Stephen Green, author, and Edmund Holmes, illustrator, of A Little Book About Family, talk about how family can be the people related to us and everyone we work to include in our community.
Stephen Green, author, and Edmund Holmes, illustrator, of A Little Book About Family, talk about how family can be the people related to us and everyone we work to include in our community.
A Little Book About Family (view book)
Full Book Description:
Family is special because it looks different for each of us! And no matter what your family looks like, you know you’ve found it when you feel happy and at home.
About the Author:
Stephen Green is a recovering banker and an average dad of three who thanks his lucky stars each day that he got to marry his best friend.
Edmund "Mundo" Holmes creates art that brings focus to different perspectives and stretches your brain. He loves to learn new things and spread positive energy and good vibes.
*If you want to be on a future episode of A Kids Book About: The Podcast or if you have a question you’d like us to consider, have a grownup email us at listen@akidspodcastabout.com and we’ll send you the details.
A Kids Book About: The Podcast
S1 E025, Stephen and Mundo Talk About Family
[INTRODUCTION]
Matthew: Who is included when we talk about family?
Stephen: When I talk about family. Uh, I tend to include the people that love me and have been around me all my life. A lot of those are blood kin related folks, people that I would, I would call by, uh, my family tree, my, my aunt, my uncle, um, my brother, and my cousin. Um, but for a lot of the people that I call family, um, they have no blood relation to me whatsoever.
Um, but they've been integral to my upbringing. Um, you know, spoke truth to me when I needed it. Maybe not when I wanted it. Um, and I've always been there. Um, when I needed them.
Edmundo: Stephen hit it out the park. Um, I think it's like.
It's like blood relation. It's the people that you interact with when you're traveling. Like you could connect that way, uh, when you move to a new location. Um, yeah. I think it's a community of people that you gather around, like your journey through life.
[MEET OUR GUESTS]
Matthew: Welcome to A Kids Book About: The Podcast! I’m Matthew. I’m a teacher, a librarian, and I’m your host.
It’s the third episode in our special series with the authors and illustrators of our A Little Book About series. Many of you listening have younger brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, neighborhood friends and new-to-the-neighborhood faces. And while this series is intended for kids ages 0-4, we know that many, many of you are the ones who read to those young learners and help to build those special bonds.
The topics we cover in the series are universal, which means they are things that anyone, no matter the age, can connect to. Things like activism and sharing and curiosity.
On this podcast we talk about the big things going on in your world, and today we’re doing that with an author and illustrator team from our A Little Book About series.
Stephen: Awesome. Hi, I'm Stephen Green and I'm the author of A Little Book About Family. My pronouns are he, him, and his.
Edmundo: Hi, my name is Edmund Holmes. I'm the designer illustrator for A Little Book About Family.
Matthew: Well, I'm, I'm so glad that you're both on the podcast today.
Talking to me about family. I'd love for you to share. If you're comfortable sharing what your own family looks like. Who's in your family Mundo?
Edmundo: I have a lot of family. I have a lot of aunts, uncles, cousins, uh, brothers. Mom and dad, um, grandparents and, um, but also have like the family that I created in Portland, um, through interaction from my work art and everything.
So Stephen's part of my family, Matt. I think you might be part of my family at some point. It's like, I think it to me, yeah. Just like good people that I can be around and interact with. And like, not only just enjoy their time with, but like grow with as well. Family tells you the hard things that you don't want to hear sometimes, or they like build you up when you need it.
Um, it's just like a support system.
Matthew: Yeah. And these connections you're right. Are the things that lay the groundwork for, for growing our family. Stephen, who is in your family, what does your family look like?
Stephen: My family looks like the people that live in my house, you know, my, my wife and my kids, um, that, that I have a blood relationship with.
But, um, also most of my extended family here, especially in Portland, are Black and Brown folks that have a shared experience. Um, they're, they're people that my parents met in the seventies when we moved to Portland from San Francisco. Um, and back then, you know, if you were in the grocery store and my mom saw another Black woman, she she'd say hi.
