July 23, 2019 7:30 am
A few weeks ago, I saw a joyous tweet from Minh Lê praising SMALL WORLD, Ishta Mercurio’s debut picture book, illustrated by Jen Corace.
And then I remembered—I’m supposed to be interviewing Ishta about this very book! WHAT A SMALL WORLD!
But no, this SMALL WORLD is not like that Small World. No earworm here.
This book is about our changing perspective as we grow, learn and achieve…and our place in the world through the stages of life. It’s a beautiful book that landed at just the right time.
Ishta, since I run Storystorm, let’s talk about the idea for this book first. How did it originate?
I love this question, because it shows how ideas really can come from anywhere.
I was on a plane (in the window seat, which is my FAVORITE SEAT—it’s one of the perks of being short!), flying home from Oregon, looking down at a large body of water. I noticed that there was a cluster of white flecks on the surface of the water that kept disappearing, then reappearing further along, then disappearing and reappearing again, and it occurred to me that they were probably caused by a pod of whales or dolphins or something. And that got me thinking about how tiny those flecks were from my vantage point inside the plane, but how big a whale would be if I were sitting next to one… And I also started thinking about how much diversity the world holds: in plant and animal species, in cultures, in land forms… And I wanted to explore how a child might sit with and come to terms with that, with this knowledge of the world’s complexity and of our small-but-also-big role within it.
I see your other published book is about insects. Do your ideas often come from nature?
t’s funny, but most of the time, they don’t. Or if they do, I get about halfway through the brainstorming session before I realize that my idea is actually just an extension of SMALL WORLD, or of another manuscript that I’ve already written. Most of the time, my ideas come from something I’ve overheard in a cafe or on the train, or from a news article, or something my kids will say, or my dog. (I have a couple of ideas I’m playing with that have come from my dog…)
OK, I’ll bite! Tell us about your dog and dog stories!
We got him from a rescue organization. His name is Rocket, and his mother was a feral dog in an area that’s a bit overrun with feral dogs, and she gave birth to his litter next to someone’s shed and abandoned them. So we have no idea what kind of dog he is! He looks a little bit Lab/Rottweiler/German Shepherd/Boxer. He’s stereotypically “dog-shaped”. And he’s big! He weighs 80 lbs., which is almost as much as me.
Without giving too much away, my dog stories were both inspired by this one silly thing that he does. But one is serious, and deep, and essentially social commentary, and the other is light and funny and very silly. I don’t know if they’ll both be published, but I’m having fun writing them.
Rocket is a cool name! And so in Nanda, the MC in SMALL WORLD. Can you give us the story behind the unique choice?
Finding a name for this character was a challenge! I went through several different names, looking for the one that was just right. At first, this character was a boy. I’m a mom of two boys, so I think it just felt natural for me to think of this character—who shares a lot of interests with me, but whose story isn’t really based on my own childhood at all—as a boy. But then about halfway through the revision process, I thought, “You know what? I have a lot of common interests with this character. And where are the books about girls who get to do things like this?” And so I decided that this character needed to have a girl’s name.
And then it came down to what girl’s name to choose! It needed to have two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable, to match the rhythm of the rest of the text. I wanted something soft sounding, that ended in an “a” sound or some other open vowel sound (as opposed to a closed vowel sound, like a long “e” sound), because this is a soft flowing lyrical kind of book. And, of course, a name can tell us a lot about a person’s background and family, and Nanda’s family is important in the first half of this book.
One of the things that people might be surprised to learn is that I come from a mixed background: my dad is Italian on his father’s side and Irish and German on his mother’s side, and my mom is Polish on her father’s side and Filipino on her mother’s side. Her dad was an American GI stationed in the Philippines during WWII, and he fell in love with a Filipino woman (my Lola) and they raised my mom and her brothers and sister there. My mom and each of her siblings came over to the US one at a time, as they each finished high school in the Philippines and enrolled in college in the States. And what’s interesting to me is that even though I take after my Filipino side in stature and bone structure and build, which is, like, 90% of my body, because I have my Italian grandfather’s face, most people are surprised to learn that I’m part Filipino. And I think that this is partly because we see what we’re conditioned to see: in other words, if the majority of books and movies and TV shows we see feature Caucasian characters, as most of them do, we become conditioned to look for the signs that point to that heritage. And we miss or gloss over the rest. I want us to be able to see each other more completely, and more clearly. And I want us to accept one another more readily. And giving books to children that broaden and deepen their understanding of people from a variety of backgrounds, and that illustrate the things that are different as well as the things we share, is part of that work.
