Picturebooking - interviews with authors and illustrators

Grace Lin , a NY Times bestselling author/illustrator, won the Newbery Honor for "Where the Mountain Meets the Moon" and the Theodor Geisel Honor for "Ling and Ting." Her latest book " A BIG MOONCAKE FOR LITTLE STAR " is a picture book that celebrates the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival and Grace's American roots. This talk dives deep into Grace's journey to become an artist. Along with what it means...

Libraries, minimalism, art and travel … how can you not love the life Stevie Lewis is living! We talk about her latest book LOST IN THE LIBRARY written by Josh Funk , her transition to a traveling lifestyle and finding fulfillment. LOST IN THE LIBRARY is a picture book about Patience and Fortitude, the two lion statues that guard the New York Public Library. It's a book about the magic of reading...

Liz Reed and I talk about finishing projects and finding success in your work. For the record I don't think my daughter is going to let me give away my copy of Liz and Jimmy Reed's newest picture book " Sweet Success ." It's a story about an ice cream cone who loves projects. My daughter loves projects and she love ice cream cones. Now that I've found it, this one is going to stay in our story tim...

Cale Atkinson and I talk about how he pushes himself to grow as an artist. His latest book Off & Away comes directly from his personal work to improve himself as an illustrator. Cale is an illustrator and animator living lakeside with his family in Kelowna, British Columbia. His work can be found in children's books, animated shorts, television and games. Visit him online at www.cale.ca . I hope y...

Joe Sutphin and I talk about his path to becoming a children's book illustrator whose work has been compared to Garth Williams. You've seen Joe's art in the NY Times Bestselling novel Word of Mouse by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein, Dr. Critchlore's School for Minions by Sheila Grau and Raffie On The Run by Jacqueline Resnick. For an indepth look I recommend visiting www.joesutphin.com to s...

32 authors and illustrators come back on the show to answer the question ... Why picture books are important? Juniper Bates, Amy June Bates, Josh Funk, Catia Chien, Alice Kuipers, Rowboat Watkins, Elise Parsley, Jon Burgerman, Ruth Spiro, Dan Santat, Aaron Zenz, Patrick Wensink, David Ezra Stein, Laura Gehl, Sherri Duskey Rinker, Jake Parker, Anne Marie Pace, Matthew Winner, Mike Sundy, Jonathan S...

It's the moments that we all remember … The day someone sees something in us that we do not yet. The day someone pushes us to be better ... to work harder ... to ask more of ourselves and our life. Mentors play a huge role in any successful book, career or life. So I've asked a five authors and illustrators to tell us a story of a mentor who has help them along their path.   Featured Books How to...

Ovi Nedelcu's "One Gray Mouse" is a journey. A journey from doubt to hope. This book is about the belief that life can change for the better. Ovi and I dived into topics like napping, the hero's journey and actionable tips to become a better illustrator.   You'll learn: Why the mouse is gray and what that has to do with doubt How the environment helped tell this story Tips for work/life balance …...

A collection of some of my favorite new books: Turn This Book Into a Beehive! By Lynn Brunelle Don't Eat That By Drew Sheneman Everything You Need for a Treehouse By Carter Higgins, Emily Hughes (Illustrator) Sam and the Seven-Pound Perch By Paul J. Hoffman, Nick Patton (Illustrator) Harriet Gets Carried Away By Jessie Sima Mommy's Khimar By Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, Ebony Glenn (Illustrator) Sub...

Amy June Bates and her middle school daughter, Juniper Bates, have created something very special in their picture book The Big Umbrella . Kirkus Reviews wrote that it is a subtle, deceptively simple book about inclusion, hospitality, and welcoming the 'other. Booklist calls it open-ended and a natural springboard for discussion. And for me this book is my new life mantra.   Featured book: The Big...

This is Picturebooking's last post at All The Wonders. For future episodes go to picturebooking.com . Today we have two separate interviews with the creators of the picture book MY PILLOW KEEPS MOVING . This funny and sweet story is about a man who tries to buy a pillow and ends up with a new best friend. Today we have both the author Laura Gehl and the illustrated Christopher Weyant on the show.

