- 16
- Episodes
- 8
- Ratings
- Monthly
- Cadence
- 2025
- First episode
About In the Picture
A podcast where we talk about all the “behind the scenes”, “between the lines” AND “beyond the cover” work that goes into making a picture book. I’ll be highlighting the work of illustrators, book designers, art directors and the many creatives who make picture books the visual and narrative feasts that they are.
- Publisher
- Jyoti Rajan Gopal
- Category
- arts
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 30 Jun 2025
- Latest episode
- 4 Aug 2026
Latest episodes
16 episodes in the feed.
4 Aug 2026
In the Picture with Tara Anand
In which we talk about her work in advertising, editorials and books, the role hermom played in nurturing her artistic life, how she got her agent, what role he and Barnes & Noble had in her realization that she could be a picture book illustrator, her first big project on a graphic novel, her process for illustrating MAGNIFICENT MARY, our book together, how she handles ebbs in creativity, and so much more. Show notes: To learn more about me and my work, go to jyotirajangopal.comYou can follow me on Instagram @jyotirgopal and on Blue Sky @jyotigopal.bsky.social To learn more about Tara go to taraanandart.com and follow her on Instagram @taraanandart. Books and Other Things Mentioned: My Name is Long as a River by Suma Subramaniam and Tara Anand The Lion Queen by Rina Singh and Tara Anand Fitting Indian by Jyoti Chand and Tara Anand Stolen Colors by Khusboo Patel and Tara Anand I Talk Like a River by Sydney Smith Tiger Tales by Catherine Barr and Tara Anand Tara’s Agent – Chad Beckerman, CAT Agency Tulika Books
7 Jul 2026
In The Picture with Meenal Patel
In which we talk about the confluence of graphic design and kidlit, picture books as design objects, the value of learning about project management, delving into work that comes from a personal, emotional space, the challenges of starting up a creative business, including learning about contract language,and the joy and fulfillment that comes from storytelling. To learn more about me and my work, go to jyotirajangopal.comYou can follow me on Instagram @jyotirgopal and on Blue Sky @ jyotigopal.bsky.social To learn more about Meenal go to meenalpatelstudio.com andfollow her on Instagram @meenalpatelstudio Books and resources mentioned: The Writing Barn - thewritingbarn.com Neela Goes to San Francisco by Meenal Patel Priya Dreams of Marigold and Masala by Meenal Patel Where Do Stories Live? By Meenal Patel In This Family by Shelly Anand and Meenal Patel
8 Jun 2026
In the Picture with Holly Hoover
In which we talk with the Art Director of Eerdmans Books about her creative process, the joy of acquiring picture books from abroad, her perspective on asking for illustration samples, having the humility to know when to get out of a project’s way, her advice to illustrators about their voice, and what may surprise people about her job. To learn more about me and my work, go to jyotirajangopal.com. You can follow me on Instagram @jyotirgopal and on BlueSky at jyotigopal.bsky.social To learn more about Holly’s work go to hollyhooverdesign.com Books mentioned: Wind: Discovering Air in Motion by Olga Fadeeva Water: Discovering the Precious Resource All Around Us by Olga Fadeeva I Hate Borsch by Yevgenia Nayberg Ben and the Emancipation Proclamation by Pat Sherman and Floyd Cooper Building an Orchestra of Hope by Carmen Oliver and Luisa Uribe Building a Dream, How the Boys of Koh Panyee Became Champions by Darshana Khiani. Trouble Dog by Carol A. Foote and Larry Day Counting Winter by Nancy White Carlstrom and Claudia McGehee
12 May 2026
In the Picture with Anden Wilder
In which we talk about how a book by Kate Di Camillo changedthe trajectory of her life, how her high school art teacher connected her with SCBWI and her critique group, her work process, how the MC of her next picture book, Elaine, started off as a stream of consciousness for her morning pages, how the Bologna Book Festival was an inspiration, the advice she finds herself giving over and over again to mentees, yupo paper and so much more. To learn more about me and my work, go to jyotirajangopal.com You can follow me on: Instagram @jyotirgopal Blue Sky @jyotigopal.bsky.social To learn more about Anden and her work go to andenwilder.com and follow her on Instagram @andenwilderillustration Anden’s books: Scamp (Little Brown, 2025) Tulip’s Mess (Knopf, 2025) Elaine ( Knopf coming Oct. 2026) Books mentioned: Sing a Song of Popcorn by Beatrice Schenk de Regniers The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo The Lost Christmas Gift by Andrew Beckham (Princeton Architectural Press) Women of Abstract Expressionism (YaleUniversity Press) The paper Anden uses– yupo paper. Syntheticpaper made from 100% polypropylene, known for its smooth, bright white, andnon-absorbent surface that is waterproof and durable.
