A great book to introduce the role of authors and illustrators and how each individual plays an important part in creating a picture book.

I received an ARC from NetGalley, Thank you.

Book 158 of 300 ~ 2024

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A food filled introduction of why an author and illustrator need to collaborate or else they will commiserate as their story will not be told. Cheesy / corny but true.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Book received for free through NetGalley

This is an adorably cute book that’s fun to read and follow and offers a glimpse at what an author and an illustrator do. Love the read and my kids adore it!

A cute, funny, encouraging story for aspiring young authors and illustrators. A behind-the-scenes peek for kids at the process of creating a comic/picture book — it also inspires young creators to get their ideas down on paper. Readers are encouraged to collaborate, follow ideas (wherever they come from), get messy, and play around on the page.

Cooperation is the word of the day when it comes to this funny battle of wits over the creative process. The author and the illustrator both have strong opinions as to how things should "look" as they struggle to create their book. This was loads of fun, and the illustrations by Bob Lentz are bold and imaginative. Learning to work together and respecting one another's opinions is the theme here, though I think the real message is never draw on an empty stomach.

What a fun read! I think this book will really help teach children the different between an author and illustrator. I anticipate this one being popular at my library!

Super cute graphic novel about who's more important to a story, the author or illustrator. I love the battle back and forth between the two as they figure out their best roles to make the book.

I thought this was a good book that explained the differences between an author and an illustrator in a clever and humorous way. I think this book would be good for older elementary students, and they would enjoy it.

This cute graphic novel "illustrates" the interplay between creators Usually picture books are written by the author and then assigned to the illustrator who gives the story their own interpretation with only a few notes from the author. However Graphic novels are often created by a team that works together. In this cute story, the author provides input to the illustrator, having him make the illustrations fit his imagination. When they both insert their alter egos into the book that they are creating the story takes a turn with humorous results.

‘Author vs Illustrator’ by Donald Lemke is a delightful exploration of the dynamic between an author and an illustrator, presented with humour and charm. This engaging book offers a witty look into the collaborative process that brings stories to life.

Plot: ★★★★☆

The plot is wonderfully humorous, capturing the playful and sometimes contentious relationship between an author and an illustrator. Lemke masterfully balances humour with insight, making the book both entertaining and thought-provoking. The plot effectively showcases the creative process and the unique challenges faced by both parties.

Character: ★★★★☆

The characters, based on the real-life author and illustrator duo, exhibit a charming and relatable banter. Their interactions are both engaging and amusing, providing a window into the collaborative efforts behind book creation. The characters are well-developed, and their chemistry adds depth to the narrative.

Illustrations: ★★★★☆

The illustrations are gorgeous, enhancing the overall reading experience. They vividly complement the text, capturing the whimsical and humorous tone of the book. The art style is both vibrant and expressive, perfectly aligning with the book’s theme.

Engagement: ★★★★★

The book excels in engagement, drawing readers into the humorous and insightful world of author-illustrator collaboration. The lively interactions and witty dialogue keep readers captivated, making it a thoroughly enjoyable read from beginning to end.

Readability: ★★★★★

Readability is excellent, with clear and engaging text that flows seamlessly. The writing is accessible and entertaining, making it easy for readers of all ages to follow and enjoy. The book’s structure and language contribute to its overall readability and appeal.

Enjoyment: ★★★★★

‘Author vs Illustrator’ is a highly enjoyable read, filled with humour, insight, and stunning illustrations. It provides a delightful look into the world of book creation, making it a must-read for anyone interested in the creative process behind literature.


Donald Lemke’s ‘Author vs Illustrator’ is a charming and humorous exploration of the collaboration between authors and illustrators. With its engaging plot, delightful characters, beautiful illustrations, and excellent readability, it offers a unique and enjoyable reading experience. The book successfully combines humour with insight, making it a standout addition to any collection.

Working together on a project can be frustrating fun. Each aspect is presented, and they work it out together to make something they both can be proud of!
The illustrations by Bob Lentz are clear, colorful, and fun complete with fun characters and thought bubbles!
Well suited for reading alone or WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to anyone, but especially to a school or your public library!
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from Capstone via NetGalley. Thank you!

Donald Lemke and Bob Lentz created a fun, laugh-out-loud picture book that demonstrates the importance of working together instead of having everything your own way in Author vs. Illustrator. What begins as a straightforward story of a monster being defeated by a superhero quickly turns into a game of one upmanship as the author and illustrator disagree. I can see this book being read by a duet during storytime. I'd love to see more books from this team.