Books that have a friendship theme. First, Sue Hendra introduces us to NORMAN THE SLUG WITH THE SILLY SHELL. Norman longs to be a snail-if only he could find a shell! This slug goes to hilarious lengths to fit in. Next, Anne Marie Pace shares her latest picture book, GROUNDHUG DAY (illustrated by Christopher Denise). Everyone is excited for Moose's Valentine's Day party, but if Groundhog sees his...

I love story time during the holidays and today we have three books to add to your holiday collection. First Nicola Killen takes us on a child's magic journey that starts when she wakes to hear the jingling of bells in THE LITTLE REINDEER . Then we learn about MR. DOG'S CHRISTMAS AT THE HOLLOW TREE INN . This book was originally written in 1898 by Albert Bigelow Paine. Betsy Cordes come on the pod...

26 award winning authors and illustrators share things they wrote and drew as kids in the inspirational book, OUR STORY BEGINS. Editor Elissa Brent Weissman stops by the pod to introduce the collection with cameos by Chris Grabenstein, Grace Lin, Jarrett J. Krosoczka, Marla Frazee, Peter Lerangis and Tom Angleberger. Show Notes at All The Wonders  

Author and illustrator Katherine Roy stops by the pod to talk about her latest non-fiction picture book HOW TO BE AN ELEPHANT. Somehow the conversation ties in these amazing animals, her book about them and the balance of parenthood and artistic expression. This is a recommended – best of Picturebooking episode

Bestselling author of five books for grownups, Patrick Wensink shifts gears into children's literature with his picture book GO GO GORILLAS (Illustrated by Nate Wragg). We talk about why his career transitioned from writing for adults to writing for kids.

Author, illustrator and new dad Steven Weinberg stops by the pod to talk about his new picture book FRED & THE LUMBERJACK. We chat about children, chainsaws, lonely dream dens and living in the Catskills. All the Wonders Show Notes

Bruce Handy has made a book for us, and I can't recommend it enough! WILD THINGS: THE JOY OF READING CHILDREN'S LITERATURE AS AN ADULT is a treasure. His publisher calls this book a love letter to the greatest children's books, and I concur. Show Notes

Aaron Reynolds, New York Times bestselling author of CREEPY CARROTS, NERDY BIRDY, PRESIDENT SQUID and CARNIVORES stops by the pod to chat about his latest collaboration with Peter Brown … CREEPY PAIR OF UNDERWEAR. This is the pod's first underwear episode and I think you're going to enjoy it! Show Notes at All the Wonders This is a recommended – best of Picturebooking episode

Mike & Jonathan Sundy stop by the pod to chat about their PANCHO BANDITO SERIES, self-publishing children's picture books and transitioning from traditional jobs to self-employed creatives. I learned a lot from this conversation and I hope you do too.

13 authors and illustrators tell us what they find as the most painful thing about the picture book industry. It's some honest picturebooking therapy. Take a listen and I'm sure you'll be inspired to continue creating despite the struggles.

Dan Santat returns to the pod to chat about RODZILLA, his latest picture book written by Rob Sanders. And he opens up about the inspiration for AFTER THE FALL: HOW HUMPTY DUMPTY GOT BACK UP AGAIN.  

The leading figure in the popular 'Doodle' art style, Jon Burgerman stops by the pod to talk about his debut picture book SPLAT.

Maurice Sendak fellow, author-illustrator Rowboat Watkins stops by the pod to talk about his latest book PETE WITH NO PANTS. This book really surprised me. I was ready for silly … I was ready for fun … I was ready to laugh. And this story has all of that … but even after several readings I still get a little choked up at the end.

Internationally bestselling author Julia Donaldson stops by the pod to talk about her latest book THE GIANT JUMPEREE brought to life by award-winning illustrator Helen Oxenbury. This cozy read-aloud centers around a mysterious, booming voice coming from inside Rabbit's burrow. Rabbit's friends come to help, but are they any match for a Giant Jumperee?