Illustrator of Nobody Likes Monday, Amy Calautti, shares her love for children's books and experiences while creating unique and memorable characters loosely based on Norse Mythology.

What do you love about illustrating children’s books?

I love that children's books are a thing of beauty, or a funny story, or an adventure. They can be about almost anything!

Do you have a favourite style of drawing or painting in illustrations?

I like using watercolour and digital tweaks in photoshop. This way it gives me more flexibility and I can do things I can't necessarily do if I stick to one medium.

How has your illustrating style changed throughout your career?

Because I work in a few styles I have asked clients which one of my illustrations they are drawn to. And I try to work in that style. So I guess it changes from book to book and it just naturally develops. But certain themes run through like bright colours and using humour in my illustrations.

What process do you follow when illustrating a new children’s book? Does this change depending on the story?

Yes, it definitely changes depending on the story. Sometimes I dive straight in to thumbnails and sometimes I have to research. For Nobody Likes Monday I loosely based some of the characters on Norse mythology. For example, Monday—moon day, Saturday—washday, Wednesday is Woden’s (Oden's) day. For Wednesday I went for a green-looking wise character, which is a bit out there, but who knows what Oden looks like, right?

The drafting process is always the same which is thumb-nailing and various amendments etc.

The artistic process for Nobody Likes Monday was to paint all the foregrounds and characters in watercolour and define with colour pencil, then scan into photoshop. I digitally manipulated some watercolour to make the clouds and I placed it on a spacey gradient background that I made.

What did you enjoy about illustrating Nobody Likes Monday, by Kelly Lee?

I loved painting Monday, she's a sweet character and I loved that she's not a human or an animal. It was a lovely change.

Was there anything that surprised you or was challenging about this process?

When I first read the manuscript I knew the characters were celestial beings, but I didn't realise the days of the week had meanings behind them, so I had to research it. Then I was on the right track.

What is it like to collaborate with authors on their books?

I like collaborating with authors as they have usually spent years thinking about the book. I only spend a couple of months thinking about it. So they have valuable insights.

Do you have any other projects in the works?

Yes, I'm working with the Australian Space Agency on a book about Australian animals in space and early warning systems. It's pretty cool and educational actually. I have a bit of disbelief they asked me. This will be about my 19th book. Will I make it to 20? I have no idea. I never know what's in the pipeline until I get an inquiry.