Surfside Girls was written, illustrated, and hand lettered by Kim Dwinell. The challenge—if one can call it that—was getting out of the way of her captivating storytelling and playful illustrative style. It was an absolute pleasure working with Kim as she was always willing to go the extra mile to make a better book. From making simple lettering fixes to providing additional spot illustrations drawn to spec, she was always eager to help.

As a Southern California native, research on a small seaside community was minimal as I had spent many a summer frequenting the beach. The color palette picked for book one was inspired by a visit to the Long Beach Aquarium’s Pacific Visions Theater. The shades of turquoise mimic the shimmering waves of the Pacific Ocean as it reflects the clear blue sky above. Like book one, book two takes its color scheme from another beachside community, The City of San Juan Capistrano. Known for an annual migration of swallows, its historical mission, and a Spanish-style architecture, San Juan Capistrano has a distinct color palette not common to most beach communities.

The layout follows a simple grid and leaves space for the art to breathe. Again, the main goal was showcasing Kim’s work and not detract from the storytelling. The resultant series has become a great success with young adult audiences.