PHOTO: Author and illustrator Cazzy Zahursky, bringing stories to life with colour, creativity, and compassion.
Stories Of Empathy, Imagination, And Interactive Wonder
Cazzy Zahursky discusses her creative journey, blending storytelling, illustration, and emotional insight in children’s books like Perspective Detective, Barnabee Believes, and Cardboard Rosie, while championing empathy, imagination, and literacy.
Cazzy Zahursky brings a radiant energy to children’s literature, weaving stories that are equal parts heartfelt, clever, and wildly imaginative. Whether exploring the whimsical depths of Perspective Detective with brain-teasing illusions or tackling real-world issues like bullying in Barnabee Believes (in Himself), her storytelling is as vibrant as the illustrations she crafts herself. Every page she creates pulses with empathy, insight, and a sense of wonder that young readers—and the grown-ups reading alongside them—can instantly feel.
Titles like Cardboard Rosie reveal the emotional intelligence at the core of her work, gracefully balancing grief, imagination, and nostalgia. Through her YouTube channel StoryTime with Cazzy, she expands her storytelling magic beyond the page, engaging audiences with dynamic read-alouds and championing the power of books in children’s lives.
Zahursky’s belief that every child can fall in love with reading if given the right story shines through her characters, who are layered, relatable, and often inspired by the everyday moments most of us overlook. As both a visual artist and a wordsmith, she stands out as a rare talent whose books don’t just entertain—they inspire, uplift, and empower.
Zahursky is a gifted storyteller and illustrator whose books radiate heart, inspire empathy, and enchant young readers with imaginative, meaningful adventures.
In ‘Perspective Detective’, how did you develop the interactive elements and optical illusions to engage young readers?
The interactive elements, visual puzzles, and optical illusions I created in Perspective Detective have been the most challenging illustrations I’ve drawn. While all of my illustrations require some research and reference material, the optical illusions demanded significantly more. I scoured countless samples and studied them closely to understand how they were constructed. There were many times when I made several attempts to create my own illusions, only to fail. Most of the successful illusions finally came to fruition after dozens of attempts. The process truly felt like a whole-brain experience, where the left hemisphere met the right somewhere in the middle!
‘Barnabee Believes (in Himself)’ addresses self-confidence and bullying. What inspired Barnabee’s character and his journey? What is your process for character development?
The creation of Barnabee was a process inspired by a series of events. There’s a tiny piece of myself in every character I create. I embrace what makes me vulnerable and pour it into my characters. Aspects of myself, combined with the people I observe and the situations I witness, ultimately form the core of each character.
Like Barnabee, I have an active imagination. While I believe imagination is one of my greatest strengths, it can also be a weakness in certain situations. However, the most vulnerable characters are the ones people can identify with.
The idea to make Barnabee an actual bee came down to timing. I was still in the early stages of character development when I witnessed a beekeeper removing a nest from my backyard. That moment sparked something, and suddenly, I knew: Barnabee would be a bee!
As for bullying as a theme, more people than not have sadly experienced it in some form or another. If we can learn to nip it in the bud early on, we could greatly improve the quality of many people’s lives.
Sometimes, I feel like an itty-bitty bee in a giant world of “what ifs,” and I suspect I’m probably not the only one.
‘Cardboard Rosie’ explores themes of grief and imagination. How did your personal experiences influence this story?
The storyline for Cardboard Rosie was born out of several tender moments I personally witnessed between one of my daughters and my husband, a friend’s story about her mother growing up with very little and cherishing only a paper-mâché doll, and my own life experiences.
You know those mugs that say, “Be careful or you’ll end up in my book”? There’s so much truth to that saying! Everyday interactions and observations really stay with me, especially when something strikes a chord. The way people might worry that a psychologist is secretly analyzing them when they speak, I’m quietly noticing the human details that make someone uniquely them. I take in those quirks, emotions, and moments and mentally store them like little keepsakes.
Later, when I sit down to write, I sort through those mental notes. I don’t know if everyone’s brain works this way, but I can confidently say mine does, on a daily basis. Sometimes, in the middle of a conversation with someone, a little voice in my head even says, “That’s so human. There’s a story or a lesson there, take notes!
Your YouTube channel, ‘StoryTime with Cazzy’, brings stories to life. What motivated you to create this platform?
I feel immense joy not only from creating but also from performing, and to me, those two go hand in hand. Every book read to a child is an opportunity to bring characters to life. A read-aloud can be more than just reading, it can be a full-on entertaining experience!
That being said, I once heard an agent suggest using online read-alouds to maximize a book’s visibility. At first, I started searching for popular YouTube storytelling channels to submit my books to. But then the idea of reading my own stories spontaneously came to mind, and I thought, why not kill two birds with one stone? I could have fun reading my books aloud and build some omnipresence!
Once I read a few of my own books on my newly formed channel, other authors started asking if I’d read theirs as well.
Balancing roles as author, illustrator, and marketer is challenging. Which aspect do you find most rewarding, and why? Is there anything in the publishing world that you’ve found to be challenging?
Wearing multiple hats is incredibly time-consuming, and even more rewarding. Writing and illustrating stories is fueled by passion, so it doesn’t really feel like work to me. If anything, it’s therapeutic. The stories seem to find me, rather than the other way around.
On the other hand, while I do my own formatting, that part definitely feels more like a tedious task.
As far as challenges go, marketing is #1. I find it exponentially more difficult than writing, illustrating, or even formatting a book. It requires not only thinking outside of the box but also consistently putting yourself out there. You have to get comfortable with highlighting your successes, even when it feels like you’re constantly tooting your own horn. And just when you think you’re trying too hard, you realize… you’re probably not trying hard enough. It’s a constant push and pull. It’s kind of the opposite of humbling. It’s complicated.
Let’s just say, the job application for a magical marketing fairy sidekick is always open.
Hello, Brandabelle!
Your books often incorporate wordplay and puns. How do you craft language to resonate with both children and adults?
I LOVE wordplay! I can’t help but incorporate it into all my storylines whenever there’s room for it, whether it’s puns, double entendres, alliteration, or rhyme.
I also love when stories are written to entertain both children and adults. It’s just a matter of reading between the lines. No pun intended, of course. Ok, maybe a little pun intended.
Themes of empathy and perspective are prevalent in your work. Why are these important messages for children today?
Themes of empathy and perspective are very prevalent in my work, thank you for recognizing that. Both are fundamental to developing strong values and good character. Teaching these lessons early on can help young readers build a kinder world.
What advice would you offer aspiring authors aiming to write impactful children’s literature?
Don’t let the voices of self-doubt or excuses hold you back. Pick up your pencil and begin writing from your heart. Use your voice; no one understands it better than you do. You might find it harder to stop than it was to start!
