Paul & His Friends
Children’s Book Illustration | 2018
Written by Rebekah McLeod Hutto, Paul and His Friends teaches children about the beauty of friendship through the example of Saint Paul and his relationships with the figures of early Christianity. When Paraclete Press commissioned me to illustrate it, I couldn’t refuse.
Early in the development, I proposed that the book avoid the “old white men with beards” trend seen in so many children’s Bible stories, and instead embrace an anthropomorphic style seen in secular children’s stories like Little Bear or Disney’s Robin Hood. This style proved to be more engaging and accessible for children while also allowing us to cushion the impact of the heavy themes in the story, like persecution and death.
“Amazingly clever illustrations by Jacob Popčak are the perfect compliment to Hutto's writing. Popčak draws his characters with true emotion and wit, but also includes so many tiny details and touches that bring the project together beautifully.”
— Lisa Hendey, Author of CatholicMom.com
