Wordplay, Walking, and "Dinosaur-Sized" Problems

In this episode of Picture This, host Adam Lehrhaupt catches up with Oklahoma Book Award winner Tammi Sauer. They discuss the long (and often anxious!) wait for illustrator sketches, the joy of "FNGs" (folded and gathered pages), and Tammi’s secret weapon for revision: the three-and-a-half-mile walk.

Tammi breaks down how her background as a teacher and librarian informs her interactive school visits and shares a brilliant, scalable activity to help students move past "bland" sentences. Whether you’re a fan of Nugget & Fang or hungry for her new release, Pizzasaurus, this episode is packed with "words that sing."

✨ Key Takeaways for Educators & Librarians:

• The Bland Sentence Fix: A live-action classroom strategy. Start with "He walks past the tree" and use costumes and student "experts" to build it into "Cowboy Dan struts past the oak."
• The Power of the Setting: Two magic questions to spark student ideation: "What can go wrong here?" or "Who doesn't belong here?"
• Revision as a Game: How to help students see revision not as a chore, but as a "satisfying fix-up" where changing just 10 words can shift an entire 300-word story.
• Juxtaposition in Art: Exploring how the text can say one thing while the illustrations show another (perfect for teaching inference!).
• Interactive Author Visits: Why school visits should be educational, entertaining, and interactive—and why the "Librarian" line dance is a must-see.

🔑 Key Topics & Time Stamps:

• 04:16: The Origin of Pizzasaurus: Using wordplay in business names as inspiration.
• 06:03: The Illustrator Partnership: Why the "disassociation" from a manuscript is a good thing.
• 10:30: Talking what you love: Joy as the secret to public speaking.
• 13:10: The "Librarian" Flash Mob: Making reading memories stick.
• 18:38: Fish-out-of-water stories: Putting farm animals in the city.
• 23:00: The Words that Sing: How to make sentences specific through "Cowboy Dan."
• 28:27: Revision Tips: Recording yourself reading and listening for the "falters."
• 34:17: The "Beat" of a Story: Why a simple "..." or "Ooh" can be the most important word in the book.
• 43:20: Story Sparks: Using "What could go wrong?" to create Nugget & Fang.

📚 Featured in this Episode:

• The New Release: Pizzasaurus by Tammi Sauer, illustrated by Kyle Beckett.
• Tammi’s Classics: Nugget & Fang, Mary Had a Little Glam, Chicken Dance, and Caring for Your Lion.
• Adam’s Book Bag: I Will Not Eat You (Illustrated by Scott Magoon).
• Tammi’s Book Bag: Can I Be Your Dog? by Troy Cummings. A perfect example of teaching voice through letters.

🔗 Connect with Tammi Sauer:

• Website: TammiSauer.com
• Instagram: @TammiSauer
• BlueSky/Facebook: Search "Tammi Sauer"

🔗 Connect with Adam Lehrhaupt:

• Website: AdamL.Rocks
• Instagram: @Lehrhaupt

Less Talking, More Writing

In this episode of Picture This, host Adam Lehrhaupt sits down with Milken Educator Award winner Patty McGee, often called "The Writer Whisperer." With experience serving over 50,000 students, Patty shares her "fast routine" for literacy: The teacher does less so the students can do more.

They dive into the "Somebody Wanted, But, So" framework, the power of questionable endings, and why fan fiction is the ultimate reciprocal love between authors and students. Whether you are a first-year teacher or a veteran librarian, Patty’s insights on "elbow room" in writing will change how you view your next 20-minute lesson.

✨ Key Takeaways for Educators & Librarians:

• The 2-Minute Rule: Start with a 2-minute "pointer" or tip, then let the kids write for the remaining 18 minutes. Proportional feedback is the key to growth.
• The "Writer Hat" Strategy: Learn how to transition students from "reading like a reader" to "reading like a writer" by asking: "What did this author do that I can also do?"
• Revision Hacks: How to use "real estate" on a page to make revision feel like a fun before-and-after comparison rather than a tedious chore.
• Layered Parfait Strategy: Increasing the sophistication of writing prompts across grade levels while keeping the core strategy consistent for K-12 students.
• The Power of the Fan Fic: Why inviting students to send your characters on "further adventures" is the best way to spark engagement.

🔑 Chapters:

• 03:42: The Secret to Fast Writing: Slowing down the teacher.
• 05:40: Using Picture Books as Mentor Texts: The "What did the author do?" frame.
• 08:17: Becoming a "Co-Author": Critiquing books from the inside out.
• 10:40: Why "Questionable Endings" spark the most student curiosity.
• 13:20: The Revision Hack: Managing page "real estate" for young writers.
• 17:42: Scaling prompts from Kindergarten to High School.
• 23:43: Adam’s Book Bag: Independent Dames by Laurie Halse Anderson.
• 26:46: Story Sparks: The unique (and often hilarious) beauty of "Kid Language."

