“There are many little ways to enlarge your child’s world. Love of books is the best of all.” -Jackie Kennedy
You have LOVED our first lady stories on Instagram. So we didn’t want you to miss out on the latest picture book about one of them–Jackie and the Mona Lisa by Debbie Rovin Murphy. First Lady Jackie Kennedy is arguably the most popular first lady in U.S. history. Her list of accomplishments is a mile long. She’s most well known for bringing back to the White House works of art and priceless pieces of furniture and other objects from former presidents. But did you know that Jackie Kennedy also helped bring one of the most famous paintings of ALL TIME on tour to the United States?
The amazing author and illustrator of Jackie and the Mona Lisa were kind enough to answer some questions for us (see below). Many of you have asked about what writing a nonfiction picture book entails, the research process for such a book, as well as some common misperceptions on how an illustrator is selected.
Finally, drum roll, please . . . . take a look at this GORGEOUS book cover! Pre-Order it now (will release March 15, 2022—just in time for Easter baskets!)! Who knows, maybe you’ll learn something new about our most beloved first lady!
Jackie and the Mona Lisa Illustrator (Jen Bricking) Q&A:
Q: Most people are unfamiliar with the process of finding an illustrator for a picture book. They assume authors line up their own illustrators and work with them directly on how they want illustrations to look (which is obviously usually not the case). Will you share a behind-the-scenes look at how it really works? I’d also love to know how you came into this project and what your first impressions were?
A: It’s true that it’s rarely the case and usually depends on the publisher. Sleeping Bear Press contacted my agent at Shannon Associates with a potential picture book project about Jackie Kennedy and the Mona Lisa. Of course, I love both Jackie and the Mona Lisa, so it immediately piqued my interest. I was sent the manuscript and I fell in love with the adorable story. I could envision the style and how I wanted it to look as soon as I read it! Stars and schedules aligned, they figured out all the less fun, grown-up details and I began working on all the fun stuff, like drawing!
Q: Did you work with the author on sharing research? Or did you end up doing a lot of your own research as well? Can you share something you learned about Mrs. Kennedy that surprised you or that may interest readers?
A: I was given some photos to use as a reference for a few pages inside the book but I did most of my own research, initially. I have a folder with over 800 images that I collected from various websites and the JFK archives. I even created a Jackie Pinterest folder!
I knew a little about Jackie’s history but it was more through learning about JFK. I didn’t know the amount of influence she had as First Lady and just how passionate she was about bringing the arts to the American people of all ages and backgrounds. I also didn’t know that she won an Emmy award for her televised tour of the White House and spoke French, Italian and Spanish!
Q: From start to finish, how long did it take to complete the illustrations for this book and what are you most proud of now that the finished product is so close?
A: I started working in late January ‘21 with research, character development and a very rough draft of sketches. After a couple months of refining and notes from the publisher and author, I started on the finals. It took maybe about 5-10 hours on each final painting, give or take. This is usually the easier part, with the initial design and layouts of the illustrations taking the longest. I finished at the beginning of October.
I’m most proud that I got to illustrate these important moments in history, while adding a fun, lighthearted touch that compliments the lovely story. There are little details in the illustrations that might even give you a giggle or two!
Jackie and the Mona Lisa Author (Debbie Rovin Murphy) Q&A:
Q: Nonfiction authors often have to find unique angles on popular subjects in order to stand out in today’s market. What drew you to this story about First Lady Jackie Kennedy and what do you hope readers take away from it?
A: I have always loved the little-known historical stories that have fallen through the cracks when it comes to learning about famous people, places or events. I believe these stories pull the reader into the past more than a “just the facts” approach to history. Whenever I visit a famous site or museum, I always listen for facts that are unusual, unbelievable, or just something that I never knew about. In 2008, I found such a story when I read a book called Mona Lisa in Camelot: How Jaqueline Kennedy and da Vinci’s Masterpiece Charmed and Captivated a Nation by Margaret Leslie Davis. I was astonished! First of all, I couldn’t believe that the actual Mona Lisa had been in America and that Jackie Kennedy (who I’ve always admired) was behind it! Even young children recognize the Mona Lisa. It’s considered the most recognized piece of art in the world… and for this priceless piece to have actually come to America was unbelievable to me. I was also surprised by how few people I asked didn’t know about this event and yet almost two million people came out to see the painting at both the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, and the Metropolitan Museum in New York City. I hope readers see how important the arts can be and how First Lady Jackie Kennedy made it her mission to bring them to the forefront in our country.
