The Picture Book Buzz - Interview w/Rebecca Gardyn Levington, Rahele Bell, Review of I Will Always Be . . .

Rebecca Gardyn Levington is a children’s book author, poet, and journalist with a particular penchant for penning both playful and poignant picture books and poems – primarily in rhyme. Rebecca writes reviews and conducts author interviews monthly for the Picture Book Builders blog. Her award-winning poems and articles have appeared in numerous anthologies, newspapers, and magazines.

Rebecca has a master’s degree in magazine journalism from NYU and a bachelor’s degree in communication studies, with a specialization in business administration, from UCLA. In her life B.C. (“Before Children”), she was a freelance magazine and newspaper journalist, writing feature articles and cover stories for The New York Observer, Ladies Home Journal, Working Mother, Bride’s, New York Newsday and The Chronicle of Philanthropy, among many others. Prior to that, she was Senior Editor at American Demographics (a now defunct marketing magazine that was far more interesting than it sounds!) where she wrote and edited stories about what motivates people’s purchasing decisions and lifestyle choices. Rebecca lives with her family in Summit, N.J., where she enjoys bouncing on a mini-trampoline, playing Mah Jongg, and eating chocolate-peanut butter ice cream (although not usually at the same time!).

She’s the author of Write Here, Write Now, illustrated by Andrea Boatta (2025), Little Dreidel Learns To Spin, illustrated by Taryn Johnson (2024), Afikoman, Where'd You Go? illustrated by Noa Kelner (2024), Whatever Comes Tomorrow, illustrated by Mariona Cabassa (2023) and Brainstorm! Illustrated by Kate Kronreif (2022).

For more information on Rebecca our earlier interviews (here) and (here).

Rahele Jomepour Bell is a children’s book illustrator. Originally from Iran, Rahele came to the United States in 2011 to pursue her dream of being a free international artist. She graduated with an MFA in Integrated Visual Arts from Iowa State University in 2015. She is now a full-time freelance picture book illustrator and teaches as a full-time professor at the Department of Illustration at Kansas City Art Institute.

She is happiest creating illustrations that make the imagination travel, take a new look at old ideas, and reaffirm the viewer of their natural place in this world.

She has illustrated seven picture books published in Iran and twelve in the United States and Canada, including Missing Momma by Winsome Bingham (2024), My Mother's Tongues: A Weaving of Languages by Uma Menon (2024), Give by Jen Arena (2023), Peaceful Me by Sandra V. Feder (2023), To Change a Planet by Christina Soontornvat (2022), Angry Me by Sandra V. Feder (2022), The Treasure Box by Dave Keane (2022), and Book's Big Adventure by Adam Lehrhaupt (2021).

Their newest picture book, I Will Always Be . . . released on April 15th.

Welcome Rebecca and Rahele, thank you so much for stopping by to talk about your newest book and your writing and illustration.

Thank you!

Rahele let’s start with you. Tell us a little about yourself. (Where/when do you illustrate? How long have you been illustrating? What is your favorite type of book to illustrate?)

RAHELE – I was born and raised in Iran and moved to the U.S. in 2011 to pursue my MFA in Integrated Visual Arts at Iowa State University.

I illustrate in my home studio, which is always filled with books, sketchbooks, and tiny treasures from every place I have visited. 

I usually work in the mornings or late at night, or any free time I can catch between teaching and motherhood, those in-between hours when the world feels soft and still.

 I’ve been illustrating professionally for over a decade now, and my favorite stories to explain are those with emotional depth, stories about family, identity, curiosity, and connection. I love weaving traditional textures and patterns from my Iranian roots into my visual storytelling, and I especially enjoy creating picture books that speak to both children and the grown-ups reading with them.

I wish you luck finding those precious "in-between" moments. Who was your favorite author, illustrator, and/or your favorite book as a child?

RAHELE - As a child growing up in Iran, I was deeply drawn to the poems of Persian poets and the illustrations in Persian folktales. 

One of my favorite books was The Little Black Fish, for its powerful message and the bold illustrations created by Farshid Mesghali. The illustrations felt alive with simple printmaking blocks and graphic shapes.

