Welcome Illustrator Heather Brockman Lee – Giveaway Alert

In early 2020, I first discovered Heather’s amazing art on Twitter as part of #the100dayproject. A mutual friend had retweeted one of them and I became an instant fan. Early on during the shutdown, I would scroll through Heather’s illustrations and feel peaceful. It became both a reward at the end of a long day and a meditative practice. I joined her now discontinued post card group and have many of them displayed in my office. I’m not the only one fan of her work, Heather won the Grand Prize Portfolio Showcase, 2021 SCBWI Big Five-Oh! and one of her illustrations is the cover of the 2022 SCBWI Essential Guide to Publishing for Children. I’m sure these well-deserved honors are just a snippet of the accolades she’ll be receiving. We’ve met in person a few times since then, at a bookstore of course, and she’s just as lovely as her art.

Her debut picture book, HATTIE HATES HUGS, written by Sarah Hovorka released in April and she’s offering one lucky winner a signed by her copy (US only). Comment on the blogpost to enter the giveaway.

What were you like at the age of your target audience?

I was a very shy, quiet kid who spent most of my time drawing. I adored Rainbow Brite, Punky Brewster and the muppets- and I think they are all still influences in my work.

What inspires you?

Emotions are a huge inspiration for me- exploring, expressing and processing them. I also love to find ways to express a complex concept in a really simple, and ideally, magical feeling way. I like to combine escapism with actual coping skills.

What’s something you hope readers take away from your book?

My first book as an illustrator, HATTIE HATES HUGS written by Sarah Hovorka, (Beaming Books) gives readers the tools they need to understand and explain to others their preferences about body autonomy. I have already heard from kids that really connected with the theme, and I hope that my illustrations helped make it a friendly, accessible and humorous read.

What’s next for you?

Another book I illustrated comes out on October 4 (and is available for pre-order now). It’s called A POEM GROWS INSIDE YOU, written by Katey Howes and published with the Innovation Press. This is a lovely lyrical book about creativity and is infused with wonder and magic that was so fun to paint! Then next Spring there will be the baby book SHE IS MAMA, with author Mackenzie Porter and Publisher Simon and Schuster. It’s a wonderful (and also magical!) celebration of all the things Mamas are. 

Heather’s art and more about her books can be found at:

Twitter- @heathertbl Instagram- @heatherbrockmanlee

Website- heatherbrockmanlee.com