Picturebooking

Joe Sutphin and I talk about his path to becoming a children's book illustrator whose work has been compared to Garth Williams.

You've seen Joe's art in the NY Times Bestselling novel Word of Mouse by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein, Dr. Critchlore's School for Minions by Sheila Grau and Raffie On The Run by Jacqueline Resnick.

For an indepth look I recommend visiting www.joesutphin.com to study the amazing things he can do with a quill pen.

I hope you enjoy this conversation.

Photo of Joe Sutphin by Cory Piehowicz

32 authors and illustrators come back on the show to answer the question ... Why picture books are important?

Juniper Bates, Amy June Bates, Josh Funk, Catia Chien, Alice Kuipers, Rowboat Watkins, Elise Parsley, Jon Burgerman, Ruth Spiro, Dan Santat, Aaron Zenz, Patrick Wensink, David Ezra Stein, Laura Gehl, Sherri Duskey Rinker, Jake Parker, Anne Marie Pace, Matthew Winner, Mike Sundy, Jonathan Sundy, Mel Schuit, Claire Lordon, Will Terry, L.J.R. Kelly, Gilbert Ford, Julia Donaldson, Aaron Reynolds, Steven Weinberg, Christopher Weyant, Bruce Handy & Katherine Roy.

Subscribe to Picturebooking via email, Apple Podcast, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, Spotify or any number of podcast apps. Check out the archive at picturebooking.com where you can stream or download every episode ever made. Picturebooking can be found on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.

This episode was made possible by you and your fellow listeners through Picturebooking's Patreon page. Please check out these links and thank those you have made this show possible:

• Alison B. Watson
• Dani Duck
• Donna Marie
• Heather Kinser
• Jim Petipas
• LJ Michaels
• Sandra Salsbury

This episode was recorded inside the Mulva Library Studio on the campus of St. Norbert College. Picturebooking is produced by Nick Patton Studio, LLC.

Thanks for listening.

It's the moments that we all remember … The day someone sees something in us that we do not yet. The day someone pushes us to be better ... to work harder ... to ask more of ourselves and our life. Mentors play a huge role in any successful book, career or life. So I've asked a five authors and illustrators to tell us a story of a mentor who has help them along their path.

Featured Books

How to Trick the Tooth Fairy by Erin Russell, illustrated by Jennifer Hansen Rolli

A Round of Robins by Katie Hesterman, illustrated by Sergio Ruzzier

The Brilliant Deep by Kate Messner, illustrated by Matthew Forsythe

The Cows Go Moo! by Jim Petipas

The Magician's Secret by Zachary Hyman, illustrated by Joe Bluhm

Subscribe to Picturebooking via email, Apple Podcast, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, Spotify or any number of podcast apps. Check out the archive at picturebooking.com where you can stream or download every episode ever made. Picturebooking can be found on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.

This episode was made possible by you and your fellow listeners through Picturebooking's Patreon page. Please support the people who have supported this show.

Today's podcast is also brought to you by Amazon. Buy your books local … for everything else shop with this Picturebooking affiliate link.

This episode was recorded inside the Mulva Library Studio on the campus of St. Norbert College. Picturebooking is produced by Nick Patton Studio, LLC.

Thanks for listening.

Ovi Nedelcu's "One Gray Mouse" is a journey. A journey from doubt to hope. This book is about the belief that life can change for the better.

Ovi and I dived into topics like napping, the hero's journey and actionable tips to become a better illustrator.

You'll learn:

• Why the mouse is gray and what that has to do with doubt
• How the environment helped tell this story
• Tips for work/life balance … and how we all fail sometime
• Two drawing practices that can helped improve your skills

Featured book:

One Gray MouseBy Ovi Nedelcu On Press

Subscribe to Picturebooking via email, Apple Podcast, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, Spotify or any number of podcast apps. Check out the archive at picturebooking.com where you can stream or download every episode ever made. Picturebooking can be found on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.

This episode was made possible by you and your fellow listeners through Picturebooking's Patreon page. Please check out these links and thank those you have made this show possible:

• Alison B. Watson
• Dani Duck
• Donna Marie
• Heather Kinser
• Jim Petipas
• LJ Michaels
• Sandra Salsbury

Today's podcast is also brought to you by Audible get a FREE audiobook download and 30 day free trial at www.audibletrial.com/picturebooking.

This episode was recorded inside the Mulva Library Studio on the campus of St. Norbert College. Picturebooking is produced by Nick Patton Studio, LLC.

Thanks for listening.

A collection of some of my favorite new books:

Turn This Book Into a Beehive! By Lynn Brunelle Don't Eat That By Drew Sheneman Everything You Need for a Treehouse By Carter Higgins, Emily Hughes (Illustrator) Sam and the Seven-Pound Perch By Paul J. Hoffman, Nick Patton (Illustrator) Harriet Gets Carried Away By Jessie Sima Mommy's Khimar By Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, Ebony Glenn (Illustrator)

Subscribe & Rate the Show Subscribe to Picturebooking via email, Apple Podcast, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, Spotify or any number of podcast apps. Check out the archive at picturebooking.com where you can stream or download every episode ever made. Picturebooking can be found on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.

