A love story behind the making of a picture book!
Let's celebrate Valentine's with story, delicious treats and a special giveaway.
Happy Early Valentine's Day!
Love Like Chocolate, a book by Tracy Banghart was released in December, but it is meant to celebrate Valentine's Day. This heartwarming story is inspired by Tracy's adoption of her daughter and highlights the themes of unconditional love, kindness, and acceptance within a family.
As this story is very personal to Tracy and her family, it would be endearing to use them as the inspiration for the character design in the book. When making a picture book, the author and illustrator are usually kept from communicating directly. As this was my first time working with Tracy, I was unfamiliar with her. Despite being a stranger, Tracy generously shared her family photos with me.
After figuring out the character designs, I began brainstorming the book's layout design. As the story revolves around baking to connect the family, my initial concept is a gift box idea featuring chocolate and baked goods.
I get a bit carried away with my chocolate and dessert "research" - Research that involves munching on lots of chocolate sweets for inspiration. I have a bit too much fun drawing and designing lots and lots of desserts. LOL, I sent the draft to the publisher, and the feedback is - “ we can focus more on the family?!”
OK! Now that I’m over the sugar hight and get all the bad ideas out of the system...
Second round!
I started diving more into learning about adoption. I know little to nothing about adoption, and online information about adoption is limited. Most online search is about the process of child adoption with very little information about the emotional journey of the process. I appreciate when Tracy shares insightful information on adoption, deepening my understanding of the emotional journey of characters in the book.
Throughout the process of creating a picture book, many adjustments and changes are made between the first and last drafts. There is often a misconception that children's picture books are easy to make because they are short and for little kids. But the picture book is challenging to make. One of the biggest challenges in creating a picture book is capturing a whole story with emotional resonance within thirty-something pages. And because it is very short compared to chapter books and novels, every word and drawing in the book must be precise purposeful and to the point.
It takes a collaborative effort between the author, illustrator, editor, art director, graphic designer, and other team members to publish and distribute a book. We may be strangers at the start of a project, but as the creative process ends, we become friends and connected by our love for stories and art.
At the end of the book, you'll find Tracy's grandma's secret chocolate sauce recipe. But, if you're vegan and can't have the regular chocolate sauce, try the avocado chocolate sauce - it's super yummy!
1 ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
¼ cup organic maple syrup or agave nectar
1 teaspoon vanilla
pinch of sea salt
Non-Diary Milk - If your dip is too thick, add some of your favorite non-dairy milk and mix it up until it's just right.
Let's celebrate Valentine's Day with Tracy's giveaway! You could be the lucky winner of some super cute Love Like Chocolate parent and child aprons, a signed book, and some wicked stickers. How sweet is that?
How would you like to join the fun?
1.) Like our Instagram post
2.) Follow @tracythewriter and @alinachau on Instagram
3.) Comment and tag a friend
BONUS ENTRY Repost with # Lovelikechocolate
Giveaway Ends Feb 9, US only
