When author Joey Benun set out to find an illustrator for his book, he knew that it had to be someone special. In finding Laura, he hit the nail right on the head. Reviews for the book repeatedly mention the power and vibrancy of the images, and how they serve to enhance the story.

“The illustrations are playful and filled with color and feeling, expertly capturing the drama of a parrot swooping into the frame and the beauty of a nighttime flight over mountaintops.”

BlueInk Review

“The illustrations are vibrant, bold, and colorful… Expressive faces, wiggles to signify the vibrations of a trembling earthquake or a gust of wind, and the curls of ocean waves breathe life into the dynamic tale.”

Foreword Reviews

Today, we’re sitting down with both Joey and Laura to learn more about their experience working together and creating Pebbles’ story.

Where did you find an illustrator? How did you hear about Laura?

Joey: I really got lucky. I simply Googled “top children’s book illustrators” and one of the first links that I found was of a Reedsy blog listing their top 20 recommendations. They ranked Laura at #1. For me, it was love at first sight. I knew instantly that I wanted to work with her.

What was your initial response to Joey, a debut author, reaching out to you? 

Laura: I’ve worked with several debut authors and there are tons of pluses. They have all been so passionate about the book they’ve written. But Joey impressed me with not only his enthusiasm but also how hard he worked to really educate himself on the process–everything from creative brainstorming to finessing his written words to the technical aspects of getting the book printed and shipped and out in the world. 

What caught your interest and inspired you about the story? 

Laura: I’ve been interested for some time in working on non-fiction books for kids. I love the challenge of presenting real information about math, science, and how the world works in a fun and appealing way. Joey’s concept of learning about BIG numbers was pretty irresistible. I’ve never seen a book on that topic. And of course, Joey’s story and enthusiasm were infectious!

What were you looking for in an illustrator? 

Joey: I was looking for a whimsical feel similar to The Very Hungry Caterpillar. A fun and light vibrancy that draws you in and makes you happy. It was extremely important that I find an illustrator that could convey the right tone. As much as I fine-tune the text, the book would be amateur at best with poor illustrations. The pictures do half the talking, if not more, and Laura’s illustrations really embodied the feeling that I wanted in the story. 

What was the overall tone and feel that you wanted to convey with the images? 

Laura: I wanted the illustrations to be warm and friendly, with a lot of variety in the different environments that Pebbles explores. It was also important to add a lot of little details so that the reader might notice something different every time they read it, making it a book that both kids and adults want to revisit again and again.

What was your process of workshopping Pebbles as a character? 

Laura: As I recall, Joey had envisioned Pebbles as a monarch butterfly, so that made it pretty simple. We did try a few different versions. For instance, at one point Pebbles had glasses! After a few rounds of early sketches, the character just sort of emerged as an adventurous, curious little butterfly. The hope is that children can see themselves in Pebbles.

What was the process of working together like? 

Joey: I loved working with Laura. The chemistry between an author and an illustrator is crucial. I am a divergent thinker, and sometimes spontaneous ideas shoot out at me that go against the script. Laura is flexible and was able to accommodate my unpredictable nature. Pebbles counting the flowers in his garden in the beginning and counting the meteors with Ms. Butterfly at the end of the book were completely new interventions, but Laura was willing to work with me.

Laura: Joey was amazing to work with from the start. He’s had so many creative and innovative marketing ideas as well. Joey met with a few challenges in the printing and shipping process and met them all with determination to get past them and a great sense of humor all the while! He’s been so much fun to work with.  

What did you love about the finished product?

Joey: Laura’s passion and professionalism shine through in every image, down to the smallest details. As one reviewer eloquently stated: “The expressive faces of the animals add an extra layer of emotion and make it easy for young readers to connect with the story on a deeper level.” It really is everything I could have hoped for. It’s easy to feel self-conscious when you’re doing something new and creative. But this book is something that I’m always proud to share with others. 

Laura: I feel really proud of the entire project. It was truly a collaboration with Joey–and with the editor and designer as well. Children’s books are almost always a real balance between words and pictures. The pictures need to show what the words might leave out, and vice versa. I think we did a good job in this book of keeping that balance. My favorite part is to hear from all the little readers that they are loving the book!

To experience the lively story for yourself, head on over to our online shop.

The post Meet the Author and Illustrator of Pebbles and the Biggest Number appeared first on The Biggest Number.

When author Joey Benun wrote his children’s story about a curious butterfly, he knew that the illustrations would be a vital part of the process. He wanted the story to come alive with color and emotion so that children would feel like they were embarking on an exciting adventure alongside Pebbles. 

