The Picture Book Buzz - Interview w/Cynthia Mackey and VIkki Zhang

Cynthia Mackey poetry appears in The Toy, The Dirigible Balloon and Little Thoughts Press, Hit the Road magazine. She was mentored by highly acclaimed Canadian author, Jean E. Pendziwol.

With a Bachelor of Education degree, Cynthia  has devoted her life to early years education. She presents workshops for colleagues and mentors new educators in the Early Years field. She views children as capable beings and works to bring elements of joy, playfulness, and social-emotional learning to her writing. Cynthia lives with her husband in Victoria, Canada.

This is her debut picture book. 

Vikki Zhang (张文绮) is a Chinese illustrator and comic artist based in Shanghai. With a love of textile and fashion, she is the founder and art director behind the innovative Neo-Chinese kids' fashion brand, NIANYI年衣(IG:@nianyi.official ). She began illustrating professionally since 2018, when she graduated from School of Visual Art MFA program.

Her artistic creation spans a wide range of disciplines, from official gifts for the 2024 Paris Olympics, pages of The New York Times and The Washington Post, fashion campaigns for Kering, GUCCI, Burberry, FILA, visual designs for Fujifilm, Tencent, Marvis, ADC New York, the Chinese Silk Museum, Asia Society Texas, and Chinatown London, to name a few.

She has illustrated and designed covers for over 50 books, including The Lucky Red Envelope: A lift-the-flap Lunar New Year Celebration (2023) and The Whole World Inside Nan's Soup by Hunter Liguore (2021).

Their newest picture book, If a Bumblebee Lands on Your Toe, releases on May 6th.

Welcome Cynthia and Vikki,

Tell us a little about yourselves. (Where/when do you write or illustrate? How long have you been writing or illustrating? What is your favorite type of book to write or illustrate?

CYNTHIA – I’ve been writing for children since 2015. I would write in my spare time when I was waiting for my children at their sports or music practices. I love writing picture books and more specifically, books that deal with the natural world and social emotional learning because I think picture books are great tools for teaching when the message is embedded in the story in a gentle, non-didactic way. I’ve always admired Julie Fogliano’s lyrical style of writing. I write fiction and narrative non-fiction. Writing helps me stay curious and gives me opportunities to learn more about nature myself.

Even though I started writing only about ten years ago, I’ve always been a writer and have done journal writing ever since I was a child. I consider it free therapy. I’m not even kidding. It helps me tremendously.

Writing picture books seemed natural after reading so many to my own children and the children I teach in preschool. Seeing their love for them sparked a curiosity in me to find out if I could write them myself. I wanted to create something that could be loved by a child.

VIKKI - Hello, I’m an illustrator based in Shanghai. I started illustrating children’s books during my freshman year of college. Later, I studied at the School of Visual Arts in New York and began working professionally as an illustrator.

The books I enjoy illustrating the most are those that allow me not just to visually translate the text, but to add depth—offering readers a new layer or perspective to experience the story. I also love designing environments, original characters, their costumes, and more. If a book gives me room to explore these elements, I have so much fun bringing it to life.

It is so great to meet you both! What is one of the most fun or unusual places where you’ve written or illustrated a manuscript?

CYNTHIA – I’d say the most fun places I’ve ever worked on a manuscript was on the train. I was traveling from Ottawa to Toronto, and it was about a five-hour trip. I was well set up for writing and it was great because there weren’t too many distractions. Every now and then, I’d look out the window and watch the scenery go by. I had all the food, tea, and coffee I needed so it was perfect! And no interruptions. That was the best part.

VIKKI - The first spread! Before I came up with the idea for it, I was struggling—should I illustrate this book in a simple and naïve style, which I felt others might do better than I could? Or should I find an unexpected approach that only I could bring to the table? That second path required more time and experimentation, but ultimately, I chose it.

The first spread marks the moment when the idea of a human-figured bumblebee flying through a theater in the ballerina’s dream clicked and worked. I especially love the soft pink shadow of the bumblebee sneaking in from the left side—it felt like the perfect way to open the story.

Cynthia, writing on a long train journey sounds like so much fun! And Vikki, I am glad you took the second path. Cynthia, what was your inspiration or spark of interest for If a Bumblebee Lands on Your Toe? 

CYNTHIA - If a Bumblebee Lands on Your Toe was a book I thought about for a long time before writing it. I’d been thinking about how much we depend on bees as pollinators and how it would be wonderful if people were less afraid of them. What if instead of thinking of bees as pests, we could live in greater harmony with them? I thought a book about overcoming fear of bees could also be a metaphor for other fears we need to overcome.

