Human salvation lies in the hands of the creatively maladjusted
~ Martin Luther King, Jr., 1963
You can say anything you want, yessir, but it's the words that sing, they soar and descend...I bow to them...I love them, I cling to them, I run them down, I bite into them, I melt them down...I love words so much...The unexpected ones...The ones I wait for greedily or stalk until, suddenly they drop...
~Pablo Neruda
I hope some animal never bores a hole in my head and lays its eggs in my brain, because later you might think you're having a good idea but it's just eggs hatching
I just uploaded fun activities for my book, "Wanda's Humpack Hula Show," written by Marian Parks and illustrated by Tammy Yee, available at American Nature Tale Books. When Wanda's new baby brother arrives, she feels left out . . . until she cleverly hulas her way to humpback fame. But one day a careless mistake ruins everything. How will Wanda fix this mess? Kids will enjoy Wanda's entertaining antics, but they'll also learn about the North Pacific humpback whale migration and that sometimes, they need to say, I'm sorry. American Nature Tale Books also features a fun Story Activities and Teacher's Guide that you can download on their website. Here's what the Midwest Book Review has to say about Wanda:
A charmingly entertaining picture book story with a genuinely important underlying message, "Wanda's Humpback Hula Show" is an especially recommended addition to family, elementary school, and community library picture book collections.
Saturday, November 16, 12-2pm at Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana
Looking for personalized gifts that inspire and educate? Join Tammy Yee and Leslie Hayashi as they sign their new books with Mutual Publishing: "Saving the Fairies," by Leslie Ann Hayashi, illustrated by Holly Braffet, and "Shark Patrol," written by Ron Hirschi and illustrated by Tammy Yee.
SAVING THE FAIRIES, based on a true story, features a newlywed pair of Fairy Terns lovingly guarding their newly hatched egg.
SHARK PATROL joins two children, Kai and Lehua, as they hop aboard the SS Scoutabout for an adventure of a lifetime, studying sharks.
Both books are beautifully illustrated and teach children about Hawaii's unique wildlife. Stop by and talk story! Get your signed copy in time for Christmas!
I just uploaded two new videos showing my illustration process for the book Shark Patrol, written by Ron Hirschi and released this year from Mutual Publishing.
And stay tuned for information about my upcoming book signings in November, just in time for Christmas!
Let's have fun! Join me this Saturday at 1pm at Basically Books in my favorite small town, Hilo! I'll be signing books, reading "The Castle that Kai Built," and more! Rumor has it that I'll do some sketching. And I'll bring my iPad, so I can show you how my illustrations for Kai were made.
Written by Ron Hirschi, illustrated by Tammy Yee Mutual Publishing, 2019
Illustrating Shark Patrol, A Discovery Adventure in Hawai'i presented a unique and fun challenge: how to incorporate author Ron Hirschi's fact-filled lively text and rich illustrations into an 8" x 9" 32-page format. Working with Ron and Mutual Publishing editor Jane Gillespie, we gave this story of young explorers Kai and Lehua, as told through mail correspondence, a fresh update by having the characters post their adventures on social media via Shark Grams. Shark facts were personalized by presenting them as journal entries made by the budding scientists...something that I did as a child pretending to be a researcher aboard Jacques Cousteau's famous vessel, the Calypso. Other devices included photos taken by the crew and Post-it notes from the desk of the ship's biologist, Auntie Jan. Here's a sketch of the layout. Each character has an avatar for their Shark Gram. And social media is no fun without emojis!
Another idea derived from my nerdy childhood was to use the endpapers to illustrate the relative size of sharks as compared to Kai and Lehua.
Growing up in Hawaii, you'd think I'd know a little about sharks--but there was much to learn! Threshers and great whites, blacktips versus whitetip oceanics (not to be confused with whitetip reef sharks)--so many sharks! This meant a lot of research and a lot of sketching.
My favorites were the deep-sea sharks. Did you know that Hawaii has two bioluminescent (glow-in-the-dark) lanternsharks? One was recently discovered in 2017.
The final illustrations were done in Procreate on an iPad Pro, which allowed me to record the illustration process.
And the best fun is receiving a box in the mail and seeing the book for the first time!
When my copies of River Rescue arrived in the mail, I immediately flipped to the educational content at the end of the book. As an illustrator, I am sometimes asked to create spot illustrations for the back matter, but rarely do I see it in its entirety before publication. Checking River Rescue's back matter satisfied my need to learn more about a topic that I spent many months researching and illustrating: the rescue and rehabilitation of birds impacted by oil spills. And the lesson plans that Arbordale provides on their website as a supplement for parents and teachers was icing on the cake. So how does a Hawaii-based illustrator work on a book about rescuing oiled birds? With lots of help from the author, editors, and expert Lisa Smith at Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research. Before working on River Rescue, I knew little about the havoc that oil spills can wreak on our nation's waterways. Then I learned about the 2004 oil spill on the Delaware River (see inset). While transporting oil to a Philadelphia refinery, the tanker Athos I struck a submerged anchor and leaked more than 250,000 gallons of heavy oil into one of the busiest shipping complexes in North America. Thousands of birds were killed, and the incident had lasting effects on the environment.