So I wanted this child to come from an immigrant background. And the rest of the story of how I chose Nanda’s name is in the back matter of the book, so people will have to go and read that for themselves.
I was surprised at Jen Corace’s illustrations because they are a wildly different style from LITTLE PEA (with Amy Krouse Rosenthal), one of my favorite books. I suppose I should know that illustrators are wildly talented! Jen’s style in LITTLE PEA is spare and simple, lots of white space, childlike. While SMALL WORLD also has a childlike feel, the art is complex, layered and bursting with color. It emits a palpable energy!
Jen Corace did such an amazing, amazing job with the illustrations in this book. I love the way she picked up on the geometry references in the text and took them to a whole other level. But my favorite thing, and the most delightfully surprising thing, was the spread of Nanda building a cityscape with blocks in her bedroom! I love the way the city skyline she sees through her window echoes the skyline she’s building, and the star chart on her wall, and I especially especially love the pictures of female astronauts on her wall. When I recognized Sally Ride and Mae Jemison and Kalpana Chawla’s portraits, I gasped. Seeing these real women on the walls of this fictional character–tying Nanda to real kids, in the real world—was such a special moment.
What is the hope that you want to pass onto those who read SMALL WORLD? What do you want your readers to feel as they finish the book?
I want them to be left with the feeling that even though each of us is one small person, we can still do great things. And I also want them to have a deeper appreciation for the Earth, which is the one place in all the Universe that we call home. It’s ours, and we *all* belong here.
Thank you, Ishta, for the interview and this gorgeous new book!
A book that blog readers can win!
Leave one comment below and a random person will be selected to receive a copy of SMALL WORLD, which is available in bookstores now!
A winner will be chosen in August.
Good luck!
Ishta Mercurio was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, until she was 16. Then she attended college in the Berkshires, spent a rustic summer on a Maine island, grew up and got married in England, found her home in Scotland, and made a new home in Canada.
She has been an environmental activist, a barista, a behavior therapist, an actor, and an author. I still am most of those things, but I only do a couple of them for money. Mostly, I am a storyteller.
Pull up a chair at ishtamercurio.com.
Posted by Tara Lazar
Categories: Picture Books
Tags: Abrams, Ishta Mercurio, Jen Corace, Small World
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What an engaging interview and introduction to this special book. I can’t wait to read it. Thanks, Tara, and kudos, Ishta.
By Dee Knabb on July 23, 2019 at 7:38 am
This looks wonderful! Can’t wait to read it! Congrats on your debut!
By Rebecca Gardyn Levington on July 23, 2019 at 7:43 am
Oh man! I’m so excited to get this book for the library I work in and the one I live in (my home).
By Michelle O'Hara Levin on July 23, 2019 at 7:49 am
Love hearing where her story idea came from. Interesting how one small observation grows into a whole story.
By Jen Subra on July 23, 2019 at 7:54 am
Congratulations, Ishta,on your debut! Small World sounds like a special story, perfect for kids & their adults.
By ptnozell on July 23, 2019 at 7:56 am
Wishing your beautiful book, SMALL WORLD makes a big impact! Congratulations, Ishta & thanks to Tara for sharing this with us all.
By Andria Rosenbaum on July 23, 2019 at 8:03 am
Love the illustrations.
By rlkurstedt on July 23, 2019 at 8:07 am
Wonderful interview! Congratulations on your debut, Ishta– your book is beautiful!! 🙂
By Sheri Dillard on July 23, 2019 at 8:08 am
Loved this interview. Can’t wait to check out SMALL WORLD. Thank you!
By Susan Halko on July 23, 2019 at 8:11 am
Great interview! Hooray, Ishta!!
By katrinamoorebooks on July 23, 2019 at 8:14 am
Ishta I teach small people with BIG ideas and hearts. I need to get this for my children. God bless and hugs
By kiwijenny on July 23, 2019 at 8:14 am
Sounds like an amazing book–love the evolution of the main character through the writing process!
By Laura Purdie Salas on July 23, 2019 at 8:15 am
Wow! This book looks fabulous.
By Linda Schueler on July 23, 2019 at 8:17 am
Love this! I need to get a copy for my niece’s three-year-old daughter:)
By Nancy Roe Pimm on July 23, 2019 at 8:19 am
I have seen so many great things about this book and am so excited to share it in my classroom.
