This
weeks post is a lovely “cross blog guest post”, by SCBWI Midsouth's own
Randi Lynn Mrvos, the intrepid editor of the ezine Kid's ImaginationTrain and you can find her at: http://www.childrenswritersworld.blogspot.com
I
love to see how children’s illustrators bring scenes and characters
to life. Their choices of color and media unite with the text of a
manuscript to turn a story into a book. This made me wonder about
the choices the artist would make to illustrate my upcoming book
Maggie
and the Summer Vacation Show and Tell.
I’m curious to see how the artist will capture the essence of my
words.
The
book contract indicated that I would have some say in the
illustrations. I wasn’t sure what that detailed, but when the
creative director approached me about my vision for the story I felt
privileged. The best way to explain to her how I felt about the
story was to show her two of my favorite picture books.
The
art in Because
of Thursday
by Patricia Polacco and Winfred
Gordon McDonald Partridge
illustrated by Julie Vivas conveyed a whimsical abstract realism with
a muted color palette.
This
would be a good fit for Maggie, a Charlie Brown-like character who’s
down on her luck and for her rescue dog Trooper.
After
sending the director my thoughts and the covers of these books, she
asked three illustrators to come up with a sketch of a kid. Two were
nicely drawn, but a bit cartoony.
The
third artist captured the quirky characteristics of Maggie. He used
a water color wash to create a curly red-haired Maggie.
Waiting
to see the completed art is like wondering what your baby will look
like when it’s born. I’m nervous, but excited. If the
illustrations are anything like the preliminary sketch, the artist’s
choices will engage young readers and get them in the mood to meet
Maggie and Trooper.
Randi Lynn Mrvos
___________
To see the blog that I "cross blog posted" on Randi's blog just go to: http://childrenswritersworld.blogspot.com/2017/03/three-tips-to-help-your-picture-book.html
I have really enjoyed playing this "cross blog posting" game,and so appreciate Randi playing along with me!
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