What a beautiful cover. Rebecca, what was your inspiration or spark of interest for I Will Always Be . . .?

REBECCA - Before I sold my first picture book (Brainstorm!) in 2020, I had spent four long years doing all the things that we all do to learn the ins and outs of the industry – I read all the books, took all the classes, joined all the groups, participated in all the contests. I submitted to many, many, MANY agents (definitely way too soon) and also to any editors I could find who were open to submissions -- and I was getting really used to the sound of silence. I was dealing with some major Imposter Syndrome and found myself in conversation after conversation that went something like:

Them: “What do you do for a living?”

Me: “I write picture books and poetry for kids.” 

Them: “Cool! What are some of your books?” 

Me: “Well, um, none have been published yet.”

Them: “Oh…I see.” 

(but what I actually heard and knew they meant, because I can read minds, was):

“So, you’re not a ‘real’ writer, are you?”

Then one day, I was having the exact same conversation, but this time my then 7-year-old son was standing beside me. After the person asked what I did for a living, my son piped in with a super enthusiastic: “My mom is an author! She writes books for kids!” 

It was a huge A-Ha! moment for me. I realized right then that I needed to change my perspective. My son was absolutely right. I was a writer. I am a writer. And I will always be a writer, whether or not I ever publish a book, because writing is what I love to do most in this world.

Not too long after that, I wrote the first draft of I Will Always Be… which is a reminder to myself and to all kids (and adults!) to “do what you love and love what you do” – whether or not we ever publish a book, make it to Broadway, win a World Series, cure cancer, or do anything ‘real’ with that passion at all.

Rebecca, I imagine there a lot of authors, illustrators, and other creatives who have lived this same conversation from family, friends, or strangers. Thank you for reminding us all to do what we love! Rahele, what about the I Will Always Be . . . manuscript appealed to you as an illustrator?

RAHELE – What drew me to I Will Always Be... was its universality; it’s a story that speaks to every child, no matter where they are in the world. It doesn’t limit itself to one specific culture or place; instead, it honors children's inner voice everywhere. 

On the surface, the manuscript feels gentle and straightforward, but at its core, it carries layered, powerful meaning. That combination of emotional depth and open-ended interpretation inspired me as an illustrator: it gave me space to create personal and expansive images. 

And you did a great job bringing that universality and underlying message to vivid life! Rebecca, what was the toughest or most challenging part of writing I Will Always Be . . . ? What was the most fun?

REBECCA - I have to admit that this book kinda flowed out of me from the get-go (Just for the record, this is NOT the norm for me, at ALL!). But after that experience with my son, I felt driven to write a book to respond to all those people who thought I was only a “real” writer if I had published a book.

The first section I drafted was the “writer” section, and once I had the rhythm and concept down, the rest flowed from there. I will say, however, that the refrain did go through a fair number of changes. In fact, in my first few drafts, the refrain ended with “I Am…” (rather than “I will always be…”) and “I Am…” was also the original title. But when I googled “I Am” and “picture books” I found that there are SO many book titles that begin with those two words and knew I had to change that up a bit! Another challenge I faced was the last stanza of the book, tying everything together in a satisfying way. And, of course, writing it all in rhyme is always an extra challenge!

© M Marshall, 2017

Probably the most fun part of writing this book was the fact that the bulk of it was written during my very first visit to what has become one of my very favorite places on the planet: The Highlights Foundation retreat center in Honesdale, PA. Going there had been on my bucket list for YEARS, and in fall 2020 I had been registered (finally!) to go for a poetry workshop. Of course, the workshop was cancelled because of the pandemic, but the center was still open for personal retreats, so I decided to go anyway. This book came out of that initial trip! I’ve now been back many times (I’m very lucky that I live within a couple hours drive) and most of my subsequent books have been created there. It’s truly a magical place.

Oh Rebecca, I'm glad you've been to Highlights. It really is magical. I wish I lived close enough to just pop over for a weekend. Rahele, what’s the hardest part of illustrating picture books? What was the toughest part of illustrating I Will Always Be . . . specifically? What was the most fun?

RAHELE – I think there isn’t a “hard” part when illustrating a picture book. Each project is a serious commitment for me. I approach it with deep care, doing much research and study. I consider everything from artistic technique to the story’s emotional voice, and I even turn to art history to find the right composition and visual rhythm.

