The Creative Shift Podcast with Dan Blank

February 24, 2020

“If you are sharing work that is an extension of you, it will be your best work.”

Recently, I had the pleasure of talking with the ever-insightful Dan Blank of We Grow Media for an episode of his podcast “The Creative Shift.”

Dan has interviewed a slew of writers and artists, analyzing the rewards and challenges that come with choosing a creative path. We discuss my earliest inspirations, my long, winding journey to pursue the career I always wanted, the patchwork I have now to maintain it, and my personal theme for 2020.

About this drawing here…I mention in our talk that when I was a kid, my family lived down the street from New Yorker cartoonist, Donald Reilly—the first professional artist I remember meeting. This is a portrait he drew of me, pre-braces.

Thanks, Dan! “The Creative Shift” podcast is available on iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher, and by clicking here.

The IF I WERE A KANGAROO Book Trailer

March 3, 2017

It's hard to believe that one month from tomorrow (April 4th) my next picture book, IF I WERE A KANGAROO will be in stores! It seems like yesterday that I was researching sleepy baby animals, such as otters, bats, and wolf spiders.

Earlier this week, generous kidlit ambassador Mr. Schu (Mr. Schu Reads) premiered the trailer I made (also seen above), and shared an interview between author Mylisa Larsen and myself. The two of us have yet to meet in person, but this virtual meeting was a terrific way to start. You can read the interview here. We talk a bit about our creative processes, and I shared my most hilarious bit of art direction, ever.

If you'd like to pre-order a copy of IF I WERE A KANGAROO, click here, or here. It arrives in time for Easter, Passover, and Mothers Day! Nudge, nudge, wink, wink...

"Let's Get Busy" podcast

February 10, 2016

A few weeks ago, Charise Harper and I were interviewed by school librarian extraordinaire, and All the Wonders co-founder, Matthew Winner for his "Let's Get Busy" podcast. We discussed our collaboration for A BIG SURPRISE FOR LITTLE CARD, how the story developed and changed, giving a behind-the-scenes peek at our work processes. Since we live on opposite coasts, Charise and I have yet to meet, so this was the closest we've come. If you've never listened to the podcast before, there's a great archive of interviews with a huge assortment of kidlit folks at All the Wonders.

And as a big surprise for Anna Raff, my friend, the amazing illustrator Lori Richmond drew some of her graphic notes while she listened to the podcast! Lori's first picture book, A Hop is Up will be published by Bloomsbury later this year. Just look at this thing...it's incredible!