Picture This…

Adam Lehrhaupt
  • 5.0 (4)
  • BOOKS

The Picture This podcast explores innovative ways to use picture books in classrooms and libraries, going beyond just teaching students to read. Each episode offers creative ideas, expert insights, and practical tips to help educators and librarians engage young minds with the power of storytelling.

  1. 12/23/2025

    Shaping the Future - The Picture This 2025 Retrospective

    In this episode of Picture This, Adam Lehrhaupt engages listeners in a reflective conversation about the podcast's past episodes, guest contributions, and the importance of listener feedback. He emphasizes the need for audience input to shape future content, aiming to create episodes that address real challenges faced by educators. Adam invites listeners to share their thoughts on what they want more of, whether it's quick activity ideas, author interviews, or behind-the-scenes stories, all while maintaining a light-hearted and engaging tone. Takeaways Listener feedback is crucial for shaping future episodes.The podcast has featured 22 interviews with various educational professionals.Topics covered include STEM projects, anxiety, grief, and classroom activities.Adam seeks to know which episodes resonated most with listeners.He is open to experimenting with the format of the show.Listeners are encouraged to share their ideas and suggestions.The goal is to help educators teach with more joy and less stress.Future episodes may include more interviews and ways to bring picture books to life. Sound bites "I want to experiment with the show." "Tell me what you want me to make." "Happy reading." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Overview of the Podcast 02:42 Reflecting on Past Episodes and Guest Contributions 05:14 Seeking Listener Feedback and Future Directions Contact Adam: Visit AdamL.Rocks

    6 min

  2. 12/16/2025

    The Art of Beautiful Flaws (A Knot Is Not a Tangle): It's a Feature, Not a Bug

    Episode Summary: The Art of Beautiful Flaws In this historic first for the Picture This podcast, host Adam Lehrhaupt sits down with both the author and the illustrator of the spectacular new picture book, A Knot Is Not a Tangle—National Book Award finalist Daniel Nayeri and acclaimed author/illustrator Vesper Stamper! Dive deep into a truly collaborative creative process, from the first spark of the idea to the final watercolor brushstroke. Daniel and Vesper share their passion for research (from ancient Persian rugs to natural dying techniques) and offer profound insights for educators on navigating perfectionism, accepting mistakes, and fostering a love for the process of creation in the classroom. ✨ What Teachers & Librarians Will Learn: The Persian Flaw: Discover the ancient practice in rug weaving that intentionally introduces a single, beautiful imperfection and why this concept is a powerful tool for teaching Social-Emotional Learning (SEL). *Creative Resilience: Hear Vesper’s methods for mentoring art students who are facing "predisappointment" and Daniel’s thoughts on why perfectionism can lead to creative paralysis.Beyond the Blurb: A candid discussion on book reviews, what reviewers often miss (especially the exquisite illustration details!), and how to handle creative feedback.The Joy of Craft: Why traditional mediums like watercolor are punk rock and why connecting with the tactile, slow process of creation is essential for both students and master artists.🔑 Key Topics & Discussion Points (Time Stamps): 01:37: The rarity of the Author-Illustrator collaboration (and why this one was A1 on the list!)03:54: Vesper’s deep research process: tiles, patterns, and the Iranian countryside.07:55: Why writers and illustrators hate (and love) reading book reviews.11:50: Understanding Knot Density and the theological meaning of the Persian Flaw.25:32: Classroom Activity: The power of shared creation and collaborative breaking (Kintsugi).32:35: Why focusing solely on "self-expression" can cause anxiety in young artists.41:59: Daniel's Story Spark: The wisdom of the Italian fable Glowrush.48:11: Vesper’s slow-burn process: Why the sketchbook is the key to tending the fire of creativity.54:36: Adam’s Brilliant Classroom Activity: Using the game Tsuro to create a collaborative (and imperfect!) class rug design.📚 Featured Book & Guests The Book: A Knot Is Not a Tangle by Daniel Nayeri (Author) and Vesper Stamper (Illustrator)Daniel Nayeri: [Daniel Nayeri’s Website] | [Daniel's Instagram]Vesper Stamper: [Vesper Stamper’s Website] | [Vesper's Instagram] | [Vesper's Substack]🔗 Connect with Adam Lehrhaupt Website: adamlehrhaupt.comInstagram: @Lehrhaupt

