There’s a very pink, very gentle blob making waves again---and I got to ask the brilliant mind and writer friend who dreamed her into being. I’m so happy to share this interview with Constance Lombardo, the heart behind---
Itty Bitty Betty Blob
---about sequels, softness, humor, and why being exactly yourself still matters (maybe now more than ever).
Betty is back! What surprised you most about writing a sequel–what changed when you already knew and loved this character?
Yes, Betty’s back – yay! In this sequel, she’s more comfortable in her pink, blobby skin. Her mom has evolved, too, and her understanding of her daughter has deepened. She is always ready to be present and supportive, and I love their relationship!
Micah Player’s art reflects this. In the first book, Betty’s mom gives her a fierce black dress for picture day. This time, Mom makes a cute swimsuit and a bathing cap – with pink flowers! Perfect.
Betty’s challenge in Itty Bitty Betty Blob Makes a Splash is figuring out how to be a team player while remaining true to herself. She again discovers that her personal best means being totally Betty, even on a Diving Team that is known for monster-y cannonballs!
What's the cutest/funniest/strangest thing a child has said to you about Betty?
I did a school presentation for 4 – 6-year-olds. I held the book up and said, “Betty joins an after school activity. Looking at the cover (which shows Betty diving), what do you think she does?” There was a pause, and then one of the youngest yelled, “Cake!” So funny. I also want to do cake.
It’s been wonderful to see how kids respond to Betty with so much love and understanding. I think they can all relate, and I believe this book sets a great example for compassion and acceptance. And the cute monsters and grumpy teacher make them laugh.
It helps that I read aloud
using extra-silly voices.
Try it!
Your books shine light on gentleness in a loud, messy world. Why do you think stories about softness and sensitivity matter so much?
Thank you! In these difficult times, when so many are trying to silence diverse voices, Betty’s story, and all stories reflecting the real experiences of children, are crucial. Betty is sensitive and soft, as a blob, but maybe more importantly, she’s a unique and creative spirit who longs to be herself. She’s fortunate to live in a place that supports her journey – even if she doesn’t see it at first. I hope so hard that we can all learn to celebrate, and not just tolerate, differences. I think the phrase ‘variety is the spice of life,’ should be ‘variety is the essence of life.’ Without it, we’d be living in a terrible place like the one Meg visits in A Wrinkle in Time.
Betty isn't your typical monster, she's a flower lover—How do you balance humor with emotional truth in PBs? What about Betty's truths surprised you?
I love writing humor; it comes naturally for me. And how perfect to describe Betty as a ‘flower lover.’
I always start with what I hope is a fun and engaging story, and the emotional truth emerges later, through the process of writing.
What surprised me was realizing how much Betty’s story reflects my personal experience. It began with a vision of a cute, happy blob in a world of fierce (but not very scary!) monsters. I believe we are all ‘different’ in our own way, and I’ve struggled all my life with feeling socially awkward in some situations. I also have family members who experienced challenges due to their neurodiversity. I didn’t consciously think about this while writing about Betty, but the parallels eventually became clear. There’s always an autobiographical element – even when you’re writing about a little pink blob who wants to smile for picture day, in a world where most monsters scowl for the camera.
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For PB writers trying to break in–What's one revision note you resisted at first, but later realized made the Betty books better?
This is such a great question! And my best example is from an earlier picture book of mine, Everybody Says Meow, which has lots of animal sounds. That book stayed true to my original manuscript more than anything I’ve done. But I struggled with the last few pages. The final animal sound is a giant ROAR! What happens next? My editor and art director encouraged me to make it a mostly empty page-- because all the animals have run away. I resisted, then went with it. And that has turned out to be such a big, dramatic moment; when I read it aloud, I see the delight in the kids’ surprised faces. And I always ask, “What happened?” Once a kid yelled, “They died!” I quickly assured the class that everybody was alive and well, as I tried not to laugh.
Your books are very read aloud fun—What do you listen for when reading a draft out loud? What do you suggest to new writers?
Alliteration and repetition are wonderful tools for picture books. I try to use lyrical, dynamic language where possible. Variety of sentence structure enhances your rhythm and can amplify humor. And the big question I ask myself when writing:
will it sound funny to a five-year-old?
An important suggestion for new writers is – leave plenty of room for the illustrator to interpret your text. Let them bring their vision to create their half of the story, and do not overexplain or describe. And, absolutely, read it out loud over and over. Read it to someone else. Be aware of page breaks – what compels the reader to turn the page? Does it have a satisfying build-up, climax, and resolution?
Can you share a behind-the-scenes moment from working with illustrators? Is there something that you didn't think of that made the book even better?
