How to Babysit a Logan author and illustrator discuss why cats are love bugs and why human faces are challenging.
April is Autism Awareness month – a great time to feature one of my favorite picture books, How to Babysit a Logan by Callie Metler-Smith and Cindy Vatatthil.
I read this touching children’s book last year when it was released and ended up sharing it with many friends. The story follows an autistic child through the eyes of his beloved cat and friend, Thunderbolt. The result is a gentle informational with the storyline written in an easy conversational tone. The accompanying imaginative illustrations deserve just as much attention since they pop out and can’t help but bring the pages to life.
Callie, How to Babysit a Logan is a true story. Was there one point in particular that you knew was significant to write into your story or plot, and highlight?
My son, Logan, has asked me to write a book about Thunderbolt so I wanted to make sure I captured all the things that made their relationship so special. I also wanted to highlight the many quirks that makes Logan unique.
Cat Thunderbolt is a relatable character. It’s not an easy feat for an author to take the reader into the eyes, life, and perspective of someone not human. Let’s say Thunderbolt was a dog. What breed would it be and what do you imagine may happen in his day with Logan that would differ?
I love this idea! I imagine that Thunderbolt would be a big black lab. Thunderbolt is a total love bug and has the personality of most labs I know. I think he would still support Logan in the same way, but would be unable to get up on the counters anymore!
How do you handle your writing/creative routine? Are you a fretter if say, you started a story and then haven’t gotten around to finishing it? Or do you freely tackle your inspiration at the times it comes your way?
I have to be very intentional about my writing time. If I don’t start out with a plan for it, it doesn’t happen. I will usually start a story and tinker with it on my phone when I have down time for a few weeks. I love working with Lynne Marie, so I will often bounce it back to her to get her thoughts.
Is there anything special that you consider essential to have around or near your work space when writing or involved with artwork?
My perfect writing day involves green tea with honey, the movie Breakfast at Tiffanys, and spinach and artichoke dip. This last year I got more intentional and I love putting in my headphones and getting comfortable and writing. I usually begin with some sort of devotional or prayer time.
Which scene or sequence in How to Babysit a Logan was the hardest for you to capture?
I really struggled with making sure there was enough heart in the story. I wanted to spotlight the relationship between Logan and Thunderbolt, and spent a long time making the interactions between them was just right.
Did it take you a long time to write the general draft, something that you went back to over and over again, or did it come quick?
It took me about 6 months to work out the story in my head and probably about three months to really polish it and get it where I wanted it. I had met my illustrator, Cindy, at that point and I really wanted to work with her on this project so I fast tracked my writing process quite a bit.
From the perspective of your creative spirit, what was the most influential place you’ve traveled to?
Nature is my favorite place and I’ve had the pleasure in the past two years to visit a beautiful beach in Florida and hike near Pine Mountain, Georgia. Both places provided a lot of grounding and inspiration for me. I am hoping to go back to Pine Mountain this summer.
Give us an example of a real life “Thunderbolt” situation that impacted you creatively for your book. Is there a special cat moment or two?
There are so many! One of my favorite memories of Logan and Thunderbolt is when Logan was about 10. Logan was laying on his stomach on the couch and Thunderbolt was laying on his back. Thunderbolt kept flicking his tail on Logan’s ears to get him to giggle. I’m not sure who was having more fun! Thunderbolt has always been so loving with Logan. He loves to press his forehead to Logan’s as if to say, “I’m with you.” We had a teacher one time say, “If you know Logan, than you know who Thunderbolt is.”
When considering the artwork for How to Babysit a Logan, did you know you wanted the story to have collage work? How did you end up working with Cindy?
I didn’t at first, but when I saw Cindy’s work I knew she was the one I wanted. I had contacted her about another project and when that project fell through I asked her about my book. I felt like her style complimented mine so well and she was also an amazing human which was a bonus! It made it very special to work with her.
Finally, what sentiment would you like the book fan to leave with after reading your book?
A common phrase in the Autism Community is “I don’t just have to teach my child about the world, I have to teach the world about my child.” I’m hoping that this book provides people some insight into Logan’s world, but also shows them how great that world is.
Cindy, this is your first picture book release and introduction as an illustrator. Congratulations! How have you celebrated?
Thank you! It was really quite low-key, actually. The book arrived in the mail one day, my kids gathered around as I opened the box, and then my eldest child asked me to sign her copy. It was really sweet and special to be able to share that moment with them. Also, a few weeks after the book's release, my son's kindergarten teacher asked me to come up and read to their school. It meant a lot to me that my first school event was one that my son could be a part of. I am not a fan of public speaking, so I was extremely nervous...but, I knew I could get through it when I saw his sweet face in the crowd.
Your site, Painting With Scissors, is chock full of gorgeous artwork. What’s your favorite collage work theme?