    59 min

  3. 12/02/2025

    Beyond the Book: How Multimedia is Sparking the Next Generation of Readers w/ Guest Blake Hamilton

    Unlock creativity and engagement in children's literature! 📚 In this episode of Picture This, host Adam Lehrhaupt chats with filmmaker and creative writer Blake Hamilton, the co-creator of All the Wonders, a project dedicated to celebrating children's books through dynamic multimedia content and fun projects. Learn why standard storytelling often falls short and how Blake and Adam are pioneering new ways to capture young imaginations. They dive deep into the challenges of marketing children's books, the surprising role of music in inspiring young writers, and practical ways teachers can use technology to deepen students' understanding of literature. What You Will Learn: The origin of the All the Wonders project and its mission.Why a multimedia approach is essential for modern education.Actionable strategies for encouraging creativity in the classroom.Insights into bringing a sense of wonder and awe back into stories.Connect with us: Find Blake's project and explore more content: All the Wonders Website: allthewonders.comSee what host Adam Lehrhaupt is up to: Adam Lehrhaupt's Website and links: AdamL.RocksInstagram: @Lehrhaupt Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Creative Collaboration  01:56 The Birth of All the Wonders  04:46 Creating Multimedia Content for Children's Literature  10:36 Exploring Underrated Children's Books  16:17 The Future of All the Wonders  20:23 Encouraging Creativity in Education  38:03 Creativity Through Music and Storytelling Keywords: children's literature, multimedia content, creative writing, education, storytelling, children's books, All the Wonders, creativity, teaching, engagement.

    37 min

  4. 11/25/2025

    Art is Resistance: Illustrating Identity & Culture with Rahele Jomepour-Bell

    What happens when an object like a book becomes part of your identity? 📚 Adam Lehrhaupt sits down with award-winning author/illustrator Rahele Jomepour-Bell (Books Big Adventure), an assistant professor at the Kansas City Art Institute, to explore the profound role of art and culture in children's literature. Rahele shares her powerful personal journey—from growing up in Iran during wartime to finding solace in books and color—and how that shapes her breathtaking, detail-rich illustrations today. This episode is a must-listen for educators seeking to foster diversity, creativity, and visual literacy in the classroom. 💡 Key Takeaways & Classroom Tips The Power of Object: Why books, textiles, and everyday objects can become integral to a child's cultural identity.Visual Literacy: How illustrators can visually demonstrate concepts like motion and sound in a way authors can't (great for classroom activity ideas!).Diversity as a Conscious Choice: The importance of making deliberate decisions to include marginalized voices and perspectives in your work and reading lists.School Visit Programs: How illustrators can use a simple shape or concept to create unforgettable, engaging presentations for all grade levels.Creative Inspiration: Bringing the detailed beauty of Persian rugs and other cultural touchstones into storytelling.⏰ Episode Chapters 00:01:03 | The Creative Process behind Books Big Adventure00:04:40 | What Libraries Do with Old Books (The Red Truck Inspiration)00:10:06 | Classroom Activity: Taking a Book on an Adventure00:12:54 | Finding Art and Identity in Iran (Growing Up with Limited Color)00:16:14 | School Visit Ideas for Illustrators (Visual Literacy)00:22:15 | Creating a Thumbnail Sketch for Your Presentation00:28:19 | Expressing Yourself Through Cultural Books00:33:09 | Diversity is a Choice: Being Conscious in Creating and Reading00:39:15 | Upcoming Project: The Sweetest Lemon🌟 Connect & Resources Want to work with Rahele or explore her beautiful art? Find Rahele Jomepour-Bell's Art: Follow her on Instagram and website! (Instagram @Rahele_studio, website rahelestudio.com)Book Adam Lehrhaupt: Learn more about author visits at AdamL.Rocks 👈New Book Alert: Look out for Rahele's new book, The Sweetest Lemon, coming next year!Keep reading, keep creating, and keep resisting!

