021 - Celebrating AANHPI Month with Carren Jao

024 - Picture Book Summit 2026 Agents & Edtiors

The Flintstones meet the Jetsons! It's our first-ever crossover episode! The 12 x 12 Picture Book Podcast is just one of the hats that Julie Hedlund and Kelli Panique wear. A couple other hats they wear are Picture Book Summit [https://picturebooksummit.com/] and the Picture Book Summit Podcast. Picture Book Summit is an annual online writing conference designed specifically for picture book writers and illustrators. Everything takes place online on October 3, 2026. Early Bird Registration is open through August 27, 2026. Today, we've invited their fellow PBSummit team members, Emma Walton Hamilton and Katie Davis, to the podcast to talk about our Featured Agent and Featured Editor panels. Here's what you'll discover in this episode: * What it's like to get these agents and editors together in one (Zoom) room * Tips we've learned from critique panels * Things that have surprised us in previous agent and editor panels * How use the information in these panels to decipher what's going on in the current picture book market * What a slush pile is * What an "above-the-slush-pile" opportunity is and how to get one at Picture Book Summit * Why you should care about these panels even if you already have an agent * How these panels can inform what project you work on next * Whether agents and editors like art notes * How hearing agents and editors speak helps with your market research * The importance of researching agents and editors * How attendees influence what we ask our panel members * The advantage of having 4 months of Summit replays * Exactly how the submission opportunities work in Picture Book Summit * What happens if you don't need submission opportunities right now * Whether you should send one manuscript to all the editors and agents * Listen to the Picture Book Summit Podcast about the 2026 Superstar Speakers here [https://picturebooksummit.com/podcast-2026-superstar-speaker-reveal/]. * Listen to the Picture Book Summit Podcast about the 2026 Workshops here [https://picturebooksummit.com/]. Picture Book Summit 2026 takes place online on October 3, 2026. Get your ticket to Picture Book Summit 2026 today! Save $100 with Early Bird Pricing by 8/27/26. Click here! [https://picturebooksummit.com/] If you enjoy the podcast, please like, subscribe, and review so other kidlit writers can find us! Have questions for us or ideas for future episodes? Leave us a quick voicemail here [https://picturebooksummit.com/]. Thank you for listening!

023 - Bologna Children's Book Fair

This past April, Julie went to Italy (her favorite country) to attend The Bologna Children's Book Fair for the first time in five years. It was fantastico, stupendo, bellissima! While in the land of la dolce vita, Julie roamed the Fair with microphones and talked to other kidlit creators on the scene. Have you ever wondered whether you should attend Bologna? Take a listen and find out! So much inspiration in this episode. Listen in to discover: * What the Bologna Book Fair is (and isn't) * Why Julie has attended 4 times * How to approach the Fair if you go * Opportunities at the Fair for illustrators and authors * Interview with Sarah Baker [https://sarahlynnbaker.com/About], Executive Director of SCBWI [https://scbwi.org] * SCBWI's presence and activities at the Fair * Interview with Sara Willia [https://sarawillia.art/], illustrator and 12 x 12 Podcast Producer * Plus Sara turns the tables on Julie and asks her some questions * Interview with 12 x 12 member and SCBWI volunteer Julie Blaho [https://www.julieblaho.com/] * SCBWI's brand new Italian chapter * Interview with author/illustrator Selina Alko [https://www.selinaalko.com/] * Interview with author/illustrator Vesper Stamper * Interview with comics/graphic novel agent Janna Morishima Books mentioned in this episode: * Song After Song: The Musical Life of Julie Andrews [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781499813791], by Julie Hedlund and Ilaria Urbinati * My Love For You is the Sun [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9780989668835], by Julie Hedlund and Susan Eaddy * Becca and Bubbe's Bucket List [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9798260505014], by Laura Gehl and Sarah Baker * The Ghost Train, by Ross MacKay and Sara Willia * Otherwise Known as Judy The Great [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9780316570633], by Selina Alko * A Knot is Not a Tangle [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9780593809693], by Daniel Nayeri and Vesper Stamper [https://www.vesperillustration.com/] * Pinocchio [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9780143136095], by Carlo Collodi Other things to check out: * Bologna Children's Book Fair website [https://www.bolognachildrensbookfair.com/en/home/878.html] * Kids Comics Unite [https://kidscomicsunite.com/] * SCBWI Italy [https://www.scbwi.org/regions/italy/events] * Julie's Video [https://youtu.be/M3wVa_W59b0] from her 2nd Bologna Trip Grab these books and more from the 12 x 12 Bookshop.org Podcast list here [https://bookshop.org/lists/12-x-12-picture-book-podcast-recommendations]. And check out our full list of books by 12 x 12 ANHPI members here [https://bookshop.org/lists/books-by-asian-american-native-hawaiian-and-pacific-islander-members]. If you enjoy the podcast, please like, subscribe, and review so other kidlit writers can find us! Have questions for us or ideas for future episodes? Leave us a quick voicemail here [https://www.speakpipe.com/12x12pod]. Not a member of 12 x 12 yet? Join the wait list and get a free gift. Join here. [https://juliehedlund.lpages.co/12-x-12-matthew-winner/] Thank you for listening! #kidlit #bolognabookfair #author #illustration

