Introducing ILLUSTORIA

A few months ago, around the time when my friend Hannah deBree contributed a suggested reading list (formerly at Chronicle, hers is a most-trusted opinion), she mentioned that she was joining a small team to help launch an exciting new print magazine… for kids! ILLUSTORIA would be a quarterly print magazine for creative kids and their grownups, packed with stories, art, comics, interviews, and activities. (As soon as she mentioned they were interviewing Andrew Bird about playing violin as a kid for the first one, I knew I wanted a copy for myself.)

But besides being excited to dive in to Issue 1 with my kids, I was inspired to learn more about what it takes to realize a creative vision like this. How does one actually make it happen? So we got in touch with Joanne Chan, the Publisher and Editor-In-Chief of ILLUSTORIA to find out more about what it’s like to take such a bold leap and create something special.

You came from book publishing… Did you always want to start a magazine?
Strangely, no! I’ve always loved visual storytelling and I was very happy working as a children’s book editor. What motivated me to start ILLUSTORIA is having two kids of my own (at ages 7 and 10, they are avid readers of picture books and graphic novels) and not finding a quality magazine that reflected our interests and tastes. In particular, I wanted a magazine that we could slow down with and enjoy together—one that celebrated artists, writers and makers and that would inspire creative expression in the form of drawing, writing and making. I was inspired by the proliferation of really great children’s books out there and I was eager to see a well-produced, beautiful magazine that would have lasting value and be on par with some of the children’s books I admired and collected.

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Father’s Day Gift Guide

Father’s Day is just a week away! Here are over 20 gifts that might be just right for him…

Is this the coolest dry bag ever? We use ours often—for beach days, rainy days, and sunny days on the water.

Or maybe he needs an Inflatable Kayak first?

A new sound system is a splurge, but maybe this one is worth it.

Oysters. (or maybe just this cheeky catch-all referencing his love of them?)

Kiehl’s Men’s Starter Kit—for the new dad, or any one who needs some items for his suitcase.

His own growler for the craft-beer filling station.

This Cotton Linen Sweater is soft and comfortable (but not too slouchy).

A Double Hammock—with the ropes he needs to use it immediately.

This Aero Press gets rave reviews. (And if he’s really serious, a manual grinder for the freshest cup)

Aron’s favorites (and I can vouch for them, too): Compost Cookies from Momofuku Milk Bar. (Or get the recipe and make them for him.)

Every dad needs a Classic Vacuum Mug, right?

Trivial Pursuit (An updated edition so he can finally stop answering questions about the Soviet Union.)

A beautiful, ebony-handled pocket knife. (Also in dark birchwood.)

Is he a Game of Thrones fan? Or is Star Wars more his, um, cup of tea?

These White sneakers are always in style, and—in my opinion—can look good on men of all ages.

Books are always a good idea. Consider: The Road to Character, How to Stay Alive in the Woods, Where to Eat Pizza, or One More Thing (If he’s a car commuter, maybe he’d like Audible credits.)

A very versatile tie.

A Frisbee that will make him smile.

Or a shirt that will make him laugh.

Gran Classico makes a great alternative to Campari, for mixing those bitter summer cocktails he loves. (Shipping can add up, so call some of your local shops to see if it’s in stock.)

Of course, if the dads in your life are anything like the ones in mine, they tend to buy themselves the things they need. So experiences make great gifts, too. Or even just his favorite breakfast with a note saying why he’s the coolest—and that you love him. (Here’s a cute idea for a homemade card from young kids.)

What are your best father’s day gift ideas? 

P.S. Last year’s Father’s Day Gift Guide. And the one before that. And I will say it again: that toy helicopter remains my favorite go-to gift suggestion ever.

School’s out! Celebrating the end of preschool

All the clichés about time flying still don’t do it justice: this little boy is growing up so fast! I feel drunk on a head-spinning brew of excitement, anticipation, nostalgia, awe, and love. With just a pinch of exhaustion. There’s so much to look forward to. I told him that if I looked like I were going to cry at all, it was just because I’m so happy.

We did our best to make the day feel special for him. We snuck balloons into his room in the middle of the night and let him and Skyler have Lucky Charms for breakfast. We took silly photos in the morning and gave his teachers cards he picked out. Aron came home early and we picked up the kids for burgers and ice cream. And he mixed up a cake with Skyler looking on adoringly (at him and at the batter) to share with his grandparents after swimming and dinner. All told, a pretty great day.

I’m so proud of this kind, curious little fellow. He deserves it.

Below, a few more photos of him with Skyler, who also wrapped up school today—her first six months of nursery school!

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