Janet Costa Bates, author of Time for Bed, Old House and Rica Baptista: Llamas, Iguanas, and My Very Best Friend, talks to Candlewick Press about her childhood reading experiences, her "quilting" writing method, and her path to publication.

Episode Show Notes:

• Lee and Low interviews Janet.
• Janet talks to Sonja Cherry-Paul on The Black Creators Series podcast.
• Learn more about Janet at janetcostabates.com.

Chris Van Dusen, illustrator of the Mercy Watson books and author-illustrator of Hattie & Hudson, The Circus Ship, Randy Riley's Really Big Hit, and Big Truck, Little Island, talks to Candlewick Press about his childhood, his work for children's media giants like Nickelodeon, and his art outside of the world of kid lit.

Episode show notes and cited sources:

• Chris talks about his childhood in this interview with Reading Rockets.
• Portland Press Herald offers a deeper dive into Chris's life.
• Chris discusses his early career in illustration in this interview with L.L.Bean.
• Chris talks about his work for Nickelodeon and Disney magazines.
• Learn more about Chris at chrisvandusen.com.

Flavia Z. Drago, author-illustrator of Gustavo, the Shy Ghost, Leila, the Perfect Witch, Monsters Play... Counting!, and Monsters Play... Peekaboo! talks to Candlewick Press about her childhood, what it means to have the support of her family, and her love of monsters and spooky things.