Home Sweet Home.
While we all hunker down at home and sometimes complain these days, really, it is our most treasured space. Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home.
Jane Smith’s new book HELLO, NEW HOUSE seeks to inspire calm and comfort with what can be a major upheaval in a young person’s life, or really, anyone’s life—moving.
Jane, how did you get the idea for the book?
HELLO NEW HOUSE is inspired by my real-life, coast-to-coast move with my husband & young daughter from Hermosa Beach, California in the Southbay of Los Angeles to Wilmington, North Carolina. From the beginning, the move was a study in compare and contrast. We wanted to stay by an ocean in a warm climate, but we also wanted to settle down somewhere smaller, quieter, slower. For all that stayed the same, a lot was different; weather (hurricanes!), landscape, plant life, houses and more. I wrote HELLO NEW HOUSE as a kinda of meditation for those moments when settling into our new home was more challenging than fun. And I knew it would be comforting for others, too. Especially kids.
Your spare language is so soothing. Was that a deliberate choice to keep the language simple?
Thank you! Yes, it was a deliberate choice. I wanted the text to have a gentle flow that was easy to read, easy to connect with and very direct in its meaning.
And the simplest things can be the most difficult! Did the story go through major revisions?
The only major revision along the way was a shift in the original ending that my editor, Andrea Hall, very smartly requested. Initially, the ending focused more on the new friend and that human connection to the new place, but Andrea saw right away that we needed to make one more leap from there, brining the story back full-circle to Callie’s family, which of course, is the most important thing that remains the same.
(All that said, though, the final manuscript was still the 11th draft!)
11th draft? Wow. What kind of changes did you make along the way and over what period of time? You’re also the illustrator, so when did you decide it was ready for the dummy stage?
Mostly, tweaks of language—creating better flow, pacing and musicality. I wrote the first draft of the manuscript early in 2017. It came fully formed for the most part, but I didn’t start creating the thumbnail dummy til late in 2018—over a year later. I was a bit in my head about the artwork as I wasn’t sure my style could capture the story. Drawing people and landscapes felt a bit intimidating. I initially felt that the story would be better served if someone else illustrated it! And since I always have multiple projects in the works at any given time, it was easy to put it aside for a good long while.
But then I turned 40 and was wondering if I’d ever sell another book and that lit a fire under me. I made it a goal to get a fully fleshed out dummy to my agent, Nicole Tugeau, that year, so we could begin the submission process. I found my way back into the story visually by playing in my sketchbook with character drawings as well as drawing houses specific to each region in the story. This process allowed me to ease into creating the thumbnail dummy. And by December 2018 the thumbnail dummy book was complete and Nicole had the project out to publishers by Christmas. We sold the project to Albert Whitman the following summer in 2019.
What do you hope children will take away from the story?
My hope is that HELLO NEW HOUSE will help kids identify and connect with the consistent touchstones in their lives (like comfort objects, pets, friends & family) in a way that helps them navigate big change. Like a big move! And that in doing so, they are also better able to embrace the adventure of big change. New places. New friends. New experiences.
Yes! Change can be scary…but change is also exciting!
I’m excited for your book which releases from Albert Whitman on October 1.
Blog readers, you can win your own copy!
Just leave one comment below.
A random winner will be chosen next month.
Good luck!
Jane Smith is the author-illustrator of the 6-book CHLOE ZOE picture book series, published by Albert Whitman & Co. Her forthcoming picture books, HELLO NEW HOUSE (Albert Whitman & Co.) and MISS MEOW (West Margin Press) will release in fall 2020 and fall 2021 respectively. Jane earned her BFA in Illustration at the Columbus College of Art & Design before beginning her career in publishing as an art director of children’s novelty books. She currently creates artwork for a variety of publishing and art licensing clients in her Wilmington, North Carolina studio. Visit her online at superjane.com, Instagram @superjanesmith and Twitter @SuperJaneArtist.
50 comments
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September 25, 2020 at 12:25 pm
kimpfenn
This looks like so much fun and anyone -adult or child – who has to move will be able to relate! Looking forward to reading this!
September 25, 2020 at 12:33 pm
Mary York
Jane, Congratulations on this heart-felt book. Having moved several times when my children were young, I know how important family is to making a smooth-as-possible transition.
September 25, 2020 at 12:37 pm
regm55
Can’t wait to read your new book. Sounds delightful and also a gift to adults facing many changes in these difficult times. Best of luck
September 25, 2020 at 12:38 pm
Sylvia Mary Grech
Congrats on your book, Jane! Sounds like a book for the young and old.
September 25, 2020 at 12:41 pm
Kathy Hjermstad
As a military brat, I love reading other’s interpretations of what moving feels like. Can’t wait to see this one!
September 25, 2020 at 12:44 pm
Debbi
Congratulations! Looking forward to reading your new book. I know a few children who will be moving in about a year—sounds like the perfect gift!
September 25, 2020 at 12:48 pm
readmybook2002
I liked your perseverance in completing this book among your other projects. It’s good to know what timetables writers can expect too. Thank You
September 25, 2020 at 12:59 pm
katiemillsgiorgio
How fun…thanks for sharing this journey!
September 25, 2020 at 1:08 pm
Suzanne Lewis
Moving IS traumatic, no matter what age! Thanks, Jane, for such a relatable and meaningful capture of a positive navigation from old to new!
September 25, 2020 at 1:20 pm
Kassy Keppol
Thank you for sharing.
September 25, 2020 at 1:23 pm
Brenda Huante
I’ve moved way too many times in my life and I’m looking forward to reading your book. Congratulations!
September 25, 2020 at 1:53 pm
Paige
Since we’re thinking of moving soon, this book is something even I could probably benefit from! Change can be hard but yes, also exciting! And it’s the only constant in life! Thank you for writing this.
