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ENTRY TYPE: new
WORK TITLE: The Pelican Can!
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: https://www.toniyuly.com/
CITY: Bremerton
STATE:
COUNTRY: United States
NATIONALITY: American
LAST VOLUME:
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Born in Seattle, WA; children: one son.
EDUCATION:University of Washington, B.F.A.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Writer and illustrator. King County Library System, WA, former librarian.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
Toni Yuly is a writer and illustrator based in Bremerton, WA. Born in Seattle, she holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington. Before becoming a full time children’s book author and illustrator, Yuly worked as a librarian for the King County Library System.
Released in 2014, Yuly’s first book is Early Bird. It finds the titular character waking up in the morning and visiting different locations throughout the day, finally catching a worm in a garden. In an interview with a contributor to the KidLit411 website, Yuly explained how she came to write the book, stating: “I am a thrift store junkie and at my neighborhood Saint Vincent De Paul I found some vintage Japanese drink coasters that I really loved. They are round and one of them is a pitcher that looks kind of like a bird. It inspired me to try to draw a bird that was as round as I could make it, and that became Early Bird! I also watch robins hop around in the morning (because I am an early bird) and I knew that my little birdie would be getting up early and going on an adventure.” Reviewing the volume in Booklist, Ilene Cooper commented: “Here’s a book that is not just a smart story but one that has myriad uses as well.” A Publishers Weekly critic called the volume “energetic story” with “some fun moments of suspense and humor.”
Night Owl is a companion to Yuly’s first book and tells of a young owl who goes off on a mission to find his mother. As a storm rolls in, Night Owl goes back to his nest, and his mother returns shortly after. “With its question-and-response text, this is a satisfying choice for reading aloud,” asserted Carolyn Phelan in Booklist. A Kirkus Reviews critic suggested: “This charming exploration of sound words will stand up to repeat bedtime reads for young preschoolers.”
An adult cat agrees to play hide-and-seek with Kitten in Cat Nap. Everywhere Cat hides, even in good hiding spots, Kitten finds him. Meanwhile, a mouse watches them play. Finally, Cat decides to rest, but he discovers that Kitten has fallen asleep in his bed. Writing in School Library Journal, Beth Parmer called the volume “perfect for an interactive storytime and an introduction to opposites.” A Kirkus Reviews contributor described it as “delightful pre-nap read-aloud fare.”
The Jelly Bean Tree stars a giraffe named Jelly Bean, whom birds mistake for a tree. When they build a nest and lay eggs on her head, Jelly Bean decides she must act like a tree in order to protect the eggs until they hatch. Sally James, reviewer in School Library Journal, described the book as “a great choice for preschoolers.” “This story imparts a gentle message about being a good friend and looking out for one another,” suggested a contributor to Publishers Weekly.
In Thank You Bees, a narrator thanks various natural beings and phenomena for offering elements that help make life pleasant. Among the things being thanked are sheep, clouds, the sun, trees, first, and, of course, bees. In an interview with Maria Marshall on her self-titled website, Yuly explained: “I am not a religious person but very spiritual and Thank You Bees is almost like a gratitude prayer or chant without any heavy handedness to it…and I think it has a kind of soft power to it…well anyway, I hope readers feel what I tried to put into the book.” “Appreciation is emblematic in this attractive and uncomplicated narrative,” asserted a critic in Kirkus Reviews.
A little girl marvels at nature in The Whole Wide World and Me. Elements she observes include waves, fish, clouds, and flowers. Maryann H. Owen, contributor to School Library Journal, called the book “a fine addition to preschool classrooms.” A Kirkus Reviews writer described it as “colorful, peaceful, and just right for the youngest naturalists.”
Play Day School Day, Yuly’s first book with named characters, finds big sister Mona describing what school is like to her little brother, Milo. After Mona’s description, Milo expresses that he is excited to go to school. In another interview with Marshall on the same website, Yuly noted: “The main idea and spirit behind this book is that a lot of the stuff kids do outside when they are just playing is the same as they do at school. It might not look and feel the same but it really is and hopefully that will make school a little less scary and a lot more exciting and relevant.” A critic in Kirkus Reviews described the book as “a tender tale just right for those returning to school to share with their own younger siblings.”
An octopus and a starfish explore emotions in Ollie Feels Fine. A series of events happen to Ollie the octopus, and after each one, Ollie’s emotion is identified. When Ollie is overwhelmed, Stella arrives to giving him a hug. A reviewer in Children’s Bookwatch described the volume as “endearing.” “Toddler readers will feel just fine after this funky intro to emotions,” suggested a contributor to Kirkus Reviews.
In Slowly Slowly, readers watch a child and natural creatures change as the seasons change. Jonah Dragan, contributor to School Library Journal, suggested that the book featured “plenty of details to inspire conversation and reward multiple read-throughs.” A writer in Kirkus Reviews remarked that it offered “delightful and soothing encouragement to slow down and enjoy life.”
The Pelican Can! finds the titular animal gathering food to bring back to its nest to share with its mate and baby. Writing in Horn Book, Shelly Isaacson suggested: “Yuly delivers plenty of page-turning visual drama.” A Kirkus Reviews critic suggested that the book “will prompt well-deserved appreciation for this unique bird.”
Yuly offered this advice for aspiring writers in an interview with Henry Herz on HenryHerz.com: “Get to work!! And also, Never give up! And … it is never too late! I would also tell anyone that it helps to start small. Just make a card or create a character and have fun. … Most of all …keep playing!”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Booklist, February 15, 2014, Ilene Cooper, review of Early Bird, p. 73; January 1, 2015, Carolyn Phelan, review of Night Owl, p. 106.
Children’s Bookwatch, April, 2021, review of Ollie Feels Fine.
Horn Book, May-June, 2024, Shelley Isaacson, review of The Pelican Can!, p. 130.
Kirkus Reviews, November 1, 2014, review of Night Owl; October 15, 2015, review of Cat Nap; June 15, 2017, review of Thank You, Bees; January 1, 2019, review of The Whole Wide World and Me; June 1, 2020, review of Play Day School Day; April 15, 2021, review of Ollie Feels Fine; August 15, 2023, review of Slowly Slowly; April 15, 2024, review of The Pelican Can!
Publishers Weekly, October 21, 2013, review of Early Bird, p. 50; May 8, 2017, review of The Jelly Bean Tree, p. 58.
School Library Journal, December, 2015, Beth Parmer, review of Cat Nap, p. 86; June 1, 2017, Sally James, review of The Jelly Bean Tree, p. 66; February, 2019, Maryann H. Owen, review of The Whole Wide World and Me, p. 47; August, 2023, Jonah Dragan, review of Slowly Slowly, p. 84.
ONLINE
HenryHerz.com, https://henryherz.wordpress.com/ (May 21, 2016), Henry Herz, author interview.
KidLit411, https://www.kidlit411.com/ (September, 2014), author interview.
Maria Marshall website, https://www.mariacmarshall.com/ (September 18, 2017), Maria Marshall, author interview; (June 15, 2020), Maria Marshall, author interview.
Miss Marple’s Musings, https://joannamarple.com/ (January 7, 2015), Joanna Marple, author interview.
Toni Yuly website, https://www.toniyuly.com/ (October 28, 2024).
Toni Yuly has been an early bird her whole life and loves to start the day in her studio listening to other early birds sing outside her window. She lives in a small house by the water in Bremerton, Washington, a short ferry boat ride to Seattle, where she was born.
Toni fell in love with Eastern sensibilities during a year spent in Sendai, Japan when she was just 17 years old. She graduated from the University of Washington with a BFA in painting where she studied with the great American painter Jacob Lawrence. Now, after many years as a librarian in the King County Library System, Toni Dedicates herself to designing, painting and writing full time.
