Written by Joye Smith
Illustrated by Beverly Love Warren
Woman’s Missionary Union, 2025
Welcome to the blog, Beverly! Thanks for taking the time to fill us in on what’s happening in your life, especially with the recent June 2025 release of Meet Lottie and Annie. This beautiful picture book is about two historical and inspirational women who led women and families to pray for and support missionaries around the world who tell others about Jesus.
Let’s get started!
Tell us what drew you to illustrate Meet Lottie and Annie. What made you decide to accept the assignment?
Hi Angie,
Thank you for this opportunity to share my part in this wonderful book. As my friend and critique partner you began talking about this book months ahead of your need to find an illustrator. Time passed and at some point I became aware of the fact that you didn’t yet have an illustrator, but Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) was looking for one, so I prayed that the right illustrator would be found. Later, I got the idea that I would like to be considered, but I kept that to myself. About 2 or 3 months more passed and I heard nothing more from you regarding the book, so I concluded that you had found your illustrator. I was content with that, but shortly thereafter you surprised me and asked if I would be interested in the job. That was an easy answer. I have been interested in missionary work for decades and spent several months serving in England and in Israel. I’ve also had long term correspondence with missionaries for many years. Therefore, being drawn to illustrating a book about two missionaries was of great interest.
I’m so glad you were able to be a part of Meet Lottie and Annie. As in all publishing, it goes slow-until suddenly it goes super-fast (especially regarding deadlines). It was a blessing to work with a critique partner and sister in Christ.
What was your process as you illustrated this picture book? How much research did you need to do?
One of the first things I did was to gather images of clothing and room décor for the sketches for Annie’s part. She would be easier to illustrate since I was already somewhat familiar historically with those items. Afterwards I began to research clothing, homes, furnishings, and villages in China, circa 1900. I located a photo of Tengchow, where Lottie spent much of her time. I used this photo for the outdoor illustration of Lottie and the missionary children. However, I didn’t include the buildings in the photo because I didn’t want them to compete visually with Lottie and the children.
Once I had the information I needed, including some photos of Lottie and Annie, I began my storyboard. Normally I would do character sketches but since I was trying to make Lottie and Annie look like themselves I did not need to design characters. The storyboard was then sent to you, Angie, for approval. Once approved, I then created the full-sized sketches which I entered into Procreate in my iPad. From these, I completed the final art.
Let me tell you, it was amazing to see the storyboard! I shared it with my team, and everyone loved it. We had a few tweaks as the process went on, but the final book is stunning!
From beginning to end, how long did it take you to complete illustrations for Meet Lottie and Annie?
It took me about 4 months. I began the art in November and finished the final art in mid-March.
We did a lot of back and forth, but really 4 months went fast.
Are there any special Easter eggs included in the illustrations? By that, I mean any fascinating special facts or tidbits that readers would love to hear about?
Yes, there are several tidbits. Many of the illustrations in Meet Lottie and Annie had some collaged pieces added to them. The letter that Annie is reading on page 18 is a clipped area of an actual letter written by Lottie. The painting on page 20 is a portion of an oil painting which I created from a trip my husband and I took to southern Spain. The rug on the floor of page 20-21 is of a rug that belonged to my husband’s grandparents, which makes the rug about 100 years old. The painting on page 29 is a pastel I created years ago of some tulips in my yard. Lastly, page 30 contains a small tugboat in the illustration. It is a McAllister tug. The McAllister tugs at that time in history were mostly located in the northeastern part of the United States. I specifically chose that tugboat company because my grandmother is a McAllister. Her family owned these tugboats. In very tiny writing on the side of the tug is the name Isabel McAllister which is my grandmother’s name. It is not legible to the naked eye, but nevertheless it is there. When I was very young, I rode on the tug that bears my grandmother’s name.
I remember seeing your grandmother’s name as I zoomed in to study the illustration. All of these are very cool fun facts!
You have illustrated several other books. What makes the illustrations for Meet Lottie and Annie unique and different from your other projects?
Most of my books have been illustrated in traditional watercolor. This book, as mentioned above, was digitally colored with some pieces of collage taken from fabric or other items.
Another thing that is unique about this book is that it is two books in one picture book. The front half of the book is about Lottie Moon who served in China and the second half tells of Annie Armstrong and her service in the United States. Although I have illustrated many Bible stories, this is my first time illustrating a book about missionaries. In a small way I feel connected to both women because I have written my share of letters to overseas missionaries and on November 14, 2025, my 18-year-old granddaughter flies to China to serve as a nanny for six months.
Wow! What an inspiring experience for your granddaughter to have! And the details in the illustrations are so interesting to dig into-the collage, fabrics, patterns, designs. The different aspects came together to make one fascinating picture book!
What’s next for you in the writing and illustrating world?
Just before I began Meet Lottie and Annie I finished up my second book as an author and illustrator, Tinker, where Are You?, which is about a young girl struggling to keep a promise she made to her best friend. For this holiday season I just completed a Christmas story coloring book. This is my first time creating a coloring book. It is about two small sparrows who build a nest for baby Jesus as a gift to him and his mother. I also have a picture book out on submission to some publishers and I’m working on another picture book and an illustrated chapter book.
I can’t wait to see the coloring book! As one of your critique partners, I’ve seen this work-in-progress many times!
Thank you, Angie for pairing me up with WMU to create this book. It was a joy to work with you on this project.
I totally agree! A pleasant fellowship!
As an illustrator, when I am illustrating a biography, I always feel like I get to know the characters that I illustrate in a unique way. As they live in my mind for the months that I attempt to portray them visually, I wonder about what it would be like to meet them in person. I wonder how they endured the great challenges on their chosen paths, and with Lottie and Annie, I wondered about the steps that God used to lead them into their call.
Thank you so much for sharing inside information about your process of illustrating Meet Lottie and Annie. A labor of love!
If you would like your own copy of Meet Lottie and Annie, you can find it here.
Read more about Beverly’s books here:
Book Share and Author Illustrator Interview: Tinker, Where Are You? by Beverly Love Warren
Happy Book Birthday to HAVE YOU SEEN MOUSE?! Interview with Author-Illustrator Beverly Love Warren
Meet the Authors: The Girl Who Lived in a Shoe and other Torn-Up Tales
Love, Laughter, and Life 