How My Dog Lou Helped Inspire Yabbit the Rabbit’s Character Design
When we hit a creative wall designing Yabbit the Rabbit, I took my dog Lou on long walks and found unexpected inspiration for our children’s book character.
Help Us Choose the New Yabbit the Rabbit! First Color Character Sketches
We’re sharing the first color sketches of the redesigned Yabbit the Rabbit! Watch the video, compare the options, and tell us which version you love most as we bring our picture-book character to life.
How I Review Illustrations for The Rabbit in the Moon
A behind-the-scenes look at how I review new illustrations for The Rabbit in the Moon, using Google Slides mockups, text-image balance, scene accuracy, and “show, don’t tell” collaboration with illustrator Rod.
Planning the Illustrations: Building a Picture-Book Mockup for The Rabbit in the Moon
With the text finished, I’m creating a Google Slides mockup to decide how many illustrations The Rabbit in the Moon needs, trimming words, planning full-bleed spreads vs. single images, and syncing the visual storytelling with my illustrator.
Global Reviews Are In: The Rabbit in the Moon Moves to Illustration!
Big news, The Rabbit in the Moon has received its final reviews and edits! After feedback from educators in Los Angeles and Barcelona, and an anthropologist in Copenhagen, I’m thrilled to say that readers from around the world fell in love with Yabbit the Rabbit. The story now moves into the illustration stage!
Editing The Rabbit in the Moon: Fine-Tuning Words and Illustrations
Now that the final draft of The Rabbit in the Moon is complete, I’m reviewing alternate verses with my illustrator to balance text and illustration, then sending the manuscript to my longtime editor and mentor for a detailed language polish. Here’s how I’m approaching the editing stage of a children’s picture book.
Saying Goodbye to the Original Yabbit the Rabbit Story
Saying goodbye to the first version of Yabbit the Rabbit was one of the hardest moments of my creative journey. After reading that story to my mother before she passed, I realized it wasn’t just a book, it was a farewell. Here’s how I found peace in starting over and creating a timeless version that would carry her spirit forward.
Exploring Yabbit the Rabbit’s Age: How Character Details Shape Illustration
Determining Yabbit the Rabbit’s age is a key step in shaping his character design. Learn how illustrator Rod Lazo interprets Yabbit’s age through art, imagination, and storytelling.
Show, Don’t Tell: Bringing Yabbit the Rabbit to Life Through Illustration
Great picture books don’t just tell stories—they show them. I’m learning how to let my illustrator, Rodrigo, visually express Yabbit the Rabbit’s world, emotions, and actions so children can connect with the story through art.
First Look: Yabbit the Rabbit Character Sketches by Illustrator Rodrigo Lazo
The first body sketches of Yabbit the Rabbit are here! Illustrator Rodrigo Lazo has brought our main character to life with expressive, human-like traits that perfectly match the tone and action of our story introducing Yabbit the Rabbit.
Character Design Begins: Bringing Yabbit the Rabbit to Life
After finalizing our illustrator/author agreement, Rod began the first round of Yabbit the Rabbit character sketches. Using photos of my mother and me for inspiration, we developed anthropomorphic characters that feel deeply human—and it’s incredible to see my mother’s idea finally come to life.