QUOTED: "The main idea and spirit behind this book is that a lot of the stuff kids do outside when they are just playing is the same as they do at school. It might not look and feel the same but it really is and hopefully that will make school a little less scary and a lot more exciting and relevant."
The Picture Book Buzz - Interview With Toni Yuly
Today, I get the privilege to feature a dear friend of mine.
Toni Yuly has been an early bird all her life and loves to start the day in the studio listening to other early birds sing outside her window. She was born in Seattle and now lives in Bremerton, Washington, in a small house by the water. She studied painting at the University of Washington, where she worked with the great American painter Jacob Lawrence. Toni spent a year in Sendai Japan as a cultural exchange student and worked for over 30 years at the King County Library System.
She is the author and illustrator of six books - The Whole Wide World and Me (2019), Thank You Bees (2017), The Jelly Bean Tree (2017), Cat Nap (2017), Night Owl (2016), and Early Bird (2015).
Her newest book, Play Day School Day, released June 9th .
Welcome Toni, thank you for joining me to talk about your newest book and illustrating.
You are welcome Maria! Thank you for having me.
For some basic information on Toni, please see our earlier interview (here).
ME: What's something you want your readers to know about Play Day School Day?
TONI: The main idea and spirit behind this book is that a lot of the stuff kids do outside when they are just playing is the same as they do at school. It might not look and feel the same but it really is and hopefully that will make school a little less scary and a lot more exciting and relevant.
What a great way to ease the fears of little ones off to school for the first time. Would you say there is a common thread in your picture books?
All of the books I have made so far kind of split into a couple different groups.
The first 3 books, Early Bird, Night Owl and Cat Nap have their own appeal for the very young - easy to read - strong characters with strong stories. The next 4 books are more about a many layered experience with multiple ideas going on.
The Jelly Bean Tree is about a baby giraffe who loves trees and kind of wants to be a tree and then one day she falls asleep with her head in a tree and a bird builds a nest on her head. It is about friendship, helping out, patience and being kind.
The next 2 books are based on very simple ideas that show things we know but maybe don’t know we know.
Thank You Bees is an ode to gratitude for simple everyday things we might encounter in a typical day. We see and use so many things in a day without thinking about them, and this book helps us become conscious of that fact.
The Whole Wide World and Me is a poem that celebrates the idea of being small and big at the same time - a feeling I associate with being deeply connected to nature. I think this feeling is most keenly felt when you are at the ocean or near the mountains, in a forest or in a big meadow. I first had this feeling when I was quite young... I was this tiny little person but also connected somehow to all of the bigness around me too. It is about realizing and embracing that we are all a part of the natural world and what a wonderful thing that is.
Play Day School Day shows that playing outside is full of learning and even relevant to traditional school learning. I grew up in the generation that played outside for hours every day. I know that world is gone but if kids today can be outside exploring and experiencing things for even a little bit each day no matter if they have a huge backyard or no back yard...to just walk down the sidewalk with a parent or go to a park it's a way to connect to the natural world and I think that helps keep us all grounded in the reality and love of planet earth. It also helps us learn to learn in a lot of different ways!
And all of them explore our connection with nature. What is the medium you used in Play Day School Day? How difficult is this medium? Is it the same medium in all your books?
I used collage which I love because it takes away all of the pressure to make something perfect. It allows me to get to the essence and feel of something I want to express. When I cut a shape from paper I know it won't be quite right and that is what gives it its charm. My first 3 books were made by doing line drawings with pen, scanning them, and adding color in the computer.
I think your illustrations are a lot of fun. What was your favorite part of Play Day School Day to illustrate? What is your least favorite part? Or your favorite spread?
©Toni Yuly, 2020.
Um, kids are really hard for me to illustrate so it took a long time to get the feel and look for the kids that I wanted. I think my favorite spreads are the ones where Mona is telling Milo that sometimes you sit still and listen, and sometimes you run and run and be loud.
You've definitely captured the joy of children playing outdoors. What is the hardest thing for you about writing and illustrating children’s books?
It is hard to explain but once the initial joy of signing a contract is over and the book schedule kicks in, there has always been something daunting and stress inducing for me to make a book that moves from one page to the next and all fits together. It is the pressure to give consistency and flow to the overall shape of the book that is the scariest thing for me, but I think I am finally getting better at letting go of that stress and trusting the process.
Interesting. I'm glad it's getting easier for you. Many illustrators leave treasures or weave their own story (or elements) throughout the illustrations. Did you do this in Play Day School Day? Could you share one with us?
Hmmm, I don’t think I do this much but I usually do have some kind of little helper or recurring side character in my books. In Play Day School Day there is a funny looking black kitty that tags along.
That's perfect! Are there any projects you are working on now that you can share a tidbit with us?
I just finished a stand-alone board book with Sasquatch Books about an emotional octopus and his overwhelming day. It is set to be released in Spring of 2021. And I am very excited to be starting work on my 9th book called, Some Questions About Trees! I am honored to be working with the amazing Reka Simonsen at Simon & Schuster. It is a book of questions from the point of view of a small girl who wonders things like - why are trees are naked in winter? The questions the girl asks are kind of like koans and don’t really have any answers. I am using chalk pastel and collage to illustrate.
That sounds like a lot of fun. For anyone else who doesn't know the word "koans" - A koan is a riddle or puzzle that Zen Buddhists use during meditation to help them unravel greater truths about the world and about themselves.
Thank you Toni, it was wonderful learning about your process and your books.
Be sure to come back Friday for the Perfect Picture Book #PPBF post on Play Day, School Day.
To find out more about Toni Yuly, or get in touch with her:
Website: http://www.toniyuly.com/HOME.html
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/toni.yuly?fref=photo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toniyuly/
QUOTED: "I am not a religious person but very spiritual and Thank You Bees is almost like a gratitude prayer or chant without any heavy handedness to it...and I think it has a kind of soft power to it...well anyway, I hope readers feel what I tried to put into the book."
The Picture Book Buzz - Interview with Toni Yuly
Today, I have the pleasure of talking with a local author and amazing artist Toni Yuly. Many of you may know Toni from her board books EARLY BIRD and NIGHT OWL.
Toni, thank you for joining me to talk about your newest book and illustrating.
Sure thing! Thank you Maria.
ME: Tell us a little about yourself. (Where/when do you write? How long have you been writing? What is your favorite type of book to write or illustrate?)
Toni: I am an early bird so I get up with the sun and make the long commute to my studio which is about 15 feet from my home. I have always liked writing and so far the only books I have published are picture books but I would totally like to write all kinds of other things...plays, poetry, adult fiction. But, picture books are pretty special and magical I think so I am super happy and grateful to be able to keep making them!
What is something no one (or few) knows about you?
I was the 5th fastest breastroke swimmer in the state of Washington, in high school.
Great fact! How would you describe your style of illustration? What is your favorite medium and colors?
I don’t think I have a style but if I had to say I would say... minimal graphic. I love collage and all colors.
I love your torn paper illustrations and your "torn tissue Tuesday" posts. Who was your favorite author, illustrator, and/or favorite book as a child?
I wasn’t a big reader as a kid but when a librarian handed me a copy of Charlotte’s Web, I fell in love. That book is still one of my favorites.
How do you shift between illustrations and writing? (Which comes first? Which is the hardest?)
I don’t really shift, especially in the beginning...it all just kind of runs together.
They both have their ups and downs and take a long time to get just right for me. I really have to work it and work it to get what I want from writing and illustrating. When I have sold a picture book and am getting ready to work with a publisher we usually hone the words first and then I am “free” to do the artwork...but by this time the initial process of creating something from nothing is long past and we are beginning the next phase in the creative process which separates the two things a bit more….does that make sense?
