Writer (and Puppeteer) Spotlight: Kevin Kammeraad

Pine Creek, suitcases, roast, Grandma Ethel, collaboration, Wimee, and stamina: Author and puppeteer Kevin Kammeraad

Charlie Barshaw coordinates our regular Writer Spotlight feature and interviews writers of SCBWI. In this piece, meet author/puppeteer Kevin Kammeraad.

 

[Note: the items in italics are from my research into Kevin Kammeraad. My questions follow the italicized items.] 

You have a Dutch name that’s hard to pronounce and spell. I saw your solution for pronunciation (comrade with an ‘er’ in the middle). Do you have any tips for spelling? How do you optimize your searchability?

I’m afraid I’ve got nothing for you, Charlie! No spelling tips. No searchability secrets. Not sure I have tips for much of anything. Hopefully the next question goes better!

Do you remember your first experience with puppets? When did puppeteering call to you? 

It definitely called! My love of puppetry began when I met Betty Essenburg and saw the puppets she made for Pine Creek Elementary in Holland, Michigan. I was working for the school district and just beginning college. The puppets appeared alongside kids on the school’s morning news program.

At the same time, I was creating The Tomato Collection book and album. I thought, “Hmm…what if I use puppets to bring this work to audiences?” And that was the call.

Here's the summary of what I do:
"One performer. A few suitcases. Endless possibilities. Kevin brings his cast of puppets and toe-tapping, interactive songs/poems together in a high-energy show that sparks connection, lifts spirits, and leaves audiences inspired and wanting more. Simple setup—huge impact!"

School visit

You have to bring in the stage and the actors, sound and light, and a program to delight your audience. How do you fit it all in “a few suitcases”?

Over the years, I’ve simply pared things down. I finally realized that more isn’t always better. I used to haul around lots of “needed” stuff. These days, I find a lot of joy in working with less.

Although, to be fair, the sound system does not fit in a suitcase. I still have to lug that thing around—unless the venue has a good one!

My goal in all I do is to ignite imagination in kids of all ages—and to remind them that their ideas are powerful, meaningful, and worth sharing. I do it with puppets, poetry, music, movement, and humor. (Sometimes with technology, if we must.)​

Some of your higher impact work is done with technology. I’m talking about your two television shows, and your YouTube videos. But your point is that, for a live audience, the performance is also live. What are some of the oddest venues you’ve appeared at?

I was once hired to do a puppet “roast” at a small family reunion dinner in a restaurant. I was given inside information about various family members, with the goal of getting everyone to laugh at themselves.

It wasn’t—and still isn’t—something I normally do, but it was surprisingly fun. And it went well!

Over the years, I’ve also learned not to take myself too seriously. I try to be more comfortable with the vulnerability and unpredictability of the moment.

Kammeraad grew up in Holland, next door to his grandmother, and graduated from West Ottawa High School in 1994. He earned a communications degree from Grand Valley State University four years later. The possibilities began when his grandma, Ethel DeMaat, gave him a blank journal for Christmas when he was 19. He filled it with random thoughts and little poems. "Grandma, the journal's filled," and "so we bought another one together." Five journals later, The Tomato Collection was published in 1999.

Kevin and Grandma Ethel

Your Grandma Ethel was a big part of your young life. What is it about you that prompted her to gift 19-year-old you with a blank book? How instrumental was she in your choice of careers?

Most likely, the journal was on sale. Otherwise, I really don’t know!

My grandma and I spent a lot of time together. We lived next door to each other, and I remember sitting at her kitchen table drawing with her, working around the house and yard, and watching wrestling on TV.

She was an important part of my life. And apparently, maybe she knew something about a blank journal that I didn’t know at the time.

Your first puppet was born out of your first collection of songs, The Tomato Collection. How many drafts to perfect Jacob?

Kevin and Jacob

The drawing came pretty quickly. He was inspired by several drawings from books I was reading at the time. I had NO idea he would eventually become a puppet.

For years, it was just Jacob and me on the road.

