“The Monster I Blamed for EVERYTHING”
Let me tell you about the joy I felt opening “The Monster I Blamed for EVERYTHING“ — a book written by none other than my daughter, Ana Beatriz Huerta, and illustrated by me, her dad. As an illustrator, collaborating on her very first children’s picture book was a dream come true, and I couldn’t be prouder.
Meet the Mischievous Monster You’ll Love to Blame!
What happens when crayons go missing, homework gets crumpled, and crumbs mysteriously appear? In the book, the culprit is clear—it’s the mischievous little monster that Ana Beatriz Huerta dreamed up and I, her dad, had the honor of illustrating. This book isn’t just about entertainment—it’s also an incredible resource for English Language Arts teachers and parents. The “before reading” questions invite kids to predict and imagine, while the “after reading” enrichment activities inspire creativity and critical thinking.
Available Soon!
“The Monster I Blamed for EVERYTHING” Ages 5-12, 8.5×8.5″, Hardcover, 32 Pages. ISBN 979-8-9925660-2-4 © Ana Beatriz Huerta
Story Time
The story follows a young narrator whose world is constantly turned upside down by a mischievous little monster. Crumpled homework? Vanished crayons? Crumbs everywhere? Yep, the monster did it! But this isn’t just a silly tale of chaos. It’s a heartwarming exploration of friendship, accountability, and learning to see things from someone else’s perspective.
The above spread from the book captures the playful chaos of the story! The mischievous purple monster, with its fuzzy texture, big goofy grin, and wild energy, is seen gleefully running across the classroom, clutching a giant green crayon. Crayons of all colors are flying in every direction, creating a whirlwind of creativity—and trouble!
As the illustrator, I had the absolute joy of bringing Ana’s vibrant world to life. The monster, with his mischievous purple eyes and cheeky grin, was so much fun to draw. I wanted him to leap off the page and into the hearts of every child who reads the book.
Behind the Book
When it comes to creating children’s picture books, I pour my heart into every step of the process—from drafting the story and illustrating whimsical characters to designing vibrant, eye-catching spreads that captivate young readers. But bringing a book to life goes beyond just the artwork! The real magic happens in the final stages, where every illustration, text element, and layout must be meticulously arranged to ensure a seamless and visually stunning experience, whether for print or digital publication.
Book Illustration
My number one app for creating art and illustrations is Procreate®. I love how immediate and versatile digital media is—it allows me to quickly sketch ideas, refine compositions, and share drafts with clients in real time. The ability to work in layers, experiment with endless brushes, and make instant adjustments streamlines my creative process, making it easier to bring ideas to life. Whether I’m drafting concepts or completing fully colored, detailed illustrations, Procreate provides the flexibility and precision I need to produce professional-quality artwork efficiently.
Character Design
Using Procreate®, (my favorite App!) I always start with layers of rough sketches, aiming to capture the characters’ essence. In this case, a playful, mischievous personality with a round, fluffy body, big curious eyes, and a wide, goofy grin. I chose a vibrant purple fur with bright yellow, green, and orange accents to make the monster pop.
Imagine spending countless hours crafting a breathtaking picture book, only to have the final version come out misaligned, text-heavy, or improperly sized for printing—yikes! InDesign saves me (and my clients) from these nightmares by giving me full control over typography, layout consistency, and exporting files in the exact specifications needed for professional printing.
Book Formatting
That’s why I rely on Adobe InDesign®, the industry standard for book formatting, to bring my clients’ stories to life with professional polish and precision. It ensures that every page flows seamlessly, text placement enhances the artwork (instead of competing with it), and the final product meets publishing standards, whether it’s headed for bookstores, self-publishing platforms, or libraries..
With its powerful tools, I can easily adjust margins, balance image-to-text ratios, and even prepare interactive eBooks with smooth readability. At the end of the day, Adobe InDesign® isn’t just software—it’s the glue that holds every beautifully illustrated children’s book together!
Book Cover
They say, “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” but let’s be honest—we all do! When it comes to designing a children’s picture book, the cover is the first thing that catches a reader’s eye, whether it’s on a bookstore shelf or a scrolling digital marketplace. That’s why I turn to the latest version of Adobe Photoshop® to add those magical final touches that make a book impossible to resist.
The back cover is just as important—it’s the whisper in a reader’s ear, convincing them to flip through the pages and dive into the story. With Photoshop’s advanced tools, I seamlessly blend artwork, text, and layout elements to create a cohesive, professional look that aligns with industry standards.
Whether you’re a teacher looking to make your ELA lessons more engaging, a parent searching for a new bedtime favorite, or someone who simply loves a good monster tale, The Monster I Blamed for EVERYTHING is a must-read. Trust me—once you meet this monster, you’ll find yourself blaming him for sneaking into your heart. And you won’t mind one bit.
Monster Thanks!
I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to my wife, Nurys Gisbert—Ana’s mom and an extraordinary early childhood educator. Your expertise, insight, and unwavering support were the backbone of this project. From guiding us through the developmental needs of young readers to sharing your invaluable perspective on what truly captivates a child’s imagination.
Let’s Collaborate!
Are you an author with an idea for children’s picture book? I can help! As a dedicated artist, illustrator, and designer, I specialize in turning your creative ideas into beautifully illustrated books that captivate readers of all ages. But my work doesn’t stop there—I’m also here to guide you through the entire self-publishing process on Amazon KDP, from formatting and uploading your files to ensuring your book is optimized for success.
ARTIST & EDUCATOR
J.J.HUERTA
281.734.3753
jjhuerta.art@gmail.com
I’m a Houston-based artist and illustrator with a BA in Art who loves coffee, all-things dogs, and world-traveling adventures—as long as I can get to carry an iPad with Procreate in my backpack! With 25+ years of experience as an Art Teacher in the United States, I enjoy both: bringing creativity to life with fun art lessons and crafting colorful illustrations for children’s picture books.
Fun Fact! We were all in Paris, France when we first started working on this project!
From just an idea to your first sale, I’ll be with you every step of the way. That’s right! To help your work shine even brighter, I can also design and set up a professional website to promote your book and reach a wider audience. Whether it’s your first project or a lifelong dream, I’ll provide personalized support at every stage, ensuring your journey from idea to published book is as seamless and rewarding as possible.
Contact
T: 281.734.3753
E: jjhuerta.art@gmail.com
I am open to commission work and excited to bring your ideas to life through illustration. Whether you’re looking for children’s book illustration, digital art, character design, concept art or editorial, I’m here to collaborate with you on your next creative project. Let’s work together to make your vision a reality!