Welcome to picture book cover reveal headquarters! TA-DA!
Today I’m welcoming writer Laura Gehl and illustrator Joshua Heinsz, the team behind EXCEPT WHEN THEY DON’T, a light-hearted look at gender stereotypes. Coming in May 2019, the book celebrates the idea that children should feel free to be exactly who they are.
I asked Laura and Joshua to interview each other, so without further achoo…
Joshua: Laura, when did you first get the idea to write EXCEPT WHEN THEY DON’T, and what inspired you?
I always pictured myself as the kind of parent who would support and encourage my kids in all directions, no matter what. The kind of parent who wouldn’t push my kids to conform to gender norms. But that turned out to be harder than I thought (just like every single other aspect of parenting). Yes, I’ve done countless art projects with my sons, and played football with my daughter. And yet…I also discouraged my oldest son from buying the pink boots he liked, thinking other kids might tease him. And I gave away most of our toy vehicles when my three sons outgrew them, assuming my daughter wouldn’t have an interest (wrong—it turned out she loved playing with cars and trucks). So I was re-examining my own assumptions. And I was thinking about all the kids out there who might feel like they didn’t fit in the roles they were assigned by society—or even by well-meaning parents.
Joshua: Were there any particular challenges you faced as your worked on the manuscript?
Writing in rhyme is always challenging. After Charlie, our editor at Little Bee, acquired EXCEPT WHEN THEY DON’T, he wanted me to write a new section transitioning between the first part of the book (which highlights gender stereotypes) and the end of the book (which encourages kids to be exactly who they are). I was terrified that I wouldn’t be able to write a brand new section in rhyme that worked as a smooth transition. But I was really happy with how that section turned out, and so was Charlie! Phew!
Joshua: What was your favorite part of the writing process for this one?
I like to share my work with my own kids, and I read this book out loud to my daughter. As you know, the first few lines all put children in gender stereotypical roles. So I read those first verses…
Boys play monster trucks with glee.
Girls bake cakes and serve hot tea.
Girls like pompoms, pink, and jewels.
Boys like fighting pirate duels.
And my daughter looked at me, wrinkled up her nose, and demanded, “SAYS WHO?!”
“That’s the whole point,” I told her. “Just wait a few more lines.”
In the end, she loved the book and its message. I hope every kid who reads it feels the same way.
Laura: Joshua, what were your thoughts when Charlie first approached you about illustrating this book?
I was so thrilled! The topic of gender stereotyping is one I’ve been passionate about for a very long time, and is one I had been specifically looking to address in my published work. I was the boy growing up playing with tea sets and dolls, and it’s really great to illustrate a book that would have been so exciting for me to have as a kid myself.
Laura: What was your first step in terms of thinking about how you wanted to do the art?
The biggest thing for me was to showcase as much diversity as possible and to make all of the characters in the book feel relatable to anyone. I knew I wanted the art to be particularly colorful as well so that whatever colors kids may not usually associate with would still feel very inviting and inspiring. Lastly I really love playing with shape language, so I knew I wanted to play around with simplifying the design in some ways I hadn’t tried before.
Laura: What was your process for designing the cover? Did you sketch out a bunch of different possibilities before hitting on a winner?
Truthfully, the cover was the toughest nut to crack for me on this project. I went through several rounds of sketches to find the best way to showcase the message of the book without crafting any sort of narrative or scene. There was a lot of playing around with which characters to include on the cover, and for a while I really had it in my head that I wanted a plane on the cover, although I couldn’t really say why–haha. I’m really happy with where we landed in the end, though.
Thank you, Laura and Joshua!
You can enter to win an F&G (folded and gathered advance copy) of EXCEPT WHEN THEY DON’T by making a comment below. One comment per person, please.
A winner will be randomly selected before the end of December.
Good luck!
Laura Gehl is the author of picture books including One Big Pair of Underwear, the Peep and Egg series, I Got a Chicken for My Birthday, and My Pillow Keeps Moving. In addition to Except When They Don’t, spring 2019 releases include Baby Oceanographer and Baby Astronaut, illustrated by Daniel Wiseman; and Dibs!, illustrated by Marcin Piwowarski. Laura lives in Maryland with her family and a large stash of dark chocolate. Visit her online at lauragehl.com and follow her on Twitter @AuthorLauraGehl.