I saw you mentioned as a “Master Puppeteer.” Is that an actual rank you attain? How does one become a puppeteer? 

My understanding is that “master” basically means you’ve put in more than 10,000 hours. At some point, people started calling me a Master Puppeteer when promoting my visits.

At first, I wasn’t comfortable with it. These days I figure, “Sure, why not?” It’s been about 30 years since I first performed for kids. I guess I’ve put in the hours!

Kevin Kammeraad has been a children’s author, illustrator, and performer/musician for many years. He brings his passion of creative thinking, writing, art, and music each year to hundreds of elementary schools, libraries, festivals, bookstores, and conferences all over the country.

You write, compose, and perform the songs. You write stories and illustrate them. You are a puppeteer, and you make some of them on your own. You’re a producer of books and music. Is there any role you haven’t yet done, but want to? Which role do you find most fulfilling? Most enjoyable?

I think creating art is really about expressing ideas and thoughts. Whether it’s words, pictures, music, puppets, video, or something else, I see it all as part of the same process. One form spills into another.

I’m not really looking for a particular role. I’m just following ideas and seeing where they lead.

And honestly, sometimes I feel like I’m doing way too much and have no idea what I’m doing. That’s where collaboration becomes important. I love working with people who have skills I don’t have.

But the most fulfilling? Puppetry. There’s something pretty magical about using a puppet in front of a live group of humans (in person or virtual) and seeing what happens.

Tell us about Danny Adlerman.

Danny is one of my best friends, and we’ve worked together on all kinds of things. He’s a children’s author, musician, and maker of books.  We met more than 25 years ago because I emailed him and said, essentially, “Hey, I like your music for kids. Let’s trade CDs.”

Our families quickly became friends and have supported each other ever since. Danny and I are both very much alike—and very much different. Somehow, it works! The same thing applies to my friend Jim Dague. I’ve been very fortunate to have made great friends with shared goals in life.

I Remember...: Memories of Growing Up , was an early book. How did you convert your childhood memories into a physical book? 

One day I started writing down things I didn’t want to forget. Simple things I thought I’d want to have when I was old. I wrote a bunch, made lists, and went back to add details. Eventually I realized I had a book.

Then I thought it could be useful to kids as an example: What do YOU remember? Write about it!

I do regret not giving it a more playful title. It sounds much more serious than it really is!

What early lessons in book publishing and music recording have carried into your impressive body of work?

Follow your instinct.

Many of your titles are collaborations with various illustrators, and writers, and musicians, and family. You must have gotten pretty good at herding cats. How do you make order out of the creative chaos?

I don’t really know how to make order; I just try to roll with it and follow the way things go.

You’ve had two TV series, Wimee’s World, and Our Show Today. How do you get an idea for a show on the air?

Kevin and Wimee

Pretty much the same way: I follow the ideas, follow the momentum, and pay attention to the synergy of the people around me.

His idea seeds for his books come from his own experiences. He writes on his website: "Ideas come from everyday life: Things I wonder about, things I hear, things I'm happy or frustrated about, from friends, and simply from daydreaming."

Ruth has a literal ton of journals at our house. How do you store and catalog all of your ideas?

I don’t. Yikes! It’s a big mess of journals, paperwork, Post-its, and voice recordings.

Somewhere in that mess, there are probably still a few lost decent ideas. I know for a fact that though there are TONS of mediocre ideas I had to sort through to get to what became completed work.

Kammeraad has captivated audiences for over two decades with his dynamic performances at schools, family events, libraries, and festivals.

Over two decades performing. How do you maintain your stamina? Have you made any concessions to acknowledge the accumulation of time and effort on your body?

The reality is, I’m tired. Getting work in schools is harder these days, not easier, and the world is absolutely overloaded with content.

I’m just trying to keep moving through the ups and downs and remember that nothing is guaranteed or deserved.

Most overwhelming of all, more than three years ago we lost our oldest child to a drug overdose. Things have never been—and never will be—the same. It’s completely devastating.

How does one move forward? Slowly. With family. With friends. With faith. With hope.

