Picturebooking - interviews with authors and illustrators

Learn about writing a picture book biography from an award-winning author. Barb Rosenstock is an author of nonfiction and historical fiction children's books, including THE NOISY PAINT BOX, a 2015 Caldecott Honor book. Her goal is to create stories that bring to life history's heroes for today's kids. Featured book:  LEAVE IT TO ABIGAIL! THE REVOLUTIONARY LIFE OF ABIGAIL ADAMS   by Barb Rosenstock...

You can't separate today's book IN A JAR with the life experiences of its author-illustrator, Deborah Marcero . It's fascinating to see art that comes from finding a universal experience in the specific personal stories of its creator. Learn more at picturebooking.com/deborah-marcero

Jessica Hische is a renowned lettering artist and New York Times bestselling author-illustrator. Her latest picture book TOMORROW I'LL BE KIND is a follow-up to her 2018 hit TOMORROW I'LL BE BRAVE.  TOMORROW I'LL BE KIND : Hische brings to life another series of inspirational words and scenes with her hand-lettering and illustrations. This uplifting book encourages kids to promise that tomorrow, t...

Author, illustrator and cartoonist Rob Polivka talks about his non-fiction picture book A Dream of Flight: Alberto Santos-Dumont's Race Around the Eiffel Tower . A Dream of Flight is a dynamic biography of Alberto Santos-Dumont, an inventor who risked everything to reach the skies. Polivka is the illustrator of Good Bless America: The Story of an Immigrant Named Irving Berlin and co-author A Dream...

Author, illustrator, cartoonist and orthodontist Grant Snider returns to the podcast to talk about his first picture book What Color Is Night? .  This is a beautiful debut picture book that explores the wonders—and colors—of nighttime. Grant Snider's work has appeared in The New York Times Book Review ,  The Kansas City Star ,  The Best American Comics 2013 , and all across the internet. Listen to...

Four-year-old Parker Curry had a moment that went viral. Today's featured book, PARKER LOOKS UP , is the story of that moment and that day. We love this book for its here-and-now reality. And how you can truly have a life-altering moment in the middle of an ordinary day. A visit to Washington, DC's National Portrait Gallery forever alters Parker's young life when she views First Lady's Michelle Ob...

Are you familiar with the universal tendency of young children to always ask WHY? This laugh-out-loud picture book features a small child taking on a big loud bully with one simple question. Adam Rex is a  New York Times  bestselling author and illustrator. His books include  The True Meaning of Smekday , which was made into the hit animated movie  Home ;  Moonday ;  School's First Day of School ,...

Renowned artist, storyteller and writer Ashley Bryan introduces his new book: INFINITE HOPE: A BLACK ARTIST'S JOURNEY FROM WORLD WAR II TO PEACE.  Ashley Bryan is the first African-American creator ever to both write and illustrate a book for children. He's a Newberry Medal honoree and has received countless Coretta Scott King awards and honors. INFINITE HOPE is an autobiography filled with sketch...

A powerful new fable from the world-renowned artist and picture book phenomenon Oliver Jeffers THE FATE OF FAUSTO is a poignant tale about a man who acts upon his self-proclaimed domination of all he can see. OLIVER JEFFERS is an artist, storyteller, father, cartographer and part-time explorer. His work encompasses many forms, from picture books to portraiture, using a variety of media. In THE FAT...

Today we get to know and celebrate the children's book author Anika Aldamuy Denise . Anika and I talk about how she became a picture book author, and how curiosity fuels her creativity. This podcast is made possible through the generosity of our picturebooking members . Thank you. To become a member visit patreon.com/picturebooking and receive access to my entire talk with Anika. Thank you for lis...

Today we'll get to know and celebrate children's book illustrator Ebony Glenn . An Atlanta based illustrator who enjoys bringing stories to life with whimsical imagery. A passion for the arts, great storytelling, and advocating for more diverse narratives in children's books, Ebony aims to create illustrations that will foster a love of reading in young readers. Over the next few weeks, we will fe...

Using light and color to help tell a story. Challenging your illustrations with new tools and techniques. And being thankful for the people who make the children's book industry so special. John Rocco is the episode guest. This week's featured book is CAMP TIGER , a beautiful picture book written by Susan Choi and illustrated by John Rocco about a boy's transition toward independence and growth. J...

