SCBWI Summer Conference: Portfolio Advice, Tips For Newbies and Second-Timers, and a CHALLENGE for the Many-Timers - by Debbie Ridpath Ohi

Just a month and a half until the SCBWI Summer Conference in Los Angeles! Who else is going? And isn't the header art wonderful? It was created by our own Robin Rosenthal (Mentee Class of 2014).

I'll be on faculty for the first time: I'm giving a Social Media Master Class for authors and illustrators, a Photoshop session with advice I wish I knew when I first got started in digital art, and am also a Mentor in the just-launched SCBWI Social Media Mentorship For Illustrators award. Deadline for the latter is July 1st; see details here.

To those attending the conference for the first time: I'M EXCITED FOR YOU! As some of you already know, my career got jumpstarted at an SCBWI conference. I started the blog you're reading now because the 2010 winners of the SCBWI Illustration Mentorship Award got along so well, and we wanted to keep in touch (this blog is not officially associated with the SCBWI). I'm grateful for Jen Betton, Meridth McKean Gimbel, Ana Aranda, Susie Ghahremani and others who manage the blog and Kidlitartists social media now, as well as those Mentees (past and present) who contribute.

Speaking of Jen Betton, who manages the posting schedule for the KidLitArtists blog: Jen was another person whose career got jumpstarted at an SCBWI Conference! Congrats to Jen, whose debut solo picture book, HEDGEHOG NEEDS A HUG, launches TODAY from Putnam/Penguin!

ENTERING THE PORTFOLIO SHOWCASE? HERE'S SOME USEFUL ADVICE:

Everyone who contributes to this blog was chosen for the SCBWI Illustrator Mentorship program, and they were chosen based on their portfolios -- so I encourage you to read over posts in our blog for advice and inspiration, especially posts tagged with portfolio-advice. Some of the posts you should check out:

Mentee Portfolio vs Grand Prize Winner Portfolio - by Juana Martinez Neal (2012 Portfolio Showcase winner)

A Few Thoughts On Editing Your Portfolio - by Andrea Offermann (2013 Portfolio Showcase winner)

Portfolio Comparison: What Made An SCBWI Winner - by Eliza Wheeler (2011 Portfolio Showcase winner) -- Eliza is one of the keynote speakers at this year's Summer Conference!

Portfolio Tips From SCBWI Mentorship Winners - Tips from Brooke Boynton Hughes, Jen Betton, Maple Lam, K-Fai Steele, Meridth Gimbel and me.

Even if you don't win an award at the Showcase, be assured that industry people have been looking at your work. One reason I strongly advice bringing postcards is because agents, editors and art directors DO pick up postcards. Even if they may not be able to take you as a client or hire you for a book project right then, your work intrigues them and they may end up contacting you weeks or months later (THIS HAS HAPPENED). Others in the industry will also see your work and may end up recommending you to their agent, editor or art director. I also know at least one art director who does keep track of illustrators whose work intrigues him (but isn't quite ready), to see how portfolio work progresses and evolves.

And most of all, remember that just ENTERING the portfolio showcase is an accomplishment. You're putting yourself out there, and that takes courage.

A FEW TIPS FOR SCBWI CONFERENCE NEWBIES:

I've posted advice in my Inkygirl blog in the past, but wanted to post an updated version here.

Be brave and make the first move. You'd be surprised at how many other attendees feel exactly the same way as you do. Introduce yourself to people you sit beside, stand in line with, notice standing alone.

TAKE BUSINESS CARDS. Yes, even if you aren't published yet. We're all going to meet a lot of people over the weekend, and taking away a business card from an encounter or introduction will help the people you meet remember you. If you're an illustrator, take postcards or make sure a sample of illustration style is on your business card.

Have realistic expectations. Don't expect to be "discovered" at the conference.

But most of all: TRY TO HAVE FUN.

Also see my Tips For Introverted Children's Book Illustrators attending the SCBWI Summer Conference For The First Time and Jen Betton's SCBWI Conference Tips.

A FEW TIPS FOR SCBWI CONFERENCE SECOND-TIMERS:

Don't get offended or disheartened if people you've met before don't remember you. This is something I've learned from both sides. As a 2nd- and 3rd-timer (and so on), I've sometimes gone up to a person or group I've met and had my confidence deflated when it becomes clear they don't remember me at ALL from the previous year. My inner reactions ranged from embarrassment, humiliation, irritation, frustration and even brief anger ("I guess I'm just NOT IMPORTANT enough for xxx to remember!! Hmph.").