What’s next for Kevin?

The next day.

And then we’ll see what it brings and just do the best I can.

 

Please share any social media:

https://www.facebook.com/WIMEESWORLD

https://www.instagram.com/wimeesworld/

https://www.facebook.com/ourshowtoday

Third Annual Little Free Library Day: A Celebration of Story, Community, and Inclusion

As we step into another vibrant season, the SCBWI-Michigan Equity & Inclusion Team is thrilled to celebrate our Third Annual Little Free Library Day—a grassroots initiative we launched three years ago to champion literacy, diversity, and community engagement across Michigan.

Little Free Library Day is more than an event. It’s a movement! All of us, whether authors, illustrators, educators, families, or book lovers, hold the power to enrich a child’s view of themselves and others through stories. Books are for ALL kids! 

Why Little Free Library Day Matters

Little Free Libraries have long symbolized generosity, curiosity, and community. But our SCBWI-MI celebration adds a critical layer: diverse representation.

As Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop teaches us, children need mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors: stories that reflect their identities, offer glimpses into others’ lives, and invite them to step into new worlds with empathy and imagination.

Little Free Library Day amplifies this truth by encouraging creators and community members to stock local Little Free Libraries with books featuring characters from underrepresented groups. Every donated book becomes a spark—a moment of recognition, empowerment, or discovery for a child who picks it up.

Community Spotlight

Last year’s celebration drew creators from across Michigan and beyond, including a heartfelt contribution from the Detroit Chapter of the Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc., whose members donated books throughout Wayne and Oakland Counties. Their commitment to literacy and service added a powerful layer of impact to the day.

We look forward to welcoming even more partners, families, and creators this year as the movement continues to grow.

A Call to Action. An Open Invitation to ALL

Little Free Library Day isn’t just for authors and illustrators. It isn’t just for SCBWI members. It’s for everyone who believes in the power of stories to shape hearts, minds, and communities.

Whether you’re a parent, educator, librarian, student, neighbor, or simply someone who loves books, you are warmly invited to join us. Grab your kids and have fun creating a special moment! Every participant helps expand access to diverse stories, and every book shared becomes a moment of joy, connection, and representation for a child who needs it.

Your donated book can spark belonging. Your kind gesture can spread book love.

Your participation can help ensure all children see themselves in the stories around them.

 

On this special day, September 26^th, we encourage everyone to:

• Donate a diverse book to a Little Free Library near you
• Snap a photo or a quick video of you making your contribution
• On LFL Day, share it on social media and tag us: @littlefreelibrary @SCBWImichigan #readincolor, #diversebooksforkids, #weneeddiversebooks, and #SCBWI
• Spread the message of literacy, diversity, and community far and wide

Together, we can fill Little Free Libraries across Michigan and beyond with stories that celebrate every child’s identity, culture, and imagination.

With love, literacy, and diversity,

Naomi V. Dunsen-White 

Chairperson, Equity & Inclusion Team 

Celebrate National Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month!

By Isabel Estrada O'Hagin

It’s the time of the year to put Latine kidlit creators at the forefront!

A bit of history: The observation of National Hispanic Heritage Month began in 1968 and expanded in 1988 to a full 30-day period, celebrated from September 15 through October 15. Why does this matter for kidlit creators? For too many decades, our stories, achievements, and celebrations have been omitted or overlooked by publishers and other gatekeepers. Subsequently, our stories have been absent from libraries, bookstores, classrooms, and homes. Focused on celebration and building awareness this designated “month” allows us the opportunity to learn about these diverse communities in a myriad of ways. Of course, it goes without saying that these efforts should be pursued year-long.   

Bookbug in Kalamazoo 

We, the people: In 2026, the Hispanic population in the United States is projected to reach approximately 21% of the total population, equating to around 70.1 million individuals. The buying power of this population is expected to exceed $3 trillion. This marks a significant demographic milestone, reflecting ongoing growth and influence in various sectors. (I anticipate this includes book sales!) This group accounts for over half of our country’s growth, especially among youth. Approximately 29% of the Hispanic population is under 18 years old, compared to 21% of the total U.S. population—and that number is growing.

