Philip and Erin Stead: Staying True to the Vision
Episode #316 | Art by Lee White
Husband and wife duo Philip and Erin Stead join Jake Parker and Lee White to share their journey into children’s book illustration, how they’ve stayed true to their voices, and how they make work that resonates with kids.
SHOW LINKS
Philip and Erin Stead: numberfivebus.com, @number5bus, books
A Potion, a Powder, a Little Bit of Magic: Or, Like Lightning in an Umbrella Storm
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KEY TAKEAWAYS
Be who you want to be, rather than racking up regrets trying to fit in.
Let your work be seen! Heart and soul are better than perfection.
Don’t get too wrapped up in your adult-ness. If you want to relate to children, nurture the child in yourself.
Stand up for your work. An art director’s feedback is the beginning of a conversation, not the end.
Create like a kid: don’t dwell on what you don’t know; just pick up some tools and find a way to use them.
If you want to contribute to the children’s book world, immerse yourself in children’s books.
SUMMARY
Philip and Erin Stead are the husband-and-wife team behind a long list of children’s books, notably including the Amos McGee books.
Their story begins in high school, where they met and bonded over their shared dream of creating children’s books. Phil pursued illustration early on, working as an in-house illustrator for Zingerman’s. Erin’s path was more nuanced; after being told she wasn’t an illustrator, she studied fine art, but didn’t find her calling there. During this time, she got a job at the famous Books of Wonder, a children’s book shop in New York City. Her coworkers were illustrators-hopeful, many of whom became very well-known (you’ve met some of them on the show!). This kept her spark for illustration alive.
Over the years, Erin and Phil have been able to work on projects together and separately. While many couples might marvel at their ability to work together and still get along, they love sharing studio space and receiving feedback from each other.
From the beginning, their work was different. Their books have a quiet, almost old-fashioned quality compared to the loud and fast style popular today. They knew what they wanted to create, and they haven’t let popularity or trends change their trajectory. Rather than chasing perfection, they allow heart, soul, and humanity to seep into their work and speak to young and old readers alike.
Erin advises artists to avoid getting caught up in their “adult-ness,” that seriousness that squelches play, simplicity, and wonder so inherent to children. If you want to create books that children can relate to, you must nurture the child within yourself.
Erin and Phil’s books are available in local bookstores and on Amazon. Phil’s new book, A Potion, a Powder, a Little Bit of Magic: Or, Like Lightning in an Umbrella Storm, is available here.