Podcasts about picture books

What Counts as Counting? with Dr. Christopher Danielson ROUNDING UP: SEASON 4 | EPISODE 10 What counts as counting? The question may sound simple, but take a moment to think about how you would answer. After all, we count all kinds of things: physical quantities, increments of time, lengths, money, as well as fractions and decimals.  In this episode, we'll talk with Christopher Danielson about what counts as counting and how our definition might shape the way we engage with our students. BIOGRAPHY Christopher Danielson started teaching in 1994 in the Saint Paul (MN) Public Schools. He  earned his PhD in mathematics education from Michigan State University in 2005 and taught at the college level for 10 years after that. Christopher is the author of Which One Doesn't Belong?, How Many?, and How Did You Count? Christopher also founded Math On-A-Stick, a large-scale family math playspace at the Minnesota State Fair. RESOURCES How Did You Count? A Picture Book by Christopher Danielson How Many?: A Counting Book by Christopher Danielson Following Learning blog by Simon Gregg Connecting Mathematical Ideas by Jo Boaler and Cathleen Humphreys  TRANSCRIPT Mike Wallus: Before we start today's episode, I'd like to offer a bit of context to our listeners. This is the second half of a conversation that we originally had with Christopher Danielson back in the fall of 2025. At that time, we were talking about [the instructional routine] Which one doesn't belong? This second half of the conversation focuses deeply on the question "What counts as counting?" I hope you'll enjoy the conversation as much as I did.  Well, welcome to the podcast, Christopher. I'm excited to be talking with you today. Christopher Danielson: Thank you for the invitation. Delightful to be invited. Mike: So I'd like to talk a little bit about your recent work, the book How Did You Count?[: A Picture Book] In it, you touch on what seems like a really important question, which is: "What is counting?" Would you care to share how your definition of counting has evolved over time? Christopher: Yeah. So the previous book to How Did You Count? was called How Many?[: A Counting Book], and it was about units. So the conversation that the book encourages would come from children and adults all looking at the same picture, but maybe counting different things. So "how many?" was sort of an ill-formed question; you can't answer that until you've decided what to count.  So for example, on the first page, the first photograph is a pair of shoes, Doc Marten shoes, sitting in a shoebox on a floor. And children will count the shoes. They'll count the number of pairs of shoes. They'll count the shoelaces. They'll count the number of little silver holes that the shoelaces go through, which are called eyelets. And so the conversation there came from there being lots of different things to count. If you look at it, if I look at it, if we have a sufficiently large group of learners together having a conversation, there's almost always going to be somebody who notices some new thing that they could count, some new way of describing the thing that they're counting. One of the things that I noticed in those conversations with children—I noticed it again and again and again—was a particular kind of interaction. And so we're going to get now to "What does it mean to count?" and how my view of that has changed. The eyelets, there are five eyelets on each side of each shoe. Two little flaps that come over, each has five of those little silver rings. Super compelling for kids to count them. Most of the things on that page, there's not really an interesting answer to "How did you count them?" Shoelaces, they're either two or four; it's obvious how you counted them. But the eyelets, there's often an interesting conversation to be had there. So if a kid would say, "I counted 20 of those little silver holes," I would say, "Fabulous. How do you know there are 20?" And they would say, "I counted." In my mind, that was like an evasion. They felt like what they had been called on to do by this strange man who's just come into our classroom and seems friendly enough, what they had been called on to do was say a number and a unit. And they said they had 20 silver things. We're done now. And so by my asking them, "How do you know? " And they say, "I counted." It felt to me like an evasion because I counted as being 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, all the way up to 20. And they didn't really want to tell me about anything more complicated than that. It was just sort of an obvious "I counted." So in order to counter what I felt like was an evasion, I would say, "Oh, so you said to yourself, 1, 2, 3, and then blah, blah, blah, 18, 19, 20." And they'd be like, "No, there were 10 on each shoe." Or, "No, there's 5 on each side." Or rarely there would be the kid who would see there were 4 bottom eyelets across the 4 flaps on the 2 shoes and then another row and another row. Some kids would say there's 5 rows of 4 of them, which are all fabulous answers. But I thought, initially, that that didn't count as counting. After hearing it enough times, I started to wonder, "Is it possible that kids think 5 rows of 4, 4 groups of 5, 2 groups of 10, counted by 2s and 1, 2, 3, 4, all the way up to 19 and 20—is it possible that kids conceive of all of those things as ways of counting, that all of those are encapsulated under counting?" And so I began because of the ways children were responding to me to think differently about what it means to count.  So when I first started working on this next book, How Did You Count?, I wanted it to be focused on that. The focus was deliberately going to be on the ways that you count. We're all going to agree that we're counting tangerines; we're all going to agree that we're counting eggs, but the conversation is going to come because there are rich ways that these things are arranged, rich relationships that are embedded inside of the photographs. And what I found was, when I would go on Twitter and throw out a picture of some tangerines and ask how people counted, and I would get back the kind of thing that was how I had previously seen counting. So I would get back from some people, "There are 12." I'd ask, "How did you count?" And they'd say, "I didn't. I multiplied 3 times 4." "I didn't. I multiplied 2 times 6."  But then, on reflection through my own mathematical training, I know that there's a whole field of mathematics called combinatorics. Which if you asked a mathematician, "What is combinatorics?," 9 times out of 10, the answer is going to be, "It's the mathematics of counting." And it's not mathematicians sitting around going "1, 2, 3, 4" or "2, 4, 6, 8." It's looking for structures and ways to count the number of possibilities there are, the number of—if we're thinking about calculating probabilities of winning the lottery, somebody's got to know what the probabilities are of choosing winning numbers, of choosing five out of six winning numbers. And the field of combinatorics is what does that. It counts possibilities.  