With more than 4.5 million books sold worldwide, it’s easy to say that author-illustrator Salina Yoon is popular. Her light yet emotive illustration and writing style has won numerous awards, including the Award for Excellence in a Picture Book for FOUND, the New York State Reading Association Charlotte Award for PENGUIN AND PINECONE, and the 2018 Theodor Geisel Award Honor for MY KITE IS STUCK! AND OTHER STORIES. (Watch her wonderfully funny video about how she found out about the Geisel honor.)
We wanted to get to know this fantastic children’s book creator more.
Booking Biz: What does your average day look like?
Salina: I have only two things that anchor my work-at-home day to give it some structure, and everything else is flexible. I start with a studio class at the gym at 8am, and I go out to lunch at around 12:30 pm. I check and respond to emails in between the gym and lunch,… and I begin work after lunch. This helps me to organize my day, and give me reason to change out of my pajamas and get out of the house!
Booking Biz: When you’re not writing, what do you like to do best?
Salina: I love browsing through bookstores and at libraries picking up books I’ve never heard of. Even though I’m not technically “working” when I’m browsing and reading books, I will often be inspired by doing this activity, which makes me wonder if this is actually “work!”
Booking Biz: Where do you get the inspiration for your books?
Salina: Almost all of my book characters have been inspired by a real person in my life, including my mother, my sister, and my boys. In my latest book, KIKI AND JAX, THE LIFE-CHANGING MAGIC OF FRIENDSHIP [co-written by Marie Kondo], the two main characters have characteristics of myself and my real life best friend. Kiki is a free-spirited squirrel who’s a bit untidy (well… a LOT untidy!)… and her things get in the way of what brings her joy. Jax is an organized and tidy owl and a very good and loyal friend to Kiki. He shows her the way to a tidier life, which ultimately brings them closer together, and brings a lot more FUN into their lives! I am Jax, and my friend is Kiki, though she’s not really that messy! And I’m not really that tidy! But our differences help to compliment one another, much like with Kiki and Jax.
Booking Biz: Did you always want to write books for children, or was there another career you wished for as a child?
Salina: The first career that I thought I ever wanted was to be a nurse, like my mother. I liked the idea of helping sick people and comforting them. But after I started kindergarten, I wanted to be a kindergarten teacher, because it looked so fun! We’d make art, sing songs, and learn things. What’s not to like? But it’s the ART that stuck with me from childhood to young adulthood, and the love of art stays with me today. I ended up being a children’s book author and illustrator, but the ART is the driving force and motivation behind each and every book I create. And since my books are for young readers, I love visiting kindergarteners and early elementary kids! Sometimes after a visit, I still want to be a kindergarten teacher. Maybe there’s still time for a career change.
Booking Biz: If you ruled the world, what would it look like?
Salina: If I ruled the world, ice cream would be our national food, and we’d have to start the day with having some each morning! And a bedtime story would be mandatory for every child AND adult on each and every night. I’m betting that people would be happier and kinder if they ate more ice cream and read more children’s books.
Booking Biz: Yes! Ice cream fixes all problems, and bedtime stories would mean everyone would wake up happy. A wonderful world.