Picture This…

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...

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 ...

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 Brother...

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 5...

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 ...

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 quic...

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 brush...

Unlock creativity and engagement in children's literature! 📚 In this episode of Picture This, host Adam Lehrhaupt chats with filmmaker and creative writer Blake Hamilton, the co-creator of All the Wonders, a project dedicated to celebrating children's books through dynamic multimedia content and fun projects.

Learn why standard storytelling often falls short and how Blake and Adam are pioneering new ways to capture young ...

What happens when an object like a book becomes part of your identity? 📚

Adam Lehrhaupt sits down with award-winning author/illustrator Rahele Jomepour-Bell (Books Big Adventure), an assistant professor at the Kansas City Art Institute, to explore the profound role of art and culture in children's literature.

Rahele shares her powerful personal journey—from growing up in Iran during wartime to finding solace in books and color—...

Are your author visit resources working as hard as you are? 😅

Adam Lehrhaupt sits down with former assistant principal and founder of The Book Links, Stephanie Fitzpatrick, to discuss the vital link between authors and educators. Stephanie shares her expert approach to creating curriculum guides that are not only accessible but genuinely energize students and turn a single book into a year's worth of lessons!

If you're an ...

Paul Czajak on Picture Books, Creative Prompts, and the Magic of Revision | Picture This Podcast

Join host Adam Lehrhaupt as he welcomes his good friend, author Paul Czajak, known for beloved books like the Monster and Me series and Trees Make Perfect Pets. Paul shares his incredibly unique journey from a decades-long career as a chemist to a passionate children's author, driven by a desire to make readers laugh and root for th...

Children's author and illustrator Timothy Young is more than just a writer—he's a former animator and toy designer! Join us as Timothy shares his unexpected journey to picture books and reveals his process for creating characters with heart and humor.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• The secret to developing memorable characters (often from personal experiences!)
• Why humor and lighthearted parody are essential to enga...

Want to make your next classroom lesson, author visit or read-aloud hilarious and heartfelt? 😂

Adam Lehrhaupt sits down with celebrated author/illustrator Bob Shea (Who Wet My Pants?, Dinosaur vs. series) to talk about how he uses humor, character flaws, and big emotions to connect with students. This is a masterclass in making school visits authentic, engaging, and all about the kids!

In this episode, Bob shares his creative proces...

Picture This Podcast: Joyce Wan - Teaching BIG Feelings with Minimalist Art

How do you convey huge emotions like love, comfort, and identity using the fewest words and simplest images?

Adam Lehrhaupt sits down with best-selling author and illustrator Joyce Wan (I Am a Cupcake, The Very Brave Bear) to explore the power of minimalism in engaging young readers and inspiring creative confidence in the classroom.

Joyce reveals her process ...

Want to transform your read-alouds, creative time and lessons into unforgettable classroom experiences?

Adam Lehrhaupt sits down with his long-time friend and collaborator, illustrator Scott Magoon (I Will Not Eat You, Linus The Little Yellow Pencil, Rescue and Jessica), to share tons of free, ready-to-use tips for elementary teachers, librarians, and homeschool parents.

Scott pulls back the curtain on how he uses his art to create s...

Ready to bring some drama to your classroom? 🎬 In this episode of Picture This, host Adam Lehrhaupt chats with children's book and graphic novel author Marcy Colleen, who uses her theater background to create dynamic and emotionally rich stories for young readers. A former teacher herself, Marcy shares invaluable insights and activities for making literature more engaging and inclusive for all students.

In this episode, you’ll...

Go behind the scenes with a true creative master! In this episode of Picture This, host Adam Lehrhaupt interviews Gene Barretta, the acclaimed author and illustrator who brings history, science, and art to life for young readers. With a unique background in animation and film, Gene shares how he crafts stories that are not only factual but also deeply engaging and cinematic.
In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How a career in ani...

Are you ready to transform your students' relationship with nonfiction? In this episode of Picture This, join host Adam Lehrhaupt and celebrated author Melissa Stewart as they introduce a game-changing framework for understanding nonfiction literature.

Melissa, who has written over 200 books for kids, shares her groundbreaking concept of Five Kinds of Nonfiction. You'll discover how to identify each category and,...

Welcome back to Picture This! This week, we're with the brilliant Josh Funk, a software engineer turned children's author who has a secret. He's figured out how to use hilarious rhyming picture books to teach complex STEM concepts—without a single screen.

In this episode, you’ll discover the unexpected trick behind his best-selling books like Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast and How to Code a Sandcastle. ...