Picturebooking

This episode features a countdown of the top-5 most listened to picturebooking interviews of 2016. Plus I announce my favorite book featured on the show this year.

Ideas are funny things. They don't always grow in a straight line and rightfully so. Sometime I think the most important thing you can do to help an idea grow is to listen … and to let it change. Today's author Chris Haughton had an idea that grew into his latest book GOODNIGHT EVERYONE. How this story started and where it ended up are super interesting …

On the show today we have Jake Parker and his debut picture book LITTLE BOT & SPARROW. Jake has worked in comics, concept art, illustration and animation. He started the popular drawing challenge Inktober and co-founded the illustration education website svslearn.com with Will Terry (Picturebooking Episode 12). Basically Jake Parker makes things! And after this talk you're going to be inspired to make things too.

Author and illustrator Evan Turk shares all the wonders of his picture book THE STORYTELLER with us. The text in this book transforms the reader into a traditional storyteller. The art transforms the story into an explosion of culture and imagination.

Getting to know the author of CHARLOTTE'S WEB through Melissa Sweet's book SOME WRITER: THE STORY OF E. B. WHITE was such a treasure. The art, the words and the design of this book give you an in depth biography of a man and a writer. Whether you are a fan of White's stories or a writer yourself, this book needs to be on your reading list.

This is a recommended – best of Picturebooking episode

Today's featured book is a Halloween special … MONSTER TRUCKS by Anika Denise and illustrated by Nate Wragg. Sometimes it's hard to believe that such a perfect picture book idea hasn't been done. I'm thankful Anika and Nate where the two that made it.

Tom Booth is the character designer and illustrator behind WHO WINS?: 100 HISTORICAL FIGURES GO HEAD-TO-HEAD. I've learned more about history from playing with this interactive book than I thought was possible.

Mike Lowery is known for his ability to talk like a pirate. So he was the perfect guest to have on during TALK LIKE A PIRATE DAY. Mike also wrote and illustrated THE PURSUIT OF THE PESKY PIZZA PIRATE.

Rafael López is the illustrator and inspiration for the picture book MAYBE SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL: HOW ART TRANSFORMED A NEIGHBORHOOD. There is so much to love about Rafael's true story, and the picture book that captured the spirit of this neighborhood art project.

Alexis Braud is the author and illustrator of PARADE. This is a book that celebrates the Louisiana culture of parading but what drew me into it was the notion of starting. Just getting yourself out there and starting something without much fanfare. Putting yourself on display and parading ... even if it is only a parade of one small creature ... something special might come of it, if only we start.