Ingrid Hess was six years old when she sent her first illustration to a publisher for consideration.
“Needless to say, it was rejected,” said Hess, a visiting professor of graphic design at Notre Dame who has “wanted to make children’s books for as long as I can remember.”
With the recent publication of her second children’s book, Hess has clearly realized her early aspirations. A companion to her first book, Sleep in Peace , her newest book is titled Walk in Peace . Following children through the simple activities of their daily lives, the colorfully illustrated poem reminds them that God loves them always.
Hess spent her formative years living and traveling abroad, and draws on this experience in her visual work. She employs a variety of techniques, including cut-paper and drawings she does with a computer, to illustrate characters and settings that represent many ethnicities and cultures.
“I’m hopeful that when kids learn that %{font-style: italic}all % children are loved, they will be more accepting of those who are different from themselves,” explains Hess, whose first book received the 2008 Rodda Book Award for promoting spiritual development.
In addition to nurturing faith and embracing diversity, Hess hopes to use her talents as an artist to address social issues more directly. She is now working on her third children’s book, this one about fair trade.
Originally published by at newsinfo.nd.edu on June 02, 2009.