Q: In Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa: Partners, the two friends sometimes disagree about what to do and when to do it—yet they always work things out so happily. What do you hope readers will see in their special partnership?

Erica Silverman: Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa have a deep caring for each other. They also need each other, both emotionally and in order to get work done on the ranch. Like friends everywhere, they have ups and downs. I hope readers will see that it’s natural for friends to disagree, to get angry, to feel frustrated or jealous. It’s the respect they have for each other that helps them weather the storms.

Q: Did you ever have a horse, or do you learn about horses and herding cows as you develop story ideas for the series?

ES: Unfortunately, I’ve never had my own horse in real life, but I’ve had fantasy horses. In my daydreams, my horses are like Cocoa—they talk and they are very opinionated! I do lots of research and reading about horses, cows, and ranch life. I also consult with friends who have horses or who grew up on ranches.

Q: What was your reaction when you read the first Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa story? Did you immediately envision the characters, or did they come to you more slowly, evolving over time?

Betsy Lewin: I immediately fell in love with Kate and Cocoa, and yes, pictures of how they should look formed in my head as I read. I don’t know why I saw Kate as a redhead with a ponytail. It just felt right. And of course, Cocoa was Cocoa.

Q: Your studio is filled with mementos of your travels—peacock feathers from India, toys from Nambia, etc.—and framed artwork hangs on your walls. What are the images in those frames? Did you choose them for inspiration? Who or what inspires your visual creativity?

BL: Art from books Ted (Betsy’s husband, Ted Lewin) and I have illustrated cover the walls in our home; my studio has a more eclectic feeling. Besides the art from two of my earliest books—Cat Count and Hip, Hippo, Hooray!—there are pieces from some of my favorite illustrators, including Bert Dodson, David McPhail, Marc Simont, and James Stevenson; some of these works I bought, others were gifts from the illustrators. And there is a small painting of a palm tree in Morocco that Ted made. Every time I look at it, it evokes memories of our visit there.

Q: Even with all your travels, you’ve illustrated more than twenty award-winning books for young readers, winning a Caldecott Honor for your illustrations in the picture book Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin. How do you fit it all in? Do you illustrate on the road?

BL: Children’s book authors and illustrators kid one another all the time about how we’re always “working,” no matter what we’re doing—and that appears to be true. Even when I’m on what’s supposed to be a relaxing vacation, my thoughts drift to books—whether it’s a project I’m currently working on or one I’d like to do someday. A normal workday for me begins at 7:30 a.m. and ends around noon or 1 p.m. One skill you really need to be a freelance artist is self-discipline. I love what I do, so it’s not hard for me to spend time in my studio. If things aren’t going well, I leave and do other things, then come back and look at the problem with a fresh eye; this usually works. I also try to stop working when things are going well. Then, the next morning, I’m really looking forward to starting my workday. I’m lucky to have Ted for second opinions. Sometimes I get too close to a project, and his perspective can get me back on track. Of course, I return the favor.

Q: How did you two come to collaborate on the Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa books? Do you work on the story ideas together?

ES: When I wrote the first book, I had no idea who the artist would be. I knew Betsy’s work and loved it. I was so excited that Betsy liked the manuscript and agreed to illustrate it. She couldn’t be more perfect! But my process hasn’t changed. I write the story and then Betsy takes over. This is typical with children’s books. The writer and artist rarely meet or talk about a project while it’s in process. Each is free to use her imagination.

I finally met Betsy for the first time last summer when we received the Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor for the first Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa. It felt so comfortable . . . as if I’d known her for years. We share these characters, and clearly, we both love them.

BL: Harcourt offered me the Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa series. Publishers are very good at matching illustrators with authors. We don’t collaborate on the stories, but I know I can ask Erica’s opinion on something or ask her questions I might have, and vice versa.

Q: What kind of adventures can we look forward to with Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa?

ES: There’ll be more adventures on the ranch, of course. I’ve learned that ranch life is full of endless challenges—even something as ordinary as rain can present interesting problems. And there’s lots of work during calving season. Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa will be competing at a junior rodeo. In fact, they’re practicing their barrel racing right now.

BL: I’m sure Erica has plenty of adventures planned for these two characters, and I'll do my best to bring them to life in the next books.