{"id":2231,"date":"2011-11-01T00:01:03","date_gmt":"2011-11-01T06:01:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/?p=2231"},"modified":"2011-11-04T06:36:29","modified_gmt":"2011-11-04T12:36:29","slug":"a-breakfast-visit-the-pastry-kind-with-betsy-lewin-and-leslie-muir-with-art-from-julian-hector-to-boot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/?p=2231","title":{"rendered":"A Breakfast Visit (the Pastry Kind) with Betsy Lewin and Leslie Muir (with Art from Julian Hector to Boot)"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/a>
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“At the Little Bitty Bakery, \/ the pastry chef was beat— \/ from her power-sugared nose \/ to her flour-dusted feet. \/ She cut the day’s last cookie, \/ checked her custard twice, \/ bid good night to far-off France, \/ left cheesecake for the mice.”
(Click to enlarge)<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n

Who ever said that glitter on the cover of contemporary picture books is all<\/em> bad? If it’s glittererized French pastries from Caldecott Honor artist Betsy Lewin<\/a><\/strong>, I’m all for it. And in the case of Leslie Muir’s<\/a><\/strong> Little Bitty Bakery<\/a><\/strong><\/em>, released in August by Hyperion, it is. <\/p>\n

Both Betsy and Leslie are visiting me for breakfast this morning, and I’m hoping they brought along some of the pastries from the chef pictured above, ’cause that would mean I’d be chompin’ down on some \u00e9clairs, chocolate macaroons, and cr\u00e8me br\u00fbl\u00e9e, seeing as how this pastry chef specializes in French delights. Mmm. In this rhymed tale, we learn that she’s worked all day on her birthday, not even stopping to make her own birthday cake, and—leaving her rolling pins laying quiet—she climbs into bed. But the mice in her bakery, for whom she often leaves out cheesecake, have a most delicious surprise planned for her, so all is not lost. <\/p>\n

My oh my, how I’ve enjoyed Betsy’s illustrated books over the years. She has many awards under her belt, including the aforementioned Caldecott Honor<\/a><\/strong>, as well as a silver medal from the Society of Illustrators and a Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor<\/a><\/strong>. “[E]xpansive brush strokes” is how one reviewer has referred to the loose, fluid lines and warm watercolors that have characterized her work. If you click on the “Booklist” link at her site<\/a><\/strong>, you’ll see a long list of many of the titles she has brought readers over the years. In many instances, she has collaborated with her husband, author\/illustrator Ted Lewin<\/a><\/strong>, with whom she has also traveled the globe. (You’ll see below in her interview that they are currently collaborating on a book about their travels.)<\/p>\n

Leslie, who also happens to be an illustrator, will see the publication next Spring of her fourth picture book title. The Little Bitty Bakery<\/em> is her third. Both she and Betsy are here to talk a bit more about their work, and I thank them both for visiting. At the very close of the post is a series of sketches and art from author\/illustrator Julian Hector<\/a><\/strong>, who will be illustrating Leslie’s Spring title, C.R. Mudgeon<\/a><\/strong><\/em>. <\/p>\n

* * * * * * *<\/center><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Jules<\/font><\/strong>: What is your usual medium, or\u2013-if you use a variety-\u2013your preferred one?<\/font><\/p>\n

\"BetsyBetsy<\/font><\/strong>: A pointed sable brush and black watercolor or sumi ink are my favorite tools. The brush allows me to vary the thickness of the line and work in a spontaneous manner to keep the drawing alive and fresh. I lay watercolor washes over the black drawing.<\/p>\n

Jules<\/font><\/strong>: What was your road to publication?<\/font><\/p>\n

Betsy<\/font><\/strong>: I was writing and illustrating little poems for a children\u2019s magazine called Humpty Dumpty<\/em>. A children\u2019s book editor saw one I did called “Cat Count” and asked if I would expand it into a 32-page book. I\u2019ve been doing picture books ever since.<\/p>\n

Jules<\/font><\/strong>: What exactly is your process when you are illustrating a book?<\/font><\/p>\n

Betsy<\/font><\/strong>: When I read a manuscript, whether my own or someone else\u2019s, pictures come into my head. I usually do a lot of sketching, always bringing something to the illustrations that enhance the text, and I prefer to do a whole dummy that I\u2019m pleased with before showing it to the editor\/art director. <\/p>\n

I take deadlines seriously and am very disciplined about scheduling my time.<\/p>\n

