We’re just in time to celebrate America’s 250th birthday with Roxanne Troup and Jennifer Doehring. They have a beautiful new picture book, Happy Birthday America, with Albert Whitman & Company, ready for the occasion!
This special picture book celebrates America’s birthday. Between the well-chosen words and bright illustrations, I could almost feel the heat, smell the good foods, and hear the amazing fireworks display. Such fun to see everything through a young child’s very first experience. Even though this book is available in perfect time for America’s 250th birthday, I like how it is timeless and can be enjoyed throughout the year and for years to come. Interesting back matter is a great addition. I recommend this book as a strong school and library purchase, as well as for families looking to add more to their 4th of July festivities.
I don’t think I’ve ever set up a double interview, so I’m extra excited to have Roxanne and Jennifer join us today. Welcome to both of you!
We’ll start with questions for Roxanne who has generously offered to provide a limited-edition paperback as a GIVEAWAY prize to one lucky winner. Details to follow!
Marcia Strykowski: Have you been writing long, Roxanne? What inspired you to write this particular book?
Roxanne Troup: I started writing in 2011, shortly after my youngest was born. At that time, I was writing for magazines and freelancing/ghostwriting for nonprofits. My first (credited) book published in 2017.
The spark for this book came as I was working on an educational piece about the history of fireworks. I remembered my first fireworks display—the colors, the sharp scent and noise, the deep-in-your-chest feeling as each firework exploded. As I wrote about the experience, I realized it would be perfect for a picture book. Sometime later, I revisited that moment and built a picture book around it.
MS: How long did it take to go from idea to publication?
RT: I started drafting in 2021, but it took about a year to revise to the point of submission. I received a publication offer in 2023, but that contract was canceled by the publisher. Towards the end of 2025, the publisher came back to me asking if the manuscript was still available—they wanted to publish it in time for America’s 250th anniversary. Six months later, it’s here!
MS: Were there any surprises or learning moments in the publishing process for this book?
RT: As I alluded to above, the biggest surprise was the timeline for this book. Most picture books take a couple years to get to market. I didn’t know a publisher could publish so quickly! (And I feel for the illustrator who probably felt this pinch more than the rest of the team.)
MS: What do you hope readers will take away from Happy Birthday, America!?
RT: I hope that readers recognize the importance of celebration. America has not done everything right, but its people continue to strive for the values that made us—freedom, equality, and personal responsibility—and that progress is worth celebrating (as depicted in the back matter).
MS: Can you tell us a little bit about your writing schedule, or lack thereof ?
RT: My kiddos are older now, so I try to do most of my writing while they’re in school. Evenings are full of sports and other extracurriculars, with an occasional family dinner thrown it. (It’s amazing how hard it is to have a home-cooked meal together during the teenage years!)
MS: Were you able to be involved at all in the process of choosing Jennifer as your illustrator? When submitting your manuscript, did you include art notes?
RT: My editor shared Jennifer’s website with me, but I didn’t “choose” her. (Though I was thrilled when I saw her work.) The only art note I included was at the beginning to let my first readers know that the family included a baby. Without that note, the moment Dad covers the baby’s ears during the fireworks display would have felt out of place. However, my editor added several other notes before sending it to the illustrator.
MS: Were any of the illustrations a surprise to you? Do you have a favorite?
RT: The memory sequence at the end of the book was a wonderful surprise. I didn’t know how Jennifer was planning to hint at America’s history, and I love what she chose to do. But my favorite illustrations are the fireworks scenes.
MS: If you could share one piece of advice with other writers, what would it be?
RT: Keep writing. You never know what story/manuscript will resonate with agents/editors at a particular time. The more stories you have, the more likely you are to hit that mark when opportunity rises. Remember the old adage, “Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.”
MS: What’s next for you? Any projects you’re excited about?
