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Celebrating Peas: Keith Baker’s Endearing Series Expands
Charming and versatile, the beloved Peas from Keith Baker’s picture book series have captivated readers since their debut in 2010 with LMNO Peas. Published under Simon & Schuster’s Beach Lane Books, this delightful collection has seen significant popularity, amassing a total of 2.25 million copies across five titles, including 1-2-3 Peas, Little Green Peas: A Big Book of Colors, Hap-Pea All Year, and LMNO Pea-quel.
In a festive addition to the Pea franchise, Baker has released four new holiday-themed titles. The series kicked off with Hap-Pea Valentine’s Day in December, followed by Hap-Pea Easter in February, Hap-Pea Halloween in July, and concluding with Hap-Pea Holidays this September. Each book is designed in an 8×8 paper-over-board format, priced at $9.99, and maintains the tradition of incorporating a hidden ladybug on each page spread.
Baker’s journey into the world of picture books began in the 1970s at Eastern Oregon University, where he found inspiration in art classes and the children’s library. “I became deeply engaged with illustration during my time there and envisioned creating these books as a rewarding career,” he recalled. He focused on the interplay between text and imagery, influenced by iconic creators like Leo Lionni, Eric Carle, and Maurice Sendak, aiming to convey substantial ideas through minimal words.
After earning degrees in art and teaching, Baker spent seven years as an elementary school educator before honing his illustration skills at ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, California. He published his first book, The Dove’s Letter, through Harcourt Brace Jovanovich in 1988, which paved the way for several subsequent titles, including Who Is the Beast? and Quack and Count.
The Inspiration Behind Peas
The idea for the Peas series came to Baker during school visits where he observed children enthusiastically reciting the alphabet. “I realized that ‘LMNOP’ often sounds like a single word,” he noted. “This inspired me to depict ‘P’ as ‘Peas.’ I owe this concept to the enthusiastic first graders I encountered.”
As he developed LMNO Peas, he encountered challenges in creating distinct yet simple characters. Initially, his peas lacked unique characteristics, but after realizing the importance of individuality, he introduced features such as clothing and facial expressions, which added depth and diversity to his characters. “Peas may be small, but giving them personality was essential for making them engaging,” Baker remarked.
A Renewed Passion
After finishing his fifth Peas book, Baker contemplated retirement and relocated to Walla Walla, Washington, to assist his family. However, the concept of a holiday-themed Peas series, pitched by Beach Lane Books editorial director Andrea Welch, reignited his creative spark. Their collaborative history with Baker made it a natural fit to explore new themes together.
“Working on four holiday books within two years was a dynamic and rewarding experience,” Welch shared, acknowledging the dedicated team that helped realize the series. With support from various team members, the project flourished, leading to the completion of the final book just before the end of the year.
Now that this festive series has come to fruition, Baker is pausing his Peas portfolio to explore new artistic territory. “I’m intrigued by the idea of returning to abstract painting, using mediums like watercolor,” he revealed. “I’m excited to experiment with limited color palettes and fresh concepts for future books. It feels like the right moment to set the Peas aside for now.”
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