<\/a>
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Sketches for [a book in] the <\/em>Click, Clack, Moo series<\/em>
(Click to enlarge)<\/center><\/p>\n

Jules<\/font><\/strong>: Describe your studio or usual work space.<\/font><\/p>\n

Betsy<\/font><\/strong>: I live in a four-story brownstone house with my husband Ted<\/a><\/strong>, who is also a children\u2019s book author and illustrator, and our cat Sophie. My studio is on the 3rd floor. It\u2019s a 9 X 12 foot space with a window that overlooks our maple tree and garden, a wall of bookshelves that house our own books and our collection of books done by other authors and illustrators, and my drawing table. I surround myself with mementos of the travels Ted and I have taken around the world and bits and pieces of other treasures. Sophie divides her time between Ted\u2019s and my studios when we\u2019re working. She\u2019s a good muse.<\/p>\n

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“Ted and me watching mountain gorillas in Uganda”<\/em>
(Click to enlarge)<\/center><\/p>\n

Jules<\/font><\/strong>: As a book lover, it interests me: What books or authors and\/or illustrators influenced you as an early reader?<\/font><\/p>\n

Betsy<\/font><\/strong>: My favorite book as a small child was Winnie-the-Pooh<\/a><\/em><\/strong>, and Ernest Shepard<\/a><\/strong> is one of my favorite illustrators. I also love the art of Quentin Blake<\/a><\/strong>, James Stevenson<\/a><\/strong>, and Garth Williams<\/a><\/strong>. And I\u2019ve been influenced by A.B. Frost<\/a><\/strong>, James Thurber<\/a><\/strong>, Daumier<\/a><\/strong>, and Lautrec<\/a><\/strong>. I loved reading books about animals like Black Beauty<\/a><\/em><\/strong>, My Friend Flicka<\/a><\/em><\/strong>, and the stories of Jack London<\/a><\/strong>, to name a few.<\/p>\n

Jules<\/font><\/strong>: If you could have three (living) illustrators or author\/illustrators—whom you have not yet met—over for coffee or a glass of rich, red wine, whom would you choose?<\/font><\/p>\n

Betsy<\/font><\/strong>: The ones I named above. <\/p>\n

Jules<\/font><\/strong>: What is currently in rotation on your iPod or loaded in your CD player? Do you listen to music while you create books?<\/font><\/p>\n

Betsy<\/font><\/strong>: I love a variety of music from country to classic, but I don\u2019t listen to music, watch TV, or do anything else when I work, except work. I can\u2019t multi-task.<\/p>\n

Jules<\/font><\/strong>: What’s one thing that most people don’t know about you?<\/font><\/p>\n

Betsy<\/font><\/strong>: I look in a mirror to get expressions and gestures for my characters, both human and non-human.<\/p>\n

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“She tiptoed down the staircase, \/ as quiet as a cat— \/
clutched a day-old stick of bread \/ just like a baseball bat.”<\/em>
(Click to enlarge)<\/center><\/p>\n

Jules<\/font><\/strong>: Are there any new titles\/projects you might be working on now that you can tell me about?<\/font><\/p>\n

Betsy<\/font><\/strong>: Ted and I are working on a collaboration, titled Adventures with Ted and Betsy<\/em>, about our experiences of forty years of travel around the world.<\/p>\n

* * * The Pivot Questionnaire * * *<\/font><\/center><\/p>\n

Jules<\/font><\/strong>: What is your favorite word?<\/font><\/p>\n

Betsy<\/font><\/strong>: “Avocet.”<\/p>\n

Jules<\/font><\/strong>: What is your least favorite word?<\/font><\/p>\n

Betsy<\/font><\/strong>: “Wart.”<\/p>\n

Jules<\/font><\/strong>: What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?<\/font> <\/p>\n

Betsy<\/font><\/strong>: The sky in all its moods. <\/p>\n

Jules<\/font><\/strong>: What turns you off?<\/font><\/p>\n

Betsy<\/font><\/strong>: Bullies. Texting zombies. <\/p>\n

Jules<\/font><\/strong>: What is your favorite curse word? (optional)<\/font><\/p>\n

Betsy<\/font><\/strong>: The F-word. <\/p>\n

Jules<\/font><\/strong>: What sound or noise do you love?<\/font><\/p>\n

Betsy<\/font><\/strong>: Train whistle. <\/p>\n

Jules<\/font><\/strong>: What sound or noise do you hate?<\/font> <\/p>\n

Betsy<\/font><\/strong>: Loud music, loud cell phone conversations, car sirens. <\/p>\n