The process was amazing with I Will Always Be…. The most rewarding part was discovering how the images supported such a poetic and open-hearted text. I’m so grateful to the editor and art director for giving me the creative freedom to step into the role of visual storyteller fully. It made the experience fulfilling, truly fun, and full of surprises.

I am so glad you had as much fun creating the illustrations as you portray within them. How long did it take from the first draft to publication for the text and illustrations of I Will Always Be . . . ?

REBECCA - Let’s see… the very first draft of this story was written on 9/11/20 and it was published on 4/15/25, so that’s a bit over 4 ½ years! The book was initially acquired in February of 2021 and was slated for spring of 2023. When my editor and I started talking about illustrators, Rahele was at the top of our list but she (of course, because she is so incredible!) was booked up with other projects so my editor asked me if I was okay with waiting until spring 2024. That was an easy “yes!” I was absolutely in love with Rahele’s work and I knew she would be perfect for this book. And then, thanks to a combination of other factors in this crazy publishing industry, the book ended up being pushed for yet another year. So, here we are! But I wouldn’t change a thing about this book’s journey because it is absolutely PERFECT! I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out.

RAHELE - The illustration process for I Will Always Be... took about a year from receiving the manuscript to the final delivery. The thought-provoking journey allowed the images to grow organically alongside the story's heart.

I think the two of you were very well matched for this book and well worth the wait! Rebecca, did anything surprise or amaze you when you first got to see Rahele’s illustrations? What is your favorite spread?

REBECCA – Um… All of it?!?! Seriously, when I first saw the final art I remember looking closely at the spreads saying: “WAIT!? Are there photographs mixed in with her paintings?!?” I was absolutely stunned and in awe with how Rahele mixed together photos and fabrics and paint and all kinds of other mixed media into this glorious world she created for our girl!

Rahele later told me that she herself had taken most of the photographs she used throughout the book and most had some kind of personal significance for her. For instance, the rug in the MC’s bedroom (in the “dance” spread) was put together using photographs that Rahele took of mosaic floors in Florance, Italy, while on vacation. And the polka-dot art on the walls in the “gallery” spread are images of her own daughter’s artwork. I love going through all the pages and finding new details now that I know this.

Text © Rebecca Gardyn Levington, 2025. Image © Rahele Jomepour Bell, 2025.

But I have to say that my favorite has to be the “writer” spread since that is who I was as a child (and who I still am as an adult, of course!). And I absolutely ADORE that Rahele included the cover of my book Whatever Comes Tomorrow on the bookshelf! How amazingly meta is THAT?!

It's amazing. And I adore the child's cat which Rahele added to the illustrations. Rahele, is there a spread of which you are especially proud? Or perhaps is your favorite spread?

Text © Rebecca Gardyn Levington, 2025. Image © Rahele Jomepour Bell, 2025.

RAHELE - One of my favorite spreads is a close-up of the little girl’s hands making art. There’s something so tender and true in that moment; just her hands, showing her art tools. It captures the quiet magic of childhood creativity and feels very personal to me as both an artist and a mother. 

Such a fun spread and fun how you each gravitate to the spread that captures your own "Always Be" (writer and artist). Having both created multiple picture books, what was the most rewarding part of the publishing process for I Will Always Be . . . ?

REBECCA -  The most rewarding part of the publishing process for I Will Always Be… was, frankly, seeing it published! As I said, this book has been five years in the making. But not only that, it is so amazing to look back on how much I’ve grown as a writer and how much I’ve accomplished since that first draft was written in 2020. At the time, I had zero books published and didn’t have an agent. I submitted this manuscript via a conference submission opportunity with very little hope that it would ever be acquired, especially after the editor specifically told me that rhyming books were a hard sell. I was shocked (SHOCKED!) when I received the offer from Harper, and immediately sent an email to the ten agents whom I’d queried with it, with the subject line: “Offer from HarperCollins!” and even THEN, received passes from ALL of them.

