Children's author and illustrator Timothy Young is more than just a writer—he's a former animator and toy designer! Join us as Timothy shares his unexpected journey to picture books and reveals his process for creating characters with heart and humor.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• The secret to developing memorable characters (often from personal experiences!)
• Why humor and lighthearted parody are essential to engaging kids.
• How to make your school visits transform you into a "rock star."
• Timothy's best tricks for overcoming creative blocks.

Don't miss this inspiring chat on finding inspiration in the everyday and the importance of balancing fun with meaning.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Timothy Young
03:05 The Journey to Becoming an Author
05:51 Character Creation Process
08:53 Finding Inspiration for Stories
11:52 Balancing Humor and Meaning
14:54 Engaging School Audiences
17:52 Effective School Visits and Presentations
20:38 Favorite Books and Story Sparks
24:00 Creative Blocks and Jumpstarting Ideas

Want to make your next classroom lesson, author visit or read-aloud hilarious and heartfelt? 😂

Adam Lehrhaupt sits down with celebrated author/illustrator Bob Shea (Who Wet My Pants?, Dinosaur vs. series) to talk about how he uses humor, character flaws, and big emotions to connect with students. This is a masterclass in making school visits authentic, engaging, and all about the kids!

In this episode, Bob shares his creative process, from the inspiration behind his funniest books to his philosophy on collaboration and embracing playfulness to overcome creative blocks.

📚 What You'll Learn (Classroom & Author Tips)

• The secret behind engaging kids: Making school visits about the students, not the author.
• Why addressing big emotions and character flaws ("Life's full of jerks") is essential for relatable literature.
• The unexpected way a good illustrator collaboration can enhance your story.
• Creative activity: Embracing playfulness and different formats to overcome writer's block.
• Understanding the role of humor and character development in his popular books.

⏰ Episode Chapters

• 00:01:23 | The Inspiration Behind Who Wet My Pants?
• 00:02:33 | Choosing Illustrators: Collaboration in Children's Books
• 00:08:28 | Making School Visits About the Kids
• 00:12:47 | Writing Across Different Formats (Picture Books to Chapter Books)
• 00:17:35 | Exploring Big Emotions in Children's Literature
• 00:26:05 | Creative Activities for Young Illustrators
• 00:30:17 | Overcoming Creative Blocks and Finding Inspiration

🌟 Connect & Book a Visit

Want to bring an engaging, hilarious author to your school? Bob Shea and Adam Lehrhaupt are available for school visits!

• Book an Author Visit with Adam: Learn more about author presentations for your students at AdamL.Rocks 👈
• Find Bob Shea's Books, Visits and More: Visit bobshea.com
• Follow Bob Shea: Check out his creative posts on Instagram at @bobshea

Keep reading, keep laughing, and keep making things about the kids!

Picture This Podcast: Joyce Wan - Teaching BIG Feelings with Minimalist Art

How do you convey huge emotions like love, comfort, and identity using the fewest words and simplest images?

Adam Lehrhaupt sits down with best-selling author and illustrator Joyce Wan (I Am a Cupcake, The Very Brave Bear) to explore the power of minimalism in engaging young readers and inspiring creative confidence in the classroom.

Joyce reveals her process for distilling universal feelings into powerful books and shares actionable tips for educators on how to turn simple shapes into profound assignments.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• The powerful link between simple art and focus for toddlers.
• The "Shape & Feeling" exercise—a low-prep visual art prompt for K-3 students.
• Why creative constraints (like board book page limits) lead to better storytelling.
• The genius of open-ended assignments and the value of authentic student responses.
• Creative sparks: Why Studio Ghibli films and junk mail are great inspiration for writing and art.
• A fun writing exercise: Blackout Poetry to find new meaning in old text.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS & CLASSROOM ACTIVITY IDEAS

Timestamps for quick learning:

• 00:03:55 | Start with Feeling: The creative process of distilling universal emotions (Love, Comfort) into simple stories.
• 00:06:42 | NEW Activity: The "Shape & Expression" visual art prompt for K-3 students.
• 00:07:48 | Creativity Hack: Why limiting tools and adding constraints expands imagination.
• 00:11:04 | Teacher Tip: The power of open-ended assignments for authentic student responses.
• 00:14:53 | Writing Prompt: How to use Blackout Poetry to spark writing and critical thinking.
• 00:17:01 | Book Bag Pick: Why The Very Hungry Caterpillar is the perfect sensory board book.
• 00:19:50 | Creative Spark: Finding inspiration outside kidlit (like Studio Ghibli films!).
• 00:24:46 | Resource Bucket: Creating a Classroom Inspiration Box of patterns and objects.
• 00:29:32 | Freebies: Where to find Joyce Wan's FREE Educator Guides!

