Skip to content

Over and Under With Christopher Silas Neal

Over and Under the Snow

My Favorite New Picture Book Series

by Shelly

My daughter and I recently discovered this amazing series written by Kate Messner and illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal. Around the same time I met Christopher at Powerhouse on 8th while he was promoting his book I WON’T EAT THAT. I had to immediately get all of these books.

The first book we discovered from the Christopher Silas Neal series was UP IN THE GARDEN AND DOWN IN THE DIRT. It has beautiful descriptions of vegetables, insects, and many symbiotic relationships. My daughter loved the description of each of the animals and insects at the end, and I loved the illustrations. The GARDEN remains my favorite for lines like “Down in the dirt the earthworms tunnel deep. I’m jealous of their cool, damp dark.” The illustrations of pill bugs are my favorite, they remind me perfectly of how it felt when I let them curl up in my hand as a child.

But that wasn’t the first book in the series. The first, now my daughter’s favorite, was OVER AND UNDER THE SNOW (2011). I think she loves it for the father/daughter skiing scenes that remind her of skiing with her dad. I like the illustrations of underground tunnels and burrows. There are a couple of scary moments when a parent has to decide how much to censor about what could possible happen if the fox finds the mouse or rabbit, but it is something one has to discuss sometime. I think the book is meant for slightly older kids who will already know the fate of the rabbit, or the fox if it doesn’t catch that rabbit.

The latest in the series is OVER AND UNDER THE POND. The POND features a fantastic illustration looking down from the tops of tall trees into a canoe holding a mom and son. “Over the pond, the shadows stretch. Ospreys circle on quiet wings.” Thanks to author Kate Messner, this one has the best “About the Animals” section. We read it for almost an hour. I love that it was inspired by one of my favorite places, the Adirondacks.

Questions for Christopher Silas Neal

Were these books envisioned as a series from the beginning or only after the first was published?

The Over and Under series began as a single story that the author Kate Messner (former teacher) scribbled down while on a bus returning from a school field trip. After the success of the first book, Kate wrote another titled Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt and then Over and Under the Pond. Kate and I just signed up for three more books. I’m currently making art for the next story in the series which takes place in a rainforest in Costa Rica.

Did you start working with Kate or were you matched by the publisher? Did you work together or from the finished text?
The way it works for most picture books is that the author submits a manuscript to a publisher and then the editor and art director at the publisher find an artist to pair with the story. That’s the way it has been with all of my collaborations so far. In most cases, the author and illustrator don’t meet until after the book is finished. Everything is done through the publisher. The author writes, I draw, there’s a little back and forth, but for the most part we do our own thing and then put it together.
Which of the series was your favorite book to illustrate?
I love each of these books for different reasons. Over and Under the Snow was my first experience making a book so it will always hold a special place in my heart. On the other hand, the art and pictures for Over and Under The Pond were a joy to make. That book gelled seamlessly.
How much research did you need to do to capture the animals? Did you use pictures as references or observe live animals?
I use a ton of reference including google and youtube to observe animals and capture their body language and body shape. Even though the art in theses books is not realistic there is a certain amount of scientific accuracy. We have an expert look over the art and make notes as well. The author, Kate Messner, does so much research and takes so many notes that a lot of that work has already been done by the time I get the manuscript.
I also love your solo book “I Won’t Eat That”. Did you have an experience with a picky eater that inspired it or were you a picky eater yourself?
Both of my kids and my large orange tabby cat are picky eaters and they certainly inspired this story.
As a Brooklyn resident, you have relationships with a lot of local bookstores. Can you tell us about how you work with bookstores and any local events coming up? (I see we can order signed copies of your books through the Greenlight bookstore website.
I often have readings at Greenlight Books, Books Are Magic, and Power House on 8th. It’s a great way to connect with local families and share my books. For some folks, story time at their local bookstore is a weekly affair—its an integral part of their weekend rhythm. I like being a part of that. Greenlight books also helps facilitate my school visits in Brooklyn. They take book orders a head of time, hand deliver the books during my visit, and make sure the books are signed and personalized. Reading at schools is one of the favorite things I do as an author/illustrator.

_________________

In honor of Christopher’s commitment to local bookstores, I have linked all the books in this article to Greenlight. Shop there or at Powerhouse on 8th if you can for these great books, but if you must, here is our Amazon affiliate link.