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Author Interviews, Illustrator Interviews · March 10, 2021

Megan Wagner Lloyd & Illustrator Michelle Mee Nutter on ALLERGIC

Megan Wagner Lloyd is the author of the new graphic novel, Allergic, illustrated by Michelle Mee Nutter. As you know, I loved Allergic. So I was pleased to be able to talk to both the author and illustrator (for the first time ever!) about their work creating this novel. Michelle, the illustrator, also has excellent tips for new illustrators trying to find their style, and both ladies have exciting news about a forthcoming project. Enjoy!

Megan Wagner Lloyd & Michelle Mee Nutter - Author Interview

Hi Megan, I loved reading Allergic. Maggie is such a sweet character! So many kids have a variety of allergies, but why did you decide to write about an animal-loving child with a fur allergy?

Megan Lloyd Wagner: Thank you! I’m so happy to hear that! Like Maggie, I’m allergic to animals with fur or feathers. I also have other allergies, but I wanted to keep a narrower focus for Allergic, and I thought that kids would be able to really relate to loving animals and longing for a perfect pet.

Maggie’s family is expanding and she feels a bit left out with brothers who seem to like each other more, and parents expecting a new baby. Did you experience similar circumstances in your childhood?

MLW: I have five siblings, so I can definitely relate to both how busy and overwhelming things can get with a full family life, and the anticipation and trepidation that can come while waiting for a new sibling’s arrival. 

Claire and Maggie hit it off quickly and realize how different their family situations are. I like the contrast you strike between both their desires and realities. What inspired your depiction of their friendship?

MLW: I think friendships can be particularly difficult when you are young because, with such limited life experience, it can be extra-challenging to really understand how different someone else’s life can be from your own. I wanted to show two kids who are really kindhearted and really care for each other, but who still have to navigate some bumps and bruises due to misunderstandings, mistakes, and frustrations.

Did you always want to write a graphic novel? What is the process like working with an illustrator? 

MLW: I didn’t read graphic novels growing up, but immediately liked them when I finally found them. It took me quite a few years to work up the confidence to write scripts of my own, however.

Working with Michelle has been amazing! I know I can trust her to beautifully portray what I’ve brought to the story and also to bring her own vision and storytelling to the table.

Hello Michelle, what was it like collaborating with an author to bring their story to life? What is your favorite part of the process? Your illustrations were absolutely stunning and add so much pleasure to the story.

Michelle Mee Nutter: It was so much fun! At first I was really nervous. I had never worked with an author before and I wanted to honor both of our creative visions. This book is so heartfelt and I wanted to do the script justice. Once Megan and I first started talking, almost all of the nerves subsided. My favorite part was going back and forth with ideas and generating the concepts in the beginning. It was so exciting and it still is when we talk about it all! I really love working with Megan, it’s truly a joy. 

What do you wish people knew about being an illustrator? What is your favorite kind of work to do as an illustrator? Custom portraits, picture books, graphic novels?

MMN: Being an illustrator is really fun but it’s also hard work, for both your mind and body. I never thought about how taxing this job is on my body, so now I have a strict stretching and rest routine. You can make a wonderful career out of illustration and there are SO many types of jobs out there. My favorite so far has been picture books and graphic novels. I love getting lost in characters and their worlds. A big benefit of picture books is the timeline, it’s a lot shorter than comics. A graphic novel takes so much time and that can feel scary. 

How do you find inspiration for your work? And what advice would you give to budding illustrators trying to find their style?

MMN: For me, it’s a mixture of real world observations and looking to artists or animators I admire. I love taking walks with my sketchbook and drawing whatever catches my interest.

If you’re looking for a style, my biggest advice is to stop trying to find a style. Strange I know…but stick with me. You can’t force a style and if you draw consistently, you’ll notice the way you like to draw. At this point, lean into that and it will grow naturally. But keep in mind, you should be always growing as an artist. Styles can change and that’s a good thing! 

Which other books have you had the pleasure of illustrating?