And, um, long and behold, 40 years later, those, those people that I call my aunt and uncle, um, and we had no blood relation, but they're, they're their family. Um, and there are people that I go to bat for and would do anything for. Um, but I think a big piece of, of how I define families, folks that have shared experiences, um, and that, that, that may be, you know, folks that you meet in college, um, that are, that are in the dorms with you that have very big, different backgrounds.
Um, but you have a moment in time where you have some shared experiences that bring you together.
Matthew: I'm so grateful of you bringing up those two things. One that sometimes family starts with just seeing someone and saying hi and recognizing a shared experience, but also on the other side of that, sometimes it's, it's people.
We wouldn't expect, we could end up being close with that. We share a moment together and that can draw us in Stephen thinking about all of us listeners on this show. Uh, do you have any other ideas of how we can welcome people into our family to be that person? Even if those families look different from our own, what are, what are ways that we can help draw people in ?
Stephen: I think one of the best ways is to just see people. Um, you know, my, my, my dad used to talk about, um, as I was a kid, you know, in order for someone to be found, someone's gotta be looking for them. And I think in order to, to, to have family and create those kinds of bonds, you've got to acknowledge and accept that you're, you're looking for those folks and that, that, you know, you don't go through this journey in life by yourself.
Um, we all need other people and that doesn't just mean a parent or a, or a boyfriend or a partner. Um, but that that's the neighbor across the hallway at your apartment complex. Um, that's the librarian, uh, at the library who puts you on to an author that you would've never found out? Um, those are folks that we share these connections with throughout life that we learned so much from.
Um, and so, you know, I think you have to be open to, to the, to the journey of, um, and embracing these other people, um, whether they're put with you by birth or not, um, and embrace the, the, the strong role that they play in, in the person that you are today and the person that you will be tomorrow.
Matthew: I like that sentiment that we can't always just sit here and, and wait for our family to grow that we have to go out there and help grow our family ourselves.
But by, by playing that role that we want other people to play with us. Mundo. Do you have any other, um, ideas or recommendations for how, how folks can help grow their family? What what's worked for you when you've, when you've found people that you feel like you want to be in proximity to them?
Edmundo: Uh, I think it's more about being open, like open to receiving people and understanding like everybody comes from a different perspective, but they also have opportunity to, um, affect their life in a positive way.
Um, yeah, so it's just like understanding and people's like, value is all different, but it can contribute and help, uh, your life. Um, and also just being open to like stepping out into new opportunities or like putting yourself in uncomfortable situations. I'll do things that I don't normally do and I meet cool people.
And then it's like, I like that person now. And I communicate way more now with that person, because I stepped out into a new opportunity or my, my stepped out of my comfort zone. Um, and I have new family now.
Matthew: I wonder if that helps you grow closer to people when you're, when you're being vulnerable like that, stepping outside of your comfort zone, actually, as I'm talking about being vulnerable, I think making a book is a pretty vulnerable act.
I'm willing to guess that my friend, Stephen Green at least has not written other books before for zero to five-year-olds or, or their family. So what was that like? Stephen, did you ever picture yourself as an author of a book? Yeah. No, no, no, no. Well, you got a really beautiful one. I'm going to just say that.
Stephen: Uh, I had a lot of really great help.
Um, again, I'm going to lean back on the idea that we don't do anything by ourselves. And so, yes. Um, my name is written as the author, but, um, so many people played a role in, in the words that ended up getting onto that paper, um, including the amazing illustrations that, that Mundo was able to create. And help bring the feeling across of what I had in my heart.
And, um, may not have come out as great at times in the, in the words. Um, but you know, a lot of people put in this effort, um, for it to happen, but I, I never saw myself ever, ever writing a book. Um, but as someone who you know, is very family focused, um, as has always been a big advocate for, for kids. Um, and, and being a positive role model in their lives, whether they be the kids in my house or the kids on my street, um, it's something that, that, that definitely spoke to me in the opportunity to do it.
Um, you know, I'm, I'm just so thankful and to do did with the family, like, like, like Mundo and to share in this, um, someone who I, I know we, we share so many of the same values, um, is just an amazing experience and honestly, um, makes it even better if I, then if I had just done it by myself.