My favorite thing to create would be cityscapes. Don't get me wrong, nature is inspiring. Portraits are fun. But, there is nothing like capturing the intricate and lively beauty of a skyline full of skyscrapers. As a city girl, I may be partial, but I don't think there is anything more lovely than that.
Your cut-out artwork from How to Babysit a Logan endearingly captures the heartfelt relationship between child and pet. Are you a cat or dog person?
Despite having many clients who are avowed "cat people," I can quite honestly say that I have always been more of a dog person. However, after building a life that involves three kids, I think my mentality has shifted and I may have transformed into more of a fish person...
Do you favor certain collage textures? What colors/palettes do you tend to move toward?
I have always been a fan of the fauvist art movement, with its bright and bold use of color. I also love using textures that compliment one another and work together to create a tapestry of beauty. When I put colors or textures together, I'm always guided by an underlying instinct which tells my "gut" yes or no. Quite literally, in my mid-section, there is just a sort of feeling I get when something looks right...or doesn't. And I always, always, always work from that!
What are the most difficult characters/images for you to capture in collage?
Human faces are challenging, which is why I ultimately prefer to leave them blank. Within the context of the face, eyes are the hardest to get right because if they are wrong the whole piece kind of feels hokey. Also, hands are an artist's nightmare - they are one of the hardest things to get right. But, if you really get down to it, so is posture, and lighting, and proportion and perspective. When you really stop to think about it, it's ALL hard. That's why, when I'm creating my art, I just like to turn on some music and switch my mind to auto-pilot, because if I think too much about what is difficult, I will psych myself out and forget about all that is possible!
For the cover of How to Babysit a Logan, did you create or choose the font style? The 3D effect allows the cover artwork its crispness, clarity, yet provides softness on the eyes.
The cover art font for How to Babysit a Logan was completely under the direction of Callie Metler-Smith, the book's amazing author and editor. I simply gave her the illustrations and she was the master of the text and layout. Sadly, I am so old school that I wouldn't even know how to overlay the title, unless I did it with paper and glue and my own two hands.
Were there other cover images that were options, or did you and Callie know this was the one to use?
Thanks, in part, to a hurricane, a pregnancy and a major home renovation, the illustrations for this project took me over a year to complete! As I worked on it, my main focus was to finish the page spreads inside of the book and then tackle the cover image last. I submitted each spread as they were completed, never expecting for any of them to take center stage. And yet, once all of the inside pages were done - right when I was geared up to make one last image to be used on the front - Callie surprised me with the idea that page 7 would work as the cover. She mocked up some images of how she thought it should look and it actually really seemed to fit the characters and the story. Thunderbolt's back is turned, showing us from the beginning that his focus is always watching over Logan as opposed to looking around at the world. He's a watch cat and he takes his job VERY seriously. We get that, just from the cover! I think it's brilliant and I like the subtlety that Callie used in delivering this message.
Your influences range from Dr. Seuss to Amy Krouse Rosenthal, Eric Carle and Richard Scarry, naming just a few. If you were working in your yard and encountered The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and could ask him anything about himself or his creator, what would it be?
I would ask him if there was a food he absolutely wouldn't eat. It would be an interesting thing to know, I think...kind of like asking Andrew Zimmern what his worst meal was.
Knowing you enjoy baking, what would you make The Very Hungry Caterpillar for lunch?
Dinner rolls are my specialty, so I might make a couple dozen of those to start off. From there, I would cook up some of my delicious crock-pot ribs slathered in barbecue sauce. And, finally, I would add a nice, crunchy side salad (just for the much-needed greenery).
Say he needed new shoes for all those feet. What would your collage cut-outs look like?
All of the shoes for The Very Hungry Caterpillar would be funky and colorful, just like the sort of butterfly that he would someday become! Maybe there would be a boot here and there (like the Elton John-esque glittery Doc Martins I used to own in my teens) or a solid Mary Jane complete with shiny buckles and polished leather. Of course, if my daughter were to influence me in the process, I would have to broaden the pain threshold and allow for a good number of those feet to wear heels (the higher, the better).
On the same whimsical note, how would Thunderbolt and Clifford the Big Red Dog get along?
Being that he's a cat, Thunderbolt might be a bit indifferent to Clifford the Big Red Dog...but, we are living in surprising times, so who knows?! It would be interesting to explore a pet-themed version of "The Odd Couple." I'm thinking Thunderbolt would be more like Felix Unger and Clifford would be more like Oscar Madison. (And now the theme song is stuck in my head....ha!)
And finally, as a children’s illustrator, what are your dreams for the future?
My dreams for the future would be the same as every person - to do more! I LOVE making art, but I also LOVE writing stories. I would be so honored to write and illustrate another book (or twenty) and have them inspire children in the same way that the authors and illustrators of my childhood have inspired me! Passing it on...that's the ultimate goal!
How to Babysit a Logan
I read this touching children’s book last year when it was released and ended up sharing it with many friends. The story follows an autistic child through the eyes of his beloved cat and friend, Thunderbolt. The result is a gentle informational with the storyline written in an easy conversational tone. The accompanying imaginative illustrations deserve just as much attention since they pop out and can’t help but bring the pages to life.
Callie, How to Babysit a Logan is a true story. Was there one point in particular that you knew was significant to write into your story or plot, and highlight?
My son, Logan, has asked me to write a book about Thunderbolt so I wanted to make sure I captured all the things that made their relationship so special. I also wanted to highlight the many quirks that makes Logan unique.
Cat Thunderbolt is a relatable character. It’s not an easy feat for an author to take the reader into the eyes, life, and perspective of someone not human. Let’s say Thunderbolt was a dog. What breed would it be and what do you imagine may happen in his day with Logan that would differ?
I love this idea! I imagine that Thunderbolt would be a big black lab. Thunderbolt is a total love bug and has the personality of most labs I know. I think he would still support Logan in the same way, but would be unable to get up on the counters anymore!
How do you handle your writing/creative routine? Are you a fretter if say, you started a story and then haven’t gotten around to finishing it? Or do you freely tackle your inspiration at the times it comes your way?
I have to be very intentional about my writing time. If I don’t start out with a plan for it, it doesn’t happen. I will usually start a story and tinker with it on my phone when I have down time for a few weeks. I love working with Lynne Marie, so I will often bounce it back to her to get her thoughts.
Is there anything special that you consider essential to have around or near your work space when writing or involved with artwork?
My perfect writing day involves green tea with honey, the movie Breakfast at Tiffanys, and spinach and artichoke dip. This last year I got more intentional and I love putting in my headphones and getting comfortable and writing. I usually begin with some sort of devotional or prayer time.
Which scene or sequence in How to Babysit a Logan was the hardest for you to capture?
I really struggled with making sure there was enough heart in the story. I wanted to spotlight the relationship between Logan and Thunderbolt, and spent a long time making the interactions between them was just right.
Did it take you a long time to write the general draft, something that you went back to over and over again, or did it come quick?
It took me about 6 months to work out the story in my head and probably about three months to really polish it and get it where I wanted it. I had met my illustrator, Cindy, at that point and I really wanted to work with her on this project so I fast tracked my writing process quite a bit.
From the perspective of your creative spirit, what was the most influential place you’ve traveled to?
Nature is my favorite place and I’ve had the pleasure in the past two years to visit a beautiful beach in Florida and hike near Pine Mountain, Georgia. Both places provided a lot of grounding and inspiration for me. I am hoping to go back to Pine Mountain this summer.
Give us an example of a real life “Thunderbolt” situation that impacted you creatively for your book. Is there a special cat moment or two?
There are so many! One of my favorite memories of Logan and Thunderbolt is when Logan was about 10. Logan was laying on his stomach on the couch and Thunderbolt was laying on his back. Thunderbolt kept flicking his tail on Logan’s ears to get him to giggle. I’m not sure who was having more fun! Thunderbolt has always been so loving with Logan. He loves to press his forehead to Logan’s as if to say, “I’m with you.” We had a teacher one time say, “If you know Logan, than you know who Thunderbolt is.”
When considering the artwork for How to Babysit a Logan, did you know you wanted the story to have collage work? How did you end up working with Cindy?
I didn’t at first, but when I saw Cindy’s work I knew she was the one I wanted. I had contacted her about another project and when that project fell through I asked her about my book. I felt like her style complimented mine so well and she was also an amazing human which was a bonus! It made it very special to work with her.
Finally, what sentiment would you like the book fan to leave with after reading your book?
A common phrase in the Autism Community is “I don’t just have to teach my child about the world, I have to teach the world about my child.” I’m hoping that this book provides people some insight into Logan’s world, but also shows them how great that world is.
Cindy, this is your first picture book release and introduction as an illustrator. Congratulations! How have you celebrated?
Thank you! It was really quite low-key, actually. The book arrived in the mail one day, my kids gathered around as I opened the box, and then my eldest child asked me to sign her copy. It was really sweet and special to be able to share that moment with them. Also, a few weeks after the book's release, my son's kindergarten teacher asked me to come up and read to their school. It meant a lot to me that my first school event was one that my son could be a part of. I am not a fan of public speaking, so I was extremely nervous...but, I knew I could get through it when I saw his sweet face in the crowd.
Your site, Painting With Scissors, is chock full of gorgeous artwork. What’s your favorite collage work theme?
