I just received preliminary sketches for “The Boy Who Wanted to Fly” from my talented illustrator, Max Rambaldi, and I want to share them with you. The storyboard is complete, and Max is moving on to the next phase of the project: adding color to bring these wonderful illustrations to life.
For those new to my author’s journey, “The Boy Who Wanted to Fly” is a children’s picture book about young Max (a charming coincidence that he shares a name with my illustrator!) and his little sister Maya. Max, in a wheelchair, dreams of flying. With sticks, string, and a lot of determination, the two siblings set out to build something that can touch the sky.
Max Rambaldi is a pleasure to work with, and I’m enjoying our collaboration. She’s an artist who has fully taken my story to heart. Her depictions of Max and Maya capture their personalities perfectly: Max’s curiosity and determination are evident in his expressions, while Maya’s lively spirit energizes every scene. My illustrator brings her creative vision to each scene, adding little artistic touches that make each illustration feel real and authentic.
This post contains some sketches from the black and white storyboard. It’s thrilling to see illustrations breathing life into my words, making the story leap off the page for young readers. The sketches are just the beginning, of course, being the foundation for a full-colored picture book that should launch by the end of August 2025.
I’ll share the first colored pages as soon as they’re ready. Stay tuned for more updates!