Having attended many times now, I've learned the following:

- I'm terrible at remembering people unless I've had multiple conversations or interactions with the same person.

- Even then, especially if I'm tired or am in a noisy crowd (remember what I said earlier about being an introvert?) or have met many new people in a row just before, I may still forget having met someone before.

I still accidentally re-introduce myself to people whom I've met before, sometimes whom I've met EARLIER IN THE CONVENTION. I'm always horribly embarrassed when this happens.

Make sure your name badge is easily visible.

Also, when I approach someone whom I've met before but with whom I don't have constant contact, I usually try saying something that will help remind them of our mutual context, or remind them of having met at xxx. Until I'm sure they actually do remember me, I try very hard NOT to put them on the spot (e.g. I don't say, "So, what did you think of my most recent post?" etc.).

When someone does this to me (subtly or unsubtly :-) setting the context and helping me remember), I immediately feel more at ease with them and am more likely to want to chat with them in the future.

Another tip: if someone DOES remember you, never assume that they're up-to-date on all your exciting news. I've had the occasional person react badly when they realize I'm not aware of their new book ("?? But I posted it all over Facebook!") I never assume anyone reads all my posts or keeps up with all my news. People have busy lives and different priorities.

Something else I've learned: even so-called Big Name authors and illustrators can be insecure. I am faaaar from being a Big Name, but having had a bit more experience at conference-going now, I also realize how some of the Big Name types who seemed standoffish to me actually weren't.

Be gracious, be forgiving and try very hard to assume the best about a person rather than the worst.

And I apologize ahead of time if I don't remember your name or re-introduce myself. :-\

***** A CHALLENGE TO THE "MANY-TIMERS" OUT THERE ****

Try to remember what it was like when you attended your very first event, or how insecure you felt in the beginning. Then make it a personal challenge to find at least one lost-looking or nervous conference newbie who is sitting or standing alone. Introduce yourself, chat with them, find out what they're working on, perhaps (if appropriate) offer some advice.

Give good karma and it WILL come back to you.

And if you see me at the SCBWI Summer Conference this year, please do say hi!

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Debbie Ridpath Ohi wrote and illustrated WHERE ARE MY BOOKS? and SAM & EVA. Her illustrations have appeared in children's books by Judy Blume, Michael Ian Black, Rob Sanders, Aaron Reynolds and Lauren McLaughlin, among others. Most recent: I'M SAD written by Michael Ian Black (Simon & Schuster). Current projects: Illustrations for I'M WORRIED (part of the I'M...book series) and a broken crayon picture book with Linda Sue Park. More about Debbie at her website, blog about writing & illustrating children's books, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Interview with Irena Freitas, 2017 SCBWI LA Mentorship Award winner

This interview series introduces the talented recipients of the SCBWI Mentorship Award at the 2017 Summer Conference. Please welcome Irena Freitas to the KidLitArtists Blog! 

About Irena Freitas:

Irena Freitas is an illustrator from Manaus, Brazil. She recently graduated from an MFA Illustration program at SCAD at Savannah, Georgia, but she is already back in her home country. As a kid, she wanted to be a full-time TV critic and an artist on the side, turns out life had other (and much better!) plans and she became a full-time illustrator and only rants about TV on her Twitter feed.

Did the feedback you received during the mentorship critiques either change or confirm the direction of your illustration?

Yes! I love doing picture book illustration, but I'm also interested in the editorial market as well, so most of my mentors suggested me to have separate sections on my portfolio for these two markets, and this is something that I'm currently working on.

What kind of projects are you working on now?

I'm mostly working on new pieces for my portfolio, but I'm also taking editorial jobs and sending my portfolio to art directors in publishing houses.

Is there any type of illustration (or other work) that you’re hoping for in the near future?

Hopefully, a picture book that I could illustrate!

Is there one really helpful piece of advice that you’ve gotten since pursuing illustration?  Any one piece of bad advice?

Don't do work just to please the market, illustration is naturally a commercial art form but still need to ring true to you.

I don't really believe in bad advice, you learn something about yourself or the client you are working with even on your worse interactions (maybe especially on those).

What was one of your favorite quotes or lessons from the SCBWI Summer Conference? 

I'm HORRIBLE at taking notes and quoting people! But the overall lesson that I learned is: people are different and it's impossible to please everyone, maybe one rejection can be a glowing approval in the future.

