Blog - Picture Book Summit

April 22, 2025 In Podcast

Podcast – Interview with Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple

Jane Yolen and Heidi Semple Today we bring you a special treat!

In this episode, Julie Hedlund interviews Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple. With over 400 children’s books to her name, Jane shares how she chooses the words and what influences her choices. The pair touch on the impact of banned books and how their writing partnership has evolved over the years. So, what’s one key to being prolific? Always be learning and growing as a writer.

*Books mentioned in this episode:

Janie Writes a Play: Jane Yolen’s First Great Story written by Heidi E.Y. Stemple and illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight

Listen here:

Check out our previous episode with Jane Yolen here: 008 – Jane Yolen

April 1, 2025 In Podcast

Podcast – How to Analyze a Picture Book Part 2

It’s time for How to Analyze a Picture Book – Part 2.

In this episode, we talk about how to analyze a picture book’s illustrations and other things to look for when analyzing a mentor text.

First up, illustrations: What’s the job of the illustrations? What do they add to the story? How does color make a difference? If you’re an author-only creator, how can you leave room for the illustrator and still get your story across? Is it okay to use art notes?

Then we jump into a variety odds and ends to consider and pay attention to as you continue to analyze and study picture books, including “is this book for kids” or “what makes this story uniquely kid-centric”?

Download the How to Analyze a Picture Book Handout* HERE and use it with your next haul of library books!

Books** mentioned in this episode:

Me…Jane written and illustrated by Patrick McDonnell
No More Señora Mimí written by Meg Medina and illustrated by
Spencer’s New Pet written and illustrated by Jessie Sima
Hot Dog written and illustrated Doug Salati
Where the Wild Things Are written and illustrated Maurice Sendak
Song After Song: The Musical Life of Julie Andrews written by Julie Hedlund and illustrated by Ilaria Urbanati
Waiting in the Wings written by Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton and illustrated by EG Keller
The Enchanted Symphony written by Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton and illustrated by Elly McKay
Press Here written and illustrated by Hervé Tullet
The Pink Hat written and illustrated by Andrew Joyner
Dr. Fauci: How a Boy From Brooklyn Became America’s Doctor written by Kate Messner and illustrated by Alexandra Bye
River of Dust written by Jilanne Hoffmann and illustrated by Eugenia Mello

Other resources mentioned in this episode:

Looking at Picture Books with Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen (Substack)

Listen here:

Check out the first part of How to Analyze a Picture Book here: 076 – How to Analyze a Picture Book Part 1

March 18, 2025 In Podcast

Podcast – How to Analyze a Picture Book Part 1

Today we share how to analyze a picture book.

In many of our discussions and presentations, the Picture Book Summit Team and our guest speakers analyze picture books and use that analysis to illustrate the point we’re teaching. When you as a picture book creator learn how to analyze a picture book, you can turn reading picture books into your own writing class.

As you look for and identify the key elements of a picture book we discuss today (and in our next episode!), you’ll be able to more easily spot revision opportunities in your own work—getting you that much closer to a publishable picture book.

Download the How to Analyze a Picture Book Handout HERE and use it with your next haul of library books!

Books mentioned in this episode:

The Very Fairy Princess written by Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton and illustrated by Christine Davenier
Over, Bear! Under, Where? written by Julie Hedlund and illustrated by Michael Slack
Springtime Storks: A Migration Love Story written by Carol Joy Munro and illustration Chelsea O’Byrne
Party Animals written and illustrated by Katie Davis
Kitty and Cat Bent Out of Shape written and illustrated by Mirka Hokkanen
B is for Bananas written by Carrie Tillotson and illustrated by Estrela Lourenço

Listen here:

March 4, 2025 In Podcast

Podcast – Celebrity Picture Books

We tackle the touchy topic of celebrity picture books in today’s Picture Book Summit Roundtable discussion,

So, what’s the truth about celebrity picture books? Do celebrities get to cut the line when it comes to publishing? Are they held to a lower standard than lesser-known writers? Is it the celebrity’s fault or the editor’s fault when a celebrity picture book is poorly written? Do they help or hurt the industry?

We have the opportunity to hear what it’s like to be and/or work with a celebrity author as Emma Walton Hamilton shares her experience of writing with her mother, actress Julie Andrews. You might be surprised what it’s like on the flip side of the celebrity book coin.

Then we discuss the frustrations that come when hard-working picture book authors see yet another celebrity picture book author making their way to bookshelves and soaking up all the publicity dollars of their publisher.