    41 min

  5. 11/18/2025

    Connect Authors to Your Classroom: The Ultimate Guide to Engaging Curriculum & Author Visits w/Guest Stephanie Fitzpatrick

    Are your author visit resources working as hard as you are? 😅 Adam Lehrhaupt sits down with former assistant principal and founder of The Book Links, Stephanie Fitzpatrick, to discuss the vital link between authors and educators. Stephanie shares her expert approach to creating curriculum guides that are not only accessible but genuinely energize students and turn a single book into a year's worth of lessons! If you're an author who needs to create more value for schools, or a teacher looking for engaging, ready-to-use resources, this episode is a blueprint for success. 💡 Key Takeaways & Classroom Tips Maximize Your Books: The importance of revisiting one book throughout the year for different lessons ("I can keep coming back to it.").Interactive Learning: How to integrate movement and technology (like Google Slides) to boost student retention and engagement.Author of the Month: Stephanie’s successful program for boosting student reading engagement.Curriculum Design: The essential elements that make a resource actually useful and accessible for teachers.Reluctant Readers: Creating resources that are specifically designed to excite and engage the most reluctant students.⏰ Episode Chapters 00:03:22 | Connecting Authors and Educators (The Author of the Month Program)00:11:09 | Creating Engaging Curriculum Resources00:17:55 | Utilizing Technology in Education (Google Slides, etc.)00:23:36 | Interactive Learning and Integrating Movement00:30:44 | Story Sparks and Creative Engagement🌟 Connect & Resources Want to work with Stephanie to create stunning resources for your book, or find resources for your next lesson? Stephanie Fitzpatrick's Company (The Book Links): Learn about curriculum design and collaboration here! (TheBookLinksLLC.com)Adam Lehrhaupt's School Visit Info: Book an engaging author visit at AdamL.Rocks 👈Free Downloads: Check Adam and Stephanie's sites for downloadable activity guides based on this episode!Keep reading, keep teaching, and keep collaborating!

    32 min

  6. 11/11/2025

    The Power of an Idea: How Paul Czajak Started Writing (and You Can Too)

    Paul Czajak on Picture Books, Creative Prompts, and the Magic of Revision | Picture This Podcast Join host Adam Lehrhaupt as he welcomes his good friend, author Paul Czajak, known for beloved books like the Monster and Me series and Trees Make Perfect Pets. Paul shares his incredibly unique journey from a decades-long career as a chemist to a passionate children's author, driven by a desire to make readers laugh and root for the underdog. In this insightful episode, Paul and Adam dive deep into the creative process, emphasizing why the first draft is rarely good and why revision is where the magic truly happens (with one story taking seven years to perfect!). Key Takeaways & Writing Sparks You'll Love: The Power of Guardrails: How strict word counts and clear constraints can actually free up a student’s (or author's) creativity.Monster Prompts: Paul shares his go-to writing prompt for school visits "Monster needs to bake" and how it guides kids to explore conflict and resolution.Growing a Book Tree: A fantastic idea for turning student stories into a visual, growing classroom project.Brand New Sentences: A simple, powerful exercise that proves to kids they can create something brand new that no one has ever heard before.Music as Inspiration: Discover which song line inspired Paul's published book, A Peculiar Haunted House, and how to flip a story's perspective for a better result.Picture Book Deep Dive: Paul highlights his favorite picture book for demonstrating how rules (like meter in rhyme) can be broken with purpose.Whether you're a writer looking for revision motivation, or an educator seeking innovative ways to inspire young storytellers, this episode is packed with practical advice and heartfelt conversation. Find Paul Csajak: Website: PaulCzajak.com (Link: https://www.paulczajak.com/)Instagram: @PaulCzajak (Link: https://www.instagram.com/paulczajak)Find Adam Lehrhaupt: Website: AdamL.rocks (Link: https://www.adaml.rocks/)(Don't forget to check the activity guides on Adam's website for writing exercises inspired by this episode!) Chapters 0:00 Introduction to Paul Czajak & The "Monster Needs to Bake" Writing Prompt 1:02 From Chemist to Children's Author: Paul's Unique Path to Picture Books  2:22 Finding the Creative Spark & Why You Have to Start Writing  3:43 The Power of "Just Write It Down" and The First Story  5:01 Idea vs. Story: Using Fears and Worries as a Writing Prompt  6:59 The Importance of Creative Guardrails (Word Count & Constraints)  10:02 Overcoming Writer's Block: Just Get the Hand Moving  11:35 The Magic of Revision: Five Minutes a Day  13:29 7 Years of Revision: The Long Road to a Published Book  16:17 The Book Tree and Inspiring Creative Projects  17:49 Detailed Breakdown of the "Monster Needs to Bake" Prompt  20:57 Activity 2: "What Do You See?" (Creating Brand New Sentences)  22:49 Activity 3: Illustrating the Text (Understanding the Artist's Process)  24:25 Adam's Book Bag: Paul's Favorite Book for Analyzing Rhyme and Meter  26:49 Story Sparks: Using Music for Creative Inspiration  30:53 Kill Your Darlings: How to Flip a Story's Perspective  32:23 Wrap Up & Where to Find Paul Czajak

