By Nicole MOORE

La Crescenta author and illustrator Tina Kugler received a 2018 Geisel Honor for her fifth book, “Snail and the Worm Again.” The prestigious Geisel Honor, named after Theodor Seuss “Ted” Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, is given to a handful of children’s book authors and illustrators in the United States.

Kugler initially was an animation storyboard artist, but her true passion was always in picture books. Kugler is primarily an artist and she conveys character traits and story arcs by showing rather than telling. Kugler’s work is influenced by the illustrators Wallace Tripp, Mitsumasa Anno, Nancy Ekholm Burkert, Lois Ehlert and Richard Scarry.

Kugler noted the publishing process of children’s books greatly differs from working in animation, as she is given more time and freedom in the creative process.

“My editor has been very hands-off, which is great for me creatively, I feel like I have a lot of freedom,” Kugler said. “The one place where the publisher gets very involved is the jacket design, since it turns out people do judge a book by its cover.”

Usually, Kugler will send a rough manuscript along with sketches to her agent and will revise her work based on the feedback given. Then, her agent will pitch the revised manuscript to an editor.

“If the stars align, an editor will say yes, we sign a contract, and I start on the final art and manuscript. If editors turn it down, [which happens] more often than not, I’ll shelve it, and sometimes I recycle rejected ideas into other projects,” Kugler explained.

Kugler revealed the inspiration behind her stories are her children.

“I wrote ‘Snail and Worm,’ which is three easy reader stories in a picture book format, to help my youngest who was really struggling with reading. I wanted very simple stories with the reward of a punch line at the end, and I couldn’t find what I liked, so I wrote it,” she said. “With three kids, I do have inspirations for tons of stories and jokes. I’ll be writing a scene and think, how would my son react here? What would he say? With my books, I want them to be funny, but without any snark.”

Kugler also added she loves when children find humor in her books.

“I love doing school visits and reading aloud and hearing them absolutely crack up at the jokes. There is a sad moment in ‘Snail and Worm Again,’ and when I was reading it to a group of kindergarteners, they all started to cry. It really is wonderful, well, except for the crying part. Books are so powerful and so loved,” she said.

Kugler described winning the Geisel Honor as an unexpected, life-changing event. Previously, Kugler owned a children’s bookshop and worked in the youth department of a public library, rendering her award to be even more exciting. However, she did miss the award committee call from the American Library Association announcing her win.

“I got a voicemail with a roomful of wonderful cheering, screaming librarians on speakerphone. And I was like, ‘What the heck is this?’ So I listened to it a few times, completely puzzled, and then it finally sunk in and I started to cry … I was just beyond shocked and so, so grateful.”

Kugler’s advice for budding children’s book authors is to join the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, review and analyze published picture books, and to join a workshop. Kugler added that while getting a good literary agent helped her further her career, it may not be the case for everyone.

Kugler has planned numerous projects for the near future that will weave together whimsical, humorous and heartfelt stories that will, no doubt, be eagerly received by early readers.

  Nicole MOORE