📚 Featured in this Episode:

• This Is a Good Story by Adam Lehrhaupt.
• Independent Dames by Laurie Halse Anderson (Perfect for Revolutionary War research and teaching text structure!).
• Runny Babbitt by Shel Silverstein (Embracing the freedom of mixed-up words).

🔗 Connect with Patty McGee:

• Website: PattyMcGee.org (Note: That’s Patty with a "y"!)
• Resources: Look for Patty's work with districts and schools to turn writing into a student-led adventure.

🔗 Connect with Adam Lehrhaupt:

• Website: AdamL.Rocks
• Instagram: @Lehrhaupt

In this engaging conversation, Patricia Newman, a master of nonfiction writing, shares her insights on the intricacies of crafting nonfiction for children. She discusses the importance of research, the challenges of maintaining historical accuracy, and the techniques she employs to engage young readers. Patricia emphasizes the significance of connecting with educators and the role of concise writing in storytelling. The discussion also touches on the various styles of nonfiction and the creative inspirations that drive her work.


Key Takeaways

• Patricia Newman has a background in both writing and education, which informs her approach to nonfiction.
• Nonfiction should be based on real events, people, and dialogue, emphasizing the importance of accuracy.
• Writing concisely is crucial in picture books to convey complex ideas effectively.
• Engaging young readers involves presenting relatable characters and real-world problems.
• Collaboration with educators helps create relevant curriculum connections for her books.
• Research is essential, especially when dealing with historical events and figures.
• Different styles of nonfiction cater to various audiences and purposes, including narrative and browsable formats.
• Creative inspiration often comes from personal interests and the desire to learn about new topics.
• The writing process can involve multiple drafts to refine ideas and language.
• Empowering children through stories of civic role models can inspire them to make a difference in their communities.
  
  

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Nonfiction and Personal Connections
04:49 Defining Nonfiction: Purity and Creativity
09:39 Crafting Picture Books: The Art of Conciseness
16:03 Engaging Educators: Connecting Literature to Real-World Issues
20:37 The Process of Writing: From Idea to Execution
26:24 Unraveling Myths: Tesla and Edison
27:25 The Challenge of Historical Accuracy
31:28 The Importance of Expert Consultation
35:23 Exploring Nonfiction Structures
39:30 Creative Sparks and Inspirations

Cartoons, Graphic Design, and the Geometry of Character

Host Adam Lehrhaupt reunites with illustrator Deb Pilutti (Idea Jar, Old Rock is Not Boring) to pull back the curtain on the creative process. Deb reveals how a childhood spent watching hours of Bugs Bunny and Bullwinkle served as a "master class" in character pacing and reaction shots—and how those skills eventually led to a dream job designing for the Warner Brothers theme park.

Adam and Deb discuss the surprising overlap between high-level graphic design and storytelling, the importance of "nurturing" critique environments, and why Deb’s upcoming book, My Best Friend is a Lion, is all about the fun of having the pictures tell a different story than the text.

✨ What Teachers & Librarians Will Learn:

• The Animation Masterclass: How to use classic cartoon shorts to teach narrative arcs, facial expressions, and timing to students.
• The "Idea Jar" in Practice: Practical ways to use an "Idea Jar" (drawings, clippings, or words) as a non-judgmental prompt for daily student creativity.
• Design Thinking: Why a picture book is essentially a graphic design project that prioritizes the "narrative draw" through a layout.
• Drawing from Geometry: A simple method for teaching kids (and reluctant adults!) to draw by breaking characters down into basic shapes like "upside-down Cs" and rectangles.
• Classroom Activity Inspiration: Hear how teachers in Japan used Old Rock is Not Boring to create interactive school displays and Reader’s Theatre plays.

🔑 Key Topics & Time Stamps:

• 03:28: The intersection of Graphic Design and World Building.
• 05:44: The power of Educator Guides (No word searches allowed!).
• 09:04: How Bugs Bunny taught Deb to write and illustrate.
• 13:52: Staring at walls and keeping a sketchbook: Deb’s path to a new idea.
• 16:43: Behind the Book: Collaborating on Idea Jar and the freedom of "unfinished" manuscripts.
• 21:01: Critiques that lift up vs. Critiques that tear down: Lessons from Art School.
• 28:27: Sneak Peek: Deb’s new book, My Best Friend is a Lion (Jan 7!).
• 35:19: Back to Basics: Adam’s journey to relearn drawing using "whole-arm" movements and Procreate.