What were some of your favorite books when you were a kid?

Surprisingly I was not very much into picture books as a kid, I really loved Little Women, Matilda, big chapter books with selected folk tales, The Secret Garden and travel books in general.

Where can we learn more about you and your artwork?

My portfolio: irenafreitas.com

My instagram: @irenafreitas

And my twitter (mostly in Portuguese): @irenafreitas

Thanks, Irena! Welcome to KidLitArtists!

Interview with Heidi Sheffield, 2017 SCBWI LA Mentorship Award winner

This interview series introduces the talented recipients of the SCBWI Mentorship Award at the 2017 Summer Conference. Please welcome Heidi Sheffield to the KidLitArtists Blog! 

About Heidi Sheffield:

Heidi Sheffield's favorite memory is of her mom giving her a crayon and letting her draw all over the wall (just before wallpapering it). Her world has been about words and pictures ever since. In a previous life, she worked as an Art Director for Young & Rubicam, but is ever-happy now illustrating for children. Heidi looks forward to the day when a child will hold one of her books. You might find her walking down the street, staring at the ground, taking a picture of some cool texture in the cement. It's sure to be seen in one of her collages.

Did the feedback you received during the mentorship critiques either change or confirm the direction of your illustration?

The feedback really helped me confirm the direction my art has been headed in. In general, the mentors were enthusiastic about my work. Collage can get overly busy really fast and the mentors suggested simplification in some of my pictures. I was also told the emotion captured in my characters was good. They mentioned that’s the part that’s often lacking in most collages they see. Sometimes collage art can swing more toward the decorative, rather than the narrative. 

The pictures of mine that seemed most successful were those that were the most organic and loose. (And also the ones I had the most fun creating!) That’s part of why I do collage. It mutes that perfectionistic inner critic chick. When I do it right, it surprises me every time. That’s when I know I’m on to something good, when a piece is full of life, all wonky and wonderful. It makes me feel five again and I love that.

What kind of projects are you working on now?

I am refining two of my picture book mockups, with the hope of submitting them soon.

Is there any type of illustration (or other work) that you’re hoping for in the near future?

While I love fiction, I'd also like to try my hand at illustrating an nonfiction piece. There are so many cool ways you can run with nonfiction these days!

Is there one really helpful piece of advice that you’ve gotten since pursuing illustration?  Any one piece of bad advice?

A friend of mine who worked at Hallmark said, "Sometimes you gotta paint a picture to paint a picture." If something's not working, try a different angle. Don't let your work get so precious that you can't let go of something that's not going well and start again. Just because you made it doesn't mean you have to stick with it. 

What was one of your favorite quotes or lessons from the SCBWI Summer Conference? 

Laurent Linn: "When you can put two contrasting emotions in a picture, there's a story there."

What were some of your favorite books when you were a kid?

• A HOLE IS TO DIG, by Ruth Krauss, illustrated by Maurice Sendak
• HILARY KNIGHT'S ABC, 
• THE SNOWY DAY by Ezra Jack Keats
• Little Golden Book art
• GO DOG. GO! by P.D. Eastman
• the WINNIE THE POOH series by A.A. Milne and illustrated by E.H. Shepard
• A BEAR CALLED PADDINGTON by Michael Bond, illustrated by Peggy Fortum
• the VELVETEEN RABBIT by Margery Williams, illustrated by William Nicholson.

Learn more about Heidi and her work on her website, Twitter, and Instagram pages!

Thanks, Heidi! Welcome to KidLitArtists!

Interview with Amber Alvarez, 2017 SCBWI LA Mentorship Award winner

This interview series introduces the talented recipients of the SCBWI Mentorship Award at the 2017 Summer Conference. Please welcome Amber Alvarez to the KidLitArtists Blog! 

About Amber Alvarez:

Amber Alvarez grew up on a white strip of sand bordering the Pacific Ocean. While other kids had cats and dogs, she had a pair of green sea turtles. Amber holds a BFA in film from Pratt Institute in New York City. Now she lives and makes art in Utah, under a mountain, but above a railroad track. Her steamy chef husband lives there too.

Did the feedback you received during the mentorship critiques either change or confirm the direction of your illustration?

It is remarkably confirming to hear the same things over and over again by a group of people you esteem. The mentorship critiques got me laser-focused on one of the paths I have been cautiously edging my way down. Abandoning the other paths has been the best part of summer.

