POW! BAM! WOW! Jackie Chan has been making movies and amazing audiences with his original and comedic stunts for decades. POW! BAM! OW! But before he was an international star, Jackie grew up in relative poverty in China, studied martial arts at the grueling China Drama Academy, and worked for …
The start of the holiday season has me thinking a lot about home and homecomings. How it feels to leave home, how it feels to return, and especially how it feels when circumstances prevent you from going home or seeing loved ones. So I revisited one of my favorite picture …
I have an extensive background in graphic design, having had and run a studio for a couple of decades. So, I believe that I have a pretty good understanding of the actual print process and mechanics of designing and sending a book to a printer. All fine and good and …
I’m a huge fan of Beth Anderson’s historical, narrative nonfiction picture books. They bring to light important figures who have been hidden (Elizabeth Jennings), “ordinary” people with extraordinary talents (James “Smelly” Kelly), and now, a very special relationship between a young boy and his very famous father. Tad Lincoln’s restless …
Foodie picture book biographies are totally my jam. So I’m super excited to share NIKI NAKAYAMA: A Chef’s Tale in 13 Bites with you today. Co-authors Jamie Michalak and Debbi Michiko Florence, plus debut pb illustrator Yuko Jones were kind enough to answer some questions — and they’re giving away …
If you think you’ve seen a plethora of picture books featuring trees lately, you would not be wrong. Both fiction and nonfiction tree books have been sprouting up everywhere. This makes me super happy because I love trees. I even named my dog Tupelo. He gravitates toward water — especially …
Hello! I’m thrilled to be a new contributor here on Picture Book Builders, a blog I’ve admired for a long time. A little about me: I write both fiction and nonfiction picture books, as well as middle grade novels. I’m a science geek who used to be an environmental consultant, …
I love it when new picture books pop on the scene. In fact, finding them and reading them is one of my favorite things to do. And, when, a cool new picture book is written by a friend who’s worked hard to be the best writer possible for years, well, …
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 …
Fish Everywhere by Britta Teckentrup. Oh my goodness this is a gorgeous book ?? Seriously, the cover alone with its raised fish and metallic gold pattern. The shimmer of the shiny texture makes the fish come alive. Layers of them. Just exquisite! May I please have wallpaper with these end …