Matthew: Mundo, I know that you make art that is hanging on walls, where people work, and that is the art that you make as part of design for products at Nike and other places.
Have you done work like this before though? Making illustrations for a book for children? You, you did it. Uh,
Edmundo: I have not. I, I always wanted to do a book and I've talked about since I was in college, but I haven't done it yet. I've sketched a lot, but this was a cool opportunity. Uh, Stephen brought it out to me and I was like, oh, I've never done that before.
Um, and it was cool and it just the whole experience on just going back and forth, bouncing ideas off of, and it's like, it, it wasn't just me creating these illustrations. Like I'll put them together, but it was me sharing. Getting feedback and understanding like how to talk to the kids, um, at the, the age and just making sure it's deliverable, um, and easy to understand, like the big idea overall is what we're trying to get after.
Um, so it was fine
Stephen: I think the other thing that was so great about working with the team at A Kid's Book About was they came at it from the standpoint of, we have everything we need to write this book. And I think the story that we oftentimes tell ourselves as kids, and even as adults is I'm not ready. I don't have the right background.
I don't have the right degree. I didn't grow up in the right family. Um, I didn't grow up in the right part of town. Um, and all those things lead to us, not doing the book or that's not, you know, reaching for the stars on something. And, um, it was the exact opposite from working with, uh, the kids book about team.
Um, they, they said, do you have everything you need? And we're just here to help, help that come through. Um, and so it, it went from, I would never write a book. Heck. Yeah. Like of course, I'm going to write a book and now I'm wondering what the next book is going to be.
Matthew: Love that. Stephen, do you have a favorite page in A Kid's Book and A Little Book About family, a favorite spread?
I've got a very specific thing. I can't wait to talk about just being a fan, but I'd love to hear from you.
Stephen: Yeah. Um, my favorite spread is, is definitely brushing the teeth. Um, I, you know, my dad and I had a very close relationship and I, and I love being a father. Um, and so that one just speaks to me, those, those, those moments that, you know, you share and you don't think about, but they mean, mean so much when you, when you look back to them.
So that's my favorite.
Matthew: For the listeners, the, the spread has, uh, uh, what, what reads as a grownup, a dad and a kid brushing their teeth together as a side view and the father figures so tall that just the nose and the mouth brushing. Those teeth are in frame. And the kid looking at. Uh, at him, it's, it's great.
A lot of grimy toothpaste action going on there on those bright, shiny teeth. That's good. Mundo. Do you have a favorite? Did you have a favorite spread?
Edmundo: I have two, if I could say two, I would say the large scale where all the faces are there. Just talking about like everything. How you build family over time.
It's like, it's not going to look the same. It's got to grow, whether it's babies, grandparents, and then even just different races. Um, it's gonna all change at some point. And I think that was very important, especially with, as life goes on and people get married and everything. That was one of my favorite and the other one was the coach.
It looks like a coach blowing a whistle. And it's that part is like, I just remember playing basketball and it's like, my team was my part of my family too. But then even just knowing like the impact that your coach could have on you, um, just like talking to you, whether it's like talking or yelling, it's like the message gets across somehow where you need to run the baseline or, and get ready to run, but it's still like, those people impact you in different ways.
Even your family, even your coach.
Matthew: Yeah. I love the colors that you use in this book. I love all of the, the, the great pileup of faces and, and, and action, and such like vibrant word bubbles and things. There's so much movement in this book, but the thing Mundo that I feel like I really love the most of this is that you never have a person in this book looking forward.
Out of the book, but they're always looking off the pages, which to me is something so much about family that we're always looking outward at. Who else, who else can I draw in? We're never done in clothes. We're always looking out beyond, and I thought every page that you do, as well as I love the symmetry of the first page, what does it mean to be family and the last page?
So who is your family? The symmetry of the design of those two. There were a lot of things that I was just nerding out on a lot that I think whether it's our ten-year-old listeners that are checking out this book or, or ones with, with very young siblings or grownups, I think there's, there's just a lot to really delight in here.
