SATA
ENTRY TYPE: new
WORK TITLE: Warm and Fuzzy
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: https://www.brianwon.com/
CITY: Eagle Rock
STATE:
COUNTRY: United States
NATIONALITY:
LAST VOLUME:
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Born in Chicago, IL; married, wife’s name Leny; children: Charlie.
EDUCATION:Art Center College of Design, B.F.A. (illustration).
ADDRESS
CAREER
Illustrator, designer, entrepreneur, and writer. Has worked as a busboy, cashier, shoe salesman, library shelver, and vending-machine stocker; National Television (motion graphics company), cofounder, c. 2001, has served as illustrator, designer, creative director, and art director; freelance designer.
MEMBER:Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).
AWARDS:Crystal Kite Award, SCBWI, for Outer Space Bedtime Race.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
[open new]Brian Won is a designer, illustrator, and author whose artwork has smooth lines and classic appeal. Born into a Korean American family in Chicago, he was often cared for by his grandmother. Later living in the Pasadena area, he and his younger sister enjoyed regular visits to the Vromans bookstore. He was a devoted fan of the Roald Dahl books illustrated by Quentin Blake, especially Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory—and he won a bookmark contest in third grade with a drawing of Willy Wonka. His parents intended to shepherd him toward Harvard University and a career as a doctor, but his middling grades opened the door for him to pursue his longtime passion for doodling and drawing by attending art school. After graduating from the Art Center College of Design, Won cofounded a motion graphics company, National Television, where he would serve in several illustration and design roles over the years. Securing one of five mentorship slots at the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators’ 2012 conference in Los Angeles, Won learned from mentor David Diaz and also happened to land an agent. Although he considers artwork his forte, he both wrote and illustrated his first picture book, Hooray for Hat!, published in 2014. In taking on illustration projects for other authors, Won starts by repeatedly sketching the characters, playing around “with forms, expressions, and body language to bring out their personalities,” as he told Ratha Tep of Max’s Boat. Won lives in Southern California with his family.
Hooray for Hat!, Won’s self-illustrated debut, was inspired by a phrase his rambunctious two-year-old son would yell while running around the house. In view of Charlie’s etiquette issues, Won decided to write a book about the importance of sharing. Elephant wakes up terribly grumpy one morning, complete with black scribbles overhead, but an annoying knock at the door turns out to be a pleasant surprise: an outlandish stacked-up conglomeration of hats. Pronouncing “Hooray for hat!,” Elephant marches out to show Zebra, who is likewise unwell until being gifted an apt hat. Turtle comes out of his shell, Lion emerges from his murky cave, and Owl turns his head, all getting uplifted by a hat, until Giraffe needs the most uplifting of all. Observing that Won’s “retro-style artwork uses muted hues and gives forms volume with watercolor-style shading,” a Publishers Weekly reviewer enjoyed the message that care from friends can have “magical healing properties.” A Kirkus Reviews writer described the artwork in Hooray for Hat! as “appealing and playful” and appreciated how “this lighthearted story revels in the small acts that make life better—cheers all around.”
The animal friends of Won’s debut return in the sequels Hooray for Today! and Hooray for Books! The latter title finds Turtle scouring his house for a particular book, only to conclude he must have lent it to Zebra—who in fact lent it to Owl, who passed it to another friend and so on. Each animal is happy to offer a substitute, but Turtle keeps seeking his favorite until Lion’s den holds the promise of discovery—and perhaps a toppling pile. A Kirkus Reviews writer admired the “droll humor and the reading-positive message” in this “fun” book.
Won’s first illustration project, for Daniel Nayeri’s How to Tell a Story, involved creating art for the faces of twenty “story blocks” or dice that get rolled to provide a starting framework for an original tale. Won told Alyson Beecher of Kid Lit Frenzy, “My main goal was to make the illustrations simple and engaging. … Categories like People, Places, and Things were easier to represent while Emotions, Relationships, and Verbs required more conceptual thinking.”
Outer Space Bedtime Race, by Rob Sanders, imagines bedtime routines for extraterrestrial children on every planet in the solar system. A Kirkus Reviews writer observed that “Won’s digital artwork has a retro sensibility.” Tim Wynne-Jones’s Secret Agent Man Goes Shopping for Shoes finds a youth’s spy-loving imagination in full effect during an outing to buy new shoes—and learn to tie them. A Kirkus Reviews writer admired the “silkscreen aesthetic” of Won’s illustrations, which in the boy’s perspective are laden with “atmospheric blues, creating an air of mystery and suspense.” The reviewer approvingly noted that Won’s throwback style evokes “pre–Cold War minimalist propaganda artwork—perfect for a spy.”
Michael Sampson completed another posthumous collaboration with Bill Martin Jr. to create Spunky Little Monkey, which reworks the classic monkeys-on-the-bed scenario to find a doctor prescribing some physical exercise to ward away the doldrums. A Kirkus Reviews writer noted that Won’s “big, bright digital illustrations (made from scanned watercolor washes) feature an adorable, rosy-cheeked monkey.” The star of Martha Brockenbrough’s Cheerful Chick is destined to be a cheerleader from day one, but no one else on the farmyard is interested in joining her for the big game—until her siblings hatch and make a cheering dozen. A Kirkus Reviews writer noted that Won’s “digitally rendered illustrations, mixed with paints and pencil, are lively and energetic, and animals’ faces are expressive.”
Bob Shea mixes adorable puppies with durable construction equipment in his “Adurable” series. After Little Pups in Big Trucks introduces machine-driving canines Cheddar, Puddles, and Dig Doug, This Pup Is Stuck! finds Dig Doug getting stuck inside the swimming hole he was digging. Miss Polly’s instructions help the team engineer his escape. Appreciating the visual nuggets—like dinosaur bones and a mole with a lantern—and the occasional “interesting shift in perspective,” a Kirkus Reviews writer affirmed that “Won’s adorable doggies in their sunglasses and trucks are clear toddler fodder.” Careful cooperation is needed to move a big pile of dirt in The Great Truck Switcheroo, which prompted a Kirkus Reviews writer to remark, “With soft edges and anthropomorphized dogs, Won’s illustrations have tons of kid appeal.”