Each mentor picked the same pictures from my book as their favorites. Of course, I like those pieces too - but seeing them pulled out, again and again, was a wild sensation. 

My favorite criticism of the pieces left behind was that the children in those scenes were not as authentic as my other kids. One mentor recommended I draw imaginary siblings of kids I know in real life. This trick is proving a great formula for genuine characters! 

Seeing my portfolio the way the mentors saw it, reintroduced me to my work. Here's something I realized later, they only chose pieces I'd sketched a lot of times before I'd started painting. All the pieces were mixed media with rich colors and loose details.  Strangely enough, they picked every piece in my book that I made during the daytime, in streaming sunlight, after a good night's sleep.

What kind of projects are you working on now?

I'm working on a few stand-alone manuscripts inspired by character art before moving on to full-blown dummies. When I write, I like to pretend I'm a children's author instead of an author/illustrator. I want to make my words good enough to stand alone. One of my favorite PBs I'm working on right now is about a group of monsters that CANNOT GET IT TOGETHER - they have no chill.

Is there any type of illustration (or other work) that you’re hoping for in the near future?

I most want to make picture books. *squeezes eyes shut and crosses fingers

Is there one really helpful piece of advice that you’ve gotten since pursuing illustration?  Any one piece of bad advice?

I've been drawing every day since I was old enough to hold a crayon. A few years ago it started to seem futile. I've always made my living as an artist, but it felt like making picture books was still so far away. I started debating getting my master's degree or going to coding school. My dad intervened. He said I just needed to keep trying. I could go back to school, or work as a UX designer - but dreams on a shelf, don't go away. Instead, I should stop wasting time trying to talk myself out of the "song of my soul." That helped so much. I went back to drawing every day, and I stopped vacillating on Plan B.

The worst advice I ever heard was via a college professor who used to lecture non-stop on the evil waste of spending money on high-quality paper. While there's some merit to the idea that tools are only as good as their master, the sentiment is plain wrong when it comes to Arches 300lb cold press. That stuff can make just about anyone into Rembrandt.

What was one of your favorite quotes or lessons from the SCBWI Summer Conference? 

Sean Qualls beautiful keynote was exactly what I needed. I find myself revisiting his simple guidance, "let your art be your constant."

What were some of your favorite books when you were a kid?

• LITTLE BEAR, written by Else Holmelund Minarik and illustrated by Maurice Sendak was the picture book that I carried into adulthood and re-read most often.

• WHAT DO YOU DO, DEAR? and WHAT DO YOU SAY, DEAR? written by Sesyle Joslin and illustrated by Maurice Sendak were favorites that stand the test of time. I remember laughing until I couldn't breathe over them. I cherish all of Sendak's line-art. I'd read OPEN HOUSE FOR BUTTERFLIES over WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE any day. 

• THE PAIN AND THE GREAT ONE, written by Judy Blume and illustrated by Irene Trivas is comedic gold. 

• I'm always disappointed when someone tells me they don't know Syd Hoff. His I CAN READ books were my ride-or-die. I carried them everywhere.

• The GEORGE AND MARTHA books by James Marshall were pure genius. Everyone loves THE STUPIDS, but they had nothing on G&M.

• I spent Sundays plastered to my bedroom floor with every scrap of Bill Watterson's CALVIN AND HOBBES I could get my hands on.

• A few years ago I was lamenting a book I'd loved as a child but could never find again. I didn't know the title but I described everything I remembered about it on my blog. To my utter delight, a total stranger sent it to me that very week, MOUSE TALES by the great Arnold Lobel!

• I loved THE B.F.G written by Roald Dahl, with my whole heart. I used to sit at my window late at night, absolutely sure The Big Friendly Giant would come find me too. Above all, Quentin Blake continues to be an inspiration.

Where can we learn more about you and your artwork?

You can see my illustration portfolio work at http://AmberAlvarez.com

I'm most available on Instagram, where I post a daily sketch.

Thanks, Amber! Welcome to KidLitArtists!

Interview with Diandra Mae, 2017 SCBWI LA Mentorship Award winner

This interview series introduces the talented recipients of the SCBWI Mentorship Award at the 2017 Summer Conference. Please welcome Diandra Mae to the KidLitArtists Blog! 

About Diandra Mae:

Diandra Mae has a love of stories as big as the Lone Star State. Thanks to a steady diet of  comics and cartoons while growing up, her work is full of emotion and humor. She is currently exploring what it means to be a storyteller through a variety of media. Diandra lives in Houston, Texas with her family.

