New Kirkus Review for Astound Illustrator Steph Lew!
Published on 18/09/2023
We are absolutely delighted by the recently published Kirkus Review of Kailei Pew’s “The Monster Above The Bed”, illustrated by Astound US Inc. artist, Steph Lew!
The review complimented Lew’s bright illustrations as joyous, creating a fantastical world that seems to defy our understanding of the world as a whole. Take a look at the interview here!
The book is described as fantastical, inquisitive, and joyful – a “welcome addition to the canon of books exploring this popular childhood fear…A fun look at monsters above and below the bed.” “The Monster Above The Bed” celebrates the unity of a friendship that defies fear and the bonds two very different children can make.
This vibrant book was written by the brilliant Kailei Pew and published by Clarion as well as HarperCollins.
The ITSme Society is a collective of top creative agencies that represent award-winning talent worldwide. The ITSme Society agencies represent illustrators and writers across 7 agencies: Advocate Art, Astound US Inc, Illo Agency, Artistique, Yeon, CWLA, and Collaborate.
Other News
No Client Work? No Problem. Here’s How to Build a Portfolio That Gets You Hired
“I don’t have any client work, what do I even put in my portfolio?” This is one of the more common worries we hear from illustrators who are new to developing their portfolios, but we want to encourage you to reframe this question: Having no client work isn’t a weakness, try to view this as…
Make the Right Connections – Be the Name they Remember
How do you connect with clients and agents? It’s a question that comes up again and again, and often you will hear people focus on visibility, being seen at the right events, posting your work constantly and having a strong presence on social media. But connection isn’t just about being visible. It’s about being remembered,…
What Happens in an ITSme Mentorship? A Week-by-Week Breakdown
Imagine having a guide who not only understands the creative path an individual wants to walk, but also has the knowledge and tools to help them get there – successfully. That’s the core of the ITSme Learning Mentorship. Whether someone is a student, a young professional at the beginning of their career, or an artist…
Announcing Our Very First Picture Book Course!
We are extremely excited to announce our first picture book class and mentorship program, in a collaboration between Caroline Wakeman Literary Agency and multi-talented author-illustrator Sally Anne Garland. Your Picture Book Journey: How to Write and Illustrate Your Own Picture Book is a 12-week course for writers, illustrators, and visual storytellers ready to bring their…
Why Every Illustrator Portfolio Needs a Stand-Out Character (Yes, Even Yours)
When you’re thinking about our favourite stories as a child, we often think about the narrative, the themes, perhaps a particular quote that stood out, but the most memorable elements are always the characters. The reason the characters always stay in our minds is because they are the gateway to the narrative, and all of…
Trend Watch: YA Illustrated Covers
Over the past few years, illustrated covers have become a defining visual language in the Young Adult (YA) and New Adult (NA) book market. And no, this isn’t just a passing trend—it’s a design evolution powered by the viral force of #BookTok, #bookgirlies, and a growing appetite for genre-fluid storytelling. Hear what’s driving the…