Jules<\/font><\/strong>: What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?<\/font><\/p>\n

Betsy<\/font><\/strong>: I never wanted to be anything but an artist, and that’s true today.<\/p>\n

Jules<\/font><\/strong>: What profession would you not like to do?<\/font><\/p>\n

Betsy<\/font><\/strong>: Too broad a field. Can’t narrow it down.<\/p>\n

Jules<\/font><\/strong>: If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?<\/font><\/p>\n

Betsy<\/font><\/strong>: I would want God to ask, “What took you so long?”<\/p>\n

* * * * * * *<\/strong><\/font><\/center><\/p>\n


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Leslie and Betsy, pictured with Leslie’s son<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n

Jules<\/font><\/strong>: This is your third children’s book, correct? What have you learned about writing picture books by this point? I heard author\/illustrator Matt Phelan<\/a><\/strong> speak recently, and he said (and I paraphrase) that writing picture books is the “Mount Everest of writing,” as in the hardest kind of writing there is. Something tells me that’s true. Your thoughts?<\/font><\/p>\n

Leslie<\/font><\/strong>: Yes, this is my third picture book. I\u2019ve learned that all writing is difficult, no matter the genre or form, so I can\u2019t say that one is harder than another. But I\u2019ll agree with Matt and say that picture book writing can be like climbing Mt. Everest. And I\u2019ll add that, once you\u2019ve forged to the top, there\u2019s no guarantee that you\u2019ll summit again. I always find it a struggle. Usually, I end up perishing on the side of the mountain. But I always get up and start climbing again. I love it that much.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Jules<\/font><\/strong>: Any tips for other picture books authors who want to write in rhyme?<\/font><\/p>\n

Leslie<\/font><\/strong>: Don\u2019t make the mistake of simply tossing out a rhyming story without learning the form. It\u2019s the fastest way to a quick rejection. Do your homework. And while you\u2019re wrestling rhymes, don\u2019t forget to tell a complete and interesting story that includes a vivid setting and relatable characters with a juicy problem to solve. It\u2019s a touchy operation, akin to juggling knives. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Jules<\/font><\/strong>: Do you have any plans to write anything other than a picture book? Middle-grade novel, YA, or otherwise?<\/font><\/p>\n

Leslie<\/font><\/strong>: I\u2019m always listening to my muse, so you never know, but I feel most at home with the picture book form. I adore the interplay between text and art and find this relationship endlessly fascinating. I\u2019m an artist, so I always make a conscious effort to imagine what an illustrator needs, or more importantly, doesn\u2019t need from my text. I\u2019ve had varying degrees of success with that, but it\u2019s always my goal. It would be a thrill to illustrate one of my own stories one day! … But I don\u2019t say that lightly; I have a lot to learn. I do have a character named Tank, nuzzling me to get going. I\u2019m nervously sharing an early pic of him.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Jules<\/font><\/strong>: What was it like to see for the first time Betsy’s art for this book?<\/font><\/p>\n

Leslie<\/font><\/strong>: Mind-blowing. I was already a fan of Betsy\u2019s, have always admired her fluid, effortless lines. So you can imagine my joy when I found out she would be illustrating my story. It was obvious that a lot of tender care went into the illustrations. And she created characters that are loads fun. I mean, does it get any better than a ginormous elephant in a frilly pink nightie? <\/p>\n

<\/a>
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“She burst into the kitchen. \/ Mice scattered to and fro. \/
They dove into the mixing bowls; \/ one fell in cookie dough!”<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n

Betsy\u2019s beautiful twilight and moon-drenched hues are gorgeous and lend a dreamy moodiness to the setting. She also injects some silly slapstick humor into the story. The mouse team is so adorably serious and industrious, but they\u2019re also downright hilarious. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Jules<\/font><\/strong>: Tell me about C.R. Mudgeon<\/a><\/strong><\/em>, coming out in early 2012, yes?<\/font><\/p>\n

Leslie<\/font><\/strong>: Yes, C.R. Mudgeon<\/em> will be out in March of next year. It involves a very grumpy, set-in-his-ways hedgehog and his spicy new neighbor, but I\u2019ll say no more. I\u2019m super excited about this one. Julian Hector<\/a><\/strong> has done a masterful job with the illustrations; they\u2019re just outstanding. I\u2019m so lucky to have had the opportunity to work with such incredibly talented artists. They\u2019ve enhanced each story in myriad ways. I feel like I\u2019ve won back-to-back lotteries.<\/p>\n

