What inspired the story for Beyond the Hill?
I was inspired by an oak tree that had a perfect little seat at its roots. The tree was magical, and I imagined what it would be like if the tree talked to me. I began to write a story about the friendship between a curious tree and an adventurous girl. After many revisions, this story became the book Beyond the Hill.
What's your favorite picture, and why?
There are so many! My current favorite is the picture when the young woman returns from her travels to Europe. I've done a bit of traveling this year and visited some of the places in the illustrations. I'm accidentally and on purpose living the adventures from Beyond the Hill.
After reading Beyond the Hill, what would you like readers to feel?
I want readers to feel inspired by possibility and connected to everyone and everything.
