The following is an interview with Emmy-nominated writing duo Annabeth Bondor-Stone and Connor White regarding the recent release of their children’s picture book, Kitty Caterpillar, through Balzer + Bray. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Bondor-Stone and White about their shared creative process in working with New York Times bestselling artist Brigette Barrager to bring the story and characters to life on the page, what young readers may take away from the story’s themes, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the release of Kitty Caterpillar! What can you share with us about the premise of this purr-fectly fun new story?
Annabeth Bondor-Stone and Connor White: Thank you so much! Kitty Caterpillar is part kitty, part caterpillar, 100% fabulous. She’s an indoor kitty, and she likes it that way! But one beautiful spring morning after her favorite human, Hazel, has gone out to do whatever it is people do when they leave the house, Kitty Caterpillar becomes mesmerized by a butterfly and has her first-ever adventure outside.
BD: You are no strangers to crafting endearing stories for young readers and viewers, having previously worked on the Shivers! The Pirate series and Eva the Owlet. How would you describe your shared creative process in working with artist Brigette Barrager to bring this world and characters to life on the page?
ABS/CW: One thing we’ve learned working with incredible illustrators like Brigette is that we want to arm them with a rich description of the world we’re imagining, and the tone of the story, without being overly prescriptive. When we have important character details or specific visual jokes, we’ll add that to the manuscript, but we try not to add art notes unnecessarily because we know neither of us can do their job nearly as well as they can! Ultimately, we want to set them up for success and then let them flourish in their medium in ways we never could. There’s nothing more exciting than working with an illustrator who not only can bring your world to life, but add to the world in ways you never dreamed of. We couldn’t be more thrilled with Brigette’s stunning work in Kitty Caterpillar.
BD: At Fanbase Press, our #StoriesMatter initiative endeavors to highlight the impact that stories can have on audiences of various mediums and genres. How do you feel that Kitty Caterpillar’s story may connect with young readers, and what, if any, developmentally appropriate concepts might it help them to explore?
ABS/CW: When Kitty Caterpillar goes outside for the first time, her journey mirrors how children often approach new experiences—with excitement and wonder, then sometimes feeling overwhelmed. Kitty’s story celebrates trying new things and also shows that no matter how far we venture out, the ones who love us are always waiting.
BD: What makes Balzer + Bray the perfect home for this story?
ABS/CW: Besides being totally brilliant and utterly delightful people, Alessandra Balzer and Donna Bray understand big, exciting characters like no one else. We knew they would bring their vast experience in kids’ books to really elevate this story, and make Kitty Caterpillar feel not just unique, but iconic. We knew when we met them that they just got Kitty Caterpillar, from her majestic floof to her meticulously clean toe beans. The story has shifted since our first submission – it always does – but, creatively, we only grew more and more excited about the world we were building along with our editor Alessandra and the whole team at Balzer + Brey.
BD: Are there any other projects – past or current – that you would like to highlight for our readers?
ABS/CW: For anyone looking for a hilarious, pun-filled chapter book for kids ages 6-11, we’d love to highlight out our book, Shivers! The Pirate Who’s Afraid of Everything. It’s the first book in a series about a very scared pirate who goes on thrilling adventures with his best friend, Margot, and his first mate/pet goldfish, Albee.
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to find more information about Kitty Caterpillar and your other work?
ABS/CW: They can visit our website at annabethandconnor.com for all things Kitty Caterpillar, as well as updates on new projects and live performances, plus free activities for kids!
