Picturebooking - interviews with authors and illustrators

Host Nick Patton chats with award-winning author-illustrator Doug Salati about his picture book and winner of the 2023 Caldecott Medal, HOT DOG.  They talk about drawing inspiration from your life and why picture books offer an opportunity to tell a different type of story. Plus, how elements like color and the use of wordless spreads helped tell this award-winning story. 

Host Nadia Salomon chats with author Angela Dalton about the picture book TO BOLDLY GO, illustrated by Lauren Semmer. When you think of Star Trek, do you think about civil rights? After reading today's featured book, you will. Plus how a fictional character can have a real-world impact. And then a frank conversation about what it means to launch your Harper Collins published book during the Union...

Host Nick Patton chats with award-winning author Jeanne Willis about the picture book  Hom  illustrated by Paddy Donnelly. What would you do for a friend? And what price would you pay to protect someone you love? Plus, have you ever wondered what happened to that kid in school who lied all the time? Maybe they became a writer? And speaking of writers, do you know why working as a copywriter is exc...

Host Nick Patton chats with author Ratha Tep about the picture book  Wally the World's Greatest Piano-Playing Wombat , illustrated by Camilla Pintonato.  They discuss what healthy competition means. And the mindset that is needed to turn competition into a positive, beneficial experience. You have to listen to the world's greatest picturebooking podcast episode ever!

Host Nick Patton chats with award-winning author-illustrator Charise Mericle Harper about the picture book  I Cannot Draw A Horse . For being a book about a skateboard-riding, horse-obsessed cat, this title is practically non-fiction. Plus, a discussion about what you need – to do what you think you can't. Then, you'll learn why taking away your options can open up your creativity.

Host Valerie Bolling chats with author Kailei Pew about her upcoming picture books,  The Monster Above the Bed  and  I See Color .  This is a fantastic chat about mentoring and knowing what success is to you. Plus, a fabulous study for understanding the audiences you want to learn from and serve.

A quick introduction to Shauntay Grant's picture book  My Fade Is Fresh , illustrated by Kitt Thomas.

Host Nick Patton chats with illustrator Brian Biggs about the picture book  I Can't Draw  by Stephen W. Martin.  I Can't Draw  is a celebration of drawing and the joy of having fun making art. Plus, advice on what a parent should do to encourage a kid who shows interest in drawing. And a discussion about how Brian created a book with four different illustration styles and made it all work together...

A quick introduction to Paddy Donnelly's picture book Dodos Are Not Extinct!

Host Valerie Bolling chats with author Kelly Starling Lyons about her picture book,  My Hands Tell A Story . This book celebrates how hands hold the memories of a meaningful life.  It's a fun chat about finding your purpose and place. Learn about the benefits of saying Yes to opportunities and writing across genres. Plus, a quick yet essential lesson on how to read picture books.

Host Shawna J. C. Tenney chats with author-illustrator Ana Aranda about her picture book,  Our Day of the Dead Celebration . It's a fun chat about family, culture and belonging. Ana challenges you to learn about the people you haven't met that shaped the family that you love. Plus, the process and the smells of making traditional illustrations. Wait, you add food to what? And why?

Host Valerie Bolling chats with Super Bowl Champion, author & CEO of Share the Magic Foundation, Malcolm Mitchell. Mitchell shares his passion for books and youth literacy in this inspiring episode. Plus, a conversation around feeling like an impostor even after success. And an open discussion about how we teach our kids and the resources we provide schools.

Host and today's book illustrator Shawna J.C. Tenney chats with author Stacy McAnulty about the picture book  Blood! Not Just a Vampire Drink . This hilarious non-fiction picture book features two vampires and a 100% blood-free smoothie shop.   Today's talk is a rare picturebooking episode featuring a chat between the author and the illustrator! They talk about the vital ingredient needed for a yo...

Host Shawna J.C. Tenney chats with author-illustrator Kristin Wauson about the picture book  Mr. Thatcher's House . This story is about a rabbit working to build the perfect house, but it never seems like home.   Plus, how to use lighting to help tell your story. And why you should stop trying to make your digital drawing look traditional. Is the solution next to your sketchbook? Finally, we'll ex...

Host Shawna J.C. Tenney chats with author Janet Sumner Johnson about the picture book  Braver Than Brave . This story is about a girl named Wanda finding the confidence to be her own kind of brave.   Plus, How Chris Evans inspired the social media campaign for today's book. And you will learn the main difference between a successful writer and one who is not. No "chicken exit" for this episode! En...

Host Shawna J.C. Tenney chats with author-illustrator Blythe Russo about the picture book Sloth Sleeps Over . This heartwarming friendship story is about Sloth's first sleepover. She thinks sleepovers are all about sleeping, but her friend wants to stay up all night!   Plus, you've heard past guests talk about leaving space in their writing for the illustrations, today book was created by doing th...

Nick Patton chats with author Rebecca Gardyn Levington about the picture book,  Brainstorm! , illustrated by Kate Kronreif.  Brainstorm!  depicts the creativity inside us through a shower of funny phrases, a whirlwind of adjectives and verbs and a downpour of enormous ideas. Plus, why you should start your creative project for yourself but finish for an audience. And then we ask, what's a word ban...

Host Nick Patton chats with author Troy Wilson about the picture book,  Hat Cat , illustrated by Eve Coy.  Hat Cat  is a profound and tender story about love, loss and trust. Nick and Troy discuss their first experience with death and the strangeness of devastating news on bright warm days. Days that their world shifted, and yet nothing in the world changed. This episode is ad-free and uncut. Than...

Host Nadia Salomon chats with author Jyoti Rajan Gopal about the picture book,  American Desi , illustrated by Supriya Kelkar.  American Desi  is a poetic story that celebrates being bicultural. On today's show, they discuss straddling multiple worlds and choosing to embrace all their fantastic colors!

Author, Julio Torres, discusses  I Want To Be A Vase , illustrated by Julian Glander. This book features a plunger who wishes to defy his shape and become a vase. Julio Torres is a comedian, the creator of the HBO special  My Favorite Shapes , and has written for  Saturday Night Live . He's also one of the masterminds behind  Los Espookys , HBO's Spanish-language comedy about a group of horror ent...

Award-winning podcaster Zibby Owens teams up with  New York Times  bestselling illustrator Holly Hatam to create the picture book  Princess Charming . Zibby and Holly discuss their views on talent and persistence.

New York Times bestselling  author, Mac Barnett, returns to the Picturebooking Podcast to discuss  The Great Zapfino , illustrated by Marla Frazee. Mac tells us the inspiration behind the story and why Marla Frazee was the perfect person to bring Zapfino's story to life.

Guest host Nadia Salomon chats with award-winning poet Van G. Garrett about the picture book,  Kicks , illustrated by Reggie Brown.  Kicks  is an essential read for sneaker fans of all ages. Nadia and Van discuss the relationship between music and writing in this "Van-tastic" conversation!

Guest host Nadia Salomon chats with debut author Chelsea Lin Wallace about the picture book,  A Home Named Walter , illustrated by Ginnie Hsu. Walter has to heal his broken heart when the family he loves moves away. This inspiring talk will give you a new perspective on your creative life. Wallace explains why creatives can't and shouldn't try to climb a ladder towards success.

Guest host Nadia Salomon chats with award-winning author Julie Hedlund about the picture book,  Over, Bear! Under, Where? , illustrated by Michael Slack.  Over, Bear! Under, Where?  is filled with humor, friendship, and punny wordplay. Hedlund is the founder of the 12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge and brings her insight into the craft of writing to this episode. Enjoy!