📚 Featured in this Episode:

• The New Book: My Best Friend is a Lion by Deb Pilutti (Out now!).
• Classic Mention: Old Rock is Not Boring by Deb Pilutti.
• Deb’s Book Bag: Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett, anything by Laurie Keller (Arnie the Donut), and the hilarious Don't Trust Fish by Neil Sharpson.

🔗 Connect with Deb Pilutti:

• Website: DebPilutti.com (Check out the Book Page for Educator Materials!)
• Instagram: @DPilutti
• BlueSky: @DPilutti

🔗 Connect with Adam Lehrhaupt:

• Website: AdamLehrhaupt.com
• Instagram: @Lehrhaupt

Breaking the "Knitting Grandma" Mold & Building Better Stories

In this episode of Picture This, host Adam Lehrhaupt catches up with award-winning author and former teacher Nancy Viau. Nancy is on a mission to modernize how we see grandparents in kidlit and, more importantly, how we teach the "dreaded" writing block.

From the "Somebody Wants, But, So, Then" formula that helps even the most reluctant 5th grader find their plot, to the secret science of why "Tic-Tac-Toe" sounds better than "Toe-Tac-Tic," this conversation is packed with literacy tips and high-energy inspiration for your next writing workshop.

✨ What Teachers & Librarians Will Learn:

• The "Somebody Wants, But, So, Then" Formula: A concrete, 5-step scaffolding tool that scales from Pre-K (with finger plays) to high school novels.
• A New Look at Grandparents: Why Nancy's new book Hanging Out with Graham (releasing Jan 15!) challenges the "sedate/passive" grandmother stereotype to reflect the active, vibrant grandparents of today.
• The Science of Sound: A deep dive into alliteration, onomatopoeia, and the "IAO" vowel rule (why we say Big Mac but never Mac Big).
• Rhyme vs. Meter: Why rhyming is the "hardest way to write" and how teachers can help kids understand the flow and syllables behind the words.
• The "Folded Paper" Workshop: How to use post-it notes and a simple 8-page dummy to teach students about the "physics" of a picture book and the power of the page turn.

🔑 Key Topics & Time Stamps:

• 03:40: Engaging the "Littles": Making books synonymous with fun through finger plays.
• 06:20: The Formula: Breaking down Somebody, Wants, But, So, Then.
• 11:07: Using onomatopoeia and energy words to make stories jump off the page.
• 15:05: The "Picture" Test: Understanding accented vs. unaccented syllables.
• 19:07: Representation Matters: Why modern grandmothers don't just sit and knit.
• 24:40: Adam’s "Spiteful Drawings": A lesson on why kids (and authors) push against creative boundaries.
• 32:42: The One-Word Challenge: How a single word changes the trajectory of a story.
• 36:45: Story Sparks: Using nature and travel to clear the head and ignite ideas.

📚 Featured in this Episode:

• The New Book: Hanging Out with Graham by Nancy Viau (Schiffer Kids, Jan 15).
• Nancy’s Book Bag: Her One Regret (Thriller) and the 40-year-old family version of The Night Before Christmas.
• Adam’s Book Bag: Looking for recommendations on second-tier holiday books (shoutout to Arbor Day!).

🔗 Connect with Nancy Viau:

• Website: NancyViau.com
• Instagram: @NancyViau1
• Threads: @NancyViau1

🔗 Connect with Adam Lehrhaupt:

• Website: AdamLehrhaupt.com
• Instagram: @Lehrhaupt

In this engaging conversation, Patricia Newman, a master of nonfiction writing, shares her insights on the intricacies of crafting nonfiction for children. She discusses the importance of research, the challenges of maintaining historical accuracy, and the techniques she employs to engage young readers. Patricia emphasizes the significance of connecting with educators and the role of concise writing in storytelling. The discussion also touches on the various styles of nonfiction and the creative inspirations that drive her work.


Takeaways

• Patricia Newman has a background in both writing and education, which informs her approach to nonfiction.
• Nonfiction should be based on real events, people, and dialogue, emphasizing the importance of accuracy.
• Writing concisely is crucial in picture books to convey complex ideas effectively.
• Engaging young readers involves presenting relatable characters and real-world problems.
• Collaboration with educators helps create relevant curriculum connections for her books.
• Research is essential, especially when dealing with historical events and figures.
• Different styles of nonfiction cater to various audiences and purposes, including narrative and browsable formats.
• Creative inspiration often comes from personal interests and the desire to learn about new topics.
• The writing process can involve multiple drafts to refine ideas and language.
• Empowering children through stories of civic role models can inspire them to make a difference in their communities.

