  
Kevin Luthardt is the author and illustrator of five children’s
picture books: Mine! (Simon and Schuster—Atheneum),
Peep! (Peachtree), Larabee (Peachtree),
Hats! (Albert Whitman), and You’re Weird! (Dial). He is also
the illustrator of the picture book Zoom! (Peachtree,
written by Diane Adams). He is a member of the Society of Children’s
Book Writers and Illustrators (www.scbwi-illinois.org,
http://www.scbwi-illinois.org/Luthardt.html).
His original illustrations are represented by Storyopolis in Los
Angeles and his other paintings and drawings are represented by
Mars Gallery in Chicago. He is also a muralist creating large-scale
mural projects for schools, libraries, and other venues. Kevin is
active in using his work to teach and inspire students of all ages.
He has spoken at over 250 schools, libraries, and conferences.
 
- When were you born?
June 10, 1973
- Where did you grow up?
I spent my whole childhood in Schaumburg, Illinois, a
northwest suburb of Chicago.
- What was family life like in your home?
I grew up in a pretty simple, fun household. My mom is a registered
nurse and my dad is a computer engineer. I have an older brother,
Mike, and a younger sister, Wendy. I was the typical odd middle
child.
- Did you have any pets?
We had a beagle dog named Chopper, a cat named Buttermilk,
a cat named Benny, and a little duck named Peepsee (inspiration
for my book “PEEP!”)
- Did you know you wanted to be an artist as a child?
Yes! I have been fanatical about drawing as far back
as I can remember. When I was young, I wanted to be a comic strip
cartoonist like Charles Schulz (Peanuts) or Bill Watterson (Calvin
and Hobbes). I even took cartooning classes at the local recreation
center. Later, I was really interested in the Disney and Warner
Brothers-Looney Toons animation styles. It is a great joy to make
a living doing what I love to do!
- What were your favorite books growing up?
My favorite book as a child was “Mouse Soup”
by Arnold Lobel. I also loved all of the Dr. Seuss books. When
I got a little older, I loved the Encyclopedia Brown series by
Donald J. Sobol. In high school I was addicted to Agatha Christie
mystery novels.
- What other interests did you have as a child?
Star Wars, Atari 2600 (if you don’t know what an Atari 2600
is, ask your parents), breakdancing (yes, I can still do a few
moves), eating cereal, playing soccer, and all sorts of other
fun kid stuff.
- What is your family like now?
I have a beautiful wife Alicia, a music teacher, a
three year old son Avery, a baby boy Elijah, and a goldfish
named Jo Jo. We live in the Chicago area.
- Where do you get your ideas?
Ideas for stories, paintings, murals, etc. come from just about
anything and everything. Personal experiences play a big role
in generating ideas. I try to visit bookstores and libraries about
once a week to look at new books and illustrations. A lot of ideas
come from just sitting down with a pencil and paper and letting
my mind wander. As a Christian, I always seek to glorify God with
my work. Although I am not necessarily creating “Bible stories”,
I strive to let the themes and spirit of my stories reflect my
faith and values.
- What are your hobbies and interests?
I play the guitar, listen to music, do crossword puzzles,
read books, listen to books on tape, listen to old time radio
shows, watch movies and plays, and go to art galleries and museums.
One of my favorite things to do is just sit in a bookstore and
check out all the new picture books. I enjoy traveling to other
countries and experiencing other cultures when I get the chance.
I have been to Africa and India on mission trips and Italy for
a vacation.
- Aside from your work and hobbies, how else do you spend
your time?
I hang out with my family of course. I am a Christian,
and I spend a lot of time worshipping God at church (www.armitagechurch.org),
studying the Bible, and developing my relationship with Jesus
Christ. My wife and I both serve in the kids’ ministry at
church.
- What advice would you give an aspiring artist or writer?
My advice is simple: Practice, practice, practice!!!
The more that you develop your skills as an artist or writer now,
the stronger your work will be later. Work hard in school, and
you can also take writing and art classes outside of school. Read
lots of books, and look at lots of different artists’ work.
Most importantly, practice on your own.
"Mural Heralds New Era"
Lake County Journals, September 2007
“New Mural Celebrates Diversity”
Glenside Public Library World, Winter 2006
Renovations Boost Student Morale
Wauconda Courier, September 2007
Step by Step
The Midweek News, July 2006
Illustrator Visits Graves-Hume Summer Reading Program
Mendota Reporter, July 2006
Children’s Author Visits Watseka
Iroquois County’s Times Republic, June 2006
“Kid Simple: Artist Kevin Luthardt’s work appeals to the inner
child in all of us”
Time Out Chicago Magazine, April 2005
“Kevin
Luthardt: A Librarian’s Artist”
Illinois Library Association REPORTER, August, 2005—pages
10-13
“Overcome
Rejections”
Detroit Free Press, Yak’s Corner, March 30, 2005
Mural Lasting Reminder of God’s Gifts
The Northern Light, April 2004
Mural
celebrates diversity, reading
Skokie Review,p5.4/15/2004.
“A
Creator of Stories”
Publisher’s Weekly, June 12, 2004
“Something
fishy's going on at the library”
Des Plaines Times, June 1, 2004
“Muralists
deck Des Plaines walls”
Des Plaines Times, January 2, 2003
Luthardt
Shares his story
Skokie Review,pB5.3/27/2003.
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