The first spark for the story happened when there was a bee’s nest in the playground at our preschool and there was no way to remove the nest without disturbing the bees. We had to find a way to co-exist.

I can imagine the challenge that must have been! Vikki, what about If a Bumblebee Lands on Your Toe manuscript appealed to you as an illustrator? 

VIKKI - When I first received Cynthia’s manuscript, I happened to be reading The Power of Now, a book about mindfulness—and I immediately felt a deep resonance with her words. Cynthia’s writing is as fresh and original as a summer raindrop in a forest, full of quiet wonder. The simplicity of her text carries layers of meaning and leaves space for interpretation. As an illustrator, I felt trusted and free to visually unfold these nuances in a way that could fully immerse the reader.

I love learning an illustrator's first impression of a manuscript. What was the hardest or most challenging thing for each of you about writing or illustrating If a Bumblebee Lands on Your Toe?

CYNTHIA - Probably the most difficult part was when I submitted an earlier draft of the story to CANSCAIP’s Writing for Children Competition back in 2018. I had written it in a completely different voice and the feedback I got was less than encouraging and difficult to hear. But, part of developing as a writer means getting feedback, even if it means you have a lot to work on.

Because the feedback is given by volunteers, I didn’t get it until months after submitting the manuscript. I felt disappointed and I shelved it. A couple of years later I rewrote it in a new lyrical voice. There was a moment early in 2021 when I was out with my nature preschool class having a picnic and a bumblebee did land on a child’s ankle. It made me think about how differently we each respond when we are afraid of something. It also made me think about how much all the time in nature was helping our preschool children to be more calm and centered about everything, even when they were not allowed to go to friend’s houses or have birthday parties.

VIKKI - As I mentioned, the biggest challenge was how to represent a simple story with subtle transition of emotion using a rich visual language. I was drawn to the idea of creating a sophisticated, layered world that would contrast and complement Cynthia’s minimal text.

I also believe that the universe sends signs to guide us. Around that time, I was in Paris and had just visited the Palais Garnier—a place I had dreamed of seeing since childhood, ever since I became enchanted by The Phantom of the Opera. Theater has always captivated me—how writing, costume, stage design, lighting, and music come together to bring a story to life. That fascination led me to approach the book’s visuals as if I were designing a theatrical performance, setting the stage for the bumblebee’s journey.

Thank you both for your honest responses. How many revisions did If a Bumblebee Lands on Your Toe take for the text or illustrations - from first draft to publication?

CYNTHIA - With the first version, I probably did ten drafts or so. And the second, more lyrical version had a few drafts as well. Next, I had to do a revise and resubmit for Luyang Xue, the editor at Yeehoo Press, but in the end, we went with the version I had submitted in my original query.

VIKKI - Not too many—maybe two or three rounds. The first round focused on the sketch board to explore how the story would flow visually across the pages. I remember one of the editors suggested strengthening the connections between spreads, as the first draft felt more like a series of dazzling standalone illustrations rather than a cohesive sequence.

For example, the boat in the third spread also appears subtly inside the ballerina’s large dress in the second spread. You can find many small visual details like that, weaving the pages together in a way that mirrors the emotional transitions in the text.

Cynthia, when you first saw Vikki’s illustrations did anything surprise, amaze, or delight you? Which is your favorite spread?

CYNTHIA - Everything I saw of Vikki’s illustrations did exactly that. It either surprised, amazed, delighted me or all three! She had such a creative vision for the book. For example, I love how she took the cues from the manuscript for the color palette she used throughout the book.

By making the first page a ticket to a performance, she brings in so many gorgeous layers. Layers of nature, layers of stage fright, layers of the ‘monkey mind’ – I think of this as the way our minds wander and worrying thoughts swirl around in such random ways. There’s layers of music, theatre, and dance. There’s even the chandelier from the Paris Opera House! There is so much delightful storytelling packed into the book. 

Text © Cynthia Mackey, 2025. Image © Vikki Zhang, 2025.

One of my favorite spreads is the snail under the daisy. If you look closely, you’ll find the ants and the giraffe too. It’s all there but readers will need to search a little to find it, just as we do when we’re out in nature. It’s the kind of book you’ll want to read over again, whether you’re a child or an adult.

This spread is amazing. The illustrations and text definitely both hold jewels to discover with each read. Vikki, is there a spread that you were especially excited about or proud of? Or perhaps one which is your favorite spread? 

Text © Cynthia Mackey, 2025. Image © Vikki Zhang, 2025.

