Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest LinkedIn YouTube TikTok
    • Home
    • Submission Guidelines
    • Advertise
    • Mentorship
    • Editing Services
    • About
    • Contact
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest TikTok
    The Children's Book Review
    Subscribe
    • Books by Subject
    • Books by Age
      • Ages 0-3, Infant and Toddler
      • Ages 4-8, Preschool to Elementary
      • Ages 9-12, Preteen and Tween
      • Ages 12+, Teen and Young Adult
      • Books for First Grade Readers
      • Books for Second Grade Readers
      • Books for Third Grade Readers
    • Favorites
      • Diverse and Inclusive Books
      • Books About Activism
      • Best Books for Kids
      • Star Wars Books
      • Board Books
      • Books About Mindfulness
      • Dr. Seuss Books
    • Showcase
    • Interviews
      • Growing Readers Podcast
      • Author Interviews and Q&A
      • Illustrator Interviews
    • Kids’ Book Giveaways
    • Directory
    • Podcast
    The Children's Book Review

    Illustration Inspiration: Charles Santoso, Illustrator of This Way, Charlie

    Bianca SchulzeBy Bianca Schulze4 Mins Read Ages 4-8 Animal Books Best Kids Stories Illustrator Interviews Picture Books
    Interview with Charles Santoso
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    The Children’s Book Review

    Charles Santoso has illustrated several picture books, including I Don’t Like Koala and The Snurtch by Sean Ferrell; Ida, Always by Caron Levis; and the Peanut Butter & books by Joe McGee. He lives and works in Singapore.

    I make art because …

    I like drawing. I like storytelling. When I combine these two, sometimes things happen. Some people call it art, others call it by different names. I often call it magic.

    Book This Way, CharlieMy latest published book is …

    This Way, Charlie. It’s a wonderful friendship story between a blind horse and a grumpy goat written by Caron Levis. Reading the manuscript made me smile, tear up and smile again. I love it. The picture book is published by Abrams Books for Young Readers.

    Art medium used …

    I often use different methods for different stories. For This Way, Charlie, I used Photoshop with Wacom Graphic Tablet.

    Artistic process …

    After reading the manuscript and understanding the “heart” of the story, I began my quest in finding a suitable visual look for the book. I did lots of research, looking at lots of videos and books about goats, horses, and farms. I then studied the anatomy of horses and goats, as they are generally really tricky to visualize. I also tried different rendering approaches for the book. The process was quite similar to a cook finding a recipe for a new dish.

    While these were happening on the side, I also started to do sketches for interiors of the book, playing around with story beats, compositions, and page turn.

    Once the book dummy was done and everyone was happy with it, I moved to the final rendering phase. The “recipe” from the early process ensures our whole book has a consistent look.

    A close up of an animal
    I am inspired by …

    Many things inspired me, especially art in general. These days I do get more and more inspirations from mundane events, little moments that I observe in real life. For example, finding a lone wildflower among concrete or seeing the way light shines on leave surfaces. Seeing different perspectives from different people—especially children—really intrigues me.

    My favorite place to create & illustrate is …

    I love working in my studio to do finished illustrations, and I love cafes or libraries for me to work on my sketches.

    My most used art supply or tool is …

    Wacom graphic tablet and iPad. I also use pen and pencil for sketching and for doing some parts of my other books.

    Illustrator idols …

    There are too many of them! Wolf Erlbruch, Norman Rockwell, Bill Watterson, Iain McCaig, and so SO many others. I could go on and on about this, and I better stop now.

     All-time favorite children’s book I didn’t illustrate…

    The Little Prince, although I personally think it is absolutely perfect as is and doesn’t really need to be visually interpreted by others.

    A literary character to create art with …

    I would love to draw with the Little Prince. He’ll ask too many questions of course, but I think I’ll learn many things from him.

    Currently working on …

    I’m working on a picture book that I am writing and illustrating. I’m both nervous and excited!

    For more information about Charles Santos, you can visit http://www.charlessantoso.com.

    —

    Book This Way, CharlieThis Way, Charlie

    Written by Caron Levis

    Illustrated by Charles Santos

    Publisher’s Synopsis: From the award-winning team behind Ida, Always comes a story about a friendship that grows between a blind horse and a gruff goat

    All the animals at the Open Bud Ranch can see that Jack likes keeping his space to himself. But when Charlie arrives, he doesn’t see Jack at all. He’s still getting used to seeing out of only one of his eyes.
    The two get off to a bumpy start. At first, Jack is anxious and distrustful. But one day, he summons his courage and guides Charlie to his favorite sunlit field: this way, Charlie. And so begins a powerful friendship that will be tested by life’s storms—but will ultimately change each life for the better.

    Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers | April 21, 2020 | ISBN-13: 978-1419742064

    Buy the Book

    Buy on Amazonapplebooks-iconBuy on Bookshop

    Discover more illustration inspiration and books like This Way, Charlie written by Caron Levis and illustrated by Charles Santos, on The Children’s Book Review by following along with our Illustration Inspiration series and articles tagged with

    Animal Friends, Books on Deaf and Blind, Charles Santos, Friendship, Goats, and Horses.

    What to Read Next:

    1. Illustration Inspiration: Pamela Zagarenski, Illustrator of Zola’s Elephant
    2. Illustration Inspiration: Kataneh Vahdani, Creator of Kat and Juju
    3. Crafty Llama, by Mike Kerr and Renata Liwska | Speed Interview
    4. Illustration Inspiration: Yuval Zommer, Illustrator of The Big Book of the Blue

    *Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links that share some commission. Rest assured that these will not affect the cost of any products and services promoted here. Our team always provides their authentic opinion in all content published on this site.

    Animal Friends Books on Deaf and Blind Caron Levis Charles Santos Farm Animals Friendship Goats Horses Illustration Inspiration Picture Book
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleThink Big, by Kat Kronenberg | Book Spotlight
    Next Article More Than Marmalade: Michael Bond and the Story of Paddington Bear | Dedicated Review
    Bianca Schulze
    • Website
    • Facebook
    • X (Twitter)
    • LinkedIn

    Bianca Schulze is the founder of The Children’s Book Review. She is a reader, reviewer, mother and children’s book lover. She also has a decade’s worth of experience working with children in the great outdoors. Combined with her love of books and experience as a children’s specialist bookseller, the goal is to share her passion for children’s literature to grow readers. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, she now lives with her husband and three children near Boulder, Colorado.

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    TCBR Supporter
    Recent Articles
    • An Interview with Jill Rosen and Stephanie Rohr, Creators of the ‘Ode to a Pug’ Series
    • An Interview with Liz Kessler, Author of the ‘Emily Windsnap’ Series
    • Simone LaFray and the Bishop of Mumbai | Dedicated Review
    • Inspirational Soccer Book for Kids Compilation: 2 Books In 1: Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe, and Alex Morgan biographies for kids – Plus 101 Affirmations and Mental Training For Young Players | Dedicated Review
    • Animals Feeling Like Us, by R. M. Smith | Book Review
    TCBR Supporters
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today

    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    Discover Kids Books by Age
    Best Books For Kids
    Media Kit: The Children's Book Review
    Author and Illustrator Showcase
    SEARCH
    BOOKS BY SUBJECT
    Archives
    Professional Resources

    Book Marketing Campaigns

    Writing Coaches and Editing Services

    Mentorship

    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest YouTube LinkedIn TikTok
    • Submission Guidelines
    • Policies
    • Advertise
    • TCBR Buzzworthy Mentions
    • About TCBR
    © 2025 The Children’s Book Review. All rights reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.