Auri is an artist and designer. She has worked in advertising, but her first love has always been book design and illustration. She is based in Quezon City, Philippines. Let’s hear more about how she got started with children’s books.
What languages do your/your family speak?
We speak Filipino and English.
At what age did you know you wanted to be an illustrator?
I come from a family of artists that go way back to the 18th century. When I was about 3 years old, my dad gave me crayons, a brush and watercolor set. I remember drawing a giraffe and discovering the crayon resist technique. From then on I knew that art was what would give me joy all my life 🙂
What was your inspiration for writing/ illustrating children’s books?
Books that my dad gave me as a child fueled my creativity. And hours my mom and I spent reading those books are still some of my most precious childhood memories. Now, I draw to fuel young kids’ curiosity and imagination and foster that parent-child bonding.
Which word is your favorite from the book and why?
Takbo! It has a sense of urgency and adventure when spoken. Perfect picker-upper for active young minds.
What future book ideas are you working on?
My publisher has other graphic books for learning lined up for me to illustrate. I’d be pleased to share them with you once they’re out!
What is your favorite Filipino food?
I have a lot! But nothing beats fresh mangoes and seafood ginataang, a seafood dish cooked in coconut milk.
We’re giving away 1 paperback copy of Takbo! Mga Pandiwa by Auri Asuncion Yambao. Click the link below to enter the contest (open to US residents only), starts 7/19/19 3:00pm PST to 7/25/19 1159pm PST.