My favorite thing to create would be cityscapes. Don't get me wrong, nature is inspiring. Portraits are fun. But, there is nothing like capturing the intricate and lively beauty of a skyline full of skyscrapers. As a city girl, I may be partial, but I don't think there is anything more lovely than that.
Your cut-out artwork from How to Babysit a Logan endearingly captures the heartfelt relationship between child and pet. Are you a cat or dog person?
Despite having many clients who are avowed "cat people," I can quite honestly say that I have always been more of a dog person. However, after building a life that involves three kids, I think my mentality has shifted and I may have transformed into more of a fish person...
Do you favor certain collage textures? What colors/palettes do you tend to move toward?
I have always been a fan of the fauvist art movement, with its bright and bold use of color. I also love using textures that compliment one another and work together to create a tapestry of beauty. When I put colors or textures together, I'm always guided by an underlying instinct which tells my "gut" yes or no. Quite literally, in my mid-section, there is just a sort of feeling I get when something looks right...or doesn't. And I always, always, always work from that!
What are the most difficult characters/images for you to capture in collage?
Human faces are challenging, which is why I ultimately prefer to leave them blank. Within the context of the face, eyes are the hardest to get right because if they are wrong the whole piece kind of feels hokey. Also, hands are an artist's nightmare - they are one of the hardest things to get right. But, if you really get down to it, so is posture, and lighting, and proportion and perspective. When you really stop to think about it, it's ALL hard. That's why, when I'm creating my art, I just like to turn on some music and switch my mind to auto-pilot, because if I think too much about what is difficult, I will psych myself out and forget about all that is possible!
For the cover of How to Babysit a Logan, did you create or choose the font style? The 3D effect allows the cover artwork its crispness, clarity, yet provides softness on the eyes.
The cover art font for How to Babysit a Logan was completely under the direction of Callie Metler-Smith, the book's amazing author and editor. I simply gave her the illustrations and she was the master of the text and layout. Sadly, I am so old school that I wouldn't even know how to overlay the title, unless I did it with paper and glue and my own two hands.
Were there other cover images that were options, or did you and Callie know this was the one to use?
Thanks, in part, to a hurricane, a pregnancy and a major home renovation, the illustrations for this project took me over a year to complete! As I worked on it, my main focus was to finish the page spreads inside of the book and then tackle the cover image last. I submitted each spread as they were completed, never expecting for any of them to take center stage. And yet, once all of the inside pages were done - right when I was geared up to make one last image to be used on the front - Callie surprised me with the idea that page 7 would work as the cover. She mocked up some images of how she thought it should look and it actually really seemed to fit the characters and the story. Thunderbolt's back is turned, showing us from the beginning that his focus is always watching over Logan as opposed to looking around at the world. He's a watch cat and he takes his job VERY seriously. We get that, just from the cover! I think it's brilliant and I like the subtlety that Callie used in delivering this message.
Your influences range from Dr. Seuss to Amy Krouse Rosenthal, Eric Carle and Richard Scarry, naming just a few. If you were working in your yard and encountered The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and could ask him anything about himself or his creator, what would it be?
I would ask him if there was a food he absolutely wouldn't eat. It would be an interesting thing to know, I think...kind of like asking Andrew Zimmern what his worst meal was.
Knowing you enjoy baking, what would you make The Very Hungry Caterpillar for lunch?
Dinner rolls are my specialty, so I might make a couple dozen of those to start off. From there, I would cook up some of my delicious crock-pot ribs slathered in barbecue sauce. And, finally, I would add a nice, crunchy side salad (just for the much-needed greenery).
Say he needed new shoes for all those feet. What would your collage cut-outs look like?
All of the shoes for The Very Hungry Caterpillar would be funky and colorful, just like the sort of butterfly that he would someday become! Maybe there would be a boot here and there (like the Elton John-esque glittery Doc Martins I used to own in my teens) or a solid Mary Jane complete with shiny buckles and polished leather. Of course, if my daughter were to influence me in the process, I would have to broaden the pain threshold and allow for a good number of those feet to wear heels (the higher, the better).
On the same whimsical note, how would Thunderbolt and Clifford the Big Red Dog get along?
Being that he's a cat, Thunderbolt might be a bit indifferent to Clifford the Big Red Dog...but, we are living in surprising times, so who knows?! It would be interesting to explore a pet-themed version of "The Odd Couple." I'm thinking Thunderbolt would be more like Felix Unger and Clifford would be more like Oscar Madison. (And now the theme song is stuck in my head....ha!)
And finally, as a children’s illustrator, what are your dreams for the future?
My dreams for the future would be the same as every person - to do more! I LOVE making art, but I also LOVE writing stories. I would be so honored to write and illustrate another book (or twenty) and have them inspire children in the same way that the authors and illustrators of my childhood have inspired me! Passing it on...that's the ultimate goal!
How to Babysit a Logan
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