SATA
ENTRY TYPE:
WORK TITLE: The Last Day Julian Was My Best Friend
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: https://joannelewvriethoff.com/
CITY: Amsterdam
STATE:
COUNTRY: Netherlands
NATIONALITY: American
LAST VOLUME: SATA 362
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Born in Malaysia; married; children: two.
EDUCATION:Art Center College of Design, B.A., 1995.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Illustrator, graphic designer, and artist. DiVision Studio, New York, NY, graphic designer and art director, 1997; Gazworks.com, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, art director; freelance graphic designer and illustrator. Designer of handbags. Exhibitions: Works exhibited in galleries in Germany, New York, NY, and Los Angeles, CA.
AVOCATIONS:Traveling, photography, hiking, being in nature.
MEMBER:Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
AWARDS:IRA CBC Children’s Choice—Juvenile; Bank Street Child Study Children’s Book Award—Juvenile; Gryphon Award, 2011; Beehive Book Award, Children’s Literature Association of Utah, 2012; Mom’s Choice Award, Gold Award, IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards, both 2015, both for Reindeer Dust; Gold Medal, Foreword Indies Book Awards, 2017, Gold Medal, IPPY Awards, 2018, Mom’s Choice Award, 2018, Gold Medal, Nautilus Book Awards, 2019, all for I See You; Bank Street Best Books of the Year, 2023, for Fenway and the Bone Thieves; Golden Kite Sid Fleischman Honor Award for Humor, 2024, for Fenway and the Loudmouth Bird.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
Joanne Lew-Vriethoff has had a multifaceted career as a graphic artist, handbag designer, art director, and artist. She added “children’s book illustrator” to that resumé with the publication of Milton Schafer’s I’m Big!, then quickly teamed up with author Eileen Spinelli on the picture books Summerhouse Time and The Dancing Pancake. She also teamed up with Becky Cattie and Tara Luebbe for I Used to Be Famous. A rhyming tale, The Dancing Pancake introduces a girl named Bindi, who is adjusting to the absence of her hard-working father and her mom’s decision to open a diner. “Bindi’s free-verse narration makes for smooth, simple reading; Lew-Vriethoff’s line drawings add spirit,” remarked a Kirkus Reviews contributor. In School Library Journal, writer Shawn Brommer also singled out the story’s drawings, asserting that “Lew-Vriethoff’s lively pen-and-ink illustrations add texture to the story and offer touches of humor.” Lew-Vriethoff divides her time between the Netherlands and Malaysia, where she was born.
Another collaboration with Spinelli is Another Day as Emily, which finds a tween girl named Suzy trying to cope with feeling invisible by pretending to be her new favorite author, Emily Dickinson. She demands that others call her Emily and tries to become a recluse like Dickinson. Suzy eschews modern conveniences, instead opting for more old-fashioned activities. Eventually, she realizes that being herself is preferable and gives up the Emily identity. “The ending is pat, but gentle rather than simplistic, and the resilience of the characters is nicely understated,” commented Betty Carter in Horn Book. A Kirkus Reviews critic described the volume as “a witty and endearing story with a timeless message.”
Lew-Vriethoff took on the challenge of making basic punctuation lessons fun by illustrating Brian P. Cleary’s The Punctuation Station. A family of giraffes travels by train on a grammar journey: each of the seven stations they pass delivers an important punctuation lesson using the period, comma, exclamation point, and other marks. Reviewing Cleary’s book for School Library Journal, Linda L. Walkins found that “vibrant art captures the energy of the bustling station crowded with a variety of cartoon animal travelers.” Booklist contributor Shelle Rosenfeld predicted that readers will “pore over the details in the cheerful, wittily detailed cartoon art.”
Lew-Vriethoff and Cleary tackled another cerebral subject in Do You Know Dewey? Exploring the Dewey Decimal System. The library classification system created by Melvil Dewey in the 1870s is noted for grouping its subjects into catchall slots—books about religion are in the 200s, science titles have call numbers in the 500s, and the arts are spread across the 700s. “Lew-Vriethoff’s watercolor illustrations picture vital, energetic libraries where children and adults are obviously happily engrossed” in printed matter, noted Grace Oliff in a School Library Journal review of the book.
Lew-Vriethoff’s illustration projects also include bringing to life Linda Ashman’s Peace, Baby! a modern-manners guide that advocates the title phrase as an almost-universal answer to discomfort caused by interactions with unpleasant people. “Kids of many colors will find themselves represented in the happy (and not-so-happy) multiethnic youngsters,” remarked a Kirkus Reviews writer in reviewing Peace, Baby!
Lew-Vriethoff’s illustrations have appeared in other books about serious topics. Too Sticky! Sensory Issues with Autism, written by Jen Malia, helps to explain how kids with autism experience the world by telling the story of a girl named Holly. Holly is negatively affected by loud noises and sticky things. A Kirkus Reviews critic praised the book, calling it “charming, inclusive, and grounded in real-life experiences.”
Among Lew-Vriethoff’s most decorated books is I See You, written by Michael Genhart. The book tackles the topic of homelessness. It is the winner of gold medal prizes from the Foreword Indies Book Awards, the IPPY Awards, and the Nautilus Book Awards, as well as a Mom’s Choice Award.
Lew-Vriethoff collaborated with Patrice Karst on books that include The Invisible String, The Invisible Leash, and The Invisible Web, all of which attempt to explain how all beings are connected. The first book finds a mother explaining to her children that love is the invisible string that binds them together. In The Invisible Leash, a boy named Zack grieves for his beloved dog, Jojo. His friend, Emily, helps him realize that he can still feel connected to his dog even though Jojo is not physically present anymore. Reviewing the volume in School Library Journal, Yelena Voysey suggested, “Lew-Vriethoff’s cartoon illustrations lighten the dark mood with bright colors while still conveying the heartfelt emotions of the protagonist.” The Invisible Web presents an environmentalist theme, urging humans to take responsibility for caring for the planet. A Kirkus Reviews critic suggested that the message of the book was “hopelessly tangled.” However, Booklist writer, Kay Weisman, praised Lew-Vriethoff’s contribution to the volume, stating, “Lew-Vriethoff’s digital illustrations help to clarify the text and promote the story’s message.”
Lew-Vriethoff has been drawing happy children since her own less-than-idyllic younger years. “I lived on my own from the age of twelve and my life wasn’t very easy,” she revealed on the Lerner Books website. “Making art was something very positive in my life; it made me feel good about myself. It gave me a place to escape and be a child.”
(open new)In Amanda Rawson Hill’s You’ll Find Me, a narrator goes through a number of ways that loved ones who have passed away can remain with us. The gentle messages encourage young readers to look for their loved ones in the simpler moments of life, such as the sound of slippers shuffling in the morning. Lew-Vriethoff matches the tone of the book with warm and soft illustrations using a pastel swathe. Reviewing the book in School Library Journal, Melanie Kletter remarked that even though the book “doesn’t break any new ground, it is appropriate to give to kids dealing with grief and loss.”
With Darshana Khiani’s How to Wear a Sari, a young South Asian girl believes that the best way for others to treat her like an adult is to wear a sari. A narrator gives instruction for how to wear one, but the girl does not quite get it right. That doesn’t bother her, and she accessorizes with as many bangles and bracelets as possible to top off the look. Her over-confidence proves too much when she falls into a table of food at a family gathering to everyone’s surprise. In a review in School Library Journal, Emily Brush found it to be “a welcomed, playful addition to a small selection of picture books available on this traditional attire.” Writing in Horn Book, Julie Hakim Azzam observed that Lew-Vriethoff’s artwork uses “a colorful palette that pays homage to richly hued sari fabrics, contrasting a sari’s elegance with the girl’s clumsy earnestness.”
In Fenway and the Bone Thieves, a Jack Russell terrier named Fenway is featured in two chapter books. In the first story, Fenway buries his bone but later forgets where it is. He has to dig a lot of holes before he finds it. In the second story, Fenway is distracted by a Rottweiler being praised for catching frisbees. Fenway tries catching frisbees but does not do as well as the Rotweiler. Luckily, he finds a better use for the frisbee. Writing in School Library Journal, Jenny Andrus stated: “Written from a dog’s perspective, the jokes may elude some readers, but those who catch on will enjoy a good laugh.”
With Patrice Karst’s The Invisible String Backpack, Mila is anxious about her first day of school. Momma tells her to pull on the invisible string that links them if she starts to miss being around her parents and she will instantly feel their love. Mila’s brother then tells her about the invisible backpack she carries, which is full of invisible tools to help her get through the day, such as a microphone for confidence a whistle for courage, and a shield for strength. In a review in School Library Journal, Emily Brush remarked that this “first day of school book for empowering young elementary-age readers … sinks under the weight of over-imagination and lack of focus.”
In Jody Jensen Shaffer’s The Last Day Julian Was My Best Friend, Anthony likes the new marble Julian got for his birthday. They both play with it, but Anthony takes it without Julian noticing. While Julian is upset, he confesses to Anthony that he considers him his best friend. Anthony feels guilty about having taken the marble and gives it back. Julian helps Anthony save face by thanking Anthony for finding the misplaced marble. A Kirkus Reviews contributor found it to be “a touching exploration of the complicated dynamics of friendship.”(close new)
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Booklist, February 15, 2007, Ilene Cooper, review of Summerhouse Time, p. 80; April 1, 2010, Shelle Rosenfeld, review of The Punctuation Station, p. 44; April 1, 2010, Kathleen Isaacs, review of The Dancing Pancake, p. 38; April 1, 2020, Kay Weisman, review of The Invisible Web, p. 81.
Horn Book, May 1, 2014, Betty Carter, review of Another Day as Emily, p. 100; September 1, 2021, Julie Hakim Azzam, review of How to Wear a Sari, p. 72.
Kirkus Reviews, April 1, 2010, review of The Dancing Pancake; June 15, 2012, review of Do You Know Dewey? Exploring the Dewey Decimal System; April 15, 2013, review of Peace, Baby!; April 1, 2014, review of Another Day as Emily; June 15, 2017, review of Hero Dog!; August 1, 2017, review of Brave; December 1, 2017, review of The Magician’s Hat; October 1, 2018, review of Love; February 1, 2020, review of Too Sticky! Sensory Issues with Autism; March 15, 2020, review of The Invisible Web; May 1, 2024, review of The Last Day Julian Was My Best Friend.
