New Books Network: Interview with Frederica Ablank on "O'Win and the Moon" by Roseanne Baxter Frank (Wonder House Books, 2025)

Date: October 1, 2025
Host: Mel Rosenberg (Children’s Literature Channel, New Books Network)
Guest: Frederica Ablank (Illustrator of "O'Win and the Moon")

Episode Overview

This engaging episode explores the creation of the newly released children’s book O’Win and the Moon, written by Roseanne Baxter Frank and illustrated by Frederica Ablank, published by Wonder House Books in 2025. Host Mel Rosenberg interviews Ablank about her illustration journey, the challenges and serendipity behind the book deal, contrasts between European and North American publishing, her process as a professional illustrator, and her advice for aspiring artists. The episode also showcases Ablank’s work on other projects, her creative background, and some delightful tangents about earthworms, whimsical animals, and the world of children’s literature.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Origin & Journey of "O'Win and the Moon"

• Serendipitous Beginnings:
  • The author, Roseanne Baxter Frank, reached out to Frederica Ablank on Instagram, inspired by Ablank’s “moon phase” art.
  • Initial publisher went out of business, leading the project to be pitched at the Bologna Book Fair through a friendly industry introduction.
  • Wonder House Books ultimately picked up the project, smoothing out production and allowing the creative team to realize the vision.
  • Quote:
    • “We started trying to make it years ago... The author actually approached me through Instagram.” (Frederica Ablank, 03:24)
• Pitching at Book Fairs:
  • Networking and persistence are crucial. The book was pitched with completed sketches (not full color spreads) thanks to an introduction by a mutual connection.
  • Quote:
    • "A friend of mine... just took me along and said, just go and pitch it." (Ablank, 05:50)

2. Book Content, Art, and Educational Features

• Poetic & Lyrical Narrative:
  • The story follows Owen and the moon, written with poetic language.
  • Read Aloud Sample:
    • “Long before stories and song, when the sea and sky were stitched together at the horizon, a boy lived among the towering alder trees.” (Ablank, 06:53)
• Interactive Artwork:
  • Engaging illustrations include playful page layouts (like turning the book upside-down) and visuals relating to lunar phenomena.
  • The story educates about lunar eclipses and constellations, with fun DIY activities for kids.
    • “There’s actually a little part at the end of the book that tells children about what a lunar eclipse is...” (Ablank, 08:45)

3. Industry Insights: Differences Between Europe & North America

• Collaboration Models:
  • In Europe, direct author-illustrator collaboration is more common, often leading to selling projects as a complete package. In North America, illustrators are usually found by the agent or publisher, and authors rarely bring illustrators in.
    • “Especially in North America, you do not usually bring an illustrator with you to the agent or the publisher.” (Rosenberg, 10:34)
    • “Sometimes you just have to dare and follow the feeling...” (Ablank, 10:15)
• Pitching Unconventionally Can Work:
  • Despite standard advice, breaking the rules with persistence and belief in the project can succeed.

4. Other Recent Work: Earthworms and Goofy Dogs

• Earthworm Book (German Publication):
  • Authored by Kai Lüftner, inspired by Ablank’s Instagram art.
  • The collaboration began spontaneously, with text delivered within 24 hours.
    • “He got so inspired in that moment that it just sort of came out of him like an explosion.” (Ablank, 13:10)
  • Focuses on environmental sustainability, published by Karma, a vegan-certified, eco-conscious house.
• Two Goofy Dogs (Self-published in English):
  • Author Daniel Morford found Ablank on Instagram. The book encourages dog adoption (“adopt, don’t shop”).
    • “Every time you talk about money ... most of them disappear again. They don’t anticipate that they need to pay someone...” (Ablank, 17:22)
    • Morford demonstrates proactive self-publishing, organizing readings and bookstore events.