So I know that mathematicians and kindergartners—this is what I've learned in both my graduate education and in my postgraduate education working with kindergartners—is that they both think about counting in this rich way. It's any work that you do to know how many there are. And that might be one by one; it might be skip-counting; it might be multiplication; it might be using some other kind of structure. Mike: I think that's really interesting because there was a point in time where I saw counting as a fairly rote process, right? Where I didn't understand that there were all of these elements of counting, meaning one-to-one correspondence and quantity versus being able to just say the rote count out loud. And so one way that I think counting and its meaning have expanded for me is to kind of understand some of those pieces. But the thing that occurs to me as I hear you talk is that I think one of the things that I've done at different points, and I wonder if people do, is say, "That's all fine and good, but counting is counting." And then we've suddenly shifted and we're doing something called addition or multiplication. And this is really interesting because it feels like you're drawing a much clearer connection between those critical, emergent ideas around counting and these other things we do to try to figure out the answer to how many or how did you count. Tell me what you think about that. Christopher: Yeah. So this for me is the project, right? This book is an instantiation of this larger project, a way of viewing the world of mathematics through the lens of what it means to learn it. And I would describe that larger project through some imagery and appealing to teachers' ideas about what it means to have a classroom conversation.  For me, learning is characterized by increasing sophistication, increasing expertise with whatever it is that I'm studying. And so when I put several different triangular arrangements of things—in the book, there's a triangular arrangement of bowling pins, which lots of kids know from having bowled in their lives and other kids don't have any experiences with them, but the image is rich and vivid and they're able to do that counting. And then later on, there's a triangular arrangement of what turned out to be very bland, gooey, and nasty, but beautiful to photograph: pink pudding cups. Later on, there are two triangles of eggs. And so what I'm asking of kids—I'm always imagining a child and a parent sitting on a couch reading these books together, but also building them for classrooms. Any of this could be like a thing that happens at home, a thing that happens for a kid individually or a classroom full of children led by a teacher. Thinking about the second picture of the pudding cups, my hope and expectation is that at least some children will say, "OK, there are 6 rows in this triangle and there were 4 rows previously. So I already know these first four are 10. I don't have to do any more work, and then 5 plus 6, right?" And then that demonstrates some learning. They're more expert with this triangle than they would have been previously.  I'm also expecting that there's going to be some kid who's counting them 1 by 1, and I'm expecting that there are going to be some kids who are like, "You know what? That 6 up top and the 1 makes 7 and the 5 and the 2 make 7, and the 4 and the 3. So it's 3 sevens. There's 21." I'm expecting that we're going to have—in a reasonably large population of third, fourth, fifth graders, sort of the target audience for this book—we're going to have some kids who are doing each of these. And for me, getting back to this larger project, that is a rich task, which can be approached in a bunch of different ways, and all of those children are doing the same sort of task. They're all counting at various levels of sophistication representing various opportunities to learn previously, various ways of applying their new learning as they're having conversations, looking at new images, hearing other people's ideas, but that larger project of building something that is rich enough for everybody to be able to find something new in, but simple enough for everybody to have access to—yeah, that's the larger project. Mike: So one of the things that I found myself thinking about when I was thinking about my own experiences with dot talks or some of the subitizing images that I've used and the book that you have, is: There's something about the way that a set of items can be arranged. And I think what's interesting about that is I've heard you say that that arrangement can both reveal structure, in terms of number, but it can also make connections to ideas in geometry. And I wonder if you could talk a little bit about that. Christopher: Yeah. I'll draw a quick distinction that I think will be helpful. If you've ever seen bowling pins, right? It's four, three, two, one. The one [pin] is at the front; the [row of] four is at the back. Arranged so that the three fit into the spaces between the four as you're looking at it from the front. Very iconic arrangement. And you can quickly tell that it's a symmetric triangle and the longest row is four. You might just know that that's 10. But if you take those same bowling pins and just toss them around inside of a classroom or inside of a closet and they're just lying on the floor, so they're all in your field of vision, you don't know that there's 10 right away. You have to do a different kind of work in order to know that there are 10 of them. In that sense, the structure of the triangle with the longest row of four is a thing that you can start to recognize as you learn about triangles and ultimately what mathematicians refer to as triangular numbers. That's a thing you can learn to recognize, but learning to recognize 10 in that arrangement doesn't afford you anything when it's 10 [pins] scattered around on the floor. Unless you do a little abstraction. There's a story in the book about a lovely sixth grader who proceeded to tell me about how the bowling pin arrangement matches a way that she thinks about things. Because if she's ever going about her life, I don't know, making a bracelet or buying groceries, collecting pencils for the first day of school or whatever. If she wants to count them, and it looks like there's probably fewer than 100 but more than 5, she will grab a set of 4, a set of 3, a set of 2, a set of 1, and she'll know that's 10. Unprompted by me, except that we had this bowling pin arrangement.  So there are ways to abstract from that. You can use these structures that you've noticed in order to do something that isn't structured that way, but the 4, 3, 2, 1 thing probably came from recognizing that 4, 3, 2, 1 made this nice little geometric arrangement. So our eyes, our brains, are tuned to symmetry and to beauty and elegance, and there is something much more lovely about a nice arrangement of 4, 3, 2, 1 than there is about a bunch of scattered things. And so a lot of those things are things that have been captured by mathematicians. So we have words for square numbers—3 times 3 is 9 because you can make 3 rows of 3 and you make something that looks nice that way. Triangular numbers, there are other figurate numbers like hexagonal numbers, but yet innate in our minds, there is an appeal to symmetry. And so if we start arranging things in symmetric patterned ways that will be appealing to our brains and to our eyes and to our mathematical minds, and my goal is to try to tap into that in order to help kids become more powerful mathematicians. Mike: So I want to go back to something you said earlier, and I think it's an important distinction before I ask this next question. One of the things that's fascinating is that a child could engage with this kind of image, and there doesn't necessarily have to be an adult in the room or a teacher who's guiding them. But what I was thinking about is: If there is a student or a pair of students or a classroom of students, and you're an educator and you're engaging them with one of these images, how do you think about the educator's role in that space? What are they trying to do? How should they think about their purpose? And then I'm going to ask a sub-question: To what extent do you feel like annotation is a part of what an educator might do? Christopher: Yes. One thing that teachers are generally more expert at than young children is being able to state something simply, clearly, concisely in a way that lots of other people can understand. If you listen to children thinking aloud, it is often hesitant and halting and it goes in different directions and units get left off. So they'll say, "3 and then 4 more is 8" and they've left off the fact that the 4 were—I mean, you could just easily get lost. And so one of the roles that a teacher plays can certainly be to help make clear to other students the ideas that a particular student is expressing and at the same time, often helping make it more clear for that student, right? Often a restating or a question or an introduction of a vocabulary word that seems like it's going to be helpful right now will not just be helpful to other people to understand it for the whole class, but will be helpful for the student in clarifying their own ideas and their own thinking, solidifying it in some kind of way. So that's one of the roles. I know that there are also roles that involve—and I think about this a lot whenever I'm working with learners—status, right? Making sure that children that have different perceived status in the classroom are able to be lifted up. That we're not just hearing from the kid who's been identified as "the math kid." So I think intellectual status, social status, those are going to be balances, right?  