Author
Illustrator
Book DesignerAnd this is how it began...
About two years ago, my husband and I were walking the back roads of Yomitan, our adopted hometown in Okinawa, Japan. As we walked, I told him about this idea I had to write a children's book about a shisa who lives in a little village kind of like ours. It would have illustrations that capture the neat Okinawan scenes you see around you everyday - school kids with their big red backpacks, vistas of ocean and sugarcane fields, vending machines. Maybe the little white pickup trucks with their yellow license plates. "Wouldn't that be cool?"
"Do it, girl" he said, and suggested hiring an illustrator.
"No! I'm illustrating it!" I replied. "I want to challenge myself."
I soon realized that I wasn't quite the artist I'd imagined myself to be; and while I was busy trying to teach myself how to paint, progress on the book faltered until it finally stopped altogether. And then I had a baby. And before long, he was in a stroller and we were out and about exploring the neighborhood together. We walked everywhere! And with a baby, people began approaching me to chat about him. My love for this place grew even greater and my motivation to fulfill the children's book idea became stronger. I had to capture these moments for my son! I now had no qualms about putting the art in the hands of a professional.
I found an illustrator!!!
I feel extremely lucky to have found that person in Carmen Daniel, a talented artist and nurse who had recently relocated to the island with her Air Force husband. When she sent me this drawing to see if her work was the right fit, I was thrilled! She hit the nail on the head. THIS was Takako. And Carmen was the prefect person to bring her to life!
Once Carmen was on board as illustrator, she and I took some time to wander the narrow alleys around my house, snapping pictures and making observations about what stood out as "typical Okinawa". I showed her things I loved about my neighborhood and she got shots of scenes that interested her too. Then she began the process of putting pictures to the words I had given her. Just like that, it was happening! I could really feel the little shisa story becoming a reality!
Story Check.
Artwork Check.
Uh-Oh! Now we've go to put it together? Help!
About a month after Carmen began her work another talented artist joined on with the project. Illustrator and graphic designer, Erin Blunt. Her job was to take Carmen's illustrations, merging them with my text to create the final book layout. Although hiring a graphic designer was somewhat of an afterthought, it wasn’t long before I realized how crucial Erin’s role was. She quickly took charge of things technical and offered me more layout and typography options that I knew existed. I don’t know how I would have managed without Erin’s expertise.
After finding a printer, Takako and the Great Typhoon made its debut in spring 2009. It’s now in its second printing! I’m so excited to share Takako’s journey with you. I hope you enjoy the book and feel the love we have for this special part of the world.
