Building a Beautiful Book— Interview with Sr. Art Director Christine Kettner

Here on Picture Book Builders we love to chat about how beautiful books are created. It’s my opinion that one of the under recognized contributors of the ‘team’ is the art director. I have been fortunate enough to work with Senior Art Director/Creative Director, Christine Kettner on three books. She …

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Two books you should know by Dashka Slater

The Antlered Ship

Versatility is one of the characteristics I admire in other writers. It’s awesome when someone can do totally different genres or styles or voices equally well. If you appreciate this too, you’ll want to meet Dashka Slater. I first was introduced to Dashka’s picture books like DANGEROUSLY EVER AFTER, ESCARGOT …

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Let’s Go Pick a Pine Tree (or put on your lucky elf hat and maybe you’ll win one)!

Johnny Mathis crooning The Christmas Song My mom’s Russian Tea Cake cookies The lumpy Santa’s face pillow that’s been propped atop my parents’ sofa every December as far back as I can remember. Those things are guaranteed to put me into a mellow Christmas mood. This year, I’m excited to add …

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Three Questions for Author Ann Whitford Paul (Plus Giveaway!)

Ann Whitford Paul is an author, poet, teacher and mentor to many writers (including me). In addition to her acclaimed children’s books, Ann is the author of Writing Picture Books: A Hands-On Guide from Story Creation to Publication. Ann’s latest book is If Animals Said I Love You, illustrated by …

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OPENING DOORS

This past Saturday I attended a fabulous conference — the annual SCBWI Prairie Writer’s and Illustrator’s Day at Harper College in Palatine, IL. (Okay, I might be slightly biased because I’m on the conference planning committee, but all the attendees I spoke with were thrilled with the event!) The theme …

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Happy Halloween, Frankenbunny!

When my kids were little, one of the picture books they particularly loved was Nancy Carson’s Loud-Mouth George & the Sixth-Grade Bully. As I turned pages, getting closer and closer to the moment the bully got his comeuppance, they’d be leaning into me, practically clapping, gleefully anticipating that page turn. …

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