How do you handle overwhelming emotions?

Erin Dealey has visited my blog several times before, and I’ve loved every single book she has shared with us.  Yet today’s picture book just might be my favorite of her’s to date!  She is a children’s author of over a dozen books.  She grew up in Oakland, California, where she often did her homework on the roof of her garage. You can learn more about her at her website or follow her on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, BlueSky, and Pinterest.

SQUIRREL DRAWS BIG FEELINGS is a picture book all about a squirrel with big feelings. He runs around crashing into others, he paints and colors fly. Chaos and disaster abound and nothing he does can fix the problems he has accidentally created. By now, he isn’t the only one with big feelings. How does he manage his emotions and how does he help his friends to feel better too?

Welcome back Erin!

Me: A lot of my young students have been struggling with their emotions this school year. I love seeing squirrel (and porcupine and bear) having those same struggles. What gave you the idea for this story?

Erin: Thank you for having me on your wonderful blog, Jena. This story started way back when we emerged from quarantine, and we all wanted to get back to “normal,” but not everyone had the social skills to do so. It’s no wonder their struggles and BIG feelings became increasingly difficult to handle.  That’s where Squirrel, Porcupine, and Bear came in.

Me: For me, art is always soothing and I get such a boost from creating. Was this always part of the story? Or did it come about through revision? How many revisions did this manuscript undergo?

Erin: I feel the same way, Jena. And yes, art was always a part of the story. It was inspired by the incredible chalk art that my friend and illustrator, Luciana Navarro Powell, did in her community during Covid. It not only helped her cope, but it brought together their entire neighborhood.

As for revisions, oh my goodness, there were so many. But it’s all part of the process. I always tell kids (and big people) to remember that writing is a Language ART. Artists often fill sketchbooks with thumbnails, sketches and story boards before they move to the medium and canvas they will use. And even then, they keep experimenting. It doesn’t mean you aren’t good at it. It means your process is just as important as the final product. It’s so helpful for writers to remember they are Language ARTists. 

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

Erin: Initially, it was surprising to me to realize that I took our everyday social skills for granted. Like many of my teacher friends, I began to see the need to approach students as if they were socially three years younger. To me, a unexpected reaction to the quarantine years –especially in kids and young adults – was the insecurity, hesitancy, and thus inability to reach out to others and interact with them face-to-face, in person.

When you can’t talk to others, those BIG feelings get buried deep inside us. As we mention in the book’s back matter, vetted by consultant Lauren Lerza, PsyD, when this happens you can truly feel stuck. Many also feel like they’re the only ones experiencing this, which can feel very lonely. We wanted to create a fun story that would also be a way to begin to talk about this.

Me: The illustrations by Luciana Navarro Powell are so beautiful! The dragon cloud raining? Gorgeous! Were there any illustration surprises for you?  Were there any favorites?

Erin: I absolutely love working with Luciana. Squirrel Draws Big Feelings is the third book we have created together. (See Babies Come from Airports, Grandma’s Favorite, and Grandpa’s Favorite—the latter two also in Spanish–all with Kane Miller.)

She includes so much detail, even adding back story to the endpapers. (Plus she loves to animate our book trailers and she is amazing!) Did you notice Bear and his yellow balloon in the window at the beginning, where Porcupine watches Squirrel painting—before Bear officially enters the story?

There are so many favorites, but I dearly love how Luciana illustrated art as a quiet hug. And the last spread of the story with all the kids is filled with joy!  

Me: I love how the characters are never criticized for strong emotions that are typically seen as negative, nor were their problems easily solved. Why is that something you wanted to share with young readers? 

Erin: I’m so glad this is one of your takeaways. We wanted readers to know that having strong emotions, and not knowing what to do about them, is real, and OK.  Even well-meaning friends and/or adults don’t always have the answers.  Art helps us take a step back so we can breathe. Luciana did such a fantastic job showing this in our characters. I was so happy that Lu, our consultant Lauren Lerza, and I could add a note about this in the back matter as well. 

Me: You’ve published several books at this point in your career. In these difficult publishing times, what keeps you creating kidlit? What encouragement would you give to other creators who are trying to publish picture books in this market?

Erin: Oh, my friends, these are indeed crazy times. Which is why we need art –and stories—more than ever. I know it’s frustrating waiting for a YES from publishers or agents, but it helps to remember they are going through rough spots as well. EVERYTHING is slow and uncertain. Honestly, this may not be the best time to submit. But it is oh so important to keep connecting to your art. And some of the most meaningful work may come out of that. Bottom line: do NOT give up.

Me: You are a kidlit writer and playwright. Do you also create art? Do you find creating art and/or writing soul soothing or meditative? What do you do when your emotions are in turmoil?

Erin: I dabble in different arts from time to time. I love upcycling old greeting cards and adding a collage of old photos for the new recipient. It’s fun. I minored in Art in college, so it’s always been a part of me somehow. Art –writing, creating, collaging, theater– is truly my happy place.

And yes, when I’m waiting for kidlit news, I write plays for young adults (see Uproar Theatrics). I highlight kidlit creators on my blog at erindealey.com –just as you do, Jena. 

I love the saying, “EARTH, without ART, is just EH.”  I hope this blog post –and our book about Squirrel, Porcupine, and Bear, make you ALL want to go make art. For yourself. For others. For the world.

Thank you Erin. That’s very encouraging (and a great quote!).

Dear readers, this book publishes April 7th. It’s full of lovely soft illustrations that really help to hammer home how to calm down our inner turmoil. Trust me when I say, you won’t want to miss it!