嘉宾 | Guest：

Antoinette Portis is an award-winning American author and illustrator of picture books. Her debut title Not a Box became a contemporary classic, followed by Not a Stick, Wait, A New Green Day, Hey, Water! and others.

Her work is celebrated for its elegant minimalism, visual wit, and a profound respect for children’s creativity and perception. Before becoming a full-time author-illustrator, she worked as a creative director at Disney. Portis's books invite readers to rediscover the extraordinary hidden within the ordinary.

01:56 — Staying Connected to the Inner Child
Portis shares how curiosity and noticing small things fuel her creativity.

03:48 — Why Structure Matters in Picture Books
She explains how structure creates page-turn magic and supports imagination.

06:43 — Early Creative Memories
Childhood moments that shaped her as an artist and maker.

09:30 — Encouragement vs. Discouragement
How adults influence a child’s sense of creative identity.

13:09 — The Making of Not a Box
The writing class insight that transformed her approach: honesty over cleverness.

14:32 — Sparks Behind Hey, Water! and Other Books
How observing shapes in nature became a foundation for new ideas.

16:54 — Children’s Emotions Are as Complex as Adults’
Portis discusses how picture books should honor children’s inner lives.

19:10 — Powerlessness & the Story Behind Wait
A real-life moment becomes the seed for a book about noticing.

23:34 — Creative Blocks & Letting Ideas Breathe
Why not every idea opens up right away—and that’s okay.

24:14 — Longing as a Creative Force
The emotional core behind A Penguin Storyand her process of 87 drafts.

29:31 — When a Book Feels Like Wrestling an Alligator
Portis reflects on creative struggle and persistence.

35:31 — Advice for Young Creators
The episode ends with encouragement for kids and aspiring storytellers.

你可以在这里找到我们 | Where to Find Storyland：

https://storyland.education/

wechat: Storyland童书研究所（ID:STORYLIVING)