5 May 2026
In the Picture with Adriana Hernández Bergstrom
In which we talk about her long and winding path to being an author illustrator, how she started off as a biological illustrator (what is that you ask? Listen to find out!) then worked on set design, how a sudden move to Germany and becoming a mom refocused her creative energies, how exactly book designing works, how teaching feeds her work, and redesigning classics. We had also had an illuminating discussion about measurements forpicture books and how the US System (derived from the older British Imperial system) and so different from what the rest of the world uses can lead to convolutedconversations with illustrators in other parts of the world! To learn more about me and my work, go to jyotirajangopal.com. You can follow me on Instagram @jyotirgopal and Blue Sky @jyotigopal.bsky.social To learn more about Adriana , follow her on Instagram@adriprints Adriana’s books: Abuelita and I Make Flan (Charlesbridge, 2022) Tumble (Scholastic, 2023) Countdown for Nochebuena (Little, Brown, 2023) She’s also the illustrator for: Boomer At Your Service by Vanessa Keel (Spork, 2019) and the upcoming Challahbaloo by Elizabeth Suneby (PJ Library, Jan 2026) Check out: The Storyteller Academy Hans My Hedgehog by the Brothers Grimm
16 Mar 2026
In the Picture with Cassandra Federman
In which we talk about how she worked as a wrestler and a mystic wood elf, the gift of an SCBWI membership, the journey to being a self-taught illustrator, revision and pagination, finding the right art style for a project, partnering with Ben Clanton, and the joy of finding her way back to her childhood love of creating stories. To learn more about me and my work, go to jyotirajangopal.com. You can follow me on Instagram @jyotirgopal and Blue Sky @jyotigopal.bsky.social To learn more about Cassandra, follow her on Instagram and Blue Sky @cassfederman Cassandra’s books: This is a Seacow (Albert Whitman & Co) This is a Seahorse (Albert Whitman & Co) Gray Squirrel Loses It (Random House) Story Spinners: A Sisterly Tale of Danger, A Princess, and her Crew of Lady Pirates. (Aladdin/ Simon and Schuster) Aquamanatee (DC) Releasing Oct 2026: Aquamanateam: More Than a Dream (DC)
18 Feb 2026
In the Picture with Joyce Wan
In which we talk about the instructor at the SVA who changed the direction of her career, how greeting cards led her to picture books, how stationary shows can reveal picture book trends, her work process, the very creative dummy she cold-mailed to Scholastic and how to shift your thinking about marketing. To learn more about me and my work, go to jyotirajangopal.com (https://www.jyotirajangopal.com/)Follow me on Instagram @jyotirgopal and Bluesky @jyotigopal.bsky.social To learn more about Joyce go to wanart.com. Follow her on Instagram @joycewanbooks Books and resources mentioned: School of Visual Design SVA National Stationary Show New York International Gift Fair Purple Cow by Seth Godin Blue Apple Books (https://blueapplebooks.com/) Latest Joyce Wan release: Lucky New Year Colors (Hippo Park | Astra Books)
10 Dec 2025
In the Picture with John Parra
In which we talk about how John was invited to illustrate his first picture book, how the doors to his creativity were thrown wide open when he began to explore his heritage, how he decides what projects to work on, how art is his language of exploration and communication, the value of having a work spacethat’s ready to go, and why a good night’s rest can spark new creativity! To learn more about me and my work, go to jyotirajangopal.com (https://www.jyotirajangopal.com/) You can follow me on Instagram, @jyotirgopal (https://www.instagram.com/jyotirgopal/?hl=en)and Bluesky, @jyotigopal.bsky.social (https://bsky.app/profile/jyotigopal.bsky.social) To learn more about John got to johnparraart.com Books mentioned: Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos (https://johnparraart.com/books/frida-kahlo-and-her-animalitos/) by Monica Brown and John Parra Growing an Artist: The Story of a Landscaper and His Son (https://johnparraart.com/books/growing-an-artist/) by John Parra This Moment is Special: A Día de Muertos Story by John Parra Viva Valenzuela by Natalie Alonso illustrated by JohnParra (coming March 2026) My Name is Gabriela by Monica Brown and John Parra Green is a Chile Pepper by Roseanne Thong and John Parra One is a Piñata by Roseanne Thong and John Parra John’s favorite paints: Golden Brand acrylics John’s publicist: PRfrom the Heart (https://prfromtheheart.com/)
