In the Picture

In which we talk about her long and winding path to being an author illustrator, how she started off as a biological illustrator (what is that you ask? Listen to find out!) then worked on set design, how a sudden move to Germany and becoming a mom refocused her creative energies, how exactly book designing works, how teaching feeds her work, and redesigning classics. We had also had an illuminating discussion about measurements forpicture books and how the US System (derived from the older British Imperial system) and so different from what the rest of the world uses can lead to convolutedconversations with illustrators in other parts of the world!To learn more about me and my work, go to jyotirajangopal.com. You can follow me on Instagram @jyotirgopal and Blue Sky @jyotigopal.bsky.socialTo learn more about Adriana , follow her on Instagram@adriprints Adriana’s books:Abuelita and I Make Flan (Charlesbridge, 2022)Tumble (Scholastic, 2023) Countdown for Nochebuena (Little, Brown, 2023)She’s also the illustrator for:Boomer At Your Service by Vanessa Keel  (Spork, 2019)and the upcomingChallahbaloo by Elizabeth Suneby (PJ Library, Jan 2026)Check out:The Storyteller AcademyHans My Hedgehog by the Brothers Grimm

In which we talk about how she worked as a wrestler and a mystic wood elf, the gift of an SCBWI membership, the journey to being a self-taught illustrator, revision and pagination, finding the right art style for a project, partnering with Ben Clanton, and the joy of finding her way back to her childhood love of creating stories.To learn more about me and my work, go to jyotirajangopal.com.You can follow me on Instagram @jyotirgopal and Blue Sky @jyotigopal.bsky.socialTo learn more about Cassandra, follow her on Instagram and Blue Sky  @cassfedermanCassandra’s books:This is a Seacow (Albert Whitman & Co)This is a Seahorse (Albert Whitman & Co)Gray Squirrel Loses It (Random House)Story Spinners: A Sisterly Tale of Danger, A Princess, and her Crew of Lady Pirates. (Aladdin/ Simon and Schuster)Aquamanatee (DC)Releasing Oct 2026:Aquamanateam: More Than a Dream (DC)

In which we talk about the instructor at the SVA who changed the direction of her career, how greeting cards led her to picture books, how stationary shows can reveal picture book trends, her work process, the very creative dummy she cold-mailed to Scholastic and how to shift your thinking about marketing.To learn more about me and my work, go to jyotirajangopal.comFollow me on Instagram @jyotirgopal and Bluesky @jyotigopal.bsky.social To learn more about Joyce  go to wanart.com.Follow her on Instagram @joycewanbooksBooks and resources mentioned: School of Visual Design SVA National Stationary ShowNew York International Gift Fair Purple Cow by Seth Godin Blue Apple BooksLatest Joyce Wan release:Lucky New Year Colors (Hippo Park | Astra Books)

In which we talk about how John was invited to illustrate his first picture book, how the doors to his creativity were thrown wide open when he began to explore his heritage, how he decides what projects to work on, how art is his language of exploration and communication, the value of having a work spacethat’s ready to go, and why a good night’s rest can spark new creativity! To learn more about me and my work, go to jyotirajangopal.com You can follow me on Instagram, @jyotirgopaland Bluesky, @jyotigopal.bsky.social To learn more about John got to johnparraart.com Books mentioned: Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos by Monica Brown and John ParraGrowing an Artist: The Story of a Landscaper and His Son by John ParraThis Moment is Special: A Día de Muertos Story by John ParraViva Valenzuela by Natalie Alonso illustrated by JohnParra (coming March 2026)My Name is Gabriela by Monica Brown and John ParraGreen is a Chile Pepper by Roseanne Thong and John ParraOne is a Piñata by Roseanne Thong and John Parra    John’s favorite paints: Golden Brand acrylics John’s publicist: PRfrom the Heart 

In which we talk about how Gordon started off as an illustrator for Hallmark, how he found his way to picture books, his approach to illustrating stories, trying chalk pastels for the first time, the power of routine in preventing creative blocks and his first love, fine art.To learn more about me and my work, go to my website. You can follow me on Instagram and Bluesky To learn more about Gordon go to Gordon C James andfollow him on  InstagramBooks mentioned:Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick BarnesGo Tell it: How James Baldwin Became A WriterJust Like Jesse Owens written by Paula Young SheltonLet ‘Er Buck by Vaunda Micheaux NelsonCampy by David AdlerChapter book series Scraps of Time by Patricia McKissack Also mentioned:Clearwater Arts CenterAfrican American Children's Book Fair

In which we dive into Stan’s first picture book, There are Zombies in the Basement and, and why although the main character was based on his son, he drew him as a white ginger-haired kid and how he found his way to writing his first MG graphic novel, The Many Misfortunes of Eugenia Wang, which just came out this past Sept. Serendipity is a word that crops up a lot in our conversation, a reminder of how creative paths can suddenly appear in ways that we didn't plan or envision!To learn more about Stan and his work, go to ⁠Stan’s website⁠ To learn more about me and my work, go to my website. You can follow me on Instagram and BlueskyBooks mentioned:Maus by Art SpiegelmanDark Night by Paul Dini and Eduardo RissoResources:Kids Comic Unite– social media networking group for kidlit and YA graphic novel creatorsMascot Books – the company Stan used to publish his first picture bookLouise Campbell The Booking Tree - Stan's booking agent