I also understand that teachers have a role in making sure that children are listening to each other. If I'm working with learners, I can't always be the one to do the restating. I've got to make sure there are times where kids are required to try to understand each other's thinking and not just the teacher's restatement of that thinking. There are just so many balances. But I would say that some top ones for me, if I'm thinking about how to make choices, thinking about raising up the status of all learners as intellectual resources, making good on a promise that I make to children, which is that any way of counting these things is valid and not telling a kid, "Oh no, no, no, we're not counting 1 by 1 today" or, "Oh no, no, no, that's too sophisticated. That's too advanced of a—We can't share that because nobody will understand it."  So making good on that promise that I make at the beginning, which is, "I really want to know how you counted." Making sure that learners are able to get better at expressing the ideas that are in their heads using language and gesture and making sure that learners are communicating with each other and not just with me as a teacher. Those seem like four important tensions, and a talented and experienced elementary teacher could probably name like 10 other tensions that they're keeping in mind all at the same time: behavior, classroom management, but also some ideas around multilingual learners. Yeah, a lot of respect for the kind of balances that teachers have to maintain and the kinds of tensions that they have to choose when to use and when to gloss over or not worry about for right now. So you ask about annotation and, absolutely, I think about multiple representations of mathematical ideas. And so far I've only focused on the role of the teacher in a classroom discussion and thinking about gesture, thinking about words and other language forms, but I haven't focused on writing and annotation is absolutely a role that teachers can play. For me, the thing that I want to have happen is I want children to see their ideas represented in multiple ways. So if they've described for the class something in words and gestures, then there are sort of two natural easy annotations for a teacher to do or a teacher to have students do, which is, one, make those gestures and words explicit in the image. And that's where something like a smartboard or projecting onto a whiteboard—lots of technologies that teachers use for this kind of stuff—but where we can write directly on the image. So if you said you put the 1 and the 4 together in the bowling pins and then the 3 and the 2, then I might make a loopy thing that goes around the 4 and the 1, and I might circle the 3 and the 2, right? And so that adds both some clarity for students looking, but also is a model for: Here's how we can start to annotate our images.  But then I'm also probably going to want to write 4 plus 1, maybe in parentheses, plus 3 plus 2 in parentheses, so that we can connect the 4 to the four [items] that are circled, the 1 to the one that is circled, the 4 plus 1 in parentheses, identifying that as a group, like a thing that has a mathematical purpose. It's communicating part of an idea and that that connects back. Teachers are super skilled at using color to do that, right? So 4 plus 1 might be written in red to match the red circle that goes around here, using not green because of color blindness. They're using blue to do 3 plus 2 in parentheses over here. And teachers might make other choices, right? We might sometimes use color to annotate in the image, but then just black here so that we aren't doing all of that work of corresponding for kids and are asking kids to try to do some of that corresponding work. And we might do it the other way around as well.  So annotation as a way of adding, I think, a couple of dimensions to the conversation. And I have to shout out a fabulous teacher who I know through math Twitter. Simon Gregg is a teacher in an international school in Toulouse, France. And he has done amazing work with using and producing his own Which one doesn't belong?s, and annotating them and having kids do them; how many?; and then there are a few examples of his work with kids in the teacher guide for How Did You Count? Yeah, he's just a true master at annotation. So go find Simon Gregg on social media if you want to learn some beautiful things about representing kids' ideas in writing. Mike: Love it. So the question that I typically will ask any guest before the close of the interview is: What are some resources that educators might grab onto, be they yours or other work in the field that you think is really powerful that supports the kind of work that we've been talking about? What would you offer to someone who's interested in continuing to learn and maybe to try this out? Christopher: In the teacher guide of How Did You Count?, I make mention of which of the number talks books was most powerful for me. But if you want to take a look at that page in the teacher book and then throw a link in and a shout out to the folks who wrote it. Jo Boaler and Cathleen Humphreys wrote a book called Connecting Mathematical Ideas. It's old enough that there are some CD-ROMs in it. I don't know if there's a new edition; I'm sure used ones are available on all the places you buy used books. But the expert work that the teacher Cathy Humphreys does, as described in the book—even if you can't use the CD-ROMS in your computer—expert work at drawing out students' ideas, and then the two collaborating to reflect on that lesson, the connections they were drawing. It's been a while since I read it, but I imagine the annotations have got to come up. Fabulous resources for thinking about how these ideas pertain to middle school classrooms, but absolutely stuff that we can learn as college teachers or as elementary teachers on either side of that bridge from arithmetic to algebra. Mike: So for listeners, just so you know, we're going to add links to the resources that Christopher referred to in all of our show notes for folks' convenience.  Christopher, I think this is probably a good place to stop. Thank you so much for joining us. It's absolutely been a pleasure chatting with you. Christopher: Yeah. Thank you for the invitation, for your thoughtful prep work and support of both the small and the larger projects along the way. I appreciate that. I appreciate all of you at Bridges and The Math Learning Center. You do fabulous work. Mike: This podcast is brought to you by The Math Learning Center and the Maier Math Foundation, dedicated to inspiring and enabling all individuals to discover and develop their mathematical confidence and ability. © 2026 The Math Learning Center | www.mathlearningcenter.org