Publishers Weekly, May 17, 2010, review of The Dancing Pancake, p. 49.
School Library Journal, September 1, 2006, Suzanne Myers Harold, review of I’m Big!, p. 183; May 1, 2007, Nancy Brown, review of Summerhouse Time, p. 144; May 1, 2010, Linda L. Walkins, review of The Punctuation Station, p. 96, and Shawn Brommer, review of The Dancing Pancake, p. 124; August 1, 2012, Grace Oliff, review of Do You Know Dewey?, p. 90; December 1, 2019, Yelena Voysey, review of The Invisible Leash, p. 69; September 1, 2020, Melanie Kletter, review of You’ll Find Me, p. 66; August 1, 2021, Emily Brush, review of How to Wear a Sari, p. 70; July 1, 2022, Jenny Andrus, review of Fenway and the Bone Thieves, p. 54; August 1, 2023, Emily Brush, review of The Invisible String Backpack, p. 73.
ONLINE
Finding Dutchland, https://www.findingdutchland.com/ (August 30, 2020), author interview.
Joanne Lew-Vriethoff website, http://joannelewvriethoff.com (December 31, 2024).
Lerner Publishing Group, https://www.lernerbooks.com/ (May 20, 2013), “Joanne Lew-Vriethoff.”
MB Artists website, https://www.mbartists.com/ (December 31, 2024), author profile.
We Need Diverse Books, https://diversebooks.org/ (June 24, 2021), Thushanthi Ponweera, author interview.
Writing and Illustrating, https://kathytemean.wordpress.com/ (June 8, 2021), author interview.
Nice to meet you. I’m Joanne Lew-Vriethoff (pronounces as Friet-hoff) but most people call me JO.
I am an illustrator of picture, chapter, middle grade and educational books. I was born in Malaysia, grew up in Los Angeles and New York, currently living between Malaysia and Amsterdam. I studied illustration at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. And for a short stint, I worked in the television industry as a character and concept illustrator for clients pitching childrens television shows. And then one day I decided to take a big leap and moved to New York where I worked as a graphic designer/Art Director at an AD Agency. Four years later, I found myself moving to Europe where I began my journey as a full time children’s book illustrator.
I make fun and serious books. My illustrations and characters are whimsical, wistful and full of sassiness but there is also sensitivity and tenderness to the characters. My illustrations take us back to our childhood memories when we were wild and free full of curiosities of the world. Because of my childhood experiences, I am also drawn to difficult and painful subjects that need a gentler and lighter touch of story telling that supports younger readers to understand and communicate better their thoughts, life challenges and feelings.
FENWAY SERIES
I also make hilarious dog books like Fenway Chapter Book Series by Victoria J. Coe and cool badazz books like Hilde Cracks the Case Series by 10 yearold journalist Hilde Lysiak. Some of the more serious, thoughtful subjects I also worked on which I hold dear to me are A Day with Parkinsons, You’ll Find Me, and the Beautiful Series.
Brick Lane @joannelewvriethoff.
Batik Painting @joannelewvriethoff
My family and I love traveling and exploring the world. I always make a great big list of museums, art shows, street art and monasteries to the horror of my kids to visit. We love hiking and walking in the woods and mountains when we are back home in Europe. Currently we live next to a jungle and love everything about it. I love collecting art and books, street and nature photography, and exploring new ways of making art for my own joy. I do not like cooking at all but I love eating. My family is my greatest love. I love my kindle, book and art collecting.
AWARDS
2024 Golden Kite Sid Fleischman Honor Award for Humor
(Fenway and the Loudmouth Bird)
2023 Bank Street Best Books of the Year (Fenway and the
Bone of Thieves & Frisbee Trick)
2019 Kerntitel in de Kinderboekenweek (Alle Hens Aan Dek)
2019 First Runner Up in Eric Hoffer Book Awards
2019 Gold medal winner Nautilus Book Awards (I See You)
2018 Gold medal winner in IPPY Awards (I See You)
2018 Mom's Choice Award Gold (I See You)
2017 Gold Medal in Foreword INDIES BOOK Awards
(I See You)
2015 Mom's Choice Award Gold (Reindeer Dust)
2015 IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards (1 Gold & 2 Silvers)
(Reindeer Dust)
2012 Beehive Book Award (CLAU)
2011 Gryphon Award
• Winner Bank Street Child Study Children's Book
• Award Juvenile
• Winner IRA CBC Children's Choice Juvenile • Illustrators of New York Honors
• Society for Illustrators of Los Angeles Honors
• SCBWI Honor
Joanne Lew-Vriethoff is an illustrator and graphic designer born in Malaysia and grew up in Los Angeles. She graduated from Art Center College of Design in 1995. Right after, she worked as a character and concept illustrator for clients pitching television shows. She later spend a few years in New York working as an Art Director and designer before she moved to Amsterdam. For the last 15 years, her passion for illustration has given her the opportunity to illustrate picture books such as Peace Baby and Punctuation Station to Middle grade-novels such as Summerhouse Times and Dancing Pancake. Besides illustrating books, she also illustrates funky websites and product branding for toy companies.
