Celebrating the book birthday of I WILL ALWAYS BE… by ME (!) + interview with illustrator Rahele Jomepour Bell (!) + a GIVEAWAY!

Hello Picture Book Builders Family! What a treat it is to be able to celebrate the book birthday (TODAY!) of my latest picture book, I WILL ALWAYS BE…!  It is especially sweet because I get to celebrate it with my fabulous creator-in-crime, illustrator Rahele Jomepour Bell!

Before I get into the interview with Rahele, I wanted to take a minute to share with you the abridged version of the story behind this story…

Picture it: It was the summer of 2020 and by this point I had writing picture books and children’s poetry in earnest for more than four years. I didn’t yet have an agent nor had I sold any manuscripts. But I was doing all the things to learn the ins and outs of the industry – reading all the books, taking all the classes, joining all the groups, entering all the contests. I submitted to many, many agents and any editors open to submissions — and getting really used to the sound of silence. I was dealing with some major Imposter Syndrome when I found myself in a conversation after conversation that went something like:

Them: “What do you do for a living?” 

Me: “I write picture books and poetry for kids.”

Them: “Cool! What are some of your books?”

Me: “Well, none have been published yet.” 

Them: “Oh, I see.”

(but what I actually heard was):

“So, you’re not a ‘real’ writer, are you?”

After some stewing and reflection, and a boost of confidence from my then 7-year-old son who was constantly bragging to anyone who’d listen: “My mom is an author! She writes books for kids!” I realized that I needed to change my perspective. My son was absolutely right. I was a writer. I am a writer. And I will always be a writer, whether or not I ever publish a book, because writing is what I love to do most in this world.

Not too long after that, I wrote the first draft of I WILL ALWAYS BE… which is a reminder to myself and to all kids (and adults!) “to do what you love and love what you do” – whether or not we ever publish a book, make it to Broadway, win a World Series, cure cancer or do anything ‘real’ with that passion at all. 

I am so thrilled that this book is finally hitting bookshelves TODAY! I WILL ALWAYS BE… was actually the 2^nd book I ever to sold but because of the craziness of the publishing world, it is my 6^th to come out. I’m absolutely awe-struck by what illustrator Rahele Jomepour Bell has done with my text. She is truly phenomenal. We had a chance to meet in person last year in NYC and she is as kind as she is talented. You’ll see what I mean in the interview below. Let’s get to it!

RGL: Welcome Rahele! Thank you so much for being here!

I know it’s been a while (this book has been four years in the making!), but do you remember what initially made you say “YES!” to illustrating this project?

RJB: When I first read this manuscript, it felt like it was speaking directly to me—as a mom, as someone who’s had so many of these conversations with my daughter. She gets so excited whenever she discovers something new that sparks her interest, and I’ve always told her that whatever she loves, she can pursue it. She once asked me, “Can I be a dancer, a teacher, and an artist all at the same time?” Without hesitation, I told her, “Of course you can!” My husband and I have always believed in supporting her dreams, no matter what they are.

That’s why your manuscript hit so close to home—it felt like a reflection of my own experience like it was holding up a mirror to my life as a mom. It’s such a meaningful yet playful story, one that reminds kids (and parents!) that they don’t have to fit into just one box. They’re free to explore, dream big, and be more than one thing. Every child should have access to a book like this—it’s something that belongs in every classroom and library, a beautiful celebration of choice and possibility.

RGL: Aww, thank you for those kind words. 

Even though I wrote I WILL ALWAYS BE… in the first person, my original vision was that each section would be of a different child doing a different activity. But when I saw that you had created this single main character – a free-spirited, curious, adventurous little girl who isn’t afraid to try new things or make mistakes, and who is fully engaged in every one of her interests and passions, the book truly came alive with so much more meaning. When you received my manuscript, did you ever consider a larger cast or did you immediately know that the book needed only one fabulous child? Is this little girl modeled after anyone you know personally? 

RJB: From the beginning, I knew this story needed to be told through a single main character. There was something powerful about following one child’s journey—a free-spirited, curious, and adventurous little girl—who embodies the boundless potential in all children. By focusing on one character, I felt that readers could see themselves in her more easily, stepping into her shoes and imagining their possibilities.

This girl isn’t just one child—she represents every child who has ever dreamed big, explored new interests, made mistakes, and embraced learning with excitement. While she was inspired in part by my daughter, she is also a reflection of so many children I’ve known—kids who don’t want to be just one thing, who light up when they discover new passions, who refuse to be boxed in.

By creating a single character, I wanted to give children a model of confidence, curiosity, and limitless potential. When they read this book, they see a little bit of themselves in her and feel empowered to chase their own dreams, knowing that they can be anything and everything they want to be.

RGL: I am not an artist, so I don’t know all the technical terms for what I’m about to say, but I am absolutely in LOVE with how you combined “regular painting” (sorry, I know it’s far more complex than that!) with bits of collage, using fabrics and photographs and other textures throughout the book. It gives the spreads so much interest and depth. I particularly love the bakery scene. All those delicious pastries look like they’re just popping off the page. Is this a technique you use often? Why did you choose to use it specifically for this project? (And HOW did you do it? Feel free to get more technical than “regular painting” and “collage.” lol!)