Sponsors This episode was made possible by you and your fellow listeners through Picturebooking's Patreon page. Please support the people who have supported this show.

Today's podcast is also brought to you by Amazon. Buy your books local … for everything else shop with this Picturebooking affiliate link.

CreditsThis episode was recorded inside the Mulva Library Studio on the campus of St. Norbert College. Picturebooking is produced by Nick Patton Studio, LLC.

Thanks for listening.

Amy June Bates and her middle school daughter, Juniper Bates, have created something very special in their picture book The Big Umbrella. Kirkus Reviews wrote that it is a subtle, deceptively simple book about inclusion, hospitality, and welcoming the 'other. Booklist calls it open-ended and a natural springboard for discussion. And for me this book is my new life mantra.

Featured book:

The Big UmbrellaBy Amy June Bates, Juniper BatesSimon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books

Episode summary:

The idea for The Big Umbrella came the day after the 2016 election. They knew they had a book idea right away and quickly (for an adult) had a story and dummy out to an art director.

Once they understood what the tone of the book, the story decisions fell into place.

They wanted this book to be inclusive in every way possible, including both sides of the political spectrum.

This book is more universal than political. It speaks to a deeper truth about the world we live in and how we can shape it into something better.

Amy's illustrations were designed to allow us to see ourselves in these characters. But there is one character in the book that has both Amy and Juniper's heart.

The images in this picture book showing all the diversity under one umbrella are powerful. They are all united and are all different at the same time.

Juniper tells us what she has learned from the process and Amy give us illustrators some great advice to help improve our work.

Subscribe to Picturebooking via email, Apple Podcast, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, Spotify or any number of podcast apps. Check out the archive at picturebooking.com where you can stream or download every episode ever made. Picturebooking can be found on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.

This episode was made possible by you and your fellow listeners through Picturebooking's Patreon page. Please check out these links and thank those you have made this show possible:

• Sandra Salsbury Illustration
• Alison B. Watson on Instagram @alisonbwatson
• LJ Michaels Illustrations & The Art of Picture Books
• Jim Petipas and his new book The Cows Go Moo! Available May 1, 2018
• Dani Duck Art
• Writer Side Up

Today's podcast is also brought to you by Audible get a FREE audiobook download and 30 day free trial at www.audibletrial.com/picturebooking. I recommend Wild Things: The Joy of Reading Children's Literature as an Adult by Bruce Handy (Picturebooking Episode 87).

This episode was recorded inside the Mulva Library Studio on the campus of St. Norbert College. Picturebooking is produced by Nick Patton Studio, LLC.

Thanks for listening.

This is Picturebooking's last post at All The Wonders. For future episodes go to picturebooking.com.

Today we have two separate interviews with the creators of the picture book MY PILLOW KEEPS MOVING. This funny and sweet story is about a man who tries to buy a pillow and ends up with a new best friend.

Today we have both the author Laura Gehl and the illustrated Christopher Weyant on the show.

Books that have a friendship theme.

First, Sue Hendra introduces us to NORMAN THE SLUG WITH THE SILLY SHELL. Norman longs to be a snail-if only he could find a shell! This slug goes to hilarious lengths to fit in.

Next, Anne Marie Pace shares her latest picture book, GROUNDHUG DAY (illustrated by Christopher Denise). Everyone is excited for Moose's Valentine's Day party, but if Groundhog sees his shadow outside, he'll hide in his hole for six more weeks and miss the party!

Finally, Aaron Zenz brings us LITTLE IFFY LEARNS TO FLY. Little Iffy is a griffin who is afraid to fly. But his friends are her to help, and Eggs Pegasus has a plan …

All The Wonders Show Notes

I love story time during the holidays and today we have three books to add to your holiday collection.

First Nicola Killen takes us on a child's magic journey that starts when she wakes to hear the jingling of bells in THE LITTLE REINDEER.

Then we learn about MR. DOG'S CHRISTMAS AT THE HOLLOW TREE INN. This book was originally written in 1898 by Albert Bigelow Paine. Betsy Cordes come on the pod to talk about bringing this story to life for a new generation. Illustrated by Adam McCauley.

And finally Santa's elves re-imagine how the big guy should travel in THE 12 SLEIGHS OF CHRISTMAS by Sherri Duskey Rinker, illustrated by Jake Parker.

All The Wonders/Picturebooking: show notes

26 award winning authors and illustrators share things they wrote and drew as kids in the inspirational book, OUR STORY BEGINS. Editor Elissa Brent Weissman stops by the pod to introduce the collection with cameos by Chris Grabenstein, Grace Lin, Jarrett J. Krosoczka, Marla Frazee, Peter Lerangis and Tom Angleberger.

Show Notes at All The Wonders