All picture books, all the time

When I Draw a Panda~by Amy June Bates

Long ago, I read that adult human beings draw at a 10 year old drawing level. This is because sometime around that age the child realizes that they are not the best artist in the class. Because there is always one, right? And the kids who are not that One …

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 …