Sound bites

"Birds will use anything."
"I can't make up dialogue."
"I always went overboard."


Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Nonfiction and Personal Connections
04:49 Defining Nonfiction: Purity and Creativity
09:39 Crafting Picture Books: The Art of Conciseness
16:03 Engaging Educators: Connecting Literature to Real-World Issues
20:37 The Process of Writing: From Idea to Execution
26:24 Unraveling Myths: Tesla and Edison
27:25 The Challenge of Historical Accuracy
31:28 The Importance of Expert Consultation
35:23 Exploring Nonfiction Structures
39:30 Creative Sparks and Inspirations

In this episode of Picture This, Adam Lehrhaupt engages listeners in a reflective conversation about the podcast's past episodes, guest contributions, and the importance of listener feedback. He emphasizes the need for audience input to shape future content, aiming to create episodes that address real challenges faced by educators. Adam invites listeners to share their thoughts on what they want more of, whether it's quick activity ideas, author interviews, or behind-the-scenes stories, all while maintaining a light-hearted and engaging tone.


Takeaways

• Listener feedback is crucial for shaping future episodes.
• The podcast has featured 22 interviews with various educational professionals.
• Topics covered include STEM projects, anxiety, grief, and classroom activities.
• Adam seeks to know which episodes resonated most with listeners.
  • He is open to experimenting with the format of the show.
  • Listeners are encouraged to share their ideas and suggestions.
• The goal is to help educators teach with more joy and less stress.
• Future episodes may include more interviews and ways to bring picture books to life.

Sound bites

"I want to experiment with the show."
"Tell me what you want me to make."
"Happy reading."


Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview of the Podcast
02:42 Reflecting on Past Episodes and Guest Contributions
05:14 Seeking Listener Feedback and Future Directions

Contact Adam: Visit AdamL.Rocks

Episode Summary: The Art of Beautiful Flaws

In this historic first for the Picture This podcast, host Adam Lehrhaupt sits down with both the author and the illustrator of the spectacular new picture book, A Knot Is Not a Tangle—National Book Award finalist Daniel Nayeri and acclaimed author/illustrator Vesper Stamper!

Dive deep into a truly collaborative creative process, from the first spark of the idea to the final watercolor brushstroke. Daniel and Vesper share their passion for research (from ancient Persian rugs to natural dying techniques) and offer profound insights for educators on navigating perfectionism, accepting mistakes, and fostering a love for the process of creation in the classroom.

✨ What Teachers & Librarians Will Learn:

• The Persian Flaw: Discover the ancient practice in rug weaving that intentionally introduces a single, beautiful imperfection and why this concept is a powerful tool for teaching Social-Emotional Learning (SEL). *
• Creative Resilience: Hear Vesper’s methods for mentoring art students who are facing "predisappointment" and Daniel’s thoughts on why perfectionism can lead to creative paralysis.
• Beyond the Blurb: A candid discussion on book reviews, what reviewers often miss (especially the exquisite illustration details!), and how to handle creative feedback.
• The Joy of Craft: Why traditional mediums like watercolor are punk rock and why connecting with the tactile, slow process of creation is essential for both students and master artists.

🔑 Key Topics & Discussion Points (Time Stamps):

• 01:37: The rarity of the Author-Illustrator collaboration (and why this one was A1 on the list!)
• 03:54: Vesper’s deep research process: tiles, patterns, and the Iranian countryside.
• 07:55: Why writers and illustrators hate (and love) reading book reviews.
• 11:50: Understanding Knot Density and the theological meaning of the Persian Flaw.
• 25:32: Classroom Activity: The power of shared creation and collaborative breaking (Kintsugi).
• 32:35: Why focusing solely on "self-expression" can cause anxiety in young artists.
• 41:59: Daniel's Story Spark: The wisdom of the Italian fable Glowrush.
• 48:11: Vesper’s slow-burn process: Why the sketchbook is the key to tending the fire of creativity.
• 54:36: Adam’s Brilliant Classroom Activity: Using the game Tsuro to create a collaborative (and imperfect!) class rug design.

📚 Featured Book & Guests

• The Book: A Knot Is Not a Tangle by Daniel Nayeri (Author) and Vesper Stamper (Illustrator)
• Daniel Nayeri: [Daniel Nayeri’s Website] | [Daniel's Instagram]
• Vesper Stamper: [Vesper Stamper’s Website] | [Vesper's Instagram] | [Vesper's Substack]

🔗 Connect with Adam Lehrhaupt

• Website: adamlehrhaupt.com
• Instagram: @Lehrhaupt