September 25, 2020 at 2:40 pm
lillyarts
Great story idea, and loved the illustrations, and thank you for the coloring page! This will be so helpful for kids with change!
September 25, 2020 at 2:42 pm
authorjanetparkinsonbryce
Congratulations! Your story sounds so cute and very relevant for today. I’d love to read it.
September 25, 2020 at 2:45 pm
authorjanetparkinsonbryce
Congratulations on your book! I can’t wait to read it. The story is very relevant to today’s families.
September 25, 2020 at 2:49 pm
Dedra Davis
Moving is hard and sometimes scary! Can’t wait to read your book. I know it will comfort many.
September 25, 2020 at 3:57 pm
colleenrkosinski
Lovely illustrations.
September 25, 2020 at 3:58 pm
Laurie Young
Such a great and important topic! I can’t wait to have my own copy!!
September 25, 2020 at 4:21 pm
Kim A Larson
Congratulations, Jane! With as frequently as families move, your book will be a wonderful help. It looks adorable. Thanks for sharing your book’s journey.
September 25, 2020 at 4:49 pm
Leslie Leibhardt Goodman - Writer
Even when we move, we bring along those things that mean the most to us, making the new home feel better. What a great book. I can’t wait to read it.
September 25, 2020 at 4:58 pm
sunwalker2013
Jane, what a great and needed concept. Looking forward to seeing it next week!
September 25, 2020 at 5:03 pm
TerriMichels
I was in fifth grade when we moved i wish I would had this book then.
September 25, 2020 at 5:20 pm
Jilanne Hoffmann
I often think that editors help authors see their stories with fresh eyes and can significantly raise a manuscript to a new level.
September 25, 2020 at 5:52 pm
Kathleen Wilford
Thanks to Tara for good questions on a sweet book!
September 25, 2020 at 5:55 pm
kathydoherty1
Ahh…a comforting book is so important for kids in today’s world.
September 25, 2020 at 6:20 pm
Lisa Riddiough
Wonderful, Jane. So relatable. The color palette is so bright and cheery. I love it!
September 25, 2020 at 7:09 pm
Tania Hebert
Thanks for sharing your journey. Love the idea!
September 25, 2020 at 7:43 pm
Carole Calladine
Love the title. Hello New Home. Three words. A story in themselves. Thanks for sharing your journey.
September 25, 2020 at 8:34 pm
Sheri Radovich
This is such a wide audience appealing book with new houses and moves. We are not moving around much with this Covid thing and the idea of all new friends and a new town and new house is fresh to me.
September 25, 2020 at 9:07 pm
mariagianferrari
Congrats, Jane! This looks lovely!
September 25, 2020 at 9:46 pm
Catherine
Thanks for sharing your process.
September 25, 2020 at 10:56 pm
seschipper
Thanks for sharing ! We all need a “comfort book” ! 🙂
September 26, 2020 at 7:27 am
Carol Federlin Baldwin
I’d love to win this book. Looks super!
September 26, 2020 at 11:57 am
Nancy Ferguson
This is a perfect antidote to our current times. We all need comfort and you seem to have found the right book for us. Thank you.
September 26, 2020 at 12:02 pm
Judy Sobanski
Moving, even two blocks away, is a big change for kids. I’m sure many families will connect with this story. Thank you for sharing your book’s journey.
September 26, 2020 at 3:46 pm
chardixon47
Congratulations Jane 🙂 I’ve moved many times and your story rings true. Thank you for sharing your journey.
September 26, 2020 at 5:44 pm
claireannette1
This looks like a wonderful book that will be “just the one” that many families need to read.
September 26, 2020 at 5:57 pm
Stephen S. Martin
11 drafts and the guts to try and stretch yourself to illustrate it. Kudos to you.
September 26, 2020 at 6:34 pm
Darcee Freier
I can’t imagine creating both the text and the illustrations. It seems on this book that you came at it more from the author side, writing the manuscript first, and then illustrating it. Is that your normal method?
And, congratulations on your upcoming book!
September 26, 2020 at 8:43 pm
marty
Love how your own experience helped you frame this story. And how turning 40 inspired you to create the dummy. Congrats! Looks like a fantastic book.
September 26, 2020 at 11:32 pm
Ellie Langford
I like the idea of touchstones in their lives. Best Wishes.
September 27, 2020 at 8:25 am
Debbie Lodato
Jane, kids will love this book.
Change can be so hard for kids.
Can’t wait to read it.
Congrats to you!!
Debbie Lodato
September 28, 2020 at 4:40 pm
Lucky Jo Boscarino
The coloring page is beautiful and genius.
September 28, 2020 at 6:10 pm
Cindy
I love seeing your process from the sketches to the finished artwork.
September 30, 2020 at 3:40 pm
Linda
A move can be pretty stressful for kids. A picture book like this is a great way to ease some of that anxiety.
October 1, 2020 at 11:46 am
Angie
Great book! Happy book birthday today!
October 5, 2020 at 10:24 pm
LenoraBiemans (@BiemansLenora)
Great evergreen book! I wish I had this as a military B.R.A.T. Congratulations!
October 6, 2020 at 3:55 pm
marsue77
What a wonderful book. I moved when I was very young and still remember the anxiety. Hello New House will help so many children. Loved seeing your process and that you wrote it based on a real-life situation.
October 21, 2020 at 12:10 pm
kirabigwood
Congratulations, Jane! I’m a Wilmington native…hope you are settling in there! Looking forward to picking up this book!
January 7, 2021 at 12:10 pm
betlw
Your book sounds like the right thing for kids making any large (or small) move. It has to be hard leaving friends and all things familiar behind to start over in a strange place. Congratulation, Jane, on the publication of a great book.