Yes it does. Once you get to focus on the illustrating, you're no longer wearing your "writing" hat. What's something you want your readers to know about Thank You Bees?
Well, it took a long, long time to get here...I wrote it when my son was 4 or 5 and he is now 26. It feels like a magical book to me...deceptively simple but full of so much! I am not a religious person but very spiritual and Thank You Bees is almost like a gratitude prayer or chant without any heavy handedness to it...and I think it has a kind of soft power to it...well anyway, I hope readers feel what I tried to put into the book.
How does Thank You Bees differ from Early Bird, Night Owl, and Cat Nap?
I think my answer to your last question kind of answer this one. My first 4 books (Early Bird, Night Owl, Cat Nap and The Jelly Bean Tree) all feature animals and some kind of concept. I guess they are similar in that they are all simple and I try to get to the essence of an idea but at the same time bring a lot of layers to that simple essence.
What/who is your greatest source of inspiration? (as a child or now as an author or illustrator.)
Well inspiration is a strange word...I am inspired every day mostly by nature...but really everything can inspire, even garbage or a dead plant. But I would have to say that the year I spent in Japan at age 17 changed my life in so many ways...and inspired me to get out of my comfort zone.
Do you have a favorite book? (We promise NOT to tell the others) Perhaps one that was the most gratifying to write? One that means the most you or your family? Or one that tickled your funny bone the most?
That is a hard one but probably, Thank You Bees. My favorite book is always the one I am working on and the companion to Thank You Bees is called, The Whole Wide World and Me and I really love that one too and just finished the artwork for it.
Ooh, I am excited to read this new book. What has been the most frustrating aspect or period of time as a children’s author/illustrator for you?
Paying for my own health insurance!
Touché. Any projects you are working on now that you can share a tidbit with us?
The Whole Wide World and Me is the companion to Thank You Bees and it is similar but different. Similar in that it isn’t really a “story.” It is really a poem and the basic theme is feeling tiny and big at the same time in nature. I first had this feeling when I was about 4, I think, and it has stayed with me always...it is a great feeling of being connected to nature.
I was lucky to have grown up in a beautiful, wild kind of natural place and I think nature can really heal and inspire us. Also I love the planet earth so much and don’t think it is appreciated enough...what a miracle it is to live on this planet.
Is there anything about writing, illustrating, or publishing you know now that you wished you had known when you started?
Hmmmm, I don’t know much still! Haha. I have a lot to learn I think and try to be open to that.
What is your favorite animal? Why?
I can’t choose just one. I love them all except for some bugs which freak me out.
Thank you Toni for stopping by to chat!
Thank You Bees released September 12th. Be sure to stop back by Friday for the #PPBF review.
To find out more about Toni Yuly, or get in touch with her:
Website: http://www.toniyuly.com/HOME.html
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/toni.yuly?fref=photo
Twitter: https://twitter.com/toniyuly
QUOTED: "Get to work!! And also, Never give up! And… it is never too late! I would also tell anyone that it helps to start small. Just make a card or create a character and have fun…Most of all…keep playing!"
Interview with picture book author/illustrator Toni Yuly
May 21, 2016 by Henry Herz 1 Comment
Toni Yuly recently quit her job of over 30 years as a librarian with the King County Library System, to work full-time as an author/illustrator. She was born in Seattle, WA and has a BFA in painting from the University of Washington where she studied with the great American painter, Jacob Lawrence. She spent a year in Japan as an exchange student where she ate a lot of ramen in addition to falling in love with Asian, artistic sensibilities. Toni is represented by Lori Kilkelly of RODEEN LITERARY MANAGEMENT.
YulyToni
For what age audience do you write?
0-5 year olds are my sweet spot audience. I am an author/illustrator and love writing and illustrating picture books but would also love to write for older children and even adults one day…
Henry: Interesting that you started with zero. I write, but do not illustrate – at least not well. Only children still in the womb don’t object to my illustrations.
Tell us about your latest book.
My latest book is, CAT NAP. It is the third book in a set of three companion books for the very young. (The first is, EARLY BIRD and the second, NIGHT OWL.) CAT NAP is the funniest of the three and is about a cat who wants to nap, a kitten who wants to play, and a mouse who follows them around. I also really love the colors in this book.
Henry: Dog gone! I like the idea of idioms as picture book titles!
What do you hope readers will get from reading that book?
A smile and some giggles, and I hope it will pique readers overall curiosity as well. A nap after reading would be an awesome bonus as well!
What aspect of writing or illustrating do you find most challenging?
The creative process of writing can be quite challenging to me. It requires a lot of time sitting with pain. I can work out visual challenges more easily it seems. It is the writing challenges that usually take a lot of time for me.
What is a powerful lesson you’ve learned from being a writer or illustrator?
Sitting with pain is ok and probably a good thing, creatively speaking. I have learned that if I can just learn to accept that creating is difficult and sometimes painful it helps me also remember that by doing the work and experiencing the pain, it almost always does get good results. I have also learned to bounce back from difficulties!
Henry: We authors certainly have to be tenacious and thick-skinned. But the vast riches and wild adulation of the crowd makes it all worthwhile. 🙂
What has been a memorable experience that you never would have had if you had not been a writer/illustrator?
Sharing my books with kids and seeing their reactions. Interacting with kids while reading my books blows my mind! It always feels magical to me when a small child “gets” and even loves my books. Also, sharing my books with my friends and family who have supported me for such a long time has been wonderful.
Henry: I agree. Seeing a kid excited about reading is the sweet spot!
What advice would you give to aspiring authors or illustrators?
Get to work!! And also, Never give up! And… it is never too late! I would also tell anyone that it helps to start small. Just make a card or create a character and have fun…Most of all…keep playing!
Henry: Right. You can’t get published if you stop writing and submitting. My creative writing began at age 50. I suspect the life experience of writing when older is actually beneficial.
Do you have any favorite quotes?
I love quotes and there are SO many great ones…The wonderful author/illustrator, Nikki McClure told me when I was first starting out… “Keep working it until it works.” I wrote that down and hung it over my computer and it helped me keep going.
The painter Georges Braque… “There is only one valuable thing in art…the thing you cannot explain.”
And I love Leonard Cohen…especially his song, Anthem…”The birds they sang, at the break of day…start again, I heard them say…”
Henry: “The early bird gets the worm. But the second mouse gets the cheese.”
Do you have any strange rituals that you observe when you work?
On good days I start with some Qigong and meditation, but on bad days I go straight to my dark chocolate! Most days I tend to snack a lot and always have a pot of tea brewing close by…
Henry: No one would argue with chocolate as a lifestyle choice. Whenever I read “Qigong”, I immediately think of Obi-Wan Kenobi’s master, Qui-Gon Jinn. Does Qigong involve lightsabers?
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
I would love to have the superpower to heal the human heart and replace hate with love in all people’s hearts. The world could use more heart healing superpowers!
Henry: That’s both a heartwarming and slightly terrifying superpower. Well played.
If you could have three authors over for dinner, who would it be, and why?
Ruth Kraus – A Hole is To Dig, I’ll Be you and You Be Me, The Carrot Seed. Need I say more?
Joseph Campbell – Brilliant, deep thinker. Maybe he could explain the secrets of the universe to me.
Mother Goose – Wait, is she a real person? I love fun rhyme.
Henry: Hey doblin, doblin. The gnome and the goblin.
The centaur ran through the lawn.
The minotaur laughed to see such sport,
And the imp ran away with the faun.
What is your favorite creature that exists only in literature?
Hello Kitty and Miffy. Because they are adorable creatures and everyone loves them.
Henry: True, but I’m more of a fantasy/sci-fi guy. Let’s compromise
halo_kitty_by_whiteboygus
What do you like to do when you’re not working?
Walk, listen to music, talk with friends and work in the garden.
What would you like it to say on your tombstone?
I don’t plan on having a tombstone… but if I did, it would possibly be a quote from Leonard Cohen’s Anthem…
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in.
Where can readers find your work?
http://www.toniyuly.com
Henry: Thanks for spending time with us, Toni. This article can also be read on the San Diego Children’s Books Examiner.
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Illustrator Interview – Toni Yuly
Posted on January 7, 2015 by Joanna
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Yuly portrait NEW
[JM] Illustrator or author/illustrator? If the latter, do you begin with words or pictures?
[TY] I am an author/illustrator.
Sometimes an image captivates me and the story comes from that image, and sometimes an idea shows up in my head and the pictures come later, through a process of working with the words and story around that idea.
[JM] Where are you from/have you lived and how has that influenced your work?
[TY] I was born in Seattle, WA and grew up on an island near Seattle. My childhood was full of wild, natural surroundings and lots and lots of water…that deep connection with nature from an early age has always been at my core and my inspiration. At 17, (1972) I lived in Sendai, Japan for a year as an exchange student and was totally immersed in Japanese culture. I discovered Eastern sensibilities, and it changed my life forever…
[JM] Tell us a little of your beginnings and journey as an artist.
[TY] I think I have always experienced the world as an artist, which sounds pretty pretentious, but I mean to say, that like a lot of my artist friends, I have a heightened visual sense and seem to notice almost too much! I can get easily overloaded by sights and sounds, etc. but I have learned that this is a doorway into creativity…noticing little things and following them…
Growing up my family didn’t encourage or appreciate the arts so I never saw myself as being a creative kid (although looking back I was always writing and drawing, etc.) I just thought I was weird. It wasn’t until college, when my future husband suggested I become an art major, because I spent all of my spare time drawing, that I started to think of myself as “creative.” Trying to make it as a fine artist was discouraging, but I have never stopped making art.
[JM] Do you have a preferred medium to work in?
[TY] I worked for years as a fine artist in ink, watercolor and egg tempera. I painted tiny little paintings and showed them around town. I also love design and in 2009 started designing a line of greeting cards that were very different from my fine art. That is when I taught myself Photoshop, (kind of) and started scanning pencil and ink drawings into the computer and coloring them there. I also love photography, collage and making cardboard wall sculptures.
[JM] Do you have themes or characters you return to in your art?
[TY] Nature, love, connections, courage, inspiration, helpfulness, kindness, humor.
[JM] Please tell us about your new picture book coming out this month.
I am super excited that my second book, Night Owl, flies into the world on January 28th! It is a companion to my first book, Early Bird, (for ages 0 to 5) and stars a plucky little owl who is also a great listener! The book emphasizes sound words and listening skills I am thrilled to share Night Owl with the world. (I even have a little percussion performance planned for the book launch.)
Night Owl illo - Yuly
Night Owl 3 Yuly
Night Owl 1 Yuly
Night Owl 2 YulyThe artwork has a limited palette of mostly blues and purples and was inspired by Japanese Ukiyo-e block prints.
(My first book, Early Bird is also released as a board book on the same day!)
early
[JM] Can you share a piece or two with us, maybe of a WIP, and the process of creating them?
[TY] I am in the middle of working on the artwork for my third book, Cat Nap, which comes out in January 2016 (Cat Nap is also a companion to Early Bird and Night Owl.)
This is the funniest of the three books and stars a cat who wants to nap, a kitten who doesn’t, and a tiny mouse who has fun following them around the house in a game of hide and seek.
Cat Nap 3 Yuly
Cat Nap 2 Yuly
Cat Nap 1 Yuly
As my audience for these books are very young, I aim for simplicity in story and artwork. I believe that less is more, especially with this age group and so the process I go through is usually one of taking away over and over again and playing with an idea until things click.
With Early Bird I had an image of this round little bird and the story came from that. With Night Owl and Cat Nap, the titles came first so developing the characters and getting the stories to work was more difficult, but I have learned that if I stick it out long enough, and don’t give up, it will click…eventually.
[JM] Do you have a favorite picture book from when you were young?
[TY] Yes! Caroline and Friends, by Pierre Probst.
caro
[JM] Please share a little about your decision to quit your day job and become a full time author/illustrator last October.
[TY] I have had a day job since I was 12 and so when my 60th birthday started to loom up in front of me I decided to take the plunge and go full-time as an author/illustrator. It wasn’t an easy decision and I am still transitioning! I miss the people and the buzz of the workplace, and I miss the library patrons. But it is time, and I am excited and grateful to be working full-time at my dream!
[JM] What does your workspace look like?
[TY] Pretty chaotic…very chaotic…really just a big mess!
studio Yuly-2
[JM] What artwork do you have hanging in your house? (photos?)
[TY] A real hodge podge! Too much to share. Here are just a few…
Kitchen: A thrift store find.
art in home- kitchen - Yuly
Living Room: Black and white botanical drawings by my son done at age 15, A Japanese print of Kyoto found in the thrift store; a print from a local Seattle artist from the 1930’s and a print of one of my favorite artists, Rouault.
Livrm various - Yuly
Entrance way: Japanese screen found at a garage sale.
Japanese screen-Livrm - Yuly
Utility room: Japanese cloth from a thrift store.
Japanese cloth - laundry room - Yuly
Hallway: JARU ceramic wall art from the 1960’s found at a swap meet in Seattle.
Jaru ceramic-hall-Yuly
Five Fun Ones to Finish? [JM] What’s your favorite park in the world?
[TY] I have not travelled much, so I have to say all of the parks in Western Washington are my favorite. I use to live by Discovery Park in Seattle and it has everything…water, trees, small spaces and big spaces. I love the ocean and often visit the Washington coast… I guess I see the Pacific Ocean as the most wonderful park in the world.
[JM] Cats or dogs?
[TY] I am in desperate need of a pet! I am allergic to cats, sadly, but have decided that I will get a dog in 2015!
[JM] Fact that most people don’t know about you?
[TY] I worked as a Japanese language translator at a fish cannery in the San Juan Islands.
[JM] One word to describe yourself
[TY] Positive.
[JM] Go to snack/drink to sustain your creative juices?
[TY] Dark chocolate and ginger tea.
Readers can find Toni on FB: https://www.facebook.com/toni.yuly and on her website: www.toniyuly.com
Toni, I am so excited you are going to get a dog this year! Also, I wish you success in your first year as a full-time author/illustrator and with NIGHT OWL and your board book EARLY BIRD coming out at the end of the month!.
QUOTED: "I am a thrift store junkie and at my neighborhood Saint Vincent De Paul I found some vintage Japanese drink coasters that I really loved. They are round and one of them is a pitcher that looks kind of like a bird. It inspired me to try to draw a bird that was as round as I could make it, and that became Early Bird! I also watch robins hop around in the morning (because I am an early bird) and I knew that my little birdie would be getting up early and going on an adventure."
Author-Illustrator Spotlight: Toni Yuly
© Toni Yuly
Today we feature the superb work of author-illustrator Toni Yuly, whose debut picture book EARLY BIRD is a smashing success. Join us to learn about her journey.
Illustrating for children is not your first career. Tell us about your journey to becoming a children's illustrator. Was this something you always wanted to do?
Oh wow, it was a wild and crazy journey, I definitely did not follow a straight path! I have a background in painting and am self taught with technology. I feel like I am a fine artist who has been given a ticket to the world of illustration and I am having a blast trying to figure out what is going on!
