IT’S CHRISTMAS, CHLOE ZOE!
I’m delighted to welcome award-winning author-illustrator Jane Smith to the blog, to celebrate the release of her newest book in the Chloe Zoe series: It’s Christmas, Chloe Zoe! which was published on October 21st, 2025. Congratulations!
A bit about the book:
Chloe Zoe Plays Santa and his Elves in this Celebration of a DIY Christmas! Chloe Zoe gets crafty in the ninth title in the popular picture book series to celebrate a winter holiday favorite: Christmas! After visiting Santa and sharing her wish list, Chloe Zoe can’t wait for Christmas morning. But when she realizes her family didn’t also share their wish lists with Santa, Chloe Zoe worries he won’t know what presents to bring them. So she decides to be Santa for her family until she realizes shopping for presents is trickier than she thought. Can Chloe Zoe become an elf instead? And make holiday magic out of just her imagination and a closet full of art supplies?!
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Now on to our interview:
M. Jane, I’m so happy to welcome you to the blog so you can share more about your lovely picture book series starring Chloe Zoe. What was the 1st Chloe Zoe book you wrote? Why did you select that holiday or milestone?
J. The very first published Chloe Zoe book was It’s Valentine’s Day, Chloe Zoe! It kicked off the series, which initially began as a 6-book deal with publisher Albert Whitman & Company. However, the original submission to AW was actually the third book in the series, It’s the First Day of Preschool, Chloe Zoe!, in a novelty book format. From this one title, AW envisioned a picture book series highlighting the holidays and milestones most popular with their readers.
Most recently, I’ve continued the series on my own as an indie publisher, releasing three new Chloe Zoe titles this year. It’s Christmas, Chloe Zoe! is the third new book this year and the ninth in the series overall. I choose to highlight Christmas, because Chloe Zoe fans have been asking for this one for years!
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M. That’s so interesting, Jane! I’m glad that you decided to continue Chloe Zoe’s adventures on your own, especially when she has many loyal fans out there. Now, talking about It’s Christmas, Chloe Zoe! Does this story come from personal experience?
J. Yes, it does! As an artist, I love handmade gifts, and my family and I are always getting crafty. When my daughter was small, like Chloe Zoe’s little sister, Sophie, she often wanted toys, action figures or dolls that didn’t exist yet or that were from her imagination, so we made them. Inspired by YouTubers, like Cookie Swirl C, we took existing action figures and dolls and
remade them as the characters my daughter desired. We also made magic from raw materials. For example, when the new She-Ra TV show came out, my daughter wanted a She-Ra sword, but you couldn’t yet buy one. So, she and her dad made the sword out of cardboard, duct tape and paint! How cool is that?!
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M. That is SUPER cool! I love that! I always like getting to know how authors are inspired by real life situations to create their stories. Thanks for sharing! Now, can you tell us a bit about your illustration process? Do you sketch by hand or do you use the computer to create?
J. My illustration process largely follows the usual format of 1) rough thumbnails, 2) sketches, 3) final linework, and 4) color artwork. I do steps 1-3 by hand with pencils and paper. Usually as I’m figuring out the composition of an image, I’ll scan the thumbnail and/or sketch and play around with arranging different elements of the image. I’ll treat the various drawn elements like collage pieces. Once I have the thumbnails/sketches set, I’ll place them in an InDesign layout with the typography. If any images need adjustments to work well with the type, I can make them then. I’ll also see how any hand-lettering in the book is working, too. Then to complete an image, I’ll draw the final linework from the final sketch by hand. Next, I’ll scan it into Photoshop, along with a “palette” of found and original patterns, textures, papers and fabrics. Using the scanned “palette,” plus a little bit of digital paint, I’ll digitally collage together the final color artwork. Ta-da!
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M. That seems like a lot work, but it turns out great! Congratulations! Jane, can you share the path to publication for this book as an author illustrator?
J. It’s Christmas, Chloe Zoe! is a true labor of love! The Chloe Zoe series is close to my heart, and when the original publisher AW chose not to continue the series despite interest and desire from fans, I decided to do it myself. From initial idea straight thru to final printed book, it was all me. As an indie publisher, I wrote, illustrated and designed this title. I also ushered it thru the production phrase of coordinating with the POD printing and distribution service, ordering printed proofs and approving the final printed book. And I’ve also taken on handling sales, marketing and publicity. The joy of it all is seeing the final printed book in the hands of happy fans! What could be better?!
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M. I’m so glad you were brave to continue as an indie publisher, Jane. I’m sure you’ve learned a lot with this journey and for sure Chloe Zoe fans must be delighted to have new stories about their beloved characters. To wrap up this interview, what would you like readers to take away from this particular story?
J. I hope young readers and their families take away the idea that YOU have the power to problem-solve and make everyday magic for yourself and your loved ones through art and creativity!
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What a lovely and important message! Jane, I wish you a lot of success with this new book in the series and hopefully we’ll get to have more Chloe Zoe adventures in the future.
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JANE’S BIO
Jane Smith is the award-winning author-illustrator of thirteen children’s books, including the popular Chloe Zoe picture book series originally published by Albert Whitman & Company. It’s Christmas, Chloe Zoe is the ninth title in the series and completes a set of three new Chloe Zoe books releasing in 2025. Jane enjoys getting crafty and making kiddos laugh. She lives in sun-kissed Wilmington, North Carolina with her husband and super star daughter. Visit Jane at www.superjane.com.
Instagram @superjanesmith
Substack @superreadersclub
Thanks for reading!
M
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Cover photo by Brett Sayles.
