Illustrator Interview: Ms. Jia Rubio-Montserrat

Back in May 2016, the blog featured Ma. Teresa Gumap-as Dumadag as its author of the month. Her book, Mommy Loves You Just the Same, was launched and was reviewed on the blog that same month. And now, the illustrator of Mommy Loves You Just Same, Ms. Jia Rubio Montserrat, shares with us her experience of illustrating  a children's book in digital format.

1. Where did you get the inspiration to draw the little boy in the story? He looks, smart, makulit and cute at the same time. Typical kid!

One of my inspirations for the little boy is actually Teresa's 2 older sons. They do look smart, makulit and cute. I don't know them personally though, and I don't have a little boy of my own yet, but I do have a sweet little girl. I am also inspired by her who loves music, who is always playful, curious and as much as she could, she would try to give a helping hand. She is going to be a big sister soon at the age of 2. 

2. Mommy Loves You Just the Same is your first illustrated story book for kids. How did you approach the visual narrative of the story as a whole? Was there a meeting with Ms. Dumadag before and after production? You can describe your process, your medium and the experience of working with the author.

Teresa and I met in South PiNanay's anniversary celebration on October 2015. She was promoting her book and she delivered a talk about Hands-On-Parenting. I was there because my commissioned paintings about breastfeeding were on display. I was able to chat with her because I find her inspiring in the way she is juggling her career on the side of taking care of her kids. And she asked me for the possibility for us to collaborate and told me about the story that she wrote. That made me excited because I've always wanted to illustrate a book. And I even shared with her that my husband and I were praying for baby number 2 and it would be more meaningful for me to do it if ever I get pregnant again.

Months came, God answered my prayer. I found out I was pregnant on New Year's eve and gladly announced it on Facebook. Teresa immediately sent me the story of Mommy Loves You Just the Same and asked me if I could do the illustrations. Though I have lots of things at hand, I couldn't say no because it was really timely for me. 

I made a few sketches. Teresa and I agreed right away on how we want the illustrations to be. It has to be warm and full of love. And that is how it came to be. We agreed right away because I guess that is what mothers feel in general when they're expecting another child. 

It was a fun learning experience. I hope we can have more projects like it soon. And I hope we'll be able to see each other again soon. We haven't met again since the time we first met. We're busy work-at-home-moms.  

3. Being a mother too, what can you share with other mom's that will help them be more confident and adept at parenting?

Coming from a very career-driven singlehood, I can be very impatient with myself in accomplishing things and it often reflects on my little one. She tends to be fussy, clingy, and she even gets sick when I am too overwhelmed & preoccupied with my to-do-list. When she is like that, I know that she needs her mother. And because of that, I am trying to learn the art of being patient with myself, to accept that I am not perfect, but I am trying my best to be perfect, to let go, and take just one step at a time. Because I am mother above all else. Like they said, our children are the most important work. And it is very important for all parents to know that. They're only little once.

4. After Mommy Loves You Just the Same, where do you see yourself heading to? Any projects you want to pursue or current works you wish to promote?

I am currently helping in setting up our family's food businesses, Bertie's Artisan Bakeshop (which was established since 1998 but we just relocated starting this year. It is located at Bucal Bypass Road, Calamba) and DataBites (A Gaming Lounge Cafe opening this July in UP Los Banos). I am also helping with LATCH Los Banos activities as a LATCH peer counselor.

For now, I am trying to slow down because I'll be giving birth soon. It would be my season to welcome and nurture our newest family member. And when I already can, I hope to launch my mommy artist website/blogsite soon to further establish my art career. I am currently trying to build-up a collection of artworks on parenting entitled "Gintong Pag-ibig" for a possible solo exhibit.

Book Review: Mommy Loves You Just The Same

Today is the virtual launch of Mommy Loves You Just The Same, an ebook about a family's anticipation of a new baby in the family. The ebook is written by Ma. Teresa Gumap-as Dumadag and illustrated by Jia Rubio Montserrat. This is Ms. Dumadag's first book intended for children. Read about my interview with her.  Mommy Loves You Just the Same is published by Full Life Cube.

The ebook is created by mothers. Both Ms. Dumadag and Ms. Montserrat are parents of young children. That is why, it is not surprising that the book is meant to impart to children family values that any parent wishes their children to carry on in life. Such is the primary purpose of stories in our culture. We believe that by telling stories, through book format, it is the best way to approach the communication of these values like respect, sibling love and personal responsibility to our children and others too.

In Mommy Loves You Just The Same, the adult voice is very strong in emphasizing these values. Even the child character is very happy to be anticipating a new sibling. Love is a strong driving force to amplify acceptance and a new responsibility. There is no room for anxiety and jealousy in this book because the message is clear: mother does not play favorites since she loves each child the same way. Each sibling went through a period of growth and development and mother and father were there to care for each. Older siblings are part of this care taking having cared for when they were younger. Such a proactive stance on child care and parenting.

In the real world, however, this ideal can be marred by fears and insecurities. Sibling rivalry happens and the green eyed monster is just waiting on the wings! There have been Filipino picture books written about this. The "infanticipation" process is never easy, much more, the relationship between siblings. But, responsible parents can make the transition and the struggle a little less stressful for the children as well as for themselves. It is no joke raising kids these days and parents need all the help they can get.

Mommy Loves You Just The Same is that book! It is not only meant for the child reader. It is for parents who are going through the peaks and valleys of parenthood.

Since the format of the book is digital, I felt constricted by space. There is wonder in opening a book's page. The ebook does not work that wonder for me as far as illustrated ebooks are concerned. There are exceptions though. I will share an example, in a future post.

The drawings are playful and the accompanying color scheme promotes a happy mood. There is a texture felt and seen in Montserrat's illustrations. In a printed format, it would look more sensorial. Anyway, ebook publishing is the trend. What better way to make it grow, but to dive into this medium and explore! I suppose, the accompanying coloring book fills in this multi-sensory aspect of the book and further extends the engagement of digital text to the actual material.

For a copy of the book, go to this Hands On Parenting. For freebies and special giveaways, visit the book's Facebook Page.

Congratulations to Ms. Dumadag and Ms. Montserrat! It is my hope to see Full Life Cube take on more materials to publish for children and parents.

Author of the Month: Ma. Teresa Gumap-as Dumadag

I have the pleasure of interviewing Ma. Teresa Gumap-as Dumadag, author and breastfeeding advocate, about her new children's book, Mommy Loves You Just the Same. She shares with us her recommended books for parents to read aloud to their kids and the books that inspired her to become a better mom. Her thoughts on the pros and cons of self publishing lend insight for other authors out there who contemplate on taking this route.

Mommy Loves You Just the Same is an ebook published by Full Life Cube and will have a launching online on May 19, 2016.

Mommy Loves You Just the Same is your first children's book. Congratulations! You have written non-fiction books for adult readers. What was the experience like for you to move from this genre and into children's story writing?  

I was more comfortable writing for adults because I was used to speaking and teaching adults in my line of work as a Consultant for management, human resources and training solutions, as a Career Coach and Counselor and a Speaker. But as I grew more confident in caring for my children and raising them, I entertained the thought of publishing my own children’s book more and more.

It has been my dream to write for children since I became a parent. I loved reading to my kids. It’s one of my favorite bonding moments with them. I have read countless books for them in the past years. These wonderful books that we found inspired me to write my own story about our family life. These books also inspired me to create stories that carry the lessons I want them to learn. Stories are very powerful in bringing our message across. Being a homeschooling mom further strengthened my desire to teach through children’s stories that I myself wrote.

Many Filipino writers are experimenting and migrating into self-publishing online. What are the pros and cons of this business model?

 The pros of this business model are the following: 

• It’s easier and faster to have your book published because you don’t need to wait for traditional publishers to like your work or to wait for publishers to include your book in their publishing schedule.
• You can earn more if you know how to reach a wider audience or a bigger number of people.
• You have more freedom on how your book would look like or how it would be marketed.

The cons are:

• All costs would be on you.
• You need to do all the work or you need to find a good and reliable team who will help you achieve your goals for your book.
• You don’t have the connections or network that the traditional or established publishers have.

What are your top 5 recommended picture books or story books for parents to read aloud to their kids?

Oh, there are so many wonderful books for children! It’s hard to choose only 5. It also depends on what lessons you’d like them to learn from the books you’ll read.

• My top of mind picks are I’d Choose You by John Trent, PhD and Love You Forever by Robert Munsch.
• The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein  
• For babies and very young children, my favorites are the books written by Sandra Boynton like The Going to Bed Book and Hey! Wake Up! My kids love these books so much that they were able to memorize these books right away after reading these to them daily for 1 week when we first bought these books.
• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle is also one of our favorites. The kids love this simple story with colorful illustrations.
• We also love the Oh Mateo series of books, especially Book 5: The Growling Tummy.

 What are the top 3 books that shaped who you are as a mother?

• Love You Forever by Robert Munsch
• The Power of a Praying Mom and The Power of a Praying Parent both by Stormie Omartian
• The Parent Map by Dr. Harold Sala

If you were to leave your kids a book to read for the rest of their lives, what is it?

The Holy Bible would be that book.