In illustrating Warm and Fuzzy, by Scott Rothman, Won took inspiration from the emotional balancing act between him and his spouse, who take turns being overanxious versus calm and comforting. Sasquatch-ish Warm does his best to soothe worrisome little Fuzzy as they prepare for an outing, and sure enough, the tea party proves delightful. A Publishers Weekly reviewer proclaimed that Won’s “warmly lit” artwork, marked by “soft textures of colored pencil hatching,” helps convey the message that “getting out of one’s comfort zone can be liberating and fun.”[close new]
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Kirkus Reviews, April 15, 2014, review of Hooray for Hat!; October 15, 2014, review of Outer Space Bedtime Race; April 15, 2016, review of Secret Agent Man Goes Shopping for Shoes; October 1, 2016, review of Spunky Little Monkey; June 15, 2017, review of Hooray for Books!; September 15, 2018, review of Cheerful Chick; September 15, 2022, review of This Pup Is Stuck!; December 15, 2022, review of The Great Truck Switcheroo.
Publishers Weekly, April 7, 2014, review of Hooray for Hat!, p. 62; January 20, 2025, review of Warm and Fuzzy, p. 52.
ONLINE
Brian Won website, https://www.brianwon.com (September 21, 2025).
Henry Herz website, https://henryherz.wordpress.com/ (June 26, 2015), “Interview with Picture Book Author/Illustrator Brian Won.”
Inkygirl, https://www.inkygirl.com/ (January 27, 2015), “Three Questions for Brian Won, illustrator of Outer Space Bedtime Race.”
Juana Martinez-Neal website, https://juanamartinezneal.com/ (November 19, 2013), “A Mini-Interview with Brian Won.”
KidLit 411, https://www.kidlit411.com/ (September 26, 2014), “Author-Illustrator Spotlight: Brian Won.”
Kid Lit Frenzy, https://www.kidlitfrenzy.com/ (November 5, 2015), Alyson Beecher, “How to Tell a Story Week: Interview with Illustrator Brian Won.”
Max’s Boat, https://www.maxsboat.com/ (April 15, 2025), Ratha Tep, “Interview with Scott Rothman and Brian Won, Warm and Fuzzy.”
Brian Won wore many hats as a busboy, shoe salesman, library shelver, art director, and designer before making children's books. His debut book, "Hooray for Hat!", was published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Raised in a Korean American household by his grandmother, Brian honed his artistic skills at the Art Center College of Design, where he earned a BFA in illustration. His awards include the Silver Medal from the Society of Illustrators and the Crystal Kite from the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Currently residing in Southern California, Brian continues to craft stories and illustrations for young readers, eagerly looking forward to his weekly Costco outings.
Selected Clients
2014 – Current
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Random House
Scholastic Press
Candlewick Press
Workman Publishing
Paula Wiseman Books
Crocodile Creek
Awards & Recognition
2014 – Current
SCBWI Crystal Kite Award - Outer Space Bedtime Race
Indiana Early Literacy Firefly Award - Hooray for Hat!
Society of Illustrators Original Art - Eee-Moo! & Hooray for Hat!
CBC Children’s Choice Illustrator Finalist - Hooray for Hat!
Charlotte Zolotow Award Shortlist - Hooray for Hat!
Society of Illustrators 54: Silver Medal
3x3 Children’s Illustration Show
SCBWI Mentorship Award 2012
juana November 19, 2013 mini interview
A Mini-Interview with Brian Won
Welcome to our third week of the 2013 November Mini-Interviews. This week, I have invited an author-illustrator whose work I love. The most wonderful Brian Won.
I saw Brian’s work for the first time at Lost Weekend 2012. Brian was a Mentee from the 2012 SCBWI Los Angeles Conference. I immediately connected with his work. It was moving, full of emotion, and full of heart. The details, textures and subject matter were fantastic. I had to have some time to ask him some questions about his Author-Illlustration career, and so, I asked him to be a guest of our Mini-Interviews. To my pleasure, he agreed.
With you, the fantastic Brian Won.
Brian Won
About Brian Won
Brian Won is an illustrator, children’s book author, and motion graphics designer. He wears many hats.
After graduating from Art Center College of Design with an illustration degree, he studied graphic design, and co–founded a motion graphics company, National Television. During his 12 years in the motion design industry, his roles have varied from Creative Director, Art Director, Illustrator, and Designer. He is also a father of a three year old boy and coincidentally, wrote and illustrated a children’s book entitled “Hooray for Hat!” coming out in Spring 2014.
To learn more about Brian, you can visit his website: brianwon.com. You can also follow him on Facebook and Twitter.
Mini-Interview with Brian Won
‘The Boy Who Couldn’t Fly’ by Brian Won
Please describe your career as an author-illustrator in 5 words:
Drawing words I struggle writing.
Which books, that were your favorites when you were little, have had the greatest influence on your work?
Roald Dahl/Quentin Blake books had the most impact on me especially Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. In the third grade, I won a bookmark contest by drawing Willy Wonka.
Mini-Interview with Brian Won
Charlie and Friends by Brian Won
Please share an instance in which you had an idea or experience, that started out small, but took root and grew to become a book.
The inspiration for HOORAY FOR HAT! came from my son Charlie. When he was two years old, he would run around the house yelling “Hooray for Hat!” It confused me that it was a singular hat and not plural “hats”. He was (and still is) bad at sharing, so I wanted to write a story on the benefits of sharing outside of just social etiquette.
