All picture books, all the time

A sale, a story and some books

So, I recently sold a book. Which is always exciting. But, this book sale was especially exciting because it was my 22nd sale. Twenty-two books might seem like an odd milestone to celebrate. Why not 20 or 25? But, I have a reason. When I went to my first-ever conference …

New series! OUTSIDE THE BOX chat with Terry Pierce

Happy 2021, picture book people! Today’s post marks the first of a year-long series I’m launching called OUTSIDE THE BOX. Each month I’ll chat with an established picture book creator who, for one reason or another, has branched into other formats. Maybe they simply wanted to stretch their creativity in …

On Pencils, Erasers & Making Space in 2021

Hey, it’s 2021. We made it! Anyone manage to flourish creatively last year? I commend you, if so. (And please share your secret below.) I did not. For various reasons, both universal and personal, my creative well was bone dry. But it’s a new year, things are looking up, and …

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THING: Interview with Kao Kalia Yang

Happy New Year! I am thrilled to kick off 2021 with something beautiful. Award-winning author Kao Kalia Yang is here to discuss THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THING, an exquisite picture book memoir written by Kalia – with stunning artwork by Khoa Le, an illustrator and painter based in Vietnam. Book description: …

Best of 2020!

As we close out this *memorable* year, it seems more and more 2020 Best Book lists have appeared in the past few weeks. While we’re all looking forward to a much brighter year ahead, let’s remember lots of good things happened in 2020–including the wonderful picture books on the lists …

Happy Holidays from All of Us at Picture Book Builders!

We hope you have enjoyed the many, many books we have shared with you over the course of this dooziest doozy of a year. Thank you for taking the time to read, comment on, and share our posts. I can’t wait for you to see what we have in store …

A Life Made by Hand

A Life Made by Hand, The Story of Ruth Asawa, written and illustrated by Andrea D’Aquino. I am extremely grateful for the recent publication of several non-fiction books about artists. Especially those books which highlight the work of lesser known visionaries, yet artists’ whose work has contributed and influenced the …

A timely title: I AM THE STORM

2020 has — unarguably — been a difficult year. We’ve been tossed and turned by a pandemic, a contentious presidential election, racial injustices and a variety of natural disasters. That makes I AM THE STORM, a picture book written by Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple and illustrated by Kristen …

The perfect treat for the gift-giving season: THE PURPLE PUFFY COAT + a chat with author Maribeth Boelts

When a book makes me laugh out loud a time or two, that’s a book I’m going to love. When I can’t stop giggling/smiling through an entire book that also emits massive doses of that elusive element we call HEART, that’s a keeper—a book I’m adding to my permanent collection. …

Chatting with Sue Soltis about THE STARS JUST UP THE STREET (+Giveaway!)

Hello! I’m so pleased to have author (and fellow Chapel Hill resident) Sue Soltis here today to chat about her beautiful new book The Stars Just Up the Street, illustrated by Christine Davenier (Candlewick Press, 2020). In the book, young Mabel—with assistance from her grandfather—convinces neighbors and town officials to …