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Jeff Drew, a seasoned commercial illustrator, has consistently sought the intersection between his professional ambitions and personal passions. “It’s not common for someone to genuinely achieve the blend of doing what they love while also earning a living from it. That’s been my aim all along,” he expresses.
His debut picture book, Alfie Explores A to Z: A Seek-and-Find Adventure (Random House), marks a significant milestone in his journey, merging career accomplishments with his intrinsic love for creativity. “Although this book is targeted at children, my primary motivation was to create something that I found entertaining,” Drew admits.
Within the pages of this lively book, readers embark on a treasure hunt featuring Alfie, a bookworm, and his amusing pet dust bunny, Betty, who are cleverly concealed among a collection of 26 imaginative titles, such as The Hydra’s House Party Hootenanny and Video Game Vacation. Each letter of the alphabet is paired with whimsical rhymes, guiding readers while hinting at Betty’s elusive location as she playfully evades capture.
Drew’s initial steps into children’s literature can be traced back to his artistic education at the Herron School of Art and Design in Indianapolis. “In ’96, I attempted to create my first children’s book, but my submission efforts went unanswered,” he recalls.
What began as a concept for an art project soon evolved into a book. “The inspiration struck while I was selling prints and posters online. I pondered what kind of art people would enjoy having on their walls,” he explains. After realizing the potential for these pieces to coalesce into a complete book, Drew dedicated around ten years to meticulously curating an alphabet-themed adventure, listing an extensive array of animals, objects, and foods to bring each page to life. “I have always found joy in learning through visuals,” he adds.
In stark contrast, the journey to securing representation and publishing his book was notably swift. After reaching out to about a dozen literary agents, Drew faced challenges; “Many expressed a lack of interest in rhyme or in alphabet-themed books, which was disheartening as those were my specialties,” he notes.
However, a mention of Kirsten Hall at Catbird Agency in Publishers Weekly piqued his interest. “She seemed like the perfect fit for my project—someone who appreciated the style I was pursuing,” Drew shares. After submitting his work, he received an encouraging response, leading to collaborative revisions with a team of editors at Penguin Random House, including Mallory Loehr and Maria Correa, alongside art director Nicole Gastonguay.
The collaborative efforts helped refine the narrative, incorporating the character of Betty and reimagining Alfie, initially designed with hair and antennae, to appear more appealing and youthful. Additionally, the concept that Alfie resides behind the bookshelves of a library was introduced.
Drew’s proficiency with Photoshop—his preferred medium—streamlined the creative process. “Embracing Photoshop transformed my approach to illustration. Instead of repainting, I could simply adjust layers and arrangements, which was incredibly freeing,” he reflects, emphasizing the rewarding nature of digital artistry.
The finished product boasts an array of humorous, photorealistic depictions, from an alien in a trendy argyle sweater to a lynx dressed in a leisure suit, a style influenced by his admiration for Mad magazine and iconic cartoonists Sergio Aragonés and Jack Davis. “My exposure to seek-and-find illustrations in Mad magazine was foundational; those densely detailed images were what inspired me as a child. I would tear them out and proudly display them,” Drew reminisces.
Initial responses indicate that readers are captivated by the richness of the illustrations. “I’ve received feedback from parents stating it works as a clever nighttime reading strategy, essentially offering 26 different stories within one book,” he says.
Drew aspires to maintain his artistic independence, revealing, “The ultimate goal for me is to sustain myself through art. Thankfully, I’ve achieved that, though it’s been challenging at times, with income fluctuating in the freelance world. Having a project like this has provided much-needed stability, allowing me to carve out a more structured routine,” sharing that his work hours usually span six to eight hours each day.
Looking ahead, Drew is engrossed in a new project featuring Alfie that delves into themes of history, time travel, and mythology. “I’m completely absorbed in this work from morning to night. It’s gratifying to immerse myself in my own creative universe throughout the day,” he concludes.
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