Joshua Heinsz is the illustrator of A Paintbrush for Paco. He has a love for bright and whimsical imagery with a flair for the fantastical and an air of nostalgia. When not drawing or painting, Joshua can be found working as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor. He currently lives in Chicago, Illinois. See more of his work at joshuaheinsz.com and follow him on Twitter @JCHeinsz.
74 comments
Comments feed for this article
December 11, 2018 at 8:15 am
Laura Hancock
What a great idea! Love it.
December 11, 2018 at 8:21 am
awritersdream41
Thanks for sharing with us. Looking forward to the release of your book. Congratulations.
December 11, 2018 at 8:24 am
Ali Pfautz
This looks great! An important book for today’s world.
December 11, 2018 at 8:36 am
Lenora Biemans
I love this! Growing up, I approached gender stereotypes with that same “says who?!” attitude.
December 11, 2018 at 8:45 am
Michelle O'Hara Levin
Oh! I am so so excited about this book! I’ve been raging against the pink and blue aisles at toysRus and other big box chains forever. On behalf of other moms, librarians, and humans everywhere, THANK YOU!!!!
December 11, 2018 at 11:41 am
Tara Lazar
I find it interesting to note that a little over one hundred years ago, the colors were reversed–pink for boys and blue for girls. Fascinating!
December 11, 2018 at 8:56 am
Amber Webb
I love the themes and ideas behind this book. So important to break free from stereotypes. I think both my own children and school children will LOVE this book. And, we would be happy to share it with #bookexcursion!
December 11, 2018 at 9:09 am
Andria Rosenbaum
Love how the words & art work together so well!! Congratulations to Laura & Josh!
December 11, 2018 at 9:10 am
supermario6
Sounds wonderful!
December 11, 2018 at 9:25 am
Wendy Greenley
Congratulations, Laura & Josh! This is a great topic–as a kid I was “says who” and then as a parent (like you, Laura!) I worried about what other kids would say.
December 11, 2018 at 9:32 am
Laura Purdie Salas
Love this! I have an affirming picture book I would only submissions right now, with a different angle from this one, but this looks like so much fun! Love the art two. Boy, does it pop!
December 11, 2018 at 9:33 am
Laura Purdie Salas
Sorry, I’m dictating this while at the gym, and I can’t figure out how to edit my comment above. I meant to say I have a picture book on a related theme out on submissions…
December 11, 2018 at 9:39 am
ptnozell
This looks like a timely, and much-needed, new picture book. Congratulations on its upcoming publication!
December 11, 2018 at 9:53 am
Joan Swanson
I love this so much, thank you. I had a girl who was a tomboy who loved acid rock and was a ballerina. She hated when people would talk down to her because they thought she was stupid. Thank you , Thank you, Thank YOU!!!
December 11, 2018 at 10:09 am
Amy Harding
LOVE IT! I wish I would have had this book to read to my oldest daughter who told me that girls were “only allowed to wear pink!”
December 11, 2018 at 10:25 am
Lynne Marie
What a great message! Can’t wait to read this book. Lynne Marie (www.literallylynnemarie.com)
December 11, 2018 at 10:26 am
Sheri Dillard
Love it! Thanks for sharing your creative process, too! Great post! 🙂
December 11, 2018 at 10:31 am
Della Ross Ferreri
I enjoyed the interview! Your book is an important but fun resource/story for kids today!
December 11, 2018 at 10:36 am
Sylvia Grech
Congratulations on your book!
December 11, 2018 at 10:39 am
David McMullin
Laura and Joshua seem like the perfect combo for this book. I can’t wait to see it!
December 11, 2018 at 10:49 am
Suzanne LaLiberte Lewis
Bravo! We need books like this to encourage kids to be just who they are!
December 11, 2018 at 10:51 am
Wendi Silvano
I can’t wait to read it!
