It's Season's Readings with Lauren Gallegos!

Hi readers, writers, and cowpokes of all kinds! We have a rootin’-tootin’ holiday treat for you today. We’re thrilled to welcome the talented illustrator Lauren Gallegos as she shares her festive new book with Sleeping Bear Press, A Cowpoke’s Christmas.

It’s Christmas Day, and Sam can hardly wait! The decorations are hung, the ranch is sparkling with holiday cheer, and excitement is in the air. But before the Christmas festivities can begin, Sam has a list of chores to finish up. Ride along as she checks off each task and gets ready for an epic, holly-jolly celebration on the ranch.

Want to learn more about Lauren, her charming new Christmas book, PLUS want a chance to win a copy for your own bookshelf? Read on…❄️🧣

Q: Hi, Lauren! Thanks for joining #SeasonsOfKidLit for our Season’s Readings Event! We’re thrilled to have you and hear all about your book that’s a cozy read for the season. Can you share more about a Cowpoke’s Christmas and how you were invited to illustrate this sweet text?

A: Sleeping Bear Press reached out to me to illustrate this book and I happily accepted! I’ve worked with them before. They have a great sense of what projects are right for an illustrator. Both times I’ve felt

like the story was a perfect match for me and the things I like to draw. I’m also so excited to add a Christmas book to my list of projects! Something that will hopefully come back year after year and maybe even become part of family traditions. Even for people who grew up in the city or suburbs, A Cowpoke’s Christmas brings us onto the ranch for a very special day-in-the-life experience. Not only is it Christmas day, but there’s a Christmas surprise added to the Ranch at the end! Sam and her Grandpa take us through every-day farm chores, feeding the animals, and getting ready for Christmas dinner. It gives us all a sense of home and family for the Holidays, as well as putting in the work necessary to keep things going at home. 

Q: Was it love at first read for you? What inspired you to say Yes to working on this manuscript?

A: It was! I don’t want to give away the ending, but it felt like a classic kind of Christmas story set on a modern day cattle ranch. It had all the wintery Christmas vibes along with cute farm animals, which are so fun to draw! It was such a sweet story, I had to say yes!

Q: We’d love to hear more about your illustration process! Can you share more about how you prepare to illustrate books and the work that goes into it? How long does it typically take to complete a picture book and what does the revision process look like with the art director?

A.  My process begins with research, finding reference photos and finding inspiration. I like to look for color palettes, and particularly for this book, I looked at lots of Ranch style Christmas decorations, just to get in the mood, because I didn’t necessarily work on this book during the holidays. I got the project in January and was given a full year to complete it. This is something Sleeping Bear is pretty great about. Not all publishers give this much time to illustrate a book. Admittedly I didn’t actually use the entire year. I had another book project I was working on so I didn’t start this book until August! So in reality, I had 5 months to complete this book. But I did it! As for working with my Art Director, I have worked with her before and it’s always wonderful and collaborative. I never afraid to ask questions if I’m stuck or need clarification. There are usually very few art notes, but a clear vision is cast for the book before I get started. For this book I started with character sketches and originally I had the main character, Sam, as a boy, but they asked me to switch it to a girl, which felt right and appropriate, so I was happy to make the change, it just hadn’t crossed my mind! There were also a few times in the sketch stage where I came to the Art Director to clarify what certain things looked like to make sure I was being accurate and that I was understanding the text correctly. Of course they were happy to explain and chat about it with me! 

Q: What's your favoire spread from the book and why?

A: My favorite spread to make in the book was the nighttime scene overlooking the entire ranch. It mirrors an earlier scene, from the exact same view, but in the morning time. I loved this scene because I don’t often do wide, sweeping views from far away. It was a challenge to get the lighting to look right with the moonlight on the snow, and it was also fun to imagine what Sam’s home and entire ranch looked like.

This is GORGEOUS! Thanks for sharing.

Q: What’s your favorite dish/recipe for the season (feel free to share!).

A: My favorite Christmas time cookie to make growing up was “Snowball” cookies! As an adult I’ve come to learn that they are actually called a few different things. (Russian Tea Cakes, Mexican Wedding Cookies, Polvorones) To me, they are just snowball cookies, and I love that they are covered in powdered sugar, and yet not too sweet of a cookie. My preference is to use walnuts in the cookie over any other nut.

https://www.loveandlemons.com/mexican-wedding-cookies/

Q: BONUS: What’s your favorite way to celebrate the season?

A: I love a good Christmas movie! I have a very strong tradition in my family growing up watching some of the classics, like Home Alone, The Santa Clause, and It’s A Wonderful Life. I love to rewatch them every year! But I also love going out into our neighborhood to look at Christmas lights. It’s fun to bundle up, go out in the chilly air, and see the glowy, twinkly lights! Magical! 

Q: Would you like to leave a tip or a treat for our readers?

A: I'd like to leave a treat: I'd love to offer a book giveaway. I'm happy to send one person a book (US only) if they follow me on Instagram and comment on the post who they would read or give this book to!

Thanks for such a jolly-good treat! And thanks again for stopping by. We had so much fun getting to know you and celebrating your new book with you.

Giveaway Details: Readers, to enter Laruen's giveaway, 1) leave a comment below to thank her for stopping by and 2) follower her on IG/share her post on social media. Christmas-themed GIFs are also welcomed and encouraged. The winner of this giveaway will be drawn and announced on or about 12/17. 

Giveaways will be shipped within the U.S. only.

Note: Heather and Lynne Marie are also giving away three holiday gifts! Those who comment on and share each post on social media will be eligible to win their choice of one of three Rate Your Story Speed Passes or one of three ten-minute AMA sessions with Editor Lynne Marie.

About Lauren Gallegos:

Lauren Gallegos has always loved books that warm the heart and touch the soul; timeless narratives that speak to your inner child whether you are 5 or 95. As a young girl she loved to pour over illustrations that were rich and full. Lauren still loves books that take you to mysterious places and let your imagination run wild with possibilities. Lauren is continually looking for opportunities to illustrate great stories with the desire to see how her work will impact the young minds of our future.

Lauren has illustrated a number of picture books, including the Crystal Kite Award winning book BAA BAA TAP SHEEP, published by Sleeping Bear Press. She has also illustrated 2 Little Golden books, one of them for American Girl®. Lauren is a proud member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. She lives in Southern California with her husband and two young kids.

For more about Lauren, or to purchase her book, check out the below links:

Website: www.laurengallegos.com

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3XlpFWY

BookShop: https://bookshop.org/a/99841/9781534113565

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