🔗 RESOURCES & GUEST LINKS

Connect with Joyce Wan and access amazing free resources:

• Joyce Wan's Official Website (FREE Educator Guides!): WanArt.com
• Follow Joyce on Social Media: @JoyceWanBooks
• Adam Lehrhaupt's Website (All Links & Activities): AdamL.Rocks

Don't forget to Like, Share, and Subscribe for more creative Picture Book secrets!

#JoyceWan #BoardBooks #ClassroomActivities #TeacherResources #SELactivities #BlackoutPoetry #AdamLehrhaupt #PictureBookLessons

Want to transform your read-alouds, creative time and lessons into unforgettable classroom experiences?

Adam Lehrhaupt sits down with his long-time friend and collaborator, illustrator Scott Magoon (I Will Not Eat You, Linus The Little Yellow Pencil, Rescue and Jessica), to share tons of free, ready-to-use tips for elementary teachers, librarians, and homeschool parents.

Scott pulls back the curtain on how he uses his art to create social-emotional learning (SEL) moments, simple drawing activities, and STEM lessons that get students excited about reading and creating.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why the book I Will Not Eat You is a perfect tool for character development in K-3 classrooms.
• Scott’s "Eraser Art" technique—a genius, low-prep drawing activity that encourages creativity and helps students overcome their inner critic.
• How to use both picture books and graphic novels to build essential literacy skills.
• A hidden gem book recommendation: Your Friends and Mine, Blips on a Screen (a great non-fiction pick for tech/STEM).
• Why collaborating with an illustrator (or even a student!) forces you to write a better story.

📚 Episode Highlights 

00:00:00  Why Free Resources for Educators are so important.
00:04:47  Using I Will Not Eat You to teach character arc and SEL.
00:11:32  Scott’s School Visit Tips: Slide Presentations and Drawing Demos.
00:13:30  Classroom Activity: Illustrating Text Only (or writing text for illustrations only).
00:14:48  Activity Guides and Resources on Scott’s website.
00:18:20  Why Graphic Novels (Go Extincts!) are such a "Herculean Task."
00:27:00  Differences in presenting Graphic Novels vs. Picture Books.
00:29:20  Adam's Book Bag: Book Recommendation & Screen Time in PB.
00:37:35  Story Sparks: The "Eraser Art" Drawing Prompt to quiet the inner critic.
00:44:20  The secret to the Author/Illustrator collaboration (and how it makes better books).
00:50:00  Where to find Scott Magoon's work and resources: ScottMagoon.com & GoExtincts.com.

🌟 Call-to-Action & Links 

Adam Lehrhaupt's Note: Want to bring an award-winning author/illustrator to your school? Both Scott and I are available for virtual and in-person school visits! Scott’s drawing demos and activities are an incredible experience for students.

• Book an Author/Illustrator Visit: Learn more about Scott Magoon and Adam Lehrhaupt’s presentations at AdamL.Rocks. 👈
• Scott Magoon's Website: ScottMagoon.com (Find free Teacher Guides & Activities!)
• Go Extincts! Graphic Novel Series: GoExtincts.com

Remember to Share, Comment, and Post this everywhere and all the time! 👋

Ready to bring some drama to your classroom? 🎬 In this episode of Picture This, host Adam Lehrhaupt chats with children's book and graphic novel author Marcy Colleen, who uses her theater background to create dynamic and emotionally rich stories for young readers. A former teacher herself, Marcy shares invaluable insights and activities for making literature more engaging and inclusive for all students.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to use theatrical techniques like pacing, rhythm, and emotional beats to captivate an audience during a story reading.
• Why teacher's guides should be more than just worksheets and how they can be used across subjects.
• How to use quiet moments to draw students in and create a powerful sense of suspense.
• The crucial importance of diversity in literature and making room for all voices at the table.
• Fun, cross-curricular activities like a "point of view" exercise and a "character outline" to help students deepen their understanding of a story.

