Beyond the Flap
by Christina Rodriguez
An artist’s studio isn’t just a sanctuary for pensive reflection and ideas, but a workshop of endeavors, problem-solving, and a nexus of activity. For nationally-acclaimed children’s book illustrator John Parra, his studio is also a living testament to his Latino culture. John shares a peek inside the creative space where he infuses his background, culture, and personality into his award-winning multicultural children’s books and other projects that draw from his roots like the USPS 2017 “Delicioso” Forever Stamp series featuring his vibrant illustrations of popular Latin American cuisine. […]
Beyond the Flap
by Karen Pavlicin-Fragnito
Award-winning illustrator Nina Victor Crittenden sits at her home studio and begins to paint. Shy and modest, she’s hesitant to talk about herself, but the words come easier as she strokes her watercolor brush across the back of a flying dragon. A certified veterinary technician, Nina is an animal lover. She says, “What I love about being an artist is that I can draw pictures of dogs and cats and horses … It gives me a chance to combine two things I really love: artwork and animals.” […]
Features
by Meagan Frank
A tree symbolizes strength, sturdiness, family history, growth, connectivity, and resilience. Children’s books like The Wishing Tree, A Soldier’s Tree, and Our Heroes’ Tree inspire real-life tributes for military families, celebrating three types of trees that commemorate and support service members. Readers take inspiration from the pages and put love notes, pictures, and artwork on trees for their loved ones. […]