But the study of the effect that oil spills have on wildlife began long before the Athos I accident. On the day after Christmas in 1976, a tanker ran aground on the Delaware River. 134,000 gallons of oil spilled out of the ruptured hull, creating a 25-mile-long slick that threatened 60,000 ducks and geese. "As a result, Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research was founded in 1977 to study the effects of oil on birds and to find a way to successfully treat wildlife." My first task in illustrating River Rescue was to learn more about river habitats and the birds, insects, reptiles, and fish that inhabit them, and to make sketches. I asked myself, what birds lived along the riverbanks? Were they migratory? What did they eat? How did they co-exist with other river inhabitants? Lisa Smith from Tri-State helped me along the way, making suggestions and corrections.
Next, I researched how experts rescued oil-contaminated birds. How did they hold the frightened animals? Did they wear protective clothing? What did the rescue facilities look like? Every detail, down to the gloves and goggles, was scrutinized.
The cover took several drafts.
Once the rough sketches were approved, the illustrations were completed in Procreate on an iPad Pro. I imported textured backgrounds and used brushes to make the digital illustrations look more traditional. Procreate also allowed me to take videos of the works in progress:
I hope you enjoy River Rescue as much as I enjoyed illustrating it! For more information, please visit Arbordale Publishing.
A video of my keynote presentation on the making of "A True Princess of Hawaii," written by Beth Greenway, illustrated by me. Arbordale Publishing, 2017.
Sorry, no audio, just the keynote slides depicting research photos of old Hilo Bay, the 1880-1881 Mauna Loa eruption, Princess Ruth, and how I draft and revise my illustrations.
A True Princess of Hawai'i Written by Beth Greenway, illustrated by Tammy Yee Arbordale Publishing, 2017
Years ago, I lived in Kaumana, six miles above Hilo town on the island of Hawai'i. Many of the homes were built on the remnants of the 1881 Mauna Loa eruption featured in the book, "A True Princess of Hawai'i." Evidence of the eruption was everywhere. Lava rock walls bordered tiny gardens, and black pahoehoe lava peaked through the grass, ferns and 'ōhiʻa trees. Nearby was Kaumana Cave, part of a miles-long lava tube that was formed during the eruption. It was the perfect place to raise two young sons!
Since then, I have been fascinated with the story of Princess Ruth's intervention to save Hilo from Pele's destruction. So I was thrilled to work with Arbordale Publishing on A True Princess of Hawai'i.Their team is devoted to creating books that encourage kids to explore, and their website features lesson plans and activities to supplement learning.
Research
Princess Ruth Ke'elikolani
I poured through the Bishop Museum and Hawai'i State Archives for photos of Hilo in the 1880s. What did people wear? Where did they live? What kind of ships the bay? And most importantly, what did the lava flow look like?
Hilo Bay from Waiakea with Mauna Loa erupting in the distance. You can see the lava heading toward Hilo on the right. ByJoseph Nawahi, February 1881.
Hilo shoreline.
Hilo wharf, 1880s.
The Lava Flow From Mauna Loa, Sandwich Islands, Harper's Weekly, September 1881.
Rough Sketches
I studied photos of the eruption and maps of Hilo town and began sketching.
Character studies and sketch of Hilo town.
Rough drafts for cover.
Exploring Kipuka Puaulu (Bird Park) Trail at Volcanoes National Park
Kaumana Cave and Princess Ruth
Mauna Loa erupted spectacularly in 1880, illuminating the skies above the town of Hilo. Fiery jets of gas and lava launched thousands of feet skyward. Rivers of pahoehoe, or ropy lava, flowed down the mountainside. For nine months, the eruption continued. The people of Hilo watched as the forests of Waiakea Uka were consumed, then grew desperate as the lava continued its relentless approach to within one-and-a-half miles of Hilo Bay. A day of public prayer was observed. A stone wall was erected to protect the sugar mill. And a moat was dug around the prison to divert the flow. Only Princess Ruth Ke'elikolani could placate Pele's fury. Arriving in Hilo on August 9, 1881, she approached the lava at Halai Hill with offerings of brandy, 30 red silk scarves and a lock of her hair. That night, she slept at the edge of the lava flow. By the next morning the flow had stopped. Hilo had been spared. Kaumana Cave, located 5 miles above Hilo, was created during the 1880 eruption. It was formed as the surface of the pahoehoe cooled and hardened, insulating the molten lava within. A portion of the thin crust later collapsed, creating a skylight through which streams of lava could be seen pouring through subterranean passages. As the eruption abated, the channel emptied, leaving behind an extensive lava tube. Deep in the cave, roots from 'ohia trees dangle from the ceiling. These roots support an extremely delicate ecosystem of cave-dwelling arthropods. According to Bishop Museum entomologist Gordon Nishida, cave crickets, millipedes, and wolf spiders are among the creatures specially adapted to Hawaiian lava tubes. Many of these animals are pale, with reduced eyes, and live off the plant and animal matter that fall into the cave. The cave system is very fragile, and these unique creatures are endangered. People trampling through caves and littering the surrounding area can have a severe impact on their survival.