Despite this demographic, children’s books by Latinx creators are still drastically underrepresented. However, there is some good news to share in that slow progress is being made. In recent years, the number of books that reflect the multifaceted complexity of individual lives when it comes to children and teens continues to grow.  Identifying books as being BIPOC-oriented is increasingly difficult as intersectional identities come into play. However, “the greater numbers (of books) inevitably mean more outstanding choices among the books published,” says CCBC Director Schmidt (2022 CCBC Diversity Statistics)

Do the Math: In 2022, 40% (1,364) of the books the CCBC received were by a person of color, having at least one creator (e.g., author, illustrator, or compiler) who is BIPOC. This includes 18% (634 books) that had at least one Asian creator, 13% (462) that had at least one Black creator, and 11% (371) that had at least one Latine creator. By comparison, 71% (2,448) of the books the CCBC received had at least one white creator (2022 CCBC).

In addition, 46% (1,574) of the books the CCBC documented in 2022 had significant BIPOC content, and 39% (1,362) had at least one BIPOC primary character. That’s not to say that a BIPOC creator has to fit a mold. Like other kidlit writers and illustrators, we create what we want to create. The term Latinx kidlit creators covers a wide range of people, their backgrounds, and cultures representing a rich intersectionality.

Display at Bookbug in Kalamazoo 

Higher Visibility: This year I’ve noticed a flurry of National Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month posts earlier than the designated month—some even in August.  Recently, I dropped by a local bookstore before Labor Day and took photos of their displays. I asked the book salesperson to thank the owner for acknowledging this celebration. She said they thought it was a good idea to get a head start on Latinx-created book selections for the family to enjoy! I totally agree. My personal take is that the larger Latinx community is more than ready to be visible. Despite our current political climate, book bans, and undue pressure on librarians and libraries,  we want children to be able to see themselves on the bookshelf.

Part 2: National Latinx Book Events in September

Grab a cafecito while you read this second part of my post. (Please note: While not sponsored by SCBWI, these events feature many members of our organization.)

Last week, the LKBF (Latinx Kidlit Book Festival) organization hosted an online event. If you missed this event, you can view some of the sessions on YouTube. I’ve viewed several of these YouTube videos, ranging from 5 mins to 30 minutes, and found the presenters to be engaging and inspiring.  The LKBF was scheduled earlier this year to allow educators more time to select books and materials for National Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month.  

This year’s presenters included Caldecott Honor Award-winning Illustrator Zeke Peña, Pura Belpré Children’s Author Award Winner LupeRuiz-Flores, Newbery Honor Book Winner Maria Dolores Aguila, and Newbery Medal Winning author of The Last Cuentista Donna Barba Higuera. 

Database:  Want help finding books by Latinx creators from picture books to young adult? Use the database compiled by LKBF volunteers.

There’s more! This year’s LKBF Storytellers Conference is Sept 11-12 in NYC. I wasn’t able to attend this year, but I hope to be there next year.  Maybe I’ll see you there! If not, maybe this post will motivate you to pick up a book by some of these presenters. You can also ask your local library to order a book you think young readers would like to see on the shelf.

Since 2024, hundreds of writers, illustrators, literary agents, editors and publishers meet every year at the Latinx Storytellers Conference. The goal: to create a talent pipeline of traditionally published books for children and adults. During this two-day event, Latinx storytellers enjoy craft masterclasses, professional development sessions and access to hard-to-reach industry professionals. Here’s a partial list of this year’s presenters:

Keynote Speakers: Julia Alvarez, Meg Medina, Krystal Quiles

Presenters: Jacqueline Alcántara, Gabriela Belt, Ann Cardinal, Zoraida Córdoba, Jennifer De Leon, CharlesGeorge Espernza, Maritza Moulite, and Maika Moulite, among others.

In addition, numerous agents, editors, and publishers round off the faculty. 