I have always loved picture books but it wasn’t until I had my son that I realized I really, really loved them. Originally, I tried to break in through the SCBWI door, but after 7 years I only had nibbles. (At this time I wasn’t confident enough to illustrate - I was only writing!) So I gave up on the dream and went back to painting (I have a BFA in painting.) It wasn’t until my son left home for college, and I started designing greeting cards, that I gained confidence as a designer. Designing a line of greeting cards helped me to develop my own style that was totally different from my painting.
© Toni Yuly
I have always been attracted to design, the graphic arts and fashion, but I am also a pretty big goofball and love kids so it makes sense that I am finally making picture books!
© Toni Yuly
What were the one or two key things that were your "big break" into the field?
My first big break was meeting the wonderful author/illustrator Wendy Wahman at the library where I work my day job. She came in to do some research and I was working the reference desk. Wendy encouraged and inspired me. She taught me to throw fireballs!
My second big break was when I sent a random email to the editor Connie Hsu, and by some miracle she opened it and saw my illustration for EARLY BIRD and wrote me back. She didn’t buy the book, but she told me I a needed an agent and she encouraged me. She sent me several names of agents to try...and some months later…eventually she gave me the name of my agent, Lori Kilkelly. After I signed with Lori, she sold my first book in eight days!
Spread from EARLY BIRD © Toni Yuly
None of these big breaks would have happened if I had not had an intense desire and relentless persistence and been open and brave enough to keep going until I got in.
EARLY BIRD is your debut picture book. Tell us a bit about it. What inspired it? What was one surprising thing you learned about the publication process during the making of this book?
I am a thrift store junkie and at my neighborhood Saint Vincent De Paul I found some vintage Japanese drink coasters that I really loved. They are round and one of them is a pitcher that looks kind of like a bird. It inspired me to try to draw a bird that was as round as I could make it, and that became Early Bird! I also watch robins hop around in the morning (because I am an early bird) and I knew that my little birdie would be getting up early and going on an adventure.
© Toni Yuly
One surprising thing I learned was that I could actually do this! When EARLY BIRD sold, I spent a few weeks in a state of panic but my editor and the kind team of folks at my publishers were so very sweet and supportive that I eventually relaxed and trusted myself. I am grateful to them for giving me the confidence I needed!
What projects are you working on now? What other books are in the works?
My second book, NIGHT OWL (a companion book to Early Bird) is coming out in January 2015. Also, the board book version of EARLY BIRD is being released in January as well which makes me smile. I am currently working on book 3, CAT NAP, due out in January 2016 and a couple other projects that I hope to share soon.
from NIGHT OWL © Toni Yuly
What is your typical process for illustrating?
I really believe in the power of letting your mind wander. No restrictions and no “thinking.”After I get an idea, I typically go through a lot of paper! Since I write and illustrate it is a kind of back and forth process... writing and sketching.
Sketch for EARLY BIRD © Toni Yuly
Part of dummy for EARLY BIRD © Toni Yuly
I almost always hit a wall and feel that I will never get it to click... that is when I just keep working it until it works! I think that it is good to create with one’s heart and edit with the head. By heart, I mean don’t be a critic in the creative phase...just trust your feelings and have no direction.
What advice would you give to aspiring illustrators?
Keep working! Do a ton of work! Work is the key and from a lot of work will come success. If you make something great it will find its way into the world and people will love it and most likely buy
it…
© Toni Yuly
What is one thing people don't know about you?
I was captain of my high school swim team.
© Toni Yuly
Where can people find you on the internet?
Please friend me on Facebook if you would like to follow my artistic pursuits… https://www.facebook.com/toni.yuly
Toni Yuly was born in Seattle and now lives in Bremerton, Washington, in a small house by the water. She studied painting at the University of Washington, where she worked with the great American painter Jacob Lawrence. in addition to making art, Toni works in the King County Library system.
QUOTED: "Yuly delivers plenty of page-turning visual drama."
The Pelican Can!
by Toni Yuly; illus. by the author
Preschool, Primary Little, Brown 40 pp. 5/24 9780316497817 $18.99
Yuly's well-designed picture book presents a series of playful rhyming questions ("Who can soar down close to the shore?" "Who can fly up high in the sky?") followed by the refrain, "The pelican can! The pelican can!" While young listeners and emerging readers will enjoy the predictability of the interactive format, Yuly delivers plenty of page-turning visual drama. She sets pelicans--sometimes rendered in thick black outlines, other times in solid silhouettes--against striking torn-paper seascapes as they travel from nest, to sea, and back to nest again. With each question-and-answer couplet, shifting color palettes depict the peaceful blue-black nighttime that bookends the story, the splendor of sunrise and sunset, and the bright daylight in between. Artfully placed text mimics the pelicans' path as they fly, dive, "SPLASH!," and scoop, enhancing the book's visual delight and the appeal of decoding words and images as readers follow the pelicans from page to page. Sure, "The pelican can! The pelican can!" And the viewer can, too. SHELLEY ISAACSON
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2024 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Sources, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.hbook.com/magazine/default.asp
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Isaacson, Shelley. "The Pelican Can!" The Horn Book Magazine, vol. 100, no. 3, May-June 2024, p. 130. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A793839413/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=750f7e88. Accessed 11 Sept. 2024.
QUOTED: "Will prompt well-deserved appreciation for this unique bird."
Yuly, Toni THE PELICAN CAN! Little, Brown (Children's None) $18.99 5, 14 ISBN: 9780316497817
What can pelicans do?
As this lively picture book shows, this large-billed bird with an oversized pouch can do quite a lot, especially when there's a hungry mouth to feed back at home. As our protagonist soars through the air, it pays careful attention to marine life swimming below, diving from the sky to "scoop a delicious fish soup." Naturally, some of this catch ends up being shared with its mate and its chick upon its return to the nest. Repetitive, rhyming, call-and-response-style text makes this one a sure bet for the younger set. "Who can fly up in the sky?" "Who can spy small fish with their eye?" "Who can dive down so fast?" Each time, the answer is an enthusiastic "The pelican can! The pelican can!" Though some might have wished for backmatter with more information about pelicans, it's a small point. Yuly's torn-paper, ink, and digital-media artwork is the standout here. Each page is saturated with blues, pinks, or purples. On some pages, the pelican is silhouetted in black, while on others, it's rendered with just a few strokes of black ink. Yuly imbues her subject with verve and energy; readers will be just as eager to see the results of the pelican's flight as the birds waiting back home in the nest.
Will prompt well-deserved appreciation for this unique bird. (Picture book. 4-7)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2024 Kirkus Media LLC
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"Yuly, Toni: THE PELICAN CAN!" Kirkus Reviews, 15 Apr. 2024, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A789814609/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=6f714037. Accessed 11 Sept. 2024.
QUOTED: "plenty of details to inspire conversation and reward multiple read-throughs."
* YULY, Toni. Slowly Slowly. illus. by Toni Yuly. 40p. Atheneum. Sept. 2023. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9781665917186.
PreS-Gr 1--With a few carefully chosen words and images, Yuly fashions a delicate paean to nature and mindfulness. "When you slow down .../ you see more," whisper the inviting first lines, as a child frolics outdoors with a beloved pet dog. And slow down they do, taking delight in small things they might otherwise have missed: a snail climbing a blade of grass, a scatter of blooming flowers, turtles sunning on a pond rock. The minimalist style and composition of the hazy, soft-textured art (a combination of chalk pastel, cut paper, and digital collage) winningly reflect the book's philosophy of stripped-down simplicity. Moreover, most of the spreads maintain a single, fixed perspective--the limb of a persimmon tree. From this high vantage point, page turns mirror the passage of the seasons, foregrounding little changes (a spider spins a web, a caterpillar pupates, a bird builds a nest) as the text hypnotically repeats, "slowly ... slowly ... slowly." Down below, a new house is constructed and sold to a family, and soon the child has a new young friend with whom to slow down and watch the sun set behind the fruiting persimmon branches. The easy joy in their connection to the natural world serves as a quietly graceful closing statement. VERDICT An appealing purchase for all collections, with plenty of details to inspire conversation and reward multiple read-throughs.--Jonah Dragan
KEY: * Excellent in relation to other titles on the same subject or in the same genre | Tr Hardcover trade binding | Board Board book | pap. Paperback | BL Bilingual | SP Spanish
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2023 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
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Dragan, Jonah. "YULY, Toni. Slowly Slowly." School Library Journal, vol. 69, no. 8, Aug. 2023, p. 84. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A758507055/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=9c443896. Accessed 11 Sept. 2024.
