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.
From Myth to Moonlight: Creating the World of The Rabbit in the Moon
After seven drafts, I finally wrote an original story I love. The Rabbit in the Moon blends Aztec and Greek mythology with personal experiences and family inspiration. In this post, I share how I built Yabbit’s world from scratch, discovered Snail’s backstory, and created a cast of characters who find strength in moonlight.
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.
Starting Over: Redefining Yabbit the Rabbit’s Character
After six drafts and countless rewrites, I realized Yabbit’s personality didn’t feel right. In this post, I share why I decided to start over, how I’m rebuilding the character from scratch, and what every children’s author can learn about creating lovable, lasting characters.
Pumping the Brakes: Rethinking the Story of Yabbit the Rabbit
After four months of developing Yabbit the Rabbit, I realized I was racing against time instead of letting creativity unfold naturally. In this post, I share why I decided to slow down, rework the story, and build a stronger foundation for Yabbit’s world and future adventures.
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.
New Yabbit the Rabbit Sketches: Watching Yabbit the Rabbit Come to Life!
Illustrator Rod Lazo continues to refine the design for Yabbit the Rabbit. Take a look at the latest sketches and see how Yabbit the Rabbit’s personality is evolving before your eyes.
Owning My Mistakes: Why We’re Not Using AI in Creating Yabbit the Rabbit
As a first-time author, I’m bound to make mistakes, and my brief use of AI backgrounds in YouTube videos was one of them. In this post, I explain why Yabbit the Rabbit is 100% human-made, how I learned from the error, and why emotion and authenticity will always matter more than technology.
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.
Meeting My Illustrator: How a Chance Connection Brought Yabbit the Rabbit to Life
When a barista introduced me to her friend, a digital artist at Cineteca Nacional de México, I had no idea that conversation would lead me to the perfect illustrator for Yabbit the Rabbit. This post shares how one meeting changed everything and why creative connections matter.
Finding the Right Illustrator for My Children’s Book: The Search Begins
The story is written, the characters are developed, and now comes one of the most exciting steps, finding an illustrator. In this post, I share where I’m looking, what I’ve learned, and how an unexpected café conversation might lead me to the perfect artist for Yabbit the Rabbit.
Her Final Song: Saying Goodbye to My Mother and Understanding the Final Stage of Alzheimer’s
After a long flight from Mexico City to Pittsburgh, I sat beside my mother in her memory care room and read her Yabbit the Rabbit. Hours later, surrounded by lifelong friends and her favorite song, she took her final breath. This post reflects on her passing and explains what families can expect in the final stage of Alzheimer’s.
When the Phone Ringing Means the End Is Near: My Mother’s Alzheimer’s Journey
That evening the call came: Mom’s health had taken a turn for the worse. She had lost her speech, was resting on the floor instead of her bed, and the end of her life seemed near. In this emotional post I share what late-stage Alzheimer’s looks like—and why our children’s book Yabbit the Rabbit now carries a deeper meaning.
The Origin of Yabbit the Rabbit: What Yabbit Means and Where the Story Began
Yabbit the Rabbit began with a phrase my mother, Barbara Bedner, used whenever I answered a challenge with “Yeah, but…” What started as a family expression eventually became a character for children who hesitate at the edge of something new and a story about finding the courage to begin.