illustrators Archives - SECRET SOCIETY OF BOOKS

Frida Kahlo

“I used to think I was the strangest person in the world but then I thought there are so many people in the world, there must be someone just like me who feels bizarre and flawed in the same ways I do. I would imagine her, and imagine that she […]

How Gyo Fujikawa Drew the Way: an interview with Kyo Maclear and Julie Mortsad

I am far from being successful (whatever that means), but I am ever so grateful to small readers who find ‘something’ in any book of mine.” Fujikawa Growing up Japanese-American, Gyo Fujikawa faced rasicm daily yet her work reflected light and beauty which still fills our bookshelves today. Julie Morstad and […]

Books and Food with Kelsey Garrity Riley

Secret Society of Books: Two things I imagine for your book inspiration: Idea one: You were sitting in a cozy restaurant pushing your dumplings around on their plate and you imagined them dancing on a stage. Idea two: You were asked in an interview what your favorite food was and […]

Books to Celebrate Grandparents Day

“Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do. Grandparents sort of sprinkle stardust over the lives of little children.” — Alex Haley – Alex Haley There are so many beatiful picture books that celebrate grandparents in various ways. Priya Dreams of Marigolds & Masala is the newest addition to our […]

A Velocity of Being – Letters to a Young Reader

I would be doing any reader and lover of picture books a great disservice if I didn’t share this book in all its brilliance. Every page drips with inspiration in visuals and text. Diverse voices and artwork fill the pages and just like a good story, some you will get […]

Five 2018 Halloween books to love

Stumpkin Recommended for ages: 2-6Stumpkin, as you can guess, isn’t the perfect pumpkin. He sits as all the other pumpkins are chosen and given places in the window. He recognizes his faults but gives himself a pep talk, because he would like to become a jack o’lantern. When even a gourd is chosen over him, […]

Illustrator’s Breakfast with Sara Gillingham

This Saturday, October 13th, I will have the pleasure of introducing Sara Gillingham at the Illustrator’s Breakfast held by the Vancouver Children’s Literature Roundtable. She is an extremely talented illustrator, author and designer in the Children’s Lit industry. Sara has a hand in a great number of book designs, she […]

Another Dimension with Elly MacKay

Kellie – I am a very big fan of your artwork and process. You have a magical element to your work that is instantly recognizable. I saw a picture you shared of yourself as a teen with one of your first dioramas, how old were you when you started to […]

Maurice Sendak: Beyond the Wild Things

Like most people, my first introduction to Maurice Sendak was through the picture book Where The Wild Things Are. I was immediately smitten from storyline to the exquisite use of textures. It felt as if Sendak had been the inventor of crosshatching. However when I stumbled across some of Sendak’s […]

Interview with Jon Klassen

In celebration of Fathers Day, I spoke with New York Times best selling, Caldecott medalist, minimalist extraordinaire, and new father Jon Klassen. We spoke about his new book with Mac and his writing a new chapter in life, parenthood. Kellie: Your beautiful stark designs and wonderful textures are paired with playful text […]