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: Kim Krans, “ABC Dream”

    Bianca SchulzeBy Bianca Schulze3 Mins Read ABC's Ages 0-3 Ages 4-8 Art Illustrator Interviews Picture Books
    Illustration Inspiration_ Kim Krans, “ABC Dream”
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    The Children’s Book Review

    Kim Krans is an artist, writer, and yogi living in Portland, Oregon. Her writing and illustrations are known for conjuring moments of elevated wonder and self-reflection. A vast collection of Kim’s artwork can be found at thewildunknown.com.

    Latest published book …

    ABC Dream

    Inspired by …

    If the letters of the alphabet drifted off to sleep, what would their dreams look like?

    Art medium used …

    Pen and ink with watercolor washes.

    abc_dream_shopify_3

    Artistic process …

    It begins with a concept and then becomes a drawing exploration. Then comes the watercolor, then more drawing, and at some point the project begins to have a life of its own. At that point I try to get out of the way and let it reveal exactly what it wants to be. “What does the book want?” is a question I ask often during the process.

    abc_dream_shopify_7

    Favorite place to create & illustrate …

    I like to travel and roam so many ideas come while in transit, on airplanes especially. As long as I can find paper and something to draw with (I’m very picky about my pens) the creative process begins.

    kim_krans_art

    Most used art supply or tool …

    Ink pens. I have hundreds of them in all different sizes.

    Illustrator idols …

    I looked at the drawings of Degas a lot when I was young, when I first began making detailed drawings in pen and ink. The drawings of Henry Moore had a huge impact on me at that time as well.

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

    You can’t really get much better than Harold & the Purple Crayon.

    A literary character to create art with …

    I’d definitely like to work with Winnie the Pooh sometime. He seems fun to paint with.

    Currently working on …

    I have several projects coming out this year, but one that’s particularly exciting is a counterpart to ABC Dream, called 123 Dream! More news on that coming soon.

    Connect with Kim Krans …

    TheWildUnknown.com/ | Instagram

    ABC DreamABC Dream

    Written and Illustrated by Kim Krans

    Publisher’s Synopsis: This stunning and innovative alphabet picture book will dazzle little ones and engage the adults who share it with them! Each page is dedicated to a letter, and clever alliterations are packed into each ink-and-watercolor spread. This gem comes to us from Kim Krans, the creator of The Wild Unknown—a lifestyle website offering prints, calendars, and more.

    Ages 3-7 | Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers | 2016 | ISBN-13: 978-0553539295

    Available Here: 

    Text, logoBuy on Amazon

    Discover more picture book illustration inspiration and books like “ABC Dream,” by Kim Krans, on The Children’s Book Review by following along with our Illustration Inspiration series and articles tagged with Alphabet Books.

    What to Read Next:

    1. My First Book of Chinese Words: An ABC Rhyming Book | Book Review
    2. Caveman, ABC Story, by Janee Trasler
    3. Q&A with Hervé Tullet (Yes, It Rhymes!)
    4. D is for Dress Up: The ABC’s of What We Wear, by Maria Carluccio | Book Review

    *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.

    Alphabet Books Kim Krans Random House Books for Young Readers
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleHarriet the Spy, by Louise Fitzhugh | Book Review
    Next Article The One and Only Ivan, by Katherine Applegate | Book 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 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
    • I Am Not Sophie, by Robyn Hodess | 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.