074 - The Appeal of Dark Picture Books

In a recent Picture Book Summit, NYT Bestselling Author Susan Verde revealed why she writes about big concepts for kids—things like mindfulness, empathy, and what it means to be human. She shares what led her to write about these topics and who she's really write for. Stay tuned as Susan answers the question: Are any ideas TOO big for kids? Books mentioned in this episode: The Museum by Susan Verde and Peter H. Reynolds I Am Yoga by Susan Verde and Peter H. Reynolds I Am Me: A Book of Authenticity by Susan Verde and Peter H. Reynolds I Am Human: A Book of Empathy by Susan Verde and Peter H. Reynolds I Am Peace: A Book of Mindfulness by Susan Verde and Peter H. Reynolds I Am Love: A Book of Compassion by Susan Verde and Peter H. Reynolds Find these books* and more in the Picture Book Summit Bookshop! Resources mentioned in this episode: Get 30% off Susan's full BIG IDEAS FOR SMALL PEOPLE presentation here. Use coupon code PODCAST.

Yes, your picture book's title, hook, and opening are important to getting a reader to actually pick up and READ your book, but it's the picture book ending that defines their experience. Is the ending satisfying? Does it answer all the questions asked in the story? Does it make the reader gasp (or laugh) at the surprise? Most importantly, does is make them want to read your book again and again? With only a few hundred words at your disposal, you must stick the landing. In this excerpt from a past Picture Book Summit, Katie defines many types of picture endings and digs deep into two types with examples and questions to ask yourself to achieve your desired goal. Listen now so you can stick the landing in your next picture book! Books mentioned in this episode: Truman by Jean Reidy and Lucy Ruth Cummins 100 Mighty Dragons Named Broccoli by David LaRochelle and Lian Cho Your Place in the Universe by Jason Chin Thomas Jefferson Builds a Library by Barbara Rosenstock and John O'Brien Find these books* and more in the Picture Book Summit Bookshop! Resources mentioned in this episode: Get 30% off Katie's full STICKING THE LANDING IN PICTURE BOOK ENDINGS workshop here. Use coupon code PODCAST.

Every industry has a language all its own and writing and publishing are no different! In fact, it takes two episodes for the Picture Book Summit team to cover the basics. In our last episode, we focused on the lingo used in talking about writing and revising. Today, we talk about the all-important language around submitting your manuscripts to agents and editors and common phrases used during the acquisition and publishing process. We even learned things in this episode! This is a must-listen for anyone hoping to have a published book! Books mentioned in this episode: Where The Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak Song After Song: The Musical Life of Julie Andrews by Julie Hedlund and Ilaria Urbinati Waiting in the Wings by Julie Andrews, Emma Walton Hamilton, and EG Keller Who Hops by Katie Davis Who Hoots by Katie Davis Find these books* and more in the Picture Book Summit Bookshop! Resources mentioned in this episode: Free submissions training from Emma and Julie here. Learn even more about how the children's publishing industry works ONLINE at Picture Book Summit on October 3, 2026: Grab your ticket today!

Once you decide to dive into writing picture books and trying to get published, you quickly realize this industry has a language all its own. Today, the Picture Book Summit Team translates the publishing lingo you might run into on the writing and revising side of things. In the next episode, we dive into the publishing lingo surrounding submissions and publishing. Books mentioned in this episode: Life After Whale by Lynn Brunelle and Jason Chin Stalactite & Stalagmite by Drew Beckmeyer Shark vs. Train by Chris Barton and Tom Lichtenheld The Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak The Blue Jays That Grew a Forest by Lynn Street and Anne Hunter Dalmartian by Lucy Ruth Cummins

Today's episode is the third in our series discussing the amazing books written and/or illustrated by our 2026 Superstar Speakers. Check out our episode on Derrick Barnes' books here and Deborah Underwood's books here. In this episode, we get to chat about Brian Lies' books. We talk about the in-depth work that goes into his words and illustrations and how he expands the worlds he shares with us. Books mentioned in this episode: Good Night, Good Night, Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker and Tom Lichtenheld Cat Nap by Brian Lies More by I.C. Springman and Brian Lies Bats at the Ball Game by Brian Lies Got to Get to Bear's by Brian Lies The Rough Patch by Brian Lies Diffy by Brian Lies Resources mentioned in this episode: Check out the video version on our YouTube channel to see the books discussed. Our podcast interview with Brian Lies Katie's Summit Workshop: Sticking the Landing: Endings in Picture Books Don't miss Brian revealing how to use everything in your toolbox to engage readers at Picture Book Summit on October 3, 2026: Reel Them In: Using All the Lures in Your Tackle Box to Engage Readers NY Times bestselling author/illustrator and Caldecott Honoree Brian Lies discusses things he's learned over 30 years in the kidlit world. He'll reveal how to hone YOUR individual style and the power of adding unique details to your stories—all while not getting beached on ever-shifting career sands or sucked in by shiny whirlpools. Grab your ticket today!