I believe that this is a big mistake, and editors don t let it happen very often. A good illustrator who is comfortable expressing ideas in a visual way will surprise even the author by giving the story a much bigger presence than the author could have ever envisioned. It s what many of them were born to do. After all, it is a picture book. Making books for kids is not easy, but I do love it.
Kids are fresh and new.
They haven t settled for less. They still think they are immortal, and most of them still know how to love. They get it. Parents and teachers and adults are the ones who are holding back and imposing lofty opinions. Grownups must always see something before they can believe it.