All picture books, all the time

A chat with the creators of the inspiring NO VOICE TOO SMALL!

A new picture book — out now! — recently caught my eye and my heart. It’s NO VOICE TOO SMALL – Fourteen Young Americans Making History, edited by Lindsay H. Metcalf, Keila V. Dawson, and Jeanette Bradley, who also illustrated the book (Charlesbridge). It’s an uplifting, affecting armful of poetry …

October Surprises

In the summer of 2011 I was in-between book projects and felt certain another would never come along. I had moved my studio home from a nice space in downtown Seattle to take care of my wife. The space I had at home was a bit smaller than what I …

THE PRESIDENT OF THE JUNGLE + Voting + Giveaway!

Many of us are drawn to writing picture books because we want to have a positive impact on kids. Maybe we hope to encourage a sense of empathy, kindness or self-acceptance, or teach them about a person or issue we find important. But—as my files full of clunky manuscripts attest—good …

I BELIEVE I CAN & I AM ENOUGH: Interview with Keturah Bobo (+ Giveaway)

Artist Keturah Bobo is here to talk with us about her beautiful picture books. With a sweet, rhyming text by actress Grace Byers and gorgeous illustrations by Keturah, I BELIEVE I CAN was published in March 2020 by Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins. This empowering book features positive messages of self-love – …

20 True PBs + NF Creator Tips + HUGE Giveaway!

Get Ready! There’s a LOT in this one little post.Whether you’re a book creator, teacher, librarian, or reader, you’ll find a gold mine of craft tips from authors and illustrators of inspiring 2020 nonfiction picture books who banded together to form a group called 20truePBs. Plus, we’re doing a huge …

Find Fergus by Mike Boldt (+ GIVEAWAY)

Oh, Picture Book Builders people, I can BEAR-ly contain my excitement. Today, our friend Mike Boldt has returned for a visit in celebration of Find Fergus. This book had me at the cover. An endearing bear named FERGUS who was hiding behind the title?! I mean, c’mon! This is what …

I recommend this series by Fausto Gilberti and I’m not sorry.

There are three books so far in this contemporary artist series by Fausto Gilberti and I hope that there will be more to come. The first in the series is Yves Klein, Painted Everything Blue and Wasn’t Sorry. That’s why I wanted this book. That title… that amusing illustration of …

You’ll fall in love with THIS OLD DOG

So. I’ll start with the truth. I’m not a dog person. I’m not fond of barking. And jumping and growling. And, after I was bitten by a German Shepherd, I liked dogs even less. They sort of scare me. Not YOUR dog, of course. I’m sure your dog is lovely. …

BESS THE BARN STANDS STRONG + a chat w/Elizabeth Bedia + a giveaway!

Happy autumn, everybody! I know I’m not alone in embracing this as my favorite time of year. Here in the midwest, it means oven-hot summer days have flown the coop, and we can enjoy more time OUTdoors, savoring and storing in our hearts every iconic (but fleeting) fall image and …

A picture book with heart to spare

All effective picture books have some amount of heart. Something in their story that connects with readers — whether they are four or 94 — and makes them think: “Oh! I’ve felt like that. I understand.” My favorite picture books have lots of heart. They tell stories that inspire lots …