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Do you have trouble sharing your voice?
Do you want to be heard loud & clear?
These are some of the issues facing Xavier in the wonderful children's book 'Xavier's Voice'. This book is beautifully written by Ashley Franklin and wonderfully illustrated by Tatiana Gardel.
The two of them are on the show today to discuss this latest project, what excited them about the work, lessons they hope people take away from the book, and what's next!
Enjoy!
Ashley Franklin is an Arkansas-based author whose work centers characters with big hearts and even bigger imaginations. She believes everyone, especially kids, deserves to see themselves reflected within the pages of a book.
Some of her most popular works include the picture books Disney’s The Little Mermaid: Make a Splash and NOT QUITE SNOW WHITE and her middle-grade short story “Creative Fixes” from the anthology ONCE UPON AN EID.
Ashley received her M.A. from the University of Delaware and B.A. from Albright College, both in English Literature. In 2021, The Highlights Foundation selected Ashley to be a part of its first-ever Muslim Storytellers Fellowship cohort. Her picture book, The Masjid Kamal Loves, was a Kirkus Reviews pick for one of the Best Picture Books of 2023 That Celebrate Community.
When she is not writing, Ashley’s time is filled with being a mother and adjunct college professor. Most recently Ashley has begun her journey as a graduate student at Southern New Hampshire University.
Tatiana Gardel is a New York City-based illustrator and teaching artist whose work has been recognized by the Society of Illustrators and American Illustration. Books she illustrated include THE FIRST DAY OF PEACE (Candlewick Press, 2023), ABUELO, THE SEA, AND ME (Roaring Brook Press, 2024), XAVIER’S VOICE (The Innovation Press, 2024), and PAINTING THE SKY WITH LOVE (Feiwel & Friends, 2024).
Born and raised in Brazil, she received her BFA in Painting from Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro and her Art Education License from Universidade Candido Mendes. She began her career as a painter and later discovered a passion for visual storytelling while studying animation at Anima Mundi/Campo 4 Estúdio in Rio.
Tatiana works digitally and traditionally. Watercolors and colored pencils are her favorite traditional mediums. She loves to tell her own stories through her work as well as to contribute to other projects. She is specially drawn to heartfelt stories that explore children’s emotions and imagination.
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Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!
AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast:
