Devin Elle Kurtz is the author of the new children's picture book The Bakery Dragon. Her other books include Mother of Sharks. She lives in San Diego.
Q: What inspired you to create The Bakery Dragon, and how did you create your character Ember?
A: I have a series of illustrations I have been working on for many years focusing on dragons who hoard unusual objects. For example, I have drawn dragons hoarding books, arcade toys, and even an entire 7-Eleven corner store.
Ember was born through this series as first a little dragon looking up at a glowing bakery window, and then a little dragon curled up on top of a hoard of fresh baked bread. He became a real brain-worm for me, and didn't leave my head until I wrote his entire story down!
Q: Did you work on the text first or the illustrations first--or both simultaneously?
A: My stories only seem to come together when I work on both the text and the illustrations simultaneously! I'm a very visual person, and my story ideas are very visuals-driven.
Q: The Shelf Awareness review of the book says, “This cheerful, friendly story of someone small accomplishing something big should resonate with little readers.” What do you think of that description, and what do you hope kids take away from the book?
A: I certainly hope that kids walk away feeling that no matter how small they are, they can accomplish big things!
Ember is different from the other dragons, and that difference becomes his power. I hope that kids who feel different or excluded can feel a connection to Ember and the home he stumbled into!
Q: What got you interested in creating children’s picture books?
A: The media I consumed during my earliest years was what inspired me to be an artist and storyteller. I think connecting with a young audience is incredibly special, and I hope that I can inspire them to tell their own stories too.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: I am working on the next Bakery Dragon adventure!
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: Bakery Dragon book 2 comes out on October 7 of this year!
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
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