Eyewitnesses to the 1880-1881 Eruption: an Artist's View
I was inspired, too, by the work of Joseph Nawahi, and also the Volcano School paintings of late 19th century artists Charles Furneaux, D. Howard Hitchcock and Jules Tavernier.
Hilo Bay. Joseph Nawahi, 1888.
Natives Viewing the Hilo Flow, May 18, 1881. Oil on canvas paintings by Charles Furneaux, 1881.
Eruption, D.H. Hitchcock.
Volcano at Night, Jules Tavernier, 1880.
Final Illustrations: Bringing it to life
Left: view of Waianuenue Street from the Hilo Wharf, 1890s. Right: Keoki and Nani race to the town pier to greet Princess Luka.
Left: Hilo Wharf, 1880s. Right: the arrival of Princess Luka.
Join me for "Let's Read Together" at the Wai'anae Public Library this evening at 6 pm where I'll feature "Iki, the Littlest 'Opihi," "Shark Patrol," and more! Reading in Waianae is special to me because I prominently featured the Wai'anae Coast, Pu'u Ma'ili'ili and the Mahi Shipwreck in several of the pages. See you soon in Wai'anae!
Interested in writing and/or illustrating children's books? The 19th Biennial Conference on Literature and Hawaii's Children, June 6-9 at Chaminade University is free for anyone interested in children's and YA literature.
I'll be presenting three topics:
FRIDAY, JUNE 8 • 3:00 p – 4:15 p CREATING LITERATURE: How to Write and Sell Picture Book Biographies Ellie Crowe and Tammy Yee
There is a constant market for good biographies in the school market. Ellie Crowe tells how to pick a great subject, research, plot, escalate the stakes, and provide a good climax and ending when writing biographies for elementary and middle school readers. Tammy Yee tells how to research the background for meaningful illustrations that create and add depth to a picture book biography.
SATURDAY, JUNE 9 • 10:15 a–11:30 a CREATING LITERATURE: Write Like an Illustrator; Illustrate Like a Writer Tammy Yee
Like the lyrics and melody of a song, the words and art of a picture book work synergistically to create a composition that is richer than its individual parts. In this session we’ll explore the nuances of writing and illustrating picture books, and how to create memorable characters and stories by writing what the pictures don’t show and illustrating what the words don’t tell.
SATURDAY, JUNE 9 • 1:00 p – 3:15 p TEEN TRACK: Creating Impact in Children’s Book Illustration Tammy Yee
Bring along a sketchbook and pencil, and we’ll explore how to bring characters to life and create compelling visual narratives through composition, symbolism and pacing. Optional: Bring portfolio samples (no originals, please) for feedback. (Workshop for youth, only.)
Join me for the opening reception of Ka 'Ike o ka Moana: The Knowledge of the Ocean, an educational and artistic exhibit to raise ocean awareness, on Thursday, May 31, 4:30-6pm at the Honolulu Hale Courtyard.
My contribution to the show is an illustration of the endemic lanternsharks of Hawai’i.
Etmopterus villosus, the Hawaiian Lanternshark, was discovered in 1905 and is endemic to Molokai at depths of 1300-3000 feet. Only a few specimens have been found of this little-known shark.
Etmopterus villosus, 1905, from The deep-sea fishes of the Hawaiian Islands Gilbert, Charles Henry, 1859-1928; Jordan, David Starr, 1851-1931.
Etmopterus lailae, with its distinctive, large snout, is known from three specimens in the Bishop Museum’s fish collection. For years it was misidentified as Etmopterus lucifer, a species found in Japanese waters. Last year there was excitement in the scientific community when the specimens were reexamined and recognized as a newly discovered Hawaiian species.
It was a challenge and a joy to research images of desiccated specimens and imagine what these rare sharks look like in their natural environment, and to extrapolate from the anatomy of related species. And the beauty of illustrating them digitally allows me to revise as I receive input from biologists. I'll post my illustration after the close of the show.
My mother taught us love, faith, and humility. She taught us that wealth is measured not by the car you drive or the house you live in, but in the faith you keep, the friends you meet, and the family you love.
By those standards, she was wealthy beyond measure. And she was equally generous, sometimes to a fault. What little she had, she shared. Even if it meant that she had to do without.