By Amber Webb on July 23, 2019 at 8:31 am
Great interview! Looking forward to reading this book.
By rosecappelli on July 23, 2019 at 8:38 am
This is a gorgeous and profound book. On my “mentor text” shelf 🙂
By Lisa Robinson on July 23, 2019 at 8:44 am
This book looks lovely!
By cynthia on July 23, 2019 at 8:47 am
What a great conversation, Tara and Ishta! I’m excited to read this gem.
By Rita Russell on July 23, 2019 at 8:56 am
This book sounds fantastic. I’m off to request it from my library right now!
By Debra Kempf Shumaker on July 23, 2019 at 8:58 am
Tara and Ishta: I’m deeply awed and inspired by this interview. Your book looks amazing, and I wish you much success.
By Laura Fineberg Cooper on July 23, 2019 at 9:01 am
I’m so eager to read this book! It reminds me of an anecdote I heard years ago in which a little girl who was going on a plane trip. After the plane took off and had climbed high into the sky, she asked her mom, “When do we get little?” Congratulations to Ista!
By Jerrianne Hayslett on July 23, 2019 at 9:12 am
Thanks Tara and Ishta for a wonderful interview. Congrats Ishta, your book sounds terrific, with a great message!
By Mary Warth on July 23, 2019 at 9:15 am
This book looks wonderful – the message, the illustrations -everything! Congrats! I’ll be on the hunt for this one. 🙂
By danielledufayet on July 23, 2019 at 9:23 am
This looks like a fantastic book. Can’t wait to read it.
By Johanna on July 23, 2019 at 9:23 am
Intrigued by the theme of this one. Adding Small World to my must read list.
By LeeAnn Rizzuti on July 23, 2019 at 9:34 am
Love the illustrations!
By Anitha Kuppuswamy on July 23, 2019 at 9:38 am
I am proud to say I knew you when and my SCBWI NY Conference Room-mate, and I always knew you would be successful. I am so happy to see it finally happening for you! Loved hearing the details of your story. With much love and hopes for continued success — you deserve it. Lynne Marie.
By Lynne Marie on July 23, 2019 at 9:48 am
I am so glad I found out about this book!
By David Scott Smith on July 23, 2019 at 9:50 am
This is perfect for my granddaughters! Thanks for sharing the back story.
By Carol Gwin Nelson on July 23, 2019 at 9:54 am
This looks like s beautiful nook. I can’t wait to read it. And the illustrator did do an excellent job, especially with the picture of the books bibles. Fantastic! I’d love to know how different the end result was from your original draft?
By bookthreader on July 23, 2019 at 10:09 am
Congrats on this beautiful book! Thank you for sharing your insights!
By Amanda Davis on July 23, 2019 at 10:15 am
I am going to get my copy today! Thank you for this beautiful book!
By Christina Shawn on July 23, 2019 at 10:20 am
Everything I read about this book leaves me wanting to read it even more. Between this and Jen Corace’s interview, I could not be more excited to share this with my kids.
By Justin L Bloch on July 23, 2019 at 10:31 am
Thank you for sharing the journey and motivation for your book. Congratulations!
By Judy Sobanski (@jkspburg) on July 23, 2019 at 10:35 am
Inspiring story of how this beautiful book came to be. I enjoy hearing about what motivates the creation of a book.
By June Sengpiehl on July 23, 2019 at 10:42 am
I love your concept that everyone belongs in this world, thank you!
By Joan Swanson on July 23, 2019 at 10:44 am
Sounds like a wonderful book. I can’t wait to experience it first hand. Thanks for the great interview.
By Dayne Sislen, Children's Book Illustrator on July 23, 2019 at 10:54 am
A modern masterpiece indeed, Ishta! Congrats!
By C.L. Murphy on July 23, 2019 at 11:00 am
Putting this on my TBR list–sounds terrific!
By Buffy Silverman on July 23, 2019 at 11:12 am
Such a lovely concept and a beautiful book. Thank you for sharing!
By Anna Freeman on July 23, 2019 at 11:20 am
WOW! WOW! WOW! Can’t wait to find this one.
By Carole Calladine on July 23, 2019 at 11:26 am
Thank you Ishta and Tara for this wonderful interview. Can’t wait to read Small World.
By Sue Heavenrich on July 23, 2019 at 11:28 am
I loved this interview, thank you. I can’t wait to read this book. Congrats!
