When I was in the first grade, I fell deeply, madly in love with violins and that love has never faded. Isn’t it amazing how lifelong passions can form so quickly and so strongly when we are so young? That is the same for the main character in today’s picture book.

Lindsay Leslie is an award-winning children’s author. Yet she has always operated in a world of written words as a diary keeper, a journalism major, a public relations executive, now a children’s author. She likes to bring her unique outlook on life, quirky humor, and play with words to the page in picture books.  Some of her books include This Book Is Spineless, Nova the Star Eater, Dusk Explorers, and So You Want to Build a Library. She lives with her family in Austin, Texas. You can learn more about her at her website or follow her on Twitter, Instagram, or BlueSky.

GUS <3 THE BUS is a picture book about a little boy named Gus who falls in love with buses after his very first ride. He is OB-sessed. But really this book is about so much more. It’s about finding that THING, that special something, that just sparks magic for each and every one of us. We all have one. This book tells Gus’ story and revels in his enthusiasm. 

Welcome Leslie!

Me: Can you tell us a little bit about your writing journey? When did you start writing picture books? How has that brought you to writing this picture book?

Lindsay: I started writing for children in 2014, but I’ve always been a writer. I wrote in my diary in elementary school, then journals, when I had more angsty things to say in my teen years and my diary was too immature (ha, ha). That transformed into writing for my high school newspaper; then, I was a journalism major. My first career was in public relations, which is very writing heavy. I didn’t pivot to children’s literature until I had my own kiddos, and they reintroduced me to picture books as a format. I secured my first book deal through #PitMad. (Remember the good ol’ Twitter days? Sigh.) My debut book, This Book Is Spineless, came out in February 2019. GUS HEARTS THE BUS (Sleeping Bear Press) will be my sixth book.

GUS came to the page for a very real, heartfelt reason — I’ve been reminiscing a lot about the past. So often I find stories when I cull my memories, either from my childhood or from my kids’. This one landed in my lap as a movie in my head. It was a treat to relive it and now see it in a book with Geeta Ladi’s beautiful artistic interpretation.

Me: Kids are so passionate about so many different things. I love that you emphasize that, not just the bus aspect. What gave you the idea for this story?

Lindsay: I almost feel like I can’t claim this idea. I mean, I will, but really I was just a careful observer of my oldest son, Mars. It’s his real-life story, but I fictionalized it. We introduced Mars to the city bus when he was around five years old, and I was gobsmacked by his intense curiosity for the bus and the entire bus system. He memorized all the routes, the numbers of buses and where they went, which routes were the most frequented, etc. He was absolutely an expert in the subject. What a joy it was to watch, to encourage, and to see where this fascination and passion has taken him over the years.

And when I reflect on this, I think about my other son, Levi, and his equal fascination with construction vehicles, and then geography and vexillology, and where those passions have taken him.

For all children, their passions tell a story about them. Those passions can put them on a path toward something greater. They just have to pay attention to what they are drawn to and go. That’s the important part and what I’d like to encourage with this story — to unabashedly lean into your passions.

Me: I love that. Why buses and not some other form of transportation (or some other interest)? They’re absolutely perfect, but I’m curious why you chose buses as an obsession over all others. Was it always buses in this story?

Lindsay: It was always buses, because of my son’s fascination. But I also felt that buses were a wonderful passion to pick for a couple of other reasons:

1. Most children are familiar with buses, whether it’s a city bus or school bus, and can get access to one and maybe relate to Gus’ feelings about it, and
2. I’d love to encourage more people to take the city bus, if available. I hope this book entices the youngest readers to consider the bus as a great way to get around, because it helps the environment and lessens traffic.

Me: I can’t recall seeing another story that uses second person point of view as successfully as you do here, while primarily using third person point of view. Was your story always like this? Or did it evolve over time? Did you get any push back from critique partners or editors about the dual points of view?

Lindsay: I have to give credit to Mac Barnett for this use of point of view. I fell head over heels in love with his book The Important Thing About Margaret Wise Brown. His back and forth between third and second person point of view was inspiring, and I love what it did in terms of reader engagement and interactivity. Thank you for the mentor text, Mac. When kiddos read GUS HEARTS THE BUS, I desperately want them to do loads of introspection, consider their own feelings and their own passions, and relate to Gus.

My first draft did not have the second person point of view, but it appeared in the second draft, and I never looked back. I never received any pushback. In fact, I think that’s what my critique partners, agent, and editor loved the most about the story—the engagement of the reader and bringing them into the story. 

Me:  The illustrations by Geeta Ladi are so fun! I love the way she captures Gus’ joy and passion. Any illustration surprises for you? Any favorites?

