#RisingStarsinKidLit Judith Valdes Breidenstine

© 2020 Amanda Davis Art

To close out this crazy and unprecedented year, I wanted to take some time to highlight my fellow kidlit creators who are working their tails off to birth their beautiful book babies into the world.  These interviews will cast a light on the wonderful work of these pre-published, unagented authors and author-illustrators who are destined to be stars!
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Meet Rising Star

Judith Valdes Breidenstine!
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​Judith is a Mexican-American writer and illustrator who has lived in five countries on three continents. As a result, her work is a rich tapestry of multicultural influences. An SCBWI member, Children's Book Academy graduate, and student at the Institute of Children's Literature, she also has degrees in Illustration (BFA), Business Administration (BA), and International Affairs (MA).

Judith is currently seeking agent representation.

© 2020 Judith Valdes Breidenstine Art

Welcome, Judith! I'm so excited to have you here on the Rising Stars in KidLit Series. I remember first seeing your art on #LatinxPitch and fell in love with your soft color palettes and the "tapestry of multicultural influences" as you so beautifully call it. I can't wait to hear more about your journey and your projects!

​AD: Let’s start with a speed round…

• Top three favorite children’s books of all time? I have so many favorite books, but the following are three of them: Snow by Uri Shulevitz, Drawn Together written by Minh Le and illustrated by Dan Santat, and Planting Stories written by Anika Denise  and illustrated by Paola Escobar.
• Coffee, tea (or neither)? Coffee before noon. Any time after that, tea; usually one without caffeine.
• Where is your safe place? My little home office, but when I am able to travel, my parent's house in Mexico.
• Dogs, cats, (or neither)? Both, but currently I have a dog.
• Early bird or night owl? Very early bird. Alarm usually goes off at 4 a.m., hence the coffee before noon.
• Three words to describe what it takes to make it in the kidlit world… 

​         Patience, Perseverance, and Learning.
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AD: Okay, now down to the serious stuff….
Please dish us the dirt on who you are and your journey into the fabulous world of children’s books. 

JVB:​ I was born and raised in Mexico, and grew up listening to my father tell stories to anyone and everyone who would listen. Coming from a big family, even at very early age, I would look for places to hide, where I could lose myself in my sketches and writings. Most of my early works were about magical places where the characters had no limitations. They could dive into the deepest oceans or fly into space and sit on the moon. I always was interested in creating stories, sometimes with words, but other times with images only.

AD: I can definitely see those magical places being explored in your art. I continue to be amazed at the power of stories to transport us to fantastical places. I still find myself getting lost in my work and when that happens, it reminds me that I'm exactly where I need to be--creating!

© 2020 Judith Valdes Breidenstine Art

​AD: Did you always know you wanted to be an author-illustrator? Have you explored other paths or had/have other jobs? 

JVB: I always wanted to write and illustrate but never thought that I could make a career of it. I had a gift for numbers and received bachelor and master’s degrees in accounting and international affairs, respectively. Years later, rekindling my passion for creating images, I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Illustration while living in the UK. As English is not my first language, I found refuge in creating images that spoke for themselves. It was during this time that I came across some great creators like Uri Shulevitz and was drawn to his word economy. A narrative tied to the images permits the young reader to explore and wonder through the pages, interpreting not only the intended story, but also wherever the imagination would take one.
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AD: I'm so glad you found your way back to art and writing, and how interesting that you used your art as a tool to communicate. Art is a universal language :)
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AD: What topics or themes do you tend to focus on in your writing/art? Favorite genres you like to write in or favorite art materials/techniques? 

JVB: I focus on cultural identity and heritage, multiculturalism, diversity and the richness of food, music, customs, traditions, and more. I am a mother to three wonderful multicultural children, who are also “third culture kids”, as they have grown up abroad most of their lives. As a result, I want to tell stories to which, children like them, can relate and in which they see themselves reflected. 
I have lived in five countries, on three continents and have benefited from learning about other cultures. All of my stories have come from a personal experience but carry with them universal themes. For example, due to my frequent moves, I have felt the pain of leaving behind friends, pets, and even plants, that I couldn’t take with me. 

AD: Writing from our own experiences is so important and so powerful. I find my best and strongest stories are my most personal. We each have our unique stories to tell and these stories can serve as a way to create understanding among all people. In my experience as a high school art teacher, I often have my students share their finished art work. We talk about the story and meaning behind it. This serves as an opportunity for students to listen and to learn about their classmate's stories, which in turn, creates a sense of community where we celebrate our differences while realizing we have a lot more in common than we may initially think.  

© 2020 Judith Valdes Breidenstine Art

​AD: Breaking into the publishing industry is not easy! What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced thus far? What have you done to persevere? 

JVB: I am my biggest challenge. As I mentioned, I love math, sketching and writing and that is because I am introvert at heart. While I like it that my works speak for me, at the beginning of this journey, I struggled with putting myself “out there” and all that that involves. Believing in oneself and in one’s abilities is crucial to making it in any area of life. If we believe in ourselves and in our creations, the rest should come at the right time.