December 11, 2018 at 11:01 am
mariaordish
This is exciting! I cannot wait for this to hit the shelves!
December 11, 2018 at 11:14 am
Judy Sobanski (@jkspburg)
Congratulations on a book that encourages kids to be accepting of themselves and others!
December 11, 2018 at 11:30 am
Christin
What an amazing book. I cannot wait to read it!
December 11, 2018 at 11:39 am
polly renner
Great idea for a PB! LOVE! Cannot wait to read this one and share it!
December 11, 2018 at 11:52 am
Danielle Dufayet
What a great message -told in such a fun and lighthearted way! Congrats on a novel idea!
December 11, 2018 at 12:10 pm
Gabi Snyder
This sounds fabulous! Can’t wait to read it!
December 11, 2018 at 12:16 pm
authorlaurablog
What a well executed story of an important topic! Can’t wait to see the whole book.
December 11, 2018 at 12:22 pm
Keila Dawson
Great topic! So important to show them it’s okay to be themselves and not bend to outside pressures.
December 11, 2018 at 12:39 pm
Beverly Patt
Totally adorable and not preachy. Well done!
December 11, 2018 at 12:46 pm
Krista Maxwell
Love the topic of this book!
December 11, 2018 at 1:03 pm
Katie Giorgio
Oh I can’t wait to get my hands on this one. Thanks for sharing!
December 11, 2018 at 1:09 pm
Gregory E Bray
This sounds like a great book. We’re always telling our son he can do whatever he wants, don’t worry if it’s “supposed” to be for girls.
December 11, 2018 at 1:43 pm
Deslie English
Sounds like a great team collaboration on a needed topic! I look forward to sharing this book.
December 11, 2018 at 1:53 pm
Rebecca
Congratulations! I can’t wait to read this book to all my friends’ kids.
December 11, 2018 at 1:53 pm
Caren Cantrell
Such a wonderful topic! I so relate to “trying” to not stereotype and then finding myself inadvertently doing it.
December 11, 2018 at 3:00 pm
Marcy Rose-Moehnke
We have needed this book for a long time!
December 11, 2018 at 3:07 pm
Gabriele
Great concept and message! I was a tomboy who loved purple, and I work hard to avoid stereotypes when buying books & toys for my grandchildren. They would love this!
December 11, 2018 at 3:11 pm
Cassandra Federman
Love this concept!
December 11, 2018 at 3:13 pm
Kassy Keppol
I love , love, love the cover art!
December 11, 2018 at 3:33 pm
candywellins
Love the rhyme. Can’t wait to read the rest.
December 11, 2018 at 3:34 pm
Rebecca Gardyn Levington
Laura and Joshua, congrats on what sounds like an awesome book! I can’t wait to read it, ESPECIALLY because it’s in rhyme! Rhyming PBs are my favorite to read and to write and it pains me that so many writers and editors now seem to shy away from writing and publishing them! Thank you for keeping rhyme alive! 🙂
December 11, 2018 at 4:12 pm
Ellie
Congrats! What important themes for little people and their parents! Can’t wait to read it.
December 11, 2018 at 4:19 pm
Veronica
I can’t wait to read this!
December 11, 2018 at 4:49 pm
Nancy Riley
This sounds wonderful! My daughter never liked pink and has a passion for martial arts! I love the idea that all kids will find something they can relate to!
December 11, 2018 at 5:55 pm
Jenna Woloshyn
Can’t wait to read this to my kids!
December 11, 2018 at 6:00 pm
jenfierjasinski
Thank you for sharing your journey making what looks to be an incredible book. This is an important topic and I can’t wait to read EXCEPT WHEN THEY DON’T.
December 11, 2018 at 6:44 pm
kathydoherty1
I’d love reading this to a classroom of kids and discussing it.
December 11, 2018 at 7:04 pm
Lucretia
I love the topic and that it’s written in rhyme. Congrats!
December 11, 2018 at 7:29 pm
Michele Helsel
Definitely one of those books where I wish I had thought of it. Great idea. Can’t wait to read it!
