Andi Green, the creator of The WorryWoo Monsters, is a bird-loving, cat-cuddling, dog-snuggling monster-maker who started her career as an Art Director in NYC. Accolades of her work include: a Silver MoonBeam Children's Book Award, a Creative Child Magazine Award, and two Iparenting Media Award. Her work has also been featured on the Today Show. Andi's goal is to help children embrace their emotions and find their inner Woo. Below are some common questions she has been asked:
Q: How long have you been working on The WorryWoo Monsters?
I’ve been drawing characters like this since I can remember but the actual series has been about 7 years in the making.
Q: What made you create a series about emotions?
I think we live in a very emotional world and sometimes it is hard for people to express what they are feeling. My goal is to get children/adults to open up about their emotions. We shouldn’t have to hide our feelings all the time. It is ok to feel sad or lonely, and I think it is important that children know that they are not alone and can discuss what they are feeling.
Q: Your characters have been called strange and bizarre looking, how do you feel about that?
I love it! It makes me proud to think I have created something that causes people to take the time to really investigate and enjoy it. People have also called them cute and cuddly. That is what I think is so wonderful about creating characters… they leave the imagination open to interpretation.
Q: Why the name WorryWoos?
Because each character is based on an emotion, I wanted to find a name that related to this thought. The original series was called the Monsters in My Head, but I wanted a softer name one that had a little more fun to it. So, after tons of brainstorming and a lot of help from my friends we decided these little guys love to Worry and they have tons of Woes... so I switched woe to woo and that is where the name came form.
I’ve been drawing characters like this since I can remember but the actual series has been about 7 years in the making.
Q: What made you create a series about emotions?
I think we live in a very emotional world and sometimes it is hard for people to express what they are feeling. My goal is to get children/adults to open up about their emotions. We shouldn’t have to hide our feelings all the time. It is ok to feel sad or lonely, and I think it is important that children know that they are not alone and can discuss what they are feeling.
Q: Your characters have been called strange and bizarre looking, how do you feel about that?
I love it! It makes me proud to think I have created something that causes people to take the time to really investigate and enjoy it. People have also called them cute and cuddly. That is what I think is so wonderful about creating characters… they leave the imagination open to interpretation.
Q: Why the name WorryWoos?
Because each character is based on an emotion, I wanted to find a name that related to this thought. The original series was called the Monsters in My Head, but I wanted a softer name one that had a little more fun to it. So, after tons of brainstorming and a lot of help from my friends we decided these little guys love to Worry and they have tons of Woes... so I switched woe to woo and that is where the name came form.
Q: There are a lot of books out there that tackle emotions, what sets yours apart?
There are definitely a lot of great books out there about emotions, I feel my series is different in that the characters themselves are the emotion. I tried to really convey what goes on in ones mind when they feel lonely, the emptiness the sorrow, I think kid’s need to see others experience and or understand this painful feeling and it’s ok and there is a light at the end of the tunnel, it’s just hard sometimes.
Q: You write and illustrate these books and the illustrations are very unique, Can you tell us a little about them?
My goal is to enjoy drawing, I don’t worry if the lines aren’t straight or all the areas aren’t colored in neatly. I strive to draw what I feel when I think about each line of the story. I want the illustrations to be as emotional as the stories themselves. I also love texture and enjoy trying to create a 3-D effect with the watercolor and light weight paper.
Q: Where do you see this series in 5 years?
I hope the 6 WorryWoos are complete and I am making even more. The big dream would be to turn these characters into gigantic puppets and animate them old school style… I am a huge Henson fan!
There are definitely a lot of great books out there about emotions, I feel my series is different in that the characters themselves are the emotion. I tried to really convey what goes on in ones mind when they feel lonely, the emptiness the sorrow, I think kid’s need to see others experience and or understand this painful feeling and it’s ok and there is a light at the end of the tunnel, it’s just hard sometimes.
Q: You write and illustrate these books and the illustrations are very unique, Can you tell us a little about them?
My goal is to enjoy drawing, I don’t worry if the lines aren’t straight or all the areas aren’t colored in neatly. I strive to draw what I feel when I think about each line of the story. I want the illustrations to be as emotional as the stories themselves. I also love texture and enjoy trying to create a 3-D effect with the watercolor and light weight paper.
Q: Where do you see this series in 5 years?
I hope the 6 WorryWoos are complete and I am making even more. The big dream would be to turn these characters into gigantic puppets and animate them old school style… I am a huge Henson fan!
