Creator Corner: Author Nadia L. Hohn and Illustrator Sahle Robinson

Welcome to Creator Corner, a blog series where we interview the creators of our recent books. For this post, we interviewed Patty Dreams author Nadia L. Hohn and illustrator Sahle Robinson, whose book publishing April 15, 2025!

Owlkids Books: Nadia, why did you begin writing children’s books? How did you start?

Nadia L. Hohn: I’ve always written stories since a young age, but essentially, I came back to it again as I prepared to teach my first grade students back in 2009 at the Africentric Alternative School.  The school was opening for its first year and I was having difficulty finding enough books for my classroom library.  Ideas for books that weren’t available to me began to emerge … and I began writing stories for kids again, while taking creative writing courses at night.

Owlkids Books: Sahle, when did you know that you wanted to be an illustrator?

Sahle Robinson: I think since I started drawing as a child, I’ve dreamed of seeing (or other people seeing) my art in print somehow, but I also really wanted to see my art in motion, so I naturally drifted towards animation once I started taking it seriously. But since animation was more collaborative and I’d only have my name speed past the screen in the credits, children’s books and comics always was an ultimate goal. It’s so satisfying seeing my name upfront on the cover!

OKB: Nadia, what inspired you to write this book?

NLH: I was inspired by the real life Patty War, as well as finding a way to make my sister laugh. I also remember the one and only time I saw my father make patties. There were so delicious and special.

OKB: Sahle, what was the most enjoyable part of illustrating this book? What was the most challenging part?

SR: The most enjoyable part was referencing my community and my own life experience for the character art and environments, seldom do I get that opportunity and I’m grateful for it.

The most challenging part I would have to say was choosing the right style for the book to begin with. I have an arsenal of illustration styles I’ve developed over the years due to not being able to hone in on one I really love—not yet anyway, so finding just the right look to compliment Nadia’s story and capture the feel and vibe of the culture and era the book spoke to me through was tough. I think I landed in the right place though.

OKB: Nadia, what was the most enjoyable part of bringing this story to life? What was the most challenging part of the process?

NLH: The most enjoyable part was making the language sing and playing with the words. The most challenging part of the process was when my first version of the manuscript came back to me and the publishers I pitched to couldn’t see the vision. By the time I rewrote Patty Dreams, I had a literary agent who submitted it to a new publisher, so it found a home at Owlkids Books.

OKB: Sahle, what was the inspiration for your illustrations in this book?

SR: Like I said, my favorite part of creating this book was tapping into my neighborhood and cultural roots, the faces, the clothing, the attitudes, the vibes, the lifestyle.

OKB: Nadia, what do you hope readers will take away from this book?

NLH: I want my readers to understand the power and metaphor of a patty, behind its tastiness, as well as an appreciation and love for Toronto.

OKB: Sahle, what do you hope readers will take away from this book?

SR: Besides a strong hunger for Jamaican patties? I would hope readers are able to get a little preview into Caribbean/Canadian culture, and the wonderful and loving people who make it what it is.

OKB: Nadia, what’s an interesting fact people may not know about you?

NLH: A fact people may not know about me is that it’s been several years since I had a patty that was store-bought. I went vegetarian fourteen years ago so coming out with this book caused me to investigate vegan patties in my area and I was surprised to find out the options.

OKB: Sahle, what’s an interesting fact people may not know about you?

SR: I’m an African-American, Jamaican-Canadian, Ethiopian Orthodox Christian with Rastafari roots, raised in reggae, hip-hop, cartoon and comic book culture. And Jesus is my favorite superhero!

Thank you so much Nadia and Sahle for taking the time to do this interview and creating a wonderful book! We hope readers enjoy Patty Dreams as much as we did!

Grab your copy today!