When self-publishing a book, it’s important to remember the partnership between pictures and words. The images in your picture book deserve just as much love and attention as the words and story. 

The Importance of Illustrations in Self-Published Children’s Books

Studies show that a book’s illustrations improve a child’s ability to remember the story. It also impacts the parent-child interaction that occurs during reading time. When they’re done thoughtfully, images do more than illustrate what’s going on in the text. They give the readers additional information that enriches the story. 

Illustrations can…

• Ask questions
• Offer clues and supplement the text
• Set the mood
• Prompt unique interactions with books
• Spark the love of learning and keep children engaged while parents read

In Pebbles and the Biggest Number, the creators wanted to have lots of opportunities for children to find new information and treasures within the story. Each page has at least one science fact that gives readers more information about a topic in the story. The back of the book also has glossaries and fun supplemental information about big numbers. 

Knowing What to Look for

When Joey was looking for someone to bring Pebbles to life, he said, “It was crucial that I find an illustrator that meets my taste and style. The pictures do half the talking, if not more!” Not only did he find the right style fit with illustrator Laura Watson; he found someone who he felt could practically read his mind! 

Many would-be authors believe that as long as they hire a professional illustrator, they’ll be able to edit until they reach a product they love. However, the truth is that if you don’t find the right fit, you may get lost in a frustrating and extensive avalanche of edits and never quite achieve the look you want. Here are some tips for finding the right illustrator for you: 

• Look closely at all of their previous work and find someone who already has a style that matches what you want. 
• Be very clear from the beginning about who your audience is, the tone you want to convey, and the layout of each page. 
• Have examples of artwork and illustrations that you like, but be reasonable about your expectations. (i.e. Expecting a Degas painting for $50 may seem disrespectful of your creative partner’s time) 
• Specify whether you would like them to contribute new ideas. Are you looking for a collaborator or someone who follows instructions? 
• Invest in high-quality art and high-resolution images. The difference between amateur and professional art can be glaringly obvious once you see it in print!

Children’s Book Illustration Styles and Mediums

When searching for an illustrator, understanding different illustration mediums and styles can help you articulate what you want and connect with someone who shares your aesthetic style. Do you like complex collage pictures or a minimalist style? Realistic illustrations, or comical cartoons? Are you looking for digital or handcrafted art? 

Here’s a small glimpse at the styles of just a few of the most popular children’s books today to give you an idea of the diversity available: 

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle was an inspiration for Pebbles and the Biggest Number. Joey Benun wanted illustrations that, like Carle’s books, had a fun and light vibrancy that would draw readers in and make them happy. Eric Carle used the collage technique for his iconic images–ripping, cutting, and layering physical papers to create vibrant colors, shapes, and dimensions.
• Although Oliver Jeffers, bestselling author and illustrator of The Day the Crayons Quit and How to Catch a Star originally utilized purely physical sketches and watercolors, today he utilizes more digital tools to enhance or ideate his whimsical drawings. 
• Mo Willems, producer of the worldwide phenomena Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus and the Elephant and Piggie series sketches cartoons on paper and then uses a computer to color in his lively but simple illustrations. 
• The watercolor art in the 2022 Caldecott winner Watercress uses a combination of Eastern brushstroke art and Western techniques to enhance the story about the main character incorporating her family’s Chinese heritage into her life in America. 

Remember: although they’ll overlap and influence each other, medium matters a lot less than style. For example, just because Pebbles and the Biggest Number was inspired by Eric Carle doesn’t mean that collage-style illustrations were more important than the stylistic hallmarks of color and vibrancy.  

Where Do You Find a Children’s Book Illustrator?

There are literally tens of thousands of illustrators available out there. But where do you find the right one? Here are a few places to look: 

• Online networks like Reedsy and Children’s Illustrators connect illustrators (and other publishing professionals) with authors. Usually, illustrators on these networks are vetted to ensure quality, but you’ll still need to do your own research. 
• Freelance platforms such as Upwork and Fiverr Pro house hundreds of thousands of gig workers of varying expertise and levels of skill. 
• Both professionals and amateurs share their work on designer platforms like Dribble and Deviantart. You may just find someone whose work you adore. 
• Almost every illustrator and cartoonist will feature their own projects on image-based social media platforms like Instagram. You’ll never know whether they’re up for a collaboration unless you ask! 
• You may also explore galleries and art fairs in your area. Check out local colleges, county fairs, craft fairs, and more. Finding someone local can be an excellent advantage. Just be sure that they’re ready for a professional obligation. 

Most illustrators will offer a base price in order to create a preview picture or two. This allows you to see if they’ll be able to adopt your vision. You may need to preview numerous artists before you find the right fit. 