Did the feedback you received during the mentorship critiques either change or confirm the direction of your illustration?

The feedback confirmed that a new path I had just started on with my work was the correct one. I had several brand new pieces (black and white work) in my portfolio that were held up with delight over and over again. I remember thinking, "I had so much fun making those. I need to make sure I keep having fun going forward."

What kind of projects are you working on now?

I have these two characters that I couldn't figure out what to do with. I recently realized that's because their story is wordless. Nothing like a challenge, right? I'll be dummying up their story this month.  Once I see that through I'm going to explore the story possibilities for a group of young characters. I'm really looking forward to that. 

Beyond that, I'm taking a creativity workshop online and I'm really enjoying the exploration of media and techniques without worrying about the final outcome. Process can be its own reward.

Is there any type of illustration (or other work) that you’re hoping for in the near future?

I feel like the more I create, the more I want to try! I currently have sitting on my drawing table, outlines or sketches for a) a board book, b) a webcomic, c) a picture book, d) early reader/early chapter book. And that's not to say I wouldn't mind illustrating a middle grade book. I would! I love it all!

Is there one really helpful piece of advice that you’ve gotten since pursuing illustration?  Any one piece of bad advice?

The advice that really resonated with me was, "Why are you the one to tell this story? What makes you stand out from all the rest?" It's made me dig deep and figure out the kind of illustrator I want to be, and the kinds of stories I want to tell. It's turned my work in a completely new direction.  

Bad advice: In a portfolio critique, I was told several things that went completely against the grain of who I was as a creator, and what was presented in my portfolio. That was one of those times where I considered what was said for about a minute before I realized that they didn't get me, and that was okay. Even bad advice can help you stay on your path.

What was one of your favorite quotes or lessons from the SCBWI Summer Conference? 

I got so much out of the Illustrator Intensive. I enjoyed the exercises and there were so many fantastic points made that entire day. However, I think overall the lessons shared by LeUyen Pham at the SCBWI Summer Conference were some of the most concrete take-aways I've received in years. She is an amazing presenter/teacher. The message I got from her (and the one that thrilled my gardener's heart) was, "GROW."

What were some of your favorite books when you were a kid?

When I was little, the details and world building in both Mercer Meyer's Monster books as well as Richard Scarry's Best Ever books completely fascinated me. I cut my teeth on the "I can Read" collection published by Harper Collins. (Hi, eighties kid!) I would spend my allowance on the Uncle Scrooge comics you could buy at the grocery store. When I was older the humor of Sideways Stories From Wayside School completely sucked me in and I read my copy to tatters. The mysteries of Bunnicula helped build my love of the mysterious and weird, as did Roald Dahl's James & The Giant Peach and The Witches.

Thanks, Diandra! Welcome to KidLitArtists!

Find more about Diandra on her website diandramae.com, or on Instagram and Twitter.

Interview with Shannon McNeill, 2017 SCBWI LA Mentorship Award winner

This interview series introduces the talented recipients of the SCBWI Mentorship Award at the 2017 Summer Conference. Please welcome Shannon McNeill to the KidLitArtists Blog! 

About Shannon McNeill:

Shannon is an illustrator from San Diego. Her fate as a young artist was sealed when she took on The Drawing Book of Animals by Ed Emberley and made it all the way to the dragon. The creative momentum that followed led to a degree at Art Center, a stint at Disney Interactive, and lots of freelance work including several picture books. Two countries and two children later, she is back in San Diego doing what she loves best: working with shapes, line, nature, and books.

Did the feedback you received during the mentorship critiques either change or confirm the direction of your illustration?

The feedback confirmed much of what I had suspected, which was that my work needed to show a stronger representation and range of narrative situations. What I really appreciated were the very specific notes on ways to approach solving this problem, boiled down in a way that may have taken me a long time to get to on my own. For instance, even the simple concept of "action, reaction, interaction" is something that I can easily keep in mind from now on. There were many many other useful tips, this is just a small example.

What kind of projects are you working on now?

This portfolio is a first stab at showing new work after a long hiatus raising family. At this point in time, I am focused on technique refinement, narrative and storytelling practice, and exploration of personal points of view. Now I have a chance to take that even further with the mentorship feedback I've been given, so this opportunity could not have happened at a better time for me.

Is there any type of illustration (or other work) that you’re hoping for in the near future?