December 11, 2018 at 7:39 pm
Susan Johnston
Congrats, Laura and Joshua! Sounds like a very timely and kid-friendly book.
December 11, 2018 at 7:46 pm
creativeartbreak
I love the freshness of the art. It looks both exciting and updated as well as being retro. Good Job!
December 11, 2018 at 11:41 pm
seschipper
Wow! Congratulations! What a fantastic way to present this important topic. Plus, rhyming elements…”Winner, winner chicken dinner”!!!! 🙂
December 12, 2018 at 1:12 am
Ashley Bankhead
This looks like a fun book. I’d really like to read it.
December 12, 2018 at 1:15 am
Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez
This sounds amazing! And I can totally relate to the daunting feeling of new rhymes, a whole new section is a huge accomplishment, congrats. Also, my daughter is 2 and an only child, she absolutely LOVES cars too and dolls😊 Can’t wait to read this!
December 12, 2018 at 8:41 am
Rachel
Fantastic! I wish this book had been around when my kids were younger, though they’d still probably love to read it today!
December 12, 2018 at 8:56 am
Lucky Jo Boscarino
I can imagine what 5-10 year old me would glean from this book, not feeling so alone, like such a secret weirdo. Though this book couldn’t have existed 50 years ago, I’m glad it does now.
December 12, 2018 at 11:58 am
fspoesy
The rope-jumping, soldier-playing kid of my youth approves!
December 12, 2018 at 12:07 pm
Rebecca Van Slyke
I look forward to sharing this with all the kids in my class. How wonderful that THEY will have this as a part of THEIR childhoods!
December 12, 2018 at 5:55 pm
doreenrobinson
Congrats to both of you! What a great topic for a picture book. The art looks amazing!
December 12, 2018 at 9:49 pm
marty
Great interviews. Look forward to this book and its message.
December 12, 2018 at 10:13 pm
teacherwriteracker
This book sounds amazing. When I took my oldest daughter shopping for her big girl sheets I showed her all the mermaids, rainbows, and flower sheets. She reached across the aisle for the blue dinosaurs. My best teacher.
December 12, 2018 at 10:27 pm
aidantalkin
looking forward to reading this book with some littles!
December 13, 2018 at 1:48 am
writersideup
REALLY great job, Laura and Joshua 😀 SAYS WHO?! Says ME! 😀 😉
December 13, 2018 at 5:30 am
Linda
The illustrations are beautiful. I love the cover.
December 13, 2018 at 9:38 am
Kathy Halsey
Except When They Don’t sounds exceptional. Congrats on this book, Laura and Joshua.
December 13, 2018 at 2:06 pm
Lou
Thanks for the heads-up on another empowering title to share with our school social worker!
December 14, 2018 at 10:06 am
Nicole Strangman
I am thrilled to learn about this book – such a hugely important topic. Thanks for writing/illustrating.
December 15, 2018 at 1:49 pm
Michelle Selders
Love, love, love that someone is is writing this book now. My daughter never wanted to wear skirts (they got in the way of all the “fun stuff” she said) and loved to play trucks and cars with boys. The only barbies she’d play with were the dogs or horses barbie had as pets. Thanks for putting in writing what many parents already know – kids, and their play, doesn’t fit into neat gender boxes.
December 15, 2018 at 7:58 pm
mariagianferrari
Such a great cover!! Congrats, Laura & Joshua!!
December 22, 2018 at 1:51 pm
Angie
Great book! As a preschool teacher and parent, for years I’ve been providing activities, toys, and free choice for boys and girls. I love allowing young children to choose what interests them, even when it’s not deemed ‘gender appropriate.’ This book sounds like it fits the bill in letting kids (and parents) know it’s ok. Congratulations!
December 28, 2018 at 3:12 pm
Kelly Rice Schmitt
I love this simple take on bending the stereotypes we have today in society. The art looks fabulous too!! I am looking forward to reading it. Best of luck!!
December 30, 2018 at 2:18 am
paintandwordsmel
This sounds like such an important book! My kids school needs one! Congratulations!