Of all the surprises at this year’s Youth Media Awards, none was bigger for me than when This One Summer was announced as a Caldecott Honor winner. Full of stunning illustrations, this book scrapes the top of the Caldecott-eligible age range (0-14)

I had a chance to chat with author Jillian Tamaki and illustrator Mariko Tamaki about their barrier-breaking book.

Travis: Okay, so it seems like a backhanded compliment to say that your book winning a Caldecott Honor was the surprise of the Youth Media Awards, so please try to take it as a fronthanded compliment. What was your level of surprise when you got the Caldecott Call?

Jillian Tamaki: Very surprised, in that I wouldn’t have even considered our book Caldecott material. Very thrilling and surprising.

Travis: What did you say when you first talked to each other after receiving the news?

Jillian: We texted. Some smiley emoticons were part of that exchange.

Travis: I don’t want to pigeonhole, because I think your books work for a lot of different readers, but I think most librarians would call them YA (or at least “YA-ish”). Does this in any way open up your brain to a new, younger audience you didn’t have in mind before?

Mariko Tamaki: We’ve never paid too much attention to “audience.” I think when you focus on “audience” you spend less time thinking about story.  I leave it to publishers and librarians and booksellers to decide “audience.” Although, you know, ultimately it’s up to a reader to decide.

Travis: This One Summer was one of most well received books of 2014 – in general, how do you guys respond to the love of starred reviews and awards?

Mariko: They are lovely.  Also lovely are people coming up to you and emailing you and talking to you about the book.

Travis: How do you feel about breaking the Caldecott graphic novel barrier?

Jillian: It’s cool! It felt inevitable that a graphic novel would be recognized eventually, though. I’m just pleased it’s ours. Comics has been deepening and diversifying for years, it’s nice to be recognized by a broader book community.

Travis: How do you feel about breaking the Caldecott f-bomb barrier?

Jillian: Frickin’ awesome! I didn’t know that was another new thing. That feels maybe as significant as the fact it’s a graphic novel!

Mariko: F yeah.

Thanks Jillian and Mariko for taking my questions. Thank you to Gina Gagliano at First Second for arranging the interview.