Absolutely! Micah made these books shine in ways I could not have imagined. I’m so grateful to work with him. He had his own clear vision for Betty – such as world-building using black-and-grey tones so that Betty, as a bright pink blob, totally pops. The transition from the greys in the first book to the colorful world of Betty’s new friends, the puffs, is also a perfect metaphor for her self-actualization.
The puffs are a big part of Betty’s story. But my original manuscript did not have puffs - I had Betty discovering a cute little mouse. The puffs were the brainchild of the illustrator and art director, and they are the perfect contrast to the world of monsters.
When Betty meets the puffs,
it’s like she has found her peeps.
Speaking of peeps, school visits have shown me that kids LOVE the puffs. They love that the puffs repeat what they hear, but there’s one that always says ‘Peep.’ The kids happily PEEP along with me. And it echoes the book’s theme – even among the puffs, there’s one that marches to a different drummer.
What advice do you have for writers looking to get humor on the page?
Be goofy. Be fearless. Use silly words. And onomatopoetic words – KAPOW! Set up a pattern and break it. Use the element of surprise and the rule of three. And get in touch with your inner child. (Sounds corny, but it helps!)
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What do you hope kids feel when they read about Betty?
I hope kids feel they are perfect just as they are. Especially now, where so many groups are being targeted, vilified, and scapegoated, I want young people to feel seen and loved. If Betty can make that happen in a child’s life, even a little, wow, that’s what it’s all about.
What is the picture book rule that new writers should be sure they follow? Which ones might they want to break?
Leave room for illustrations. Keep your text to under 800 words if possible. But Betty goes over that! Economy of language matters; that’s the real point. And someone once said, Brevity is the soul of wit. I need to talk to that guy!
If trying to follow a rule
is getting in the way of your story,
ignore it.
The most important thing I did to learn how to write picture books was to read many classic and contemporary picture books. And join SCBWI – the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators – an incredible resource!
If a bookseller had 10 seconds to hand-sell Itty Bitty Betty Blob - what would you want them to say?
Here’s a funny story about monsters and being true to yourself, told with so much heart and awesome illustrations that your child will want to revisit it again and again! (I’ve had many parents tell me Betty is their kid’s favorite book, read on repeat daily.)
You live in Asheville, and it has a strong creative spirit—How has living here and making art here shaped your stories and writing life?
Asheville is an amazing place for writers! We have so many fabulous bookstores, passionate booksellers, and wonderful author events. So many great, dedicated writers, which has helped us create and maintain our wonderful writing group. Readings at places like Story Parlor or the Juniper Bends Reading series. There are many quality writing classes available, through the Great Smokies Writing Program and Flatiron Writers Room. I could go on! And I am inspired by all of it – visiting bookstores, going to poetry readings, and taking classes.
You also run a critique group which I was part of once upon a time before my MFA start—What makes a critique group actually work? What's one common mistake new or seasoned groups typically make?
The Secret Gardeners miss you, Angie!
It’s important to come up with a structure for how your group meets, gives critiques, takes turns sharing, and to agree on goals. One noob mistake is for whoever is sharing to ‘defend’ their writing, i.e., “You don’t understand! What I meant was…” It’s crucial that you trust the process enough to listen quietly, not get defensive, and recognize that your fellow writers want to help you grow. Even if you disagree with their assessment, just listen. (That doesn’t mean you have to take their advice!) You need to feel safe to be that vulnerable, so it’s important to be in a group that feels supportive. We still use the ‘sandwich technique’ of – say something positive about a piece, share your constructive criticism, end on a positive note. And we all genuinely like each other – that helps a lot! I believe socializing together outside of the meetings helps make a group stronger.
Finally, is there anything about you or Betty that you want my readers to know?
Betty is for everyone who feels like they don’t fit in or don’t belong. And I think that describes most people, if not all of us, at least some of the time. ***Also, a third Betty book is on the way – due date is some time in 2027. That’s a hint about the content!
Wowza! You are amazing, Constance. Writers of all genres will get so much out of this interview...I know I did!! Thank you for all you shared, for your care for children, for writing your heart.
I cannot wait for Betty #3!!!!!!!!!
Yahoo!!!!
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If want to grab yourself this soft monster flower lover:
Itty Bitty Betty Blob - check here for Malaprop's Asheville's local bookstore.
If you'd like to contact or follow Constance, click here:
Instagram: constancelombardo
Author website: Constance Lombardo
Thank you, readers! You are the best, and the more you learn, the better your kids' books will be for our children.
Photo - Me in the CalArts Library at VCFA residency...so fun!!
Your design elements are so sparkly and dynamic! Betty and I feel right at home. Thank you!
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