The Children's Book Podcast

Michelle Schusterman, author of Dead Air: The Kat Sinclair Files (Book #1), stops by the podcast to talk about writing a gritty, urban Nancy Drew story, being a skeptic, and how's there's a logical explanation to most things that spook people. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Kristen Kittscher (@KKittscher), author of The Tiara on the Terrace, stops by the podcast to talk about creating a surreal world perfectionism gone awry, and how nothing that anyone writes is void of self. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Penny Parker Klostermann (@pklostermann), author of There Was an Old Dragon Who Swallowed a Knight, illustrated by Ben Mantle (@BenMMantle) stops by the podcast to talk about writing books about things being eaten, finding online writing challenges, and not letting the rhyme rule the book. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Carson Ellis (@cfellis), author illustrator of Home, stops by the podcast to talk about making something more than an art book, starting with what she likes to draw, and creating a story she's been thinking her whole life. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Lori Degman (@LoriDegman), author of Cock-a-Doodle Oops!, stops by the podcast to talk about a rooster who needs a vacation, the way books should read like music, and liking to make people laugh. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Ben Clanton (@Clantoons), author illustrator of Something Extraordinary, stops by the podcast to talk about the feel of traditional medium, crafting good re-read alouds, and a question about the color orange. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Brightly co-founder Christine McNamara (@ReadBrightly) stops by the podcast to talk about making books part of what people are doing rather than taking away from anything else. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Zack Giallongo (@Zackules), cartoonist of Stratford Zoo Midnight Revue Presents: Romeo & Juliet, stops by the podcast to talk about snowmen versus talking rocks, contributing to the Ewoks mythology, and the Galaxy of Super Adventure! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Michael Arndt (@animalopoeia), author of Cat Says Meow, stops by the podcast to talk about starting with a circle and some nondescript blobs, letting the letters create an animal, and the fact that letters are just shapes. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Gus Gordon (@IllustratorGus), author of Herman and Rosie, stops by the podcast to talk about ideas starting at the sketch stage, drawings that ask lots of questions, and two characters that need to find one another. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Ellen Fischer, author of If an Elephant Went to School, stops by the podcast to talk about getting into a good writing group, editing to make a story stronger, and asking "what if?" --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Kris Remenar (@RemenarReads) and Matt Faulkner (@MattFaulkner1), author and illustrator of Groundhog's Dilemma, stop by the podcast to talk about treating the process like a business partnership, a writer who can write to the child in us all, and how the best revenge is living well. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Steve Malk (@stevenmalk), literary agent at Writers House, returns to the podcast to talk about connections on a deeper level, the surreal feeling of seeing books on a bookstore shelf that you helped get published, and 20 years of representing talented folks working in children's literature. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Grace Lin (@pacylin), author of Ling & Ting: Together in All Weather, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, and Dim Sum for Everyone, stops by the podcast to talk about seeing herself in books, sharing stories from her childhood, and the final book in her outstanding easy reader series. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

David Fulk (@DavidFulkWrites), author of Raising Rufus, stops by the podcast to talk about discovering your inner hero, exploring in the woods, and planners and pantsers. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Adam Lehrhaupt (@Lehrhaupt) and Matthew Forsythe (@mattforsythe), author and illustrator respectively behind Please, Open This Book!, stop by the podcast to talk about keeping everything in tact and in the service of the story, leaving white space in the writing, and thinking of books sonically. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Alexis Frederick-Frost (@afrederickfrost), contributing cartoonist to Gryphons Aren't So Great, the newest story in the Adventures in Cartooning series, stops by the podcast to talk about bonding over ping pong, how it takes a stronger writer to write a shorter story, and empowering kids to tell their stories through simple pictures. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Sophy Henn (@sophyhenn), author illustrator of Pom Pom Panda Gets the Grumps, and Where Bear?, stops by the podcast to talk about instinctive writing, letting the characters tell you the story, and those days you get up and it's just wrong. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Adam Rubin (@Rubingo), New York Times bestselling author of Dragons Love Tacos, Those Darn Squirrels, and most recently of Robo-Sauce, all illustrated by Daniel Salmieri (@DanielSalmieri), stops by the podcast to talk about writing what you like, feelings of being a person in a position of authority doomed to screw stuff up. and how this is definitely not a presentation about monkeys. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Sigmund Brouwer (@BrouwerSigmund), author most recently of Unleashed, published by Orca Book publishers (@orcabook) and one of three books in the Retribution trilogy, stops by the podcast to talk about great stories connecting like great songs, lettering the story dictate the characters, and how a book is just a delivery system for stories. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Ginee Seo, children's publishing director at Chronicle Books (@ChronicleBooks, @ChronicleKids), stops by the podcast to talk about constant magic around every corner, missing train stops on account of reading, and making books that matter. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Matt Phelan (@MattPhelanDraws), illustrator of Marilyn's Monster, which is written by Michelle Knudsen (@michelleknudsen) and published by Candlewick Press (@Candlewick), stops by the podcast to talk about studying theater, the parallels between drawing and playing an instrument, and the one scene in any book that's the real reason for doing it. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Philip Stead and Erin Stead, author and illustrator respectively of Lenny & Lucy, which is published by Roaring Brook Press (@MacKidsBooks), stop by the podcast to talk about infusing work with sincerity, living by the "don't say mean things" motto, and trying to create content just as relevant now as the day it was published. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Jon Scieszka (@Jon_Scieszka), editor of Guys Reads: Terrifying Tales, which is published by Walden Pond Press (@WaldenPondPress), and other of a ton of bestselling books including The Stinky Cheese Man, Knucklehead, and the Frank Einstein series, stops by the podcast to talk about storytelling with a purpose, appreciating the ways that kids are intelligent, and how giving readers choice in what they read is a huge thing. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Lou Anders (@LouAnders), author of Nightborn; Thrones and Bones (Book 2), which is published by Crown Books for Young Readers (@randomhousekids), stops by the podcast to talk about creating an accessible, appropriate, and modern secondary world fantasy, the epic task of world-planning, and creating games to play with readers. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Julie Sternberg (@SternbergJulie), author of Secrets Out!; The Top Secret Diary of Celie Valentine (Book 2), which is published by Boyds Mills Press (@boydsmillspress), stops by the podcast to talk about incorporating podcasts into the general school curriculum, what results when you book's structure is fighting with the format, and the happiest time in her childhood. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

K.A. Holt (@karianneholt), author of House Arrest, which is published by Chronicle Books (@ChronicleKids, @ChronicleBooks), returns to the podcast to talk about writing out of order, pulling all the story threads apart, and accepting help doesn't mean you're accepting weakness. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Lizi Boyd, author illustrator of Big Bear, Little Chair, which is published by Chronicle Books (@ChronicleKids, @ChronicleBooks), returns to the podcast to talk about unexpected opposites, the way a good editor knows how to mine the good stuff out of you and your work, and the value of acknowledging you just need to "go and draw sheep." --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Mike Curato (@MikeCurato), author illustrator of Little Elliot, Big Family, which is published by Henry Holt and Company (@HenryHolt, @MacKidsBooks), returns to the podcast to talk about setting a story in a time predating modern technology, seeing your character come to life with the help of Merrymakers (@merrymakersinc), and celebrating the family that you have and the families that you make. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Alison Oliver, illustrator of the Babylit (@babylitbooks) board book series written by Jennifer Adams (@BabyLitJen) and published by Gibbs Smith Books (@GibbsSmithBooks), stops by to talk about the way a parent can bring even more to the story, the highest compliment a book illustrator can receive, and the greatest character ever (Take a guess! You know you want to!). --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Josh Funk (@joshfunkbooks), debut picture book author of Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast, published by Serling Children's Books (@SterlingKids), stops by to talk about culinary chaos, emoting food, and creating story ideas by asking "what do I want to see illustrated?" --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Joel Grayson (@BOWJoel), beloved bookseller at NYC's renowned Books of Wonder (@BooksofWonder), stops by to talk about who determines if it's a "boy book" or a "girl book", the two kinds of people who work in children's bookstores, and doing whatever it takes to get you to the story. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Rubin Pingk (@RubinPingk), debut picture book author illustrator of Samurai Santa, published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (@SimonKIDS), stops by to talk about creating a book trailer, the hinderance of having everything at your fingertips, and how storytelling can be like a magic trick. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Katherine Applegate (@kaaauthor), author most recently of Crenshaw, published by Feiwell and Friends (@FeiwelFriends), and recipient of the Newbery Award in 2013 for The One and Only Ivan, stops by to talk about considering sound more than plot, a sophisticated and charming way to deal with things, and finding just the right word. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Ed Vere (@ed_vere), author illustrator most recently of Max the Brave, which is published by Sourcebooks (@SBKSLibrary), stops by to talk about storytelling with a jazz trio, a stubborn and tenacious cat, and how it's all in the eyes. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Jarrett J. Krosoczka (@StudioJJK), author illustrator most recently of It's Tough To Lose Your Balloon, which is published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers (@AAKnopf @MacKidsBooks), stops by to talk about writing a self-help book for young readers, giving a positive twist to awful things, and how a beloved Peanuts character made his way into the new Comics Squad collection. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Emily Arrow (@HelloEmilyArrow), the talented singer songerwriter behind The Dot Song and many other amazing song adaptations of picture books, stops by to talk about finding the melody in her favorite picture books, feeling happiest when people are singing along, and how her life experiences led her to performing storytimes for young children. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

