Picture Books Are for Grown-Ups, Too!

Join us for this touching, poignant, and important conversation about family stories, shame, understanding our history, engaging our humanity, and the power of rewriting the stories we tell with picture book enthusiast Maria Marianayagam.  Today’s Picture Book: Watercress by Andrea Wang and illustrated by Jason Chin. Maria Marianayagam is a Sri Lankan-Canadian children's book author. She was...

Listen in as Michelle talks about love and trust, the emergence of stories, and the ways thinking about first moments can connect with others. “Just by pure design, a picture book is for all ages, for all generations.” –Michelle Nott Today’s Picture Book: Teddy, Let’s Go by Michelle Nott and illustrated by Nahid Kazemi Michelle Nott is a bilingual, dual-nationality author who finds inspiration in...

“To see the beauty, though, to see the beauty of a Black family in a picture book and how they all care for him in such a gentle way.” –Alicia D. Williams Listen in as Alicia D. shares the origins of this story (it CHOSE her!), the joy she sees in this book, and the way this story can connect adult readers. Today’s Picture Book: The Talk by Alicia D. Williams and illustrated by Briana Mukodiri Uch...

Today we talk the glory of hats, the beauty of using our gifts, and the impact we can have on another person’s life.  “Activism is not just one thing. There’s no one way to be an activist. There’s no one way to serve your community. Your gifts can be used as they are.” –Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich Today’s Picture Book: Mae Makes a Way by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich and illustrated by Andrea Pi...

“When we left, that word ‘home’ became very complicated.” –Des Cooper Listen in as Des talks about how picture books are art and exist on multiple levels, and how what might appear as a simple story can hold even more meaning for an adult reader. Today’s Picture Book: Nothing Special by Des Cooper and illustrated by Bec Sloane Desiree is a 2015 Kresge Artist Fellow, former attorney, and Pulitzer P...

Join us for this thoughtful and important conversation about telling a different narrative, considering what characteristics we might inherit from our families, creating space for stories that might connect us, and more! “You can see forward. You can see who are. But at the same time if you think about it, it helps you look back. If you look in the mirror, you can see behind you.” –Adrea Theodore...

Join us for a fabulous conversation about lists, journaling prompts, shared stories, and so much more! “Don’t be afraid to collect picture books as a grown-up who has no connection to children. That doesn’t make you strange or weird. That makes you a curator of really beautiful art and a collector of stories.” –Carter Higgins Today’s Picture Book: Big and Small and In-Between by Carter Higgins and...

Today we’re talking celebrating identity, straddling multiple cultures, and being seen for all the parts of who we are with Jyoti Rajan Gopal! | “Connection is created through curiosity and conversation.” –Jyoti Rajan Gopal Today’s Picture Book: American Desi by Jyoti Rajan Gopal and illustrated by Supriya Kelkar Jyoti Rajan Gopal is a writer, mom and Kindergarten teacher. Growing up, she lived in...

Today we’re talking family, fun, food traditions, and love with Tameka Fryer Brown! “I think picture books minister to us. In all kinds of ways. Not only do they bring joy, but they also can encourage healing. They can make us feel seen.” –Tameka Fryer Brown Today’s Picture Book: Twelve Dinging Doorbells by Tameka Fryer Brown and illustrated by Ebony Glenn Tameka is a picture book author who write...

I won’t be releasing the first official episode of this podcast until sometime in January 2023. However, I just wrapped up recording my first couple of interviews. These were great conversations about how picture books can create connection. But while you wait for the first show, I thought I’d share a couple stories about my grown-up experience with picture books because sharing stories is somethi...

Welcome to Picture Books Are for Grown-Ups Too! hosted by essayist and picture book author Patrice Gopo.  Picture books aren’t just for children. Picture books are for grown-ups too! In this podcast, Patrice speaks with picture book authors, illustrators, and enthusiasts about how these stories contribute to human thriving. Discover how picture books can affirm our experiences, introduce us to new...