Jake, Sam, and Lee discuss Lee's untimely death, Jake's rules for 2026, and how to find work when you're in between jobs. Reflect, laugh, and gain inspiration for the new year with us. 3 Point Perspective Podcast is sponsored by SVSLearn.com, the place where becoming a great illustrator starts!Click here for this episode's links and show notes.

The episode opens with a look at current publishing news affecting authors, including reading behavior shifts and trends. Then we look at the three major stages of children's literature and why understanding developmental stages matters. Perfect for writers curious about children's books, writers who think they already understand the category, and anyone interested in how readers develop.

Have you ever heard someone say that making creative work is about having a “point of view”? It sounds right, but what does it mean and how do you find yours? I can't think of any creatives that have a more compelling sense of their “point of view” than my guests today. Author Mac Barnett and author-illustrator Jon Klassen have such a strong voice, and I have been longing to have them both on the show for such a long time!! This is an instant all-timer episode for me. These two legends from the picture book world just knocked it out of the park, and we have an incredible chat exploring how to find your point of view, the artist/audience relationship, storytelling, and so much more. Buckle up. This mega episode starts off with a bang and just gets better and better all the way til the end! This episode will make for a great companion for a long creative session or long drive! Hope you love it as much as I did!   SHOW NOTES: Substack: "Looking at Picture Books"https://lookingatpicturebooks.substack.com "Mac B. Spy Kid"https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=%22Mac+B.+Spy+Kid%22&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8 "The Skull" by Jon Klassenhttps://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/725351/the-skull-by-jon-klassen-illustrated-by-jon-klassen/ "Sam and Dave Dig a Hole" by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassenhttps://www.macbarnett.com/sam-dave-dig-a-hole "Extra Yarn"https://www.macbarnett.com/extra-yarn "Where the Wild Things Are"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Where_the_Wild_Things_Are "Goodnight Moon"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goodnight_Moon "The Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishigurohttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Remains_of_the_Day "Swim in a Pond in the Rain" by George Saundershttps://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/609280/a-swim-in-a-pond-in-the-rain-by-george-saunders/ "Outside Over There" by Maurice Sendakhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outside_Over_There "Sam and the Firefly" by P.D. Eastmanhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_and_the_Firefly "Dead Souls" by Nikolai Gogolhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_Souls "Let the Right One In"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Let_the_Right_One_In_(film) "Ponyo"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponyo "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eternal_Sunshine_of_the_Spotless_Mind "Mysterious Things" by Andy J. Pizza and Sophie Millerhttp://invisiblethings.co "Making Comics" by Scott McCloudhttps://www.scottmccloud.com/makingcomics/ Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.coAudio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.coSoundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com   SPONSORS:SQUARESPACEHead to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK AEROPRESSCheck out Aeropress and use my code PEPTALK for a great deal: https://aeropress.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

COUNTDOWN of the top 30 most listened to episodes. It's a Kidlit takeover! Join Ky Garvey as she chats to Picture Book creatives Rory H Mather, Brent Wilson & Kirsten Ealand on their new picture books Laugh in the Bath from Little Book Press and The Big Backyard Plan from Affirm Press. The authors share what it's like to collaborate with their fellow publishing creatives including getting creative advice from their peers and what the relationship between Author and Illustrator can be like.

What defines a good children's book? We spoke to illustrator Katrin Dreiling, who studied to become a high school teacher in Germany but discovered her true passion for art here in Australia. Starting her first picture book as a self-printed Do It Yourself project, she launched a completely new career... - Was macht ein gutes Kinderbuch aus? Eine spannende Geschichte? Ein guter Text? Wir haben mit Illustratorin Katrin Dreiling gesprochen, die in Deutschland eigentlich Gymnasiallehramt studiert hatte, doch hier in Australien ihre Leidenschaft für die Kunst entdeckte. Angefangen als ein selbstgedrucktes Do It Yourself Bilderbuch-Projekt startete sie hier eine komplett neue Laufbahn...

Giuseppe Castellano talks to literary agent and founder of Heirloom Literary and Media, Elena Giovinazzo, about publishing's waiting game; why it's normal for us to feel “self-I don't know”; how illustrators can avoid getting buried in the querying trenches; and more.To learn more about Elena and Heirloom, visit heirloomliterary.com.Photograph © Joanna Maguire If you find value in this podcast, consider becoming a paid subscriber on Substack, or a supporter on Patreon. On either platform, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”—among other perks and benefits. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Want to avoid burnout, increase productivity, and have more fun in 2026? Jake Parker shares how seasonal living feeds the soul and how you can implement it into your creative practice. 3 Point Perspective Podcast is sponsored by SVSLearn.com, the place where becoming a great illustrator starts!Click here for this episode's links and show notes.

Welcome to Season 5, Episode 51! Our guest today is the award-winning children's book author, Andrea Wang. She's written several books and been recognized with many awards including The Newbery Honor and Caldecott Medal.  Andrea's latest picture book is Worthy: The Brave and Capable Life of Joseph Pierce, a notable Chinese American who fought during the Civil War and, beyond all odds, earned naturalized citizenship. We love how she's unafraid of tackling some heavy topics that include racism, discrimination, and belonging. The beautiful picture book is illustrated by Youa Vang,  If you're looking for some of Andrea's previous, work, she's written several notable things including the picture books The Nian Monster, Magic Ramen: The Story of Momofuku Ando, Watercress, and Luli and the Language of Tea, as well as the middle grade novels The Many Meanings of Meilan and The Summer of Squee. To learn more about Andrea, you can visit her website https://andreaywang.com/, follow her on instagram @andreawhywang, and of course buy Worthy and her other books. If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram @AAHistory101. For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at https://asianamericanhistory101.libsyn.com or our links at http://castpie.com/AAHistory101. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at info@aahistory101.com.