Linked is a Time magazine article explaining the direct connection between happiness and sharing: The New Happiness of Sharing
Why do exercising gratitude, kindness and other virtues provide a lift? “Giving makes you feel good about yourself,” says Peterson. “When you’re volunteering, you’re distracting yourself from your own existence, and that’s beneficial. More fuzzily, giving puts meaning into your life. You have a sense of purpose because you matter to someone else.” Virtually all the happiness exercises being tested by positive psychologists, he says, make people feel more connected to others.
That seems to be the most fundamental finding from the science of happiness. “Almost every person feels happier when they’re with other people,” observes Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi.
Mini-Interview with Brian Won
Art from ‘Horray for Hat!’ by Brian Won
Do you ever hide little images, names or personal details in your illustrations? Please give us a peek.[
Here’s a random tidbit: while working on HOORAY FOR HAT! there was a commercial for Sonos with Janelle Monae dancing. When I saw her, I thought, “This is the way Zebra must march!”
Mini-Interview with Brian Won
Inspiration for ‘Hooray For Hat!’ by Brian Won
Daily routines are important for both writers and illustrators. Could you describe your typical work day, and tell us the one little thing you absolutely cannot begin your day without (besides caffeine)?
Ideally, I would have a much more regimented work day, but with a little boy running around it happens whenever there’s an opportunity to begin. I recently came across this advice from Roald Dahl which I believe applies to illustration/picture books too:
But Hemingway, a great American writer, taught me the finest trick when doing a long book, which is, he simply said in his own words, “When you are going good, stop writing.” And that means that if everything’s going well and you know exactly where the end of the chapter’s going to go and you know just what the people are going to do, you don’t go on writing and writing until you come to the end of it, because when you do, then you say, well, where am I going to go next? And you get up and you walk away and you don’t want to come back because you don’t know where you want to go.
But if you stop when you’re going good, as Hemingway said…then you know what you are going to say next. You make yourself stop, put your pencil down and everything, and you walk away. And you can’t wait to get back because you know what you want to say next and that’s lovely and you have to try and do that. Every time, every day all the way through the year. If you stop when you are stuck, then you are in trouble!
To answer the question, I need something to do, somewhere to start, in order to begin my day.
Mini-Interview with Brian Won
What Little Boys Are Made Of by Brian Won
Would you tell me about your first experience as an author-illustrator? How did it happen? Who gave you that chance?
My first experience as an author-illustrator could only happen through the kindness of strangers (now near and dear friends). At the 2012 SCBWI Los Angeles conference, I received one of five illustration mentorship spots. Mentor David Diaz, opened up his home for the Lost Weekend where I not only got to meet past mentees, but my amazing agent Rubin Pfeffer of East West Literary Agency. Rubin graciously emailed me after the Lost Weekend and offered his help. I soon sent him the dummy for HOORAY FOR HAT! and after some revisions we sent it to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s senior executive editor, Jeannette Larson. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect match. Jeannette is a joy to work with.
These are just a handful of awesome people I’ve mentioned, but actually there are so many more! I hope to pass the same encouragement forward.
Mini-Interview with Brian Won
A Cautionary Tale for Charlie by Brian Won
Horray for Hat! by Brian Won
‘Horray for Hat!’ by Brian Won
You already are! Thanks, Brian for the interview. It was great to have you.
I will see you here next Tuesday with my Mini-Interview with Zachariah OHora but before then, don’t miss the 3 interviews for this week:
K.G. Campbell on Wednesday visiting Molly’s blog
Matthew Cordell on Thursday stopping by Mikela’s blog, and,
Marla Frazee on Friday dropping in at Laura’s blog
This post is part of the Mini-Interview Series where 4 children’s illustrators interview other Children’s Illustrators and Author-Illustrators throughout the month of November. Our guests for 2013 include:
Marta Altes
Eric Barclay
David Biedrzycki
Sophie Blackall
K. G. Campbell
Matthew Cordell
Marla Frazee
Brian Lies
Loren Long
Maurie Manning
Yuyi Morales
Zachariah OHora
Antoinette Portis
Matt Phelan
Sean Qualls
John Rocco
Bob Shea
David Ezra Stein
Melissa Sweet
Brian Won
You can learn more about the Series and the guests to this blog here.
Interview with picture book author/illustrator Brian Won
June 26, 2015 by Henry Herz 1 Comment
Brian Won wore many hats as a busboy, shoe salesman, art store cashier, vending machine re-stocker, art director, and designer before he turned his talents to illustrating children’s books. He lives in Southern California, where he and his family never miss an opportunity to have a HOORAY! parade around the house.
WonBrian
For what age audience do you write?
I write and illustrate picture books. I don’t know specifically what genre, but I love that every book I’ve worked on is different. I get to illustrate grumpy zebras to sleepy aliens and even mundane things like a taco.
Tell us about one of your books.
My latest book is HOORAY FOR HAT! published by HMH Kids. The story is about an elephant who wakes up grumpy until a surprise gift (spoiler alert: stack of hats) cheers him up. Elephant proceeds to share this gift with friends, spreading happiness while marching in a parade with crazy hats.
What do you hope readers will get from reading that book?
HOORAY FOR HAT! is a simple reminder that acts of kindness do make a difference and spreading joy is the best way to bring happiness to yourself. This book was made for my boy when he was going through the tail end of his terrible twos. He was naturally resistant to sharing toys and I wanted to explain the benefits of giving. My son, now 4½, still struggles with it, but I understand. I’m a grown man and I have a hard time sharing my dessert.
Henry: I think we all have trouble sharing our desserts.
What aspect of writing or illustrating do you find most challenging, and why?
Absolutely, writing is the most challenging. I’m struggling even as I’m answering these questions! My typing skills are awful. I use the dinosaur-claw-three-finger-pecking technique. Next time I should draw my answers.
What is a powerful lesson you’ve learned from being a writer?
Picture books are not easy. Although the final product seems simple, it takes a great deal of time (and self loathing) to complete. It’s like whittling a golf pencil from a sequoia tree.
Henry: Given all the rejection letters we authors receive, self-loathing appears to be redundant.
What has been a memorable experience that you never would have had if you had not been a writer?
