Recently, I was thrilled to find out that I was the first guest for the budding “Sip and Chat” Podcast. This podcast episode, from a high school in New Jersey, was created out of the interest one student has in illustrating and writing a children’s book.

 

 

The terrific tea aficionados were really prepared - right down to specially planned outfits for the tea party and new, little, colorful notebooks and pens brought by one student so all could take notes!

 

 

One of the very first and favorite books I illustrated was “The Tea Party Book.” It’s no wonder that being a part of a "Sip and Chat” that embodied the tea tradition, the origin of tea, and so much more, was such an honor and sharing my illustration process was such a thrill.

 

 

The yet-to-be-aired zoom video started with each person introducing themselves and our tea - toasting each other with pinkies out. We easily moved on to questions and answers about how I got started illustrating, how a story can get published and more. The time just flew by for me! I was impressed by the students and cannot wait to see what they do for the next episode!