Overwhelmed with ideas? Join Jake Parker, Samantha Cotterill, and Lee White to learn how to evaluate potential projects and make the best selection. Plus, get an insider preview at the projects our pros are working on in 2026. 3 Point Perspective Podcast is sponsored by SVSLearn.com, the place where becoming a great illustrator starts!Click here for this episode's links and show notes.

Can you build an art career without social media? How helpful is AI, actually? Jake Parker, Lee White, and Anthony Wheeler discuss why human connections still outweigh algorithms and how you can use them to your advantage. 3 Point Perspective Podcast is sponsored by SVSLearn.com, the place where becoming a great illustrator starts!Click here for this episode's links and show notes.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Mariam Quraishi, Senior Designer at Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, about how she works with illustrators. She also answers questions from listeners about the efficacy of postcards, querying agents, and more.To learn more about Mariam, visit mariamquraishi.com.Artists mentioned in this episode include: Matthew Forsythe, Kelly Murphy If you find value in this podcast, consider becoming a paid subscriber on Substack, or a supporter on Patreon. On either platform, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”—among other perks and benefits. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A bonus episode featuring albums from the 70s, 80s and 90s! Jon and Matt team up to cover the following albums:-Simply Red- "Picture Book"-Blondie "Eat to the Beat"-Red Hot Chili Peppers "One Hot Minute"-Pearl Jam "Yield"Check out our YouTube page here: http://www.youtube.com/@combingthestacks1470Check out the Combing the Stacks Letterboxd list here: https://boxd.it/bS98c

Sisters Kathleen and Beth Rooney discuss their new picture book inspired by children who built an imaginary town from fallen leaves during the pandemic.

I have never spoken to anyone like Jennifer Conrad who teaches literature to her senior high school students through picture book appreciation. In our interview, we discuss how her unique program evolved, and how her students develop and deepen their love for this genre through interaction with young children. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

I have never spoken to anyone like Jennifer Conrad who teaches literature to her senior high school students through picture book appreciation. In our interview, we discuss how her unique program evolved, and how her students develop and deepen their love for this genre through interaction with young children. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/education

I have never spoken to anyone like Jennifer Conrad who teaches literature to her senior high school students through picture book appreciation. In our interview, we discuss how her unique program evolved, and how her students develop and deepen their love for this genre through interaction with young children. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are celebrities worthy authors for our children? Is there still a place for highly detailed illustrations? Anthony Wheeler, Lee White, and Jake Parker discuss recent trends in indie kidlit, the evolution of the illustration industry, and more in this episode. 3 Point Perspective Podcast is sponsored by SVSLearn.com, the place where becoming a great illustrator starts!Click here for this episode's links and show notes.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to award-winning illustrator, artist, designer, and writer, Maira Kalman, about navigating life's inconsistencies; how we can stay centered and grounded creatively; what the most important thing is about being an illustrator; and more.To learn more about Maira, visit mairakalman.com.Artists mentioned in this episode include: Beatrix Potter, Remy Charlip, Maurice Sendak, Edward Gorey If you find value in this podcast, consider becoming a paid subscriber on Substack, or a supporter on Patreon. On either platform, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”—among other perks and benefits. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Can you succeed in illustration with a chronic illness? Samantha Cotterill shares her experience as an artist with rheumatoid arthritis with Jake Parker and Lee White. Discover how to rest without guilt and pace yourself for a long, vibrant career. 3 Point Perspective Podcast is sponsored by SVSLearn.com, the place where becoming a great illustrator starts!Click here for this episode's links and show notes.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to renowned children's book illustrator, Axel Scheffler, about the deep, dark mistake he made with The Gruffalo; what he thinks about his “imperfect” art style; why he prefers to be called a family book creator; and more.To learn more about Axel, visit axelscheffler.com.Artists mentioned in this episode include: Posy Simmonds, Jean-Jacques Sempé, Tomi Ungerer, Judith Kerr, Lisa Brown, William Steig, Wolf Erlbruch, Maurice Sendak, Edward Gorey, N.C. Wyeth, Norman Rockwell, Janet Ahlberg, Alice and Martin Provensen, and Leo and Diane Dillon If you find value in this podcast, consider becoming a paid subscriber on Substack, or a supporter on Patreon. On either platform, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”—among other perks and benefits. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A week-long commemorative event marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the war was held at the University of Sydney. We spoke with two participants from Japan : actress Tokiko Tsuchiya, who works to preserve “atomic bomb literature” and organises reading groups, and Ryoko Nakayama, who works as a journalist in Japan while sharing her grandmother's memories of the bombing. - シドニー大学で行われた戦後80年の記念イベントに日本から参加した二人、「原爆文学」の保全に取り組み朗読の会をまとめる俳優の土屋時子さんと、日本で記者として働きながら祖母の被爆の記憶を伝えている中山涼子さんにお話を聞きました。

We're continuing our Best Books of 2025 coverage with a special episode dedicated to picture books. First, Patricia Morris Buckley joins us to discuss To Walk the Sky: How Iroquois Steelworkers Helped Build Towering Cities, illustrated by E.B. Lewis (Heartdrum, Jan. 28). Then young readers' editor Mahnaz Dar dishes on more of the year's best books.Thanks to our sponsors:The History of Lightning by Anthony Dwanye WebbInto the Gray Scale by Oge MobuogwuMaybe I'm Not God by Stefania Gander, trans. by Chiara GastaldiThe Judgy Bunny by Gramma Sir See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Send us a textBoard games and picture books - what do these two things have in common? For one thing, you can find them both at the library. For another, they're both entertaining for all ages. Engaging with a picture book or playing a game with friends and family members can surprise and delight us with the kind of screen-free joy that many of us don't get enough of but definitely need. In this episode, Hannah and Matt take you on a journey of exploration into the worlds of picture books and board games, respectively.

Why is in-person connection so important? Jake Parker and Lee White discuss the value of learning from and uplifting other artists in real life as Jake reflects on his takeaways from New York Comic Con.  3 Point Perspective Podcast is sponsored by SVSLearn.com, the place where becoming a great illustrator starts!Click here for this episode's links and show notes.

