273 Billy Thao, Kidlit Illustrator

Hi Everyone, I spoke with kidlit author Michael Wang. He is the author of Leif's Gift. Here is more about Michael.Michael Wang is an author, designer, and avid plant enthusiast. He spent many years in graphic design before co-founding a studio that creates and curates artwork for hotels. Michael was born in Taiwan and grew up in New York City, where he still resides. Leif’s Gift (Norton Young Readers), illustrated by Lenny Wen, is his debut picture book. In his spare time, he can be found hiking, beachcombing, or tending to the urban jungle featured on his Instagram, @plantgroovy. Follow his storytelling journey at @michaelwangstories or visit michaelwangstories.com for more.Thanks for listening!

Hi Everyone! It was wonderful to interview Bill Thao, kidlit illustrator. Here is more about Billy:Billy Thao is a Hmong American children's illustrator represented by Molly O'Neil at Root Literary. Thao started his career as a fine artist and has participated in groups and duo art exhibitions. In 2021, his debut picture book, "Yang Warriors," written by acclaimed author, Kao Kalia Yang was published by University of Minnesota Press. In addition, he has collaborated with the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and Northern Festival. When he is not working on projects, he enjoys mind and body activities, reading, and daydreaming of exciting stories. Visit Billy's website.

Hi Everyone! Today, my guest is Julia Mills, an NJ-based author/illustrator and art teacher. More about Julia:Julia Mills is the award-winning author/illustrator of I AM STUCK and ROBINSON’S NEW THING (Harper Kids/Clarion). She is also a public school art teacher which means she has paint on her hands 99% of the time.Julia likes to write stories that deal with big emotions while still having plenty of room for humor. She creates her art with watercolor, colored pencil, pastel, crayon, paint sticks and digital collage. Julia lives in New Jersey with her husband, two kids, and two black cats named Cosmo and Klaus.Visit Julia's site to learn more!Thanks for listening!

Hi everyone! My guest today is Brittany Nearhoof, a Georgia art teacher and artist. Here is more about Brittany: Brittany Nearhoof has been teaching art in coastal Georgia since 2008 and currently teaches high school art for Bryan County Schools. She was named District Teacher of the Year and selected as a Top 10 Finalist for Georgia Teacher of the Year in 2024, bringing a deep awareness of accessibility and adaptability to her work informed by her lived experience in public education. A professionally exhibiting artist with multiple “Best in Show” awards, Nearhoof teaches with the goal of helping students think like artists—creative, curious, and confident learners unafraid to explore and take risks.Brittany's work on IG.

Hi Everyone! My guest on this episode is Rachel Rizzuto, kidlit author and illustrator. Rachel's work makes me laugh in a good way! I'm so glad she agreed to be a guest. Here's more about Rachel:Rachel Rizzuto is an author-illustrator using character-driven storytelling to provide touchstones for anxious and inquisitive children. She's been a Chicago stage actor, a dolphin show narrator, a bookshop graphic designer, a marketing executive, and a teacher at The Second City. She infuses humor and hope into stressful situations, creating a safe environment in which readers can process their own experiences while knowing we're on our way to a happy ending.Rachel's websiteThanks for listening!

Hi Everyone! Today I had the pleasure of interviewing Katie, Mazeika, author Maybe Just Ask Me! published by S&S/Beach Lane Books. Here is more about Katie:Katie Mazeika is an award-winning author and illustrator who can’t imagine a better job than making books. She loves creating stories based on real people and events. Katie is passionate about highlighting disabled voices in her work. Katie is the author/illustrator of Maybe Just Ask Me! published by Simon and Schuster/Beach Lane Books.Visit Katie's site:https://www.katiemazeika.com/Thanks for listening!

Hi Everyone! I interviewed Tonnye Fletcher, kidlit author and K-2 elementary music teacher, today. Here is more about Tonnye:Tonnye Fletcher is a K-2 music teacher, an author, an educational speaker, and an officer for her local reading council. She is the author of MUSIC PLANTS HOPE due out Spring 2026 from Reycraft Publishing.Visit Tonnye's site:tonnyefletcher.com/Thanks for listening!

Hi Everyone! My guest today was Colleen Kong-Savage, kidlit author and illustrator, and teacher. Here is more about Colleen:Colleen Kong Savage is Write-handed artist with a penchant for paper. Debut author-illustrator of PIANO WANTS TO PLAY and illustrator of Fortune Cookies for Everyone. She is also a teaching artist!Check out Colleen's website:https://ckongsavage.com/Colleen's Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/kongsavage/Thanks for listening!

Hi Everyone, Melquea Smith and I interviewed award-winning illustrator, London Ladd! Here is more about London:London Ladd is an award-winning illustrator who uses a unique mixed media approach, combining cut paper textured with acrylic paint, tissue paper, and colored pencil to bring his diverse subjects to life. London is the illustrator of such noted books as You So Black and The Gathering Table.London's site:https://www.londonladd.com/Melquea's site:https://www.prettykittypaintings.com/Nancy So Miller site:https://www.nmillerillustration.com/Thanks for listening!

Hi Everyone! Today my guest is Adriana Hernández Bergstrom, kidlit author and illustrator. She is is a Cuban-American artist and children’s book author-illustrator. She loves languages and literacy and is the author-illustrator of ABUELITA AND I MAKE FLAN (Charlesbridge, 2022), TUMBLE (Scholastic, 2023) and COUNTDOWN FOR NOCHEBUENA (Little, Brown, 2023).Visit her site:https://adriprints.com/Thanks for listening!