Ilu Ros Interview, Hey Sky, I'm On My Way: An Illustrated Book About Influential Women

This article was translated from Spanish to English from the Spanish publication On The 50 Road. Interview by Cristina Saura.

Ilu Ros Interview, Hey Sky, I'm On My Way: An Illustrated Book About Influential Women

Interview by Cristina Saura

Just before launching into space on the Voltok 6, the first astronaut woman, Russian Valentina Tereshkova proclaimed: “Hey sky, take off your hat. I'm on my way!” This phrase would inspire the title of the first book by Spanish illustrator Ilu Ros: Hey Sky, I'm On My Way A Book About Influential Women.

I discovered Ilu by chance while searching online for a portrait of Alma Guillermoprieto. Ilu's illustration of Guillermoprieto was better than any photo I could find for the article. I asked Ilu to loan it to On the 50 Road for my post about the rebel dancer who became one of the most reputable reporters in Latin America. Ilu answered yes and delivered the illustration. Her enthusiasm for what I told her about On the 50 Road surprised me. I knew she felt strongly about the lives of women who opened paths for other women in life.

Ilu Ros is an illustrator from Murcia Spain who has lived in London since 2011. After studying Fine Arts and Audiovisual Communication in Spain she moved to London, England. "At first it was hard, I spent a few years not drawing, but eventually I started illustrating again. I made a website and profiles on Instagram and Facebook." Now Ilu combines her work as a freelance illustrator with a job in a cafe that helps her pay bills. The story of so many young people who have left Spain to discover life.

Her effort payed off. "Lit Riot Press contacted and told me they liked my art. They asked for a book proposal and gave me the freedom to do what I wanted. I wanted to make an illustrated book about influential women throughout history. They loved the idea, and I got down to work."

Choosing the women for the book was difficult for Ilu. "The more I read about women throughout history, the more my list grew, and the more I wanted to investigate more women. I made a personal selection. I chose the women were the most striking, their legacies were interesting, and influenced me."

Hey Sky, I'm On My Way includes the first woman to travel to space, the Mexican painter Frida Kahlo; the activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner from Pakistan, Malala Yousafzai; the pioneer American aviator Amelia Earhart; the first Japanese novelist, Murasaki Shikibu; the courageous civil rights activist Rosa Parks; the actress Marilyn Monroe; La Gaitana the indigenous heroine of the sixteenth century; the Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci; the British singer Amy Winehouse; the African-American activist Angela Davis; the Kenyan ecologist and activist Wangari Maathai; the American anthropologist and poet Margaret Mead; Loïe Fuller, forerunner of the most avant-garde contemporary dance; the Spanish writer and feminist María Lejárraga; and even the mythical girl created by the cartoonist Quino, Mafalda. 27 brave and breakthrough women from different countries and times that make up this illustrated book by Ilu Ros. 130 pages that inspire and move us to action, all these women changed the world!

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Reviews

“Awesome women, amazing stories, impressive illustrations. A must have book!” – Amazon (UK)

“Amazing illustrated example of the overlooked side of history. Would definitely recommend it!” – Amazon (UK)

“What a beautiful and engaging book! Before I even had a chance to read it, my 12 year old son picked it up and could not put it down. We loved the fascinating vignettes of the diverse strong and resilient women. We had a wonderful conversation about his favorite mini-biographies. The artwork is fabulous too. I can’t wait to share this book with my daughter. She will surely be able to see herself reflected within Hey Sky’s pages.” – Amazon

“Great book, very inspirational! I just love the message and the style of the illustrations. I highly recommend it!”- Amazon (UK)

Great illustration - a perfect present for independent women!

“Beautifully hand illustrated book. A must have for anybody interested in history, social events, arts or simply in the life of amazing people who fought in their day-to-day for a better world.” – Amazon (UK)

“Amazing illustrations, amazing stories, amazing book. Extremely recommended.” – Amazon (UK)

“Ilu Ros has drawn influential women capturing their attributes with power and confidence in her ability as an artist and with an exuberance that connects us to the women she portrays. Give one to your mother and to your daughter, to the women in your families, the young women who you mentor, the women who work with you, the young women you know who are finishing high school, going to college, or entering the workforce.” – Amazon

“Beautifully and cleverly illustrated. Learn about your favourite famous inspirational women but also hear about women you've never heard of before. But it because it's about women and because it's a thing of beauty.” – Amazon (UK)

“This book is a little treasure ! It was so enjoyable to discover these amazing Women's lives through the writings and the drawings ! I can only highly recommend it ! Wonderful job from the writer and artist.” – Amazon (UK)

“What a fantastic book!! Not just for showing to the youngest ones in the family excellent core values, but for the adults to discover about female icons that I had never heard about them until I read this book. I have also learned more about other famous women that I had just a glimpse of knowledge of their powerful influence. And what can I say about the illustrations next to each biography? Outstanding drawings as impressive as the women they represent. I would highly recommend this book to everyone!” – Amazon (UK)

“Really wonderful artwork and narrative. Highly recommend this book!” – Amazon (UK)

‘It is truly inspiring to see so many women with such talent and courage be part of this book. In addition, the style is amazing.” – Amazon (ES)

“Very happy to have it among my books. Congratulations to the author and illustrator!” – Amazon (ES)

Ilu Ros, Hey Sky, Lit Riot Press News, HighlightsLit Riot PressJuly 11, 2020