In the case of Pebbles and the Biggest Number, Joey was able to get it right on the first shot! While he dug through hundreds of portfolios to find the right editors and designers, Laura was the first illustration candidate that he found, and she just happened to be a magic-slipper style fit right from the start. 

Working Out an Illustration Contract

Once you’ve found the right illustrator, finalize the business details with a contract. A good contract should include: 

1. Specs of the project: Does the price include a cover and front matter? Typography and page design? Discuss how many edits are expected and permitted. 
2. Deadlines: What are the checkpoints throughout the project? Clear deadlines are essential if you want to reliably project printing and launch dates. 
3. Cost: Costs can vary widely. Just remember that you get what you pay for and costs are usually negotiable. Some freelancers may offer one page of illustration for as little as $40, while others will charge thousands. Reedsy estimates that on their platform, illustrations from one of the seasoned professionals cost between $2k and $10k for a full project. For more information about the cost of publishing a children’s book, see here.
4. Communication: What will the editing procedure be? What’s the expected turnaround time on revision requests? Will there still be an opportunity to work together once the initial project is done? 
5. IP considerations: Will the illustrator’s name be on the book? Who retains the rights to the characters and images? In general, illustrators usually retain the copyright for their own images but license them out for merchandise. 

Storyboarding & Sketching

Creating a layout that will help the words and images of your book flow together is vital. Usually, this is done before passing it over to the illustrator. In the case of Pebbles and the Biggest Number, Joey worked with editor Brooke Vitale and with a designer to create a storyboard. A storyboard is a rough sketch of each page’s layout. Brooke also added very specific design notes within the story. This helped speed along the illustration process and prevent mistakes and extra edits. 

In addition to the design notes and design layout, Laura worked with Joey to workshop the characters before diving into the final illustrations. This consisted of creating a series of black-and-white drawings until the characters became more clear. This made it easier to do edits and get the characters to look just as they should. Once they were approved, colors were added. 

Learn More About Pebbles!

Self-publishing is an exciting – and sometimes overwhelming – journey. However, with the right partnership, working out the illustrations is one of the most exciting parts. There’s nothing quite like seeing the story that’s been living in your head brought into the world in living color. 

To learn more about the beautiful illustrations featured in Pebbles and the Biggest Number, read our interview with author Joey and illustrator Laura.

The post Finding an Illustrator for Your Self-Published Children’s Book appeared first on The Biggest Number.

Now, if you believe that “math skills” mainly include long division and algebra, it may feel confusing to focus on math with your young child. After all, it will be some time before your child can manage equations. However, your child is constantly stretching their math skills as they play and learn. They’re differentiating sizes, grouping objects, and of course, counting. You can give your child encouragement to exercise critical thinking as they play, and the language that allows them to translate play into the education that they’ll receive later in life. 

The Importance of Language in Mathematical Development

At its core, the role of language is to take concrete objects and enable us to hold them in our minds as ideas. From there, we can communicate these ideas with others and build upon more complex abstractions within our own heads. 

As your child stacks blocks they are already recognizing mathematical concepts in the physical world. They can see you add more food to a plate, or notice whether there are many cars in the parking lot, or few. They can estimate large numbers, and you can help them understand the difference between tens of people, hundreds of people, and even thousands of people. However, they won’t be able to recognize these concepts in the classroom unless they’re given the words to do so. 

When researching books that help children develop mathematical language, it quickly becomes clear that there’s a lack of language around larger numbers. In fact, we ourselves haven’t been able to find another children’s book that mentions numbers larger than a trillion. It was important to author Joey Benun to familiarize children with the names of these numbers, and then provide concrete examples that made the numbers real (i.e. there are three trillion trees in the world!) 

How Reading and Math Skills Develop and Grow Together

We often divide language arts and mathematics in educational settings, and make the mistake of identifying a child as gifted at one or the other. However, a closer look reveals that all learning is connected. According to a policy research report: 

“A common concern is that supporting early math might mean taking time away from something else, such as early literacy. Yet, this does not have to be the case. The development of early math and early literacy skills are intertwined, and efforts to support both can take place simultaneously. In fact, when math is taught hand-in-hand with other subjects, such as reading, children learn more math than they would if they were taught only math.”

Mathematica

As more and more parents focus on encouraging STEM learning for their children, it’s vital to remember that stories, language, and art are vital parts of the teaching process, even for mathematics. 

