In this episode of Picture Book Look, we sit down with educator, children’s literature advocate, and lifelong lover of books Susannah Richards for a wide-ranging conversation about the power of picture books and the role they play in helping children become curious, thoughtful, engaged readers. We could have talked for hours given Susannah's wealth of knowledge! She's a true titan of the kidlit industry, and we're grateful she sat down with us so we could pick her brain on so many picture book things!

Susannah Richards is a professor of education at Eastern Connecticut State University and a passionate advocate for children’s literature and literacy. Her work focuses on helping children discover books that spark curiosity, imagination, thinking, and a lifelong love of reading. She regularly shares book recommendations and resources designed to ignite, delight, and cultivate readers, writers, and thinkers.

Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sussingoutbooks/

We're back with our picture book picks and we're saluting summer with our latest episode!

Kim's Picks:

Silly: The Sun Thief by Alice Hemming & Nicola Slater

Rhyme: Good Night, Good Beach by Joy Crowley and Hilary Jean Tapper

Non-fiction: Sharks in Kansas? By Melissa Steward and Becca Stadtlander

Unique structure: Hot Dog by Doug Salati

Illustrations: And Then Came Summer by Tom Brenner and Jaime Kim

Kirsti's Picks:

Silly: Beach Toys vs. School Supplies by Mike Ciccotello

Rhyme: Short Dog, Long Dog by Anna Hrachovec

Non-fiction: Just a Worm by Marie Boyd

Unique Structure: The Red Jacket by Bob Holt

Illustrations: Summer is Here by Renée Watson and Bea Jackson

We loved chatting with Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen and Anne Appert about their delightful new picture book, Happybaras! Hear all the behind-the-scenes details about the making of this book and then go get your copy!

Today we are talking about the beauty of the break and our own experiences with finding our way back to writing after taking some time off. We hope you find this episode helpful if you are navigating your way through a writing break or if you think you might be due for one!

We bring you this very special tribute to the one and only, Jane Yolen. Jane was an icon in the children's literature world and an absolutely amazing human being. We are so grateful to have shared this world with her and learned from her. Thanks for everything, Jane.

xo,

Kim and Kirsti

There simply wasn't enough time to get it all in with the one and only Lynda Mullaly Hunt but we really tried! We chatted about her debut picture book, Wish in a Tree and her unique writing process, every minute of this conversation was simply delightful. Known for her emotionally rich middle-grade novels like One for the Murphys and Fish in a Tree, Lynda brings her signature warmth and insight to the world of picture books — and the result is pure magic.

We couldn't think of a more perfect way to end our season than with this wonderful conversation with Robyn Wall and Celia Lee! Robyn's latest book, I Worked Hard on That! is such a fun, satisfying read and A.N. Kang's art is the perfect complement!

Learn more about Robyn here:

website: https://robynjwall.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robynjwall/

We are so delighted to bring you this beautiful book and an equally beautiful conversation with author Jyoti Rajan Gopal and editor Kaylan Adair for Love is Here with You. The words and art are magical!

Learn more about Jyoti here:

website: https://www.jyotirajangopal.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jyotirgopal/

Learn more about illustrator Nabi. H. Ali here:

website: https://www.nabihaider.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nabihaiderali/