Creator Corner: Author Lisa Frenette and Illustrator August Swinson
Welcome to Creator Corner, a blog series where we interview the creators of our recent and upcoming books. For this post, we interviewed The Wandering Feather author Lisa Frenette and illustrator August Swinson, whose book published September 16, 2025!
Owlkids Books: Lisa, how did you begin writing children’s books?
Lisa Frenette: Ever since I was a kid, I loved writing my own stories. When I became a mother, I wanted to write my own story that I could read to my two sons. One summer evening, when the kids were asleep, I sat down at my computer and wrote the beginnings of what would become The Wandering Feather.
Owlkids Books: August, how did you begin illustrating?
August Swinson: This is the very first book that I have illustrated. I’ve had the thought of doing a children’s book of my own but that hasn’t happened. Yet. So when I was approached to handle the illustrations for The Wandering Feather, I thought it would be a good way to get some experience.
OKB: Lisa, what inspired you to write this book?
LF: I love red-tailed hawks and seeing them soaring high above me is always a thrill. Not only are they really cool to watch, but they also serve as a reminder to be courageous and believe in ourselves. A hawk feather is particularly important in Indigenous cultures, and I thought it was the perfect item to centre the story around.
OKB: August, what was the inspiration for your illustrations in this book?
AS: Drawing nature inspires me the most. Animals, trees, clouds… landscapes in general inspire me. I grew up in the Kawarthas of Ontario, so lakes and rock and trees are in my blood.
OKB: Lisa, what was the most enjoyable part of bringing this story to life? What was the most challenging part of the process?
LF: The most enjoyable part was seeing my words come to life through August Swinson’s illustrations. From the initial sketches to the fully coloured panels, every step was so exciting!
The most challenging part of the process was the editing. I’m a professional editor myself, and it was strange to be on the other side of the process! I am thankful for the editorial team at OwlKids who were so supportive throughout the entire process and helped me make The Wandering Feather the best it could be!
OKB: August, what was the most enjoyable part of illustrating this book? What was the most challenging part?
AS: The most enjoyable part of illustrating this book was the actual drawings. When I feel a drawing come together the way I want, I can almost feel the lines. I used to hand letter/sign paint. And there’s a feeling of making a brush stroke that is very tactile for the painter. I think that has helped me to “feel the lines” of an illustration. So when I look at the finished job I remember the feeling of what each page was like to draw.
The most challenging part was doing each scene/page justice. Getting the characters right and translating the “tone” of the writing into illustrations.
OKB: Lisa and August, what do you hope readers will take away from this book?
LF: I hope that readers will remember that no matter what happens in life, we all have value and the right people will love us for who we are.
AS: I hope something in the combination of the writing and drawings inspires a reader to know more about our indigenous cultures here … and maybe inspires them enough to draw or write about the things that interest them.
OKB: Lisa and August, what’s an interesting fact people may not know about you?
LF: I love beaded earrings! I got my first pair from an Indigenous beader five years ago and I have been growing my collection ever since! There is just something so fun about wearing a bright and beautiful pair of earrings! Someday I’d love to learn to make some myself.
AS: I can draw in the air and it stays there long enough for the image to register in my mind. I’m often seen writing something or doodling in mid-air. A built in notepad.
Thank you so much Lisa and August for taking the time to do this interview and creating a wonderful book! We hope readers enjoy The Wandering Feather as much as we did!
Grab your copy today!
