Picture This…

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. ...

In this episode of Picture This, host Adam is joined by celebrated children's author and 4th-grade teacher Nick Solis. Discover how Nick's manuscript for his book, The Staring Contest, was born in Adam's class and went on to become a published work!

Nick, a 25-year teaching veteran, reveals how he uses picture books to create an engaging, inclusive classroom environment and why he considers them the ultimate...

What’s the difference between reading a story and truly seeing it?
In this captivating episode of the Picture This Podcast, host Adam Lehrhaupt welcomes award-winning author and Disney animator Benson Shum for an unforgettable conversation!

Benson shares his creative journey and pulls back the curtain on how he blends research, imagination, and animation magic to create picture books like Anzu, Great Kaiju and Imagine You and Me...

What is the true purpose of a library beyond just books? In this inspiring episode of the Picture This Podcast, host Adam Lehrhaupt sits down with award-winning librarian and children's literature advocate Matthew Winner.

Matthew shares invaluable insights from his two decades in education, revealing how he curates a library collection that reflects every student. This episode is a must-listen for elementary teachers ...

How can you transform story time into a powerful tool for literacy, engagement, and empowerment? In this inspiring episode of the Picture This Podcast, host Adam Lehrhaupt sits down with award-winning author and educator, JaNay Brown-Wood!

JaNay shares her incredible insights on how to connect students to literature through interactive storytelling, rich cultural representation, and innovative cross-curricular strategies. ...

Join Adam Lehrhaupt on Picture This as he sits down with award-winning author Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen to explore the magic and craft behind creating captivating stories for young readers!

In this illuminating conversation, Sudipta shares her unique insights from years of writing and connecting with students. We dive into:

* **Picture Books vs. Chapter Books:** The fundamental differences in approach, world-buildin...

In this episode of Picture This, join Adam Lehrhaupt as we explore the incredible power of picture books to address tough topics and spark meaningful conversations in the classroom and beyond. Discover how these seemingly simple stories can help navigate complex themes like grief, identity, environmentalism, justice, and anxiety, providing a safe space for emotional growth for all ages.

We dive deep into:

• Why picture bo...

How can you inspire boundless creativity and strengthen evidence-based teaching using the magic of picture books? In this illuminating episode of the Picture This Podcast, host Adam Lehrhaupt sits down with acclaimed author and educator Carmen Oliver!

Designed specifically for **elementary teachers** and **librarians**, this conversation is a treasure trove of actionable ideas. Carmen shares her expertise on seamlessly int...

How can you help young readers truly *see* the story? In this insightful episode of the Picture This Podcast, we dive into the incredible power of **visual literacy** in picture books. Join us as we explore how illustrations aren't just pretty pictures, but powerful tools that convey emotions, build critical thinking skills, and tell stories just as profoundly as text.

Perfect for **elementary teachers** and **school ...

What if your students could paint with emotions, write with memory, and hear music in everyday sounds? In this first-ever guest episode, Adam chats with award-winning author and library teacher Lisa Rogers about how nonfiction picture books spark creativity across the curriculum.

If you're looking for authentic, project-based learning that builds background knowledge, vocabulary, and student confidence—this one’s for you.

Guest ...

Spark creativity & problem-solving in your elementary classroom!

Welcome to Picture This… with Adam Lehrhaupt, the podcast that helps educators and librarians bring picture books to life across the curriculum! In this inaugural episode, join award-winning author Adam Lehrhaupt as he dives into the dynamic intersection of picture books and STEM education.

Discover creative ways to transform your STEM lessons into imaginative adven...