A good introductory book about collaboration, collaboration in the creative industries and art practices, and the different roles authors and illustrators take.
The format of the book as two characters discussing the realities of collaborative processes is accessible, engaging and genius.
The art style was not my favourite, but hey, that was not the point and it is subjective.
Great for younger children, and I wondered how many of us thought of the adult professional world (the briefs and the reality) as we were reading this?
Lovely idea and execution. 4/5

This was a cute quick read. It was a good depiction of how not working together can ruin something and when working together goes well, the end result is so much better. It can be translated into any aspect of a child’s life of working together, as well as adults.

I had my 8 year old daughter read it and she said she thoroughly enjoyed it. Her favorite character was Bob because she loves to draw and create art. She loved the colorful illustrations in the book.

Thank you NetGalley and Lemke & Lentz for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

This colorful and cute graphic novel shows how writers and illustrators work together to create an illustrated book. It is told with humor and reads almost like a comic strip. I also liked the writer and illustrator information provided at the end of the book, complete with photos of them and their families. This nonfiction selection would be appropriate for children, middle schoolers, and teens, although it is a fun and easy read for adults too.

I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions presented here are entirely my own.

This tale is for all future authors or illustrators out there...or for those, who simply enjoy a humorous read.

Two friends/co-creators have a new idea for a story. The author has the plot all worked out, while the illustrator is ready to work his magic. While the author's monster comes to life on the page thanks to the illustrator, the superhero, who will defeat him, seems to have a few more kinks. The author knows what he wants, but the illustrator has some amazing ideas, too. As the story progresses, the two drift further and further apart and ridiculous scenarios form. Now, it's a question as to whether the story will come to an end or not.

This is a cross between a picture book and a graphic novel, and slides nicely into the upper chapter book/lower middle grade level. The two characters are great friends and, obviously, work well together. When the first problem arrives, the two work it out with finesse, but as the differences between their opinions increase little-by-little, the tension builds right along with it. Both are enthusiastic about what they do, which makes each one just a little bit extreme...and fun. As the argument builds, it's hard not to cringe, knowing the fight will only get worse, but on the same hand, there's enough mounting ridiculousness to draw smiles and giggles, too.

The text sticks to the speech bubbles as the tale is told through the two friends' back-and-forth. The illustrations pick up everything else and deliver the scenes as well as the emotions nicely.

It's a pretty quick-paced read and not only shows the different roles an author and an illustrator play, but also hits upon friendship, disagreements, and working things out.

This was such a. fun cute read. My kids enjoyed it too. The characters and the whole book was just fun

Super fun book! This tells a bit of a story of how the author and illustrator can collaborate to bring a story to life, but ultimately this is a book for kids to learn about working together and listening to each other, as well as inspiring young writers and artists. The illustrations are awesome and the characters/author & illustrator are funny. Will definitely be buying this for my school library!

Author vs. Illustrator
Donal Lemke, Bob Lentz
Author, Illustrator, who has final say in a book? The author wrote about a ferocious beast that lived high on a mountain top attacked a large city. The illustrator draws a cute cuddly animal. How can a cute cuddly critter attack a city. No that won’t work.
This is the tale of an author and an illustrator clashing over the writing and illustration in a book. This is a hilarious look at books and the art of making one. Are illustrations necessary? Can a book be without words? The two must work together to form a successful book. This book teaches teamwork, conflict resolution, and respect. Gift this book to your favorite young writers and artists.
Thank you NetGalley for providing a copy of this book for review.

This was a lot of fun to read. Cute idea and colorful, fun illustrations. I must admit to having to go back and reread after finding myself paying more attention to the expressions on the dog's face -- real name Huey Lewis -- than some of the other details. Not that I minded as it was just as much fun the second time. Children should love the story and the imaginative illustrations, from the not-so-ferocious fluffy monster to the, let's call them ice cream driven super team.

Even better, while being entertained, they'll be learning how collaboration works and ways to to resolve disagreements, big or small...and remain good friends at the end. In a school setting, I foresee teachers encouraging some partnerships to create their own picture books, too. Lots of humor but, hey, be prepared for them to have a sudden yen for ice cream as they read. Also, enjoy the real life pictures at the end, including of the real Huey Lewis, and note that they really do seem to enjoy their ice cream. Thanks #NetGalley and #Capstone for sharing this early and, yes, making me think maybe I need an ice cream cone, too. Fun read!