The Children's Book Podcast

Simply Messing About (@SimplyMessAbout) is a blog about the creative process of making picture books. The creative minds behind Simply Messing About, picture book author illustrators Renee Kurilla (@ReneeKurilla), Tracy Bishop (@TracyBishopArt), Christina Forshay (@ChristinaForshay), and Laura Zarrin (@LauraZarrin) stop by to talk about sketchbooks, Tracy's pen collection, and helping other artists and people in the kidlit community along the path of creating art for children's literature.

Scott Magoon (@smagoon), author illustrator of Breath (@SimonKids) and illustrator of The Nuts: Bedtime at the Nuthouse (@lbkids), written by Eric Litwin (Pete the Cat), stops by to talk about the work of an art director, creating digital art with kids, and crafting a quiet story.

Bethany Hegadus (@BethanyHegedus), co-author of Grandfather Gandhi (@SimonKids), stops by to talk about not being afraid, building a community from a couple of acres and a barn, and the cornerstones of a nonviolent life.

Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen (@SudiptaBQ), author of Tyrannosaurus Wrecks! (@AbramsKids) returns to talk about offering your school visit audience something more than your books, the habit of safety nets of getting in the way, and helping empower kids to write.

Nathan Hale (@MrNathanHale), creator of the Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales series (@AbramsChronicle), stops by to talk about starting with a manuscript, fact-checking for historical accuracy, and comedy on the page turns.

Mike Boldt (@MikeBoldt), author of 123 Versus ABC (@HarperChildrens), stops by to talk about starting with scribbles, reillustrating childrens books, and Canada's beloved kidlit treasure (and ours), Mr. Robert Muncsh.

Arree Chung (@ArreeChung), author of Ninja! (@HenryHolt), stops by to talk about working for Pixar, becoming a ninja, and the support of friends in making ideas come to life.

Jonathan Auxier (@JonathanAuxier), author of The Night Gardener (Henry N. Abrams) and Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes (Amulet Books), stops by to talk about conquering your own fears through your characters, crazy dares over Skype, and his tell-all "After the Book Deal" blog series.

Brian Won (@bwon1), author and illustrator of Hooray for Hat! (A@HMHKids), stops by to talk about paying it forward, his work as a motion graphics designer, and taking inspiration from his kid.

Evan Turk (@EvanTurkArt), illustrator of Grandfather Gandhi (Atheneum Books for Young Readers), stops by to talk about his time at Parsons School of Design, A Thousand and One Nights, and how his world experiences have informed his voice as a storyteller.