4 Nov 2025
In the Picture with Gordon C. James
In which we talk about how Gordon started off as an illustrator for Hallmark, how he found his way to picture books, his approach to illustrating stories, trying chalk pastels for the first time, the power of routine in preventing creative blocks and his first love, fine art. To learn more about me and my work, go to my website (https://www.jyotirajangopal.com/). You can follow me on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/jyotirgopal/?hl=en) and Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/jyotigopal.bsky.social) To learn more about Gordon go to Gordon C James (https://www.gordoncjames.com/) andfollow him on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/gordoncjamesfineart/?hl=en)Books mentioned: Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes Go Tell it: How James Baldwin Became A Writer Just Like Jesse Owens written by Paula Young Shelton Let ‘Er Buck by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson Campy by David Adler Chapter book series Scraps of Time by Patricia McKissack Also mentioned: Clearwater Arts Center African American Children's Book Fair
23 Oct 2025
In the Picture with Stan Yan
In which we dive into Stan’s first picture book, There are Zombies in the Basement and, and why although the main character was based on his son, he drew him as a white ginger-haired kid and how he found his way to writing his first MG graphic novel, The Many Misfortunes of Eugenia Wang, which just came out this past Sept. Serendipity is a word that crops up a lot in our conversation, a reminder of how creative paths can suddenly appear in ways that we didn't plan or envision! To learn more about Stan and his work, go to Stan’s website (https://www.stanyan.me/) To learn more about me and my work, go to my website (https://www.jyotirajangopal.com/). You can follow me on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/jyotirgopal/?hl=en) and Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/jyotigopal.bsky.social) Books mentioned: Maus by Art Spiegelman Dark Night by Paul Dini and Eduardo Risso Resources: Kids Comic Unite (https://kidscomicsunite.com/)– social media networking group for kidlit and YA graphic novel creators Mascot Books (https://mascotbooks.com/publishing/?matchtype=e&network=g&device=c&keyword=mascot%20books&campaign=8692281052&adgroup=88171486780&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=8692281052&gbraid=0AAAAADvrdjPAzdfRgJePYX5BD39jl7XWf&gclid=CjwKCAjw3tzHBhBREiwAlMJoUpL1ca1eTKZmHrzJYJKuxdAJFCUcCn08jcN7KBhxPA7D-6vOYugGbxoCHPMQAvD_BwE) – the company Stan used to publish his first picture book Louise Campbell The Booking Tree (https://thebookingtree.agency/our-story-1) - Stan's booking agent
23 Oct 2025
In the Picture with Jennifer Browne
In which we talk with the Creative Director of Neal Porter Books about what kidlit publishing was like back in the 80s (typesetting without computers!), the importance of marrying text and art so it’s seamless, how she defines a successful picture book, the value of art history, the impact of book bans on publishing, and so much more. To learn more about me and my work, go to my website (https://www.jyotirajangopal.com/).You can follow me on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/jyotirgopal/?hl=en) and Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/jyotigopal.bsky.social) Books mentioned in this episode: The Walk the Mouse Girls Took by Carla Kuskin Watercress by Andrea Wang and Jason Shin I Don’t Care by Julie Fogliano, Molly Idle and Juana Martinez-Neal I Talk Like a River by Jordan Scott and Sydny Smith I Will Eat You in the End by David Duff and Marianna Coppo (Fall 2026) I Know How to Draw an Owl by Hilary Horder Hippely and Matt James
3 Sept 2025
In the Picture with Brian LaRossa
