Featured Illustrator

We're thrilled to feature the wonderfully talented Kate Berube this month! Her path to illustration is full of heart, humor, and hard-earned wisdom. We hope her story inspires you to keep creating—and connecting.

How did you get started in illustration?

I was taking an children’s book illustration class at Pacific Northwest College of Art taught by the great Victoria Jamieson, and she shared my work with the great Julie Danielson who then featured me on her great blog, “7 Impossible Things Before Breakfast.” And when the blog post came across the computer of the great literary agent, Lori Kilkelly, she reached out with an offer of representation. Within a few months I had a two-book deal with Abrams and a book to illustrate with Simon and Schuster. Of course, before all this greatness, there was a lot of work and a lot of failure. See below.

What is your background?

-Grew up in Connecticut, lived in Chicago, New York City, rural Massachusetts and finally Portland, OR

-Weird and incredibly shy kid, loved books and drawing

-BFA, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, lots of drawing, painting and printmaking

-Unfulfilled by painting for the fine art world, which seemed to me at the time, more about capitalism than art

-Many pay-the-bills jobs while learning to make illustrations and write books: waitress, office plant waterer, decorative painter, perfume shopkeeper, nanny, tax preparer, scenic painter, TV show PA, medical office receptionist, bookseller, educator… I’m forgetting some

-Loads of classes and conferences on making books for kids for 10+ years

What have you learned and what tips do you have for others?

Make friends. The usual advice to read, write, and draw as much as you can, is great, but what’s really sustained me over the years working in this industry is the people. Many people I met at conferences and book events 15-20 years ago, when we were all starting out, are still my friends now. I’ve learned so much from conversations with these amazing writers and illustrators and my understanding of illustrating and writing books for kids has expanded exponentially because of these friendships. Plus, it’s the best to watch people you love succeed (and to have friends to vent to when things go sideways.)

What would be your dream project?

Picture books are my favorite. I’m writing some stories of my own currently, but I certainly wouldn’t say no to illustrating something funny and fresh with some depth, you know, the elusive picture book text with that perfect blend of heart and humor.

I think illustrating a middle grade or chapter book would be interesting for sure, it’s something I’ve never tried.

Also! A poetry book! I’d love to be asked to illustrate a great, funny, inspiring poetry collection written by some incredible poet. I’ve mentioned this online before. I’m thinking maybe if I keep putting this out in the world someone will see it and send my agent some poems for me? (Attn: Lori Kilkelly. As mentioned above, she is great.)

Thinking about this and writing it all out has been an interesting exercise. BONUS tip - write out a list of dream projects for yourself. Like actually write it out, don’t just think about it. It’s surprisingly clarifying.

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