MMN: My first picture book was Peyton Picks the Perfect Pie written by Jack Bishop with America’s Test Kitchen. I’m also working on a new picture book with Jess Keating, author of Bunbun and Bonbon, Ocean Speaks, and so many more. We’re really excited about this one: Megan and I are working on another graphic novel too! So many fun projects in the works. 

Who are some of your favorite illustrators?

MMN: Oh where do I start?! In no particular order: Jen Wang, Vera Brosgol, Shannon Wright, Gale Galligan, Shaun Tan, Maurice Sendak, Brett Helquist…and so many more. I could go on for days.

Megan and Michelle, what are some of your favorite graphic novels?

MLW: There are so many great ones to pick from, but a few I’ve loved are El Deafo by Cece Bell, Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol, and Twins by Varian Johnson and Shannon Wright. 

MMN: Twins by Shannon Wright & Varian Johnson, Stargazing by Jen Wang and the whole Babysitter’s Club adaptations (all those artists are absolutely amazing). 

What do you both like to do when you’re not working?

MLW: I love reading, hanging out with my family, watching TV, and going on walks. And listening to audiobooks while I do necessary life stuff like cooking and cleaning.

MMN: Playing Dungeons and Dragons with my friends. We’re all artists so we get super into painting miniatures of our characters and we even started writing a comic together about our D&D campaign.  

Megan, is there anything you can share about your current work in progress? Do you think middle grade and graphic novels are the best fit for you or would you consider another format/age group?

MLW: I’m happy to share that Michelle and I are working on another graphic novel together with Graphix! We don’t have a lot to share about it yet, other than that it is a standalone (not a sequel), and that we’re both really excited about it!

I also have a (traditional prose) middle grade novel coming out with Candlewick in spring 2022 called Haven: The Story of a Cat, about a cat who must go on a journey in search of help when her owner falls sick.

I love writing in different formats and for different age groups, and have also written four picture books: Finding Wild and Fort-Building Time (both illustrated by Abigail Halpin), Building Books (illustrated by Brianne Farley), and Paper Mice (illustrated by Phoebe Wahl). 

Thank you both so much for your time!

MLW: Thank you for having us! 

Buy Allergic

Allergic - Megan Wagner Lloyd & Michelle Mee Nutter - Auhtor Interview

About Megan Lloyd Wagner

megan wagner lloyd allergic

Megan Wagner Lloyd is the author of the picture books Finding Wild, Fort-Building Time, Building Books, and Paper Mice. Her kids’ graphic novel Allergic, co-created with illustrator Michelle Mee Nutter, comes out on March 2nd from Graphix/Scholastic. Megan lives with her family in the Washington DC area. To connect with Megan and learn more about her books, visit her website, Instagram or email.

About Michelle Mee Nutter

michelle mee nutter allergic

Michelle Mee Nutter graduated with a BFA in Illustration from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. Her work has been recognized by the Society of Illustrators, 3×3 Illustration, Creative Quarterly, and more. Michelle lives in Boston. Visit her website, instagram, facebook, or tumblr.

More Author Interviews

  • Gillian McDunn on These Unlucky Stars
  • Rajani LaRocca on Red, White, and Whole
  • Jamie Sumner on Roll with It

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Posted In: Author Interviews, Illustrator Interviews · Tagged: illustrator interview

About the Author

Afoma Umesi is the founder and blogger at Reading Middle Grade. She's a writer and editor with a deep love for children's literature. Her favorite genre is contemporary realistic fiction, but she'll never say no to a graphic novel. Read More…

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📰 a beautiful graphic novel about speaking the 📰 a beautiful graphic novel about speaking the truth 

This stunning graphic novel follows Cinzia, Avvisi writer’s apprentice living in sunny Sianerra. Cinzia and her mestra write news stories/pamphlets to the city, but not everyone likes when they tell the truth. 

After an edition exposing the ruling family for extortion, cinzia and her mestra are arrested at night and she has to join forces with the princess to fight back against censorship. 

Besides the wonderfully imaginative and powerful storyline, loved the visuals and the diversity representation in this graphic novel. The main character has a bad leg and gets around with a walking stick, which is something rarely depicted in graphic novels (and it’s barely even discussed—it just is!).

