How We’re Designing a Unique Yabbit the Rabbit: Behind the Scenes of Our Creative Collaboration
Rod and I are refining our collaboration as we bring Yabbit the Rabbit to life. Here’s how we balance creativity, illustration, and character design to build a memorable hero for The Rabbit in the Moon.
Second Round of Page Illustrations for The Rabbit in the Moon
Rod just sent over the second round of page illustrations for The Rabbit in the Moon, and the artwork is stunning. Here’s how we collaborate, review, and refine each page while keeping creativity at the heart of the process.
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.
Six Months Without My Mother: Honoring Her Through Yabbit the Rabbit
Six months after my mother’s passing from Alzheimer’s, I share how writing seven versions of Yabbit the Rabbit, including The Rabbit in the Moon, helped me honor her original idea, remember her final night, and create a story rooted in memory, culture, and love.
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.
Redesigning Yabbit the Rabbit: Evolving from Anthropomorphic to Animal Character
The latest Yabbit the Rabbit sketches mark a major design evolution! Learn how illustrator Rod Lazo reimagined Yabbit and introduced new mythological characters for The Rabbit in the Moon.
Evolving the Yabbit the Rabbit Brand: From Storybook to Emotional Connection
As The Rabbit in the Moon evolves, so does the Yabbit the Rabbit brand. Learn how this new story refines Yabbit’s personality, introduces supporting characters with purpose, and strengthens the emotional connection behind the brand’s core message: “Trying is Brave.”
Launching the Yabbit Rabbit Website: Laying the Foundation for The Rabbit in the Moon
The first version of our website for Yabbit the Rabbit is finally live! Even without finished artwork, launching early ensures our readers and followers can verify our project and follow along. Here’s how I built the foundation and why I’m now focused on building an email list before the release of The Rabbit in the Moon.
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.
Finding Inspiration in the Park: My Writing Process for Yabbit the Rabbit and The Rabbit in the Moon
Creativity can’t be scheduled, it has to flow naturally. After my mother’s passing, I stopped forcing ideas and began writing only when inspired. Each morning, I find my best ideas for Yabbit the Rabbit and The Rabbit in the Moon while walking my dog in the park, observing life as it unfolds.
Translating The Rabbit in the Moon into Spanish: Balancing Accuracy and Creativity
Translating The Rabbit in the Moon into Spanish requires both structure and soul. My translator, Sandy, and I are blending two techniques, verse-to-prose and interpretive translation, to preserve the heart of the story while making it resonate with Spanish-speaking readers.
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!
Translating The Rabbit in the Moon into Spanish: The Challenge of Rhyme
Translating a rhyming children’s picture book is one of the toughest creative challenges. As I prepare to adapt The Rabbit in the Moon into Spanish, I’ve discovered seven main translation approaches, and I’m learning how to balance rhyme, meaning, and culture in every stanza.
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.
How I Learned to Write in Rhyme: The Craft Behind The Rabbit in the Moon
Writing a children’s book in rhyme looks simple until you try to do it well. KD Schnee shares how he went from one unfinished line on a San Diego beach to learning the rhythm, structure, humility, and discipline behind The Rabbit in the Moon.
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.