Q&A with Constance Lombardo

Author Constance Lombardo and illustrator Micah Player

 

 

Constance Lombardo is the author of the new children's picture book Itty Bitty Betty Blob Makes a Splash. Her other books include Itty Bitty Betty Blob. She lives in Asheville, North Carolina. 

 

Q: What inspired this second story about your character Betty?

 

A: My editor, illustrator, and I felt that Itty Bitty Betty Blob called for another adventure. When I remember my school days, Drama Club stands out as particularly memorable.

 

But what would Betty do? I imagined her over the summer, hanging with her friends the puffs, diving gracefully into the waterfall pool so beautifully created by Micah Player.

 

So, joining the Diving Team felt right! But how do Betty’s dives compare with those of the other monsters? (Spoiler: most monsters love cannonballs!)

 

Q: Do you think she’s changed from one book to the next?

 

A: Yes, I think Betty is now much more comfortable being a little pink blob of sunshine in a world of sepia-tone monsters. And yet she continues to find out what it really means to be yourself. I’m working on that, too!

 

Q: What do you think Micah Player’s illustrations add to this book?

 

A: I am incredibly fortunate to work with Micah; his artwork is gorgeous, multi-layered, and full of heart. I provided the idea for this world, and he ran with it. There’s so much rich imagery on each page, and so many hidden treasures.

 

A few of my favorites:

 

1. Mom’s blobby car, which I desperately want.

 

2. The page with Betty’s classmates geared up for afterschool activities is hysterical – one of the monsters looks like a folk musician.

 

3. The pool water is dark indigo and makes me think of The Creature from the Black Lagoon.

 

4. All of Betty’s facial expressions are so vivid!

 

Happily, Micah and I met in person this year at the ALA conference, and we are now friends for life.

 

Q: The One Minute Book Reviews review of the book says, “It’s a reminder that sometimes the best way to stand out is to be yourself, even if you’re a little blob in a big pond.” What do you think of that assessment?

 

A: It’s perfect! Especially with the current environment and push toward conformity, the idea that kids not only can, but must be encouraged to be truly themselves feels so important. It’s the radical act of loving yourself as you are. Life-saving.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: Thank you for asking and for hosting me on your wonderful blog. I’m super excited to be working on a third Betty book, with Micah, of course! The adventure continues…

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: A little blob can make a big splash. Also, blob is only one letter off from blog. Lastly, Micah’s debut picture book as a writer/illustrator, This Is a Moment, came out this year. Gorgeous! 

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Constance Lombardo.