Growing up, we didn’t have the latest toys, but Mom made sure we never skimped on books. She splurged on a set of World Book Encyclopedias for us. I spent hours leafing through the gilt-edged pages. Beginning with A for ancient Anatolia, I trekked through the gardens of Babylonia, immersed myself in Cleopatra’s man troubles, and explored the ziggurats of Mesopotamia—all in a single afternoon.
Mom was an avid reader, burning through Harlequin romances at all hours of the day. When she came to live with me, she lamented that she couldn’t find any good Indian romances. I thought she was referring to books like "Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri. But she was referring to "Comanche Moon" and "Sweet Prairie Passion."
I said to her, “Mom, they don’t publish Indian romances anymore because they’re culturally insensitive.”
But she persisted, so I introduced her to Goodreads and Amazon.com.Today, my Amazon account is still cluttered with embarrassing suggestions like, “If you enjoyed reading 'Cheyenne Captive,' you’ll love 'Savage Ecstasy.' ” It’s a sweet reminder of Mom.
She didn’t pass on to me her love for romance novels, but she did pass on a love for reading. She bought me a subscription to Parent Magazine’s Book-of-the-Month Club, and took me on frequent excursions to the Kapahulu library. After the library, we’d catch the bus to Ala Moana for Woolworth’s fried chicken and roast beef sandwiches, and browse through tin toys and Japanese teacups at Hotei-Ya.
Mom was also quite a trooper. In the summer, Dad would take my brothers frog hunting. They’d bring home a five-gallon bucket filled with croaking bullfrogs and empty it into the bathtub. All night long, I was kept awake by the wet slapping of frogs jumping against the sides of the tub, trying to escape.
The next morning, Dad would skin and clean the frogs. He stretched the skins over empty peach cans and dried them in the sun so that we each had our own little frog drum. And then Mom would bread and fry the frogs for dinner. As I said, she was quite the trooper.
She was also quite the foodie. She loved going holoholo with Auntie Ida, Auntie Ruth, and later, with her best friend Jean. She never gave up on trying to get me to eat chicken feet and hundred-year-old eggs.
As a know-it-all teenager, I rolled my eyes at her chicken feet cravings. I also rolled my eyes at her simple needs, and foolishly mistook them for a lack of ambition. I didn’t see how she put OUR dreams above her own. She put aside her business degree to take care of us at home, and later, to work as a school custodian.
It was only after I had children of my own that I saw the sacrifices she made. Because of her, I refused to allow anyone except family care for my children. When we lived in Boston, I made my husband Ric give away our front row tickets to Miss Saigon because I wouldn’t let his classmate babysit.
Cosmo, Popo always reminisced about how she would take your tiny hand and walk you from her Date Street apartment to Stadium Park. She would mimic your squeaky voice asking her, “Popo, can we go to McDonalds?”
Bob, Popo always talked about what a smart, kind, and well-spoken young man you are—and a snappy dresser, too! She was always trying to bring food home for the two of you, no matter how full our refrigerator was.
And Mom adored our bulldog, Roxy. Even though I reprimanded her, she was constantly sneaking lup cheong to the dog. It’s no wonder that Roxy watched over her and sometimes slept with her.
Mommy, your coming to live with me was the best thing. We had our challenges, but, boy, did we have fun.
And we had plans. I was supposed to ask you about growing up with Popo and Eng, and all your brothers and sisters—and I was supposed to write it down. I wanted more time. I wanted to go holoholo with you. Eat dim sum. Go to Red Lobster. And bring you home one last time.
But you had family waiting for you above. So you did what you do best. You brought together your family, here on earth, and guided us through love and faith.
It’s because of you that we are strong. It’s because of you that we are so united.
Mommy, do you remember our last day together? I came into your hospital room, ready to spend the night. I kissed your cheek and said, “Mommy, today is my birthday! You brought me into this world 55 years ago and you’re the best mom ever! We’re going to miss you, but we’ll all be okay.”
And two hours later, you slipped away. You were fearless, you were beautiful, and you were free. It was a blessed gift, that on the day that I was born, you were born into another realm. You couldn’t have written a better ending to a story.
Best of all, I got to kiss you many times over those last few days. I marveled at how soft and smooth your cheeks were and wondered, “Why did it take me 55 years to kiss you?” But at least I got to kiss you.
And I still talk to you. At stop lights. At home. In the middle of the night. In times of doubt, I will learn to summon your voice. Your love. Your acceptance. You were always so supportive. You were my biggest fan. Because of you, I gave away all my books to the nurses and doctors.
And when I’m hardest on myself, you will remind me.
That wealth is measured in the faith you keep, the friends you meet, and the family you love.
And I will find comfort remembering the softness of your cheek.
Thank you for teaching me how to live and how to die.
Thank you for being our mother.
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