Erin Dealey

You’re in for a sneaky treat today friends. It’s the Book Birthday of a hilarious new picture book

Ramon Fellini the Dog Detective,

written. illustrated, and translated by Guilherme Karsten.  

(Eerdman’s Books for Young Readers )

But don’t take my word for it…

“A supremely silly story with a sly sense of humor.”

~ Booklist

“Ramon, with his magnifying glass and case file, is a delightfully devious detective . . .

a charming read . . . hilarious.”

~ Kirkus

Meet Guilherme Karsten:

Guilherme is a Brazilian writer and illustrator whose books include Are You A Monster? (Happy Yak), Aaahhh! (Tapioca Stories), Run! (Owlkids), and Hen in the Bed (Nosy Crow). His work has been featured in the Society of Illustrators “The Original Art” exhibition, and his books have been published in over fifteen languages.

Fun Fact:

Eerdman’s discovered Karsten’s Ramon Fellini the Dog Detective,

originally published in Brazil in Portuguese, at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair.

Time for some questions!

Inspiration

Q 1. Where did the delightful concept of Ramon Fellini the Dog Detective come from? Do you have a dog or a cat (or a fish) who insisted you write this story?

Guilherme Karsten: I remember watching a livestream during the pandemic where the artist showed his cat and said it was a dog. At that very moment, I asked myself: “Is the cat lying to its owner about being a dog? Oh, that could be a great story!” So I started working on it.

Process

Q 2. Can you take us through the process after the initial idea sparks? Which comes first –the text or illustrations? Do you go to your sketch book? Work out a story board? Run it by a critique group, your agent, or editor? Your kids? Does your process differ with every book?

Guilherme Karsten: First comes the text. I write it down and divide it between the pages. While I’m writing, I look for aesthetic references about how I want to illustrate the book.

Once the text is ready, I start the storyboard on my computer, and after that I move on to the final illustrations.

I always show the initial idea to my agent and adjust it according to our conversations. In addition, I usually adjust some details after conversations with editors. I also read it to my wife and children to get the reader’s view of the work.

Q 3. Do you have a favorite medium? What medium did you use for this book? Did you know from the start that was what you would work with?

Guilherme Karsten: I prefer to work directly on the computer. It’s more practical and I have a good command of the tool. Sometimes I make some details in pencil, scan them, and apply them to the digital artwork. I know from the outset what the medium will be for the project.

Q 4. Which spread is your favorite? Which was the most challenging?

Guilherme Karsten: My favorite is the first time Ramon appears in the story. It has a touch of mystery, suspense, and noir.

The biggest challenge was making the first scene, the staircase, which required a bit of perspective for the illustration.

More about Guilherme Karsten

Q 5. They say a tiny bit of each of our books is autobiographical. Are you more like Ramon Fellini or the boy?
Guilherme Karsten: It’s not autobiographical; it’s just a joke based on an idea. But I find myself more like the boy at times, believing the conversations of strangers. We need to be vigilant. 😉

Q 6. You mention in a post that you did not like books when you were growing up. You weren’t a good reader. Was there a teacher, family member, or specific book or experience that changed this?  

Guilherme Karsten: Actually, I was never a good reader. When I worked in an illustration studio for books, I had to read a lot of stories, and I started to get interested in reading. I’ve always appreciated people who read, found them interesting, and decided to try reading. And I liked it

Q 7. I see that you graduated in Advertising and Graphic Design. The story and text of Ramon Fellini the DOG Detective feel very much suited to an animated short film. Do you have plans to make it into one?  

Guilherme Karsten: Yes, this is my background. I’ve also worked on a few animated productions, so I think my approach to the book always connects with other media. No plans at the moment, but an animation of Ramon would be incredible.

After the last page…

Q 8. Congratulations on your part in #TEDxBlumenau2024. (Seen via Instagram.) You talk about how stories continue long after we turn the last page of a book. Can you tell our readers more about this?

Guilherme Karsten: I believe that good stories can echo beyond the pages. They become part of our stories when we share our lives by sitting down and reading together, between friends or parents and children. No need for moral lessons or teachings. We can create bonds of friendship, and children can learn to love reading through fun.

Thank you — obrigada –to Guilherme Karsten for joining us on the blog today

and Happy Book Birthday to

Ramon Fellini the Dog Detective !

To learn more about Guilherme and his work, check out his website: guilhermekarsten.com

And follow him on Instagram: guikarsten

Up next on the blog:

We chat with Carol Foote about her debut picture book

TROUBLE DOG: From Shelter Dog to Conservation Hero (Eerdman’s)