Hooray! Please join me in wishing Heather Pierce Stigall’s debut picture book, Paisley’s Big Birthday, a very Happy Book Birthday today! This book, released by Clavis Publishing and illustrated by Natallia Nushuyeva, is Adorable, with a capital A, in both text and art and will ultimately be published in four additional languages besides English.

Heather is an active member of the kidlit community, especially in the Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the SCBWI where she is the Critique Group/Meet & Greet Coordinator. I’m so glad our paths crossed over on Julie Hedlund’s 12 x 12 Picture Book Challenge membership forum. With experience as a counselor for children and families, Heather loves to write stories that truly resonate with kids. Let’s learn more about Heather and Paisley’s Big Birthday!

Congratulations on your adorable debut picture book Paisley’s Big Birthday! Please tell us a bit about the story and who or what inspired it.    

HS: Thank you so much, Lauri! The origins of PAISLEY’S BIG BIRTHDAY began nine years ago when I picked up my youngest child from preschool on his birthday. He climbed into his car seat, wearing a glittery birthday crown and a slight frown. The conversation began something like this:

Birthday Boy:               “When is my birthday?”

Me:                              “Today!”

Birthday Boy:               (shakes his head) “No. When is my real birthday?”

Me:                              “Today is your real birthday!”

Birthday Boy:               “It doesn’t feel like it.”

My mind began to spin. Why didn’t he feel like it was his birthday? Did something happen or not happen at school? What would it take for him to feel like it was his “real” birthday? A few questions later, I realized that he believed that on his birthday he would instantly “feel” older; he would magically be able to do things he wasn’t able to do the day before. But I kept the conversation going during the ride home, through lunch, and for some time after that. I asked lots of questions and listened as he shared evidence for why it was most definitely not his birthday. I was enamored with his reasoning and determination, while underneath it all, I felt his disappointment that this day, one that was supposed to be special, didn’t meet his expectations. Not long after, I wrote a draft of a story about a bunny who hops out of bed the morning of her birthday, expecting to be all things “big bunny.”

Illustrator Natallia Bushuyeva’s artwork is so sweet and complements your text so perfectly. Were you able to offer input into what the illustrations would look like? Did Natallia’s work exceed your expectations?

HS: I really hit the jackpot when Clavis chose Natallia to illustrate Paisley’s Big Birthday, didn’t I? Clavis always produces beautifully illustrated picture books, so I knew I would be in good hands, but seeing the way Natallia brought our characters to life was really special—she absolutely exceeded my expectations! I just love her art style and think she was the perfect choice for Paisley. Unlike most U.S. publishers, Clavis (who is based in Belgium) makes it a practice to connect author and illustrator so they may collaborate if they wish. But I have no business telling an illustrator what to do, so I put my full trust in Natallia, and I think that worked out beautifully.

How have your degrees in Child Development, Psychology-based Human Relations, and Social Work influenced how you write for children?

HS: I have always felt a connection with children, so I pursued my degrees because I wanted to learn more about the “why” and “how” behind the way people, particularly children, behave and think. I used that education and training as a counselor for children and families, and it came in handy when raising my own children. Now, as a writer, I think that background and experience inform me about how children relate to others and the world, and I hope to have that come across when I create stories about and for them.

Please share one of your favorite classic picture books and one of your favorite recent picture books.

HS: That is such a difficult question to answer! I have fond memories of many classic picture books, and I read SO many picture books regularly, that it’s hard to choose just one of each. But, if I must answer, I’m going to cheat a little. What comes to mind as a childhood favorite “classic” is the Frances series by Russell and Lillian Hoban. I love them all, but I particularly like Bread and Jam for Frances and A Bargain for Frances in that series. I think they capture the mind and antics of a child so well, they have the perfect balance of humor and heart, and they bring back memories of me being read to as a child.

As for more recent favorites, I’ll narrow it down to two as well: I love Swashby and the Sea by Beth Ferry and Juana Martinez-Neal (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt/2020) for its gorgeous art, clever plot, giggle-inducing humor, and heartfelt theme—all around brilliance! I also love Off-Limits by Helen Yoon (Candlewick Press/2021) because it so perfectly captures the curiosity, imagination, creativity, and antics of a child, and because it makes me laugh out loud—more brilliance!

How involved are you in the writing community?

HS: I would say very! I have been a member of SCBWI (The Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators) since 2012, and that started me on a path deeper and deeper into the woods of children’s literature. I have attended numerous conferences and webinars over the years and found my first critique group through our local chapter. Our group still meets regularly, and I wouldn’t be the writer I am today without them. Currently, I am the Critique Group/Meet & Greet Coordinator for the Eastern PA Chapter of SCBWI, where I have organized webinars and workshops as well as matched and mentored children’s writers and illustrators in peer critique groups, have contributed to our Chapter’s blog by conducting faculty interviews and writing articles, have acted as group facilitator in Chapter run events, and have spoken at conferences.

Outside of SCBWI, I am also a long-time member of the 12×12 Picture Book Challenge, I have attended webinars and courses through The Writing Barn and the Highlights Foundation, I have been a member of Storyteller Academy and Children’s Book Insider, I am a member of the Picture Book Pals promotion group, I am active on social media where I connect with other kid-lit creatives, and I am a regular visitor to my local library where I read tons and tons of children’s books.

Why do you believe picture books are important?

HS: Oh, for so many reasons! Picture books are often a child’s first introduction to reading (a “gateway” book, if you will) that will hopefully open the floodgates to the wonderful world of books. They not only introduce kids to the mechanics of books, but show them how reading can entertain, inform, and teach them something about themselves, others, and the world, all wrapped up in a beautiful piece of art. Plus, picture books are meant to be shared, so they foster a connection between reader and listener. I know some of my fondest memories of picture books are not just about the stories themselves, but of the time spent on the lap of a loved one or with a loved one on my lap.

I know you have another picture book set to be released next year. Can you share a little bit about it?

HS: Absolutely! My next under-contract project is another picture book called Gilbert and the Ghost. It’s about a boy who believes a ghost lives in his neighborhood, even though no one else believes. But Gilbert knows how hard it is to make friends, especially when you feel invisible, so he tries every gesture he can think of to befriend the ghost. This sweet tale of overcoming obstacles and finding friendship in mysterious places, for kids who often feel unseen, will be illustrated by Jess Mason and published by Beaming Books. The original publication date was set for fall 2024, but I recently found out that it will be delayed until fall 2026. I’m disappointed I won’t be able to share Gilbert with everyone for another three years, but these things happen in publishing!

Heather Stigall uses her experience with children and her degrees in Child Development, Psychology-based Human Relations, and Social Work to create stories that speak to kids. She is the Critique Group/Meet & Greet Coordinator for the Eastern PA SCBWI Chapter, a member of the 12×12 Picture Book Challenge, and a parent to five children and one pup.

When she’s not writing, you can find Heather hanging out with her kids (hopefully at the beach), reading, eating chocolate, baking, or creating all sorts of treasures.

Her debut picture book, PAISLEY’S BIG BIRTHDAY (Clavis Publishing) will be released in August 2023 and is/will be published in four additional languages. Her second picture book, GILBERT AND THE GHOST, (Beaming Books) is due out fall 2026.

You can connect with Heather through her website, HeatherPierceStigall.com, and her social media links at https://linktr.ee/HeatherStigall.