Small Tips That Can Help Your Child Develop Math Skills

• Count objects around you as you interact with your child. 
• Invite your child to compare numbers. For example, you might allow them to choose between a pile of five crackers and a pile of ten. 
• Give your child toys that encourage grouping, stacking, and sorting. 
• Read out loud together, especially number-related books, which allow your child to recognize number symbols alongside letters. 
• Give your child the language needed to compare and manipulate numbers (i.e. more and less, add and subtract, tens and hundreds, etc.) 

The Power of Numbers, Language, and Curiosity

Pebbles and the Biggest Number was created to explore the language of numbers that often feel outside of our realm of understanding. One of the biggest reasons these numbers feel out of our reach is that we do not know (or practice) the words associated with them. Both the big data created by our society and the infinite numbers of the natural world around us require us to learn to think big. 

In the book, Pebbles the Butterfly starts asking questions that send him on an epic adventure around the world. Much like Pebbles, children start asking questions about the things they see every day. As we feed our children’s natural curiosity and hunger for the big wide world around them with words, we empower their learning, support their success, and help them appreciate the amazing scope of all there is to see and do. 

Fuel your child’s curiosity with educational games from our website, or shop our store today to bring Pebbles home.

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The truth was that despite months of preparation and careful expediting to get the first edition of the new book ready for the holiday shopping season, thousands of copies were held up in Chinese customs instead! How did Pebbles get into such a mess and how did he get out? Well, let us tell you… 

Preparing the Book for Print

Many self-published authors today like to utilize Amazon’s “Print to Order” route, which enables you to publish without investing in printing a large batch that may or may not sell. Joey, the author of Pebbles and the Biggest Number, decided to go a different route. In order to maintain the beautiful quality and uniformity of the books, Joey, (author of the book,) enlisted the help of an overseas printing company. He ordered 3,000 copies to be transported from Shenzen, China to Brooklyn, New York. A third of the books were planned to travel via air and anticipated to arrive well before Thanksgiving, in plenty of time for the upcoming holiday shopping season. 

However, in mid-November, Joey was notified that the books had been held up by customs in China. 

What Was the Holdup? 

As weeks and then even a month passed, Joey scrambled to find out just what was causing the delay. Eventually, he learned that everything had been caused by a tiny image, just over one square inch, at the back of the book. In this section, a map of China was shown to illustrate just how huge a space would be filled with 1 septillion grains of sand. The small, simplified map did not show Hainan and Taiwan, two small islands off the coast of China which happen to be disputed territories. To customs authorities in China, it seemed that this children’s book was flagrantly stating that China’s claim over these territories was false. The truth is that both Joey and the book’s illustrator, Laura Watson, were completely unaware of the issue and that their simplified map would be interpreted as an act of defiance. 

Printing and distributing such books in China is actually punishable by jail time, and the books were subsequently transported to the Anti-Smuggling Department. 

Working Towards a Solution

With the clock ticking, and every day decreasing the chance of a big Christmas sale, Joey reached out for legal help. American lawyers referred him to international law specialists, who told him that only Chinese legal help could assist with this particular problem. However, despite all of his attempts to secure reliable legal help in China, Joey was informed that overseas firms found the case to be “too sensitive”. He was warned that his books had probably already been destroyed. 

Freeing Pebbles From the Web of Chinese Customs

Considering the fact that it was unlikely that the books would ever be recovered, Joey and Laura decided to reprint the book with a modification that would avoid any conflict. The map of China was replaced by one of the United States, with updated facts to reflect how much space 1 septillion grains of sand would fill in the continental United States. The team ordered a new batch of books from the same Chinese printer (with a discount, fortunately!) with updated graphics that wouldn’t cause a hullabaloo in customs.

Once production started for the new books, Joey was given some good news: 2,000 copies of the first edition were able to be salvaged! They could still be sold–provided they didn’t have any problematic maps on them! A custom sticker was printed and painstakingly placed on each book with an updated map of China that included the disputed territories.

Both the new books and the updated books were received in New York by January, too late for the holidays, but ready for a new year nonetheless! 

The Story Behind the Sticker

In the book Pebbles and the Biggest Number, Pebbles the butterfly travels clear around the globe, from the jungle to the desert to the tundra. During Pebbles’ journey, the butterfly doesn’t worry about borders or maps. However, a glossy-paged children’s book doesn’t have quite the same freedom! So if you yourself are on a journey of self-publishing, take it from us: maps receive sharp scrutiny at the Chinese border. When using an overseas manufacturer, take note of anything that might be under dispute.  

So far, we’ve limited the distribution of our books so that only books from the second printing run, with the map of the United States, are available for sale. In the future, we’re considering a special limited release of the first edition: the stickered books that made an intrepid journey through Chinese customs. What do you think?

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