Q&A with Janee Trasler

 

Photo by Toni Burks Photography

 

Janee Trasler is the author and illustrator of the new kids' graphic novel Bitty and Bub, Best Buds. Her many other books include the Frog and Dog series. She lives in Texas.

 

Q: What inspired you to create Bitty and Bub--the book and the characters?

A: I remember the exact moment I graduated from listener to reader. It still feels like one of the greatest events of my life. As an author and illustrator, my biggest goal is to give new readers an enjoyable experience rather than a struggle. I hope I’ve accomplished that in Bitty and Bub, Best Buds.

Rather than chapters, I’ve written five short, self-contained stories about two friends. I think finishing a story feels like a much bigger accomplishment than finishing a chapter. I want the reader to feel that sense of accomplishment! I’ve kept the words and sentence structure simple, and I’ve designed the illustrations to help in decoding the unfamiliar words.

I love drawing outdoor scenes, so that helped shape the characters. I knew they would be a bunny and a squirrel right away, but I confess, their names took a bit longer. I sent my agent at least five different versions of the dummy book—each one with different names. 

 

Q: How would you describe the dynamic between the two characters?

A: Bitty feels like the leader to me. Not because she’s bossy or anything; just because she feels slightly older than Bub. Bub is more like a younger sibling. His emotions are big and immediate. He hasn’t quite mastered control of them yet. I think most readers will recognize themselves in one or the other character.

 

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

A: I almost always work on the text first. I find it’s easier to change the text than the illustrations, and easier to send a text manuscript to my critique group (Hi, Jeebies) for input.

When I do start illustrating though, the storyboard and sketches very much affect the writing. At that point, it becomes a back and forth between the two, until the pacing, page turns, and marriage of text and images feels just right.

 

Q: The School Library Journal review of the book says, “This ­collection of short comics is perfect for emerging readers who like ­humorous friendship series like ‘Elephant and Piggie,’ and Tina Kügler’s ‘Fox Tails.’” What do you think of those comparisons?

 

A: I think both of those series are excellent for emerging readers, so I’m thrilled to have Bitty and Bub mentioned in the same breath!

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: I’m working on the final illustrations for the second book in this series, Bitty and Bub, and Friends.

 

I’ve also just completed drafts of two other young graphic novels that I’m excited to send out and see where they land.

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: Yes, the Holiday House team has been a joy to work with!

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb