Obtainable immediately from Constance Lombardo and Micah Participant, ITTY BITTY BETTY BLOB is an enthralling image e-book with an essential message: Being your self is MORE than sufficient.
Be taught extra concerning the behind-the-scenes story on this unique Q&A between writer Constance Lombardo and Jill Davis, Editorial Director at Hippo Park.
Jill: Thanks for welcoming us to your blob, I imply weblog!
In your new e-book, Itty Bitty Betty Blob is nervous about making a scary-enough face for Monster Image Day. What was your worst image day?
Constance: It was 1970, and I used to be in 2nd grade at Raymond J. Lockhart Elementary in Massapequa, NY. As you possibly can see from this picture, it was a horrible case of bangs gone fallacious. I will need to have minimize my very own hair that morning or possibly my sister Rita bought inventive on me.
Honorable point out goes to 4th grade Image Day, through the peak of my hippie part (full with groovy tie-dye bell-bottoms and waist-length hair that I refused to brush.) My mother attacked me with a hairbrush which induced whiplash and a number of frizz. Ouch.
Jill: This story is about extra than simply image day! What else impressed you to create the character of a blob named Betty?
Constance: Considered one of my favourite elements of the writing course of is making up humorous names and creating different worlds which may be other-wordly. Monsters are particularly enjoyable as a result of they are often something you possibly can think about.
I want I may bear in mind the place the title Itty Bitty Betty Blob got here from precisely. I do love the previous film The Blob, and I like alliteration, and I revel within the ridiculous, so I assume out of all that inventive goop, Betty was born!
Jill: I bear in mind your authentic title was Image Day at Monster College. Why did you alter it?
Constance: You (and a bit little bit of I) determined the essential factor was to concentrate on the completely fabulous character of Itty Bitty Betty Blob. And also you have been proper!
Jill: Why thanks! What different large adjustments did you bear in mind making in revisions?
Constance: One main change: the puffs that Betty befriends weren’t within the authentic story. As a substitute Betty met a mouse that grew to become her pal. Additionally, Betty’s mother developed into a way more essential character. At first, like most mothers, she wished Betty to slot in. In revisions, Mother grew to become extra mild and a real ally. Between us, illustrator Micah Participant, Artwork Director Amelia Mack, and our intern, there have been limitless discussions which led to a gazillion adjustments.
Jill: I believe you’re exaggerating.
Constance: Writers at all times exaggerate. However we did lose just a few good strains alongside the way in which. I nonetheless like the outline of a personality we misplaced, Frankie, who wore a ‘snapping-turtle-neck.’ That specific one is on the chopping room flooring, however I LOVE all of the lovely outfits Micah got here up with for the monsters. Clip-on bowties. Fedoras. Striped ties. An area swimsuit. These monsters are actually dressed to the nines!
Jill: Micah’s art work is totally subsequent degree. What did you like about working with him?
Constance: I like the way in which Micah’s imaginative and prescient for the e-book features a sort of homage to The Wizard of Oz. The e-book begins out in a restricted palette after which bursts right into a world of good colour on the essential turning level. And Betty is so completely pink! It was so enjoyable selecting from his large number of monster sketches, a lot of which appear to me like creatures from Nineteen Sixties monster motion pictures—however cute!
Jill: We’ve talked about inspiration, collaboration, and bowties, however what do you see as the guts of the story?
Constance: It’s about discovering the braveness to have a good time your uniqueness. That braveness can come from having a supportive mother or father, discovering your tribe, or discovering your internal energy, and, for Betty, it’s all three. I like the second when Betty embraces being completely Betty, and the enjoyment that follows! And now that I write that, I notice how a lot Betty’s story parallels my son’s journey – at the very least, from what I witnessed.
Jill: That’s so poignant. There are a number of books about being distinctive, however one thing about this one appears to be hanging a chord with readers younger and previous. Final query: If you happen to have been a monster, what sort would you be?
Constance: Properly, vampires can fly, in order that’s tempting. Invisible individuals may be invisible, which isn’t too shabby. However I believe being a blob would swimsuit my temperament finest. What sort of monster would you be, Jill?
Jill: Thanks for asking! I used to be so afraid of vampires after I was little. I’d by no means wish to be one. If I had to decide on, I’d be the bride of Frankenstein! I’d love the bouffant hairdo with the white stripes!
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Creator bio: Constance Lombardo started drawing when she was 10 years previous, impressed partially by the Illustrators Annuals her dad introduced residence from the promoting company the place he labored, and partially by her sister doing a drawing and getting a lot of consideration. She’s the writer/illustrator of the center grade Mr. Puffball sequence (HarperCollins) the image e-book, All people Says Meow, and Hippo Park’s hilarious Tiny Spoon vs. Little Fork. She lives in Asheville, NC together with her household. @conlombardowrites
Illustrator bio: Micah Participant started his illustration profession designing and illustrating for Paul Frank Industries. He’s the writer/illustrator of the image books Chloe, As a substitute and the These days Lily sequence (Chronicle Books). He’s the illustrator extra not too long ago of two books by Fortunate Diaz: Palatero Man and La Guitarrista (Harper). He lives in a bit home beneath a large tree within the Utah mountains, with a beautiful schoolteacher (and spouse) named Stephanie. They’re the mother and father of two youngsters, one Yorkshire terrier, and a number of other Casio keyboards. Micah’s Instagram, the place he shares his personal illustrations and phrases categorical his emotions concerning the present state of the world, and is a terrific place to get to know him. @micahplayer