Q: We often stress the importance of primary sources to our followers (since “do your own research” is such a misunderstood phrase these days). Can you give us a bit of a behind-the-scenes look into your research process and how you juggled researching and writing. Was all research completed before you wrote a single word? Or did you research as you wrote? Was there part of the story that was particularly challenging to research and how did you overcome it? Any research tips for someone who wants to dig deeper on a story in history?
A: For me, the library remains one of the best places to look for information. I like to be able to find books that explore my topic and make use of the traditional tools such as using the index and exploring t the chapters of the book myself because I may find a piece of information that wouldn’t have come up on an internet search. Of course, the internet is definitely a great tool for research; however, like any tool, I think you have to know how to use it efficiently and effectively. I believe that you want to approach your research with a plan. Where will you find the best and most accurate information? Are there any places/websites specifically associated with your topic. For me, finding the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library website was invaluable. I could access their archives and see actually documents, speeches and photographs that tied in with Jackie and the planning that went into Mona Lisa’s visit to America. As you spend more time researching, you also may find “leads” to other resources that may help you in your search and deepen your understanding and knowledge about the topic.
With Jackie, I began handwriting all the key pieces of the story, basically an outline, into a notebook. Many times, I would sit on my couch with my laptop surrounded by books from the library, taking notes. With Jackie and the Mona Lisa, I tried to gather as much information as I could before I started writing the story. Once I thought I had enough information, I begin to “craft” the story. This next step in the process, to me, is the most challenging. How to get the “facts” across in an engaging and interesting narrative so that children will be drawn into the story. One of the challenges of writing about history for children is to make sure that you are telling the story with the most important and relevant facts without sounding like a textbook. Adult non-fiction can get bogged down with extraneous details and statistics; children’s non-fiction is tasked with the job of delivering the most important information in such a way that the young reader will understand and be engaged with the content. This is not an easy task. But when it works, it’s such a rewarding feeling to know you are teaching a part of history that your readers might not have even known about.
I felt that my research and my writing went hand in hand. I would be writing a certain part of the story and realize that I needed to clarify something, or I wanted to get more details about a certain part of the story so I would continue to search for more information or look for resources as I wrote the text. I think I was lucky that I was able to find so many resources, articles and photographs about my topic. My research tip would be to figure out where the “experts” on your particular topic can be found. Many times, you can find local historian groups, small museums, or archives that give you information you might not have found by just Googling.
Q: This past spring we started a deep dive into the First Ladies on our Instagram. People are fascinated by our First Ladies and are often surprised to find out how “real” and “normal” they are. Did your research uncover anything about Mrs. Kennedy that might surprise readers or that you couldn’t fit into your book or that was cut during the editing process?
A: There were a few bits of information about Jackie’s childhood that tied into her love of the arts that I thought were interesting but couldn’t really fit them into the narrative of the story. My first draft (of many) started out focusing on Jackie’s childhood. I found a story about how when Jackie was five years old and supposed to be taking a nap, her nanny found her instead looking through a giant book of famous artwork. Jackie thought for sure that she was going to be punished. Instead, her Grampy Jack took her to her great-uncle’s house where “real” paintings hung on the walls. Paintings by famous artists like Corot and Millet, glass chandeliers made by Tiffany, and even an original painting of a French king. Jackie was mesmerized by all of the magnificent treasures. That night at dinner she couldn’t stop talking about all that she had seen, and her father commented that even though she was a just a child, she already loved beautiful things. In doing my research, I saw photographs of poems she created, letters she wrote and pictures she drew while growing up. It brought Jackie, the person, and the artist, alive to me.
Something surprising to me was discovering a book written and illustrated by Jackie and her younger sister, Leigh, detailing their trip to Europe together when they were 22 and 18. The book, One Special Summer, was originally created as a scrapbook and given to the girls’ parents as a thank you gift for letting them go on the trip. They created it in 1951 and it was published as a book in 1974. It has some really charming illustrations and humorous hand-written stories about their adventures. It’s a glimpse into the free spirit and artistic talents of a young Jackie before she became the icon she is today. I have that book along with an original White House Guidebook on my bookshelf next to my computer. I love looking at them and feeling that connection to Jackie.
Jackie and the Mona Lisa, published by Sleeping Bear Press, will be released on March 15, 2022. Order it here or at the author’s local Indy book shop, here.
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