Our book discussion continues today with Deborah Underwood's books! Get your TBR list out and start writing down Deborah Underwood's books we chat about in this episode. They are a masterclass in figuring out the heart of the story—no matter the theme, genre, tone, or style. We think you're going to love her books as much as we do!

Books mentioned in this episode:

• The Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood & Renata Liwska
• Ducks! by Deborah Underwood and T.L. McBeth
• Ogilvy by Deborah Underwood and T.L. McBeth
• Bearnard's Book by Deborah Underwood and Misa Saburi
• Bearnard Writes a Book by Deborah Underwood and Misa Saburi
• Tiny Garden by Deborah Underwood and Jax Chow
• The Man Who Didn't Like Animals by Deborah Underwood and LeUyen Pham
• The Panda Problem by Deborah Underwood and Hannah Marks
• Outside In by Deborah Underwood and Cindy Derby
• Good Night, Baddies by Deborah Underwood and Juli Kangas
• Interstellar Cinderella by Deborah Underwood and Meg Hunt
• Fairy Tale Fixers by Deborah Underwood and Jorge Lacera

Special shout-out to Renata Liwska, T.L. McBeth, Jax Chow, Misa Saburi, Cindy Derby, Juli Kangas, Meg Hunt, and LeUyen Pham for bringing life to Deborah Underwood's books.

Don't miss Deborah's amazing insights and tips for finding your own writing pearls at Picture Book Summit on October 3, 2026:

Free Diving: Following Your Ideas Below the Surface

A picture book writer descends deep into sometimes-murky water, then, with luck, brings back a pearl: something that will resonate strongly with kids (and often with adults, too). New York Times Bestselling author Deborah Underwood will talk about using curiosity and emotion to dive for ideas and to figure out what form those ideas want to take. Plus, she'll share tips for polishing your story to give it the best chance of connecting with readers.

Time is running out to save $100 with Early Bird Registration. Offer ends this THURSDAY, 8/27/26. Grab your ticket today!

Today is about the books—Derrick Barnes' books, to be exact. Derrick Barnes writes extraordinary picture books. In this episode, we explore what makes them so incredible and why we are so excited to hear him speak at this year's Picture Book Summit. From leaning into his voice, trusting his audience, using such specific details, to shining a beautiful light on Black boys, his words resonate with us and clearly inspire his illustrators with his evocative text.

Books mentioned in this episode:

• Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes and Gordon C. James
• The King of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes and Vanessa Brantley-Newton
• I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes and Gordon C. James
• Seven Million Steps: The True Story of Dick Gregory's Run for the Hungry by Derrick Barnes, Christian Gregory, and Frank Morrison
• I Got You: A Brother's Promise by Derrick Barnes and Shamar Knight-Justice

Special shout-out to Gordon C. James, Vanessa Brantley-Newton, and Frank Morrison for the beautiful art you've paired with Derrick's words.

Don't miss Derrick's incredible presentation at Picture Book Summit on October 3, 2026: From Crowns to Kings: How I Navigate My Own Authentic Lane in a Genre with So Many Beautiful Voices

When Derrick penned his first picture book, he was on the verge of stepping away from his dream of becoming a successful children's book author. Even though he had published eight books in other formats, he struggled to find his voice in a crowded sea of talented writers. At Picture Book Summit, he'll share how authenticity unlocks the treasure chest to writing for young readers and is the key to finding your unique gifts—as a person and a writer.

Time is running out to save $100 with Early Bird Registration. Offer ends 8/27/26. Grab your ticket today!

Ideas are everywhere! Today, we explore some of the most unusual places we've found inspiration and a few of our favorite inspiration stories from other authors.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• 8 Ways to Ruin a Picture Book Biography with Angela Dalton and Julie Hedlund - Use code PODCAST for 30% off!
• Use Your Fear with Jon Klassen - Use code PODCAST for 30% off!
• Lisa Bardot

Books mentioned in this episode:

• Over, Bear! Under, Where? by Julie Hedlund and Michael Slack
• Waiting in the Wings by Julie Andrews, Emma Walton Hamilton, and EG Keller
• Shy by Julie Andrews, Emma Walton Hamilton, and Eva Byrne
• The Enchanted Symphony by Julie Andrews, Emma Walton Hamilton, and Elly MacKay
• Who Hops? by Katie Davis
• To Boldly Go: How Nichelle Nichols and Star Trek Helped Advanced Civil Rights by Angela Dalton and Lauren Semmer
• Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders
• Vigil by George Saunders
• A Swim in the Pond in the Rain by George Saunders
• The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
• Beautiful Oops by Barney Saltzman

Looking for more inspiration? Join us for a one-of-a-kind, online writing conference designed for picture book writers and illustrators!

Time is running out to save $100 with Early Bird Registration. Offer ends 8/27/26. Grab your ticket today!

Kelli Panique started as a strictly behind-the-scenes support person with Picture Book Summit and has grown into our host and producer. In this episode, Kelli shares how she's been inspired to start writing her own picture book manuscripts after listening and learning over the last 12 years. If you're looking for a place to start on your next story, we think you'll find inspiration in today's chat.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• The Parallel Universe of Authors and Illustrators with Shadra Strickland - Use code PODCAST for 30% off!
• Readers, Relationship, and Revision with Meg Medina - Use code PODCAST for 30% off!
• Our Writing Voice is Also Our Singing Happy Birthday Voice, Our Berating Teenagers Voice, Our Hollering at Ducks Voice, and That's Not a Bad Thing with Sophie Blackall - Use code PODCAST for 30% off!
• Using Your Fear with Jon Klassen - Use code PODCAST for 30% off!

Books mentioned in this episode:

• Evelyn Del Rey is Moving Away by Meg Medina and Sonia Sanchez

What will we learn at this year's Picture Book Summit? Come find out! Join us for a one-of-a-kind, online writing conference designed for picture book writers and illustrators!

Time is running out to save $100 with Early Bird Registration. Offer ends 8/27/26. Grab your ticket today!

Our own Emma Walton Hamilton was previously an editor of a children's imprint and even her mind was blown when Little, Brown editor Alvina Ling came to Picture Book Summit and pulled back the curtain on what really goes on in editorial and acquisitions meetings. Proof that no matter where you are on the writing journey, there is always something to learn.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Secrets from a Publisher's Editorial and Acquisitions Meetings with Alvina Ling - Use code PODCAST for 30% off!

What will we learn at this year's Picture Book Summit? Come find out! Join us for a one-of-a-kind, online writing conference designed for picture book writers and illustrators!

Save $100 with Early Bird Registration through 8/27/26. Grab your ticket today!

In today's podcast, Julie Hedlund gives us an in-depth look at writing a picture book biography and how Lesa Cline-Ransome's presentation, Speak Their Truth: Conveying the Voice of Picture Book Biography Subjects, helped her move her manuscript from not-quite-there to acquired and published.

Books Mentioned in this episode:

• Song After Song: The Musical Life of Julie Andrews by Julie Hedlund and Ilaria Urbinati

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Speak Their Truth Presentation by Lesa Cline-Ransome - Use code PODCAST for 30% off!

What will we learn at this year's Picture Book Summit? Come find out! Join us for a one-of-a-kind, online writing conference designed for picture book writers and illustrators!

Save $100 with Early Bird Registration through 8/27/26. Grab your ticket today!

In today's podcast, Katie Davis dives into rhyming picture books, how listening to Julie Hedlund's workshop Verse Curse changed the way she views rhyme, and what she wants you to know if you're writing in rhyme! Including tons of tips you can use today!

Books Mentioned in this episode:

• Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Julie's Verse Curse Workshop- Use code PODCAST for 30% off!
• Fuse 8 by Betsy Bird at School Library Journal
• Betsy Bird's PBSummit Workshop: Performance on the Page - Use code PODCAST for 30% off!
• Tara Lazar

What will we learn at this year's Picture Book Summit? Come find out! Join us for a one-of-a-kind, online writing conference designed for picture book writers and illustrators!

Save $100 with Early Bird Registration through 8/27/26. Grab your ticket today!

Ready for some motivation? Katie Davis interviews 2026 Superstar Speaker Brian Lies!

Katie and Brian Lies (pronounced Lees) have a delightful conversation about the importance of continuing to write (no matter what), enjoying the process, and knowing that every writer has a different path to publication.

Brian will be presenting at Picture Book Summit 2026, where he'll share how to use your writing tools (even ones you may not know you have) to connect with your audience in Reel Them In: Using All the Lures in Your Tackle Box to Engage Readers.

Here's what you can expect:

NY Times bestselling author/illustrator and Caldecott Honoree Brian Lies discusses things he's learned over 30 years in the kidlit world. He'll share how to hone YOUR individual style, the power of adding unique details into your stories, all while not getting beached on ever-shifting career sands and not getting sucked in by shiny whirlpools.

Get your ticket to hear Brian Lies at Picture Book Summit 2026 – Oceans of Possibility: A Deep Dive Into Picture Book Craft.

Early Bird Registration for Picture Book Summit 2026 is open through 8/27/26. Grab your ticket today!

Another great episode for you today! Julie Hedlund interviews 2026 Superstar Speaker Deborah Underwood!

Julie and Deborah discuss the common elements in her books, from quiet to humorous to lyrical. Plus, they take a deep dive into Deborah's books TINY GARDEN and WALTER HAD A BEST FRIEND, their unexpected endings, and the importance of being honest with children.

Deborah will be presenting at Picture Book Summit 2026, where she'll share more of her process and how you can explore your picture book ideas in Free Diving: Following Your Ideas Below the Surface.

Here's what you can expect:

A picture book writer descends deep into sometimes-murky water, then, with luck, brings back a pearl: something that will resonate strongly with kids (and often with adults, too). New York Times Bestselling author Deborah Underwood will talk about using curiosity and emotion to dive for ideas and to figure out what form those ideas want to take. Plus, she'll share tips for polishing your story to give it the best chance of connecting with readers.

Get your ticket to hear Deborah Underwood at Picture Book Summit 2026 - Oceans of Possibility: A Deep Dive Into Picture Book Craft.

Early Bird Registration for Picture Book Summit 2026 is open through 8/27/26. Grab your ticket today!

We're excited for this one! Today, Emma Walton Hamilton interviews 2026 Superstar Speaker Derrick Barnes!

Before the New York Times Bestsellers and all the awards, Derrick Barnes almost quit writing picture books altogether. In this interview, he shares what kept him going and his advice for writers who feel like giving up. From writing greeting cards to substitute teaching, he reveals how each step of the journey prepared him for his prolific writing career.

Get your ticket to hear Derrick at Picture Book Summit 2026 - Oceans of Possibility: A Deep Dive Into Picture Book Craft.

Early Bird Registration for Picture Book Summit 2026 is open through 8/27/26. Grab your ticket today!