A speech therapist friend recently told me how HOORAY FOR HAT! has been helpful with her therapy sessions. During a session, one of her students who is selectively mute was able to say “Hooray for hat!” due to the repetition in the picture book. At the end of the week, the speech therapist gave the young girl a prize for completing her sticker chart and the girl exclaimed, “Hooray for me!”
Henry: Awesome! I had a parent tell me their kid would now eat mushrooms after reading NIMPENTOAD. I think you win.
What advice would you give to aspiring illustrators?
My advice is to constantly make things. Even while working on professional deadlines, set aside time to play and create. These throw away pieces inform where your illustrations want to go later down the road.
Do you have any favorite quotes?
“It’s not what you are that holds you back, it’s what you think you are not.”
Henry: I also like, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right.”
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
Stopping time, which I’m sure is not the most original super power response. Recently my son had a nasty cold and our household came to a screeching halt. Deadlines were missed, dishes piled up, and most importantly we were sleep deprived. Stopping time would have been really awesome while we tried to recoup. Stopping time would also mean I could watch a whole basketball game without feeling guilty for wasting three hours of my life.
Henry: Ah, the procrastinator’s favorite superpower. And TV isn’t wasting time, it’s feeding the muse!
What would you like it to say on your tombstone?
“Brian Won – not Wong” I have to constantly correct phone operators about my last name. I understand WONG is, after all, the most common version of my surname.
Henry: “He was Won in a million.” I feel your pain, thanks to HerTz rent-a-car.
Where can readers find your work?
You can see my work at www.brianwon.com (not brianwong.com) and at your local bookstore.
This article is also posted on the San Diego Children’s Books Examiner.
BrianWon
Me with Brian at a WonderCon KidLit panel
How to Tell a Story Week: Interview with Illustrator Brian Won
November 5, 2015 Alyson Beecher
This week Jen Vincent from Teach Mentor Texts, Jennifer Reed from Reederama, Cynthia Alaniz from Librarian in Cute Shoes, and I are celebrating How to Tell a Story by Daniel Nayeri and Illustrated by Brian Won. I am excited to have Brian on the blog to share about his work on this project. Thanks Brian for stopping by.
How to Tell a Story seems like a different type of project to work on than say an actual book. What did you have to take into consideration when working on this project with Daniel?
Although this project was different than illustrating a book, it was just as enjoyable and in some ways, more challenging. Ironically, the illustrations didn’t need to “tell a story” but convey an emotion, action, or location as quickly as possible. The dimensions of the cube faces are about 1.5 x 1.5 inches so my main goal was to make the illustrations simple and engaging. Also, I had to take into account the sheer number of illustrations required for all the sides of the dice, about 120. Categories like People, Places, and Things were easier to represent while Emotions, Relationships, and Verbs required more conceptual thinking.
Can you share your process for determining which images would represent what on the blocks? Was it collaborative? Did you do research in order to decide?
Daniel was absolutely fantastic to work with. He supplied an initial list of ideas and if I hit any roadblocks, he would provide several more options. Also art director, Colleen Venable, was instrumental as a sounding board. Early on I sent Daniel vector sketches, but soon found that to be time consuming. My usual work process doesn’t involve pencil sketches, but with so many moving parts, pencil sketches were far more effective. We were able to see if not only the illustration was working, but if the word itself needed to be changed. Below are some examples of rejected sketches and themes. Tied Together, still makes me smile.
Are there any you are particularly proud of?
I am most proud of the illustration that represents Sail. It reminds me of when I’m driving with my son and I tell him to look out the window at the beautiful mountains. He has zero interest.
How do you hope your artwork might inspire young writers?
I hope the artwork and the book will show young writers that writing is fun. I tend to put writing on a pedestal. I get tripped up with grammar and feel inadequate even when constructing an email. However, we can all tell a joke or talk about the crazy thing that happened five minutes ago. These are stories, wonderful stories worth telling and writing.
What is your favorite indie bookstore (where is it and why do you like it)?
My favorite indie bookstore is Vromans in Pasadena. I have fond memories of my mom buying us books there when we were kids. My younger sister would get one of the Babysitters Club books and I would get something Roald Dahl.
Finish the statements: “Reading is…” and “Writing is…”
“Reading is… the best thing you can do with a kid. Not even for the sake of the child, but for yourself. The day doesn’t seem so bad after a shared book.”
“Writing is.. whittling a golf pencil from a sequoia tree.”
What are you reading and loving right now (or recently)?
Thanks to my friend, Renee Kurilla, I am reading Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert. I highly recommend this book for both writers and illustrators.
“Forgive yourself if you tried to create something and it didn’t work out. Remember that you’re nothing but a beginner – even if you’ve been working on your craft for years. We’re all just beginners here, and we shall all die beginners.” -Elizabeth Gilbert
What is the best writing advice you have received and what advice would you give student writers?
“When you are going good, stop writing. You don’t go on writing and writing until you come to the end of it, because when you do, then you say, well, where am I going to go next? You make yourself stop and you walk away. And you can’t wait to get back because you know what you want to say next.” – Roald Dahl.
This also applies to illustration. Fiddling with your chair, checking the basketball score, Facebook – its all a distraction from actually starting. Student writers, have something good to come back to so you aren’t afraid to begin.
To find Brian: website | twitter | facebook
Check out the other posts in this blog tour:
November 3, 2015 - How to Tell a Story Week Kick-Off - Teach Mentor Texts and Kid Lit Frenzy
November 4, 2015 - Jennifer Reed at Reederama and her students play How to Tell a Story
November 5, 2015 - Illustrator, Brian Won visits Kid Lit Frenzy
November 6, 2015 - Author/Creator, Daniel Nayeri visits Teach Mentor Texts
November 9, 2015 - Cynthia Alaniz at Librarian in Cute Shoes and her students play How to Tell a Story
November 10, 2015 - How to Tell A Story - Share your "Why Game" stories - Teach Mentor Texts and Kid Lit Frenzy
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« Three Questions For Rob Sanders, Children's Book Author: Advice For Young Writers, Desk Shrines & OUTER SPACE, BEDTIME RACE | Main | One of my favorite Neil Gaiman quotes about writing »
Three Questions For Brian Won, illustrator of OUTER SPACE, BEDTIME RACE
Happy book birthday to OUTER SPACE, BEDTIME RACE, a new picture book written by Rob Sanders and Brian Won, launched today from Random House Children's. Thanks to both Brian and Rob for answering three questions for me today. You can also read Rob Sanders's answers to my Three Questions.
