The Picture Book Buzz - Interview with Lauren Briére
Lauren Briére is an author/illustrator who watches too many movies and eats popcorn as a meal more often than not. She grew up in Wrentham, MA. She works from Austin, TX now and runs multiple projects from home.
Her professional artists resume consists of work ranging from children’s book illustration, animated music videos (two of which for the awesomely sweet band, The Weepies), and quirky painting series made for her own amusement.
Lauren’s debut picture book, Alphabot Adventures, releases March 18th.
Tell us a little about yourself. (Where/when do you write or illustrate? How long have you been writing and illustrating?)
I work as much as I can from home on my kitchen table! I converted my one car garage into a workshop to do the business side of artist life and I’m happiest creating in my cozy kitchen. I’ve been professionally making paintings of robots since 2014 and started making books about them in 2020 as a pandemic project.
What is one of the most fun or unusual places where you’ve created an illustration?
I came up with some of my best sketch ideas while crammed in the middle seat of a flight. The lady on my right was amused while the gentleman on my left was not.
Ha! Well, I suppose the laughs are on him. What was your inspiration or spark of interest for Alphabot Adventures?
I wanted to somehow capture a younger audience with my sweet n’ sad Bots and I realized that there are so many alphabet books out there. Something clicked in my brain, and I wanted to add my work into the mix of options out there.
You have succeeded in doing that very nicely. What is the hardest or most challenging thing about writing and illustrating Alphabot Adventures? And what was the most fun?
The hardest part was trying to be original with wording especially for some particular letters like Q or X. There are not many unique wording options that haven’t already been done!
The BEST part was when I could have fun hiding some items in each page that started with that letter.
Those two letters are the particular bane for most ABC books. Which comes first, the text or the illustration?
The text came first so I could make sure the main focus of the image was included but then I could “run with it” and branch out & add on.
How many revisions did the illustrations take from first draft to publication?
After getting the initial sketch out, it only takes some adjustments here and there until I’m happy with it. Sometimes if I over think it I “muddy it up” and lose interest in it. When it comes to my work I trust my first instincts.
That is easy to do with writing as well. Is there a spread that you were especially excited about or proud of? Or perhaps one which is your favorite spread? (I love “F Bot's found family.”)
Text & Image © Lauren Briére, 2025.
My absolute favorite is T Bot. Almost every item you see starts with T!
And poor "T Bot's typewriter looks almost as rusty as he is. Many illustrators leave treasures or weave special images (or elements) throughout the illustrations. Did you do this in Alphabot Adventures? If so, could you share one or more with us?
It is not on all of them, but many of my bots have a rusted out heart on their armor somewhere.
It was fun to look for the hearts and where you hid the letter in the pictures (often on the robots). What's something you want your readers to know about Alphabot Adventures?
This is just the beginning! I’ve fallen down a whimsical educational rabbit hole filled with categorical learning and alliterative phrasing to help make the imagery make a mark in all those young at heart.
Can't wait to see what you do next. Are there any specific new projects you are working on now that you can share a tidbit with us?
I am currently pulling in ideas for the next book! It could be about different vehicles ranging from tricycles to space rockets that could help a robot get to where it wants to go or it could be about some of the very important and cool jobs out there that help make our world function a little better like Zamboni Drivers and Veterinarians.
Both sound very intriguing. We will have to keep our eyes open for your next book. Last question, what is your favorite National Park or Forest, regional park, or city park (anywhere in the world)? Or the one you’re longing to visit. Why?
I wish I could go back in time and see the redwood forests before they were chopped down. I’m sure it was a magical place like those we’ve imagined in books and movies.
The Redwoods are so impressive now, but seeing the area before any logging would have been very humbling and mind boggling. Thank you, Lauren, for sharing with us a bit about yourself and your debut picture book.
Be sure to back on Friday for the Perfect Picture Book #PPBF post on Alphabot Adventures.
To find out more about Lauren Briére, or to contact her:
Website: https://www.robotsinrowboats.com/
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