Welcome to #TheQuickSixInterview with Sally Soweol Han!
It’s such a pleasure to welcome CBCA Award-Winning New Illustrator (2023), Sally Soweol Han to our blog to share her beautiful, joyous new picture book, Nightsong. This gorgeous, rhythmic melody of nighttime sounds in a story of a curious, wandering boy in the midst of nature, is a combination of aural and visual delights that young readers will listen to, wonder about, and simply adore. Thanks, Sally! 🙂
About the Author
Sally Soweol (pronounced as So-Wol) Han is a Sydney based illustrator. She has always loved to draw and dreamt of pursuing a passion filled career. She quickly fell in love with picture book illustrations, which Sally thought of as a truly magical world with all its never-ending ways to explore, learn, and be transported using our imagination.
Sally’s favourite part of creating work is sketching the ideas in the initial stage which allows her to explore and push her imagination to go beyond. She is forever fascinated with textures that can only be produced through traditional techniques, so most of her illustrations are hand drawn and painted.
Sally creates stories and illustrations of whimsical work for picture books, in the hopes of delivering warmth and joy to readers of all ages.
Visit Sally Soweol Han at her website: Sally Soweol Han (sallyhanillustration.com) and Instagram
Nightsong can be purchased via UQP online and in all good bookstores.
WHO wrote, illustrated and published this book?
Nightsong is written and illustrated by Sally Soweol Han and published by UQP.
WHAT is it about?
The book is about a boy who discovers precious treasure within the natural world by following nocturnal melodies. It is filled with onomatopoeia, and the sounds you could hear at nighttime if you listen carefully to the sounds of nature.
What is your favourite part of this book?
I have several favourite parts in the book, making it hard to choose just one! In one of them, readers can have fun observing all kinds of people’s reactions after an unexpected event occurs in this scene!
WHEN did you begin writing this book?
I started working on this near the end of last year. The time given for this book didn’t feel like it would be quite enough but my publisher Clair guided me with confidence and support.
When is its release / launch date?
The publication is on 3 October, so it is out now!
WHERE did the inspiration for this book come from?
My publisher Clair and I looked through some of my portfolio work, and Clair suggested creating a story based on some recent work. I tried from a few images to create stories from and Nightsong was our pick!
WHY is this book meaningful to you?
Nightsong originated from one of my personal portfolio works, and I never would have thought that it would become my second picture book story. While in the process of creating it, I was also in the midst of preparing for my upcoming wedding. And as a personal touch, I named the boy in the story after my husband’s English name, Lewis. So it’s meaningful on its own.
Why would its message resonate with readers?
Nightsong celebrates nature and curiosity, particularly for little ones who are often brimming with questions and curiosity. I hope this book entertains everyone both audibly and visually.
HOW do you feel about the illustrations / cover design? How do they convey the feeling or mood you envisioned?
I am absolutely happy to say that I love how it turned out. With the black/grey monotones in the background, the contrasting colour will effectively grab and hold the readers’ attention. And Stephanie Spartels, who also designed my first picture book, is always spectacular at her job.
How have you promoted this book and how can we find it?
I’ll be sharing the process of creating Nightsong on my Instagram @sallyhan_illustration! It can be purchased from the UQP website.
Otherwise, it can also be found in any local bookstores and online bookshops.
OTHER information or experiences you’d like to share?
I’m excited that Nightsong as well as Tiny Wonders will be published in the US next year! If you would like to check my other work, please visit my website www.sallyhanillustration.com.
What a beautiful, mesmerising story! Thank you, Sally! 🙂
BONUS! Check out UQP’s Facebook Page for a chance to WIN Sally’s book in an awesome prize pack!
#thequicksixinterview #nightsong #treasure #nature #picturebook #justkidslit
2 thoughts to “The Quick Six Interview with Sally Soweol Han on Nightsong”
I snapped up Nightsong as soon as I saw it in a shop as I loved Tiny Wonders, and this one also does not disappoint! So lovely to read <3
Both Nightsong and Tiny Wonders look amazing! Sally is very talented. Thanks for your kind comment xx