QUOTED: "delightful and soothing encouragement to slow down and enjoy life."
Yuly, Toni SLOWLY SLOWLY Atheneum (Children's None) $18.99 9, 12 ISBN: 9781665917186
A child experiences a year and the shifts in nature that come with it.
An unnamed, black-haired, tan-skinned child races through the grass, followed by a dog. As the story goes on, the seasons change. A spider spins a web, a caterpillar becomes a butterfly, and a bird builds a nest and raises its chick as a house is built in the background. Come autumn, the child has made friends with the new neighbor and taken in the subtle but beautiful transformations of the year, as exemplified in a persimmon tree taking several pages to finally bear fruit. The simplicity of this story results in its perfection. Repeated scenes of a branch of the persimmon tree, shown in different weather and at various times of day, will hold children's interest during multiple rereads and help them learn about the seasons and other aspects of the natural world. The text urges readers to slow down: "When you slow down // you see more. // You see big beginnings, // and small steps." The precise, limited narrative and its message that good things can take time to develop will lull readers into a sense of calm appreciation, making this an ideal story for bedtime. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Delightful and soothing encouragement to slow down and enjoy life. (Picture book. 3-6)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2023 Kirkus Media LLC
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"Yuly, Toni: SLOWLY SLOWLY." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Aug. 2023, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A760508103/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=e7a1ba4b. Accessed 11 Sept. 2024.
QUOTED: "endearing."
Ollie Feels Fine
Toni Yuly, author/illustrator
Little Bigfoot
c/o Sasquatch Books
1904 Third Ave, Suite 710, Seattle, WA 98101
www.sasquatchbooks.com
9781632173010, $9.99, Board Book, 22pp
https://www.amazon.com/Ollie-Feels-Fine-Toni-Yuly/dp/1632173018
Ollie the octopus has a lot of feelings and he struggles to understand them. One especially busy, emotional day, Ollie becomes overwhelmed by all of his feelings. But with the help of his good friend, Stella the starfish, Ollie is reassured and able to feel that he is ok, and that it is fine to have so many feelings.
"Ollie Feels Fine" is endearing board book that explores the range of emotions we all can feel and opens up the potential for a conversation with a caring adult where kids can discover their feelings are natural and normal, and that others feel the same way they do.
A visually fun detail included is how Ollie changes his color with his changing emotions to emphasize and make it easy for even the very youngest readers to see Ollie's feelings. Especially and unreservedly recommended for family, daycare center, and community library board book collections for children ages 1-4, "Ollie Feels Fine" helps parents and care givers support a child's emotional intelligence.
Please Note: Illustration(s) are not available due to copyright restrictions.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2021 Midwest Book Review
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/cbw/index.htm
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"Ollie Feels Fine." Children's Bookwatch, Apr. 2021, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A662089904/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=cce76e10. Accessed 11 Sept. 2024.
QUOTED: "Toddler readers will feel just fine after this funky intro to emotions."
Yuly, Toni OLLIE FEELS FINE Little Bigfoot/Sasquatch (Children's None) $9.99 2, 2 ISBN: 978-1-63217-301-0
Ollie the octopus has an emotional day.
Ollie and Stella the starfish are hanging out and feeling fine. But moods can be changeable, and Ollie’s emotions are concretely labelled as the octopod deals with a series of familiar scenarios that will resonate with toddler listeners. After a run-in with a big wave, “Ollie feels grumpy,” then “afraid” after sighting a (fairly innocuous) shark. Simplicity and clarity are paramount, with concise dialogue pairing with collaged representations of Ollie’s emotions. Expressive eyes provide excellent visual cues as they widen in fear, narrow pointedly with anger, or close into curved, joyful lines. Octopus tentacles are equally evocative, whether jaggedly outlined to denote “surprise,” spread lackadaisically when Ollie is comforted, or dangling limply in fear. Color does heavy lifting too, with a “mad” Ollie turning blood-red or tearful Ollie becoming blue, although Ollie’s distinctively colored rainbow stocking cap keeps the octopus recognizable throughout. One particularly helpful spread shows a tie-dyed Ollie grappling with overlapping and contradictory emotions, reminding Ollie (and small readers!) that it’s possible to feel “a lot of feelings” all at once. After Ollie experiences all these big emotions, it’s Stella to the rescue, offering the overwrought Ollie a hug to “feel better now.” Their comforting embrace under a cheery rainbow is a perfect summary and model of empathy for toddlers.
Toddler readers will feel just fine after this funky intro to emotions. (Board book. 1-4)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2021 Kirkus Media LLC
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"Yuly, Toni: OLLIE FEELS FINE." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Apr. 2021, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A658194483/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=24d266f2. Accessed 11 Sept. 2024.
QUOTED: "a tender tale just right for those returning to school to share with their own younger siblings."
Yuly, Toni PLAY DAY SCHOOL DAY Candlewick (Children's None) $16.99 6, 9 ISBN: 978-1-5362-0283-0
An elementary-age student shares what school is like with a younger sibling.
It’s the day before school starts again for Mona, who’s excited. When Milo asks what school is like, Mona briefly lists what goes on there while the two use the outside world to act the activities out. Mona pulls Milo in a red wagon to simulate riding a school bus. Milo practices reading and writing by weaving flowers into a chain-link fence to spell M-I-L-O. When Mona talks about learning science, Milo (and readers) looks closely at the denizens of the yard, and the siblings ponder a sunflower and some birds in the sky when the topic of math is mentioned. Art and music see Milo drumming with sticks on an upturned bucket while Mona dances. The final spreads cap this charming day. “School sounds fun!” Milo opines. “It is,” Mona agrees, adding, “And so is playing with you.” Yuly’s artwork uses bold primary colors and chunky shapes against a white background to keep the focus on the sibling interactions. Both children have pink skin; Mona has long red braids while Milo has scribbly brown hair and glasses. A black cat joins in on their adventure, and tiny details in the otherwise uncluttered, simple illustrations will delight. Short sentences and easy vocabulary make this one emerging readers can tackle on their own.
A tender tale just right for those returning to school to share with their own younger siblings. (Picture book. 3-7)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2020 Kirkus Media LLC
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"Yuly, Toni: PLAY DAY SCHOOL DAY." Kirkus Reviews, 1 June 2020, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A625183006/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=66f1c392. Accessed 11 Sept. 2024.
QUOTED: "a fine addition to preschool classrooms."
YULY, Toni. The Whole Wide World and Me. illus. by Toni Yuly. 32p. Candlewick. Feb. 2019. Tr $15.99. ISBN 9780763692636.