RT: I do have another picture book coming out but don’t have permission to share it just yet…
MS: Oh, that’s exciting, congratulations! Where can readers follow you and find out more about your work?
RT: I’m on social media as @roxannetroup, but the easiest way to find me is my website: www.roxannetroup.com
Marcia Strykowski: Jennifer, how long have you known you wanted to illustrate children’s books?
Jennifer Doehring: I’ve wanted to illustrate children’s books probably since I was around ten. I would become immersed in the worlds of picture books like Polar Express and Jumanji, thinking that would literally be the coolest job ever; but I never thought I’d be talented enough to pursue it as a career. I got a degree in fine art in 2010 and fast forward to 2015… I had just opened my company Palette Passions Studio, teaching traditional art. In the back of my mind I still held on to the dream of writing and illustrating picture books, but it was only when I bought my first iPad during the pandemic and taught myself how to digitally illustrate when I realized, “Hey, I can do this!” I signed with my agent two years later and never looked back!
MS: What were your first thoughts when you read Roxanne’s manuscript?
JD: I thought it was beautifully written. When I got the email from Albert Whitman about a 4th of July picture book, I was a little wary, because I figured it was a topic that had been done so many times before. But when I read the manuscript, I immediately knew it was special. I could practically see the images popping into my head as I read, and the wording was lyrical and lovely.
MS: Do you have a favorite sentence or passage in this story?
JD: “Sharp smelling smoke fills the air. My nose twitches. For a moment, nothing happens. Then…” I love this sentence because it gives me a fantastic detail that we can’t see in the illustration and adds a full sensory atmosphere of excitement in the moment right before the fireworks’ grand finale.
MS: What is your favorite medium(s) to work with?
JD: I work digitally in Procreate on my iPad, and I try to use very textured brushes.
MS: Would you like to share a little bit of your illustration process?
JD: I usually compile a file of images and inspiration for all aspects of the book. For Happy Birthday, America! I researched parks, crowds, day and night summer scenes, clothing, fireworks (of course!), different poses of people playing, eating, etc. Then, after character sketches, I start with a rough storyboard sketch to feel out the page turns and important moments, and finally move into final art.
MS: What was the most difficult scene to illustrate, if any?
JD: I don’t know if I would say difficult, but definitely time consuming, was the park scenes with the crowds of people. Also, those hands holding the sparklers and flags, I had to make sure those were just right!
MS: Were there any surprises for you while illustrating this book?
JD: I’m constantly surprised at how I envision the book looking in my head vs how the final product plays out. Because of how many people are working on each and every book that gets published, it obviously is almost always different, sometimes in good ways and sometimes in ways I’m not expecting, but that’s what makes the picture book making process so fascinating. I love it.
MS: If you could share one piece of advice with other illustrators, what would it be?
JD: Don’t doubt yourself. It’s something I continuously grapple with day in and day out even as a published author/illustrator, so I know it’s not an easy feat. But I think if I would have been more confident in my 20’s, I could have started my illustration career much earlier than 30. But in publishing anything is possible at any age, so don’t give up!
MS: What’s next for you? Any exciting news to share?
JD: I am keeping some news, but the deal announcement hasn’t been made public yet, so let’s just say I’m illustrating something silly and fun, coming out in the Fall of 2027!
MS: Yay, another book! Not surprising, your artwork is gorgeous. Where can readers follow you and find out more about your work?
JD: I’m most active on Instagram, @jenniferdoehringbooks (though I’m on Bluesky, X, and Threads, too), or you can check out my website: www.jenniferdoehringbooks.com
Wonderful answers! Thank you both so much for sharing your talents and wisdom with us.
Today’s GIVEAWAY is a limited-edition paperback for one lucky winner. All you need to do is leave a comment and you’ll be in the running (U.S. addresses only, please). Winner will be randomly drawn from all who comment by July 17th and will be contacted the next day. GOOD LUCK and a happy 4th of July to all!
WRITERS' RUMPUS 