Podcast Summary: New Books Network – Stephanie Ellen Sy. "You Can't Tame a Tiger" (OwlKids, 2025)

Host: Mel Rosenberg
Guest: Julien Chung (Illustrator)
Date: November 6, 2025
Podcast Channel: Children’s Literature, New Books Network

Overview

This episode focuses on the creation and philosophy behind “You Can’t Tame a Tiger,” a new children’s picture book written by Stephanie Ellen Sy and illustrated by guest Julien Chung. Host Mel Rosenberg and Julien discuss the book’s inspirations, the creative process, and Julien’s winding journey into children’s illustration, along with broader insights about the publishing industry, illustration careers, and mentorship.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Story Behind "You Can't Tame a Tiger"

• Inspiration & Themes ([03:40])

  • The book was inspired by author Stephanie Ellen Sy’s feelings of being unseen as a child and her wish to help children “simply be themselves.”
  • Stephanie’s interest in Chinese astrology and the presence of “tigers” in her family provided additional inspiration, as did Julien’s own connection (his father was a tiger by year).
  • The story features a boy and a white tiger named Imran; the boy doubts Imran can be a “real tiger” because he isn’t orange or striped.
  • Julien’s Insight: “The tiger was a tiger spirit that really resides inside the boy character…maybe that I feel in myself that I have this personality that could be…” ([09:05])

• Minimalist Color Palette ([05:20]–[06:52])

  • The book’s design uses a limited palette, primarily orange and gray, centering the white tiger visually.
  • Julien initially resisted the gray background, fearing it would be too flat, but the art director, publisher, and author insisted. He ultimately found satisfaction with the result.

The "Wow" Moment in Illustration ([07:54]–[09:23])

• Julien defines a “wow moment” as when a book’s vision becomes clear—this could be a single drawing, the creation of a character, or the complete narrative clicking into place.
• For "You Can't Tame a Tiger," it was realizing that the boy and tiger may be two sides of the same character, mirroring Julien’s own artistic experience.
• Julien: "The tiger is totally accepting himself as he is. That's the key."

Personal and Professional Journey

Childhood Influences ([10:20]–[13:44])

• Julien grew up in Montreal, the child of a Chinese father and an Austrian/German mother—both refugees seeking a new life after WWII.
• Artistic pursuits were central to family life (his father designed furniture; his mother taught him crafts).
• He credits his early exposure to books, especially through Scholastic’s book clubs, as central to his development.

Evolution as an Artist ([14:00]–[20:46])

• Initially pursued applied arts for practical and financial reasons, with influence from designers like Milton Glaser.
• Held multiple careers: graphic design, newspaper art direction, editorial illustration, cartooning, art licensing—before finally transitioning to children’s books at age 50.
  • Designed beer glasses for a German company, leading to the realization that storytelling could transfer from product design to picture books.
• Milestone: "That came when I was 50. Over 50 years old." ([22:31])

Board Books and Conceptual Illustration ([23:42]–[25:47])

• Began with board books, focusing on concept-driven work (e.g., a book about colors in the style of different famous artists).
• Collaboration and mentorship (with Anne Sophie Pilly) helped transform his portfolio into published books.

Breaking Into Picture Books—The Chica Chica Series ([26:14]–[29:45])

• Currently working on the “Chica Chica” series, extending the Chica Chica Boom Boom classic with new titles like "Chica Chica Trica Treat."
• The newer books are hitting bestseller lists, establishing his career as both illustrator and now an author-illustrator.

The Business of Children’s Books

Finding Agents ([30:39]–[34:19])

• Emphasizes the importance of the SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) and conference networking.
• Advice: “I recommend the Portfolio showcase to all illustrators.” ([30:53])
• His path led him to two agents, Reuben Pfeffer and, later, Amy, through community events and portfolio showcases.

Pay and Recognition for Illustrators ([35:21]–[39:07])

• Open discussion on compensation differences:
  • Quebec/French Canadian illustrators earn modest sums (a few thousand Canadian dollars)—“it’s a labor of love.”
  • English Canada/UK pays roughly double to triple, and the U.S. market ranges from $10,000–$30,000 per book, depending on experience and style.
• Outlines motivations for working in different markets: cultural preservation in Quebec, creative expression, and financial viability in the U.S.

Illustration as a Partner in Storytelling ([39:07]–[41:09])

• Explains that illustrators add more than just images—they create visual subtext that can even outpace the written word.
• Julien: “In terms of illustration, it’s more than 50%. We illustrators are expected to…develop a total…really an underlying story, another something that’ll make the words richer and the story deeper…” ([39:55])

Mentorship, Community, and Advice

• Community & Mentorship ([43:59]–[45:59]):

  • Highlights the value of joining organizations like SCBWI, attending workshops, and finding mentors.
  • Advises aspiring creatives to read widely and get involved with children to understand their minds and concerns.

• Quote:
  “[Aspiring illustrators] have to really love kids books. I have hundreds of books here...You go to the library...and read, read, read. And ideally read to kids.” ([45:17])

Next Steps: Writing His Own Stories ([46:45]–[48:00])

• Julien is now moving into authoring—his name appears as an author in recent books, and he is working on a family story based on his great-grandfather’s history.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “For me, the tiger was a tiger spirit that really resides inside the boy character.” —Julien Chung ([09:05])
• “The tiger is totally accepting himself as he is. That’s the key.” —Julien ([09:28])
• “That came when I was 50. Over 50 years old.” —Julien, on starting his picture book career ([22:31])
• “I recommend the Portfolio showcase to all illustrators.” —Julien ([30:53])
• “In terms of illustration, it’s more than 50%. … A successful illustrator will really be developing an underlying story, something that’ll make the words richer and the story deeper…” —Julien ([39:55])
• “I believe in community and teamwork…find a mentor…read a lot of books…and ideally read to kids.” —Julien ([43:59]–[45:17])

Key Timestamps

• [03:40] – Book inspiration and palette discussion
• [07:54] – The illustrator’s “wow” moment
• [10:20] – Julien’s childhood and family background
• [16:32] – Newspaper/editorial illustration career
• [20:25] – Transition to children’s books at age 50
• [23:42] – First board books and conceptual illustration work
• [26:14] – Work on the new Chica Chica series
• [30:39] – The importance of agents and networking
• [35:21] – Discussion of pay and recognition for illustrators
• [39:07] – The strong role of illustration in storytelling
• [43:59] – Advice for young illustrators and writers
• [46:45] – Julien’s move into authoring stories

Episode Tone

Warm, candid, supportive—filled with practical insight, industry wisdom, and a strong belief in community, mentorship, and personal authenticity.

For Aspiring Creatives

• Join creative communities (SCBWI, book fairs, local workshops).
• Develop both your craft and your understanding of the children’s audience.
• Embrace storytelling in your art—illustration is more than drawing; it’s visual narration.
• Seek mentors, collaborate, read widely, and stay connected to your own creative “tiger.”

Summary prepared for listeners to ‘New Books Network’, Children’s Literature Channel, episode with Julien Chung on “You Can’t Tame a Tiger.”