17. Children's books, commercial illustration, and celebrating diversity with Beck Feiner.

How can children's books inspire and empower a future generation of leaders?
In episode 17 of The B-side, I speak to Beck Feiner, an illustrator, designer and author from Redfern, in Sydney, Australia.

Beck and I talk about what goes into creating a successful children's book. How she got started, her unique illustrative style, and how she landed her first publishing deal. She shares her thoughts on the industry and how through her work, she aims to shine a light on social issues, tap into the mood of our time, and promote diversity, in a fun and accessible way.

We discuss how she found a new passion for illustration after leaving the ad industry to raise her two kids. And we chat about her first book, 'Aussie Legends Alphabet,' which she came up with when teaching her kids the alphabet, and realising the market lacked the fun and engaging books her kids were looking for.

Beck has since published three more books with her husband, Robin Feiner. Their second book, 'If I was Prime minister,' focuses on what kids might do if they were given the keys to the Lodge. Their latest book 'The Polar Bear in Sydney Harbour' is about climate change and the power kids have to change the world for the better. 

I had such an enjoyable time talking to Beck, she is an incredibly thoughtful, fun and amazingly talented Aussie legend in her own right. It's a great chat, and I know you're going to love it. Cheers.

You can find Beck Feiner here:
http://beckfeinercreations.com
https://beckfeiner.myportfolio.com
And follow her on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/beckfeiner_illustrations/