The Children's Book Podcast

Jon Chad (@jon_chad), cartoonist behind Volcanoes, the newest in First Second's Science Comics series, stops by the podcast to talk about his underlying love of science, looking for narrative beats, and the emotion you get from Darth Vader just from his slight tip of the helmet. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

David Jacobson and Toshikado Hajiri, author and illustrator of Are You An Echo?: The Lost Poetry of Misuzu Kaneko, stop by the podcast to talk about the life and works of Misuzu, her sense of vulnerability in her poems, and the universal nature of her words, written 100 years ago. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

David Wiesner and Donna Jo Napoli, illustrator and author of Fish Girl, stop by the podcast to talk about understanding things in your own way, trusting that the words will elicit the art, and an idea of a story about a house full of water. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Alessandra Balzer (@ABBalzer), co-publisher of Balzer + Bray, stops by the podcast to talk about work as an editor, a publisher, and a person who passionately loves children's books. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Audrey Vernick (@yourbuffalo), Liz Garton Scanlon (@LGartonScanlon), and Matthew Cordell (@cordellmatthew), authors and illustrator of Bob, Not Bob!, all stop by the podcast to talk about one disgusting cold. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Carter Higgins (@CarterHiggins), author of A Rambler Steals Home, stops by the podcast to talk about growing up a resolute kid, repopulating ghost towns, and how, quite frankly, it's hard to write a novel. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Michael Sampson (@michaelsampson) and Brian Won (@bwon1), co-author and illustrator respectively of Spunky Little Monkey, stop by the podcast to talk about reading the pictures, referencing jazz album covers, and a reflection of what it means to be a kid. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Matthew Loux (@mattloux), cartoonist of The Time Museum, stops by the podcast to talk about being a little quiet, a little self-conscious, and aware of the potent and important qualities of friendship. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Bethan Woollvin (@bethanwoollvin), author illustrator of Little Red, stops by the podcast to talk about taking issue with the classic Little Red Riding Hood, enjoying a challenge, and thinking first in terms of colors when approaching a story. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Matthew Cordell (@cordellmatthew), author illustrator of Wolf in the Snow, stops by the podcast to talk about words becoming unnecessary, preconceived notions, and the decision to save yourself or the wolf pup. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Sherri Duskey Rinker (@SherriRinker) and Tom Lichtenheld (@tlichtenheld), the award winning team behind Steam Train, Dream Train and Good Night, Good Night Construction Site, stop by the podcast to share their newest collaboration, Mighty, Mighty Construction Site, in addition to talking about their complete and utter adoration for big machines. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Jessie Sima (@JessieSima), debut author illustrator of Not Quite Narwhal, stops by the podcast to talk about her anthropology background, #kidlitart, and creating a character who is "stylistically adorable". --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Elaine Magliaro, author of Things to Do, stops by the podcast to talk about the best way to teach kids how to write, the wonderful feeling of getting something out of your head and onto the page that looks like you, and the importance of going outside. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Raina Telgemeier (@goraina), cartoonist most recently of Ghosts, stops by the podcast to talk about growing up in noisy houses, always ending a page on a punchline, and using speculation as a tool. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Jackie Azúa Kramer (@JackieKramer422) and Maral Sassouni (@MaralSassouni), author and illustrator of The Green Umbrella, stop by the podcast to talk about their story about journeys, the walk we're each on, and a call for our "little ambassadors" to stay openminded, curious, and approach life and others with understanding. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Patricia Hruby Powell (@PatriciaHPowell) and Shadra Strickland (@ShadrasArt), creators of Loving Vs. Virginia, stop by the podcast to talk about the landmark civil rights case, visual journalism, and the balance between the stiff and sacred, the relaxed and calm. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Steven Malk (@stevenmalk), literary agent at Writers House, stops by the podcast to answer your questions and to talk communication, giving back to things that inspire you, and how to identify the mark of a good book. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Marcie Colleen (@MarcieColleen1), author of the Super Happy Party Bears series, stops by the podcast to talk about being a huge fan of kids television, planting easter eggs for parent readers, and the general adage that it's easy to be kind. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Claire Legrand (@clairelegrand), author most recently of Some Kind of Happiness, stops by the podcast to talk about her homage to the feeling of possibility experienced when you find something in nature that is that magical place for you. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Ed Young, author illustrator most recently of The Cat From Hunger Mountain, stops by the podcast to talk about being disciplined as an architect, walking the book, and celebrating that stories are for everybody. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Erica Perl (@ericaperl), author of The Capybara Conspiracy, stops by the podcast to talk about inspiration from an episode of This American Life, naming the most ridiculous mascot, and avoiding a straight narrative by keeping things dramatic. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