AD: Yes! I think many of us relate to this. Being vulnerable and putting our work into the world can be scary and uncertain but as you said, believing in ourselves helps us take that leap. I've found the more I put myself out there, the more I learn, grow, and develop in my craft. If we let ourselves be overcome by fear or that we may not be good enough, we may never know our true potential. 

​AD: As creators (and humans), we tend to focus on the flaws of our creations or areas for improvement. This helps us grow and develop, but we need not forget the many things we are doing well.  With this in mind, what has been your biggest accomplishment or something you are most proud of thus far on your writing/illustration journey? 

JVB: I find that I'm much harder on myself than I am with others, but this has allowed me to laser-focus on my areas for improvement. Over the course of time, I learned a lot about me and what brings out my best. A little over a year ago, one of my dogs passed away from cancer. It was a terribly sad experience, because it coincided with the time when my family moved from Brussels to Bangkok. Even though my dog was no longer with us, I felt as if I abandoned him. It took me all this time to sort out my feeling enough to be able to write a story called, “Celebrating Perro”, which I wrote in the context of the Mexican celebration of the Day of the Dead.

AD: We're all our harshest critics. I'm glad you have reframed that idea into a positive, which has helped you zero in on areas for improvement. I'm so sorry about the passing of your dog. We have a pup of our own, and I try not to think about that day even though I know it's inevitable. I can't imagine how hard that must've been to move away in the midst of your grief but I'm glad you have been able to find solace in your story. I  hope you are able to find a home for "Celebrating Pedro" so I can add it to my bookshelf when in need. 

AD: In a similar vein, what do you feel are your strengths as an author/illustrator? What makes your art/writing unique to you? 

JVB: I truly believe that what makes my works different is the way that I create them. I love to infuse in my stories little gems that only parents who share my heritage would catch. My hope is that these treasures will remind them of the beauty of “being bicultural”, while sharing the story with their children. I hope that children of all backgrounds will develop a greater appreciation for their history and the journeys of their ancestors, that brought them to where they are today. It is also my desire that this sentiment will propel them to be the best “global and inclusive citizens” that they can be.

AD: So, so important! I love that idea of dropping little bicultural gems for parents to catch, too! 

AD: What inspires your work? 

JVB: My children inspire me. I am in awe of the way that they have successfully adapted to life in different countries and to varied cultures. While remaining open to new and different things, they also take pride in who they are and from where they come. I long to give a voice to tobi-cultural children, so that they can find their place and identity in my stories and that other children will come to appreciate the greatness that diversity brings to their communities.

AD: Traveling and experiencing different people and places around the world truly have the capacity to open our minds and hearts and to fill them with gratitude and understanding. The pride and openness that your children display also sound like a testament to the values you've taught them and being a model for what inclusivity can and should look like.  

© 2020 Judith Valdes Breidenstine Art

AD: Tell us about your creative process and what you do to keep ideas flowing or what you do when feeling stuck? 

JVB: I often draw the characters before working on the story. This allows me to get to know my characters, what makes them laugh or cry, as well as what their dreams or fears are. Once the character is fixed in my head, I begin to write, not before.


AD: What sorts of things have been most integral in your growth as an author-illustrator?

JVB: I am a strong advocate of lifelong learning. I believe that if I want to improve, I need to look for ways to become more proficient in my art. The camaraderie and community that goes with my coursework is also an integral part of my growth. And, then there is practice, practice, practice – taking risks, making mistakes, getting up, dusting myself off, and trying again.

AD: Cheers to life-long learning! That's one of the reason I love teaching. I learn new things from my students everyday!

© 2020 Judith Valdes Breidenstine Art

AD: What advice do you have for fellow kidlit creatives? 

JVB: First, be authentic. Be you! Take a look at your own, unique journey to find your stories. Enjoy the learning and all it brings. Work on crafting your skills. Try new things, strive to be better, and have fun. If I am not having fun, I know that I must be doing something wrong. 

© 2020 Judith Valdes Breidenstine Art

AD: Where can readers find out more about you and your work? 
​My website is judithvaldesbreidenstine.com 
I am also active on Twitter @Judithvaldesb and Instagram: judithaldesb.
Thank you very much for the opportunity to share my story!

​You're so welcome, Judith! It's been my pleasure. You have so many important stories to share with the world and your art is just gorgeous! I can’t wait to follow along on your kidlit journey! Best of luck! Feel free to drop a comment below to support Judith and her work. Stay tuned for next week where we get to meet another Rising Star in Kidlit, and be sure to subscribe so you don't miss out and follow along on Twitter at #RisingStarsinKidlit.​

If you are interested in being featured in the Rising Stars in KidLit series, please complete the following Getting to Know You form to be considered. Thank you!  ​