Origin Stories with JJK

🛒 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀: (Use code PODCAST for 10% off art commissions.) 💬 Submit questions here! 📕 Buy Shannon's books! Join us as we delve into the captivating journey of Shannon Hale, a celebrated author known for her imaginative storytelling and impactful children's books. In this episode, Shannon shares her childhood experiences, the challenges of writing memoirs, and her passion...

💬 Submit questions here. 🛒 Support the show here. Follow along this journey to get insight into my career as an author and illustrator of books for young readers. I am the creator of the LUNCH LADY graphic novels and won a few awards for my graphic memoir HEY, KIDDO.

💬 Submit questions 🛒 Support the show 📕 Support Jerry Craft In this episode, graphic novelist Jerry Craft shares his journey from a young artist with dreams of creating comics to becoming a multi-award-winning author known for his groundbreaking work in children's literature. He discusses his early influences, the struggles he faced in the comic industry, and the eventual success of his graphic...

💬 Submit questions: https://StudioJJK.com/podcasts 🛒 Support the show: https://StudioJJK.com/shop 📕 Support Maria Scrivan: https://bookshop.org/lists/maria-scrivan-studiojjk In this conversation, Maria Scrivan shares her journey from a childhood filled with drawing and storytelling to becoming a successful cartoonist and author of the Nat series. She discusses the challenges of navigating the f...

💬 Submit questions: https://StudioJJK.com/podcasts 🛒 Support the show: https://StudioJJK.com/shop In this episode, I delve into the world of creative coincidences. From the unexpected overlap of themes in children's books to my own tough luck with releasing works with similar themes to competing projects. I share personal anecdotes that highlight the serendipitous nature of creativity.

💬 Submit questions: https://StudioJJK.com/podcasts🛒 Support the show: https://StudioJJK.com/shop 📕 Support Grace: https://bookshop.org/lists/grace-linCelebrated, multi-award winning author/illustrator Grace Lin shares her journey from childhood to becoming an icon of children's literature! Grace discusses the impact of her upbringing, the challenges of navigating cultural identity, and the...

How do you move beyond a difficult childhood?💬 Submit questions: https://StudioJJK.com/podcasts🛒 Support the show: https://StudioJJK.com/shopFollow along this journey to get insight into my career as an author and illustrator of books for young readers. I am the creator of the LUNCH LADY graphic novels and won a few awards for my graphic memoir HEY, KIDDO.

💬 Submit questions: StudioJJK.com/podcasts 🛒 Support the show: StudioJJK.com/shop Chris Van Allsburg is an award-winning picture book author and illustrator best known for beloved classics like The Polar Express, Jumanji, and The Garden of Abdul Gasazi. His imaginative storytelling and distinctive illustrations have earned him two Caldecott Medals and status of icon in children's literature....

💬 Submit questions: https://StudioJJK.com/podcasts🛒 Support the show: https://StudioJJK.com/shop Answering listener questions about being an author, illustrator, and a creative professional.

💬 Submit questions: https://StudioJJK.com/podcasts 🛒 Support the show: https://StudioJJK.com/shop 📕 Support Jamar: https://bookshop.org/lists/jamar-nicholas In this episode of the Origin Stories podcast, graphic novelist Jamar Nicholas shares his journey from a vibrant childhood in Philadelphia to his aspirations of becoming a cartoonist. He reflects on the influences of his family, particularl...

Trying out a new thing -- solo episodes in-between eps with guests. Let me know what you think? What would you like to know? Submit your questions to me via StudioJJK.com/podcasts

📚 Use code PODCAST to receive 10% off at StudioJJK.com/shop As I gear up for new interviews, enjoy the audio from this panel that I moderated for Scholastic Graphix featuring Raina Telgemeier, Scott McCloud, Gale Galligan, and Jamar Nicholas!  📚 Use code PODCAST to receive 10% off at StudioJJK.com/shop

📚 Use code PODCAST to receive 10% off at StudioJJK.com/shop Gene Luen Yang is a celebrated writer, artist, and educator whose works have left an indelible mark on the world of comics and literature. Renowned for his thought-provoking storytelling and insightful exploration of cultural, social, and identity themes, Yang has captivated audiences of all ages. Through his groundbreaking graphic novel...