By Paige on July 23, 2019 at 11:41 am
I teach kindergarten and would love to add this book to my classroom library. Whether I win or not, it’s going on my classroom wish list immediately!
By Crystal on July 23, 2019 at 12:18 pm
How awesome for an author to be delightfully surprised by how the illustrations enhance the text!
By Ruthie Kirk on July 23, 2019 at 12:31 pm
This looks like a gorgeous book! Congratulations, Ishta! I’m definitely putting this one on my to-read list.
By Sandy Perlic on July 23, 2019 at 12:44 pm
This looks beautiful…thanks for sharing!
By katiemillsgiorgio on July 23, 2019 at 12:53 pm
My initial response was “WOW” (guess it’s the Kindergarten teacher in me !!)
Tara another amazing, insightful interview! Ishta, you are on such an incredible journey!! I’ll be heading to the bookstore to find this treasure! Thanks again for sharing 🙂
By seschipper on July 23, 2019 at 1:20 pm
Can’t wait to read it!
By Jan Milusich on July 23, 2019 at 1:26 pm
I love the premise of this book! It reminds me of COME WITH ME and other books that help kids realize they are small in the world, but can make big impact. Can’t wait to read!
By writersideup on July 23, 2019 at 2:07 pm
Fantastic interview, Ishta and Tara! I can’t wait to read SMALL WORLD.
By Gabi Snyder on July 23, 2019 at 2:09 pm
Congratulations, Ishta. Sounds like a wonderful book!
By Kim Larson on July 23, 2019 at 2:34 pm
Looking forward to a great read!
By Nicole Popel on July 23, 2019 at 2:45 pm
I love learning where your ideas come from.
By Gloria Amescua on July 23, 2019 at 2:48 pm
I love the concept of this book! Will add to my “To Read” list!
By nicolesalterbraun on July 23, 2019 at 3:00 pm
Love how Tara captured this at the beginning: “This book is about our changing perspective as we grow, learn and achieve…and our place in the world through the stages of life. It’s a beautiful book that landed at just the right time.” Congrats! Can’t wait to read it!
By Cathy Ballou Mealey on July 23, 2019 at 3:29 pm
Beautiful concept and illustrations!
By Tim McGlen on July 23, 2019 at 3:36 pm
This was an interesting perspective for a story with a lot of input from the illustrator that adds so much, I don’t think we leave room for the illustrator’s vision in our manuscripts. Good to know it can make the book so different and rich.
By Sheri Radovich on July 23, 2019 at 3:48 pm
What an inspiring book. I love hearing where the ideas come from for different people.
By Mirka Hokkanen on July 23, 2019 at 4:18 pm
The illustrations are beautiful! Very interesting to read how you came up with name (using rhythm). I look forward to reading it!
By amandahoving on July 23, 2019 at 4:52 pm
I can’t wait to read your new book! The concept sounds amazing!
By Tracy Hora on July 23, 2019 at 4:57 pm
What an interesting person! I would like to know more about you. Please write a picture book about you. Maybe you already have.
By dorothywiese on July 23, 2019 at 5:11 pm
Oh, the amazing thinks you can have from the airplane window seat. What a beautiful idea for a book and delivery. Many congratulations to you and for the WORDS! I can’t wait to see this book in person.
By Linda Mitchell on July 23, 2019 at 5:31 pm
I absolutely love the idea of a perspective that gradually widens— how true to life! Congrats, Ishta, on your debut!
By Angela Burke Kunkel 🚛📚 (@angkunkel) on July 23, 2019 at 5:55 pm
wow, those illustrations are beautiful. And the story concept sounds wonderful. I can’t wait to read the text.
By Linda Hofke on July 23, 2019 at 6:32 pm
What a great theme for a book! Congrats!
By Melissa Miles on July 23, 2019 at 6:52 pm
Very inspiring story, Ishta! I love your ethnic background. Being Polish-Appalachian, I can relate to the differences.
Congratulations on Small World!
By margaretzotkiewicz on July 23, 2019 at 6:56 pm
Congratulations! What a great story, yours AND that of Small World!
By margaretzotkiewicz on July 23, 2019 at 7:00 pm
Such an intriguing background about this book–this one is going on my must read list pronto!
By Nancy Furstinger on July 23, 2019 at 7:23 pm
This sounds and looks like a wonderful book. I will Look for it immediately.
By Elise Katz on July 23, 2019 at 10:17 pm
Ishta, this looks wonderful. A neat concept and adorable pictures. Thanks for sharing, Tara!
