On the creative journey, it's easy to get lost, but don't worry, you'll lift up.

Sometimes you just need a creative pep talk.

Hey, you're listening to the creative pep talk podcast.

I am your host, Andy J. Pizza.

Today on the show, we have legends of the picture book world.

Most of you know that my creative practice has kind of shifted over the past handful of years to be really primarily focused on kids' books.

And so it is an absolute honor privilege.

And so I was so freaking pumped to have Mac Barnett and Carson Ellis on the show.

Two of my all time favorite picture book makers, they came to on the show to talk about their new book, What is Love.

And I can tell you with all the sincerity in the world that I can't think of any picture book that hit me on an emotional level like this picture book.

The writing and the illustration is off the charts.

I am certain that this is going to be a classic hit me.

And as a gorgeous book and it was such a privilege to get the opportunity to talk to two of my creative heroes.

If you don't know these people, you need to get to know a Mac.

The amount of incredible work in kids literature that he has done as a writer is off the charts. Sam and Dave dig a hole, the wolf, the duck, and the mouse.

Leo, a ghost story.

I mean, you probably, if you have kids, you've definitely read some of his books.

Mac is such a poetic and hilarious and playful writer. Actually seeing him in John class and talk at Icon in I believe 2016 was the thing that convinced me to go all in on picture books because the artistry and humanity in which they approached their work made me think like,

it's worth like giving your life to as a career in practice.

So it was just incredible to get to connect with Mac.

And then we have Carson Ellis who has had an equal impact on me, massive influence on me creatively.

I got to see Carson talk back in 2014 at Icon.

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