022 - Lee Wind: Allyship in the Age of Book Banning

Author and Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) Chief Content Officer Lee Wind [https://www.leewind.org/] has always advocated for books that help marginalized kids and teens, especially those on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum, navigate life. In this episode, he talks about his concerns, recently shared in a School Library Journal article [https://www.slj.com/story/LGBTQIA-Voices-Being-Pushed-Out-Kid-Lit], about the chilling effect the current book banning and censorship campaigns are having on queer stories. Listen in to discover: * How book banning conversations adopt the language of our opressors * Why many teachers and librarians are afraid to bring in diverse books * The national book banning bill that is making its way through Congress right now * What is happening to school and library sales and how that impacts publishing decisions * Finding your champions and keeping hope alive * How large vs. smaller publishers promote books differently * "Offering" books vs. submitting them * How to be an ally * How to get books into the hands of kids who need them * Lee's upcoming books * Overview of We Are Stronger Than Censorship [https://www.wearestrongerthancensorship.org/] (and swag!) * Why writing and reading picture books is magical * Celebrating Pride Month Books mentioned in this episode: * Banana Menorah [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781681156811] by Lee Wind and Karl West * If You Make a Call on a Banana Phone [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9780063375222] by Gideon Sterer and Emily Hughes * Red and Green and Blue and White [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781646140879] by Lee Wind and Paul O. Zelinsky * Like That Eleanor: The Amazing Power of Being an Ally [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781945369735] by Lee Wind and Kelly Mangan * No Way, They Were Gay? [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781541581623] by Lee Wind * Love Of The Half-Eaten Peach [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781478881872] by Lee Wind and Jieting Chan * Song After Song: The Musical Life of Julie Andrews [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781499813791] by Julie Hedlund and Ilaria Urbinati * And Tango Makes Three [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781481446952] by Justin Richardson & Peter Parnell and Henry Cole Grab these books and more from the 12 x 12 Bookshop.org Podcast list here [https://bookshop.org/lists/12-x-12-picture-book-podcast-recommendations]. If you enjoy the podcast, please like, subscribe, and review so other kidlit writers can find us! Thank you for listening! #kidlit #booktok #author #queerbooksforkids #lgbtqia+books #diversebooks #writingtips #ya #mg #picturebooks #pridemonth

021 - Celebrating AANHPI Month with Carren Jao

Meet Carren Jao [https://www.carrenjao.com/], one of the passionate co-leaders of the 12 x 12 Asian Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (ANHPI) Affinity Group. Ellen Lee [https://www.ellenlee.com/] was unable to join us for this conversation, but please visit her website, too. Together, these women have created a warm, welcoming, educational "community within the community" in 12 x 12. Not surprisingly, many incredible picture books have been published by members of this group. Listen in to discover: * The establishment and purpose of the 12 x 12 Affinity Groups * The evolution of the ANHPI Affinity group name and why it's important * Carren's background in the arts and journalism, and how that connects to picture book writing * How Carren and Ellen came to offer Monthly Mixers to the ANHPI Affinity Group * Learning from members about switching agents mid-career * Tips on executing "scrappy" book promotion ideas members have shared * Carren's upcoming debut picture book, The Shape of Love * Books Carren and Julie love for AANHPI month--and every month! * Fighting against book bans as a community and as individuals * What's next for Carren Books mentioned in this episode: * The Shape of Love [https://belcantobooks.myshopify.com/products/pre-shape-of-love], by Carren Jao and Corinne Caro * When A Rhino Has to Wait [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9798890034489], by Dazzle Ng and Estrela Lourenço * Take a Picture of Me, James Van Der Zee [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781620142608], by Andrea J. Loney and Keith Mallett * A Morning With Grandpa [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781643794228], by Sylvia Liu and Christina Forshay * Sparkles For Sunny [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9780593694626], by Sylvia Chen and Thai My Phuong * Bing's Cherries [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9780593902813], by Julia Kuo and Livia Blackburne * Unbreakable [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781419772894], by Minori Tonai and Jolene Gutiérrez, and Chris Sasaki * Barbed Wire Between Us [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781636551920], by Mia Wenjen and Violete Encarnación * Amah Faraway [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781547607211], by Margaret Chiu Greanias and Tracy Subisak * Shell Song [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781665938679], by Sharon Fujimoto-Johnson * The Legend of Ban-Dal [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781499817973], by Jessica Yoon and Seo Kim * Sun, Moon, and Star [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9780823459407], by Nancy So Miller * The Moon Rabbit [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781536238914], by Eva Wong Nava and Jason Chuang * Some of Us: A Story of Citizenship and The United States [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9780316571753], by Rajani LaRocca and Huy Vuon Lee * The Power of Your Name [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781454947424], by Jyoti Rajan Gopal and Olivia Sua * Finding Papa [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9780063060968], by Angela Pham Krans and Thi Bui * Another Word for Neighbor [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9780063334915], by Angela Pham Krans and Thai My Phuong * At The Window, [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781536224788] by Hope Lim and Qin Leng * The First Girl On Stage [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781949528169], by Shruthi Rao and Devika Joglekar * When Science Stood Still: How S. Chandrasekhar Predicted the Existence of Black Holes [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781665949965], by Shruthi Rao and Srinidhi Srinivasan * Gwei The Hungry Ghost [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9798217002795], by Emmeline Lee and Basia Tran Grab these books and more from the 12 x 12 Bookshop.org Podcast list here [https://bookshop.org/lists/12-x-12-picture-book-podcast-recommendations]. And check out our full list of books by 12 x 12 ANHPI members here [https://bookshop.org/lists/books-by-asian-american-native-hawaiian-and-pacific-islander-members]. If you enjoy the podcast, please like, subscribe, and review so other kidlit writers can find us! Not a member of 12 x 12 yet? Join the wait list and get a free gift. Join here. [https://juliehedlund.lpages.co/12-x-12-matthew-winner/] Thank you for listening! #kidlit #booktok #author #AANHPImonth

