Isabella Kung: Write from the Heart
KidLit Craft is back with another Snack-Sized Author Interview. In this series, we ask authors five quick questions that give us insight into their craft and process. Today we’re talking with author-illustrator Isabella Kung.
From the moment I first met Isabella Kung, I knew she would be a force in children’s literature. She’s a brilliant artist and a deeply sensitive soul. I first fell in love with her adorable Fuzzball cat stickers even before she’d found her stride in Kid Lit, then teamed up with her to help run one of the San Francisco Bay Area chapters of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Her latest picture book, Nunu and the Sea, is a breathtakingly beautiful exploration of a child’s overwhelming emotions and how she navigates them. I’m so in love with this whimsical, fantastical story. The words are poetry and each page is a work of art. Isabella is an extraordinary talent and a wonderful friend. - Kristi
Welcome, Isabella!
Question 1: What's your writing superpower?
Honestly, I never thought I had any writing "superpowers.”
I've always felt more confident in my ability to tell a story with my illustrations, since the desire to hone my skills in writing came later in my career. I do feel pride in having a strong ability to find the heart of a story and distilling my words down to allow the essence to shine. I see that as the crux of creating a good story.
Also, I'm glad I have a relentless passion (borderline obsession) for trying to figure out how to bring that heart or essence out, that stubbornness and refusal to give up when I'm stuck in my own writing or when offering feedback for another creator's story. It's a puzzle I'm always fascinated by.
Question 2: What’s an element of craft you explored in your latest project and what tips can you share with other authors for growing in their use of that particular element?
Oh, I learned so much from writing Nunu and the Sea, it's hard to narrow it down to just a few takeaways, but I'll do my best.
This book was originally submitted as a wordless picture book; it was my editor, Esther Cajahuaringa, who suggested sparse text. I started writing in first person in early drafts.
While that approach provides a very intimate point of view, it doesn't always work with the voice and tone of the story. Esther suggested writing it in the third person, and that switch allowed me to achieve the poeticness I was aiming for and convey the broader picture I wanted to express.
That shift also allowed me to play with the refrain "The sea..." throughout the book and adjust the pacing just right.
Another tip is the importance of leaving room for the readers to interpret the story, letting the story resonate with them and their unique experiences. From the start, my intention for this book is for it to be about ALL big emotions, and not pigeonhole it to just a few emotions. I learned from early drafts and working with my editor that by naming a specific emotion, your readers will only interpret the story with that emotion in mind.
Young children's prefrontal cortex region of their brain is still not fully developed, and they can experience highly intense emotions like grief or rage from just not being able to wear their favorite shoes. I wanted my book to be relatable to readers of all ages and make them feel seen and understood in their emotional journeys.
Question 3: If you could travel back in time, what advice would you give yourself as a new author?
I would tell myself not to be swayed or crippled by all the doubts and fears, to trust in my instincts more, and to write from the heart. During the lowest of my lows, faced with all those rejections, I felt so lost and started to doubt this dream of creating my own picture books. I pondered if I was truly cut out for being a writer and wondered if I should just stick to illustrating other people's stories. I'm so glad I was able to ride that storm out and persisted! Dreams do come true.
Question 4: What inspires you as a writer?
It can be anything! Life is full of inspiration, whether it's observations of nature, precious moments between people, my own childhood memories, a moving song, or a magical piece of artwork... Whatever the inspiration may be, it has to be something that I find fascinating or have a strong passion for to be invested enough to develop that inspiration into a full-blown story. Picture books take so long and so much effort to create; it's so easy to get burnt out, and I have to be selective with my time and attention. There is a reason why we call it a labor of love!
Question 5: What’s one book you think every kidlit author should read?
That is such a TOUGH question! There are so many I can gush about. Can I be a rebel and name more than one? Wait – rebels don't ask, so I'm just going to do it!
For humor: The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales written by Jon Scieszka and illustrated by Lane Smith.
For retelling of old fairytales: After the Fall by Dan Santat
For magical and heart: Manolo and the Unicorn by Jackie Azúa Kramer and Jonah Kramer, illustrated by Zack Manbeck
For emotionally heartfelt and empowering: Big by Vashti Harrison
And for mind-blowingly deep with layers of meaning: I'll Get To The Bottom Of This! written by Daniel Kwan and illustrated by Sean Lewis
Bonus Question: What can fans look forward to next?
My newest book, Nunu and the Sea, with Knopf Books for Young Readers, came out on October 14th, 2025!! I'm so excited to share this with the world!
I'm embarrassed to admit, I'm currently working on updating my website with all the information still. For now, you can find all the links here: Isabella’s Linktree
Also, I just wrapped up illustrating Jia has a Dog Problem by Stephanie Ellen Sy and am currently working on Harry the Hairiest by Laurenne Sala, both scheduled to release in 2026!
Isabella Kung is an author and illustrator who delights in mixing humor, heart, and irresistible characters. She’s the creator of Nunu and the Sea (Knopf, Fall 2025), No Fuzzball!, and No Snowball! (Scholastic), and has illustrated many other books and projects — including 123 Cats and ABC Cats by Lesléa Newman (Candlewick), which were listed in Bank Street College of Education’s Best Children’s Books of the Year 2022 edition.
Her award-winning work has been recognized by the Society of Illustrators, Spectrum Fantasy Art, 3x3, Creative Quarterly, SCBWI, and the International Cat Writers Association, and exhibited in galleries in America, Spain, and Singapore. With over a decade of teaching experience at various institutions (Academy of Art University, California College of Arts, Etchr Lab), Isabella currently shares her passion for storytelling and art at Storyteller Academy.
She is represented by Jennifer Laughran at Andrea Brown Literary Agency.
Visit her online at www.isabellakung.com and on Instagram @isabellakungill
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