📚 Use code PODCAST to receive 10% off at StudioJJK.com/shop Aaron Blabey is the best-selling author and illustrator behind massive hits like THE BAD GUYS, PIG THE PUG, and THELMA THE UNICORN. I was able to sit down with Aaron at Scholastic headquarters for the launch of his newest book—CAT ON THE RUN–which is the first in a trilogy. Get to know how Aaron went from childhood in rural Australia to...

📚 Use code PODCAST to receive 10% off at StudioJJK.com/shop Amongst the literary luminaries I have been blessed to befriend in this writerly life is Eric Carle. It almost feels silly to deliver an introduction for him—is unique style and unmistakable illustrations have become a cornerstone of children's literature.  Eric's most famous creation, "The Very Hungry Caterpillar," is a true masterpiece...

📚 Use code PODCAST to receive 10% off at StudioJJK.com/shop I miss my friend Tomie dePaola. In celebration of the US Postal Service issuing a Strega Nona stamp in his honor, I wanted to share this interview that I conducted with Tomie in the early 20-teens. Tomie's friendship is actually intertwined with the love story between me and Gina. When we started dating in 2006, she had her childhood cop...

📚 Use code PODCAST to receive 10% off at StudioJJK.com/shop Mike Curato made a name for himself with beautiful picture books like his Litle Elliot series—heartwarming stories with beautiful illustrations reminiscent of Chris van Allsburg.  In the fall of 2020, Mike published FLAMER, a semi-autobiographical tale about a mixed-race teen coming to terms with his sexuality while at scout camp. It is...

📚 Use code PODCAST to receive 10% off at StudioJJK.com/shop I'm so excited to be bringing you Molly Knox Ostertag's Origin Story! Molly is so incredibly talented. She switches her creative time between graphic novels and animation. And it's fascinating to what overlaps and what is very different between those two mediums. Molly started her graphic novel career with THE WITCH BOY, and if you haven...

In today's episode, I talk to Jennifer Holm and Matthew Holm—siblings and co-creators of the bestselling, award-winning and trail-blazing Babymouse And Squish graphic novel series. I can't understate just how important their work is to the current-day landscape of graphic novels for young readers. Babymouse: Queen of the World was published in December of 2005—it was one of the very first kids' co...

On today's episode, we'll get to know graphic novelist Nate Powell! Nate is a highly-acclaimed writer/artist of critically acclaimed books such as Any Empire, Swallow Me Whole and Save It for Later: Promises, Parenthood, and the Urgency of Protest. Nate Powell is an Eisner Award-winning comics artist from Little Rock, Arkansas who focuses on telling stories featuring young people facing difficult...

In today's episode, I talk to Andrew Aydin about MARCH, his award-winning trilogy about the civil rights movement. Andrew was a policy advisor for Congressman John Lewis, with whom he co-authored these seminal graphic novels. Andrew tells us how he got interested in writing and comics and how he convinced Congressman John Lewis he should tell his story via the medium of comics. Andrew also shares...

In this episode, we are going to get to know how tom Angleberger became Tom Angleberger! Tom made a name for himself with the ORIGAMI YODA books, which were first published in 2010. While Tom has been active creating his own characters, he’s also been entrusted with books on Rocket and Groot as well as Geronimo Stilton. But in the Krosoczka house? He will forever be iconic for his Inspector Flytra...

I cannot overstate the importance of Cece Bell's EL DEAFO. For both us, as a society, and for the prestige that it brought to graphic novels with the citation of that Newbery Honor, the first graphic novel to earn that shiny silver sticker! Get to know how Cece Bell came to be in her Origin Story!

Nilah Magruder is an absolute joy and an uber-talented author and artist. She was the first Black woman to write for Marvel, illustrated all of the Heroes of Olympus covers for Rick Riordan’s books, and worked extensively in animation. Not to mention the books that she is the sole creator of, which have proven to be legendary in my home.

Robin Ha's ALMOST AMERICAN GIRL is a powerful, powerful graphic memoir. Through Robin's words and pictures, she shares with us what it was like for her to be a kid in her early teens and be taken away from the life she knew in South Korea and planted in Huntsville, Alabama, where she didn't understand the language that was predominantly spoken. She didn't understand the culture. She didn't have fr...