Brian is not only the illustrator of OUTER SPACE, BEDTIME RACE but also the author/illustrator of HOORAY FOR HAT!, which came out last year from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. I met Brian through the SCBWI Illustrator Mentorship program. You can find Brian at BrianWon.com, @bwon1 on Twitter, BrianOneADay on Tumblr, bwon1 on Instagram, and Brian Won Illustration on Facebook.
About OUTER SPACE, BEDTIME RACE:
"Aaaaaand they’re off . . . to bed! Aliens from every planet rocket through their out-of-this-world bedtime routines—they sink into steamy crater bubble baths and shimmy into deep-sleep suits, just like you (almost)! Brian Won’s glowing graphic art pops off the page, and Rob Sanders’s goofy rhymes will have kids racing to snuggle under the covers and blast off to dreamland." For more about the book, please see the publisher book page.
Thanks to Brian for answering my Three Questions today!
Q. Could you please take a photo of a random object in your office and tell me about it?
This is one of those projects my kid brought home from pre-school. The colors are all over the place but I think its a masterpiece.
Q. What advice do you have for young writers and illustrators?
My advice for young illustrators and writers is to check out stacks of children's books from your local library. Old books, new books… read them all and study the pacing. There is a heartbeat and rhythm that great books share despite when they were created.
Q. What are you excited about these days?
I'm excited (and deathly afraid) of putting on my writing cap. I have nuggets of ideas for picture book stories I want to tackle. Fingers crossed.
Debbie's book birthday celebration for OUTER SPACE, BEDTIME RACE continues in Rob Sanders's Three Questions post.
Ratha Tep
Apr 15
5 min read
Interview with Scott Rothman and Brian Won, WARM AND FUZZY
Warm and Fuzzy are best friends. Warm wants to go on an adventure, but Fuzzy isn't sure. What if it's scary? What if it's really cold or super hot? What if there are no bathrooms, or worse: no toilet paper!
Max's Boat Pick:
WARM AND FUZZY
Written by Scott Rothman and illustrated by Brian Won
Publisher: Tundra Books (April 15, 2025)
Buy now
Scott and Brian, so lovely to have you on Max's Boat! Scott, can you tell me what inspired Warm & Fuzzy?
Scott Rothman: "This is probably going to sound very weird and random but my kids and I were listening to this song I like called 'All Around You' by The Brian Jonestown Massacre (not the most kid-appropriate band name, I know) about this strange tour guide welcoming people on a magical journey and I just got this idea to write a kids book based on that. It was just a jumping-off point really – a prompt, if you will – but sometimes that’s all you need. And then, when I started writing about a character going on a trip, it was only natural that my own anxieties about facing the unknown would make their way into the story."
It's one thing to see the prompts, and then another to know what to do with them! Brian, what was your initial reaction to Scott’s text? What most drew you in?
Brian Won: "When I first read Scott’s text, I laughed and then I thought … 'Wait a second… this is basically me and my spouse, Leny.' We’re both pretty anxious people, but we somehow take turns being the calm, nurturing one (Warm) and the frazzled, overthinking one (Fuzzy). And to top it off, we even have contrasting body types – I’m definitely on the heavier side these days, especially after gaining that post-COVID 15 pounds – so the visual of Warm and Fuzzy as this odd couple hit very close to home.
What pulled me in most was how the story is both hilarious and quietly comforting. Scott’s writing has this natural, easy charm. It’s heartfelt without being heavy, and funny to boot. That gave me a ton of space to play with the visuals and let the characters be as weird and wonderful as they wanted to be."
Quietly comforting is a really good way to put it. And I can tell you had a lot of fun playing with the visuals. Scott, what was your initial reaction to Brian’s artwork?
SR: "I was absolutely blown away. I think I texted or emailed Brian immediately after seeing his first sketches. They were unlike any other illustrations in any of my other books, and I thought they added layers and depth to the story that I had no idea were even there. I instantly knew his work was going to elevate everything and make me look good and smart, even if neither of those things are true. So, yeah, I was very happy."
Scott, can you talk about those layers and depth? What do you think Brian brought to the book that wasn’t there before?
SR: "I think all of Brian’s work has a natural warmth and humanity to it which the book both needed and benefits from greatly. My chief concern when writing these books is to do everything I can to try and make them funny and tell an entertaining story. I always hope there’s some warmth in there, too, but don’t really know. Brian’s artwork took all that hope and guesswork out of the equation. It’s just there – in every illustration, on every page – and I can’t be more thankful for it. Also, Brian’s illustrations are really funny and he found humor in places I didn’t see. In short, Brian really brought the 'warm' and 'funny.' (Sorry, couldn’t resist.)"
Brian, can you share your illustration process?
BW: "My process always starts with character. Before I even think about layouts or scenes, I sketch the characters over and over until they start to feel real (to me, at least). With Warm and Fuzzy, I leaned into contrast from the beginning. Warm is big, soft, and grounded, while Fuzzy is small, scruffy, and mildly buzzing with anxiety. One’s like a weighted blanket, the other’s like that jittery feeling you get after too much coffee."
Brian Won's early sketches for Warm and Fuzzy (above)
"You can see in the early sketches how I played around with forms, expressions, and body language to bring out their personalities. I spent a lot of time just drawing them interacting – how they might walk, sit, or comfort each other. What I really love is that Warm isn’t dismissive of Fuzzy’s anxious energy. He doesn’t try to fix it, he just shows up with patience. I like to think Warm understands because he has his own anxious moments too."