020 - Heidi E.Y. Stemple Loves Backmatter

Award-winning children's author Heidi E.Y. Stemple [https://www.heidieystemple.com/] joins co-hosts Julie and Kelli to celebrate her latest picture book releases and to talk about why backmatter is so important for picture books (and when it's not). Listen in to discover: * How Heidi got to 50 published books (and counting) * The pressure and privilege of being Jane Yolen's daughter * Why Heidi got a tattoo of her mother's signature on her right wrist * The definition of picture book backmatter (and frontmatter, and marginalia) * Why backmatter should provide an entry back into the book or an exit out * The do's and don'ts of crafting backmatter * When additional information should go on your website or in a teacher's guide * Examples of backmatter from several of Heidi and her mom's books * How to decide if your book needs backmatter * Why you want your backmatter to match the target age, tone, and style of your book * Whether you should write the backmatter upfront or simply give possible ideas Books mentioned in this episode: * Lydia Loves Bugs: [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781641708456] A Children's Book About Insects by Heidi E.Y. Stemple and Yulia Pankratova * The Poetry of Car Mechanics [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781662660214] by Heidi E.Y. Stemple * Zoey Zoombeck, Superhero [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781681157153] by Heidi E.Y. Stemple and Alexandra Colombo * Janie Writes a Play: Jane Yolen's First Great Story [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781623543273] by Heidi E.Y. Stemple and Madelyn Goodnight * She Sells Seashells: Mary Anning, an Unlikely Paleontologist [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781623543280] by Heidi E.Y. Stemple and Emily Paik * You Nest Here With Me [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781684373710] by Jane Yolen & Heidi E.Y. Stemple and Melissa Sweet * Greyling by Jane Yolen and David Ray * E. Norm Moose [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781939017437] by Heidi E.Y. Stemple and Annie Gregoire * A Kite for Moon [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9780310756422] by Jane Yolen & Heidi E.Y. Stemple and Matt Phelan * How To Get Your Octopus to School [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9780593205228] by Becky Scharnhorst and Jaclyn Sinquette * Over, Bear! Under, Where? [https://www.amazon.com/Over-Under-Where-Julie-Hedlund/dp/0593203550] by Julie Hedlund and Michael Slack * Yuck, You Suck! [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781728415666] Poems About Animals That Sip, Slurp, Suck by Jane Yolen & Heidi E.Y. Stemple and Eugenia Nobati * Eek, You Reek! [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9798348056094] Poems About Animals That Stink, Stank, Stunk by Jane Yolen & Heidi E.Y. Stemple and Eugenia Nobati * La Princesa and The Pea [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9780399251566] by Susan Middleton Elya and Juana Martinez Neal * Butt or Face [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781728271170] by Kari Lavelle Grab these books and more from the 12 x 12 Bookshop.org Podcast list here [https://bookshop.org/lists/12-x-12-picture-book-podcast-recommendations]. Listeners who want more from Heidi on Backmatter can get 25% off her webinar, Backmatter Matters at 12x12challenge.com/heidi. [https://12x12challenge.com/heidi] If you enjoy the podcast, please like, subscribe, and review so other kidlit writers can find us! Thank you for listening!