Children's book author-illustrator Don Tate shows us how stories save lives with his book, WILLIAM STILL AND HIS FREEDOM STORIES: THE FATHER OF THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD.

Don Tate is the author and illustrator of numerous critically acclaimed books for children. In 2016, he earned an Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award for his first picture book Poet: The Remarkable Story of George Moses Horton. 

WILLIAM STILL AND HIS FREEDOM STORIES: THE FATHER OF THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD is an incredible true story of William Still's life and work as a record keeper of enslaved people who had fled to freedom.

Discover more at picturebooking.com/don-tate-william-still.

Children's book author-illustrator Nicola Killen reminds us of picture books' power and shares her book THE LITTLE KITTEN.

Nicola Killen received an MA in children's book illustration at Cambridge School of Art, and since then, she has been working on her books, including THE LITTLE REINDEER.    THE LOST KITTEN is a charming autumnal story about a little girl who must return a lost kitten to its home, told and illustrated in limited color with foil and interactive die-cut pages.

The book giveaway: Deadline – Monday, Nov. 2, 2020

Discover more at picturebooking.com/nicola-killen-the-little-kitten.

New York Times best-selling author-illustrator Aaron Becker discusses colors that inspire and his board book MY FAVORITE COLOR.

Aaron Becker is the Caldecott Honor-winning author-illustrator of the Journey trilogy and A STONE FOR SASCHA, as well as YOU ARE LIGHT, the acclaimed companion book to MY FAVORITE COLOR.    MY FAVORITE COLOR celebrates color and nature with a joyously simple die-cut book. As an artist, the colors and lights this book creates call me to explore and make. As a parent, this book is a gift for introducing color to our children.

Learn more about: The book: MY FAVORITE COLOR* The author-illustrator: Aaron Becker

BOOK GIVEAWAY Deadline: Monday, November 2, 2020

Listen to more: Author-illustrator Interview Episodes  
 *Bookshop affiliate link You can buy this book online, support the podcast and local bookstores at Picturebooking's Bookshop. 
 Discover more at picturebooking.com/aaron-becker-my-favorite-color.

Children's book author-illustrator Jaime Zollars discusses writing for your illustrations and her picture book THE TRUTH ABOUT DRAGONS.

Jaime Zollars is an author-illustrator who is inspired by fairy tales, Flemish painters, and flea-market photographs. She sees herself as an illustrator first and has built her career around illustrating children's books and book covers, among other things.    THE TRUTH ABOUT DRAGONS is a fascinating picture book about the anxiety and excitement of a new experience, represented by a castle full of dragons that aren't quite what they seem.

Learn more about: The book: The Truth About Dragons* The author-illustrator: Jaime Zollars The giveaway: Deadline – Monday, October 12, 2020

Listen to more: Author-illustrator Interview Episodes  
 *Bookshop affiliate link You can buy this book online, support the podcast and local bookstores at Picturebooking's Bookshop. 
 Discover more at picturebooking.com/jaime-zollars-the-truth-about-dragons.

Children's book author Kate Messner discusses THE NEXT PRESIDENT: THE UNEXPECTED BEGINNINGS AND UNWRITTEN FUTURE OF AMERICA'S PRESIDENTS.

*affiliate link

Kate Messner is an author who turns her curiosity into books that encourage kids to wonder, too. She writes award-winning work in fiction and nonfiction.  

THE NEXT PRESIDENT is an inspiring and informative book for kids about America's presidents' past and future. Did you know that right now—today!—there are at least ten future presidents alive in America. Like Barack Obama, they could be playing basketball or helping in the garden like Dwight D. Eisenhower. They could be solving math problems or reading books. They could be making art—or already driving change.

Learn more about:The book: The Next President The author: Kate Messner The illustrator: Adam Rex

BOOK GIVEAWAY Deadline: Monday, October 12, 2020

Listen to more:Kate Messner Episodes Adam Rex Episode Author Interview Episodes 

Sponsor link:The Gotham Writers Conference

Amazon affiliate linkI recommend buying your books local or borrowing them from the library. But if you shop Amazon, you can support the show by clicking and shopping through this affiliate link.

Discover more at picturebooking.com/kate-messner-the-next-president.

Two-time Caldecott winner author-illustrator Sophie Blackall discusses IF YOU COME TO EARTH.

Sophie Blackall has illustrated many books, including the Ivy + Bean series. She has twice won the Caldecott Medal. Originally from Australia, she now lives in Brooklyn, New York.  

IF YOU COME TO EARTH is a glorious guide to our home planet and a call for us to take care of both Earth and each other.

Learn more about: The book: IF YOU COME TO EARTH The author-illustrator: SOPHIE BLACKALL

BOOK GIVEAWAY Deadline: Monday, September 28, 2020

Listen to more: Sophie Blackall Episodes Author-illustrator Interview Episodes 

Sponsor link: The Gotham Writers Conference

Discover more at picturebooking.com/sophie-blackall-if-you-come-to-earth

Picture book author-illustrator Gaia Cornwall discusses JABARI TRIES.

Gaia Cornwall is an author-illustrator whose debut picture book, JABARI JUMPS, won several awards, including a Charlotte Zolotow Honor Book and an American Library Association Notable Children’s Book.  

JABARI TRIES is a book about the struggles of making and inventing. Jabari transforms his frustration into perseverance with the help of his family.

BOOK GIVEAWAY Deadline: Monday, September 21, 2020

*Amazon affiliate linkI recommend buying your books local or borrowing them from the library. But if you shop Amazon, you can support the show by clicking and shopping through this affiliate link.

Discover more at picturebooking.com/gaia-cornwall-jabari-tries.

Picture book author Simran Jeet Singh discusses FAUJA SINGH KEEPS GOING: THE TRUE STORY OF THE OLDEST PERSON TO EVER RUN A MARATHON.

Simran Jeet Singh is an educator, writer, activist, and scholar who regularly speaks on issues of diversity, inclusion and equity.  

FAUJA SINGH KEEPS GOING is the true story about the man who broke world records to become the first one-hundred-year-old to run a marathon. The book shares valuable lessons on the source of his grit, determination to overcome obstacles, and commitment to the Sikh community’s positive representation.

BOOK GIVEAWAY Deadline: Monday, September 14, 2020

Sponsor link:The Gotham Writers Conference

More at picturebooking.com

Josh Funk is the children's book author behind several successful book series, including Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast, How to Code, It's NOT a Fairy Tale and Patience & Fortitude.  

SHORT & SWEET is the fourth book in the Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast series. Pancake and Toast fear they're going stale, and undergo a treatment that accidentally transforms them into toddlers!

Discover more at https://picturebooking.com.

Illustrator, Jess X. Snow and I chat about the picture book, The Ocean Calls: A Haenyeo Mermaid Story. This beautiful book is about intergenerational bonds, finding courage in the face of fear, and connecting with our natural world.

And stick around for the end of this episode when we share picture books from Miranda Paul, Zack Shada, D.C. Cody, and Jennifer Black Reinhardt.

Jess X. Snow is a Chinese-Canadian film director, cinematographer, public artist, illustrator, and poet currently based in Brooklyn, NY. Jess is working to build a future where migrants and people of color see themselves as heroes on the big screen, city walls, and pages of children's books.

Check out more at https://picturebooking.com/jess-x-snow.