Although, this book is closer to fantasy (but without magical elements), it’s set in a Renaissance-style Italian village, so it could work for lovers of realistic fiction too.

Look out for it in November! Have you read this graphic novel? Thoughts? Is it on your radar already?

#graphicnovels #mglit #booksforkids
🩰throwback Thursday - meet one of my favorites 🩰throwback Thursday - meet one of my favorites

Looking for an upper middle grade book about ballet, friendships, and body image? Meet TURNING POINT. 

This book focuses on Monique (Mo) and Rasheeda (Sheeda)’s friendship and how it changes over a summer when both girls are drawn into different pursuits. Mo is off at a ballet intensive with Mila, while Sheeda is stuck at church (with her church “friends”) feeling like she has no life.

At the ballet intensive, Mo comes face to face with her competitive attitude which is fueled by feelings of not “fitting in” with the mostly white, skinny ballet dancers. Even though she makes a couple of friends (who basically lovingly force her to befriend them), she’s insecure at times, afraid to be vulnerable because everything feels so different. On the other hand, Sheeda is desperate for something new. Unfortunately, she falls into a risky situation with Mo’s brother whom she happens to have a crush on.

Paula Chase is one of my favorite writers for this audience and this may be my favorite of hers so far. It’s in the same universe as two of her previous books, DOUGH BOYS and SO DONE but you don’t need to read them in order. 

I’d say her books are great for kids ages 12+
Have you read any books by this author? Which ones are your favorites?

#booksbooksbooks #mglit #bookstagram
🇲🇽Twins on opposite sides I’d seen this b 🇲🇽Twins on opposite sides

I’d seen this book floating around for ages but was never drawn to it (the cover maybe?) until I saw a review somewhere I can’t remember 🤪 I was pleasantly surprised!

Twins Luisa and Fernando find their paths diverging as they’re entering sixth grade. Luisa will be attending middle school in the US just across the border from Fernando’s school in Mexico. There, they come to face to face with different, but equally pressing challenges that threaten to tear them apart.

I really enjoyed this book. The side by side depictions of both kids parallel lives, the way the illustrations celebrate Mexican culture, living, and traditions, and the heartwarming way the twins find their way back to each other. 

I’d recommend this one to 6th graders and up (heads up for content warning: text mentions and depicts illicit drug use by a minor, although portrayed in a negative light) as a fascinating look into Mexican culture, life as a twin, and finding your own identity.

#kidlit #graphicnovels #mglit #booksforkids
♠️ on spades and what it means to be a man An ♠️ on spades and what it means to be a man

Ant isn’t your average 10 year old. He loves a good game of spades and he and his best friend are planning to revamp their reputation after losing badly at the last spades tournament. But things are changing in Ant’s life. His dad is acting weird, asking him to hide things from his mom. There’s a new girl in class who Ant maybe likes and who plays spades better than many boys he knows. 

When his best friend is grounded, Ant teams up with Shirley, hoping to impress his father and finally be tough like Joplin men should be. But instead, he learns what it really means to be a man—and it’s not about never crying.

There’s SO MUCH going on in this story, but the author does a stunning job of keeping all the threads in place. I was very surprised by all the protagonist has to manage at his age and the fact that it all remains believable. The story is told by Ant’s ancestor, lending a touch of magic realism. There are also many details about playing a game of spades and I loved, loved the audiobook narrator.

If you’re looking for a meatier middle grade book perfect for kids ages 9-12 (and older, really—love the cover!) looking for books that balance levity and relatability with real issues like toxic masculinity, parental addiction, friendship issues, and crushes.

#mglit #middlegrade #middlegradebookies #kidlit #booksforkids
❤️ a protagonist for the times Willow (Lolo) ❤️ a protagonist for the times

Willow (Lolo) Weaver’s summer is not going well. Her grandfather has recently died, her grandma isn’t herself and she’s given away her grandfather’s foster dog, Hank. Lolo’s mother is heavily pregnant and Lolo is in summer school because she didn’t do too well in her last exams. On top of that their lake town isn’t a lake town anymore because the lake’s been drained and smells awful now. 