PreS-K--In a simple poem of appreciation, a young girl feels at one with nature ("I am a small part of it all."). Striking illustrations--created with pencil, ink, torn tissue, and cut paper--are rendered in brilliant colors of red, blue, purple, green, and a pop of yellow. Metaphors and similes are used as the girl compares herself to a flower, a fish, and a wave while spending a day outside admiring her surroundings. Sitting in a tree looking at a white cloud in the blue sky, splashing in the sea while a whale swims offshore, and gently playing with a red ladybug with black polka-dots, the child appears to cherish her world and her fellow creatures. A large font is used and placed on double-spread pictures, allowing the book to serve as a beginning reader as well as the impetus to a discussion of our place in our world. VERDICT A fine addition to preschool classrooms, perfect for stoiytime.--Maryann H. Owen, Oak Creek Public Library WI
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2019 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
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Owen, Maryann H. "YULY, Toni. The Whole Wide World and Me." School Library Journal, vol. 65, no. 1, Feb. 2019, p. 47. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A571039811/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=b414944a. Accessed 11 Sept. 2024.
QUOTED: "colorful, peaceful, and just right for the youngest naturalists."
Yuly, Toni THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD AND ME Candlewick (Children's Informational) $15.99 2, 19 ISBN: 978-0-7636-9263-6
Eye-catching, perspective-shifting illustrations pair beautifully with simple text to embrace a child's world.
Spare, poetic text offers a steady rhythm that builds from a small flower to a fish, from a cloud to a child, as the story slowly widens its view to encompass the natural world. A young, black-haired, light-skinned girl who presents Asian explores the land, sea, and sky around her, from the smallest bug to the biggest wave. Unafraid, she instead feels connected and reflects: "I am a small part of it all," embodying curiosity and wonder. Sprawled at the bottom of a hillside, she says, "I'm a pebble that rolls down a mountain," as a pebble plummets down a mountain peak in the background. Her unbridled joy at interacting with the natural world is infectious, and readers won't be able to keep their own smiles hidden for long. Collage artwork features ink, charcoal pencil, torn tissue, and cut paper for bright, patterned textures to discover. Bold colors frame but do not overtake the gentle story, and the composition of each spread deserves close attention--Yuly carefully balances white space and color and zooms out from macro focus to wide angle to demonstrate scale and perspective.
A story that ends as it begins--colorful, peaceful, and just right for the youngest naturalists. (Picture book. 3-6)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2019 Kirkus Media LLC
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"Yuly, Toni: THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD AND ME." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Jan. 2019, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A567651687/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=86e548f0. Accessed 11 Sept. 2024.
QUOTED: "Appreciation is emblematic in this attractive and uncomplicated narrative."
Yuly, Toni THANK YOU, BEES Candlewick (Children's Fiction) $15.99 9, 12 ISBN: 978-0-7636-9261-2
Nature's gifts are recognized and celebrated in this minimalist picture book that links gratitude with life itself."Sun gives us light. / Thank you, sun. / Bees give us honey. / Thank you, bees." So begins the chain of connections between resource and product. Sheep give wool, clouds give rain, trees give wood, and dirt gives plants, all depicted with bold, figurative images created in digital collage with ink, tissue, fabric, paper, and wood and set on double-page spreads. Fuzzy, torn-paper edges combine with natural textures to reinforce the organic nature of these connections. Large black lettering alternates statements indicating the various gifts with simple thank-you's. A pale-skinned child guides readers through each concept, depicted eating honey, wearing a wool cap, happily standing in a rain shower, perched in a wooden treehouse and then planting a tree, and eating a carrot. Finally, the child is seen peacefully asleep in bed after thanking Earth. "Earth gives us our home. / Thank you, Earth." Appreciation is emblematic in this attractive and uncomplicated narrative that may also serve as a nondenominational bedtime prayer for the very young. (Picture book. 2-5)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 Kirkus Media LLC
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"Yuly, Toni: THANK YOU, BEES." Kirkus Reviews, 15 June 2017, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A495427628/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=91267fa8. Accessed 11 Sept. 2024.
QUOTED: "a great choice for preschoolers."
YULY, Toni. The Jelly Bean Tree, illus. by Toni Yuly. 40p. Feiwel & Friends. Jun. 2017. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781250094063.
Toddler-PreS-This gentle story centers on Jelly Bean, a blue giraffe who is very fond of trees. She loves sleeping with her head resting on the branches of a tree. After one long nap, Jelly Bean awakens to find that a mama bird has built a nest on top of her head! Jelly Bean quickly decides that she must become a tree, standing tall and waiting patiently for the eggs to hatch. Luckily for Jelly Bean, her colorful friends--Elephant, Dog, and Turtle--bring her snacks to eat and flowers to make her smile. Jelly Bean is such a perfect tree that when the eggs finally hatch, all the birds want to stay nestled on the giraffe's head, napping contentedly together. The soothing language and colorful torn tissue paper art will be as appealing to young children as the trees are to Jelly Bean. Especially engaging are the opening spreads, which introduce listeners to Jelly's tail and long legs and, of course, her very long neck and black jelly bean-shaped spots. VERDICT A great choice for preschoolers, particularly right before nap or quiet time.--Sally James, South Hillsborough Elementary School, Hillsborough, CA
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
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James, Sally. "Yuly, Toni. The Jelly Bean Tree." School Library Journal, vol. 63, no. 6, 1 June 2017, p. 66. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A493915986/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=b90d5b7e. Accessed 11 Sept. 2024.
QUOTED: "This story imparts a gentle message about being a good friend and looking out for one another."
The Jelly Bean Tree
Toni Yuly. Feiwel and Friends, $17.99 (40p)
ISBN 978-1-250-09406-3
Yuly (Cat Nap) introduces a patient blue giraffe named Jelly Bean, who finds herself caring for a family of birds. Jelly Bean loves standing among the trees, and she "especially loves to nap with them." As Jelly Bean rests, readers see a bird building a nest between her ears; once awake, the giraffe stands motionless, protecting the bird and her eggs. "I am a tree," she tells her visiting animal friends. "See my nest?" The story's premise and artwork, a mix of torn-paper and digital collage, share a sweetness and simplicity: weathered paper edges give Yuly's animals a plushlike texture, and her careful use of other elements (such as twine for the nest) adds visual appeal. Driven by endearing scenes of generosity--Jelly Bean's friends take care of their friend while she's occupied, and even after the chicks hatch they aren't quite ready to leave their unconventional home--this story imparts a gentle message about being a good friend and looking out for one another. Up to age 4. Agent: L'ori Kilkelly, Rodeen Literary Management. (June)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
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"The Jelly Bean Tree." Publishers Weekly, vol. 264, no. 19, 8 May 2017, p. 58. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A491949146/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=b87d6820. Accessed 11 Sept. 2024.
QUOTED: "perfect for an interactive storytime and an introduction to opposites."
YULY, Toni. Cat Nap. illus. by Toni Yuly. 40p. Feiwel & Friends. Jan. 2016. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781250054586.
PreS-K--It is noon, and Cat is ready for her nap. Unfortunately, Kitten is ready to play. When Kitten suggests a game of hide-and-seek, Cat reluctantly agrees and hides in a variety of spots around the home, but Kitten always finds him. Near the end of the book, Yuly adds a twist and asks readers to find Cat hiding on the page. Cat finally decides he is too tired to play and declares the game over. He saunters off to enjoy his long-awaited nap far away from Kitten ... or so he thinks. Young readers will giggle with delight when they turn the page to discover Kitten fast asleep in Cat's bed! Yuly's humorous story embeds various opposites organically through the tale, especially in the hiding places Cat chooses. Using a minimalist approach, the simple shapes and limited palette of bold colors that contrast against the solid backgrounds will appeal to the youngest of readers. Facial expressions add depth and humor to the story line, allowing text to be sparse--perfect for the intended audience. As an extra bonus, slightly older readers will enjoy finding the little mouse hidden on each page. VERDICT Perfect for an interactive storytime and an introduction to opposites.--Beth Parmer, New Albany Elementary Library, OH
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2015 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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Parmer, Beth. "Yuly, Toni. Cat Nap." School Library Journal, vol. 61, no. 12, Dec. 2015, p. 86. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A436437343/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=743be654. Accessed 11 Sept. 2024.