John Hendrix, illustrator most recently of McToad Mows Tiny Island, written by Tom Angleberger (@OrigamiYoda) and published by Abrams Books for Young Readers (@abramskids), stops by to talk about thinking of himself as a design-a-strator, creater a charactor that's way bigger than explained, and the third thing that comes from working together. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Loren Long (@lorenlong), author illustrator most recently of Little Tree, published by Philomel Books (@PhilomelBooks), stops by to talk about a simple story about a simple tree, finding a safe harbor in picture books, and letting go. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Don Tate (@Devas_T), author illustrator of Poet: The Remarkable Story of George Moses Horton, published by Peachtree Publishers (@peachtreepub), stops by to talk about the first African American to be published in the South, seeing the world with big-headed people, and the history of the SuperSoaker. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Eric Wight (@Eric_Wight), illustrator most recently of Everyone Loves Bacon, written by Kelly DiPucchio (@kellydipucchio) and published by Farrar Straus & Giroux (@fsgbooks), stops by to talk about candied pickles, the six hours until agent Steven Malk said "yes", and how being able to draw is like learning another language. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

More books. More reviews. More friends. It's the Best Books Ever, with special guests Julie Falatko (@JulieFalatko) and Carter Higgins (@CarterHiggins), here on the Let's Get Busy podcast! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Christian Robinson, illustrator most recently of Leo: a Ghost Story, written by Mac Barnett (@macbarnett) and published by Chronicle Books (@ChronicleBooks), stops by to talk about stories meant to be told visually, challenging himself and his art by limiting resources, and his influence from illustrators from a different time in picture books. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Mac Barnett (@macbarnett), author most recently of Leo: a Ghost Story, illustrated by Christian Robinson and published by Chronicle Books (@ChronicleBooks), stops by to talk about ghosts versus imaginary friends, intense connections, and how the lived experience of being a kid is different from just being a kid. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Paula Willey of Unadulterated, the popular kidlit blog of children's book reviews for grown ups, stops by to talk about KidLitCon (@KidLitCon), a bloggers conference for people who write and talk about kidlit. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Laurel Snyder (@LaurelSnyder) and Julie Morstad, the author and illustrator of Swan: the Life and Dance of Anna Pavlova, published by Chronicle Books (@ChronicleBooks, @ChronicleKids), stop by to talk about revising out as much as you can, an obsession with Anna Pavlova, and helping your childhood self to finish writing the story. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Colby Sharp (@ColbySharp) and Travis Jonker (@100scopenotes), stop by to reveal The Yarn, an all new podcast they've created to illuminate the process and the people behind getting a book to publication. The inaugural season features Sunny Side Up, a new graphic novel from Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm published by Scholastic Graphix (@GraphixBooks). --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Jay Hosler (@Jay_Hosler), author and illustrator of Last of the Sandwalkers, published by First Second (@01FirstSecond), stops by to talk about finding the tedium we can endure, a tale of prolonged stupidity (or obliviousness), and trying to capture the joy of Snoopy dancing. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Kate Messner (@KateMessner), author Tree of Wonder: The Many Marvelous Lives of a Rainforest Tree, published by Chronicle Books (@ChronicleKids, @ChronicleBooks) and illustrated by Simona Mulazzani, stops by to talk about assigning herself a research project as a kid, messing around as part of the writing process, and the details you would never find if you didn't go there. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Five excellent picture books reviewed, including a monster who runs for president and a monster who turns out to be not such a monster after all. - Monster Needs Your Vote by Paul Czajak, Illustrations by Wendy Grieb (Mighty Media Kids) - One Day on Our Blue Planet ...in the Savannah by Ella Bailey (Flying Eye Books) - How to Behave at a Dog Show by Madelyn Rosenberg; Illustrated by Heather Ross (Katherine Tegen Books, HarperCollins Publishers) - If an Elephant Went to School by Ellen Fischer; Illustrations by Laura Wood (Mighty Media Kids) - Max the Brave by Ed Vere (Sourcebooks) --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message