Author-Illustrator Interview and Giveaway with Anne Appert about Blob, Anne’s Debut Picture Book

Hi Math is Everywhere Readers,

Today is a special treat because today, we get to meet an inspiring superstar named Blob – not Bob – who is the star of a book called BLOB, author-illustrated by my wonderful friend and critique partner, Anne Appert.

Description of book from the publisher, HarperCollins: A humorous picture book featuring a blob (n. a creature that can be anything they want) about embracing who we are and the many things we can be. Blob is a creature of indeterminate kind. Blob can be a giraffe, cotton candy, and even an octopus. It’s not until a certain someone continuously calls them “Bob” that Blob starts to question who they really are. After a series of funny yet enlightening discoveries about all the possible things they can be, Blob realizes that the best thing to be is . . .Blob. (With the L.) Author, artist, and auntie Anne Appert creates an irresistible story sure to please fans of What If, Pig?, Tiny T. Rex, and other hilariously charming and meaningful picture books.

Interview

Kaitlyn: Hi, Blob, it’s so nice to have you here today!

Blob: Thanks, Kaitlyn! It’s so nice to be here. I’ve never been interviewed before! 

Kaitlyn: Well, I’m delighted to be your first interviewer, and I hope I do well! Can you start by sharing how you met Anne and became the star of this amazing book?

Blob: Anne was having trouble drawing animals. Seriously, Anne drew them all as BLOBS and people didn’t know what the animals were. (Someone thought a skunk was a badger, imagine that!) So I popped in and introduced myself since, well, I am a blob. We instantly bonded because people forget the “L” in my name all the time, just like they forget the “E” in Anne’s name. Then Anne asked me who I was and helped me figure it out ...I guess I have been interviewed before! 

Kaitlyn: It sounds like you and Anne were meant to be! And I love how you and Anne prove that everything happens for a reason. Now, Blob, everyone has different ideas about who they are, including you! Can you share why books like this are so important to share with our little ones?

Blob: Sometimes when you are little and sometimes when you are big, there can be pressure to pick one thing to be, or to be who other people think you are. Everyone is unique, and the world is a better place when we all get to be ourselves.  It’s important to let other people know who you are, even if it’s not who they expect you to be. And, it’s ok to need time to figure it out! 

Kaitlyn: That’s such a beautiful answer. I definitely grew up not really knowing who I was (and not being honest even with myself about it) so I really appreciate you sharing this idea with the world so people like my daughter will know it’s okay to be who she is. Now if you had to pick, what is your favorite scene of this book?

Blob: Oh my favorite? Definitely the rockstar. . . Or maybe the unicorn…(I’m still not sure that I’m NOT a unicorn)...the cotton candy was also fun...I CANNOT DECIDE! I like them all. Except the part where I kept being called Bob. The name is BLOB, with the L. 

Kaitlyn: Haha, same! Those are all my favorite parts, and I definitely think that cotton candy taster should for sure be a job. Can you share who your editor for this book was and why you enjoyed working with this editor?

Blob: My editor is Luana Horry at HarperCollins. I loved working with Luana because as soon as she saw me in Anne’s portfolio, she knew I could be a book. Sometimes I couldn’t find the right words to express myself and Anne was no help. Luana always knew how to fix that. My designer, Chelsea Donaldson, was amazing too! She helped make sure I was a star on each and every page, not just the one where I’m actually a star. 

Kaitlyn: Haha, sounds like the best team! And I love that Luana saw you as a star and Chelsea helped Anne make sure you really were a star. Can you share a bit about Anne’s agent, and why you like working with this agent so much?

Blob: Anne was working with a different agent when we first met. I am very grateful that Emma helped get my story out into the world! Now we are working with Charlotte Wenger, and she’s really great. She’s quick to answer all mine (and Anne’s) questions and gives excellent feedback. I’m very happy to have Charlotte in our corner. 

Kaitlyn: I’m so glad you and Anne both found such great people to support you! Can you share with us what your friend, Anne, is working on now?

Blob: Anne is working on another picture book with Luana and Chelsea! I’m not in this one, and it will be very different from my book. Anne is also working on a lot of other ideas, like graphic novels, novels in verse, and chapter books...but none of those are finished enough to send to their agent yet.

Kaitlyn: I can’t wait to hear more about this other book, and it was so nice of them to give you some time off for this one, and as for the other projects, I’ve had the pleasure of reading some of them, and I sure hope she send them to Charlotte soon! Now, Blob, since you’re so great at figuring out what works for you, can you tell us some advice you think could help other authors, illustrators, and author-illustrators?

Blob: It can take time to figure out what you want to say as a writer and an artist. That’s ok! Often, people say write what you know, yet sometimes writing helps you figure out what you know. You just need to keep going, have fun and be you, always. 

Kaitlyn: The best advice ever! I’m still figuring me out, too, and your book reminds me that that’s okay, so thank you! Finally, if you could meet your favorite author, illustrator, or author-illustrator, would you chat by a fireside or go on an adventure?

Blob: Chat by a fireside AND go on an adventure. Maybe taste cotton candy! We can do whatever we want. 

Kaitlyn: Yes, we can do whatever we want and I’m all in for cotton candy! Have you tried sour apple flavor? It’s my favorite! Thank you so much for stopping by again to share about this wonderful book! 

Blob: Thank you! And thanks for being you! 

Kaitlyn: Right back at ya!

Author Bio and links

Anne Appert spent her childhood in New Jersey with her nose stuck in a book and a wild imagination that transformed her backyard into faraway places and allowed her to be anything she dreamed she could be. She still enjoys spending time in her backyard dreaming, and now her imagination turns her dreams into words and pictures for children. Anne wrote and illustrated her debut book BLOB, published by HarperCollins, with a second book to follow. She is represented by Charlotte Wenger at Prospect Agency. You can find Anne’s portfolio at www.anneappert.com, and follow her on Twitter at @Anne_Appert or Instagram at @anneappertillustration.

Kaitlyn’s Review the book

Blob has quickly become a favorite in our house; we all love the fun story, beautiful encouragement, and the great comedy! I think this book belongs in the hands of every kid. We do such a wonderful job as a society encouraging kids that they can be anything they want to be, but this book goes beyond to show kids that just because they can do anything, doesn’t make it easy. In fact, it helps them see that so many choices can make it hard, but it also encourages them that as long as they stay true to themselves, they’ll always get where they’re meant to be in the end. Truly a book I wish I had as a kid, and I’m so glad Anne Appert brought it into the world for my little one to fall in love with, which she did immediately!

Giveaway

Anne is generously giving away two copies of BLOB!

• A signed copy of Blob – US only
• A copy of Blob plus signed bookplate (mailed separately) – International

To enter the random drawing, do any/all of the following options, then come back and write all of the things you did in ONE blog comment. (If you forget something, feel free to reply to your first comment ;))

1. Share that you added Blob to your Goodreads “Want to Read” list and/or your Amazon Wishlist 
2. Share that you ordered a copy of Blob
3. Share that you did a purchase request for Blob at your library
4. Share that you left a review on Amazon or Barnes and Noble
5. Share that you retweeted or quote retweeted my tweet about this blog post on Twitter and tagged some friends.

Thank you all for supporting another wonderful creator! I hope you’ve been having a lovely 2021 and are looking forward to 2022! If you haven’t preordered the Team Sanchez books coming out in 2022, make sure to get in on that by checking out the book cover reveal interviews here: Mushroom Rain, Old Friends, Hattie Hates Hugs!

Sincerely,

Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez