Episodes

  • 092 - Meg Medina on Writing for Young Readers
    Jan 20 2026

    When National Ambassador for Young People's Literature Meg Medina joined the Picture Book Summit, she discussed the three Rs of picture book writing: Readers, Relationship, and Revision. Today, Meg shares about what it means to write for young readers and what matters to them by exploring the genesis of her own books. She even provides a fun writing exercise to get us started on our own stories.

    Book mentioned in this episode:

    • Tia Isa Wants a Car by Meg Medina and Claudia Munoz
    • Mango, Abuela, and Me by Meg Medina and Angela Dominguez
    • Evelyn Del Rey is Moving Away by Meg Medina and Sonia Sánchez

    At no additional cost to you, Picture Book Summit may earn a small commission on books purchased through the links above.

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    11 mins
  • 089 - Philip C. Stead and Erin E. Stead
    Sep 30 2025

    What makes a great picture book? Artistic duo The Steads share their approach to picture books and how something seemingly so simple actually takes a lot of work, nuance, and collaboration.

    Philip C. Stead and Erin E. Stead are the author and illustrator of the Caldecott Medal Book A Sick Day for Amos McGee. They have collaborated on many books together, including Bear Has a Story to Tell, Lenny & Lucy, Music for Mister Moon, and The Sun Is Late and So Is the Farmer. Philip and Erin create their books in the hayloft of an old barn at the edge of the world.

    Time is running out! Get your ticket to Saturday's online Picture Book Summit today!

    www.picturebooksummit.com

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    14 mins
  • 088 - The State of the Picture Book Publishing
    Sep 16 2025

    What in the world is going on in picture book publishing? Is it slow for everyone or is it just you? Are global events affecting the industry? Surely, COVID-19 isn't still impacting our market.

    In this episode, Emma, Julie, and Kelli explore what publishing looks like currently for picture book creators, what we hope it looks like in the future, and what we can do about it right now.

    With the current state of picture book publishing, every submission opportunity counts. Lucky for you, there's still time to get a Summit + Submissions Ticket to Picture Book Summit 2025 and take advantage of our SEVEN manuscript submission opportunities. Go to www.picturebooksummit.com.

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    27 mins
  • 086 - Game Changing Ideas
    Aug 19 2025
    Every year, we host what we like to call a "mini" Summit. It's a short webinar to give writers a taste of what we offer at our full-day event. In this episode, we share a past Mini Summit all about creating Game Changing ideas. Our goal is to spark your imagination and creativity by showing just a few ways other picture book creators have turned ideas on their heads. Get ready to be inspired by the Picture Book Summit Founders and be sure to find out about our latest event by going to picturebooksummit.com. Books mentioned in this episode: Follow That Frog by Philip Stead and Matthew CordellThere Are No Ants in This Book by Rosemary Mosco and Anna Pirolli Who Hops? by Katie DavisOne Fox: A Counting Book Thriller by Kate Read Waiting in the Wings by Julie Andrews, Emma Walton Hamilton, and E.G. KellerTumblebaby by Adam RexThe Story of the Saxophone by Lesa Cline Ransome and James E. RansomeSchool's First Day of School by Adam RexXO, Exoplanet by Deborah Underwood and Jorge LaceraA River of Dust by Jilane Hoffman and Eugenia MelloVlad the Fabulous Vampire by Flavia Z. DragoThe Bees of Notre Dame by Meghan P. Browne and E.B. GoodaleMole is Not Alone by Maya TatsukawaSnail in Space by Rachel Bright and Nadia ShireenThere was a Party for Langston by Jason Reynolds and the Pumphrey BrothersMel Fell by Corey TaborUrsula Upside Down by Corey R. TaborBig by Vashti HarrisonDays Like This by Oriane Smith and Alice GravierMr. S by Monica ArnaldoSpencer's New Pet by Jessie Sima
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    43 mins
  • 084 - Vashti Harrison Caldecott Celebration
    Jul 22 2025

    The amazing and talented Caldecott Medal Winner Vashti Harrison is one of our Superstar Speakers for 2025. Vashti won the Caldecott Medal in 2024 for her beautiful picture book BIG. Shortly after that win, the PBSummit Team discussed the brilliance of this book in our Caldecott video series. We bring that discussion to our podcast today to help you get to know Vashti Harrison and her wonderful book.

    Be sure to grab your ticket to our online Picture Book Summit 2025 on October 4, 2025, at picturebooksummit.com. Get Early Bird pricing through August 28, 2025. So go get your ticket now.

    Enjoy this insightful discussion of BIG, written and illustrated by Vashti Harrison. Emma Walton Hamilton leads our discussion with insight from Julie Hedlund and Katie Davis.

    Grab your ticket to hear Vashti Harrison at Picture Book Summit 2025 today: www.picturebooksummit.com.

    Get $100 off with Early Bird pricing available through August 28, 2025.

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    18 mins