 pm
Kristi Valiant
Dorina is such an amazing, sweet, book sister! I visited the outside of Shakespeare and Co a couple times during our Paris visit, but it wasn’t open and then a poetry reading prevented us from getting inside. I’ll just have to visit again!
August 28, 2013 at 4:26 pm
thiskidreviewsbooks
OKAY – I REALLY want this book! My aunt loves-loves-LOVES penguins! I REALLY want this book to give it to her (I’d read it first of course… but she’d end up getting it… 😉 )! Great post!
August 28, 2013 at 6:01 pm
Charlotte
Congratulations! I turned a car into a penguin so this book is right up my alley 🙂
August 28, 2013 at 10:40 pm
Kristi Valiant
Quite the magician!
August 29, 2013 at 6:24 am
Boo Stad
Entertaining read Kristi, thank you and warm congratulations on your ‘solo’ effort.
Thank you also for the ‘tip’ of ‘The Goodbye Cancer Garden.’
We have a good friend who is currently battling this insidious curse, so this gem of a book would make a perfect gift for her young son.
My own daughter adores penguins, so ‘Cha-Cha’ will be a ‘Go-Go!’
Wishing you continued success…
Boo Stad.
August 29, 2013 at 7:43 am
pambrunskill
Love the dancing penguins! Congrats on the new book!
August 29, 2013 at 6:04 pm
Diane Kress Hower
Thanks Kristi. I enjoyed getting to hear your story. Congrats on your book. My little neighbor friend, Ellie would love it!
August 29, 2013 at 8:55 pm
Lilly Fluger
Thank you- I loved hearing the differences between illustrating for you and others, and how you gain both ways. I loved how ideas can sit and evolve for a long time till they feel right… thanks for sharing your process. Your penguins are awesome. Also the Minnie book sounds really exciting and fun- Paris!!
August 30, 2013 at 9:35 am
Hannah
Oh this book is wonderful! I love penguins, and having them wearing outfits and glasses is just perfect.
August 30, 2013 at 8:01 pm
Michelle Kogan Illustration, Painting & Writing
Hi Kristi, Your book looks terrific, and so is the trailer and insights you shared! I caught a glimpse of the book at the Wild Wild Midwest Conference and met you there also. All the best with this book and with Pretty MInnie in Paris.
September 1, 2013 at 9:53 am
Kristi Valiant
Hope to see you at another conference, Michelle!
August 31, 2013 at 9:30 am
Chiêu Anh Urban
Congratulations! My daughter would love this books. How fun! Much success to you!
August 31, 2013 at 12:50 pm
Ray Hunt
Kristi the penguins are awesome and the style is elegant! It should be a fun read and flow thru imaginations! thanks.
September 2, 2013 at 9:53 pm
Cathy Biggerstaff
I loved getting the perspective on the process through the illustrator’s eyes and how it differs from the author’s view. Blessings of success on you both, Tara and Kristi!
September 3, 2013 at 9:25 pm
SevenAcreSky
What image could better bring on a smile than ordinarily stumbly penguins gracefully leaping and twirling in joyous dance! Beautiful, can’t wait to see this book!
I have a dream in the opposite direction…going from a writer to a writer-illustrator. Do you think, Kristi, that one ‘direction’ might be more difficult than the other?
September 4, 2013 at 9:13 am
Kristi Valiant
I’ve heard of a lot more people going from illustrator to author-illustrator, so I would guess not starting off with art training would make it harder to jump into that boat later. But it is possible – look up Debbie Ohi and her journey going from writer to writer-illustrator.
September 3, 2013 at 10:48 pm
Nicole Gallela
Heyla Kristi, your book looks gorgeous! So happy that you finally have had the chance to make the leap to author as well as illustrator! I am looking forward to being able to share it with my niece and nephew!
September 7, 2013 at 11:38 am
Abby
Hi Kristi, 🙂 A BIG Congratulations to you on Penguin Cha-Cha! 🙂 I loved reading about your creative process, and how you create a story with the images when you collaborate with an author. Adding the dog to Cora Cooks Pancit seemed to add another emotional level – all without saying a word. Your story of how your love of the dancing penguins led to your own picture book was very inspiring and it sounds like a very charming picture book.
I have a question about keeping the illustrator in mind – when your manuscript hasn’t found that publishing home yet. Do you think notes for the illustrator are helpful or just pesky? How can a picture book writer prepare for this team element of working on a book and be the most helpful to the illustrator?
My other question is about illustrating picture books. I started as an art major in college but changed my major to english. The last art class I took, someone said my style would be good for picture books. I know it would take a lot of work, but wonder how someone would take those first steps toward looking at being an illustrator, to see if they can do it. What do you do? What would you recommend?
I look forward to reading your Penguin book, it looks charming & fun! Congratulations on your latest book!
🙂 Abby
September 9, 2013 at 1:09 pm
Kristi Valiant
Thanks, Abby! Most publishers (and illustrators) prefer no illustration notes unless there’s something in the text that won’t make sense without knowing what is happening in the illustration. To help your illustrator the most, leave space for the illustrator to have fun. For example, the text might say, “His tuba caused loads of trouble in the library.” Let the illustrator draw that scene and figure out the trouble being caused.
First steps for illustrating picture books would be to read lots and lots of recent ones in the bookstores and study the illustrations. There are online classes you can take to help you get portfolio pieces ready. Or you could jump in with your own and get a portfolio critique at an SCBWI conference. I have a blog post on creating postcard mailers: http://kristivaliant.blogspot.com/2012/11/sending-art-promotional-postcards-to.html
Hope that all helps!
September 9, 2013 at 1:35 pm
writersideup
Read the whole blog post, Kristi 🙂 Great stuff!
September 9, 2013 at 6:32 pm
Freckled Daisy Creations
Tara your blog is always so informative! I learn so much! Is it November yet?!