The Soup Illustrators and the Creative Journey Behind What's Inside the Tummy?
Updated: Jul 2
Some books delight children with every flap they lift. Others make parents smile because each page reminds them of their own childhood.
What's Inside the Tummy? is one of those books.
Behind its warm and familiar illustrations is The Soup, the artist collective who worked with Chuột Đất Books to transform a story about childhood curiosity into a colourful journey filled with love and everyday Vietnamese life.
In this edition of Meet the Illustrator, let's hear from The Soup about the creative journey behind What's Inside the Tummy? and how the manuscript gradually became a book children can touch, explore and enjoy.
Where Excitement Met Uncertainty
Looking at the finished book today, it's hard to imagine that the project began with equal parts excitement and nervousness. For The Soup, this was their very first interactive picture book.
"This was the first interactive picture book we had ever illustrated, so we were both excited and nervous. The manuscript was so heartfelt and engaging that we weren't sure whether we'd be able to fully capture those emotions through our illustrations."
As the work progressed, the biggest challenge turned out not to be choosing colours or planning layouts. Instead, it was finding ways to weave authentic Vietnamese culture into every spread—details familiar enough for parents to recognise instantly and use as a starting point to share memories from their own childhood.
"The biggest challenge for us was figuring out how to incorporate distinctly Vietnamese cultural details into the illustrations, so that parents would recognise familiar images and be able to tell their children stories about Vietnam from when they were the same age."
Illustrations That Tell Stories Beyond Words
Every illustrator has a favourite page, and for The Soup, it's the scene where a little child gently rests an ear against Mom's tummy. Not because it's the most elaborate illustration, but because of the feeling it carries.
"Probably the page where the little child is listening to Mom's tummy. It feels incredibly warm and full of love. It also illustrates our favourite part of the story."
Receiving the printed book brought another unexpected emotion. Illustrations that had existed only on computer screens and sketchbooks suddenly became something children could hold, open and interact with.
"We were so happy to receive the finished book. Even though we were the illustrators, interacting with the book itself felt completely different. It was as if our illustrations had come to life."
Hoping Every Page Inspires Another Question
For The Soup, beautiful artwork was never the final goal. What they hope children take away is a lasting sense of curiosity - one that encourages them to observe more closely, ask more questions and keep exploring the world around them.
"We hope children find the illustrations both familiar and intriguing. We hope the book inspires them to explore the world around them, ask questions and enjoy discovering the answers."
Perhaps that is exactly what What's Inside the Tummy? has always been about.
Inspired by the wonderfully unexpected questions young children ask every day, the book transforms natural curiosity into meaningful conversations between parents and children. Through interactive flaps and engaging illustrations, little readers are encouraged to observe carefully, wonder freely and discover the world one question at a time.
Because every question a child asks is the beginning of a new adventure. And every time parents pause to listen and search for the answer together, they are quietly nurturing a lifelong love of learning.
Open What's Inside the Tummy? with your little one and explore the vibrant world illustrated by The Soup.
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