Sylvia: I start with a simple pencil sketch, then enlarge it to full size, add more detail and make sure there’s room for text. Can you explain that process? Which comes first? Kris: The illustrations in both books were rendered in ink and watercolor.

I love taking walks in all sorts of places, picking up seeds, rocks, feathers, bleached animal bones, snake sheds, shells, etc. Sylvia: Doing the research about all the kinds of eggs and seeds. What inspires you to create your artwork? Kris: The artwork in An Egg is Quiet (and in the newly released A Seed is Sleepy) is gorgeous. Once they start to look, they’ll see how amazing it is. To get excited about nature, they have to be out In it - with someone who has passion for it, and knowledge about it. Sylvia: More and more, it seems that children’s education takes place only in the classroom, online, or on TV. Kris: Why do you think it is important for today’s children to be exposed to the beauty of nature through books such as this? When Dianna Aston sent her manuscript, An Egg is Quiet, to Chronicle, Victoria liked it and knew immediately that I’d like it, too. Sylvia: My editor at Chronicle Books in San Francisco, Victoria Rock, knew I’m very interested in all things in nature, but particularly birds. Did you collaborate with Diana, or was this project the result of book publishing serendipity? Tell us how you came to be the illustrator for An Egg is Quiet. Kris: Most people don’t know that in the publishing world, the story often comes before the illustrations, and the illustrator is usually assigned by the publisher. I have two boys, Matthew and John, and recently a grand-daughter, Sophie Grace Long. I went to Maryland Institute of Art in Baltimore on a four-year scholarship. I was a shy kid and since I was little, loved to draw and paint. Kris: Quick! Tell us a little bit about yourself. Illustrator Sylvia Long was kind enough to answer some questions about her life as an artist and the book itself:

This is a picture book worthy of a snuggly nighttime read, but it could also conceivably be a young child’s first guidebook. In addition to birds’ eggs, readers get a glimpse of eggs that will eventually hatch into salmon, butterflies, crickets, and sharks. The book truly is a work of art and reminiscent of a 19th century field guide. With gentle text that flows seamlessly through images of eggs and their various hatchlings, the author and illustrator share the miracle of different kinds of eggs. The Cybil judges showered praise ('lovely!' 'breathtaking!') on this title.

It fell through the cracks, for which we’re mortally ashamed.Īn Egg is Quiet, written by Dianna Aston and illustrated by Sylvia Long took top honors for the children’s non-fiction book. Our apologies to Kris Bordessa, who conducted this interview with Sylvia Long several weeks ago.

A Seed Is Sleepy by Sylvia Long