I hope you’ll find these resources useful and inspiring. As a Latina, former educator, mom, and children’s book author, I celebrate the many publications representing the wide range of Latine cultures being published today—and I look forward to new publications in the years to come! My hope is that our regional chapter continues to welcome these diverse voices to SCBWI-Michigan. Keep in mind that some creative individuals may not have heard about SCBWI. You may want to engage them with a personal invite. Let that kidlit creator know they can register as a preview member for free! Then let’s greet them with brazos abiertos!

Isabel Estrada O'Hagin grew up in the desert borderlands of Arizona, dancing and singing her way through life. Always a dreamer, she blends her life experiences as a performing arts educator with her love of Mexican-American culture & folklore into stories. When she’s not writing, she loves to dance, cook, read, daydream, and play with her two gatitos, Dante and Cosmo. She also loves her volunteer work for SCBWI-Michigan as Outreach Coordinator and K.A.S.T. Co-Coordinator. LA MARIACHI is her debut storybook. 

 

 

Book Birthday Blog With Natalia Iacobelli

 

Welcome to SCBWI-MI's Book Birthday Blog!

Where we celebrate new books from Michigan's authors, illustrators and translators.

 

Congratulations to Natalia Iacobelli on the release of Painting the Light

 

 

 

How did you come up with the idea for your book? 

Berthe Morisot began taking up residence in my imagination as a possible children’s book idea about six years ago. My children were very young, and I became enamored with the picture book biography art form—the interplay between text and image, that synergy between words and art. My background is in art history, and I went looking for a picture book about Morisot to read to my kids. When I discovered that it didn’t exist, I took it upon myself to write the book! The story was already pulsing with life—it was just waiting to be told.

What is something you hope your readers will take away from your book? 

My hope for the book is that it continues the conversation sparked by Linda Nochlin's 1971 question: "Why Have There Been No Great Women Artists?" I want to get people thinking, and asking themselves why Morisot, one of the founders of Impressionism, has been left out of the narrative, while artists like Monet, Renoir, and Degas are so well known. I also hope Morisot’s personal story of resilience manages to strike a hopeful chord with young readers, reminding them that setbacks can be overcome with determination, courage, and persistence. 

What was the most difficult part of writing this book? 

The most difficult part was two-fold. First, it was telling Morisot’s extraordinary life story in the digestible format of a book for children. There were so many details I had to chisel out to get to the heart of the story and craft a compelling narrative in sparse but beautiful prose. Second, it was finding the throughline for telling her story. My first few iterations, which described her life story without a strong underlying theme, fell flat. It was only after threading through the motif of light that this sort of alchemy took place.  

What are your marketing plans for the book and where can we find it? 

I plan to promote the book through a combination of outreach to bookstores and libraries, as well as engagement with communities interested in art history and women artists. I’ll also be sharing it through interviews, social media, and reader communities. The book can be found in independent bookstores, major online retailers, library systems—and hopefully in museum gift shops! 

What's next for you? 

I just signed a contract for another picture book, introducing a little-known slice of history, with another wonderful publisher. I couldn’t be more excited to tell this incredible story! 

More about the book . . . 

Ever since she was little, Berthe Morisot chased light. She found it in keyholes and flower petals, shimmering fabric and rustling leaves, and her dream was to paint it all. Living in Paris, Berthe was trained to copy the style of Old Masters and stay inside the lines. And more importantly, she was told respectable women could not become professional painters. The more Berthe painted, the more she yearned for the light that inspired her. One day, she met a group of rebel artists who, like her, were tired of art's rigid rules. Together, they led a movement, and Berthe shone a light on women's lives through art in ways no one had before. This powerful untold story details the life and legacy of the only female founder of Impressionism. 

Published by: Reycraft Books 

More about the author . . . 

Natalia Iacobelli is an author and translator with a passion for uncovering the overlooked stories of historical figures—especially women who made history with a paintbrush. She works with museums and galleries worldwide to bring art to life for international audiences. She holds degrees in art history and Italian literature and enjoys crafting picture books that bring real-life stories to young readers. She lives in Detroit, Michigan with her husband and three children. 

Instagram: @nataliaiacobellibooks

Bluesky: @nataliaiacobelli.bsky.social

X: @nataliaico

 

 

 

Writer Spotlight: Travis Jonker

Scopes, school librarian, turtles, Lionni, Flake, Caldecott, and King's Horses : Author/illustrator Travis Jonker

Charlie Barshaw coordinates our regular Writer Spotlight feature and interviews writers of SCBWI. In this piece, meet author/illustrator Travis Jonker.

 

[Note: the items in italics are from my research into Travis Jonker. My questions follow the italicized items.]

In an interview (2017), you mentioned your debut Book Baby The Very Last Castle. Since then, you’ve added more titles, and some illustration, to your body of work. How did Castle come about? You wrote about children’s books. When did it occur to you that you could write a children’s book?

When I became a school librarian in 2005, I pretty quickly started having ideas for stories. It took a long time to get to the point where I was working on them in earnest. The Very Last Castle began with the title. I thought the title was intriguing, and I tried to figure out the story from there.

We talked, back in 2018, about your blog “100 Scopes Notes,” and marveled how it had outlived many blogs to celebrate its 10-year anniversary. Now it’s approaching 20 years! Working with School Library Journal helps, I’m sure, but 20 years of writing about children’s picture books was two decades of hard work. Why are you still Noting Scopes?

I really owe a lot to the blog, and to School Library Journal for supporting it for so long. Writing the blog has been a great education for me and has led to a lot of really cool opportunities. I can’t believe it will be 20 years in November. As of today it’s been 4,387 posts.

How different is the job of librarian now, versus first-day Travis’s job responsibilities?

Maybe the most surprising thing is how similar the school librarian job is now versus when I first started. Literacy - reading aloud, offering students and staff a wide variety of the best books, generating a love and excitement for reading - is one part of the job. The other part, teaching students digital literacy, is always shifting, but the overall goals are the same.

 

Maybe you know someone like Travis Jonker. He’s a popular podcaster, and a blogger, an Instagram star, an elementary school librarian, and an acclaimed author. In his spare time, he probably helps turtles cross busy highways. In other words, the type of overachiever I usually loathe. But that’s the trouble with Travis. He’s annoyingly likable. He’s warm, funny, kind, intelligent. I want to hate this guy, but I can’t. You probably won’t be able to, either. But please, for me, try. Travis has written a new book, illustrated by Grant Snider, and, yeah, you guessed it — it’s really good. Rats and snails!

Author James Preller is clearly envious of the many hats you wear. Have you helped turtles cross the highway? What is your organizational technique for accomplishing what you do?

I’ve never helped a turtle cross the road! I do like turtles though. Children’s literature is my work (and my other work) and my hobby and I don’t have a lot of time-consuming things I do outside of that. I don’t golf. Still, I always feel like I’m giving something short shrift, to be honest. My organizational technique is the good old to-do list.

This book didn’t follow the traditional path. Grant and I met a few years ago and had talked about possibly working together. When I saw his comic On the Beach [above], I thought the style would be a great fit for Blue Floats Away — it reminded me of the torn paper illustrations in Leo Lionni’s Little Blue and Little Yellow. I sent Grant the story and he liked it and decided to illustrate it.

I made a few illustration notes in the manuscript, but I kept it as brief as I could. I didn’t talk with Grant at all as he was illustrating the book. I knew Grant was a pro, so I got out of the way as much as I could. I’m amazed with his art in this book. I think if you hold your story too tightly, problems arise.

So, the author and the illustrator put the text and artwork together, and then sold the package to a publisher? That is not only not traditional—it’s downright unheard of. What is the story of Blue?

Not to get morbid, but Blue Floats Away began as a story about death. I wanted to write a story about a character who goes away but isn’t really gone - in the way that a loved one can pass away but still live on very vividly in memories. 

It was a pretty abstract idea and Lionni’s abstract art in Little Blue and Little Yellow was something that seemed like a natural fit. When I saw Grant Snider’s torn paper art, I had to email him (we had met briefly at a conference), and share the story with him, because I knew that on top of being a great artist, he has this amazing philosophical side. 

