How Eggwish Went From a Children's Book Idea to an Illustrated Magical World

How Eggwish Went From a Children’s Book Idea to an Illustrated Magical World

Every children’s book begins with an idea. Eggwish began when I asked myself a question: What if wishes were not simply granted, but carefully protected by someone learning what hope truly means?

That question eventually became Everhop, a young bunny wish-keeper with an important purpose, and the magical world of Eggwish.

Reimagining the Easter Bunny

I wanted to take a traditional character — the Easter Bunny — and give him a story that could inspire and empower children.

Everhop was created to represent the hope, uncertainty, and imagination children carry with them. His journey explores more than magical wishes. It introduces young readers to the idea that our wishes can reflect who we are, what we value, and who we hope to become.

As the story developed, Everhop needed a world that felt just as imaginative as he was. I could establish the heart of that world through the writing, but the illustrations would determine how young readers saw and experienced it.

Working With Illustrator Jasper Salazar

Children’s book illustrator Jasper Salazar transformed my written ideas into a complete visual world.

Through expression, movement, color, and imaginative details, Jasper gave Everhop, Alili the fawn, and Lolo the Peepette personalities that extended beyond my words. His illustrations made their world feel tangible while preserving the warmth, wonder, and emotion I wanted at the heart of the story.

Our collaboration brought together two essential parts of children’s storytelling: the meaning communicated through words and the emotions children experience through art.

Creating the World of Eggwish

Creating Eggwish required more than illustrating one scene at a time. Every page needed to feel as though it belonged within the same magical world.

From floral landscapes and winding rivers to the stunning Sunflower Vault, Jasper has a unique ability to create beautiful imagery through visual storytelling.

The characters, environments, colors, and visual details work together to guide readers through Eleanore’s journey. Together, we created a world designed to encourage imagination while giving children space to consider their own hopes and wishes.

For me, imagination is more than fantasy. It is one of the ways children process their reality and explore who they may want to become. That belief continues to guide the stories and characters I create through Imagination Reality.

From Eggwish to Pumpkin Pact

Eggwish also became the beginning of my ongoing creative partnership with Jasper.

We are now collaborating again on Pumpkin Pact, an upcoming children’s story with an entirely different atmosphere, cast of characters, and visual identity. Although the worlds of the two books are distinct, both reflect our shared commitment to character-driven stories and immersive illustration.

Watching Eggwish grow from one imaginative idea into a fully illustrated children’s book reminded me why I create stories. One character can become an entire world — and that world can give children another place to hope, imagine, and become.

Eggwish, written by Marissa Molina and illustrated by Jasper Salazar.

Discover how Maui children’s author Marissa Molina and illustrator Jasper Salazar transformed Eggwish into a beautifully illustrated magical world.