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Princess Baby written and illustrated by Karen Katz.

Reading level: Ages 1-5

Hardcover: 32 pages

Publisher: Schwartz & Wade/Random House Children’s Books (January 8, 2008)

In Karen Katz’s newly-released picture book, a little baby is frustrated because no one will call her by her real name. “Please don’t call me Little Lamb, and never ever Sweet Gumdrop. Please call me by my real name,” she pleads. But what is her real name? Let’s see…she has a shiny crown, a fancy dress, and sparkly shoes, and everyone in her stuffed-animal kingdom is happy. Can you guess?

With Karen Katz’s typical vibrant illustrations and round-faced cherubic characters, Princess Baby is a cute book that makes a great read aloud, especially if you have your own little princess. Kids will probably get a kick out of all the nicknames, and I’m sure some nicknames will sound very familiar. They’ll also have fun guessing her name as they go through the clues she gives us. As I was reading though, I couldn’t help thinking that Princess Baby sure was a little spoiled, but then again, aren’t all princesses?

Check out this link at Random House Kids for fun discussion questions and printable activities, including a printout where your little princess can make her very own crown!

Karen Katz has another Princess Baby book planned for 2009.

I had the awesome opportunity to interview Karen Katz, bestselling author/illustrator, for Robert's Snow. Karen is one of the generous picture book illustrators who created a snowflake for the Robert's Snow auctions to raise money for cancer research.

Before we get to the interview, I get to show you the adorable snowflake Karen Katz has donated for the Robert's Snow auction. Her snowflake will be available at the end of November. Hopefully by then many of us will be feeling the Christmas spirit and bid on some of the gorgeous snowflakes. It is, afterall, for a great cause.

Here is the great unveiling...



1. With 30 books published, most of them being for the youngest of readers, we could easily call you the Queen of Board Books. How did you get involved in this career?

After my husband and I adopted our daughter from Guatemala I decided I was inspired to illustrate children’s books. I had been a graphic designer for many years. For nine months I painted pictures of kids and anything that looked like it could be in a children’s book. Then I put together a portfolio to show. My second appointment was at Henry Holt with someone I had known in adult publishing. She asked if she could pass my portfolio on to one of the editors. There were paintings in my portfolio that represented a poem that my husband had written about adopting our daughter. Two weeks later I got a call from Laura Godwin a senior editor who wanted to meet with me and talk. We met and talked for an hour about adoption and what my experience was like, what Guatemala was like etc. She told me she loved my art.
Finally I said "I love talking to you, but I’m not quite sure why we are having this conversation.
"Oh," she said, "I’d like to publish a picture book with you about adoption".
I was so elated I could barely act normal.
“Great! And who is going to write it?”
“You are,” she said.
“But I’m not a writer“.
“Yes you are. I can tell. Just write your story from your heart in your own words”.
I went home and wrote the text for that book the next morning. She loved it.
That was the beginning of my career.
I was very lucky to meet someone who had great vision and was willing to trust in my potential.


2. If any author has branded herself, you have. Your books are easily distinguishable. Do you believe this has been helpful in marketing your books?

I do think that my books have become very recognizable with my big baby heads and bright colors and patterns. I didn't intend to "brand" myself in the beginning..I only wanted to create books that I loved making and that kids would like reading or looking at.Now that i have so many books under my belt my look has become a brand. And yes i do think it helps because people can spot my work immediately.


3. You have been writing and illustrating for many years. What advice do you have for those of us, uh-hem, who are desperately trying to break into the world of writing for children?

I wish I knew a magic answer. My best words of advice are to do what you believe in,something that excites you and feels true to your vision. Get the seat of your pants into that chair and stay there until you have finished a project .Send it out...and keep sending it out. Everyone has something to say.Dont give up and ....a little luck doesn't hurt either.


4. What are some of you personal favorite picture books/board books?
That is always a difficult question because I love so many. I have a list on Amazon you can see but here's some more Illustrators and writers I love:

Lucy Cousins
Helen Oxenbury
Sam Williams
Rosemary Wells
margaret Wise brown
all the Little Bear books
Sean Tucker
of course all the classics, Goodnight Moon, Where the Wild Things Are etc. (just look at Amazon top ten books to find these)

There's way too many to mention.


5. Was there a particular book that was difficult for you to make work? How did you overcome the difficulties?

All my lift the flap books are tricky especially my new ones that have foil stamping.


6. Do you have any personal experiences with cancer?

Two of my friends have had breast cancer. Both had wonderful treatment and are cancer free for 8 years.
My mother also. She's doing great, too.

Don't forget to check out the Robert's Snow site!