Alvina Ling Tag

PBS Emma Walton Hamilton
August 26, 2024 In Founders

Emma Walton Hamilton – Top 10 Picture Book Summit Moments

PBS Emma Walton Hamilton Picture Book Summit is 10 years old!

So much has happened in the picture book industry in these past ten years… we’ve said goodbye to some treasured industry colleagues and welcomed many new ones. There has been a long overdue push towards greater diversity in characters, stories, and creators, and a surge in picture books that focus on STEM, STEAM, and SEL. Today’s picture books explore all sorts of fresh ideas and approaches—non-linear narratives and unconventional formats. Topics that were once considered too complex for young readers are now addressed regularly in picture books. And the publishing industry not only survived the challenges of pandemic but proved that picture books play a critical role in young people’s lives and are definitely here to stay.

With all this evolution, one thing has remained constant—the quality of learning at Picture Book Summit. We have been fortunate to have some of the industry’s best and brightest writers, illustrators, editors, and agents deliver memorable and inspiring keynotes and workshops over the past ten years.

In keeping with the theme of our 10th anniversary, here are 10 of my most memorable moments from Picture Book Summits past, and what they taught me…

 

  1. Andrea Davis Pinkney’s flip-flop – Andrea swims every morning at the crack of dawn. One day, while doing her laps, the idea for Seven Candles for Kwanzaa came to her—and because she didn’t have her trusty notebook with her poolside, she wrote it on her flip-flop. Never postpone capturing an idea, no matter where you may be!

 

  1. Mac Barnett’s page turns – Mac opened our eyes to the power and magic of the page turn. “Page turns are the most important property of picture books,” he said. “Think of a 32-page picture book as, once front matter and back matter are taken into consideration, 13 page turns. And each page turn is a chance to surprise, to change themes, or to amplify the narrative, to have things happen. The space between page turns is a very exciting space. It’s a moment that builds anticipation. Anything can happen between your page turns.”

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Picture Book Summit Podcast - Alvina Ling
October 20, 2020 In Podcast

Podcast – Alvina Ling

Picture Book Summit Podcast - Alvina Ling

In this episode, we hear from Alvina Ling. Alvina is Vice President and Editor-in-Chief at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, a division of Hachette Book Group, where she has worked since 1999. She edits children’s books for all ages, from picture books to young adult. Books she’s edited include Caldecott Honoree Little Star and the Big Mooncake by Grace Lin, Horn Book Award Winner Mr. Tiger Goes Wild by Peter Brown, Dave the Potter by Laban Carrick Hill, illustrated by Bryan Collier, Shark Vs. Train by Chris Barton and Tom Lichtenheld, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin, and The Land of Stories series by Chris Colfer. You can find her on Twitter at @planetalvina and on Instagram at @alvinaling.

In this excerpt of Alvina’s Picture Book Summit presentation, she talks about what makes an editor want to publish a manuscript, how marketing moments influence editor decisions, and how a manuscript works its way through the acquisitions process. Enjoy this peek behind the publishing curtain.

 

 

Listen here:

 

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May 12, 2020 In Caldecott

Bear Came Along

Today we bring you the third video in our series on the 2020 Caldecotts: BEAR CAME ALONG!

 

Bear Came Along by Richard T Morris and LeUyen PhamOur discussion encompasses the rollicking adventure of BEAR CAME ALONG written by Richard T. Morris, illustrated by LeUyen Pham, and published by Little, Brown and Company. This Caldecott Honor Book is especially close to our hearts because LeUyen and her editor on this book, Alvina Ling, were both speakers at Picture Book Summit 2018. LeUyen even shared some of her early illustration drafts of this book with us during her presentation. Congratulations, LeUyen!

Here’s a quick description of BEAR CAME ALONG:

Once there was a river flowing through a forest. The river didn’t know it was capable of adventures until a big bear came along. But adventures aren’t any fun by yourself, and so enters Froggy, Turtles, Beaver, Racoons, and Duck.

These very different animals take off downstream, but they didn’t know they needed one another until thankfully, the river came along.

This hilarious picture book and heartfelt message celebrates the joy and fun that’s in store when you embark together on a ride of a lifetime.

Katie Davis leads this lively conversation about adventure, community, and embracing the unknown. Plus, enjoy a little insight on how these illustrations came together. This one is sure to put a smile on your face.

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