Below are some of her most recent projects, The Last Day Julian Was My Best Friend by Jody Jensen Shaffer (Two Lions), You'll Be There by Amanda Rawson Hill (Magination Press), The Invisible String Backpack by Patrice Karst (Little Brown Books), Fenway series by Victoria J. Coe (G.P. Putnam's Sons Books), How to Wear a Sari by Darshana Khiani (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt), What's Inside Your Backpack by Jessica Sinarski (National Center for Youth Issues), You Are Never Alone: An Invisible String Lullaby by Patrice Karst (LB Kids), You'll Find Me by Amanda Rawson Hill (Magination Press), The Invisible Web: A Story Celebrating Love and Universal Connection by Patrice Karst (Little Brown Books for Young Readers), Too Sticky!: Sensory Issues with Autism by Jen Malia (Albert Whitman & Company), Love by Stacy McAnulty (Running Press Kids), The Invisible Leash, The Invisible String & workbook by Patrice Karst (Little Brown & Company), Who Will I Be? by Stacy McAnulty (Abby Huntsman), A Long Line of Cakes by Deborah Wiles (Scholastic Press), The Magician's Hat by Malcolm Mitchell (Scholastic Inc), I Am Famous & I Used to Be Famous by Becky Cattie & Tara Luebbe (Albert Whitman & Company), I See You by Michael Genhart PhD (Magination Press), Brave by Stacy McAnulty (Running Press), Hilde Cracks the Case series by Hilde Lysiak & Matthew Lysiak (Scholastic), Alle hens aan dek by Bette Westera (Gottmer), Oma's rommelkamer, Zeg maar tegen de juf dat ik wat later kom by Bette Westera (Gottmer), Beautiful by Stacy McAnulty (Running Press Kids), A Day with Parkinson's by A. Hultquist (Albert Whitman & Company), Forever My Little Boy & Forever My Little Girl by Karen Kingsbury (Zondervan), Family Grandstand and Family Sabbatical both written by Carol Ryrie Brink (Two Lions), Another Day as Emily by Eileen Spinelli (Random House), Reindeer Dust by Kate Dwyer (Reindeer Dust Inc), Joey Daring Caring and Curious: How a Mischief Maker Uncovers Unconditional Lov by Marcella Marino Craver (Magination Press), Beneath the Bunk by Laurel Snyder (Pearson Digital Studio), Peace, Baby! by Linda Ashman (Chronicle Books LLC), Do You Know Dewey?: Exploring the Dewey Decimal System by Brian P. Cleary (Lerner Publishing Group), The Dancing Pancake by Eileen Spinelli (Yearling), The Punctuation Station by Brian P. Cleary (Lerner Publishing Group), Summerhouse Time by Eileen Spinelli (Yearling) and I'm Big by Milton Schafer (Dial).
See more of Joanne's art:
Joanne's personal website
Book Giveaway: HOW TO WEAR A SARI by Darshana Khiani & Joanne Lew-Vriethoff
Darshana Khiani has a new picture book HOW TO WEAR A SARI, illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff and published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books will hit bookstores on June 22nd, but is available now for pre-ordered. They have agreed to share a copy with one lucky winner living in the United States.
All you have to do to get in the running is leave a comment. Reblog, tweet, or talk about it on Facebook with a link and you will get additional chances to win. Just let me know other things you do to share the good news, so I can put the right amount of tickets in my basket for you.
Sharing on Facebook, Twitter or reblogging really helps spread the word for a new book. So, thanks for helping Darshana and Joanne.
If you have signed up to follow my blog and it is delivered to you everyday, please let me know when you leave a comment and I will give you an extra ticket. Thanks!
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Sparkling with voice and charm, this picture book about a fashionable kid out to prove she’s not as small as everyone thinks is perfect for kids eager to grow up, and for those who love to play dress-up.
Being a little kid isn’t always fun and games. Sometimes, it’s downright annoying.
When a little girl tires of being treated like she’s TOO little, she sets out to prove to her family that she can do ANYTHING she puts her mind to . . .
. . . including putting on a colorful, twinkly, silky sari. Sure, they’re long and unwieldy—but that only means her family will be even more impressed when she puts it on all by herself.
Naturally, there are some hiccups along the way, but she discovers that she’s not the only one in her family who has set out with something to prove, with hilariously chaotic results. That’s what photo albums are for!
Book Journey:
Thank you for hosting me on your blog! I always loved reading as a kid. I remember my mom telling me to put away my Nancy Drew book and help with housework. One thing I didn’t see in the books I read was someone like me, an Indian-American character.
When I started writing picture books, my goal was to write for 2nd and 3rd generation South Asians like my two daughters. Books that centered their lives in this country. Books that had universal themes about growing up with a South Asian backdrop and a touch of humor.
In the summer of 2016, I was studying 2nd POV picture books for a different story. Before I knew it was fall and time to start planning my outfits for Diwali parties. I’m remiss at how my younger cousins can wear saris with style and grace, whereas it’ll take me 45 minutes. I started wondering if it’s this hard for me to wear a sari what would it be like for a young Indian girl. That was the seed for HOW TO WEAR A SARI. A sari can be stylish, sophisticated, a symbol of womanhood in South Asian culture much like wearing high-heels or a long fancy gown is in Western culture.
From the start I knew the plotline – how to put on a sari. The two areas that took multiple revisions were the voice and motivation. The first voice was a used car salesman which was too sleazy, then a grandmotherly voice which was too sweet. The voice I ended up using was an encouraging voice with a touch of mischievousness. The hardest aspect to nail down was the character motivation. Why did the girl want to wear a sari – to be noticed by her family, to prove that she could do older things, to look glamorous, to be like an older sibling? After eleven revisions, I finally got it which was to prove she wasn’t “too little” and could do anything she put her mind too. My agent loved the story and it went out on submission in the summer of 2017.
It took a while for the story to sell. Some editors weren’t connecting with the 2nd POV and questioned if it was the most effective way to tell this story. One editor gave me an R&R, so I wrote two new drafts in 1st POV. However, my agent felt that my original version in 2nd POV was fresher so she continued subbing the 2nd POV version. In winter 2018, I attended the Winter SCBWI National Conference and met Erika Turner from Versify during the Diversity Social. I pitched her my SARI story and she loved the concept. In March 2018, Erika made an offer! Ironically, the 2nd POV which one editor questioned was the aspect that Erika loved. Just goes to show you how subjective this business can be.
The rest of the process went smoothly. I was thrilled Erika found Joanne Lew-Vriethoff to create the art. Joanne’s art has this magical combination of energy, heart, and lightness which is exactly what I wanted for this story. Since the art was amazing from the beginning, I didn’t have too much feedback unless it had to do with cultural accuracy.
I hope readers will smile and laugh and see a bit of themselves in this joyous story about dressing up and growing up.
DARSHANA’S BIO:
Darshana Khiani dreamed of being an astronaut someday, but when that didn’t pan out, she got two degrees in Engineering instead and began working in the computer industry. After becoming a mom, she remembered how much she loved books and creative writing as a kid so she began writing picture books. She works as a computer engineer by day and a children’s writer by night. She also enjoys spreading the word about the latest in South Asian Kidlit.
Darshana lives in the San Francisco Bay area with her husband, two daughters, and a furry pooch. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, solving jigsaw puzzles, and eating dark chocolate.
She is a proud member of the Soaring 20s, a group of picture book authors and illustrators debuting in 2020/2021.
You can find Darshana online at www.darshanakhiani.com and on Twitter and Instagram at @darshanakhiani.
JOANNE’S BIO:
Joanne Lew-Vriethoff is an children’s book illustrator creating mostly picture books and middle grade books.
She was born in Malaysia, grew up in Los Angeles, and lived in Amsterdam for the last 20 years. After 20 years in Amsterdam, Joanne and her family decided they needed a change and a new adventure so six months ago, they moved to Malaysia. They plan to spedn their future traveling between Amsterdam, K.L, L.A, and NY.
After receiving her B.A in Illustration from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena,California, she worked in the television industry as a character and concept illustrator for clients pitching children’s television shows. A few years later she moved to New York and trained as a graphic designer at a Design Studio working with various clients such as Columbia University, New School, and IJDG in NYC.
Many of her illustrations are focused on relationships, connections, struggles and in children’s daily lives while giving her art a certain tenderness and humor. She loves illustrating themes that help readers better understand and communicate with their families or friends. For example: Parkinsons (A Day with Parkinsons), death or separation from a love one (You’ll Find Me or Invisible String series), Autism (Too Sticky). Beautiful is another great book that she worked on which “encourage all girls to embrace who they are and realise their endless potential”
Joanne is represented by Mela Bolinao at MBARTIST in NYC.
You can visit Joanne using the following links:
Website: http://joannelewvriethoff.com/
Instagram : @joannelewvriethoff
Twitter: @jlewvriethoff
Facebook: joannelewvriethoffillustrator
Q&A With Darshana Khiani and Joanne Lew-Vriethoff, How to Wear a Sari
June 24, 2021 by Fin Lavoie
By Thushanthi Ponweera
Today we’re pleased to welcome Darshana Khiani and Joanne Lew-Vriethoff to the WNDB blog to discuss their picture book How to Wear a Sari, out June 22, 2021!
Sparkling with voice and charm, this picture book about a fashionable kid out to prove she’s not as small as everyone thinks is perfect for kids eager to grow up, and for those who love to play dress-up.
Being a little kid isn’t always fun and games. Sometimes, it’s downright annoying.
When a little girl tires of being treated like she’s TOO little, she sets out to prove to her family that she can do ANYTHING she puts her mind to . . .
. . . including putting on a colorful, twinkly, silky sari. Sure, they’re long and unwieldy—but that only means her family will be even more impressed when she puts it on all by herself.
Naturally, there are some hiccups along the way, but she discovers that she’s not the only one in her family who has set out with something to prove, with hilariously chaotic results. That’s what photo albums are for!
How to Wear a Sari
What childhood experiences and memories did you both draw from when creating this book?
Darshana: I wasn’t curious about wearing a sari when I was a child, since I was a rough and tumble kid who wanted to have the flexibility to run. I preferred wearing lenghas or a salwar kameez. However, as soon as I was old enough to wear a sari, I wanted to. Sari draping is a skill that I have yet to master (it still takes me almost an hour to drape my sari and even then, I’ll ask an aunty or a friend to fix it for me!). It was these sari draping challenges and the memory of my daughters stomping around in my high-heeled shoes that got me wanting to explore that experience through the eyes of a young girl.
Joanne: For the first nine years of my childhood, I lived in Malaysia. The majority of the Malaysian population are a mix of Malays, Indians, and Chinese, and they wear saris every day for work, celebrations, and even at home, although the design and fabric of the sari would differ based on the occasion. During Diwali, my family and I would visit our friends and neighbors to celebrate with them and I remember being dazzled by all the beautiful saris. So I had many visual memories to draw from.
How important do you think it is to preserve cultural traditions in a child’s life when growing up outside of the country that they originate from?
Darshana: I think it’s important for a child to know where they’ve come from as well as their family’s history. Cultural traditions can give children a sense of belonging to a community. However, I also think it’s an individual’s choice as to how much of the culture to carry forward and in what way.
Joanne: I believe it’s very important for everyone since much of it is lost when we are all trying to blend and fit into a new society or a new country. My parents moved to California when I was nine but eventually moved back again to Asia while my sister and I stayed back. During that time, I was in survival mode and rarely thought much about where I was from. There wasn’t anyone to share any Chinese and Malaysian traditions and culture with me either. This meant I didn’t feel as connected to my heritage, although I was constantly reminded that I was Asian and different, which led to a constant internal struggle about my identity and who I was.
Some ways to be in touch with your roots as a child growing up in a foreign country is through community support, and of course, books. This particular book means a lot to me as it shows children the positive aspects of their heritage and how it helps form their identity.
“Cultural traditions can give children a sense of belonging to a community. However, I also think it’s an individual’s choice as to how much of the culture to carry forward and in what way.”
Darshana, as a debut author who only started pursuing her passion to write after a long hiatus, what advice do you have for others who may be sitting at a desk but longing to do the same?
I never thought about writing as a career until my mid-thirties. As a child, I loved creative writing, but it was more of the bright spot in English class which was my hardest subject. I didn’t write much outside of class.
My advice for people who are wondering whether to take the plunge: just do it. You might write a short story for yourself, a novel, a poem, or even a joke- you’re already a writer. Writing as a career is a self-driven and highly creative profession and it takes lots and lots of practice so you might as well get started. I’ll be waiting on the sidelines to read your work!
Joanne, as an award-winning illustrator of over fifty books, what career wisdom have you gained that you would like to share with other artists?
Putting yourself out there as an illustrator, you will receive criticism no matter what. Not all publishers are going to be crazy about your work. Some may even question whether you should be an illustrator based on their individual preferences. Being able to receive criticism without letting it discourage you from your path is vital. You also need to have faith in your ability. This way, you won’t over-compromise when you are doing the work because then you will not enjoy the process of making the book.
Know that illustrating books is only a small part of being a professional illustrator. You also need to work smart, communicate, negotiate, do your research, network, follow up with publishers, and develop your own unique style. This will all help you differentiate yourself from other talented artists and dictate your success in the publishing industry.
Finally, take time off to enjoying your life and travel. Some of the best ideas come from a rested mind and body.
What are your recommendations for published (or forthcoming) picture books?
Darshana: I love books where I get to learn something new or books that make me laugh. If they can do both, even better! Some of my recent favorite reads are In My Mosque by M.O. Yuksel, Your Mama by Nonieqa Ramos, I Talk Like A River by Jordan Scott, and Too Many Birds by Cindy Derby. I’m always impressed by writers who can achieve something that I haven’t able to yet. On that note keep a lookout for Amah Faraway (Winter 2022) by my talented friend and critique partner, Margaret Greanias. It was written in reverso poem format and is unconventional and amazing. I cannot wait to see it published.
Joanne: A book I illustrated that was just published, What’s Inside Your Backpack? by Jessica Sinarski for the National Center for Youth Issues, is one that I wished I had when I was younger. I’m really looking forward to a chapter book series I’m illustrating, the Make Way For Fenway series written by Victoria J. Coe (Spring 2022). I also love Nicky & Vera: A Quiet Hero of the Holocaust and the Children He Rescued by Peter Sís, and We Wait for the Sun by Katie McCabe and Raissa Figueroa.
What do you hope to convey to your readers through your words and art?
Darshana: That’s a great question. I would like my stories to honor the curiosities and experiences of children, whether it is their desires such as wanting to be seen as ‘older’ in How To Wear A Sari to pondering questions about what it means to be American in my forthcoming picture book I’m An American (Summer 2023).
Joanne: One of my main goals as an artist is to create an environment for children to be themselves and express themselves without fear of judgment. Having representation in my illustrations is very important to me. I always use a diverse range of characters (Brave, Beautiful, and Love written by Stacy McAnulty, You Will Find Me by Amanda Rawson Hill, Too Sticky by Jen Malia, I See You by Michael Genhart, PHD), and dismissing gender norms (Beautiful by Stacy McAnulty, the Hilde Cracks The Case series by Hilde Lysiak & Matthew Lysiak). I hope it plays a part in them growing up to be empathetic and understanding humans.
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Darshana KhianiDarshana Khiani is a second-generation Indian American who grew up in rural Pennsylvania and now resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family and a furry pooch. She is an author, engineer, and a South Asian Kidlit Blogger. Her debut picture book HOW TO WEAR A SARI releases June 2021. When she isn’t working or writing she can be found hiking, solving jigsaw puzzles, or traveling. Visit her online at https://www.darshanakhiani.com or on Twitter and Instagram at @darshanakhiani.