5. Career Path & Family Influence

• Artistic Heritage:
  • Raised by two illustrators and a journalist, Ablank initially resisted the family path but eventually embraced illustration after studying in England and Germany.
    • “My mom always said, if you want to be an illustrator, you have to be obsessed and you have to draw all the time. And I took that to heart.” (Ablank, 23:32)
• Breaking In:
  • Avisit to the Bologna Book Fair led to her first children's book contract with Wow. Books Publishing in Hamburg—a result of showing up, being persistent, and seizing opportunities.

6. Process and Artistic Practice

• Media and Workflow:
  • Analog sketching for personal work; digital media (Photoshop) for professional commissions due to ease of corrections and delivery.
  • Combination of daily drawing (for social media or warmup) and project work.
    • “If you trained well ... even if you have a slow and bad day, you will manage to get going.” (Ablank, 31:15)

7. AI and Illustration: Hopes and Concerns

• AI as a Threat:
  • Cites contemporary debate: AI is more a “service” than a “tool,” with outputs being unpredictable, energy-consuming, and uncontrollable.
    • “I’m not a fan... and I’m truly hoping that it’s not going to threaten us too much. But I think it’s in the process of doing that...” (Ablank, 34:02)
  • Some worry among illustrators about diminishing job opportunities.

8. Advice to Aspiring Illustrators

• Persistence and Passion:
  • “If you want to be an illustrator, you have to draw all the time. You have to become very good ... don’t let them scare you. Keep coming back, keep showing your work...” (Ablank quoting her mother, 35:59)
• Create Your Own Opportunities:
  • When not given projects, invent your own. Show up at book fairs, maintain visibility with publishers.

9. Looking Ahead: Authorship and New Projects

• Transition to Writing:
  • Ablank is now drafting her own children’s stories, hoping for publication soon—including a submission to the beloved Pixie book series.
    • “It’s been a wish sitting deep down somewhere in me for a long, long time...” (Ablank, 29:10)
• Next Animal Subjects:
  • Potentially rats or naked mole rats!

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On the book journey’s ups and downs:
  • “We were already sad and disappointed and didn’t know what to do... and then we got the job, we got the contract, and everything went super smooth.” (Ablank, 04:45–05:10)
• On illustrating while ill:
  • “I had the flu. So I would pop a fever pill, and when the fever went down, I would go to work and draw more earthworm.” (Ablank, 15:53)
• On direct collaboration:
  • “He asked me, so when are we doing a book together? And I said, right now, if you want.” (Ablank, 11:37)
• On artistic commitment:
  • “You have to become obsessed and keep drawing.” (Ablank’s mother, relayed at 23:32 & 35:59)
• On the emotional depth in German children’s books:
  • “I illustrated a book about a kid that has a very, very sick dad. And it made me cry while I read it ... but in the end, all is well.” (Ablank, 26:49)
• On conquering self-doubt as a writer:
  • “Every time I read a good kids book, I think I can’t do it anyway. But now I have two stories.” (Ablank, 29:10)

Timestamps for Notable Segments

• 03:24: How the author found the illustrator and the story’s initial struggles
• 05:50: Book fair pitching: securing the publisher and contract
• 06:53: Reading from O’Win and the Moon
• 08:45: Educational backmatter and lunar phenomena
• 10:15: Taking risks and breaking the “rules” in publishing
• 13:10: Earthworm book inspiration and rapid author collaboration
• 15:53: Illustration marathon while sick
• 17:22: Self-publishing and the economics of illustration
• 23:32: Family wisdom about obsession and practice
• 31:15: Creative routines and digital workflows
• 34:02: AI, the black box, and industry anxieties
• 35:59: The core advice for aspiring illustrators
• 29:10: The leap to authorship and hopes for Pixie book publication

Conclusion

The episode is a warm, insightful, and practical conversation about making picture books—tracing the intricate path from inspiration to publication in the global children's literature industry. Frederica Ablank's journey is marked by adaptability, resilience, and love for the medium, confirming that—in children's publishing—talent, hard work, and persistence can sometimes override rulebooks and market conventions.

Those interested in illustration, writing children's books, or understanding cross-cultural differences in publishing will find this episode rich in encouragement and practical wisdom.