In a panic, (because I had no idea what to do with the 20-page contract I’d received), I reached out to agent Kaitlyn Sanchez, who wasn’t even open to submissions at the time, but had shown interest in my work previously. She loved this book immediately, asked to see my newer work, and offered representation. In the three years we’ve been partners, we’ve sold an additional 11 rhyming picture books together! It is just amazing to look back on the journey I’ve been on and to finally hold this book in my hands!

RAHELE - The most rewarding part of working on I Will Always Be... was illustrating a manuscript that felt like it was meant for me. From the moment I read it, I felt deeply connected to its voice and spirit. It was a joy to create images for a story that aligned so closely with my artistic sensibilities, and to feel that I could be the right person to bring its message to life through pictures.  

Wow. What a rollercoaster of emotions that must have been! It's obvious that the book and its message touched you both deeply and personally. What's something you want your readers to know about or take away from I Will Always Be . . . ? 

REBECCA - As I mentioned earlier, I really wrote I Will Always Be… to remind myself (and anyone who questions me!) that , I will always be a writer, whether or not I ever publish a book, and whether or not anyone else thinks I need to publish a book. I will always make time and space in my life to write because it is what I love to do. I hope that readers give themselves permission to enjoy all of their passions — whether or not they ever make it to Broadway or the big leagues or do anything “real” or “professional” with that passion at all.

And to my fellow writers reading this post, please remember: publishing books does not make us writers. WRITING makes us writers. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!

RAHELE - What I hope readers take away from I Will Always Be . . . is a sense of possibility. Seeing kids hold this book, read it, and walk away feeling like they can be anything they want, that they can reach for any dream, no matter how far it may seem, means everything to me. If this story gives even one child the confidence to trust their inner voice, it has done something special.

I also hope kids find pages in the book that feel so special to them that they want to tear them out and hang them on their walls; as little reminders that they are enough, just as they are, and that their dreams matter.

Here, here! Thank you both for creating this treasure! Are there any new projects you are working on now that you can share a tidbit with us?

REBECCA - Yes! Thank you so much for asking. I have several projects coming in the next few years, but for now I’ll tell you about the next two. 

First up is Finding Forgiveness (Farrar, Strauss, & Giroux), illustrated by Diana Mayo, which releases on Aug. 5th and is a story about two sisters making amends after an awful fight, set against the backdrop of Tashlich, a special atonement ceremony that takes place during Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year.

And then, on Sept. 9th,  Some Days I’m The Wind (Barefoot Books), illustrated by Dinarra Mirtalipova, encourages kids to be true to who they are, even when “who they are” is constantly changing. Like the wind, which on some days is “whirling and wild” and on others “mellow and mild,” we cannot be described, defined, or labelled in any one way. Each day, our moods, feelings and reactions to the world inevitably shift and drift depending on our circumstances, but we are always, on all days, uniquely ourselves.

RAHELE - Yes! I’m currently working on a beautiful new picture book written by Daniel Nayeri, which Levine Querido will publish. It’s called The Sweetest Lemon, rooted in a story from my home country of Iran and set in the mysterious and historic city of Isfahan. It’s been a joy to bring this place and its spirit to life through illustration; there’s so much richness, poetry, and magic woven into it. I can’t wait to share it with readers. 

I'm looking forward to seeing these books! Last question, what animal or natural feature (place) do you want to learn more about? Why?

REBECCA - It’s so funny that you ask this right now because for the last couple weeks I’ve been fascinated by a nest being built by two blue jays outside my kitchen window. I’ve been watching every day how they work tirelessly, scavenging for supplies and bringing them back, one twig at a time, weaving this incredible creation together. I love how the pair seemingly works so well together and knows exactly how to support each other. I would love to learn more about these birds, their relationships, motivations, and skills. It definitely feels like fodder for a book for me. We’ll see where it takes me! 

RAHELE - I’d love to travel to Australia one day. I’m especially fascinated by the birds there —their colors, their unique personalities. I feel like being close to them, observing them in their natural environment, would be incredibly inspiring for my work.

Thank you, Rebecca and Rahele, for stopping by to share with us your newest picture book.

