Episode 23: Staying relevent! And bestsellers!
On this episode, Grace and Alvina recount the Caldecott Banquet, reliving the fun celebration!
All dressed up at the Caldecott Banquet with Grace’s daughter striking a pose.
Then, they talk about how to stay relevent in the children's book industry—discussing the growing field of graphic novels and how Grace hopes to create a WHERE THE MOUNTAIN MEETS THE MOON graphic novel in the future, worrying about being out of touch, podcasting. They also talk about when books might need to be changed books with the times, touching upon how Brian Floca recently updated his book MOONSHOT, perhaps because of a reader call-out.
The changes in Moonshot, as according to this article.
They also remember the first time one of their books hit the New York Times bestseller list— how Grace’s books have never been in Target and how the book Alvina edited Wabi Sabi took some time before it hit the bookseller list. They share what they're grateful for—Grace for her show at Simmons University and for the students and Michelson gallery for hanging it and Alvina for Celebrate Brooklyn and end with a shameless self-promotional shout-outs to Bear Came Along by Richard T. Morris, illustrated by LeUyen Pham and A Big Bed for Little Snow by Grace Lin.
Books mentioned on this episode:
