Author Interview with Liliana Tommasini

KidLit ALERT!

Interview with the Empowering

Liliana Tommasini

Welcome, Writers, Illustrators, and Creatives,

Let's cheer the newest author on Teazurs blog, Liliana Tommasini! She loves to empower kids to explore, learn, and ask for help when needed. We met on Instagram where I reached out for an interview after seeing her newest book pop up in my feed. 

I love learning about new authors and how they got to find a place for their books in the publishing world that sometimes feels too big to break into. 

Liliana shares where her inspiration comes from and how she creates wonderful stories for kids and their adults to read together. 

Hello, Liliana,

Thank you for being on the blog today. Let's get right to it.

Your book "Octavia Can Do It!" is a delightful story about a spunky little girl who loves to bake cookies with her Mama. What inspired you to write this charming tale?

I began reading picture books to my grandchildren when they were infants. Since they are from a multicultural family. I struggled to find books they could identify with so I decided to write books where they could see themselves as the characters of the stories.

I was inspired to write 'Octavia Can Do It!' after watching my granddaughter, Octavia baking cookies with her mom. 

Octavia is such a relatable character for young readers. Can you tell us more about her? And is she similar to you in certain ways? 

Octavia loves princesses and unicorns, coloring, and drawing. Whenever we can, we enjoy these activities together. She also loves riding her bike alongside her brother, Ludovic. Baking cookies with Mama and Ludovic is also one of her favorite pastimes. Additionally, she loves books, playing games, and making crafts. 

She is a spunky girl 

who has a thirst for knowledge.

We do have some similarities, such as our love for baking, books, and crafts.  These are some of her mother’s traits as well.  

As a grandmother yourself, how much of your personal experiences with your grandchildren influenced the stories of Octavia and Ludovic?

Many of my interactions with my grandchildren served as the inspiration for the stories of Octavia, Ludovic, and Nathanaël. They are also my grandchildren. 

What do your grandchildren love about Octavia?   Which page is their favorite and why?

Octavia’s two younger brothers love Octavia as she is a nurturing big sister who is playful and energetic. 

They love the whole book, 

especially the cover!

If I gave you a megaphone and the whole world would listen - what one sentence would you shout?

Be kind to each other!  

Octavia Can Do It! emphasizes the importance of asking for help when needed. Why do you believe this is an important message for children, and how do you weave it into the story?

It’s important for children’s self-esteem to try doing activities on their own.  Sometimes they hesitate because they think they will not succeed and are hesitant to ask for help because they think they fear they will appear as failures. 

Your second book, "Octavia and Ludovic Welcome Baby Brother," explores the dynamics of sibling relationships. What inspired you to delve into this topic, and what do you hope young readers take away from the story?

During the publishing phase of Octavia Can Do It!, my daughter shared the news she was expecting her third child, inspiring me to write my second book.

Every family dynamic is different, but with the arrival of a new baby, siblings will have to find their own ways on how to adapt, guided by their parents. 

You're also an Author Coach, helping aspiring authors in their journey toward publishing children's books. What motivated you to take on this role, and what advice do you typically offer to new writers?

I'm part of an amazing supportive Author Community who supported me while I was writing my books. With the guidance of a fantastic author coach, I felt supported throughout my writing journey. 

I wanted to pay it forward! 

So, I became an author coach to help others realize their dreams of becoming children's picture book authors.

I encourage new authors not to give up when they face obstacles on their writing journey. Facing these challenges will make you a better writer.

How do you balance your roles as a wife, mother, grandmother, author, and Author Coach? Do you have any self-care routines you can share with others who also wear many hats in their lives?

Setting priorities and being organized is how I always balance my different responsibilities. My priorities are my health and family, so I schedule my other commitments accordingly. 

 

My self care routines include committing to go to the gym twice a week.  Additionally, I take time to pursue my hobbies, which include reading, watching movies, knitting garments for my grandchildren, and finding time to socialize with my friends. 

 

"Octavia Can Do It!" received the Mom’s Choice Awards® Gold Recipient. How did it feel to receive this recognition, and how do you think it has impacted your journey as an author?  Did you do anything special to commemorate this award?

Receiving this award was incredibly exciting for me! It gave me the confidence to continue sharing my book with bookstores, libraries, and daycares.

I proudly added the gold Mom’s Choice Award seal to the book cover and shared the news on social media.

Can you share any memorable experiences you've had while interacting with young readers during book events or school visits? Any funny questions or statements from kids?

One memorable experience was when I asked the children during storytime if anyone knew how to bake cookies. One young boy eagerly raised his hand and said, 

“I don’t know how to bake cookies, 

but I know how to make delicious hot dogs!”

Another one is while the children were taking part in a coloring activity following storytime.  A young girl approached me with a page she had just completed, beaming with a big smile, and said, "This is for you." It was incredibly touching!

Your blog, My Cookbook Addiction, features cookbook reviews. How does your love for cooking and baking influence your writing, and do you incorporate any culinary elements into your stories?"

Food is an important part of my culture.   

Growing up, my family instilled in me the importance of gatherings and celebrations revolving around food. This tradition, passed down through generations, has influenced my writing in “Octavia Can Do It! and I expect it will also influence my future books.

Your books feature illustrations that bring the stories to life. How do you collaborate with illustrators, and what do you look for in an illustrator for your books?

I've had the pleasure of collaborating with the talented illustrator, Amariah Rauschner, for both of my books, and our collaboration will continue for the next book in the Octavia Can Do It! series illustrations. 

My admiration for Amariah's whimsical watercolor illustrations began when I first saw her work in the Princess Trully books. 

She's not only a joy to work with but has also beautifully illustrated the coloring pages for the Octavia Can Do It! series.

If you could go back in time and meet you - the newbie writer - what advice would you give yourself?

Believe in yourself! 

The writing journey has numerous steps, from writing to marketing. I would tell myself to focus on each step at a time to avoid becoming overwhelmed.

I am a creative cheerleader. What do you think of the cheerleading archetype, and who is your biggest writing cheerleader?

I think the cheerleading archetype is a positive influence that can be applied to many aspects of life.

My biggest writing cheerleaders are my family and Author Community.  

Octavia Can Do It! is donating 10% of net sales to the Breakfast Club of Canada. What inspired you to support this cause, and why is giving back to the community important to you?

I volunteered temporarily alongside my eldest daughter at the local primary school to help serve breakfast to the children enrolled in the Breakfast Club of Canada program.  Seeing their happy faces as they received their meals was truly heartwarming.  Donating 10% of my net sales is my way of giving to the community.

What motivated you to become a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and how has this organization supported you in your writing journey? Why should other writers join?

I am a member of SCBWI because it is a community that provides resources and professional opportunities for children's book writers and illustrators.

Every member has a dedicated page to display their books and gain access to events, podcasts, newsletters, the SCBWI bookstore, and the Essential Guide to Publishing. Members can also submit their books for awards.

Joining SCBWI is highly beneficial for those in the children's book industry.

As a bilingual author, do you find it challenging to write stories that resonate with both English and French-speaking audiences?

Although I speak French, I write my books in English and have them translated into French by a professional translator.

I haven’t faced any challenges so far writing my stories for English and French-speaking audiences. The stories appeal to children regardless of the language they speak.

What future projects or books are you working on, and can you give us a sneak peek into what's next for Octavia and Ludovic?

This year, Oslo the dog, a character in the book, sadly passed away. I decided to honor his memory by keeping him as the main character in the planned storyline for my next book. Oslo will continue to be a cherished part of the series.

Can you share any insights into your writing process, such as how you generate ideas or refine drafts? Do you use any tools that help you write, such as books, programs, or applications?

When I get an idea for a book, it’s already mentally laid out before I write it. I start by writing an outline of the story on paper before I start typing out the story.  I use Grammarly for spelling errors and clarity. 

What advice do you have for parents and educators who are looking to instill a love of reading in children?

• Start reading to them early.  My daughter started to read to her children when they were babies.    
• Encourage children to read by setting up a comfortable reading corner with access to many books that they find interesting.  
• Visit the library and let the children choose the books they find interesting.   
• Set time aside to read together as it develops good reading habits and promotes family bonding. Engage the children to take part by asking questions about the book. 
• Children follow by example so let them see you reading your favourite books.
• Ask them to choose their favourite book for bedtime reading.

How do you hope your books, "Octavia Can Do It!" and "Octavia and Ludovic Welcome Baby Brother," impact young readers and their families?

I promote empowering children to try activities on their own and ask for help when necessary.  In my stories, Octavia’s mother encouraged her to find solutions on her own but was willing to help her if necessary.  This is the message I hope will impact young readers and their families. 

How can my readers help support your writing journey? Will you be at any conferences or book signings?

I'd appreciate it if your readers could read my books to their children and share their thoughts with a review on Amazon. Additionally, they can access interactive worksheets and coloring pages on the Resources page of my website. https://www.lilianatommasini.com

While I don't have any book signings planned at the moment, I'm excited to participate in the Believe Live conference hosted by Miriam Laundry Publishing from September 27th-28th in Niagara Falls, Canada.

Anything else you'd like to add?

Thank you so much for this interview.

Oh, Liliana—you are SO welcome! I loved having you on Teazurs! You shared so much of what it takes to become a KidLit writer—organization, time, patience, and a belief in yourself—and you graciously shared some of the things you do and use to create your stories. 

Thank you!

I will be watching Instagram for your next book coming out to support and cheer you on!

If you would like to support Liliana here are her sites:

Liliana Tommasini - Children's Book Author

Instagram: lilianatommasiniauthor

Facebook: Liliana Tommasini

TwitterX: @LVTommasini

And if you would like some support on Teazurs - reach out to me on Instagram or email me angazur @ gmail.com