By tiffanydickinson on July 23, 2019 at 11:37 pm
What a beautiful gift to our big “small world”, Ishta! Thank you! And Thank you, Tara, for a great interview!
By Suzanne Lewis on July 24, 2019 at 2:04 am
I agree. She needs all the awards she can get on this book dealing with diversity. Congrats Ishta and more power to you. God bless.
By aliciaminor on July 24, 2019 at 2:09 am
I just got SMALL WORLD from the library this week and it’s amazing! Fabulous mentor text for authors and a terrific book for children. I love it! Congrats, Ishta! Thanks, Tara!
By Carol Gordon Ekster on July 24, 2019 at 8:07 am
This book looks absolutely wonderful! I can’t wait to read it!
By marykatesmithdespres on July 24, 2019 at 9:00 am
What a beautiful book!
By colleenrkosinski on July 24, 2019 at 9:16 am
Beautiful concept! I can’t wait to read it! Thanks for sharing!
By Cortney Benvenuto on July 24, 2019 at 9:49 am
Can’t wait to read this. Thank you.
By Kay on July 24, 2019 at 10:50 am
What a gorgeous book and what a timely message.
Loved this interview and getting to know Ishta.
If I don’t win a copy, I definitely intend to go get my own!!
Thanks, Tara.
By Marty Bellis on July 24, 2019 at 11:24 am
I can’t wait to read this one, thanks for sharing the background!
By jenfierjasinski on July 24, 2019 at 12:20 pm
This looks lovely, Ishta! (Even if it DID give me an ear worm!)
By Rebecca Van Slyke on July 24, 2019 at 12:28 pm
I loved hearing how you got the inspiration to write this story. Thanks for reminding us that the ideas are out there if we take time to capture them!
By Trine Grillo on July 24, 2019 at 2:54 pm
Wow! Such a gorgeous book!
By kathydoherty1 on July 24, 2019 at 2:55 pm
I cannot wait to read this for myself and my biracial two year old! It all looks wonderful.
Thank you for sharing its origin story.
By Kelly Rice Schmitt on July 24, 2019 at 11:03 pm
I love hearing backstories and how writers find their idea. Thanks for sharing. I have Small World on reserve and can’t wait to read it!
By curryelizabeth on July 25, 2019 at 10:40 am
Your book looks and sounds beautiful. I’m looking forward to it!
By wendymyersart on July 25, 2019 at 6:40 pm
As a man of color, I can appreciate how you recognize the absence of your Filipino culture in picture books and after about half way through in writing your story, you decided to change your character from a boy to a girl to expand children’s perceptions of culture and gender. Kudos to you Ishta!
By Hank Dallago on July 25, 2019 at 7:48 pm
This book looks amazing – can’t wait to read it! Thanks for a great interview!
By laurensoloy on July 26, 2019 at 8:27 am
I’m excited to read this book. It looks beautiful and important in a very personal way.
By Michelle Heidenrich Barnes on July 26, 2019 at 2:26 pm
I’m gonna grab some tissues and then read this book! It sounds amazing!
By Lenora Biemans on July 26, 2019 at 9:02 pm
I love the illustrations in this book. I love the diversity of faces.
By Linda on July 27, 2019 at 2:38 am
I’ve been waiting for this book! The illustrations look beautiful and I love the message it captures.
By Carla on July 27, 2019 at 10:11 pm
Wow! What a story! Thanks so much for sharing and congratulations!
By Angie on July 28, 2019 at 4:45 pm
Congrats, Ishta! Excited to meet you at NCTE!! And hello, Rocket 🙂
By mariagianferrari on July 29, 2019 at 1:25 pm
Thank you for the insightful interview. This book sounds thought-provoking and one I can’t wait to read. Congratulations!
By Danielle Hammelef on July 29, 2019 at 2:35 pm
I loved learning how you came up with the idea for this story and also your thoughts about the illustrations. Lovely!
By Karan Greene on July 29, 2019 at 11:20 pm
I’ve ordered the book from my library. Can’t wait to read it!
By Susan Uhlig on July 31, 2019 at 6:00 pm
The spreads you shared are beautiful! And I love this interview. Congrats, Ishta!
By Penny Parker Klostermann on July 31, 2019 at 8:33 pm
At 4’10” I never grew out of feeling like a small person.
By Kaylynn Johnsen on August 1, 2019 at 12:54 am