Nagyi-approved books that sing

What snack fueled your creativity for the Hungarian collection?

"I don’t usually snack while drawing, but I do love coffee! A fresh, hot black coffee is the perfect way to start a project. Before I begin sketching, I read or sing the song I’m about to illustrate a few times and imagine what could fill the blank page. By the time my coffee is gone, the sketch is usually done too!"

How did you choose the color palette?

"I wanted the characters to feel kind and friendly, with a colorful but not overly bright palette. Harmony was very important to me, so I usually started with one dominant color and built the rest around it, combining different shades and complementary colors. I’m especially drawn to warm colors, and light and shadow always have an important role in my work. To bring in authentic Hungarian details, I also looked at Hungarian traditions and cultural references for inspiration."

Which song was the most fun to illustrate?

"I would choose the song “Télapó itt van” (“Santa Claus Is Here”). Illustrating a winter holiday book in the middle of the summer heat was quite unusual, but it was lovely to escape into a snowy world. I also wanted to include warm childhood memories. As children, my siblings and I would put our freshly cleaned shoes by the window and excitedly wait for Santa. In the morning, we would jump out of bed and rush to see what he had brought us. This was the most fun song to illustrate because I could capture this magical moment through the little bunnies: one peeking at Santa, one excited to open the present, and the youngest staring in wonder, holding a present in one paw and a little switch in the other."