I am so excited to welcome Asma Enayeh, illustrator of our upcoming picture book SWIMMING TOWARD A DREAM: YUSRA MARDINI’S INCREDIBLE JOURNEY FROM REFUGEE TO OLYMPIC SWIMMER. Our book launches September 5th and is available wherever books are sold! Also, a portion of the book proceeds will go to Syrian refugee relief.
Asma, Thank you for bringing this special story to life. I love the whimsical touches in your art, your use of color, and the sensitive and authentic way you portrayed Syria.
1. What do YOU hope people think or feel when they see the cover for Swimming Toward a Dream: Yusra Mardini’s Incredible Journey from Refugee to Olympic Swimmer?
I hope that when people see the cover to feel how it must have been wonderful for Yusra to realize her lifelong dream to become an Olympic swimmer courageously through all the circumstances she faced. Hoping it will motivate little girls and boys to dream big and to know that they can also be strong in the face of life’s adversity.
A creative choice was made to use the existing scene of Yusra feeling at ease in the water while dreaming big. This scene where Yusra is in the water is one of my personal favorites. I immediately imagined it once I received the script and it turned out exactly how I wanted it.
2. How did you hear about this project? Does an email land directly in your inbox or go through an agent? I remember asking my editor, Kayla Tostevin, for sketches and getting so excited to see your first impressions of Yusra! When I saw your work, I knew I wanted you to illustrate and was honored to have you on board! I was also drawn to your work already and below’s gardening image is one I especially love! It has such great kid-appeal!
I received the work through my agent at Astound US. I felt fortunate to get it and to be able to illustrate a story about hometown that is so close to my heart.
3. Do you read the whole book before signing on to illustrate?
Yes, I usually read the full story before signing since I mostly illustrate picture books. I like to have a full idea of the project I am taking on, especially that sometimes one word can inspire a whole spread.
4. What drew you to this project? Could you also tell me more about your beautiful illustration note?
I am Syrian and grew up in beautiful Damascus where all my childhood memories are.
I had the chance to smell the Jasmines when I walked to school in the morning, to eat the hot fluffy bread when it just came out at the bakery around the corner, to do long walks in nature just outside Damascus with my friends and eat meat cooked in a clay pot underground.
I was still there when the horror started in 2011. I saw firsthand many of my distant family members displaced inside Syria and out because of the horrific war. This is why, when I first knew about the project, I felt honored to be able to illustrate Yusra’s story of courage and perseverance that was so beautifully written by you.
In the preparation phase, I read the book written by Yusra ‘Butterfly’ describing her journey to safety and I heard many of her interviews and talks.
I also watched many sea refugees’ videos and documentaries so I can illustrate the book accurately. This phase of illustrating the book was the hardest for me but it opened my eyes to what it means to leave everything behind for fear of war and in hope for a safer and better future. This is why in my illustrator note I have dedicated the book to all the refugees who had to cross the sea with all its horror and uncertainty risking it all.
5. Thank you for sharing your childhood memories of Syria with me. Syria looks beautiful and I could smell the jasmine flowers and almost taste the fluffy bread through your words. I am so sorry about the devastation. Would you share your design process and vision?
First of all, I gather as much reference and inspiration as I can. The better the preparation is the best the outcome. Then after sketching the spreads, I color using watercolors and gouache.
The last step is scanning everything and then cleaning the drawings and forming the layers on Photoshop.
6. What is your favorite page in the book?
I love the scene where Yusra is in the water as I mentioned in my first answer and I also love the first page where Yusra is learning to swim with her father.
I got inspired of my own childhood swimming pool just outside Damascus.
I asked my mom to send me reference pictures and my she was very happy to do so. I saw her get emotional seeing the spread when I gifted her the book.
7. I love your childhood photos and what a sweet moment you shared with your mother! Could you share a tip for illustrators or designers?
Using a mood board for each of the project. It could be physical or online on Pinterest for example. It helps gather the ideas and harmonies the artistic choices and colors for the book.
8. Just for fun, where’s your favorite local place to go?
While growing up in Damascus as a teenager I often made the walk of 20 minutes after school to two pastry shops next to each other called ‘Damer’ and ‘Apollo’. It was a way to gather with my friends and to bring home some ice cream and cake for my family.
9. What’s your favorite snack?
I make a homemade sugar free snack combining almond flour, shredded fresh coconut with liquid cream and topping it with melted chocolate. I store them in the freezer and get one whenever I feel like snacking.
10. Yum! Any next projects you have coming up? Please share the links of how we can support and follow you!
I am working on a fun book with Collins Big Cat and few exciting projects under discussion that I hope I get!
My website is: www.asmaenayeh.com
My Instagram: www.instagram.com/asma.enayeh
Thanks Asma! SWIMMING TOWARD A DREAM: YUSRA MARDINI’S INCREDIBLE JOURNEY FROM REFUGEE TO OLYMPIC SWIMMER releases September 5th and is available wherever books are sold! We can’t wait for you to read it. We appreciate your support in any way, whether it is you borrowing the book from your library and recommending it to your friend, posting about our book to social media, donating the book to a class, writing a kind review, or ordering our book! Also, a portion of the book proceeds will go to Syrian refugee relief.
Asma Enayeh is a passionate children’s books illustrator and surface designer. She is a daydreamer who is inspired by the colors and patterns around her. Her art is a celebration of humanity, cultures, and diversity. The places she’s traveled to and the people she’s met have had a big influence in her life and work. She has loved observing new cultures in the 23 countries she has visited so far. Asma’s family, especially her two daughters, is her biggest source of pride and joy. She first started illustrating books for her daughters, and she has since expanded her work for the world’s eyes to hopefully enjoy and be inspired by.
Doodling Through Life 