Kirsty Heap is an executive coach, keynote speaker, and neurodiversity advocate who helps individuals and organisations create environments where people can truly thrive. Drawing on her lived experience of dyslexia, she empowers business owners and leaders to understand their strengths, build confidence, and grow sustainably. Kirsty is also the author of Silent Snow, a picture book without words, designed to help you create your own stories with your children. Each page is filled with beautiful illustrations to spark your imagination, making storytime fun and personal. Whether reading has always felt tricky, or you just want to try something different, Silent Snow gives you the freedom to tell stories your own way.The idea for Silent Snow came from Kirsty's own experiences as a dyslexic parent. She used to find reading to her children difficult, and when she stumbled over words, she felt like she was letting them down. But instead of giving up, she started making up her own stories based on their lives and the little adventures they had. Bedtime soon became one of their favourite times of the day.Takeaways: The podcast emphasizes the importance of recognizing and nurturing the strengths associated with dyslexia, rather than merely focusing on the challenges. Kirsty Heap shares her personal journey as a dyslexic parent, highlighting her creative storytelling as a means of connecting with her children. There is a significant need for educational systems to adapt and provide personalized learning experiences for neurodivergent students. The discussion reveals how the implementation of technology, such as dictation software, can greatly enhance learning outcomes for individuals with dyslexia. Kirsty reflects on the profound effect of positive reinforcement and constructive feedback in fostering self-esteem among students with learning differences. The episode advocates for greater transparency and openness among educators regarding their own neurodivergent experiences to better support their students. Chapters:00:00 - Understanding the Weight of Expectations00:18 - Creating Stories from Imagination13:12 - Navigating Dyslexia: Challenges and Strategies in Education26:41 - The Importance of Personalized Learning39:55 - The Impact of Feedback in Coaching and Educationhttps://kirstyheap.com/https://kirstyheap.com/silentsnow/https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirstyheap/https://www.instagram.com/kirstyheapcoaching/Show Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) https://nape.org.uk/Find out more about their Primary First Journal: https://www.educationonfire.com/nape

In this episode writer, librarian, and FUSE #8 PRODUCTION blogger Betsy Bird takes us behind the scenes of her picture book POP! GOES THE NURSERY RHYME, illustrated by Andrea Tsurumi.This episode is sponsored by NOSY CROW, and their innovative STORIES ALOUD program, which gives readers instant access to professionally produced and narrated versions of their books. Look for the STORIES ALOUD QR code on the back of Nosy Crow books to give it a try.Click here for an audio sample, from the book WHO ATE STEVE?

What's the best schedule for illustrators? How do you choose your materials? What keeps you motivated? Anthony Wheeler, Samantha Cotterill, and Lee White tackle their most commonly asked questions and pepper in time-tested advice. 3 Point Perspective Podcast is sponsored by SVSLearn.com, the place where becoming a great illustrator starts!Click here for this episode's links and show notes.

What do travel, recording technology, and illustration have in common? Lee White, Samantha Cotterill, and Anthony Wheeler explore how new (and sometimes uncomfortable) experiences expand your skills and feed your creative bank account. 3 Point Perspective Podcast is sponsored by SVSLearn.com, the place where becoming a great illustrator starts!Click here for this episode's links and show notes.

Jake Parker is back from tabling at New York Comic Con; was it worth it? Crunch the numbers, hear the stories, and learn more about the experience alongside Samantha Cotterill and Anthony Wheeler. 3 Point Perspective Podcast is sponsored by SVSLearn.com, the place where becoming a great illustrator starts!Click here for this episode's links and show notes.

A conversation that reminds us how curiosity, art, and iteration can reshape are necessary and may even be assets for our school leadership and the ways we nurture creative courage in young learners.... In this episode, Tricia Friedman sits down with author-illustrator Christy Mandin to explore what school leaders can learn from the creative process behind children's literature. Together they unpack how curiosity fuels empathy, how messy iteration sparks innovation, and how embracing the dark and uncertain moments of creativity can make us more compassionate educators. What You'll Learn Why boredom and unstructured time are essential ingredients for student creativity. How to help students (and ourselves) become friends with the dark—embracing uncertainty as a path to growth. Why modeling curiosity, reflection, and open-mindedness is one of the most powerful leadership moves. Christy Mandin is the author and illustrator of multiple picture books. She's grown many interesting plants in her garden over the years but, so far, none with teeth or tentacles. She currently lives in Georgia with her husband and four children. Visit Christy online at christymandin.com or Instagram @christymandin Learn more about our amazing show sponsor: Poll Everywhere Keep learning with Shifting Schools.

Our best portfolio tips, all in one place! Tune in to hear Jake Parker, Lee White, and multiple guests share how to build a portfolio that stands out and lands the jobs you want. 3 Point Perspective Podcast is sponsored by SVSLearn.com, the place where becoming a great illustrator starts!Click here for this episode's links and show notes.

What did you think of this episode?Writing picture books? During this episode, a professional illustrator gives us the inside scoop on how the illustration process works.Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mts of NC. I'm your host Linda Goldfarb, each week I bring you tips and strategies from experts in the writing and publishing industry to help you excel in your craft, I'm so glad you're listening in, during this encore episode, you'll learn the ins and outs of Illustrating a Picture Book.My industry expert is Jack Foster. Jack is a follower of Jesus, the father of five, and the grandfather of fourteen. He has illustrated over 125 published picture books. He grew up in Chicago but now resides in Tennessee near the Smoky Mountains with his wife, lovely Aleithia, and their two cats, Jasper and Stormy.Do you work traditionally or digitally, and what is the norm?What is the process of illustrating on full-page illustration?What is a Spot illustration?How long does it take to illustrate a picture book?Explain how you choose the colors for your illustrations and what inspires you.Is the text added by illustrators or by a designer?LINKSJack Foster Mr. Bobblehead BlogJack Foster FacebookJack Foster TwitterJack Foster InstagramJack Foster - FreeBibleImagesVisit Your Best Writing Life website.Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing LifeAbout your host - Linda GoldfarbVisit Your Best Writing Life website.Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing LifeYour host - Linda Goldfarb#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024". Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy PodcastAwarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