Lindsay: Geeta’s illustrations — what can I say? For me, because this is a story about my son, I am so emotionally tied to Gus. When I saw her character sketches, I cried. I saw Mars. When I saw the sketches for the entire manuscript, I cried. I saw Mars. I just cried a lot. I think my husband shed a tear, too. I never spoke to Geeta until GUS HEARTS THE BUS was completely finished, so her interpretation of Gus and his experience was beyond expectations and also like seeing a young Mars all over again, falling in love with buses. What a gift!

Me: What is one thing that surprised you in writing this story?

Lindsay: I was surprised when the second person point of view popped in on the second draft, and I’m so glad you pointed that out in your earlier question. You know how we read so many picture books and continue to study our craft, and then wonder: How will this change my writing going forward? Upon reflection, I know the point-of-view shift was inspired by The Important Thing About Margaret Wise Brown, but when I was writing, it was a natural occurrence, not a purposeful one. It just happened on the page during revisions, and it felt like the right thing to do. That’s how I could bring readers in closer and get them to see themselves in Gus.

Me: Any advice for new picture book writers?

Lindsay: Continue to be you and write only as you write, but read so many picture books and let those great works seep into your subconscious and do their work. You, too, might be surprised one day.

That is wonderful advice Lindsay. Thank you for stopping by my blog today.

But wait, dear readers! There’s more! I also had the chance to interview the illustrator too!

Geeta Ladi is a passionate picture book illustrator who began her creative journey working with children to address learning challenges in math and science. For over a decade, she designed learning toys, led creativity camps, and used storytelling to simplify complex concepts. These experiences led her to illustrate picture books, including the award-winning My Brain Is Magic by Prasha Sooful. Based in Chennai, India, Geeta loves to travel and draw people and architecture. You can learn more about her at Astound or follow her on Facebook or Instagram.

Welcome Geeta!

Me: What was your artistic journey? When did you start creating art? How did that bring you to where you are now with this picture book?

Geeta: Before I began my journey as an artist, I was working with an organization focused on improving the quality of education in public schools, especially in places where children had very limited access to learning resources or opportunities. I worked there for over a decade, through its founding years, and it was intense, it often demanded more than ten hours a day. But it was deeply meaningful. I spent a lot of time with children growing up in difficult circumstances, many of them carrying the weight of economic stress from a really young age. And what we slowly began to realize during that time was, before academics or anything else, was that children need space for joy. They need moments that let them feel free, curious, and seen. Picture book reading became one of the most powerful tools for that. Alongside creative play and storytelling, it brought lightness into their day. Our team finally built a library for these children. That’s when I fell in love, with both children and picture books. That’s really where the seed was planted.

At the time, I couldn’t pursue art seriously. My job took up most of my time and energy. But when I got married and moved out of India, for the first time in years, I had some space to explore what had been quietly growing in my heart. So in 2019, I began teaching myself to draw, studying in whatever way I could, and slowly building my skills from the ground up.

We moved back to India in 2021, and by then I had started working on picture books. My second illustrated book, ‘My Brain Is Magic’ by Prasha Sooful, was received warmly, and not long after, I joined Astound. My agent, Christina, has been such a kind and steady support. When she sent me this manuscript and asked, “Would you be interested in working on this book?” I didn’t even have to think twice. I just wrote back, “Yes, because I know Gus!” 

Me: What does your illustration process look like?  Is it traditional, digital, or a blend of both?  Why do you gravitate towards that medium?

Geeta: I love drawing with pencils. There’s something about it that just lets me loosen up, it makes me feel bold and okay with making mistakes. Pencil sketches have this raw energy I find really hard to recreate digitally. They bring movement and life into the way characters sit or gesture.

Once I’ve done my initial sketches, I usually move them to my iPad and finish the rest in Procreate. That’s where I work out the colors, the composition, and all the final details. But honestly, when I spend too long working digitally, it can start to feel a little disconnected. So when that happens, I go back to my sketchbook, sometimes I’ll use colored pencils to draw certain elements, scan them in, and blend them into the digital piece.

That back and forth between traditional and digital keeps me grounded and away from getting bored. It helps the process stay playful. I worry that if I ever rely completely on digital tools, I might lose that spark, the messy, tactile, spontaneous feeling that got me into illustration in the first place.

Me: I loved seeing your process pictures for the cover on Facebook. It was really interesting seeing the different compositions (Gus already on the bus, getting on the bus, full side shot of bus, etc.). The final cover is perfect (it really is the best choice), but can you talk about why you ended up making some of the final decisions on the cover that you did, instead of those?

Geeta: Thank you so much! I’m really glad you enjoyed seeing the process, that’s honestly one of my favorite parts to share. With the cover, the final decision wasn’t just mine alone. I had submitted a few different composition options to the wonderful team at Sleeping Bear Press, and we made the call together. The team was really drawn to the version where Gus is waving excitedly at the bus, with that big beaming smile. They felt it captured the energy of the story, the joy, the anticipation, the adventure about to begin.