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Joanne Lew-VriethoffJoanne Lew-Vriethoff is an illustrator of both Dutch and English books. Her illustrated books range from picture books to b/w young readers books. Her passion and love for story telling is shown through her whimsical but heartfelt illustrations in picture and chapter books both in the Dutch and English language. Joanne lives with her gorgeous husband and two wild, sensitive children, a girl and a boy. She loves discovering the world with her family by traveling and collecting memories along the way giving her more inspiration to her art.
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Thushanthi PonweeraThushanthi Ponweera is a blog volunteer for We Need Diverse Books and a WNDB 2021 picture book mentee with author David LaRochelle. She was born and raised in Colombo, Sri Lanka where she lives with her husband and two children. She grew up reading and falling in love with stories about children and places that were foreign to her. She believes that someday children from around the world will read and fall in love with stories about children in Sri Lanka. She hopes to write those stories. You can find her on Twitter @thushponweera and on Instagram @bythush.
HILL, Amanda Rawson. You'll Find Me. illus. by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff. 32p. Magination Pr. Sept. 2020. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781433831263.
PreS-Gr 2--At a time when many kids are facing the loss of a loved one due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this title offers a reassuring take on the topic. In poetic text, an unnamed narrator describes different ways that people we love remain with us after they die. "I will not always be greeting the morning with you. But you'll find me in the soft sounds of slippered feet." The concepts in this title are a little abstract, and will likely need to be unpacked for listeners with a discussion during reading or afterward. Reflecting the gentle tone of the book, the illustrations are soft and warm and are primarily in pastel colors. These show kids with a range skin tones engaging in various activities--playing the piano, picking flowers, reading, sitting at a beach, sledding. In most of the pictures, the kids are smiling as they appear to be remembering their lost loved one, creating a hopeful vibe. VERDICT Although this title doesn't break any new ground, it is appropriate to give to kids dealing with grief and loss. Recommended for larger collections.--Melanie Kletter, School Library Journal
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2020 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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Kletter, Melanie. "HILL, Amanda Rawson. You'll Find Me." School Library Journal, vol. 66, no. 9, Sept. 2020, p. 66. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A634531990/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=2fc576b4. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
How to Wear a Sari
by Darshana Khiani; illus. by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff
Preschool, Primary Versify/Houghton 32 pp. g
6/21 978-1-328-63520-4 $17.99
e-book ed. 978-0-358-53188-3 $12.99
A direct-address text demands the reader's attention with the query: "Are you tired of being treated like a little kid?" Who isn't! A brown-skinned South Asian "little kid" in pigtails believes that all she needs to do to be taken seriously is to dress herself in a "colorful, twinkly, silky sari." The offstage narrator walks the girl through the steps of folding and pleating it and putting it on, but nothing goes (or looks) as it should. The petticoat and pleats aren't quite right; a hole appears in the fabric. Instead of obsessing over those faults, the girl loads each of her appendages with bangle bracelets and dons sparkly high-heeled sandals, all borrowed from her unsuspecting mother. As the narrator exhorts her to "go show ... your glamorous grown-up look" to her family, the girl starts to teeter on her high heels. A page-turn reveals her careening into an extended family gathering; food, drink, and sandals fly through the air. Illustrations employ a colorful palette that pays homage to richly hued sari fabrics, contrasting a sari's elegance with the girl's clumsy earnestness. Her understanding family takes her youthful missteps with a healthy dose of humor, assuring readers that maybe being a "little kid" isn't so bad after all.
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Azzam, Julie Hakim. "How to Wear a Sari." The Horn Book Magazine, vol. 97, no. 5, Sept.-Oct. 2021, p. 72. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A673853031/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=4ef7a52c. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
KHIANI, Darshana. How to Wear a Sari. illus. by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff. 32p. HMHWersify. Jun. 2021. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781328635204.
PreS-Gr 2--Fumbling with knitting needles, spilling garbage from a torn trash bag--an unnamed, aggravated young girl with brown skin and brown hair is feeling too small and inadequate for grown-up tasks. She wants to prove her maturity to her family. Inspiration strikes, although a bit out of the blue. Why not arrive at her family's party wearing one of her mother's elegant saris? After choosing the perfect green and yellow sari--not too plain, not too fancy, with the right amount of sparkle--the persistent young narrator demonstrates the step-by-step process of donning a sari. Readers learn that a blouse and petticoat are worn underneath and how to correctly tuck, wrap, and pleat the sari. The look is polished with a stylish brooch, jewelry, and sparkly sandals. Now the challenge will be to walk in those high-heeled sandals to show off her sophisticated outfit at her family gathering. Unsteady and wobbly, the young girl trips, sending food flying across a multigenerational family. On the bright side, the girl can now contribute a hilarious moment to the family's mishap hall of fame. Khiani's lighthearted, debut picture book is insightful for young readers unfamiliar with saris, relatable for accustomed readers, and despite feeling choppy and underwhelming in the conclusion, will entertain children. Lew-VriethofPs illustrations are lively and fluid, appropriately matching the flowing movement of saris. VERDICT A welcomed, playful addition to a small selection of picture books available on this traditional attire.--Emily Brush, Novi P.L., MI
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Brush, Emily. "KHIANI, Darshana. How to Wear a Sari." School Library Journal, vol. 67, no. 8, Aug. 2021, pp. 70+. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A670397912/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=b12e8014. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
COE, Victoria J. Fenway and the Bone Thieves. ISBN 9780593406915.