He liked the story, and since we had both published with Abrams Books, it felt a little more comfortable coming to them as a team.

Caboose is your newest title. It appears to have a hippo as a protagonist. Is there a train involved?

Caboose is about the high-stakes world of lining up in elementary school. The caboose is what teachers call the last person in the line. Ruth Chan made the art and she added so much humor and personality to the story. The book is dedicated to teachers.

 

The Ship in the Window paired you with Matthew Cordell, superstar illustrator. You certainly didn’t have the close collaboration you did with Grant Snider with Blue Floats Away, but I’m sure there were interactions. How did author and illustrator interact on Ship?

I’ve known Matthew for a long time. He’s a fellow midwesterner (Chicago) and I interviewed him a long time ago for the blog. I’m such a fan of his work and I was thrilled when he agreed to illustrate that book. 

I didn’t talk with him at all about making the art - I really wanted him to bring his own creativity to it and I didn’t want to interfere with that at all.

Speaking of illustrators, you are the illustrator for Just One Flake and Just One Wave. How did you hone your drawing muscle? How did you suggest yourself as the artist?

I’ve always loved drawing and was a near art minor in college. Once I started focusing on writing books, in the back of my mind I thought that if the right story came along, I’d love to try to illustrate it. By “right” I mean it was a good fit for my specific (aka limited) skills. 

Once I had that thought, I really tried to draw more and post my work online - Instagram, mostly - so that when the opportunity did arise, people might already see me as someone who could do it. 

Just One Flake began as a spontaneous drawing I made of a kid trying to catch a snowflake on his tongue, and grew from there. The whole thing came to me very visually, and the simplicity of the story gave me the idea that I might be the best person to illustrate it. 

I had talked with the art director at Abrams books about the possibility of illustrating one day and so when this story came about, I asked and they agreed.

For a long time whenever the urge to write a story hit, I did a pretty good job of stopping it. Why would I want to do the thing I shouldn’t be doing?

It definitely felt like I shouldn’t be doing it. All the self-defeating stuff that comes with trying something new creatively (at least for me) came. The “What right do I have?” stuff. The “What will they think?” stuff. I couldn’t even struggle in a unique way, how was I going to write something unique?

After a lot of attempts turned back, the urge made some progress. I finally decided that the next time it hit, I was going to go with it.

How did you manage to write something unique at least six times? Was it just the change in attitude, the next time I’ll go with it? Who helped along the way?

A lot of stories can seem similar when you look at the basic elements. I think where it gets unique is in the execution - that’s where things get specific and your own personality as a writer or illustrator comes out and makes the story something that only you can make.

I also served on the 2014 Caldecott Medal committee, which means I have some strong opinions about picture books and what makes them work.

What does it take to be a Caldecott Medal committee member? How long do you serve? How much time do you put in, reading and voting?

Being on the Caldecott committee is a mix between caring a lot and putting in your time. I was a member of ALA for years and served on different committees before a friend and I recommended each other for the Caldecott committee. 

Then I had to get enough votes from the ALA members to earn a spot. All together it feels like a two year commitment, but just the one year of reading, evaluating, meeting, etc. 

It was a joy to be with a group of people who were so enthusiastic about picture books.

You are a co-host for the long-running The Yarn podcast with educator and author Colby Sharp.

Which have been some of your favorite episodes?

So many great conversations. Gary D. Schmidt, Jason Reynolds, Kate DiCamillo, and Mo Willems stand out.

 

You are a school librarian for an elementary school in Dorr, MI. What grades do you deal with? Has children’s reading changed over the years?

My school is kindergarten through third grade. Our graphic novel section has grown a lot over the years. Illustrated fiction has grown, so kids are reading more of those sorts of books.

What’s next for Travis?

Illustrations for 1000 Horses

I have a book coming out next year called 1000 Horses for the King, illustrated by Gracey Zhang that I’m very excited about.

Please list any social media:

Substack: travisjonker.substack.com