Dive into the Magical World of Children's Books: Snoodles, Imagination, and Creative Storytelling Get ready for an exciting journey through the vibrant world of children's literature! In this episode of Reading with Your Kids, host Jed Doherty takes listeners on a delightful adventure with two incredible author-illustrator teams who are redefining storytelling for young readers. First up, Steven Joseph and Andy Case join the show to talk about their latest book, "Snoodles in Space: Escape from Zoodletraz." This wild and imaginative series follows the hilarious adventures of noodle-powered characters in a universe that's bursting with creativity. What makes their collaboration special is the incredible synergy between Joseph's witty writing and Case's detailed, playful illustrations. They've created a world where everyday objects become extraordinary, and each book adds new layers of excitement and humor. But the fun doesn't stop there! Bex Tobin Fine brings her own magical perspective with "Floor It," a charming picture book that explores a baby's incredible imagination. Through her eyes, a living room transforms into a vast landscape of adventure, with chair legs becoming forests and spilled water turning into lakes. Tobin Fine's approach reminds us how children see the world - with wonder, excitement, and endless possibility. Both creative teams showcase the power of collaboration in children's publishing. They break down traditional barriers between authors and illustrators, creating richer, more engaging stories that spark children's imaginations. Whether you're a parent, educator, or simply a lover of great storytelling, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how incredible children's books come to life. You'll laugh, you'll be inspired, and you'll gain a new appreciation for the magic of children's literature. Don't miss this entertaining and insightful conversation that celebrates creativity, imagination, and the joy of reading! Click here to visit our website – www.ReadingWithYourKids.com Follow Us On Social Media Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/readingwithyourkids Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/readingwithyourkids/ X - https://x.com/jedliemagic LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/reading-with-your-kids-podcast/ Please consider leaving a review of this episode and the podcast on whatever app you are listening on, it really helps!  

Welcome to Season 5, Episode 42! Our guest today is Brenda Do. She's a copywriter who has spent nearly two decades helping businesses communicate in a more humanistic way which helps them connect more meaningfully with the people they serve. She's also the author of a fun and meaningful picture book called It's Okay Not To Know.  It's Okay Not To Know is a picture book that helps readers understand how to overcome self-doubt and stress that they sometimes feel when they are faced with challenges. Through curiosity and compassion, kids are able to flip these challenges and obstacles into opportunities for growth. Illustrations by C.S. Fritz, the book is a great reminder that empathy starts with yourself and then you can help others.  In our conversation, Brenda shares why she was inspired to write It's Okay Not To Know, what it was like working with C.S. Fritz, some of the design choices she made, what the response to her story has been, and so much more. You can learn more about Brenda through her site, Instagram account @officialbrendado, and linktr.ee.  If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram @AAHistory101. For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at https://asianamericanhistory101.libsyn.com or our links at http://castpie.com/AAHistory101. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at info@aahistory101.com.

Jake Parker, Anthony Wheeler, and Lee White update us on their latest projects, wins and losses, and the lessons they're learning. Tune in for some illustrator's insider baseball.  3 Point Perspective Podcast is sponsored by SVSLearn.com, the place where becoming a great illustrator starts!Click here for this episode's links and show notes.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator, artist, and author, Emma Carlisle, about how an illustration practice can be a bit of a whirlwind; why some illustration advice is infantilzing; why finding joy in your art is more important than it sounds; and more.To learn more about Emma, visit emmacarlisle.com.Artists mentioned in this episode include: London Ladd, Helen Stephens, Beth Spencer If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Caldecott medalist Jason Chin joins Jake Parker and Lee White to discuss life as an award-winning illustrator, the mentorship that shaped his journey, and his dedication to making art that matters to kids and himself. 3 Point Perspective Podcast is sponsored by SVSLearn.com, the place where becoming a great illustrator starts!Click here for this episode's links and show notes.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator, artist, and educator, London Ladd, about why he thinks “style” is a four-letter word; what and who helped him stay on his feet; how to keep going in life and art; and more.To learn more about London, visit londonladd.com.Artists mentioned in this episode include: Mark English, Kazuhiko Sano, James Ransome, Romare Bearden, Ezra Jack Keats, Jerry Pinkney, Keith Henry Brown, G. Gregory Christie, Ashley Bryan, Ekua Holmes, Jackie Ormes, Tom Feelings, Ernie Barnes, Charles Henry Alston, John ParraPhotograph of London by Malcolm Taylor. If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Are your amateur habits blocking your progress? Jake Parker, Sam Cotterill, and Lee White divulge the secrets professional illustrators know that will advance your career to the next level. 3 Point Perspective Podcast is sponsored by SVSLearn.com, the place where becoming a great illustrator starts!Click here for this episode's links and show notes.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator, author, and son of Patricia and Richard Scarry, Huck Scarry, about his father's life and artistic process; how he approached Busytown—from color palettes to car accidents; what his advice would be for illustrators today; and more.To learn more about Richard Scarry, visit richardscarry.com.Artists mentioned in this episode include: Stan Berenstain, Dr. Seuss, Will Eisner, Ashley Bryan, Van Kaufman, John Parr Miller, Alice and Martin Provensen, Aurelius Battaglia, and P.D. Eastman If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Are your business chops lacking? Jake Parker, Anthony Wheeler, and Lee White teach how to market your work, communicate with clients, unravel contracts, and more to create a sustainable career. Tune in to take your business from good to great. 3 Point Perspective Podcast is sponsored by SVSLearn.com, the place where becoming a great illustrator starts!Click here for this episode's links and show notes.