To find out more about Rebecca Gardyn Levington, or to contact her:

Website: https://rebeccagardynlevington.com/

Twitter/X: https://x.com/WriterRebeccaGL

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WriterRebeccaGL

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccagardynlevington/

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/rebeccaglevington.bsky.social

To find out more about Rahele Jomepour Bell, or to contact her:

Website: https://www.rahelestudio.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rahele_studio/

X (Twitter): https://x.com/RaheleJomepour

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/rahele.bsky.social

Review of I Will Always Be . . .

Just in time for graduations, I found a gorgeous and empowering book about never giving up on doing something you love doing, even if you get little (or no) outside recognition. Dance, invent, create, and/or do a sport simply because you love to do it, and it fulfills a part of who you are.

I Will Always Be . . .

Author: Rebecca Gardyn Levington

Illustrator: Rahele Jomepour Bell

Publisher: Harper Collins (4/15/2024)

Ages: 4-8

Fiction

Themes:

Self-esteem, careers, confidence, rhyming, and following one's heart.

Synopsis:

Break the overachiever model with this plucky anthem for dreamers, graduates, and creative minds! Whether or not you ever make it to Broadway or the big leagues, you are more than enough.

In this fun and gorgeously illustrated picture book, the terms "yet," "perhaps," and "we’ll see" guide the boundless passions and joys of a young girl who wants to try everything even if she’s not perfect at it.

With delightful rhyme and captivating illustrations, celebrated creators Rebecca Gardyn Levington and Rahele Jomepour Bell remind young artists and athletes, bakers and ballerinas, inventors and investigators that doing what you love and loving what you do is all that really matters.

Perfect for fans of The Magical Yet and I Am Enough!

Opening Lines:

I shimmy as I board the bus

and boogie ’cross the floor.

I pirouette in parking lots;

sashay through every store.

What I LOVED about this book:

I adore this quirky, energetic, self-confident girl that Rebecca Gardyn Levington and Rahele Jomepour Bell created. A girl unafraid to dance down the bus isle, moving to her own internal beat! Talk about hutzpah. I also love her eclectic wardrobe and hairstyle!

Text © Rebecca Gardyn Levington, 2025. Image © Rahele Jomepour Bell, 2025.

This girl dances everywhere, all the time, because that is who she is and what she loves to do. Seemingly oblivious to others, she revels in moving her body to many different dance styles. Celebrating her love of movement. The rhyming text is fun, using some unexpected combinations, and employs a great refrain at the end of each activity's quatrain - ". . . yet. (Perhaps one day. We’ll see!) But still, I know, no matter what, I will always be . . ."

Text © Rebecca Gardyn Levington, 2025. Image © Rahele Jomepour Bell, 2025.

I pop and lock, I cha-cha-cha

and square dance: do-si-do!

I twirl, I whirl, with jazz hands up—

everywhere I go.

I don’t perform on Broadway . . . yet.

(Perhaps one day. We’ll see!)

But still, I know, no matter what,

I will always be . . .

Importantly, Rebecca specifically notes that she is not "training" to perform on Broadway - that might happen one day or maybe not. But Broadway or no, she will always be. . .

Text © Rebecca Gardyn Levington, 2025. Image © Rahele Jomepour Bell, 2025

I love the companion cat Rahele added to the book and the ballerina shadow behind the girl as she pauses in her own special pose wearing a pink tutu. The box of crayons - almost tucked out of view under the bed - hints at one of the girl's other interests to come.

This intrepid child continues to tinker and invent, create and paint, ponder and discover, rhyme and write, kick and catch, measure and drizzle, as she explores all the different facets and interests that make her who she is. Winding up with the statement, " I do the things I love to do—each and every day," and a significant and empowering change to the refrain which celebrates who she is.

This is a great book for anyone chasing after a dream, any child with a ton of interests who isn't sure where to focus, graduates, and anyone needing a reminder to "do what you do" because you enjoy doing it.

Resources:

• draw, or paste, a picture of yourself on a piece of paper. Now write all the things you "are" around yourself.

• what are some things you are curious about trying? Maybe a new sport, activity, art style, making a new desert, inventing something (like the girl's trash grabber).

• create an affirmation alligator or create your own special box and fill it with notes to yourself and/or special treasures to remind you that "no matter what, YOU will always be a . . ."