Candlewick Press Presents

From his childhood in Senegal to his career in the NBA, Tacko Fall’s inspiring story of practice, persistence, and hard work will motivate young readers to overcome obstacles and aim high—and higher still.Listen in as he shares his story with Dr. Sonja Cherry-Paul, New York Times best-selling author and founder ofRed Clay Educators.

Janet Costa Bates, author of Time for Bed, Old House and Rica Baptista: Llamas, Iguanas, and My Very Best Friend, talks to Candlewick Press about her childhood reading experiences, her “quilting” writing method, and her path to publication.

Episode Show Notes:

• Lee and Low interviews Janet.
• Janet talks to Sonja Cherry-Paul on The Black Creators Series podcast.
• Learn more about Janet at janetcostabates.com.

Chris Van Dusen, illustrator of the Mercy Watson books and author-illustrator of Hattie & Hudson, The Circus Ship, Randy Riley’s Really Big Hit, and Big Truck, Little Island, talks to Candlewick Press about his childhood, his work for children’s media giants like Nickelodeon, and his art outside of the world of kid lit.

Episode show notes and cited sources:

• Chris talks about his childhood in this interview with Reading Rockets.
• Portland Press Herald offers a deeper dive into Chris’s life.
• Chris discusses his early career in illustration in this interview with L.L.Bean.
• Chris talks about his work for Nickelodeon and Disney magazines.
• Learn more about Chris at chrisvandusen.com.

• Flavia talks to The Illustration Department podcast about her PhD work on picture books and horror.
• Flavia talks to The Children’s Book Podcast about her love of monsters.
• Flavia shares the story of her life on her YouTube channel.
• Visit flaviazdrago.com to learn more about Flavia Z. Drago.

Flavia Z. Drago, author-illustrator of Gustavo, the Shy Ghost, Leila, the Perfect Witch, Monsters Play... Counting!, and Monsters Play... Peekaboo! talks to Candlewick Press about her childhood, what it means to have the support of her family, and her love of monsters and spooky things.

• Lindsay talks to the Cracking the Cover blog about her childhood.
• Lindsay talks to the Literary Rambles blog about the fairy tale retellings, plays, and ballets that she wrote when she was a child.
• Lindsay shares her publication journey on The Story of the Book, a podcast hosted by Lindsay and author Hayley Chewins.

Lindsay Eagar, author of The Patron Thief of Bread, Hour of the Bees, Race to the Bottom of the Sea, and The Bigfoot Files, talks to Candlewick Press about her childhood and family, fairy tales, and bread.

• Eugene talks to Publishers Weekly about his childhood memories.
• Elizabeth Bicknell and Eugene Yelchin Discuss Revising a Manuscript for Young Readers.
• In this Q&A with Publishers Weekly, Eugene talks about risking his life for books.
• On his website, Eugene talks about his personal and professional history.
• Eugene talks about feeling emotionally and psychologically guarded after his move to the United States in this interview with the International Literacy Association.

Eugene Yelchin, author of The Genius Under the Table (Sydney Taylor Honor Winner) and coauthor of The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge, talks to Candlewick Press about his childhood in the former Soviet Union, his art, banned books, and more.

Eugene Yelchin, author of The Genius Under the Table (Sydney Taylor Honor Winner) and coauthor of The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge, talks to Candlewick Press about his childhood in the former Soviet Union, his art, banned books, and more.