VIKKI  - I love the second spread, plus the one where the lion walks onto the stage, followed by the ballerinas dancing in bumblebee-colored dresses. It captures the dreamlike atmosphere I envisioned for the book.

Dream-like and theatrical would be my description of the illustrations. What's something each of you want your readers to know about If a Bumblebee Lands on Your Toe?

CYNTHIA - I’d like readers to know we are more connected to nature than we may realize. We have something in common with the bumblebee, the giraffe, the fox, and all creatures you can imagine. Some that you’ve encountered and some you may have only read about, but the connection is there. Think about a bunny, for example. When it’s afraid, it becomes completely still. It doesn’t even move a whisker. In the same way as the bunny, humans also can freeze in the face of fear.

VIKKI - With If a Bumble Bee Lands on Your Toes, I hope readers will step into a world that feels like a whimsical music box—drifting into a dream, awakening with the main character, and ultimately absorbing the quiet strength of nature. Just as a great theater performance lingers in our hearts, I hope this book leaves a lasting impression, nurturing the imagination and spirit.

I think that this book will definitely fulfill these dreams. Cynthia, what was the most fun part of writing If a Bumblebee Lands on Your Toe? 

CYNTHIA - The fun part was thinking about all the different animals and birds children may or may not have encountered and what we have in common with them, and how that shared experience we have as living beings can bring us together. Especially if we understand that fear is a part of that common experience, and so is the feeling of overcoming fear.

I can see where that would be a lot of fun! Vikki, many illustrators leave treasures or weave an element throughout the illustrations. Did you do this in If a Bumblebee Lands on Your Toe? If so, could you share one or more with us?

VIKKI - Yes! In the blue-toned spread with the giant owl and bear, I drew the bear as a mother cuddling her baby even though the text doesn’t mention it. I felt it’s a better approach than drawing a single hibernating bear to reflect the mood of this paragraph. That idea was inspired by a visit to a dear friend from Colombia who had just given birth to her son.

Aw, I love this addition of yours! Are there any upcoming books or new projects you are working on now that you can share a tidbit with us?

CYNTHIA - My next book, Butterfly Sea, is a narrative non-fiction story of two siblings at cross purposes – one loves to dress up and play, and the other is a wannabe photographer. The story touches on butterfly gardening and classification of butterflies and will be published by Tielmour Press, hopefully in December 2025 if all goes according to plan. Illustrations will be by Marie-Laure Couet, who is from Quebec. It’s an all Canadian picture book.

I am working on a few other narrative non-fiction picture books with themes of acceptance, themes of sharing natural spaces between humans and wildlife, and another one with a theme of blame and understanding mistakes, and forgiveness. I think children can relate to the small things like the insects they discover when they’re outdoors – ants, pill bugs, and crickets so my books are often about those kinds of topics.

I am also working on an early chapter book series and that’s new territory for me, but I’m excited about branching out into writing other kinds of books. My son was a huge fan of the Magic Treehouse Series. It was the series that hooked him on reading for life. I’d love to write a series that could do that for children.

VIKKI - I’m about to begin work on a new picture book centered around a tea party. I’m excited.

Sounds intriguing. We will have to keep our eyes open for your upcoming projects. Last question,  what is your favorite National Park or Forest, regional park, or city park? Or the one you’re longing to visit. Why? 

CYNTHIA - I’m glad you asked about parks and forests. I’m really grateful for the neighborhood parks that we have within walking distance of my home and my work. One of my favorite parks is East Sooke Park on Vancouver Island and that’s because it’s so scenic. It’s more of a drive for us, but the trail takes you alongside the ocean and can see the coast almost the entire time with the ocean on one side and a grand forest on the other. The last time I was there, I saw a bobcat near the parking lot, and in the ocean, there were Northern Elephant Seals swimming past. Sometimes you can see Orca whales there. 

VIKKI - My favorite park is Regent’s Park in London. I visited once in July, when the rose garden was in full bloom—it was breathtaking. I also love the way the trees are perfectly trimmed and aligned along the avenue; the whole park is so delicately and elegantly organized.

I’m longing to visit Yellowstone National Park in the U.S. The vast landscapes and natural wonders there are something I’ve always dreamed of seeing in person.

Thank you Cynthia & Viki for sharing with us a bit about yourselves and your new picture book.

To find out more about Cynthia Mackey, or to contact her:

Website: https://www.booksbycindy.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/books.by.cindy

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cindy.mackey.90

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/booksbycindy.bsky.social

To find out more about Vikki Zhang, or to contact her:

Website: https://vikkizhang.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/0717vikki/

Behance: https://www.behance.net/Vicky_Zhang