Marcy's Book Bag Recommendations:

• Penguinaut! by Marcy Colleen
• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
• Alfie (The Turtle That Disappeared) by Thyra Heder

Creative Prompts & Activities:

• Character Outline: Draw a character outline on a large piece of paper. Inside, write what you know about the character. Outside, write what you want to know. Then, write a story to answer the questions on the outside!
• The "Quiet Moment" Reading: Practice reading a favorite picture book, using very quiet whispers during moments of suspense to draw your audience in.

Don't just read a story—perform it! 📖 Like, share, and subscribe to Picture This for more ways to ignite a love of reading in your students.

YouTube Video Chapters

• 0:00 - Introduction and Background Connections
• 0:11 - Theater Influence on Writing
• 5:14 - Creating Engaging Educator Guides
• 9:00 - Curriculum Development and Classroom Activities
• 13:24 - Diversity in Literature and Storytelling
• 22:37 - Capturing Emotion and Rhythm in Writing
• 25:33 - Adam's Book Bag: Marcy's Top Picture Book Recommendations
• 27:14 - A "Story Spark" on Diversity & Inclusion
• 34:48 - Final Thoughts & Where to Find Marcy
• 35:24 - Outro

Go behind the scenes with a true creative master! In this episode of Picture This, host Adam Lehrhaupt interviews Gene Barretta, the acclaimed author and illustrator who brings history, science, and art to life for young readers. With a unique background in animation and film, Gene shares how he crafts stories that are not only factual but also deeply engaging and cinematic.
In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How a career in animation and film influences a new approach to storytelling in picture books.
• The secret to simplifying complex historical and scientific concepts for young readers.
• How to balance creative storytelling with factual accuracy to create authentic and fun narratives.
• Practical ideas for connecting books to classroom activities, from observation exercises to writing from a new perspective.
• The importance of finding your artistic voice and inspiration in everyday life.

Featured Book:

• The Apprenticeship of Andrew Wyeth by Gene Barretta (pre-order now!)

Creative Prompts & Activities:

• Observation Game: Encourage students to observe the world around them and turn their observations into stories, inspired by Gene's approach to character and setting.
• The "What If" Story: Take a historical figure and write a narrative from the perspective of their friend, pet, or a surprising object in their life.
• Music & Story: Use musical scores from animated shorts or silent films to inspire students to write or draw a story.

Don't just read about history—experience it! Like, share, and subscribe to Picture This for more innovative ways to use picture books in the classroom.

Chapters

• 0:00 - Introduction & Welcome Gene Barretta
• 2:39 - Animation, Film, and the Creative Process
• 4:50 - Presenting Stories in a Cinematic Way
• 9:40 - Simplifying Complex History & Science
• 15:20 - Connecting Stories to Classroom Activities
• 19:16 - Balancing Research & Creative Storytelling
• 24:45 - The Apprenticeship of Andrew Wyeth
• 29:59 - Finding Your Artistic Voice
• 31:14 - Adam's Book Bag: Creative Inspirations from Film
• 33:48 - Observation & Character Development
• 36:20 - Using Music to Tell a Story
• 39:13 - Upcoming Projects & Where to Find Gene
• 40:32 - Outro

Are you ready to transform your students' relationship with nonfiction? In this episode of Picture This, join host Adam Lehrhaupt and celebrated author Melissa Stewart as they introduce a game-changing framework for understanding nonfiction literature.

Melissa, who has written over 200 books for kids, shares her groundbreaking concept of Five Kinds of Nonfiction. You'll discover how to identify each category and, more importantly, how to use them to create powerful lessons and engage even the most reluctant readers.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The 5 types of nonfiction, including narrative, browsable, and expository literature.
• Why these categories are a game-changer for lesson planning.
• How to use different nonfiction types as a "menu" to hook students based on their unique interests.
• A "golden age" for children’s nonfiction and why you should be part of it.
• The "idea incubator"—a simple, powerful tool to help students find their passion and make research fun.

Featured Book:
Mega Predators of the Past by Melissa Stewart, a book that deconstructs the five-paragraph essay and proves that informational writing can be both engaging and fun.

Resources Mentioned:
Melissa Stewart’s website: http://www.melissa-stewart.com
NCTE Nonfiction Position Statement: https://ncte.org/statement/role-of-nonfiction-literature-k-12/

📣 Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to the Picture This Podcast for more expert interviews on integrating picture books into your curriculum.   

