MATTHEWCWINNER

Valerie Bolling, author of A Flea for Justice: Marian Wright Edelman Stands Up for Change (Charlesbridge), illustrated by TeMika Grooms, joins Matthew to talk about a person worth writing about.

Corinna Luyken, author illustrator of The Arguers (Rocky Pond Books), joins Matthew to talk about the silly, the absurd, and seeing yourself in every single character.

Aaron Becker, author-illustrator of Return, his final book in the Journey trilogy, stops by the podcast to talk about the power and limits of the imagination, his parable for growing up, and how a parent can be saved by their own kid.

Michael Slack, illustrator of Pirasaurs, written by Josh Funk, stops by the podcast to talk about being inspired by the “Convoy” trucker song, find the characters of your story and realizing them, and that point in his drawing career when he erased the tail of his monkey drawing and instinctually drew a pick-up truck instead.

Randy Cecil, author-illustrator of Lucy, stops by the podcast to talk about a little lost dog named Lucy, breaking a story into acts and scenes, and requiring so much to tell so little.

Deborah Marcero, author-illustrator of Ursa’s Light, stops by the podcast to talk about attending nErDcamp, failure and how having a big dream is always good, and assuring that every detail points to the story moving forward.

Natasha Khan Kazi, author illustrator of Bela and Lily (Kokila), joins Matthew to talk about bravery through being a multi-language learner.

Evan Turk, author-illustrator of The Storyteller, stops by the podcast to talk about the thousand-year-old tradition, what happens in the moment when you aren't drawing, and capturing life as it happens.

Lucy Ruth Cummins, author-illustrator of A Hungry Lion, or a Dwindling Assortment of Animals, stops by the podcast to talk about knowing when to stop, playing it close to your chest, and the essential role of predators when make-believe playing as animals.

Esme Shapiro, author-illustrator of Ooko, stops by the podcast to talk about creating art intuitively, the many rebirths of her protagonist fox, and feeling connected to what she’s doing.

Minh Le and Isabel Roxas, author and illustrator respectively of Let Me Finish!, stop by the podcast to talk about writing yourself into a corner, putting an idea out into the world to fail, and how much the interplay between text and illustration makes or breaks the book.

Kelly Light, author/illustrator of Louise and Andie: The Art of Friendship, the sequel to 2014’s Louise Loves Art, stops by the podcast to talk about drawing from her imagination, what happens when a teacher really notices and supports, and having similar interests, but seeing things differently.

Lisa Brown, author/illustrator of The Airport Book, stops by the podcast to talk about text thievery, gender parity, and matching people to their luggage.

In this new miniseries of indefinite length, I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today. 

Kate DiCamillo, author Raymie Nightingale and the 2016 National Summer Reading Champion, stops by the podcast on behalf of the Collaborative Summer Library Program to talk about reasons to read this summer, some titles from her recommended reading list, and her habit of always making other people read books.

Christopher Silas Neal, debut author/illustrator of Everyone…, stops by the podcast to talk about a big philosophy captured in a few words, the universality of feelings, and making space for the sadness along with the happiness.

Katie Yamasaki, author illustrator of Mural Island (Norton Young Readers), joins Matthew to talk about building upon the tradition of making public art through relentless expression.

Brianne Farley, author/illustrator of Secret Tree Fort, stops by the podcast to talk about reading in trees, finding the story’s voice, and the universality of tree forts.

Suzanne Kaufman, illustrator of Samanthasaurus Rex, written by B. B. Mandell, stops by the podcast to talk about brain over brawn, the sadness that comes from finishing a book, and visiting the morgue of poses.

Julia Denos, author/illustrator of Swatch: The Girl Who Loved Color, stops by the podcast to talk about trusting the materials, listening to the story, and asking herself, “What is a color tamer?”