Teen Librarian Toolbox
Tag: illustrator interviews
“To pay attention is our endless and proper work.” Melissa Sweet Talks Goldfinches and Mary Oliver
In a mix of poetry and science, this potential award-winner is a labor of love on every level. I discuss its creation with Melissa Sweet and she shows off a multitude of working sketches from the book.
Hiss-terical: A Cover Reveal and Discussion with Steph Lau on Medusa’s Pet Rock
"...critically examining the narratives pushed by powerful people (historically, currently) is as important of a lesson as ever. I hope it inspires kids to find and amplify the stories that aren't being told." We talk myths, legends, and retellings today.
“A giant, homesick man who bred tiny, famously delicious fruit?” We Discuss Bing’s Cherries with Julia Kuo and Livia Blackburne
This is one of those rare cases where I read the book and then prostrated myself before the publisher, begging to interview the creators because I thought their title was so original and important. And believe me when I say that this is not something I do very often.
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BEAVERS!!! My Favorite Rodent Gets a Q&A with Alison Pearce Stevens and Natasha Donovan About When Beavers Move In
Beaver believers, unite! Hands up if you're crazy about these little engineering whizzes. I get to discuss all things beaveresque with the two highly skilled creators of my new favorite beaver book.
Liminal: An Every Space (Conversation) Between Naseem Hrab and John Martz
Often authors and illustrators are kept separate during the process of making a picture book. Today, we bring you an argument for collaboration in the form of a guest interview.
It’s a Belgian Cover Reveal Day! A Talk with Leo Timmers About Kiki & Me
Today I reveal the cover of one of the truly great picture books of 2026. I also get to talk to Leo Timmers and ask him about his painting process (something I've wondered about for years).
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Your Jon Klassen, or, What’s Up With All the Board Books?
We talk today with the often imitated (and never replicated) Jon Klassen about why, precisely, he's been so drawn to the board book form recently (and what it has to give).
A Nicholas Day/Corey Tabor Cover Reveal and Q&A? It’s Gotta Be a Look at A Riddle of Eels
"An irony of having so many excellent nonfiction books for children is that it can appear that we already know everything: that our world is all mapped, archived, indexed, sorted. That’s not true, of course. But it can feel that way."
It’s an Axolotl-Ella Cover Reveal and Q&A with Kate Messner and Lian Cho
Regenerative body parts and feathery gills are not usually part of the original Cinderella story.. but maybe they should be! We discuss glass slippers and smiling reptiles in today's cover reveal and Q&A.
Sydney Taylor Book Award Blog Tour: A Talk with Laura Gehl and Alexandra Colombo About My Body Can
We're a stop on the Sydney Taylor Book Award Blog Tour today, so let's celebrate one of the Honorees with our customary flair (and interview questions).
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