Natalia Morris Shares A Whimsical World Of Illustration And Storytelling
PHOTO: Natalia Morris, author and illustrator of Quest for Cookies, captured by photographer Kyle Morris.
Exploring Creativity, Cultural Themes, And Heartfelt Narratives
Natalia Morris shares her inspiration behind Quest for Cookies, exploring its universal themes, artistic techniques, and her journey as a renowned author and illustrator in children’s literature.
Natalia Morris, author and illustrator of the enchanting children’s book Quest for Cookies, has captured hearts with her distinctive blend of colorful illustrations, playful storytelling, and heartfelt connections. Her debut book is a testament to her ability to combine personal inspiration with universal themes, making her stories resonate with readers of all ages. The creative mind behind these whimsical tales, Natalia draws heavily from her family, culinary memories, and artistic expertise.
Known for her vibrancy and imaginative narratives, Natalia crafts a world where magic meets the comforts of home. Quest for Cookies, a delightful rhyming story, is brimming with Natalia’s signature charm. Each page pairs energetic and imaginative illustrations with rhyme, creating an experience that feels deeply personal and yet universally relatable. At the story’s heart is Gnomey’s love of lavender cookies—a personal nod to Natalia’s own grandmother, who bakes these special treats for her. Such tender details infuse the tale with authenticity and appeal to readers across generations.
Natalia Morris blends vibrant illustrations with heartfelt storytelling, creating books that entertain, inspire, and beautifully honour family traditions and cross-cultural values.
The multicultural elements threaded into the book add another layer of richness, as Natalia emphasizes a global truth—our grandparents are invaluable and deserve to be celebrated. “Too often, life gets busy, and those grandparent-grandchild relationships fade,” she explains. By showcasing the importance of honoring elders, Natalia hopes her story fosters familial connections and reflects values cherished worldwide.
In bringing Gnomey’s world to life, Natalia relied on her artistic rigor and mastery of digital illustration. Using Procreate on her iPad, she applied techniques honed over years of fine art study. One method—working on a piece as a whole rather than perfecting small sections—ensures that her illustrations feel cohesive and alive. She credits her creative growth to Ramona Wultschner’s Domestika courses and her own willingness to persist through challenges, such as perfecting the book’s spooky mushroom forest scene.
The release of Quest for Cookies has been met with overwhelming success. Topping the multicultural children’s book charts and garnering library requests backed by multiple holds, Natalia’s work has reached a wide and eager audience. “Having people actively waiting to read it,” she shares, “felt like a warm hug from the universe.”
This recognition has fueled her ambitions as an artist. Following the book’s success, Natalia was invited to illustrate You Are Not Your Meltdown by Desirea Binning. This experience expanded her artistic style and affirmed her decision to pursue illustration more seriously. With a revamped website and an ever-expanding portfolio, she’s now carving her path as a professional children’s book illustrator.
Baking, a recurring motif in both her personal life and her storytelling, is another cornerstone of Natalia’s creative process. Several recipes in Quest for Cookies—lavender cookies, raspberry muffins, and carrot cake—are not just central to the narrative but also staples from Natalia’s own kitchen. These recipes symbolize cherished family traditions, from baking alongside her daughter to preserving generational legacies through food.
Natalia also approaches storytelling in an unconventional yet seamless manner by illustrating before writing. By starting with images, she ensures the visuals guide the energy and rhythm of the story. This approach enables her to strike a balance between visual and narrative pacing, creating a truly immersive experience for young readers.
While her work resonates with whimsy and ease, Natalia remains transparent about the challenges of creation. She recalls her trials in perfecting the mushroom forest scene, which required hours of sketching and refinement, teaching her that persistence and patience bear creative fruits.
When asked about advice for aspiring children’s authors and illustrators, Natalia emphasizes the importance of authenticity. “Create something because you have a vision and love what you do. If you produce something without heart, it will show, and readers won’t connect with it. Love your work, and others will too.”
With her heartfelt creations and genuine approach to storytelling, Natalia Morris continues to inspire both readers and creators alike. Whether baking treats with her family or sketching the next chapter of her artistic journey, Natalia reminds us of the magic that can emerge when passion and purpose come together on the page.
Source: Reader’s House Magazine