This rebroadcast of my interview wth Andrea Davis Pinkney is part of our feature celebrating All The Wonders of A Poem for Peter. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Steve Light (@SteveLight), author illustrator most recently of Lucky Lazlo, stops by the podcast to talk about theater superstitions, the most unlucky theater in the world, and a fountain pen nib custom designed by Richard Binder. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Megan Maynor (@megan_maynor), author of Ella and Penguin: A Perfect Match, stops by the podcast to talk about three visceral things to try, concerns feeling mixed up but not silly, and how it's sometimes easy to brush aside the criticism even though you know you should be listening. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Booki Vivat (@thebookiv), debut author illustrator of Frazzled: Everyday Disasters and Impending Doom, stops by the podcast to talk about doodles taking over the pages of her planner, being the kind of kid who is always freaking out, and trying to figure out who you are and where you belong. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Jack and Holman Wang (@JackandHolman), creators of the Cozy Classics series (@CozyClassics), stop by the podcast to talk about eliminating sub plots, thinking about sound in storytelling, and the "illustrate-ability" of a word. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Philip C. Stead, author illustrator of Samson in the Snow, stops by the podcast to talk about being a natural worrier, using various materials to express the whole rainbow of what snow can be, and what time means to a creative person. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Molly Bang, author and illustrator of Picture This: How Pictures Work, celebrating it's 25th anniversary with a revised and expanded version from Chronicle Books, stops by the podcast to talk about the darkest and brightest and warmest and softest of our feelings. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Denis Markell (@DenisMarkell), author of Click Here to Start, stops by the podcast to talk about setting a mystical adventure in a mundane space, making the kid characters feel real, and the notion that just because you haven't found the solution doesn't mean that there isn't one (you just have to keep trying). --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Box Brown (@boxbrown), cartoonist of Tetris: The Games People Play, stops by the podcast to talk about the first game his dad would play, moments of accessing a meditative state when creating comics, and the noble act of making a game just for the sake of making it. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Robert Sabuda, author and paper engineer most recently of The Christmas Story, stops by the podcast to talk about the magic of storytelling and drama in 3D, working with the 4th dimension of time, and his great appreciation for the other hands that make his books. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Matthew Holm (@mattholm), Babymouse co-creator and now co-author of Marvin and the Moths, stops by the podcast to talk about drawing on the horrors of the middle school experience, humor as a social function, and the idea that you don't tell a story, you find it. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Vera Brosgol (@verabee), author illustrator of Leave Me Alone!, stops by the podcast to talk about story solutions achieved through scheduled massages, needing to be along before others can see her work, and the idea that you can't be in love with your art if it's not working for the story. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Candace Fleming (@candacemfleming) and Eric Rohmann, author and illustrator team behind Giant Squid, stop by the podcast to talk about fascinating readers, a guy who could tell a story, but just couldn't tell a true one, and phrases that feel great when they land on the ear. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Marla Frazee (@MarlaFrazee), author illustrator most recently of The Bossier Baby and illustrator of Is Mommy?, written by Victoria Chang, stops by the podcast to talk about channeling her inner 5-year-old, words taking over, and giving kids a place where there's comfort. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Grace Lin (@pacylin), author of When The Sea Turned to Silver, the companion novel to Where the Mountain Meets the Moon and Starry River of the Sky, stops by the podcast to talk about thinking in English, being a writer worth her salt, and the very special people behind pushing her newest story forward. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Cathy Camper (@cfastwolf) and Raul the Third (@raulthe3rd), author and illustrator respectively of Lowriders to the Center of the Earth, the sequel to Lowriders in Space, their graphic novel debut, return to the podcast to talk about the mythic journey that is every road trip, loving when things don't make sense, and writing a book for the future. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Liz and Jimmy Reed (@cuddlesandrage), debut author-illustrators of Sweet Competition, stop by the podcast to talk about sibling rivalry, positive trickery, and endless time spent with desserts. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Andrea Davis Pinkney (@AndreaDavisPink), author most recently of A Poem for Peter: The Story of Ezra Jack Keats and the Creation of The Snowy Day, stops by the podcast to talk about her love letter to Peter, the great equalizer, and the power art can take on even when not trying to make a statement. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Elly Swartz (@ellyswartz), author of Finding Perfect, stops by the podcast to talk about listening to her characters, listening to her heart, and becoming a better writer through writing. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Andy Runton (@Owly), cartoonist and creator of the Owly graphic novel series, stops by the podcast to talk about growing up in the picture book section of the library, drawing people as long as he didn't have to draw faces, and earning the nickname of "night owl" from his mom. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Drew Weing (@drewweing), cartoonist and creator of The Creepy Case Files of Margo Maloo, stops by the podcast to talk about needing the Watson character in a story, creating believable backgrounds, and drawing monsters on his terms. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Jon Klassen (@burstofbeaden), author-illustrator most recently of We Found A Hat, the final book in his Hat trilogy, stops by the podcast to talk about raising the stakes, nostalgia earned from looking at illustrated novels, and solving a problem no one wants him to solve. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Abby Hanlon, author Dory Dory Black Sheep, the newest title in her Dory Fantasmagory series, stops by the podcast to talk about learning how to draw stick figures, how real experiences are to kids, and having stubborn and blind determination. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Neal Porter (@nporterbooks), renowned publisher and beloved children's book advocate, stops by the podcast to talk about being selfish, playing hunches, and only wanting to work with people that he likes. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Kate Beasley (@_katebeasley), author of Gertie's Leap to Greatness, stops by the podcast to talk about bringing half of ourselves to the story, the kind of books she read as a kid, and the guardian angel tense. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Adam Gidwitz (@AdamGidwitz), author of The Inquisitor's Tale, stops by the podcast to talk about his natural mode of storytelling, writing by reading aloud, and preserving space in the story for breathing room. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Deborah Freedman (@DeborahFreedman), author-illustrator of Shy, stops by the podcast to talk about bring situationally shy,conveying the departure of a character the reader cannot see,, and how talking about one's own book is always a little awkward. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Mike Lowery, author-illustrator of The Pursuit of the Pesky Pizza Pirate!, the newest in his Doodle Adventures series, stops by the podcast to talk about reaching the reluctant artist, writing a book that a kid can co-author, and food jokes... lots and lots of food jokes. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Jake Parker (@mrjakeparker), author-illustrator of Little Bot and Sparrow, stops by the podcast to talk about the transition to when you're not needed anymore, developing positive drawing habits, and being dragged into writing for children. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message