Lolo wants to help her grandmother feel better and she’s convinced that getting back her grandfather’s dog will do the trick. The only problem is that the dog now belongs to someone else. So Lolo gets on Pop’s boat to steal Hank back—only to run into her summer school classmate, Noah (who’s the new dog owner).

I really enjoyed Lolo’s story. It’s strongly reminiscent of classics like Ramona and Lolo’s voice leaps off the pages. The setting is also an unmistakable part of this story and the story feels drenched in summer. My heart went out to Lolo who always feels like she’s the reason why everything’s gone awry. I also laughed plenty at her way of seeing the world. 

This book is perfect for family readalouds especially for kids in grades 3-5. Dog lovers and kids who like a good adventure with a sprinkle of mischief will love it too.

#mglit #summerbooks #booksforelementaryschoolkids #booksbooksbooks #bookstagram
🎸 believe the hype I was very nervous about re 🎸 believe the hype

I was very nervous about reading a book about a kid with cancer, but there’s no better author than Rob Harrell to do this. 

When Ross is diagnosed with a rare lacrimal gland cancer (in his eye), it’s like a new trial for his seventh grade existence. Add to that the fact that his mom died from cancer years before, he’s going blind in one eye, his best friend is moving away soon, and mean kids at school are making terrible memes about his illness and you have a dumpster fire of a year waiting to happen. Or is it?

As heavy as everything I’ve mentioned above sounds, this book is more hopeful than anything else. We follow Ross through radiotherapy and the painful, sad side effects of cancer medications, but also through learning to play the guitar, an unlikely friendship with a school bully, and a closer relationship with his dad.

I especially loved the audiobook version which has fun interdissions featuring Will’s comic alter-ego BatPig (with a different narrator, background jingles and everything). 

I would recommend this book to 6th graders and up looking for funny books with male protagonists. It’s also a great one to hand to kids coping with cancer or chronic illnesses. 

If you’re in the WINK fan club, you just got a new member 😉

#mglit #books #bookstagram
🧽 an engaging, compelling story about addiction 🧽 an engaging, compelling story about addiction recovery

After years of dealing with opioid addiction, Franny’s mom is finally sober and on the right track with a cleaning job and a cozy apartment upstairs from a laundromat. But then she gets in an accident and has to be prescribed opioids again, sending Franny into a frenzy. 

Franny starts doing her mom’s cleaning jobs behind her back — even blackmailing a school rival into working with her — to ensure they don’t run out of money. But she soon learns that worrying about adult problems isn’t her job.

I read this book in one sitting and loved it—as I do everything Sumner writes. Maid for It is an informative, gripping, and accessible middle grade book about living with a parent recovering from addiction. This one is a page-turner.

Sumner does a great job tackling important issues like poverty, classism, and drug misuse and presenting everything in an age-appropriate fashion for middle schoolers. If you’re looking for books about parents with addiction, this is a great pick.

Have you read any books by this author? Which one is your favorite? I think this might be mine 🥰

#bookstagram #kidlit #mglit #bookworm #amreader
🦸‍♂️ a zippy new superhero series with pl 🦸‍♂️ a zippy new superhero series with plenty of charm

What if you woke up to new powers every day? Such is the fate of our protagonist in this graphic novel-prose hybrid (think PIE IN THE SKY format—swipe for photos). Daily, he develops and loses everything from potent superpowers like telekinesis and super speed to cute, but not-so-useful ones like bubbles and speaking cat. He’s even recruited by the city’s superhero to help fight the villains popping up everywhere. The one thing he can’t seem to figure out though is where his scientist mom is.

As each day passes, readers follow Switcheroo one step closer to the mystery of his mom’s whereabouts and why there are so many villains around all of a sudden. 

With illustrations on every page and graphic panels on nearly every other page, this book is bound to appeal to fans of graphic novels. I expected a wacky adventure, but this story has so much more heart than I anticipated—especially about judging people for how they look, a criteria that is often outside their control.

Hand this new release to kids ages 8+ particularly if they’re obsessed with superheroes, robots, graphic novels, and love a sensitive, funny protagonist.

#superherobooks #amreading #booksforkids #bookstagram #bookworm
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