There’s lots to say on both sides of the great celebrity picture book debate. Let’s jump right in!

Articles mentioned in this episode:

Listen here:

February 12, 2025 In Podcast

Podcast – The Appeal of Dark Picture Books

What is the appeal of dark picture books? Do kids want to read (and re-read) books about tougher topics? How do you make these books kid-friendly?

Julie Hedlund leads our Roundtable discussion about dark picture books, what place they have in children’s lives, and why they’re so important (and re-readable).

Books mentioned in this episode:

- The Rough Patch by Brian Lies
- The Longest Letsgoboy by Derick Wilder and Catia Chien
- Show Way by Jacqueline Woodson and Hudson Talbott
- Kamau & ZuZu Find a Way by Aracelis Girmay and Diana Ejaita
- Finding Papa by Angela Pham Krans and Thi Bui
- Lubna and Pebble by Wendy Meddour and Daniel Egnéus
- The House Before Falling into the Sea by Ann Suk Wan and Hanna Cha
- The Skull by Jon Klassen
- The Cat Man of Aleppo by Karim Shamsi-Basha, Irene Latham, Yuko Shimizu
- The Circus Comes to the Village by Yutaka Kobayashi

Grab some of these books from your local library and share your picks for dark picture books in the comments below.

Listen here:

Read-Aloudability Part 3 with Emma Walton Hamilton

January 21, 2025 In Podcast

Podcast – Read-Aloudability – Part 3

It’s time for part 3 of Read-aloudability: The Measure of a Great Picture Book. If you missed our last two episodes, you can listen to those here and here. Our first two installments reveals ways to improve read-aloudability on a story level. In our final installment, Emma Walton Hamilton shares why picture book authors, screenwriters, and playwrights have a lot in common.

With tips to make your (often adult) reader feel like a rockstar, Emma shares how to make your manuscript reader-proof.

Listen here:

Listen to the other episodes in this series here:

Read-Aloudability Part 2 with Julie Hedlund

January 7, 2025 In Podcast

Podcast – Read-Aloudability – Part 2

Read-Aloudability: The Measure of a Great Picture Book 2 is here for your listening pleasure. If you missed our last episode, be sure to listen soon. In part one, Emma Walton Hamilton defines “Read-Aloudability” and Katie shares one juicy technique you can use make your book fun to read.

It seems nothing is more fun to read aloud than lyrical or rhyming picture books. When rhyming is done well, it seems like it must be so easy to write. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Our own Rhymer Extraordinaire Julie Hedlund gives examples of what good rhyme and lyrical writing actually is, what makes it work, and how to write it yourself.

This is the second of a three-part series. Did you miss an episode? Catch up at the links below!

Listen here:

Listen to the other episodes in this series here:

December 30, 2024 In Submissions

Showing vs. Telling in Pitches

“Show, don’t tell” is a common piece of writing advice, and it applies to pitches as well as manuscripts. A pitch that shows rather than tells can be more vivid and engaging, reflecting your grasp on the unique craft of picture book writing and capturing the interest of agents and editors.

What Does “Show, Don’t Tell” Mean?

December 23, 2024 In Submissions

Theme vs. Plot

Sharing the Takeaway in a Pitch Without Spoiling the Ending

One of the trickiest parts of crafting a pitch is knowing how much to reveal. You want to give agents and editors a sense of your story’s theme and takeaway, but you don’t want to spoil the ending, otherwise why bother reading the manuscript? How do you strike the right balance?

The Difference Between Plot and Theme:

December 11, 2024 In Submissions

Voice Matters

How to Infuse Your Pitch with Your Story’s Unique Style

Your pitch is more than just a summary of your story—it’s a reflection of your narrative voice. Infusing your pitch with your story’s unique style is the key to making it stand out to agents and editors.

The Importance of Voice: Voice is the personality of your writing. It’s what makes your story unique and memorable. When crafting your pitch, try to capture the same tone and style that you use in your manuscript.

Podcast – Interview with Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple

Podcast – How to Analyze a Picture Book Part 2

Podcast – How to Analyze a Picture Book Part 1

Podcast – Celebrity Picture Books

Podcast – The Appeal of Dark Picture Books

Podcast – Read-Aloudability – Part 3

Podcast – Read-Aloudability – Part 2

Showing vs. Telling in Pitches

Theme vs. Plot

Sharing the Takeaway in a Pitch Without Spoiling the Ending

The Difference Between Plot and Theme:

Voice Matters

How to Infuse Your Pitch with Your Story’s Unique Style

Tips for Finding Your Pitch Voice:

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