Download your FREE Toolkit! Get exclusive activities and resources to integrate visual literacy into your curriculum: [https://adamlehrhaupt.com/teachers-guides-2/]
Sign up for our newsletter for more teaching tips and podcast updates: [https://adamlehrhaupt.com/newsletter-signup]
Listen to other episodes of the Picture This Podcast: [https://adamlehrhaupt.com/podcast/]

Don't just teach the facts—inspire a lifelong love of reading! Like, share, and subscribe to Picture This for more content that helps you bring picture books to life in your classroom.

Chapters
0:00 - Introduction to Picture This & Guest Melissa Stewart
1:44 - 📚 The 5 Kinds of Nonfiction 📚
2:00 - Type 1: Traditional
3:43 - Type 2: Browsable Nonfiction
4:22 - Type 3: Narrative Nonfiction
4:57 - Type 4: Expository Literature
5:36 - Type 5: Active Nonfiction
6:22 - Using the 5 Nonfiction Types in the Classroom
11:34 - Melissa's Advocacy & Unserved Readers
17:41 - The Golden Age of Nonfiction for Kids
18:56 - Tips for Incorporating Expository Literature
23:02 - Adam's Book Bag: Mega Predators of the Past
27:14 - The Idea Incubator 💡
32:15 - Connecting the Idea Jar & The Idea Incubator
34:03 - Final Resources & Wrap-Up

#picturebooks, #nonfiction, #picturethis, #podcast, #education, #educators, #librarians, #lessonplanning, #classroom, #teachers, #kidsbooks, #literacy, #reading, #childrensbooks, #melissastewart, #nonfictionforkids, #informationaltext, #STEM, #ELA, #homeschool, #homeschooling, #learning, #fivetypesofnonfiction, #author, #readingteacher, #bookworm, #booklover

Welcome back to Picture This! This week, we're with the brilliant Josh Funk, a software engineer turned children's author who has a secret. He's figured out how to use hilarious rhyming picture books to teach complex STEM concepts—without a single screen.

In this episode, you’ll discover the unexpected trick behind his best-selling books like Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast and How to Code a Sandcastle. We dive deep into:

The Secret Formula: How music and coding create the perfect rhythm for a rhyming story.

Unplugged STEM: Creative, teacher-tested activities that teach coding, logic, and problem-solving with nothing but a book and a little imagination.

Beyond the Page: Fun classroom prompts for fostering empathy, creativity, and critical thinking.

This isn't just an interview; it's a masterclass in making learning irresistible. If you've ever struggled to make STEM lessons stick, get ready to change the way you teach forever.

Hey Picture This community! Josh shared some incredible ideas for using pen pals in the classroom. What's the most creative pen pal activity you've ever tried or imagined? Share your ideas below! 👇

Chapters
00:00 Intro: Josh Funk's Unique Blend of STEM & Silliness
01:06 Rhyme, Rhythm & Coding: The Musicality of Picture Books
03:35 Screen-Free Coding: Teaching Logic with "How to Code a Sandcastle"
06:13 Coding Concepts: Sequences, Loops, If-Then-Else & Variables
07:06 A Day in the Classroom with Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast!
09:17 STEM Challenges & Critical Thinking with Breakfast Food Characters
10:18 The Coolest Teacher Activities Inspired by Josh's Books
13:22 Fostering Creativity: Unleashing Imagination Beyond Grades
14:56 The Magic of Pen Pals: Activities Inspired by "Dear Dragon"
18:00 Empathy, Diversity & Representation in Children's Literature
22:29 Adam's Book Bag: Josh's Favorite Picture Book Recommendation
26:02 Sparking Creativity: Josh's Unique School Visit Tips

#PictureThisPodcast, #JoshFunk, #STEM, #CodingForKids, #PictureBooks, #ElementaryEducation, #Librarians, #ClassroomActivities, #LessonPlanning, #Literacy, #RhymingBooks, #LadyPancakeAndSirFrenchToast, #HowToCodeASandcastle, #DearDragon, #AuthorsOnYoutube

In this episode of Picture This, host Adam is joined by celebrated children's author and 4th-grade teacher Nick Solis. Discover how Nick's manuscript for his book, The Staring Contest, was born in Adam's class and went on to become a published work!

Nick, a 25-year teaching veteran, reveals how he uses picture books to create an engaging, inclusive classroom environment and why he considers them the ultimate tool for teaching everything from history to social-emotional learning. We delve into:

• The power of saying "yes, and..." and how it applies to both improv and teaching.
• Why picture books are the perfect "sparks" for quick, high-impact lessons.
• Actionable, teacher-tested activities you can use in your own classroom tomorrow.

