Your illustrations often blend watercolour with collage, creating rich and immersive worlds. How did you approach illustrating Tree to capture the scale and beauty of the mountain ash?

Claire and I were very lucky to be able to travel to the incredible Mount Toolebewong area and spend a day with a ranger visiting the Mountain Ash there and experiencing the lush environment they live in (luckily, all Melbournites can - it isn't far away at all!). I also had a variety of other sources, like books, videos and even a bag of leaf litter collected by a friend who lives near Mountain Ash. It was wonderful to have so many resources to explore these beautiful trees and their world. It environment is so wet and complex, from soil and leaf litter to these huge tree canopies, that I loved exploring texture, wet watercolour layers and collage to try and recreate the feelings and sights from this memorable day.

You've collaborated with Claire Saxby before on Iceberg, which explored the ocean. What was it like shifting from a marine environment to the intricate ecosystem of a towering tree?


The strange thing was it wasn't that different as Claire's texts beautifully describe both of these connected worlds in such detail and poetry. And as a nature lover I love learning about any environment and the delicate plant and animal chains that inhabit them. We are working on a new book now, and once again I am deep diving into a new environment with gusto!

The fold-out page in Tree is such a striking feature! Can you share how that idea came about and what it was like illustrating the full height of the tree?

We had the chance to do a fold out like Iceberg - but I was keen to go vertical this time to really drive through that message of the grand tallness of the tree! It was very exciting and intimidating to be working on a big space like this, but we wanted to share all the life around, in and on the tree so all that space gave me a lot of room to draw so many plants, insects, birds, funghi etc. And once again, it almost crashed my computer with the amount of Photoshop layers I used!

Your art brings a sense of wonder and discovery to nature-based stories. What do you hope young readers take away from Tree—both visually and emotionally?

Thank you so much! I really do hope they feel the wonder of this tree, as I did being there in person in the forest. I think Claire's note at the end that I get to handwrite really explains our message - which is that these trees, like an iceberg, are home for so many and an important part of our environment. The health of our forest, like the health of Antarctica and other special places, is really connected to the health of our planet and our future. We hope all readers share a sense of protection and care for these grand, often old beauties.

From school visits to working in your home studio, you balance many aspects of being a creator. How does interacting with young readers influence your approach to storytelling and illustration?

My own kids are growing up, so I am not around very young kids as often any more. I am so lucky to be able to do school visits to remind me of the wonderful minds and creative power of kids! It reminds me of the end reader - I think if I never hung out with young readers I might forget who is actually reading the story at the end - and also I get so many zany ideas from kids (some, who want their pets illustrated in my next book). Really I am very lucky to do this as a job, and I am reminded of that every day whether working from home or visiting a school.

In the 'Illustration Styles' episode of Story Tools Series 2, you share insights into your creative process. Could you tell us more about what you discuss in the episode and why you believe resources like Story Tools are valuable for Middle and Upper Primary students exploring storytelling and illustration?

I loved doing these videos, they were so fun to do. On the Illustration Styles episode I really wanted to tell creators not to stress their work out trying to find a style - just make a LOT of work and their style will emerge organically. I loved sharing more details behind the scenes working as an illustrator, and some of the tools I use - and how they also develop my style. I would say these video tools are valuable for all ages - I've gone back to watch the series again and again as there are so many great story tips from all the illustrators and authors there!


Find Jess Racklyeft on StoryBox here.