In which we talk with the Creative Director of Neal Porter Books about what kidlit publishing was like back in the 80s (typesetting without computers!), the importance of marrying text and art so it’s seamless, how she defines a successful picture book, the value of art history, the impact of book bans on publishing, and so much more.To learn more about me and my work, go to ⁠my website⁠.You can follow me on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠Bluesky⁠Books mentioned in this episode:The Walk the Mouse Girls Took by Carla KuskinWatercress by Andrea Wang and Jason Shin I Don’t Care by Julie Fogliano, Molly Idle and Juana Martinez-NealI Talk Like a River by Jordan Scott and Sydny SmithI Will Eat You in the End by David Duff and Marianna Coppo (Fall 2026)I Know How to Draw an Owl by Hilary Horder Hippely and Matt James

In which we talk about how Art Directors can comefrom designer backgrounds, the parallels between different creative fields, the value of play, howto create book covers that pull readers in, the importance of typography and lettering in book design, “weirdness” in picture book design, what is the most important thing illustrators need to know when working with an art directorTo learn more about me and my work, go to my website.You can follow me on Instagram and BlueskyTo learn more about Brian go to Brian LaRossa and follow him on BlueskyPodcasts mentioned:Literaticast- a podcast by Jennifer LaughrenYou May Contribute a Verse a podcast by Brenna Jeanneret and Josh MonkenWe Need Diverse Books an organization that “supports marginalized creators, publishes inclusive stories and provides readers with books that reflect our world.”Books mentioned:Forests by Nell Cross Beckerman and Kalen ChockBraided Roots by Pasha Westbrook and Madelyn Goodnight Over in the Mangroves by Jyoti Rajan Gopal and Dikshaa Pawaskar

In which we talk about Svabhu's belief in the power of visual storytelling to change minds and hearts, their deep love for the environment and our responsibility as humans to care for it, the growth opportunities in taking on sometimes overwhelming projects, and of course how they began illustrating children’s picture books. To learn more about me and my work, go to jyotirajangopal.com and follow me on InstagramTo learn more about Svabhu and their work, follow them on  Instagram.Svabhu’s books:Tales of India: Folk Tales from Bengal, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu with Viplov Singh The Incredible Whale and Other Poems written by Helen DineenDesert Queen written by Jyoti Rajan Gopal When You See Us:The Mysterious World of Aquatic Insects by Katherine Hocker (Candlewick, March 2026))Amche Mollem – A citizen group to protect the Western Ghats

In which we talk about Lynnor's roundabout route to making her dream of becoming a children’s book illustrator come true. She shares how social media has been a force for good in her career, the value of a supportive creative network,  her experiences  in traditional and self-publishing, the importance of research in her work and more.To learn more about me and my work, go to jyotirajangopal.comTo learn more about Lynnor and her work, visit  lynnorbontigao.comRecently released:The Lucky Day (Seashell Key #3) by Lourdes Heuer (Abrams)Lynnor’s upcoming books:Miles Ahead by Minh Le (Knopf, 2026)Gifts and Talents by Jean Reidy(Penguin, 2027)What helped her on her journey:@puddlejumpcollective on InstaSociety of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (scbwi.org)Children’s Book Illustrators Group is a NYC based groupof illustrators and author-illustrators who create work for children’s publishing and media (cbig-nyc.blogspot.com)

In which we discuss Dow's career switch from pediatrician to illustrator, the impact her elementary school teacher had on her, the power of Youtube tutorials, the role of research in illustrating and fakingout AI.To learn more about me and my work, go to jyotirajangopal.comDow's website: artbydow.blogspot.comQuiet is Strength written by Mary Ann Hess illustrated byDow (released Feb 11, 2025)Books coming soon:The Beasts Beneath the Wind, a middle grade anthology edited by Hanna Alkaf (Abrams, released Spring 2025)Happy Songkran Day (Viking, 2026)Dow’s latest toy: Tourboxtech.comApps that Dow uses to protect her art from AI scraping:  Glaze and Nightshade

In which Nabi talks us through choosing projects, his artistic process, including the role of the art director, and what he wishes he had known before he began working in the picture book world and lots more. We talk about our book together LOVE IS HERE WITH YOU and the beautiful illustrations he created within its spreads.To learn more about me and my work, go to jyotirajangopal.comTo visit Nabi's portfolio, go to nabihaiderali.myportfolio.comFollow Nabi on Insta @nabihaideraliBooks mentioned in our conversation and illustrated by Nabi:Laxmi's Mooch by Shelly AnandAll The Way to the Top by Annette Bay PimentelBeautifully Me by Nabeela NoorWe Move the World by Kari LavelleMango Memories by Sita SinghA Rakhi for Rakesh by Nadia Salomon Mustafa's Mithai by Sana RafiBook Fairs mentioned: Bologna Book FairLondon Book Fair