RJB: As a child, I was always drawn to animated movies that blended real-life films with animated characters. Something about that combination made it so much easier for me to step into the character’s world and imagine myself in their shoes. That feeling has stayed with me, and I think it naturally influences how I approach illustrations for this particular book.

Collage, to me, adds layers of magic to an image—it creates depth, texture, and a kind of tangible reality that invites the viewer to explore. For this book, I wanted to embrace that sense of freedom and playfulness, so I mixed photo collages with expressive, free-flowing line art for the main character. Her loose, energetic lines capture her free spirit, while the bold brushstrokes add movement and emotion. At the same time, incorporating real textures and photographs into the settings helped ground the story, making each scene feel more immersive and authentic.

All the photos in the book were taken by me, which made the process even more personal. I love the idea that kids can see this mix of materials and feel the same sense of wonder I did as a child—where reality and imagination blend, and anything feels possible.

RGL: WHOA!! That’s so super cool, Rahele! And thank you for sharing some of the photos you snuck into the art!

(Below is the photo of Rahele’s daughter’s crayon box that you can see under the bed in the spread above, as well as some photos Rahele took in Florence, Italy that became the little girl’s rug! And also check out the photo of these DELICIOUS looking pancakes that ended up as a cupcake in the “baker” spread below! So cool right?)

What was your favorite part about illustrating this book? What was your biggest challenge? 

RJB: My favorite part about illustrating this book was the opportunity to experiment with new techniques. I love challenging myself to find the perfect visual language for each story, and this one called for something playful, expressive, and full of energy. I spent a lot of time exploring how to blend photo collage with loose, dynamic line work to bring out the main character’s free spirit while making the world around her feel rich and textured. That process of discovery—figuring out how best to visually tell the story—was incredibly exciting.

RGL: Incredible! And now, my favorite question to ask my guests: What is one question no one has yet to ask you about the making of this book that you would love to answer? (And what’s the answer?!)

RJB: One question no one has asked me yet—but I’d love to answer—is: What is your secret art supply or technique that you used for this book?

The fun part about illustrating this book was sneaking in little personal touches! Some of the textures you see in the backgrounds actually come from photos I took of buildings in Florence during my last visit to Italy. I love incorporating real-world textures to add depth and a bit of hidden storytelling to the illustrations.

Another special detail is in the museum scene—some of the paintings on that page are actually my daughter’s artwork! I also used a mix of her art supplies and mine throughout the process, which made it feel even more personal. 

(Below is Rahele’s daughter’s artwork which you see in the spread above, and an early sketch! Isn’t she so amazing???)

RGL: WOW! That is truly so special. I don’t think I’ll ever look at this book the same way again now that I know that. Thank you for taking such care and being so thoughtful in your art. I have to admit that my favorite spread is the “writer” spread where you incorporate one of my other books, WHATEVER COMES TOMORROW, on the bookshelf. It’s such a cool little Easter egg!

RGL: Thank you so much for joining us today, Rahele. I will treasure our collaboration forever. 

Ok, dear readers, you know what’s coming… YES, there is a giveaway! I’ll be giving away either a copy of I WILL ALWAYS BE… (US addresses only) or a 30-min AMA! To enter, just leave a comment on this post. I will announce the winner in my next post, scheduled for May 21!

And now for the winners of last post’s giveaway!

The winner of a signed copy of Jenna Waldman’s A PURR-FECT PASSOVER is… 

**ROBIN BRETT WECHSLER!**

And the winner of a 30-min Ask Me Anything Zoom call with Jenna is…

**ANGIE QUANTRELL!**

Congrats to you both! Please email me at [email protected] to claim your prize!

Rahele’s Bio:

Rahele Jomepour Bell is an Iranian-born and US-based illustrator and educator whose vivid, textured work explores cultural identity, migration, and the richness of everyday life. She is a professor at the Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI), where she teaches in the Illustration program, mentoring young artists in both traditional and experimental approaches to storytelling through image-making.

Rahele received her MFA in Integrated Visual Arts from Iowa State University and her BFA in Graphic Design from the University of Tehran, Iran. Her work has been published by HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, and Scholastic, and she has illustrated a number of award-winning picture books, including Our Favorite Day of the Year by A.E. Ali and To Change a Planet by Christina Soontornvat.

In 2023, Rahele was selected as a winner of the prestigious Bologna Children’s Book Fair Illustration Competition, and in 2025 she is nominated by IBBY US as an official illustrator for the Biennial of Illustration Bratislava (BIB)—one of the world’s most esteemed international honors in children’s book illustration.

Deeply inspired by her Iranian heritage and her journey of immigration, Rahele’s illustrations are known for their layered textures, emotional depth, and warmth. She delights in uncovering the hidden layers of a story—both literally and figuratively—using color, pattern, and playful composition to invite viewers into the unseen corners of a narrative. Whether working in traditional media or digital formats, she is passionate about creating art that celebrates difference, evokes wonder, and fosters empathy.

In addition to her publishing work, Rahele is committed to community-based art practices, using storytelling and illustration as tools for connection, healing, and cultural exchange. She regularly speaks at schools, libraries, and conferences, advocating for more inclusive and diverse voices in children’s literature and the arts.