A podcast where we talk with illustrators, book designers, art directors and the many creatives who make picture books the visual and narrative feasts that they are. To learn more about me and my work, go to my website (https://www.jyotirajangopal.com/).You can follow me on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/jyotirgopal/?hl=en) and Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/jyotigopal.bsky.social) To learn more about Brian go to Brian LaRossa (https://www.brianlarossa.com/) and follow him on Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/brianlarossa.com) Podcasts mentioned: Literaticast (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/literaticast/id1261036909)- a podcast by Jennifer Laughren You May Contribute a Verse (https://app.podscribe.com/series/291539) a podcast by Brenna Jeanneret and Josh Monken We Need Diverse Books (https://www.diversebooks.org/) an organization that “supports marginalized creators, publishes inclusive stories and provides readers with books that reflect our world.” Books mentioned: Forests by Nell Cross Beckerman and Kalen Chock Braided Roots by Pasha Westbrook and Madelyn Goodnight Over in the Mangroves by Jyoti Rajan Gopal and Dikshaa Pawaskar
3 Sept 2025
In the Picture with Svabhu Kohli
A podcast where we talk with illustrators, book designers, art directors and the many creatives who make picture books the visual and narrative feasts that they are. To learn more about me and my work, go to jyotirajangopal.com and follow me on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/jyotirgopal/?hl=en) To learn more about Svabhu and their work, follow them on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/svabhukohli/). Svabhu’s books: Tales of India: Folk Tales from Bengal, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu with Viplov Singh The Incredible Whale and Other Poems written by Helen Dineen Desert Queen written by Jyoti Rajan Gopal When You See Us:The Mysterious World of Aquatic Insects by Katherine Hocker (Candlewick, March 2026)) Amche Mollem (https://sanctuarynaturefoundation.org/award/amche-mollem-campaign) – A citizen group to protect the Western Ghats
5 Jul 2025
In the Picture with Lynnor Bontigao
To learn more about me and my work, go to jyotirajangopal.com (https://www.jyotirajangopal.com/) To learn more about Lynnor and her work, visit lynnorbontigao.com (https://www.lynnorbontigao.com/) Recently released: The Lucky Day (Seashell Key #3) by Lourdes Heuer (Abrams) Lynnor’s upcoming books: Miles Ahead by Minh Le (Knopf, 2026) Gifts and Talents by Jean Reidy(Penguin, 2027) What helped her on her journey: @puddlejumpcollective on Insta Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (scbwi.org) Children’s Book Illustrators Group is a NYC based groupof illustrators and author-illustrators who create work for children’s publishing and media (cbig-nyc.blogspot.com)
30 Jun 2025
In the Picture with Dow Phumiruk
A podcast where we talk with illustrators, book designers, art directors and the many creatives who make picture books the visual and narrative feasts that they are. To learn more about me and my work, go to jyotirajangopal.com Dow's website: artbydow.blogspot.com Quiet is Strength written by Mary Ann Hess illustrated byDow (released Feb 11, 2025) Books coming soon: The Beasts Beneath the Wind, a middle gradeanthology edited by Hanna Alkaf (Abrams, released Spring 2025) Happy Songkran Day (Viking, 2026) Dow’s latest toy: Tourboxtech.com Apps that Dow uses to protect her art from AI scraping: Glaze and Nightshade
30 Jun 2025
In the Picture with Nabi Haider Ali
A podcast where we talk with illustrators, book designers, art directors and the many creatives who make picture books the visual and narrative feasts that they are. To learn more about me and my work, go to jyotirajangopal.com To visit Nabi's portfolio, go to nabihaiderali.myportfolio.com Follow Nabi on Insta @nabihaiderali Books mentioned in our conversation and illustrated by Nabi: Laxmi's Mooch by Shelly Anand All The Way to the Top by Annette Bay Pimentel Beautifully Me by Nabeela Noor We Move the World by Kari Lavelle Mango Memories by Sita Singh A Rakhi for Rakesh by Nadia Salomon Mustafa's Mithai by Sana Rafi Book Fairs mentioned: Bologna Book Fair London Book Fair
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- Apple Podcasts (US)
- 5.0 / 5
- 8 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 24 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
- Quality
- 35
- Social presence
- 0
- YouTube
- 0
- Engagement
- 32
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