    34 min

  7. 11/04/2025

    Create Characters That Make Kids Laugh w/Guest Timothy Young

    Children's author and illustrator Timothy Young is more than just a writer—he's a former animator and toy designer! Join us as Timothy shares his unexpected journey to picture books and reveals his process for creating characters with heart and humor. In this episode, you'll learn: The secret to developing memorable characters (often from personal experiences!)Why humor and lighthearted parody are essential to engaging kids.How to make your school visits transform you into a "rock star."Timothy's best tricks for overcoming creative blocks.Don't miss this inspiring chat on finding inspiration in the everyday and the importance of balancing fun with meaning. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Timothy Young 03:05 The Journey to Becoming an Author 05:51 Character Creation Process 08:53 Finding Inspiration for Stories 11:52 Balancing Humor and Meaning 14:54 Engaging School Audiences 17:52 Effective School Visits and Presentations 20:38 Favorite Books and Story Sparks 24:00 Creative Blocks and Jumpstarting Ideas

    27 min

  8. 10/28/2025

    'Life's Full of Jerks' & Other School Visit Secrets from Author Bob Shea

    Want to make your next classroom lesson, author visit or read-aloud hilarious and heartfelt? 😂 Adam Lehrhaupt sits down with celebrated author/illustrator Bob Shea (Who Wet My Pants?, Dinosaur vs. series) to talk about how he uses humor, character flaws, and big emotions to connect with students. This is a masterclass in making school visits authentic, engaging, and all about the kids! In this episode, Bob shares his creative process, from the inspiration behind his funniest books to his philosophy on collaboration and embracing playfulness to overcome creative blocks. 📚 What You'll Learn (Classroom & Author Tips) The secret behind engaging kids: Making school visits about the students, not the author.Why addressing big emotions and character flaws ("Life's full of jerks") is essential for relatable literature.The unexpected way a good illustrator collaboration can enhance your story.Creative activity: Embracing playfulness and different formats to overcome writer's block.Understanding the role of humor and character development in his popular books.⏰ Episode Chapters 00:01:23 | The Inspiration Behind Who Wet My Pants?00:02:33 | Choosing Illustrators: Collaboration in Children's Books00:08:28 | Making School Visits About the Kids00:12:47 | Writing Across Different Formats (Picture Books to Chapter Books)00:17:35 | Exploring Big Emotions in Children's Literature00:26:05 | Creative Activities for Young Illustrators00:30:17 | Overcoming Creative Blocks and Finding Inspiration🌟 Connect & Book a Visit Want to bring an engaging, hilarious author to your school? Bob Shea and Adam Lehrhaupt are available for school visits! Book an Author Visit with Adam: Learn more about author presentations for your students at AdamL.Rocks 👈Find Bob Shea's Books, Visits and More: Visit bobshea.comFollow Bob Shea: Check out his creative posts on Instagram at @bobsheaKeep reading, keep laughing, and keep making things about the kids!

    34 min
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About

The Picture This podcast explores innovative ways to use picture books in classrooms and libraries, going beyond just teaching students to read. Each episode offers creative ideas, expert insights, and practical tips to help educators and librarians engage young minds with the power of storytelling.

Information

  • Creator
    Adam Lehrhaupt
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Picture This…
  • Show Website
    Picture This…