I ‘m willing to bet that you are familiar with Gail Gibbons’s work. Not only is she incredibly prolific, she is just one of those authors who becomes our go-to when it comes to learning with our kids. 

Gail Gibbons is the author of more than 170 books for kids. Primarily a non-fiction author, her signature style includes engaging illustrations and carefully researched topics.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

  • why Gail loves making non-fiction for kids
  • how she manages to fit such big topics between just 29 pages of a children’s book
  • Gail’s newest book (out today!) which she is especially passionate about!

Click the play button below:

Listener Guide

Use the time stamps below to skip to any part of the podcast:

  • 1:58 Meet Gail Gibbons
  • 4:29 Creating non-fiction
  • 7:45 Choosing topics
  • 17:19 Fitting BIG topics into 29 pages
  • 22:03 Gail’s newest book
  • 24:04 Gail’s influences as a child
  • 25:47 What’s next
  • 27:12 Let the kids speak

Quotes to remember:

“When I started researching children’s books, I noticed non-fiction was pretty darn boring. It was black and white stick figures or photo essays. I went to a publisher and I pulled out slides from my television background and she said, ‘Can you match up your art work with non-fiction?’ and I said, ‘Why not?’”

I have to do research and just let my head do some work on it, sort of on a subconscious level …”

As a kid I was curious about stuff all the time and I thought it was sort of funny when I did Clocks and How They Go, because I remember as a kid I took a clock a part because I wanted to see how it worked …”

Books by Gail Gibbons:

(All links are affiliate links.)

The Pumpkin Book
From Seed to Plant
Clocks and how they go
Zoo
Gorillas
Flowers
The Moon Book (Avenues)
Stargazers
Bats
Tornadoes!
Frogs
The Reasons for Seasons
Monarch Butterfly
The Honey Makers
Weather Words and What They Mean
Owls
The Fruits We Eat
Sharks
Tool Book
Fire! Fire!
Hurricanes!
Galaxies, Galaxies!: Second Edition
Cowboys and Cowgirls: YippeeYay!
The Post Office Book: Mail and How It Moves

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