Did you know that picture book authors and illustrators do not communicate until the project is completed? I think it’s to give the illustrator some creative space to bring the words to life. No one likes to be micromanaged by someone else’s vision.
My debut picture book, SUMO JOE, with illustrator Nat Iwata is not quite done so we’re officially not allowed to communicate. We are both on social media, so we’ve had a few exchanges. For example, Josh Funk alerted us to our publication date, May 14, 2019.
I just marked SUMO JOE by @pragmaticmom & @NatIwata as “Want to Read” on @goodreads – and *you* should, too! (it’s out on 5.14.19 from @LEEandLOW)
Thanks I’m all done. I think Nat is hard at work! He has to do the heavy lifting! #SumoJoe
It turned out that I was not done. There were a few more rounds of minor edits, but the end was in sight. I recently saw the layouts of SUMO JOE with the illustrations completed. His illustrations are spot-on perfection.
And … from the book Flap, I learned that Nat Iwata had also learned a little Aikido in his youth and that he also has three kids.
When I’m allowed to talk to him, I’ll interview him here. I’m excited for you to meet him. Here’s the next best thing. This is his #meettheartist:
p.s. If you are interested in reviewing SUMO JOE as part of our blog tour, please email me at pragmaticmomblog@gmail.com. I will also be doing some giveaways on Twitter and Instagram, so please follow me @PragmaticMom for updates.
p.p.s. I learned from the book jacket that we have both done a little Aikido in our youth.
Sumo Joe makes Bank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year list!
SUMO JOE reviewed in BookList & Other Updates
Sumo Joe Reviewed in Publishers Weekly!
Wow! SUMO JOE got a Great Review from Kirkus!
Meeting My Editor for SUMO JOE
My First Picture Book Submission: Sumo Joe! #AmWriting
Taking a Children’s Book Writing Class
10 Unexpected Gifts from Blogging for the Last Decade
My First Book Festival: Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival
Asian Culture and KidLit series: Nissin Foods Connection
Pitching Our Books to Local Libraries
Follow PragmaticMom’s board Multicultural Books for Kids on Pinterest.
Follow PragmaticMom’s board Children’s Book Activities on Pinterest.
My books:
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Selected as one of 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023 by dPICTUS and featured at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair
- Starred review from School Library Journal
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
- Green Earth Book Award longlist
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Scholastic / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Pssst…Hi. Don’t worry, I am not being overly influenced by you and couldn’t resist saying hello! Very excited to see our book in the hands of young readers!
Hi Nat!
When I saw the picture book with illustrations, I was so excited that I was about to burst! So I did the next best thing and stalked you on social media. And when I saw your #MeetTheArtist, I wanted to share because your illustrations are AMAZING and I could not be happier with how the book turned out. I am so excited to see Sumo Joe come to life and wanted to shout it out to the world!
Thank you for your amazing work. And also for being so timely! I heard you were ahead of schedule!!