MATTHEWCWINNER

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?”

Cale Atkinson, author/illustrator of Explorers of the Wild, stops by the podcast to talk about the scarier parts of the woods, breaking his habits, and two different characters with the same voice.

Molly Idle, author illustrator most recently of Flora and the Peacocks, and Caldecott honor winner for Flora and the Flamingo, returns to the podcast to talk about wanting to be liked best, exploring the dynamic that happens when you have more than one friend, and struggles to maintain balance.

Sergio Ruzzier, author/illustrator of This Is Not a Picture Book!, stops by the podcast to talk about things that cannot be named, words that shake you, and making something that has the potential to stay forever.

Rowboat Watkins shares MOST MARSHMALLOWS, a story about things that most marshmallows do, like celebrating birthdays and going to school. Things that most marshmallows do not do, like dreaming. And the rarely discussed things that some few marshmallows secretly know. I love how Rowboat created the art for this story and I cannot wait to try it with my students. But I also love how he makes room for his readers to dream of all the things they might accomplish, no matter who sa

Dan Santat, author illustrator of Are We There Yet? and Beekle, which won the Caldecott medal in 2015, returns to the podcast to talk about enduring every minute of a road trip, parents doing the best they can, and his son’s complete lack of patience.