The Making of Pouch
by David Ezra Stein
There’s a lot more to a picture book than what you see on the shelf. Many months, and sometimes several years, can go into brainstorming, writing, planning, sketching, painting and designing a book for kids.
Here’s a look at the making of David’s new book, Pouch! (Putnam, Sept. 2009) Pouch was a 2010 Charlotte Zolotow Honor book!
1. Time to write a new book. What should it be about?
How about: “Going out to explore and coming back again.”
That’s a nice idea. OK!
Should it have a house cat who goes to the sea? Hmm. . . why does he go to the sea? I don’t know. How does he get out of the house? I don’t know! Hmmm. . . .
2. (3 months later, while washing the dishes:) AHA! It shouldn’t be about a cat! It should be about a KANGAROO! Perfect.
3. Here is what the hero, Joey, could look like:
4. He could hop out into the world, and meet an animal. Then he could get scared, yell “Pouch!”, and hide in Mama’s pouch.
5. This is what the places that Joey hops to will look like:
6. I’d better practice drawing Joey. He is the hero, after all.
7. Now, what kind of art will I use to tell the story?
8. AHA! I will use stencil and watercolor, like this. Here’s what Joey and Mama could look like when I paint them.
9. Here they are in their meadow.
10. Now I’ll sketch out the book. Here is one spread:
11. OK. Let’s try the finished art! I think I’ll use watercolor with stencils to get a sharp edge, and add pencil and crayon for an accent:
Now let’s cover these guys and add a background:
And here’s the finished spread. Only 15 more to go! Plus the cover. . . .
12. Some early cover ideas.
And the final cover!
13. The book is done! I could just jump for joy. I hope you like it!
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Such a HOPfull book full of joy! Thanks for being our debut illustrator!
This was such fun and the art is so appealing. Thank you David for sharing your creative process with us!
(Why do I feel like jumping all around the room?)