In the past I loved working with the stories by other authors, which I want to continue. But lately I also have a growing interest in non-fiction, especially related to the natural sciences or historical biography. I would also like to write my own book one day, although that will take more time and practice to successfully sort out. Illustrating poetry could be really great. The musical and rhythmic qualities of language gives me goosebumps, ever since I was a kid.

Is there one really helpful piece of advice that you’ve gotten since pursuing illustration?  Any one piece of bad advice?

• Some good advice, that I find repeated and validated over and over again: To accept as artists that we already have innate style, not worry about it, and just get on with making things that resonate.
• Some bad advice, from college days: That no one is interested in sketches or personal work. I find this to be consistently untrue!

What was one of your favorite quotes or lessons from the SCBWI Summer Conference? 

When Vanessa Brantley Newton said that kids do look for themselves in books. Everyone wants to feel seen.

What were some of your favorite books when you were a kid?

I have ONE MILLION favorites but two that go straight to my child heart are: The Drawing Book of Animals by Ed Emberley because of how long I stared and studied those elegant and delightful shapes, and In a People House by Dr. Seuss and Roy McKie, because I hear my mother's voice every time I read it.

Thanks, Shannon! Welcome to KidLitArtists!

Find Shannon's work on her website at www.littledrawings.com, or on Instagram and Twitter.

Interview with Alexandra Thompson, 2017 SCBWI LA Mentorship Award winner

This interview series introduces the talented recipients of the SCBWI Mentorship Award at the 2017 Summer Conference. Please welcome Alexandra to the KidLitArtists Blog! Read on to learn more about her artwork, what she learned from her SCBWI mentorship, and what she has planned for her next steps as an illustrator.

About Alexandra Thompson:

Alexandra is an illustrator and maker based just outside of Boston, Massachusetts. She's been making pictures since she could wield a crayon. As a child she was always inventing imaginary worlds and dreamed of illustrating picture books one day. After graduating with a BFA in Fashion from MassArt she spent several years in the apparel industry as a print designer. She decided to go freelance and happily discovered SCBWI along the way. She currently spends her time creating prints and graphics for children's apparel and illustrating her own cute and whimsical characters just waiting for their stories to be told.

Did the feedback you received during the mentorship critiques either change or confirm the direction of your illustration?

Yes.  My most current piece was the most well received, which made me feel like I have grown as an artist and I'm headed in the right direction.  

What kind of projects are you working on now?

I'm working on revisions as well as new work based on the feedback from the portfolio critiques.  They also encouraged me to develop dummies based off of a couple of my illustrations.  It's been fun exploring these characters and imagining what stories they have to tell.

Is there any type of illustration (or other work) that you’re hoping for in the near future?

I would really love to illustrate any kind of magical enchanted story.  Those were always my favorite as a kid.

Is there one really helpful piece of advice that you’ve gotten since pursuing illustration?  Any one piece of bad advice?

Make lots of art! Good art, bad art.. doesn't matter.  You're not going to learn and get better by just sitting around THINKING about the art that you should make.  Even if a piece of art is garbage, you probably still learned something from it.  Make art for yourself.. no one has to see it! Always good to remember in the days where we feel constant pressure to share on social media.

What was one of your favorite quotes or lessons from the SCBWI Summer Conference? 

Just one?! There are two from Lucy Ruth Cummins that were so applicable to my daily struggles as an artist:

1. Don't leave fixes until later..fix the sketch!! (I've done this many times, and find I almost always struggle in the final art stage and end up having to go back and fix the sketch anyway)
2. Don't hold onto a mistake just because it took a long time to make. (So much yes!!)

What were some of your favorite books when you were a kid?

• A Day with Wilbur Robinson by William Joyce was my absolute favorite.  My dad knew it by heart and I can still hear his voice reciting it every time I read it.  Still cracks me up! 
• The Paper Bag Princess by Robert N Munsch - another funny one.
• We had a beautiful pop-up book of Cinderella with gorgeous illustrations that I loved to look at.
• Dinotopia by James Gurney - dinosaurs were my favorite and for a short while I wanted to be a paleontologist until I decided all the bones would be gone by the time I was a grown-up.

Where can we see more of your artwork?

You can find me on the interwebs at www.alexandraco.com
I'm most active on Instagram- @alexandraco_illustration
Facebook - /alexandracoillustration
and new to Twittersphere @AlexandracoArt

Thanks, Alexandra! Welcome to KidLitArtists!