Brian Won's early sketches for Warm and Fuzzy (above)
"As the characters evolved, one of the most satisfying parts was seeing those interactions come to life. There’s a great side-by-side of an early version of a key scene: Warm covering Fuzzy from the rain. In the finished version, Warm’s gaze is more focused on Fuzzy, which helps bring out a deeper sense of care and connection."
Brian Won's early and final character design forWarm and Fuzzy (above)
"And finally, one of my favorite spreads in the whole book is when Warm opens the door to the forest and invites Fuzzy in. The light, the space, the trees … I wanted it to feel like a big exhale."
A final spread from Warm and Fuzzy (above)
What forthcoming books are you two most excited about?
SR: "Well, Brian and I have another book called Horizontal Crocodile that Simon and Schuster is publishing next year which has been a blast to work on together. I also have a picture book called Kittybunkport, illustrated by Zachariah OHora, coming out from Viking this spring, which I think came out awesome. It takes place in a coastal Maine town populated entirely by cats and it’s a funny kind of mystery ghost story – in this case, lobster ghosts. After that, I made a fun book with the illustrator Linzie Hunter called Judgy Bunny & The Terrible Beach which comes out from Sourcebooks next year."
"As for books by others, I never know what new books are on the horizon so can I just say anything new from Mac Barnett, Jon Agee, Ame Dyckman, Adam Rex, Bob Shea, Ruth Chan and/or Jared Chapman."
BW: "As Scott mentioned, we have another book coming up called Horizontal Crocodile that I’m working on with Scott, and I’m super excited about it. The illustration language has some similarities to Warm & Fuzzy, but the format is totally new for me. The trim size is long, to match our horizontally gifted (and vertically challenged) crocodile. It’s been fun figuring out how to stretch the visual storytelling across that wide format. Plus, it’s just great to get the band back together again.
I'm also really excited about this book from Arree Chung, Don't Cause Trouble. The bowl cut on the cover is something I can definitely relate to."
What would you put on your 100 best picture books list of all time?
SR: "I think Ruth Krauss’ The Carrot Seed is the most perfect book ever made and teaches kids the two most important lessons: to always do what you think is right and that adults are morons."
BW: "I agree with Scott! The Carrot Seed is such a perfect and pure children’s book. Everything about it is just right: the pacing, the page turns, the words, the illustrations. There’s nothing extra. It’s honest and confident – like me in a medium-sized jacket when I really should be wearing a large."
Hah! I've loved your answers. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Warm and Fuzzy
Scott Rothman, illus. by Brian Won.
Tundra, $18.99 (44p)
ISBN 978-1-7748-8442-3 This picture book's title phrase, which usually describes feelings of comfort and familiarity, here supplies the names of two characters--a pair whose respective demeanors represent calm and anxiety. Warm is a yeti-like creature confident in the duo's ability to embrace unfamiliar experiences--as Rothman (Parfait, Not Parfait!) writes, "We are smart./We are strong./ We are imaginative./And we are ready for anything." For Fuzzy, a diminutive, cub-like critter, being prepared means worrying about every detail that could go wrong--especially a potential dearth of toilet paper. But with Warm's unflagging reassurance (and willingness to pack a spare roll), a reluctant Fuzzy accompanies the gentle behemoth through a door, joining an array of animal guests at a fabulous party that includes prizes, presents, and an extensive tea party spread. Warm's refusal to clarify the duo's destination for Fuzzy may strike some as dismissive or high-handed, regardless of the adventure's payoff. But warmly lit digital artwork by Won (the Adurable series), with characters rendered in soft textures of colored pencil hatching, also visualizes how getting out of one's comfort zone can be liberating and fun. Ages 3-7. (Apr.)
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"Warm and Fuzzy." Publishers Weekly, vol. 272, no. 3, 20 Jan. 2025, pp. 52+. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A828300128/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=22a1622d. Accessed 29 July 2025.
Shea, Bob THE GREAT TRUCK SWITCHEROO Dial Books (Children's None) $8.99 3, 7 ISBN: 978-0-593-32595-7
In this latest in the Adurable series, three pups learn how to cooperate by sharing their trucks and teaching one another.
When Ms. Polly tells puppies Cheddar, Dig Doug, and Puddles that they'll be making snickerdoodles, the little dogs are eager to help out and taste test. Before they can have a nibble, Ms. Polly gives the pups an important task: "You must do busy work while I finish baking the cookies." The job? Using one another's trucks to move a pile of dirt across the road. They struggle at first with swapping vehicles and learning the maneuvers, but they eventually discover that if they help each other, they can get the job done and enjoy some cookies. Dogs and trucks are surefire toddler fodder, and Shea tells a relatable tale that children and adults will appreciate. Caregivers will get a kick out of a page filled with a barrage of preschooler-esque questions ("Are they done yet?" "I want to help!" "Are they done yet?"). With soft edges and anthropomorphized dogs, Won's illustrations have tons of kid appeal. Most pages show the images against a white background, but the pages that really stand out are those with colorful backdrops. These irresistible pups demonstrate both the frustrations and benefits of collaboration with a friendly reminder that cooperation often leads to success. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A delightful tale of darling doggies who teach readers to work together while learning themselves. (Board book. 3-5)
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"Shea, Bob: THE GREAT TRUCK SWITCHEROO." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Dec. 2022. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A729727365/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=c622f404. Accessed 29 July 2025.
Shea, Bob THIS PUP IS STUCK! Dial Books (Children's None) $7.99 8, 30 ISBN: 978-0-593-32592-6
One dig-happy pup has trouble listening to directions and winds up getting in too deep.