{Note: At the close of the post, Julian shares some rough sketches, color studies, step-by-step images, and final spreads from the book.}<\/em> <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

* * * The Pivot Questionnaire * * *<\/font><\/center><\/p>\n

Jules<\/font><\/strong>: What is your favorite word?<\/font><\/p>\n

Leslie<\/font><\/strong>: That\u2019s a tough one. I can\u2019t possibly choose a single favorite, but off the top of my head I\u2019ll say “egg.” It\u2019s a lovely word, small and fragile, just like the object.<\/p>\n

Jules<\/font><\/strong>: What is your least favorite word?<\/font><\/p>\n

Leslie<\/font><\/strong>: “Diva.”<\/p>\n

Jules<\/font><\/strong>: What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?<\/font> <\/p>\n

Leslie<\/font><\/strong>: My husband. <\/p>\n

Jules<\/font><\/strong>: What turns you off?<\/font><\/p>\n

Leslie<\/font><\/strong>: Onion breath and politics. <\/p>\n

Jules<\/font><\/strong>: What is your favorite curse word? (optional)<\/font><\/p>\n

Leslie<\/font><\/strong>: I covet them all equally. <\/p>\n

Jules<\/font><\/strong>: What sound or noise do you love?<\/font><\/p>\n

Leslie<\/font><\/strong>: A driving rain or the heater blowing when I\u2019m snug in bed.<\/p>\n

Jules<\/font><\/strong>: What sound or noise do you hate?<\/font> <\/p>\n

Leslie<\/font><\/strong>: Gum-smacking and -popping. <\/p>\n

Jules<\/font><\/strong>: What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?<\/font><\/p>\n

Leslie<\/font><\/strong>: Art director or designer. <\/p>\n

Jules<\/font><\/strong>: What profession would you not like to do?<\/font><\/p>\n

Leslie<\/font><\/strong>: Celebrity or Porta Potty de-slopper.<\/p>\n

Jules<\/font><\/strong>: If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?<\/font><\/p>\n

Leslie<\/font><\/strong>: “Read me a story. Oh, and can Shel sit in?”<\/p>\n

* * * * * * *<\/strong><\/font><\/center><\/p>\n

<\/a>
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The Little Bitty Bakery’s recipes for
Crumble Jumble Cake, Moonlight Frosting, and Jumble Crumbles.
Mmm. Click to enlarge.<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n

Thanks again to Betsy and Leslie for visiting. Tomorrow, they’ll be visiting Greg Pincus at GottaBook<\/a><\/em><\/strong>; Thursday, they’ll visit Jama Kim Rattigan at Jama’s Alphabet Soup<\/a><\/em><\/strong>; and Friday, they’ll stop by Elizabeth O. Dulemba’s site<\/a><\/strong>. <\/p>\n

As noted above, below are some rough sketches, color studies, step-by-step images, and final spreads from Leslie’s C.R. Mudgeon<\/a><\/strong><\/em>, as created by author\/illustrator Julian Hector. <\/p>\n

* * * * * * *<\/strong><\/font><\/center><\/p>\n


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First scene — sketches<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n


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First scene — color study<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n


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Progression of first scene<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n


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First scene — final illustration<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n

<\/a>
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Julian: “[This is] a spread full of critiques from my editor and my replies (in red)…
an interesting part of the picture book-making process to see.”<\/em>
(Click to enlarge)<\/center><\/p>\n

* * * * * * *<\/strong><\/font><\/center><\/p>\n

THE LITTLE BITTY BAKERY. Copyright \u00a9 2011 by Leslie Muir. Illustration \u00a9 2011 by Betsy Lewin. Published by Hyperion Books, New York. Images reproduced with permission of the publisher.<\/p>\n

Photos of Betsy Lewin and her sketch are used with her permission. <\/p>\n

Photo of Leslie and Betsy and Leslie’s Tank illustration used with permission of Leslie Muir. <\/p>\n

All sketches and images from Julian Hector are \u00a9 2011 and used with his permission.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

“At the Little Bitty Bakery, \/ the pastry chef was beat— \/ from her power-sugared nose \/ to her flour-dusted feet. \/ She cut the day’s last cookie, \/ checked her custard twice, \/ bid good night to far-off France, \/ left cheesecake for the mice.”(Click to enlarge) Who ever said that glitter on the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12,2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2231","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blogger-interviews","category-picture-books"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2231","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2231"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2231\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2231"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2231"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2231"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}