Hey educators and librarians! Nick and I want to know: *Do you prefer one picture book example per activity, or would you like to see multiple examples for different learning styles?* Let us know in the comments below! 👇

*Chapters*
00:00 Intro: The Power of Yes, and...
01:06 From Student to Published Author: The Story Behind "The Staring Contest"
03:55 Improvisation and the "Yes, And" Mindset
05:27 Using Picture Books for All Ages (Even High School!)
06:50 The Power of Picture Books for Social-Emotional Learning
12:33 The Importance of Narrative and Ambiguity in Storytelling
13:22 Why Picture Books are Better Than Curriculum Books
18:35 Teacher-Approved Classroom Activities (Like the Bio Box!)
24:18 Go-To Picture Book Recommendations for Growth Mindset
27:28 Sparking Creativity with "Memoir Heart" and "Interest Journals"
32:05 Pairing Picture Books with History Lessons

#PictureThisPodcast, #NickSolis, #PictureBooks, #ChildrensAuthor, #ElementaryEducation, #Librarians, #ClassroomActivities, #LessonPlanning, #Literacy, #GrowthMindset, #TeacherTips, #Improvisation, #TheStaringContest, #TheColorCollector, #TheLittlestGrito

What’s the difference between reading a story and truly seeing it?
In this captivating episode of the Picture This Podcast, host Adam Lehrhaupt welcomes award-winning author and Disney animator Benson Shum for an unforgettable conversation!

Benson shares his creative journey and pulls back the curtain on how he blends research, imagination, and animation magic to create picture books like Anzu, Great Kaiju and Imagine You and Me.
Perfect for elementary teachers, librarians, and aspiring authors, this episode gives you:

• An exclusive behind-the-scenes look at a Disney animator’s creative process
• Practical ideas for building lessons around research, even for the most imaginative stories
• Insights on how picture book illustrations add a second layer of meaning
• Strategies for using mistakes as opportunities for creative growth and teamwork in the classroom
• Tips on teaching empathy and perspective using giant monsters (kaiju!)

Whether you're seeking fresh ways to teach visual literacy or simply crave inspiration from a master storyteller, this episode is a must!

Guest Spotlight

Benson Shum is an acclaimed author, illustrator, and Disney animator, winner of the Sakura Medal and other honors for his whimsical books and art. Discover Benson’s books, teaching activities, and free resources at his Website.

⏱️ Episode Breakdown

2:12 – Researching Sloth Went: Creating believable worlds
4:35 – Sparking creativity with "what if" questions
5:36 – Why make a "cute" kaiju?
7:00 – Teaching empathy and perspective with Anzu, Great Kaiju
8:52 – Turning stories into classroom “choose your own adventures”
10:30 – Alex’s Good Fortune: Sharing cultural storytelling
13:37 – Integrating family traditions into classroom lessons
17:23 – Using the “Disney method” outside the studio
18:00 – Character development tips from an animator
20:31 – We Are Lion Dancers: Teaching teamwork
25:37 – Book Bag: The Book of Mistakes
28:17 – Creative prompts for your classroom
29:21 – The big value of visual literacy
34:49 – Find Benson Shum online

📚 Books & Authors Featured

Support your local bookstore, but if you must order online, you support our show by using links below!

• Sloth Went by Adam Lehrhaupt and Benson Shum
  Sloth Went (Amazon)
• Anzu, the Great Kaiju by Benson Shum
  Anzu, the Great Kaiju (Amazon)
• Alex’s Good Fortune by Benson Shum
  Alex’s Good Fortune (Amazon)
• Imagine You and Me by Benson Shum
  Imagine You and Me (Amazon)
• The Book of Mistakes by Corinna Luyken
  The Book of Mistakes (Amazon)
• We Are Lion Dancers by Benson Shum
  We Are Lion Dancers (Amazon)

🎒 Free Resources for Teachers & Librarians

• Download your FREE Visual Literacy Toolkit & classroom activities: Get free teaching resources
• Stay in the loop! Sign up for teaching tips and podcast updates in your mailbox

🚀 Join the Conversation!

Like, follow, comment, and share this episode with fellow educators and book lovers—your participation helps us reach and inspire others!

Tell us in the comments: What’s a picture book you use to teach a specific concept, and how has it worked in your classroom?