From nonprofit executive to homeschooling mom to children’s book author-illustrator, the path of Erika Lynne Jones’ life is one she would have never drawn up. And though she spends most afternoons sketching, painting or creating collages in her Plano home, she’s still getting used to calling herself an “artist.”
Jones is the illustrator behind the fun and quirky art that brings two new picture books to life: The Loud Librarian, written by Jenna Beatrice and Black Girls: A Celebration of You, written by Dominique Furukawa, due out September 26. Now she’s at work illustrating her own children’s book, which will be published by Harper Collins.
It’s all a new venture for the mom of three, who didn’t discover her artistic calling until she was in her 40s. “Nobody in third grade was saying ‘this child should pursue art,’” Jones laughed when we chatted with her recently about her work as an illustrator and a mom. “I didn’t have special talents, I cultivated them. You can always learn. And this feels very right.”
Interview with Erika Lynne Jones
DFWChild: What was the journey that led to you becoming an illustrator?
Erika Lynne Jones: I’ve always seen myself as a writer but not necessarily an artist—that didn’t start for me until much later. About nine years ago my mom passed away and to deal with it, I had a desire to make art, to make beautiful things because she liked beautiful things. It just made me feel closer to her.
So I took any class I could find online–watercolor, drawing. I took one on how to draw characters for picture books and I loved that so much that I started taking more and more. Ultimately, I learned how to get an agent and put a portfolio together. I became agented in 2020 and got offers soon after.
“I also want children to know it’s OK to have normal emotions—to be angry or disappointed—and that there are healthy ways to feel and process that.”
DFWChild: Was this a talent you didn’t know you had?
ELJ: Yes, very much a surprise. I got together with my sister at Christmas and had a sketchbook out and she was like, ‘you’re an artist? You make art?’ Nobody knew. People I went to high school with were like ‘I didn’t know you were an artist.’ And I was like, I didn’t know either!
DFWChild: Do your children ever inform your work?
ELJ: When I submitted characters for The Loud Librarian, they narrowed it down to the one and said they really loved her, but they wanted me to make her louder. I didn’t know what they meant but it was my first time illustrating a book, and I felt like I should just know. So, I didn’t ask, I just said OK (laughs).
Lo and behold my youngest daughter Sasha comes into the room getting ready for a play date and she has on this rainbow jumper, a top with designs all over the sleeves and these striped leggings. I was like “are you going to wear that?” I didn’t criticize it, but to myself I thought, that is so loud. And it was an a-ha moment; I was able to translate that to the outfit to the character. I sent it to them and they said, ‘that’s perfect, she is it.’
DFWChild: What values are important in the projects you work on?
ELJ: I think children get important messages about their value and their worthiness by seeing themselves in pictures and in stories. I like to make sure that people who maybe aren’t normally represented, see themselves. You can only do so much with one picture book, but so much can be taught and healed through that. I also want children to know it’s OK to have normal emotions—to be angry or disappointed—and that there are healthy ways to feel and process that. The younger we can teach kids that, the healthier everybody will be.
DFWChild: What was your favorite book as a kid?
ELJ: The Best Time of Day by Valerie Flournoy and illustrated by George Ford. It was one of the few at the time that I had in my personal library that had an African American family. It wasn’t something I even knew was missing until I read it, and I was drawn to it, it made me happy. And in the book, this child’s best time of day is when he’s home in the evening with his parents. As a kid I liked being at home with my family, it was when I felt safest and the most loved. So, I could really relate to that.
DFWChild: You homeschool your three daughters. What drew you to that?
ELJ: It helped that I had a friend who was doing it and doing it well. It might not have been on my radar if I hadn’t seen it. I liked that there didn’t seem to be barriers of age–kids played with each other over all ages. And I liked that the kids really seemed to know themselves. But if there was one word, I think it’s that I wanted freedom. I didn’t want to necessarily be bound to the schools’ schedule in life. And I wanted the freedom to choose the pieces and parts that we focused on.
DFWChild: What’s surprised you most about parenting?
ELJ: How consumed you become with what your kids are experiencing, whether that’s not-so-good stuff like seeing them struggle on the sports field or not getting selected for something they tried out for or dealing with a bullying situation. Even if it’s a win it can feel consuming. You feel like it’s happening to you even if it’s not.
DFWChild: What’s your favorite thing about being a mom?
ELJ: I love cuddling! But also, I love that they’re fun to hang out with. They’re funny and smart and I like to see how they see the world. They’re great people, and I helped in creating them. To me that is very cool.
DFWChild: Are there any hard-and-fast rules in your house?
ELJ: I’m not really big on pronouncing rules. Anything I could say—don’t hit your sister, don’t stay up past that time—it’s been broken (laughs). I want them to know they are unconditionally loved. I can’t think of anything they could do or rule that they could break that would change that.
DFWChild: Tell us about a recent proud mom moment?
ELJ: I could call out one thing, like a good grade on a test, but it’s actually the little things, like realizing that they care about people who don’t live in our house. When they ask about someone who was sick or I see them hold the door for someone. That they’re thoughtful of other people makes me feel like, OK they’re good people. And that makes me really proud.
Erika Lynne Jones’ Favorites & Must-Haves
Our Mom Next Door shares her favorite kids’ books, date spots and more.
Top 3 Kids’ Books
What books does a children’s book author-illustrator read to her kids? Erika loves Snuggle Puppy by Sandra Boynton, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin, Jr. and John Archambault and Every Little Thing by Cedella Marley, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton. “The thing that those all have in common is that they’re singing books,” says Erika. “I loved reading them, singing them, to my kids.”
Mommy Must-Have
For Texas summers Erika swears by Black Girl Sunscreen, a brand created with black skin and darker skin tones in mind. “We like it because it’s not made with a lot of chemicals, it’s made with zinc oxide. And it actually rubs in—it doesn’t leave the white streaks all over.” From $9.99.
Date Night Go-To
“We like places where we can go and walk and be spontaneous, pick a restaurant,” Erika says. On a night out with her husband Corey, they might head to The Shops at Legacy in Plano or stroll Deep Ellum. “We like to go out to eat, and we’re both artistic so we like a show, a play, a performance, or going somewhere we can listen to music.”
Best-Loved Book Stops
“I love Interabang Books,” says Erika. “It’s a gathering place for people who love books, and they always have activities and events.”
As for libraries? Erika heads to Schimelpfenig Library in her hometown because it’s close, convenient, and always full of new finds. The Richardson Public Library is another favorite. “It’s pretty cool and inspiring, visually,” she says. “I went there when I was looking for inspiration for the book.”
Sweet Quality Time
For bonding time, Erika and her girls love unique experiences—especially if food is involved. A favorite find is Chocolate Secrets, a boutique and café featuring artisanal chocolates and live music. “We like to go somewhere special where we can all try a bunch of things,” she says.
