plum pudding
written by kelsey klos and illustrated by elise fehr
A holiday story capturing the taste of traditions & magic of creating memories with family.
My whole life, I’ve dreamed of illustrating books
So when Kelsey asked me to illustrate her beloved Plum Pudding, something about it just felt right — like the perfect first story to begin with.
Some behind the scenes ~
Some behind the scenes ~
I’ve been asked a decent amount of times to illustrate stories- but none had ever captivated my imagination until Kelsey showed me Plum Pudding.
I truly loved the creative process of working with Kelsey on Plum Pudding. Every day was this incredible back-and-forth of our ideas and we made a really wonderful team. Kelsey came into the project with such a strong vision and so much real-life inspiration — she seriously knows how to deck the halls.
I think one of the biggest things working with someone and trying to bring their vision to life is knowing they trust you and your skill set. I felt confident going into this project as I knew Kelsey loved and genuinely trusted my creativity and what I would bring to the story.
We had about 9 months from start to finish. I would go nannying during the day then come home and spend another “work day” getting lost at my art desk in this deliciously colourful and whimsical world that was coming to life from my very own hands.
It was really important to me to capture not only Kelsey’s vision, but also the feeling the Christmas season carries with it — the warmth, excitement, nostalgia, and the wonder of it all.
When readers open the book, I want them to feel instantly transported into the heart of the season: gathering with family — and the people we call family — making memories, baking treats, decorating the house, and finding joy in all the little moments that make Christmas feel so special.
This is just the beginning
This book truly put me on the map — for myself, more than anything. Through illustrating it, I worked through a lot of my own insecurities and grew more confident in my voice and my art. I’m really proud of what it became, and I’m excited to share that another book is already on the way.
