PHOTO: Penny Schneider, award-winning author and illustrator, shares her passion for storytelling and art, bringing joy and inspiration to children everywhere.
Bringing Stories to Life with Art and Heart
Penny Schneider, an award-winning author-illustrator, discusses her creative process, the inspiration behind ARTY, and how her experience as an art educator shapes her stories, delivering messages of friendship, resilience, and self-acceptance.
Penny Schneider is a name that shines in the world of children’s literature, seamlessly blending art and storytelling into captivating narratives. A talented author and illustrator based in Long Island, New York, Schneider brings a wealth of creativity and heart to her work, drawing inspiration from both her lifelong passion for art and her experience as a dedicated high school art teacher. Her ability to infuse warmth, humour, and meaningful messages into her stories makes her a true force in children’s publishing.
Her latest creation, ARTY, is a testament to her storytelling brilliance. Inspired by her father, a formidable yet kind-hearted martial artist, Arty is a character with layers—tough on the outside but longing for connection on the inside. Through both words and visuals, Schneider crafts a narrative that resonates deeply with young readers, offering not only entertainment but also an exploration of themes like friendship, self-acceptance, and perseverance.
With a keen understanding of her audience, nurtured through decades in the classroom, Schneider’s books are more than just delightful tales—they are reflections of real emotions, challenges, and dreams. Her creative process, fuelled by a love for pencil and paper, results in vivid, expressive stories that captivate young minds. Whether shaping a story’s arc or fine-tuning its visual rhythm, she approaches each book with the precision of an artist and the insight of an educator.
In this interview, Penny Schneider shares the inspirations behind ARTY, her journey as an author-illustrator, and invaluable advice for aspiring writers. Her words offer a glimpse into the heart of a creator who is not only crafting books but also inspiring the next generation to dream big and embrace their true selves.
Penny Schneider masterfully blends storytelling and illustration, creating heartfelt, inspiring books that empower young readers to embrace creativity, friendship, and self-expression.
What inspired you to create ARTY?
Arty is named after my dad Arthur. He was a 9th degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Tough on the outside, with a heart of gold. Arty is tough on the outside, but on the inside he wishes for a friend. Both Arty and my dad were really funny too. I also have been a high school art teacher for the past 30 years. I encounter students with rough tough exteriors, but once I get to know them, a lot nicer on the inside. They act rough and tough because they are putting on a front on how they feel they “should be”, just like Arty.
As both an author and illustrator, how do you balance the storytelling and visual aspects of your books?
Being both the author and illustrator in my book, I feel like I have the best opportunity to really get my story out and bring it to life the way I see it. I have full control. I love the graphic novel genre and style. Using this style I feel like the director in a movie. Close ups, zoom ins, pull out to get a good view of the whole landscape and it is very expressive.
How has your experience as an art educator influenced your approach to writing children’s books?
Being an art educator has definitely influenced my approach to writing children’s books. I feel like I have a great connection to what my readers are looking for, needing and what would entertain them the most. I see recurrent themes/ issues they face and I want to help address them to help them.
What message do you hope young readers take away from Arty and your other works?
My goals as a writer in general, and of course that also includes ARTY, are simple. I hope to inspire my readers to dream big reach their goals. I think friendship is an important theme, as well as being able to be their true selves. I hope they are entertained, learn something and are encouraged to be their best selves.
“I hope to inspire my readers to dream big, reach their goals, and be their true selves.” – Penny Schneider
Can you share a bit about your creative process—do you start with words or illustrations first?
My creative process? Hmmmmm that’s a good question, well sometimes an idea just hits me and I need to get it down. I get a lot of great ideas while driving, so I talk into my phone so I don’t forget them. When it comes to my book process, I usually start with a written outline. Then I start to dummy it page by page. I draw it out in pencil (my favorite thing to draw with). The rest of the words get put in or cut out during this part of the process. By drawing it out in a dummy, it is much easier for me to see what I need and what I really don’t.
What advice would you give to aspiring children’s book authors who are just starting their journey?
My best advice to new authors/ writers is just keep writing. Don’t give up, just keep going. Also a big one, read a LOT of books in your genre. Critique groups are also great! I am in a writing critique group and an illustrator one. Joining SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) is another thing that has helped me a lot! Querying can be tough, but do not give up if this is what you really want. Just keep writing and refining your craft and it will happen. If you have a great story burning inside that you want to share, just keep going. Positive thinking!