On this episode: Lucy and Elizabeth are joined by guest host Rebecca Onion to dive into her and Dan Kois' definitive list of the 25 best picture books of the last quarter century. Which modern stories have staying power? Which books belong beside the classics on your child's shelf? The hosts debate and delight in the choices. But first, they share their latest triumphs and fails: hiding snacks, an urgent care scare, and a  deeply irrational fears.  If you're not part of the Slate Plus community, we hope you'll consider joining! Keep reading to learn how. Join us on Facebook and email us at careandfeedingpod@slate.com to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today's show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes. You can also call our phone line: (646) 357-9318. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get to hang out with us on the Plus Playground every week for a whole additional grab-bag of content — and you'll get an ad-free experience across the network. And you'll also be supporting the work we do here on Care and Feeding. Sign up now at slate.com/careplus – or try it out on Apple Podcasts. Listen to Opportunity Gap wherever you get your podcasts: ⁠⁠https://lnk.to/opportunitygapPS!careandfeeding⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode: Lucy and Elizabeth are joined by guest host Rebecca Onion to dive into her and Dan Kois' definitive list of the 25 best picture books of the last quarter century. Which modern stories have staying power? Which books belong beside the classics on your child's shelf? The hosts debate and delight in the choices.But first, they share their latest triumphs and fails: hiding snacks, an urgent care scare, and a  deeply irrational fears. If you're not part of the Slate Plus community, we hope you'll consider joining! Keep reading to learn how.Join us on Facebook and email us at careandfeedingpod@slate.com to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today's show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes. You can also call our phone line: (646) 357-9318.If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get to hang out with us on the Plus Playground every week for a whole additional grab-bag of content — and you'll get an ad-free experience across the network. And you'll also be supporting the work we do here on Care and Feeding. Sign up now at slate.com/careplus – or try it out on Apple Podcasts.Listen to Opportunity Gap wherever you get your podcasts: ⁠⁠https://lnk.to/opportunitygapPS!careandfeeding⁠ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode: Lucy and Elizabeth are joined by guest host Rebecca Onion to dive into her and Dan Kois' definitive list of the 25 best picture books of the last quarter century. Which modern stories have staying power? Which books belong beside the classics on your child's shelf? The hosts debate and delight in the choices. But first, they share their latest triumphs and fails: hiding snacks, an urgent care scare, and a  deeply irrational fears.  If you're not part of the Slate Plus community, we hope you'll consider joining! Keep reading to learn how. Join us on Facebook and email us at careandfeedingpod@slate.com to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today's show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes. You can also call our phone line: (646) 357-9318. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get to hang out with us on the Plus Playground every week for a whole additional grab-bag of content — and you'll get an ad-free experience across the network. And you'll also be supporting the work we do here on Care and Feeding. Sign up now at slate.com/careplus – or try it out on Apple Podcasts. Listen to Opportunity Gap wherever you get your podcasts: ⁠⁠https://lnk.to/opportunitygapPS!careandfeeding⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode: Lucy and Elizabeth are joined by guest host Rebecca Onion to dive into her and Dan Kois' definitive list of the 25 best picture books of the last quarter century. Which modern stories have staying power? Which books belong beside the classics on your child's shelf? The hosts debate and delight in the choices.But first, they share their latest triumphs and fails: hiding snacks, an urgent care scare, and a  deeply irrational fears. If you're not part of the Slate Plus community, we hope you'll consider joining! Keep reading to learn how.Join us on Facebook and email us at careandfeedingpod@slate.com to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today's show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes. You can also call our phone line: (646) 357-9318.If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get to hang out with us on the Plus Playground every week for a whole additional grab-bag of content — and you'll get an ad-free experience across the network. And you'll also be supporting the work we do here on Care and Feeding. Sign up now at slate.com/careplus – or try it out on Apple Podcasts.Listen to Opportunity Gap wherever you get your podcasts: ⁠⁠https://lnk.to/opportunitygapPS!careandfeeding⁠ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode: Lucy and Elizabeth are joined by guest host Rebecca Onion to dive into her and Dan Kois' definitive list of the 25 best picture books of the last quarter century. Which modern stories have staying power? Which books belong beside the classics on your child's shelf? The hosts debate and delight in the choices. But first, they share their latest triumphs and fails: hiding snacks, an urgent care scare, and a  deeply irrational fears.  If you're not part of the Slate Plus community, we hope you'll consider joining! Keep reading to learn how. Join us on Facebook and email us at careandfeedingpod@slate.com to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today's show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes. You can also call our phone line: (646) 357-9318. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get to hang out with us on the Plus Playground every week for a whole additional grab-bag of content — and you'll get an ad-free experience across the network. And you'll also be supporting the work we do here on Care and Feeding. Sign up now at slate.com/careplus – or try it out on Apple Podcasts. Listen to Opportunity Gap wherever you get your podcasts: ⁠⁠https://lnk.to/opportunitygapPS!careandfeeding⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's show, Steve and Dana are joined by guest host Dan Kois to turn the volume up to… well, how hard Spinal Tap II: The End Continues rocks is the question of the day. They debate the mockumentary sequel which reunites the original Tap gang for a surprisingly tender portrait of aged rock stars. Next, they turn their icy gaze at the POV-shifting, soapy series The Girlfriend, starring Robin Wright and Olivia Cooke as the warring mother and girlfriend of a wealthy young man. Finally, they appreciate the life and work of Hollywood's foremost golden boy/rebel outsider Robert Redford. In an exclusive Slate Plus bonus episode, they savor the recipes of chef Samin Nosrat, who Dan profiled in the New Yorker on the launch of her new cookbook Good Things. Email us your thoughts at culturefest@slate.com.  Podcast production by Benjamin Frisch. Production assistance by Daniel Hirsch. Endorsements: Dana: The Louis Malle classic two-hander featuring Andre Gregory and Wallace Shawn, My Dinner with Andre. Dan: The newsletter Looking at Picture Books by author Mac Barnett and author/illustrator Jon Klassen. Steve: Donna Leon's Guido Brunetti mystery novels. (And while we're talking about Italian detectives, the Inspector Montalbano mysteries by Andrea Camilleri.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you unknowingly exposing yourself as an amateur? Learn the most common mistakes new illustrators make and how to create more professional results with Lee White, Sam Cotterill, and Jake Parker! 3 Point Perspective Podcast is sponsored by SVSLearn.com, the place where becoming a great illustrator starts!Click here for this episode's links and show notes.