QUOTED: "delightful pre-nap read-aloud fare."
Yuly, Toni CAT NAP Feiwel & Friends (Children's Picture Books) $16.99 1, 26 ISBN: 978-1-250-05458-6
When Cat agrees to play hide-and-seek with Kitten, he underestimates his relentless opponent. It's noon: time for drowsy Cat's nap, but curious Kitten has other ideas and suggests they play hide-and-seek. Initially Cat hides high atop a bookcase, but Kitten finds him. Next, Cat hides low, under a bed. Again, Kitten finds him. Cat tries hiding in the dark basement, but he's exposed when wily Kitten turns on the light. Everywhere (a box, a bag, a hammock, a flower pot, a flower garden, and more) Cat hides, Kitten always finds him--even when the younger feline just gives up and tries to take her own nap. The simple text relies on repetition to stress Cat's futile plight, while bold illustrations use flat, bright colors, basic shapes, and definitive black outlines to amplify Kitten's successful pursuit. Kitten's wild, impish eyes and playful facial expressions provide a droll contrast to Cat's disdainful demeanor and occasional wide-eyed shock. Wee listeners should revel in locating Cat's hiding spots almost as much as they will relish finding a teeny, watchful mouse tucked into its own hiding places, where it safely and silently observes the oblivious felines engrossed in their game. Delightful pre-nap read-aloud fare. (Picture book. 1-3)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2015 Kirkus Media LLC
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"Yuly, Toni: CAT NAP." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Oct. 2015. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A431379022/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=e071a3d0. Accessed 11 Sept. 2024.
QUOTED: "With its question-and-response text, this is a satisfying choice for reading aloud."
Night Owl. By Toni Yuly. Illus. by the author. Jan. 2015. 40p. Feiwel and Friends, $15.99 (9781250054579). PreS.
After Night Owl waves good-bye to the sun and greets the moon, he listens to the sounds around him: "Tap tap tap ... is that Mommy Owl?" No, it's Woodpecker. Night Owl flies about, tracing other sounds to their sources (a train whistle, Cricket, and Toad). When a storm begins, he flies back to his hollow-tree home and listens to the thunder rumble and boom. At last, he hears his mothers hoot, the "nicest sound of all." Yuly, who wrote and illustrated Early Bird (2014), knows how to capture and hold the attention of young children. Simplicity is key in both the story and the artwork, which combines pen and ink with digital media. Although Night Owl is portrayed as independent, curious, and brave, toddlers and preschoolers will understand that he really wants his mother during the storm. Bold, black lines define the characters and settings, though the scenes are brightened with many shades of purple and touches of yellow, red, and blue. With its question-and-response text, this is a satisfying choice for reading aloud.--Carolyn Phelan
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2015 American Library Association
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Phelan, Carolyn. "Night Owl." Booklist, vol. 111, no. 9-10, 1 Jan. 2015, pp. 106+. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A399107952/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=70eaaf33. Accessed 11 Sept. 2024.
QUOTED: "This charming exploration of sound words will stand up to repeat bedtime reads for young preschoolers."
Yuly, Toni NIGHT OWL Feiwel & Friends (Children's Picture Books) $15.99 1, 27 ISBN: 978-1-250-05457-9
Yuly's latest, a companion to her debut, Early Bird (2014), introduces a young owl who's listening for his mommy's return.There's bravado in Night Owl's demeanor: He "likes to stay up late." He "waves good-bye to the sun" and "hoots hello to the moon." But when Night Owl notices Mommy Owl's absence, uncertainty creeps in. He encounters many sounds as he flies, searching. Yuly's simple text introduces onomatopoeic words like "tap," "toot," "chirp" and "croak" and the refrain, "Is that Mommy Owl?" Night Owl learns that these sounds are variously too short, long, high or low to belong to Mommy Owl. He discovers their sources along with the child listener: woodpecker, train, cricket and toad. Night Owl flies home in a gathering storm that makes its own unnerving sounds. Tucked in his nest, his eyes widen as thunder booms; a little tuft of feathers near his forehead sticks straight up. Yet the safety of home enables him to wait bravely until Mommy Owl's reassuring return. Yuly's stylized pen, ink and digital compositions employ lavender and blue-violet to convey the inky dark. Clouds scud across the full moon before the storm; twinkling stars wreath it afterward. Design elements include crisp white text type; sunset-gold and blue-black endpapers, front and back respectively, complete the package. This charming exploration of sound words will stand up to repeat bedtime reads for young preschoolers. (Picture book. 2-4)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2014 Kirkus Media LLC
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"Yuly, Toni: NIGHT OWL." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Nov. 2014. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A387951470/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=b0d45eb1. Accessed 11 Sept. 2024.
QUOTED: "Here's a book that is not just a smart story but one that has myriad uses as well."
Early Bird. By Toni Yuly. Illus. by the author. 2014. 40p. Feiwel and Friends, $15.99 (9781250043276). PreS--K.
Here's a book that is not just a smart story but one that has myriad uses as well. With simple geometric shapes and pure colors, Yuly introduces Early Bird, who, as one would suspect, likes to rise and shine. As the pages turn, the sky changes shades of blue. Strong verbs explain how the bird stands tall, breathes deeply, and then gets going, across the grass and under the spiderweb, until she finally arrives at the garden, where she spies a worm. And yes, this early bird does get the worm. (In one delightful picture, she has picked it up in her beak, and it looks like a mustache.) Kids who know about birds and worms may be a little nervous at this point, especially after the worm is carefully placed on a strawberry. Happily, the berry is for them to share, and together they enjoy breakfast. It's unusual for a book this straightforward to accomplish several things, but this succeeds. Yuly offers a story that has action and tension, while at the same time--with the help of parents and teachers--extends the way kids think about words. A simple exercise would be to ask them other things Early Bird might do, thereby emphasizing verbs and prepositions. A fun way to learn.--Ilene Cooper
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2014 American Library Association
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Cooper, Ilene. "Early Bird." Booklist, vol. 110, no. 12, 15 Feb. 2014, p. 73. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A360473668/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=336507c7. Accessed 11 Sept. 2024.
QUOTED: "energetic story" "some fun moments of suspense and humor."
Early Bird
Toni Yuly. Feiwel & Friends, $15.99 (40p) ISBN 978-1-250-04327-6
Yuly debuts with an energetic story of an early-rising red bird, which also introduces a handful of directional prepositions. Outlined in black, Early Bird has the swoopy shape of a tilde, with a cluster of black teardrop wings and big, round eyes. After awakening, she stretches, "takes a deep breath of fresh morning air and then Early Bird gets going!" The bird's rambles take her "across the grass/ through the flowerbed/under the spider-web/ up the path" and beyond. Yuly's digital artwork is eye-catching and elementally simple. Full of bright colors and clean shapes, the illustrations initially look like they could have been dashed off in a few minutes, but strong layouts and surprising details are evident, from the eyelashes of the sun that barely peeks over the horizon to the surly look that a cat gives Early Bird as she flies overhead (no Early Cat, that one). This Early Bird does indeed get the worm, and what she does (and doesn't) do with it creates some fun moments of suspense and humor in the final pages. Ages 1-3. Agent: Lori Kilkelly, Rodeen Literary Management. (Jan.)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2013 PWxyz, LLC
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"Early Bird." Publishers Weekly, vol. 260, no. 42, 21 Oct. 2013, p. 50. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A349902333/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=871b9ee2. Accessed 11 Sept. 2024.