Here at Read-Aloud Revival, we’re in the thick of getting a huge project together for you. We are launching our own publishing imprint, Waxwing Books.

Our first release is a picture book, written by me, and illustrated by none other than the gorgeously talented artist, Breezy Brookshire.

It’s calledA Little More Beautiful: The Story of a Garden. August 10th is the big day. That’s the day you’ll be able to pre-order the book on Kickstarter and get some pre-order exclusives, like a brand new book bag and some other goodies.

Make sure you’re on our email list so you don’t miss it!

While we get those pre-orders ready for you, we’re revisiting some Special Edition podcasts. These are my all-time favorites.

This one is fabulous to listen to as a family, so if you happen to be road tripping together, play it in the car. Enjoy!

Meet Robert McCloskey

In today’s Special Edition of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast, you’ll meet the man behind Make Way for Ducklings. Robert McCloskey was the first to win two Caldecott Awards, and his books are arguably among the most celebrated picture books of all time.

His most popular picture book wouldn’t stay on the page, either. His ducks became permanent sculptures fixed in Boston Public Garden, and even made a way for international diplomacy as part of the START Treaty between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. in 1991.

A picture book is a powerful piece of art.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• what it was like having Robert McCloskey for a Dad
• one of the hardest parts of his life as a successful artist
• what his picture books gave the world

Think you love Make Way for Ducklings? Just wait till you meet the man who wrote them onto the page.

Listener Guide

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

Links from this episode:

• The biography about Robert McCloskey by Gary D. Schmidt
• Weston Woods video about Robert McCloskey (20 min)
• Robert McCloskey: A Private Life in Words and Pictures by Jane McCloskey
• The website of Nancy Schön, sculptor
• Make Way for Nancy, by Nancy Schön
• Ducks on Parade! edited by Nancy Schön

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