The Little Green Swing, a retelling of The Three Little Pigs, follows Ruby, a little girl whose mind is always full of ideas as she invites her brothers to build something stupendous. In celebration of Hispanic and Latine Heritage Month, we caught up with illustrator Sonia Sánchez, who collaborated with writer Brenda Maier on this story.
Was there a moment in your life when you realized you wanted to become an artist?
From a very young age, it was always more fun for me to draw stories than to play with toys. When I was six years old, my teacher told my mother that I could possibly become an artist when I grew up because my drawings were very expressive. My mother didn't believe her! But it turned out to be true.
The Little Green Swing is the latest book collaboration by you and Brenda that reimagines a classic folk tale with our intrepid heroine Ruby at the center. How do you approach illustrating contemporary stories with such well-known themes?
I approached it as if I didn't know the folktale. I imagined Ruby as a regular girl, living her life with her siblings, and having this super adventure together.
In her author’s note, Brenda writes that creating The Little Green Swing gave you both the chance to reimagine the wolf character from The Three Little Pigs. How did you collaborate to come up with this new version?
As with all the books, Brenda trusted me and gave me so much freedom to create. I could see in her text that in place of the wolf, it was the wind that was actually the challenge that needed to be overcome, which was a very creative way to interpret the story.
This book is so vibrant and dynamic! What did you want to convey with the colors and textures you chose?
I wanted to use color to convey the energy Ruby has to get things done. I took inspiration from the colors that come to mind when I think of the many cultures in the Americas, from Mexico to Bolivia, Peru, and Costa Rica. By setting the visual story in the fall, I was able to add color with the changing leaves and texture as the wind makes the leaves swirl through the spreads.
Your illustrations capture so much personality – you can see Ruby’s thought process playing out, and her brothers’ mischievous energy jumps off the page. What was your inspiration? Were you thinking of anyone you know when you drew these characters?
I didn't draw inspiration from anyone in particular, but when I first read the story, I saw images in my mind that made me smile. I also used Ruby’s gestures and poses to help convey aspects of her personality, attitude, and emotions. I always read a story many times and am very iterative, constantly sketching and revising the initial images that I had first pictured. I wanted to make all the adventures and activities the kids engage in leap off the page.
Do you share any qualities with Ruby?
Stubbornness hahaha. I think it's hereditary! Also, like all artists, Ruby has a great imagination.
What do you hope readers will take away from this story?
I believe there are many lessons in these books! One of them is the importance of education and keeping an open mind. Learning new lessons in order to achieve the goal you desire, whether through books, older people, or as in The Little Blue Bridge, through trial and error. Sometimes it's not just about wanting it, but about striving to achieve it and persisting through all the challenges. Also the importance of family: We may not be all the same in a family, but in the end, we all love each other, we help each other, we forgive each other. It’s good for all of us to see that, for stories to model how to treat each other.
If you could illustrate any classic folk tale, what would it be and why?
I don’t have strong preferences. Every story is a challenge, and I enjoy falling in love with each one. It would be wonderful if Brenda and I could collaborate on more modern spins on classic folktales. I hope our books inspire kids to make up their own versions, too.
What advice would you give for anyone looking to become an illustrator?
It’s not easy, but then again, nothing you really care about and want to invest yourself in is. Perhaps perseverance is most essential, and to learn a little something every day. Be like Ruby, just keep drawing, and don’t give up. You never know what you might create or who you might inspire.