You both did a beautiful job.
Edmundo: Thank you. I can say something to her. It's like even just looking across, um, before I was. Speaking on a team, the team helped me a lot. Cause I was trying to like, what is a kids book? And just try to draw what I think kids books are. Um, and it was like using references and how people did it before, but it was like trying to, they told me just do you or stay to your style.
And thats. I normally do profiles using everything. So it was like trying to stay closer to that. Um, made it a lot easier for me. And it obviously like you appreciate it as well. Just how you said it. That was pretty deep. Just like looking and building on family versus just looking towards or to outside of it.
So,
Matthew: I loved it, yeah
Stephen: it's such a great embodiment of, you know, the, the idea of what we talk about with what makes family and that's people that embrace you, being your authentic self. And, um, the book got better. The closer we got to Mundo's true voice. Um, and I think that really, really shows as you, as you go through the spreads and, um, it's amazing what can happen and how many people can love you for being a thousand percent where you are.
Um, and I think that's, that's a beautiful spot to be able to get to is to cut away the, the, the fakeness and the things where we, we feel like we have to make. And, and get to like, here's who I really am. Um, and then people will say like, that's, that's dope. Like, I, I really, like, I really liked that thousand percent version of you.
Like what? Let's keep rolling with that. Um, that's, that's a great recipe for family right there.
Matthew: Yup. Well, you both said such terrific things about family and connection and, and vulnerability, but I want to give you a chance just to share. Uh, one last message for those readers and those listeners, if there's a message about family that you'd like to share with them, Stephen, do you have a message for listeners, uh, about family?
Stephen: I think my biggest message about family is, is to take advantage of the moment and, and, and, you know, it's easy to, to want things to be different or better or perfect. Um, But I think that you miss out on that moment, right? You miss out on the moment in the bathroom while you're brushing your teeth with your, with your mom and your dad or your, your aunt or uncle there.
Um, the moment you're able to share with a big brother, big sister, um, be, be present for those and, and embrace the family that you have. Um, even if it's not the family that you want.
Matthew: Yeah, that's great. Mundo. Do you have, do you have a message that you want to share about family?
Edmundo: Stephen keeps hitting it out the park.
It's hard to go after that. It's just like putting on it. It's like, to me, it's appreciating the little things. It's exactly what Stephen said. Like appreciate the time that you get to go walk with somebody or play, , brush your teeth, uh, hanging with your older brother, even just eating dinner with somebody like those are special times because time moves on and things changed for everybody.
Uh, so be in the moment, like Stephen said, but also be open to like new opportunities with family and, uh, and the same family that you have, like, uh, be appreciative.
[FULL READ THROUGH]
Matthew: And now, read to you in its entirety, here is A Little Book About Family by Stephen Green and Edmund Holmes.
Stephen: Cool. A Little Book About Family. What does it mean to be family? Your family may live with you or somewhere else?
Take care of you when you're sick and play with you. When you. Teach you how to brush your teeth or how to ride a bike. They might even take the last piece of cake, especially if it's chocolate, as you get older, your family may even grow adding new folks over time. Family might become the people who don't have your last name, like the kid at school or the neighbor you play with across the street.
Like a grownup you look up to, or someone who helps you out. Family are the people who give you a piece of yourself. Two, sorry, family are the people you give a piece of yourself to and look out for when they hurt you hurt when they're happy. You're happy. So who's your family.
[CLOSING]
Matthew: Thank you to Stephen Green and Edmund Holmes, the author and the illustrator of A Little Book About Family, for joining us today. You can learn more about this book and others like it by visiting akidsbookabout.com.
A Kids Book About: The Podcast is written, edited, and produced by me, Matthew Winner, with help from Chad Michael Snavely and the team at Sound On Studios. Our executive producer is Jelani Memory. And this show was brought to you by A Kids Podcast About.
Follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and wherever podcasts are found, and if you liked this episode, consider sharing it with a friend, teacher, or grownup.
Join us next week for a conversation about Activism with Courtney Ahn, author and illustrator of A Little Book About Activism.