And as soon as they said that, it clicked for me too. I could see exactly what they meant. The cover space wasn’t just about the bus, it was about Gus’s spirit. His openness to the unknown. That hopeful, heart lifting feeling of stepping into something new. It felt like the perfect way to invite readers into the story.

Me: You were so adept at capturing Gus’ joy and enthusiasm in this story. Is there anything you are as passionate about as Gus is about buses?

Geeta: Ahh, thank you! That means so much, I really loved illustrating Gus. From the very first time I read the manuscript, I just felt this connection to him. I knew Gus. I had been with Gus.

He actually reminded me instantly of my nephew, Kabeer. When he was little, he was endlessly curious about all the big marvels humans have built, things like the Titanic, the Eiffel Tower, the Burj Khalifa. He would read everything he could get his hands on, draw them again and again, and then proudly teach all of us what he’d learned… haha! While working on the book, I looked through old photos and videos of him as a child and tried to pour all that spirit into Gus. In a way, it felt like I was drawing someone I already knew and loved.

And as for my own passions, I really love talking with children. Whether it’s kids I know or ones I happen to meet, I’m always drawn into their world. I love hearing how they think, how they see things, what they find funny. I make little friends everywhere I go.

And, well, apart from picture books and children, I love watching world cinema. Films from different parts of the world feel like a window into people’s everyday lives, how they love, eat, grow up, grieve, build homes, and hold on to their values. I especially enjoy period films, they’re like a glimpse into the way people lived before us, the homes, the architecture, the family rhythms, landscapes. It’s amazing to me how, even though we come from such diverse places, our stories often echo one another. We’re different, but we’re also the same in really fundamental ways. And I love seeing that play out on screen. 

Me: What is one thing that surprised you in illustrating this book?

Geeta: Hmm… not exactly a surprise, but what really struck me was how much I fell in love with Lindsay’s narration. From the very first opening line, “Do you know that feeling right before doing something for the very first time?”, and that approach through out a book, is like a goldmine!

As someone who’s worked with children, I could just imagine asking that in a classroom. The variety of answers you’d get! So many personal, honest first time feelings. That idea touched me deeply, and I remember smiling as I read. I knew exactly what Lindsay was doing, and I felt so lucky to be part of bringing her words to life.

Me:  What is one of your favorite illustrations from the book?

Geeta: Oh, it has to be the one where Gus is getting on the bus for the first time.

When I read the manuscript, I first imagined that moment as a series of small spot illustrations, Gus trying different seats, and finding the perfect one. But right before sending the storyboard, I changed my mind. I updated the thumbnail to show the entire interior of the bus across the spread. I thought, this is the moment for the reader to see what Gus sees! To feel that same wide eyed excitement.
I hesitated a bit, because that meant the bus was now facing the opposite direction, as I had to also match the flow of the text, which could be a technical issue. And I wasn’t sure if the team would go for it. But I submitted it anyway, and to my joy, they loved the idea!

When I got to the final art, I decided not to color the seats like real life bus seats. Instead, I added something more playful and imaginative. I also loved showing the little stories happening on the bus, someone reading, someone listening to music. It became more than a ride. It became its own tiny world.

Me: Any advice for other new picture book illustrators?

Geeta: I honestly don’t know if I’m there yet to give advice, but I would definitely say this to my younger self: Every artist’s path looks different, and that’s okay. You don’t need a traditional background to make meaningful work. If you’re starting out and feeling unsure, just know, it’s possible to learn as you go.

I never went to art school. By the time online courses became more accessible to me, I was already deep into picture book work. I learned by drawing, making mistakes, listening to illustration podcasts like ‘The Illustration Department’ , reading interviews of my favorite artists and books by Martin Salisbury, which taught me so much about picture book form.

With time, I’ve come to see that it’s not really about style, or color palettes, or textures, not once you’ve learned those tools. What begins to matter more is the emotional impact your work can have on a reader. It’s about creating something that feels familiar and safe, but also surprising, something drawn from real experience, that invites a sense of wonder.

That variety doesn’t come from technique alone. It comes from what you’ve lived, what you’ve felt, and what you’ve noticed. And often, it comes from breaking the very rules you worked so hard to learn. That’s where your voice begins to grow, when you stop chasing what’s expected and start trusting what’s true for you.

The more we relax and enjoy the process, the more naturally the work flows. And that ease and honesty is something readers can feel.

If you ever feel stuck, go spend time with kids. Really be with them. Watch what makes them laugh, what makes them pause, what kinds of questions they ask. Especially children from communities different from your own, there’s so much to learn just by observing and listening. One of my favorite places to do that is in museums. Children look at everything with awe and curiosity!

It’s a long journey. There’s no need to rush. Stay curious, stay connected to your purpose, and let your art grow in its own time.

That is wonderful advice Geeta. Thank you so much for stopping by my blog today.

But wait, dear readers! There’s more! This book will be published next week and Lindsay has agreed to giveaway one copy of the book (US contestants only). You can enter the Rafflecopter here!