--. Fenway and the Frisbee Trick. ISBN. 9780593406946.
ea vol: illus. by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff. 96p. (Make Way for Fenway!). Putnam. May 2022. Tr $14.99.
Gr 1-3--The winsome Jack Russell terrier from the "Fenway and Hattie" series returns in two shorter books designed for newly independent readers ready for chapters. In the first book, Fenway buries his bone in the "perfect" garden spot, keeping it safe from sneaky squirrels. When he forgets the exact location, Fenway digs and digs before being reunited with his prized possession. In the second, more engaging story, Fenway's game of fetch is interrupted by a Rottweiler who receives praise for his frisbee-catching abilities. Fenway sets out to master this new skill, but his efforts fall short until he figures out a unique way to use the round disc. Narrated by Fenway, both stories rely on subde humor to accentuate the differences between dog and human perception. When the delivery man brings a package, Fenway credits himself for getting the man to drop it and leave. When his own misdeeds land Hattie in a time-out, he wonders what she has done. Fenway names his humans using similar dog-centered logic: Mom is Food Lady and Dad is Fetch Man. Divided into 10 chapters of eight to 10 pages each, the books use simple but effective phrasing that includes mostly one- or two-syllable words. Expressive sketches with a charmingly retro feel appear every few pages, breaking up the full-page text and providing clues to Fenway's state of mind. VERDICT A good choice for dog lovers ready to dig into chapter books. Written from a dog's perspective, the jokes may elude some readers, but those who catch on will enjoy a good laugh.--Jenny Andrus
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Andrus, Jenny. "COE, Victoria J.: Fenway and the Bone Thieves." School Library Journal, vol. 68, no. 7, July 2022, pp. 54+. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A708597780/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=48d7396d. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
KARST, Patrice. The Invisible String Backpack. illus. by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff. 32p. Little, Brown. Jul. 2023. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9780316402286.
PreS-Gr 2--Class is back in session with this companion book to The Invisible String. Mila, a young tan-skinned girl with brown hair, is full of worries on her first day at a new school. Momma assures Mila that if she misses Daddy or her, she only needs to tug the Invisible String connecting them, and they'll tug back. On the bus ride to school, Mila's older brother clues her in on the Invisible Backpack she unknowingly carries with her. It contains an array of invisible gear to aid her in any situation she may face: a microphone for confidence, a shield for strength, a whistle for courage, and many others. Unfortunately, the dizzying number of tools in the pack paired with excessive explanatory dialogue weighs down Mila's first day of school. With each new item introduced, focus is diverted and significance is siphoned from the previous tools, resulting in a pile of invisible clutter that young readers will lose track of before their own first day of school. Nonetheless, Lew-Vriethoff's digital cartoon illustrations are vibrant, energized by currents of color and curved fluid line work. The visual movement and enchanting imagery tie perfectly into the theme of finding the magic in unseen strength. VERDICT A first day of school book for empowering young elementary-age readers, this story sinks under the weight of over-imagination and lack of focus.--Emily Brush
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Brush, Emily. "KARST, Patrice. The Invisible String Backpack." School Library Journal, vol. 69, no. 8, Aug. 2023, pp. 73+. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A758507003/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=3d6a09d5. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
Shaffer, Jody Jensen THE LAST DAY JULIAN WAS MY BEST FRIEND Two Lions (Children's None) $17.99 6, 4 ISBN: 9781662516160
Is Anthony and Julian's friendship doomed?
When Julian excitedly shows off the marble he received for his birthday, Anthony is impressed. The children play with it each day that spring--until the marble goes missing. The next day--which Anthony describes as "the last day Julian was my best friend"--things proceed normally. The kids awaken before sunrise, prepare breakfast, bike to the beach, and build sand castles; Julian says that he'd have put his marble on top of the castle, if he still had it. That evening, as the two camp out, Anthony feels guilty about a misdeed. Turns out, the marble isn't lost; Anthony took it but is afraid to confess. When Julian calls Anthony his best friend, Anthony decides to own up and give back the marble. Julian's thrilled that Anthony "found" it. Anthony thinks that Julian doesn't understand that Anthony took it, but Julian's glance at his friend's remorseful face settles that. Another surprise awaits. Julian wholly forgives Anthony: "You gave it back. You'll always be my best friend." Readers will be pleased by the satisfying conclusion to this heartwarming story and will root for the children's continuing friendship. The tale delivers an important message about forgiveness and the importance of taking responsibility for wrongdoings, though it's not entirely credible that a child would so easily display this much forbearance. The loose, digital illustrations are appealing. Red-haired Anthony presents white; Julian is brown-haired and brown-skinned.
A touching exploration of the complicated dynamics of friendship. (Picture book. 5-8)
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"Shaffer, Jody Jensen: THE LAST DAY JULIAN WAS MY BEST FRIEND." Kirkus Reviews, 1 May 2024, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A791876855/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=3475dc72. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.