Author-Illustrator Spotlight: Benson Shum

March 18, 2022

We are pleased to feature author-illustrator Benson Shum and his two picture books, ANZU THE GREAT KAIJU (Roaring Brook Press, Jan. 2022) and LITTLE SEED (Little Simon, Feb. 2022). Enter to win both books!

Tell us about yourself and how you came to write and illustrate for children.

Thank you Kidlit411 for having me. My name is Benson Shum. I write and illustrate books for children and as well as an Animator at the Walt Disney Animation Studios. I came to write and illustrate children’s books through a program at Walt Disney Animation Studios called the Walt Disney Artist Showcase. In which we applied with our story and a few spreads of illustrations. That was the seed that led me into the world of publishing.

Congrats on your two picture books, Anzu the Great Kaiju and Little Seed! Tell us about both books and what inspired you.

Thank you! Anzu the Great Kaiju is about a little kaiju named Anzu, who wants to live up to the legacy of his family, who are all great destroyers and magnificent at causing chaos. But not Anzu. Anzu would rather create flowers and bring kindness. How will Anzu make his family proud but still be true to himself?

Little Seed is about a Little Seed who wants to hug the whole world, but their arms are too small. With the help of Mama Earth, Little Seed learns different ways to love their world.

Was your road to publication long and winding, short and sweet, or something in between?

I think it was medium and windy. It took a lot of waiting as we all know, but I also felt very lucky that I had the opportunity with the program at the studio that led me in.

©Benson Shum

As an author and an illustrator, which comes first, the images or the stories?

Sometimes it starts with the story and sometimes with a painting. If I start with the story, I would always try to imagine what the page could look like, what the layout of the spread could be while writing. But I don’t have the image completely in my head, I start to search once I put pen to paper.

What projects are you working on these days?

I’m wrapping up on Anzu Book 2, which I’m really excited about. And I’m working on a new picture book I’ve written and illustrated as well which hasn’t been announced yet.

What advice would you give your younger self? Is this the same that you'd give to aspiring author-illustrators?

I would say, read more as a kid. I stopped reading when I was in my teens, but I wish I kept with it. Draw more if you can, drawing helps train your eye to be more observant of the world around you, which will help your stories and your illustrations!

What is one thing most people don't know about you?

I’ve played the piano for many years and have done all the levels and music theory.

Where can people find you online?

Thank you! You can visit me at www.bensonshum.com. On Instagram and Twitter at @bshum79. I’m also on tiktok at @bshum79

Benson Shum is a children's book author and illustrator. He wrote and illustrated ANZU THE GREAT KAIJU, LITTLE SEED & ALEX'S GOOD FORTUNE (A Lunar New Year book) and has illustrated a number of picture books like Adam Lehrhaupt's SLOTH WENT and Jennifer Sattler's GO TO SLEEP. Benson has published a wide range of books from Board Books to Picture Books to Easy Readers. Aside from writing and illustrating, Benson is also an animator at the Walt Disney Animation Studios, where he was a part of such films as Frozen, Big Hero 6, Zootopia, Moana, Ralph Breaks the Internet, Frozen II, Raya and the Last Dragon and Encanto. Originally from Vancouver, BC, Benson now lives in sunny southern California. Visit him at www.bensonshum.com