Cheddar, Puddles, and Dig Doug are back in this latest board book in Shea and Won's Adurable series. When Miss Polly assigns the truck-driving dogs the task of making a swimming spot, Dig Doug ignores directions and gets stuck inside the deep hole he created. The problem-solving pups work together to help Dig Doug drive his way out. The message here is clear: Listening is important, especially when it comes to safety. When Dig Doug frets that he's not a good puppy, Miss Polly carefully reminds him that he's very good at digging but needs to remember that "other things are also important." The story concludes with the pups taking a swim even though readers never see them finish their work. Won's adorable doggies in their sunglasses and trucks are clear toddler fodder. Little readers will enjoy the illustrations of Dig Doug digging deep into the dirt, passing dino bones, bunnies, a mole holding a lantern, and even a treasure chest. Another page provides an interesting shift in perspective, showing the view from above as the other dogs look down at Dig Doug in the hole. This story lends itself to conversations about paying attention, working together, and making mistakes. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Toddlerhood lessons in an "adurable" puppy package. (Board book. 2-4)
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"Shea, Bob: THIS PUP IS STUCK!" Kirkus Reviews, 15 Sept. 2022. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A717107426/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=b83bf77a. Accessed 29 July 2025.
Brockenbrough, Martha CHEERFUL CHICK Levine/Scholastic (Children's Fiction) $17.99 1, 1 ISBN: 978-1-338-13418-6
A cheerleading chick can't rouse enthusiasm among her farmyard pals. Sis-boom-NAH!
Leaving behind 11 siblings in their shells, a newly hatched chick springs from her egg, brandishing pompoms and wearing cheerleaders' gear--pleated skirt and sweater emblazoned with the varsity letter "C." Not only does Chick strut fancy moves while yay-ing noisily all day, she also tries to persuade other animals to form a squad to root for the (literal) farm team. Nope. The yolk's on them: After lapsing into a brief funk, the yellow fluffster decides who needs 'em and resolves to create a one-chick team. Guess who shows up: Unbeknownst to Chick (though sharp-eyed readers will have observed it in the artwork all along), her brothers and sisters have hatched, donned their own cheerleader uniforms (that just happened to have arrived in the mail), and have come to join her, while the erstwhile neigh (and oink, moo, and baa) sayers cheer from the sidelines. This is, fittingly, a cheery romp, narrated in bouncy verse that reads and scans well, though the underlying theme may not resonate. Why are chicks so gung-ho about cheerleading? Are many kids among the target audience even familiar with cheerleading and its conventions? The digitally rendered illustrations, mixed with paints and pencil, are lively and energetic, and animals' faces are expressive. Cheerleading calls are incorporated into the text in display type.
If not a big somersault, this is a playful bit of fun. (Picture book. 4-7)
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"Brockenbrough, Martha: CHEERFUL CHICK." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Sept. 2018. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A553948894/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=13916a21. Accessed 29 July 2025.
Won, Brian HOORAY FOR BOOKS! HMH Books (Children's Fiction) $16.99 9, 12 ISBN: 978-0-544-74802-6
The cast of characters from Hooray for Hat! and Hooray for Today! (2014, 2016) returns, this time cheerfully helping Turtle reunite with his favorite book.The opening artwork sets up ongoing humor: pale-green Turtle stands, holding his brown turtle shell and tossing out various objects. The text reads: "He searched his entire house--but no book." After ransacking an enormous pile of toys, sports equipment, and musical instruments, Turtle realizes that he may have lent his book to Zebra. Zebra has already passed the book along to Owl, and Owl to Giraffe. (Both Turtle and Zebra have male pronouns; no other animals are assigned genders in this text.) In between each friendly encounter, "HOORAY FOR BOOKS!" is repeated in large, colorful letters. Each animal offers a different book to Turtle, but he is intent on rereading his favorite. When Turtle finally retrieves his book from the bottom of Lion's enormous pile, older readers may be disappointed that the laws of physics do not lead to total chaos but to a rather controlled toppling of tomes. In fact, despite some droll humor and the reading-positive message, the text and illustrations probably will have the greatest appeal for children who are not yet reading independently; the simple sentences and repetitions lend themselves well to reading aloud. To a struggling emergent reader, however, this excited celebration of books may feel more like coercion than encouragement. Fun--but less imaginative than some other bibliophilic picks. (Picture book. 3-6)
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"Won, Brian: HOORAY FOR BOOKS!" Kirkus Reviews, 15 June 2017. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A495427617/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=7eda0b92. Accessed 29 July 2025.
Bill Martin Jr., Michael Sampson, Brian Won SPUNKY LITTLE MONKEY Scholastic (Adult Picture Books) 17.99 ISBN: 978-0-545-77643-1
Every little monkey needs to get up and move!Sleepy Little Monkey / Wont get out of bed. // Mama called the Doctor / And the Doctor said: / Apple Juice, / Orange Juice, / Gooseberry Pies / Monkey needs / some exercise! Little Monkey pops out of bed and, after dressing, does some quick calisthenics. First you get the rhythm of the head: / Ding-Dong! // Have you got the rhythm of the head? / Ding-Dong! A sway of the head accompanies each ding-dong. Then theres a clap and a stomp. Theres some hip shaking. Put them all together / Youll be feeling so much better. Monkey goes through the movements forward and backward and gives a cheer. Spunky Little Monkey / Ready for the day. / Come on, Monkey / LETS GO PLAY! A frequent collaborator of the deceased Martins, Sampson turns out a rhythmic invitation to wiggle in the morning. The text's catchy enough that little monkeys will want to hear it again and simple enough theyll learn it quickly. Wons big, bright digital illustrations (made from scanned watercolor washes) feature an adorable, rosy-cheeked monkey of indeterminate gender in jean shorts and striped T-shirt going through the motions before running off with animal friends. It may be a bit unclear exactly what motions are called for each time, but Little Monkey's moving, and that's the point. Great for storytime or for little monkeys who need encouragement to run around. (Picture book. 2-5)
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"Bill Martin Jr., Michael Sampson, Brian Won: SPUNKY LITTLE MONKEY." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Oct. 2016. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A465181911/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=b0cf1feb. Accessed 29 July 2025.
