In The New Bicycle, a picture book by Darcy Day Zoells, a “little girl in red” takes her bicycle for a ride and has an eye-opening adventure in the process. Zoells is a gold medal recipient for the 2022 Clavis Key Colors competition, which honors exceptional children’s book illustrators and publishes their work. Zoells chatted with PW about the joys of writing and illustrating picture books, the great subtleties and complexities of the art form, and much more.

Congratulations on winning the Clavis Key Colors competition! What does the honor mean to you?

Thank you! This award means a great deal to me. Having my work acknowledged in this way is very affirming but the Key Colors Gold Medal is even more meaningful because my book will be published as well. That is so powerful. In addition, now that I am further along in the process (the book comes out November 7), I am so grateful for all the support that Clavis has put behind The New Bicycle. There will be a Spanish version in the US, which I am thrilled about. This spring, Clavis invited me to the ALA Conference to sign advance copies and when I arrived, I found that they had bought an actual child’s bike to raffle off to promote the book! I’m so excited to see my book in the world but I also really appreciate all they are doing to get it into children’s hands.

Have you always had a passion for picture books? From your perspective, what makes the art form so powerful?

I have always loved picture books! Many years ago, I joined a book club. When it was my turn to host, I suggested a selection of picture books—they humored me and agreed. When we met, no one had bothered to read the books! Sometimes adults assume that picture books are simple or only for children, but they can be so complex. From childhood to now, it’s the images that draw me in. However, as a creator, I marvel at the play between text and image, the rhythm, the page turns, and the layering of meaning. One word or a color shift can make a huge difference.

By the way, I quit the book club.

What can you share about The New Bicycle?

The idea for The New Bicycle was born as you see it, but it is the result of a lot of revision. However, the little girl in red traveling on her bicycle was there from the beginning.

The memory of learning to ride a bicycle is so clear in my mind. The feeling of surprise I had when I looked behind me and realized that my dad had let go of the bike. I was actually balancing and moving on my own. Of course, I immediately crashed, but afterward, my parents allowed me to ride to the park at the end of the block by myself. They probably watched me the whole way, but this time, I did not look back. That park was like the whole world to me, and it was exhilarating but also a little scary in the way that growing up often is. I hope all those feelings come through in The New Bicycle.

On the surface, The New Bicycle is about a girl who takes a special journey on her new set of wheels. What are some important underlying meanings of the story?

The text of the book does not tell us exactly where Mari goes, but the images suggest an adventure. This distance between the text and images leaves room to wonder. Is she going around the world or is it all in her imagination? There are visual clues that either might be true.

The story begins and ends at home, but the neighborhood she returns to is full of friends and new observations. The scenes are almost the same, but the images reflect Mari’s interior change. Travel, or maybe just leaving her comfort zone, has reawakened her curiosity. It is not just about growing up and leaving home, it’s also about coming back. When she returns, the freedom that she has experienced gives her new eyes.

Mari’s trip is surprising and fun, but I also wanted to give her the power to overcome fear, disappointment, and obstacles along the way. I wanted her to accomplish something. Even if you think it is only in her imagination, she is dreaming about doing big things.

What are you working on now?

I’m working on a picture book about a little boy and his dog who are constantly getting into mischief while their mother is working from home. It’s humorous, but also has a little heartache before the happy ending.