Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Q&A with Bea Jackson

 


 

Bea Jackson is the author and illustrator of the new children's picture book Lily's Dream: A Fairy Friendship. She has illustrated a variety of books, including Summer Is Here.

 

Q: What inspired you to create Lily's Dream?

 

A: I was in conversation with the owners of a local community center, discussing things that we would like to see more of in our community, and the topic of Black Fantasy came up. 

 

I’ve always loved fantasy, but growing up I saw no representation of people who look like me in fantasy--no black mermaids, or fairies, or anything magical. We were talking about how amazing it would be to see more of that now, so I went home with that on my mind and figured, why not draw my own fairy?

 

The fairy I drew was called the Monarch Princess—a beautiful black fairy with golden wings in the style of the Monarch Butterfly.  That painting lead to the opportunity to write Lily’s Dream—she opened the door for me, to step into the writing space, and in respect to the golden fairy, she is seen as Lily’s mother in the book!

 

Q: How would you describe the relationship between your characters Lily and Willow?

 

A: I would describe the relationship between Lily and Willow as one of trust and compassion. In this world, fairies live away from humans by hiding among the flowers, disguised as butterflies and other winged things.

 

The fairies believe, and maybe rightfully so, that humans should be avoided, because their world would not be understood and they may be seen as things to be captured, rather the individuals that they are, so they choose to exist as myths and legends, rather than actually being known.

 

From Willow’s perspective, she believes in magic and fairies, but is compassionate in that she doesn’t want to capture one, merely meet one. The fairy house she builds in the hallowed tree is her effort to make fairies feel welcome in her part of the woods, on the edge of her grandmother’s garden.

 

Lily understands upon their second meeting, that if Willow wanted to, she could have captured her, but Willow didn’t.  It was the first link in the bridge of trust that the characters from very different worlds form—the beginning of what will become a beautiful friendship!

 

Q: Did you work on the illustrations first or the text first--or both simultaneously?

 

A: I started to do some initial concept art of the characters before writing, but overall, the drawing and the writing was a simultaneous experience!

 

Q: The Kirkus Review of the book says, “The messages of compassion and helping others achieve their dreams come through strongly.” What do you think of that description?

 

A: I believe the Kirkus Review, which I am very grateful for, is an accurate description of the message I want to portray. To be compassionate and a willing helper as a friend makes for a beautiful friendship.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: I’m currently working on telling more of Lily’s story, in the ready-to-reads and the chapter books, as they will explore more of the friendship between Willow, Lily, and other fairy friends!

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: I would hope in the future to tell more stories of fantasy, which explore different worlds, different creatures, and the elements. Stay tuned!

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb

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