Wynne-Jones, Tim SECRET AGENT MAN GOES SHOPPING FOR SHOES Candlewick (Children's Picture Books) $16.99 6, 14 ISBN: 978-0-7636-7119-8
A spy-obsessed boy must shop for shoes (tiger tennies!), and a newfound ability to tie them completes his mission.Secret Agent Man has a big imagination. In his mind's eye, raisins become jewels, fries are snakes, and everyone except K., his adult sidekick, is suspect. Together they canvas the sneaker store to find the right pair. The day is fraught with darkness and danger, but new tiger kicks help him roar to the rescue. Digital illustrations, done in a silkscreen aesthetic, bring the text to life. To convey the boy's thoughts, Won fills the spreads with atmospheric blues, creating an air of mystery and suspense. Their retro styling echoes pre-Cold War minimalist propaganda artwork--perfect for a spy. He cleverly juxtaposes this with S.A.M.'s reality, done in bright, white backgrounds and cheerful colors. Text and art find their comedic stride when S.A.M. looks for K. in the Holding Cell of Despair (the toilet) and the Rocket Silo (broom closet). However, some readers may lose heart when they see how easily S.A.M. learns to tie shoes--apparently without practice! S.A.M. has brown hair, dark eyes, and pink skin, while K., also pink-skinned, has lighter-brown hair and blue eyes.Energetic compositions and appealing artwork bolster this spy-friendly text. (Picture book. 4-7)
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"Wynne-Jones, Tim: SECRET AGENT MAN GOES SHOPPING FOR SHOES." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Apr. 2016. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A449240854/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=463048f3. Accessed 29 July 2025.
Sanders, Rob OUTER SPACE BEDTIME RACE Random House (Children's Picture Books) $16.99 1, 27 ISBN: 978-0-385-38647-0
A melding of fact and fiction strives to present a bedtime lesson on the solar system. Two earthling children drift off to sleep as the book opens, and successive spreads describe the bedtime routines of sleepy little extraterrestrials on Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. Endpapers underscore the title's reference to a "race" by depicting the planets as first-through-ninth-place medals according to their respective distances from the sun. This seems to refer more to solar years instead of days with regard to the measurement of the time (how long it takes to travel around the sun, versus how long it takes for a day to pass), which muddies the bedtime theme a bit. After all, planetary days are dictated by rotation and vary in length without necessarily corresponding to the annual "race" around the sun. Backmatter entitled "Sleepy Bedtime Planet Factoids" help to ground the text in scientific facts about the planets, but this can't fully mitigate how stumbling rhymes and twee wordplay grate--"Uranus is a gassy place. / They sleep with masks stuck to each face." Won's digital artwork has a retro sensibility. An isolated inclusion of a brown-skinned boy on the second spread smacks of tokenism, since all other representations of human children depict the same Caucasian boys (the children of Neptune display more diversity by comparison). Stronger bedtime and alien books abound in the universe of children's literature. (Picture book. 3-5)
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"Sanders, Rob: OUTER SPACE BEDTIME RACE." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Oct. 2014. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A385540178/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=f1d74ac4. Accessed 29 July 2025.
Won, Brian HOORAY FOR HAT! HMH Books (Children's Picture Books) $16.99 5, 6 ISBN: 978-0-544-15903-7
All the animals are grumpy until a surprise brightens their day in this tale about the joy of sharing. With eyebrows knit and feet clenched, Elephant stomps downstairs. A black-scribble cloud hovers over his head. But his anger melts into delight when he finds a gift on the doorstep-a tall and very silly hat comprising many other hats stacked one on top of the other. Happily, Elephant puts it on, exclaiming, "Hooray for hat!" Wanting to show others, he runs from one home to the next, distributing hats one by one and perking up his crabby crew of friends. When Elephant's hats are all gone, the pals each contribute their own to make a new gift for Giraffe. The artwork, done in a pastel palette, is appealing and playful, and the heritage of Mary Blair can be seen in the spreads. Everything-from the composition of the characters to the way the images are placed with relation to the type-is well-designed. Won especially plays with definition, form and color. As each surly animal is introduced, it becomes less defined: Turtle is a shell, Owl a silhouette and Lion a dark cave. But when the animals join the hat party, they emerge in expressive, full form. This lighthearted story revels in the small acts that make life better-cheers all around. (Picture book. 3-7)
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"Won, Brian: HOORAY FOR HAT!" Kirkus Reviews, 15 Apr. 2014. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A364690976/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=dd4c6edd. Accessed 29 July 2025.
Hooray for Hat!
Brian Won. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $16.99 (40p) ISBN 978-0-544-15903-7
In this debut, Won explores the way a simple gift and a little attention from friends can have nearly magical healing properties. "When Elephant woke up, he was very grumpy," Won starts, drawing the elephant with dark frowning eyebrows and scribbly black lines above his head. The doorbell rings. "Go away! I'm grumpy!" he scowls. But the delivery is a box full of hats, and Elephant cheers right up after putting them on in a tall stack: "I'll show Zebra!" His good deed has the knock-on effect of a line of dominoes. Zebra and the animals that follow are all grumpy, each gets a hat, and the cheer spreads. Won's retro-style artwork uses muted hues and gives forms volume with watercolor-style shading. Owl's hat is a sort of graduation cap meets awning affair, while Elephant's has both a cuckoo and a handy cupholder. "I love this hat," Lion says when they arrive at his cave. "But I can't cheer while our friend Giraffe is not feeling well. What can we do?" Readers will know the answer to this one. Ages 4-8. Agency: East West Literary Agency. (June)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2014 PWxyz, LLC
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"Hooray for Hat!" Publishers Weekly, vol. 261, no. 14, 7 Apr. 2014, p. 62. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A364577607/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=2d319ddf. Accessed 29 July 2025.