Dancing between thin lines, thick lines and no lines! Illustrating emotions and energy with simple shapes. And designing characters that you can't help loving. Ella Okstad is this episodes guest. This week's featured book is SOPHIE JOHNSON: UNICORN EXPERT , a brilliantly funny picture book about a unicorn hiding in plain sight and a little girl who is totally oblivious to his presence … despite be...

How to develop scenes that make the worlds and characters you create feel so true? What kinds of opportunities or challenges come with a successful book? And the long winding process of creating that next story. Eliza Wheeler is this episodes guest. We dive deep into these topics and much more. This week's featured books are WHEN YOU ARE BRAVE , an inspiring picture book about having courage even...

Having lots of different interest helps make your art stronger. Why you should always stay uncomfortable. And how to master self confidence. Holly Hatam is this episodes guest. We dive deep into these topics and much more. This week's feature picture book is Dear Boy , a companion to the #1 New York Times bestseller Dear Girl. This story is an open love letter to boys. Holly Hatam is an illustrato...

Why some of our favorite animals are in danger of becoming extinct and what kids, families and humanity can do to save them. Chelsea Clinton is today's guest. The picture book is Don't Let Them Disappear: 12 Endangered Species Across the Globe , illustrated by Gianna Marino . This book invites readers to learn about endangered animals, how they live and why they are struggling. It then empowers th...

What does a world that embraces differences look like? How can working on a story change your perspective? And why it's more important for children to learn how to ask questions than learn what's right and wrong. LK James is this episode's guest. We dive deep into these questions and much more. This week's feature picture book is The Full House and The Empty House . This story is a work of art tha...

The craziest path into a picture book career and why you shouldn't try this at home … or anywhere else. Chris Robertson is this episode's guest. We dive deep into his career path and the books he loves to create. This week's feature book is the new board book version of Where Do Pants Go? This story is going to make such a great board book. When I read this to my 3-year old he always joins in! To...

Struggles, successes and a journey to find a story and a picture book voice. J.R. Krause is this episode's guest. We dive deep into his creative process and what he learned from animation that served him well in picture books. This episode's feature book is Dragon Night . A visually stunning picture book about a boy and a dragon embarking on a nightime journey, facing fears and helping each other....

What happens when you giving yourself the space for magic? Well, if you are Zanni Louise you get to author an amazing picture book called ARCHIE AND THE BEAR (illustrated by David Mackintosh ). We dive deep into this book and I enjoyed getting to know Zanni's thoughts on imagination and how to make space for stories.    P.S. If you are a Picturebooking Patreon … thank you for keeping me going this...

Picture book author Tim McCanna stops by the pod to chat about his four books that came out this year ( BITTY BOT'S BIG BEACH GETAWAY , JACK B. NINJA , BOING! A VERY NOISY ABC & SO MANY SOUNDS). We get to all these stories but we also talk about musical theatre, graphic design, finding picture books and a new passion. Plus Tim's best moment of his picture book life will blow you away. P.S. If you...

Ruth Spiro returns to the podcast to talk about her latest Baby Love Sciences books and a Maker picture book titled MADE BY MAXINE . We talk about failing forward, first pets, science babies and how she was introduced to the maker movement. P.S. If you are a Picturebooking Patreon check out the bonus talk with Ruth.

Joe Bluhm is a storytelling artist who has spent his career putting himself in environments that allow him to grow as a creator. He has worked with the story legend William Joyce ( THE FANTASTIC FLYING BOOKS OF MR. MORRIS LESSMORE ), the hockey star Zachary Hyman ( THE MAGICIAN'S SECRET ) and a picturebooking favorite Alison McGhee ( DEAR SISTER ).

Michael Rex stops by the pod to chat about his new picture book EAT PETE! EAT PETE is a hilarious story about Pete's playdate with a hungry monster. Michael talks about how he makes his humorous picture books and what they mean to him and to his audience. We go from the silliness of this book to Star Wars and beyond. I learned a lot from this chat, and I hope you get something out of it too. P.S....

Caldecott Medalist, Sophie Blackall stops by the pod to talk about two of my daughter's favorite children book characters … Ivy and Bean . Sophie is one of the most interesting artists working. Her books and her art move me and continue to bring my family closer together. Sophie is a special person and this conversation was such an honor. Check out the latest Ivy + Bean book: One Big Happy Family...