• Vetting Your New Ideas ☎️ Answering Listener Questions
    Jul 26 2025

    💬 Submit questions: https://StudioJJK.com/podcasts🛒 Support the show: https://StudioJJK.com/shop

    In this episode, I delve into the world of creative coincidences. From the unexpected overlap of themes in children's books to my own tough luck with releasing works with similar themes to competing projects. I share personal anecdotes that highlight the serendipitous nature of creativity.

    Show More Show Less
    7 mins
  • 📘🐉 Grace Lin's Origin Story
    Jul 19 2025

    💬 Submit questions: https://StudioJJK.com/podcasts🛒 Support the show: https://StudioJJK.com/shop 📕 Support Grace: https://bookshop.org/lists/grace-linCelebrated, multi-award winning author/illustrator Grace Lin shares her journey from childhood to becoming an icon of children's literature! Grace discusses the impact of her upbringing, the challenges of navigating cultural identity, and the importance of representation in literature. Grace reflects on her art school experience at Rhode Island School of Design, the significance of awards, and the courage to embrace her creative voice after personal loss. Throughout the discussion, she emphasizes the value of community and hard work in achieving success in the creative field.Follow along this journey to get insight into my career as an author and illustrator of books for young readers. I am the creator of the LUNCH LADY graphic novels and won a few awards for my graphic memoir HEY, KIDDO.▬ Contents of this video ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬02:52 The Role of Art and Storytelling in Coping05:47 Early Writing Experiences and Influences08:44 Navigating Parental Expectations and Cultural Identity11:59 Art School Journey and Challenges14:46 The Breakthrough with 'The Ugly Vegetables'17:36 Transitioning to Longer Works and Recognition24:24 Navigating Cultural Representation27:26 Embracing Personal Narratives30:25 The Impact of Awards and Recognition35:11 The Pressure of Expectations40:14 The Importance of Promotion and Community👨🏻‍💻Learn more about JJK and his books:https://studiojjk.com🗯Request information on JJK's keynotes and assemblies for schools, libraries, and institutions:https://studiojjk.com/keynotes🍎Download free resources for your classroom:https://studiojjk.com/freeresources✏️✏️✏️✏️✏️​​​​​​​​​​​​Jarrett J. Krosoczka, known since boyhood as "JJK," is the New York Times bestselling author/illustrator behind more than forty books for young readers, including his wildly popular Lunch Lady graphic novels, select volumes of the Star Wars™: Jedi Academy series, and Hey, Kiddo, which was a National Book Award Finalist. Krosoczka creates books with humor, heart, and deep respect for his young readers—qualities that have made his titles perennial favorites on the bookshelves of homes, libraries, and bookstores over the past twenty years. In addition to his work in print, Krosoczka produced, directed, and performed in the full-cast audiobook adaptations of his graphic novels. The Hey, Kidoo audiobook garnered both Audie and Odyssey Awards for excellence in audiobook production. The Lunch Lady audiobook cast is led by Kate Flannery (The Office) and is rounded out by famed audiobook narrators and real kid actors! Krosoczka has been a guest on NPR's Fresh Air with Terry Gross, has been profiled in The New York Times, was featured on Good Morning America, and has delivered three TED Talks, which have accrued millions of views online. Krosoczka has garnered millions of more views online via the tutorials he has produced for YouTube and TikTok. As well as working on his books' film and television adaptions, Krosoczka has also written for The Snoopy Show (Apple TV+) and served as a consultant for Creative Galaxy (Prime Video), and appeared in live segments for the show.Realizing that his books can inspire young readers beyond the page, Krosoczka founded School Lunch Hero Day, a national campaign celebrating school lunch staff. A consummate advocate for arts education, Krosoczka also established the Joseph and Shirley Krosoczka Memorial Youth Scholarships, which fund art classes for underprivileged children in his hometown of Worcester, Massachusetts.Krosoczka lives in western Massachusetts with his spouse, their three children, pugs Ralph and Frank, and a French bulldog named Bella Carmella.

    Show More Show Less
    47 mins
  • ☎️ Will I be able to move beyond family disfunction?
    Jul 12 2025

    How do you move beyond a difficult childhood?💬 Submit questions: https://StudioJJK.com/podcasts🛒 Support the show: https://StudioJJK.com/shopFollow along this journey to get insight into my career as an author and illustrator of books for young readers. I am the creator of the LUNCH LADY graphic novels and won a few awards for my graphic memoir HEY, KIDDO.

    Show More Show Less
    6 mins
  • 🚂 🔔 Chris van Allsburg's Origin Story
    Jul 5 2025

    💬 Submit questions: StudioJJK.com/podcasts

    🛒 Support the show: StudioJJK.com/shop

    Chris Van Allsburg is an award-winning picture book author and illustrator best known for beloved classics like The Polar Express, Jumanji, and The Garden of Abdul Gasazi. His imaginative storytelling and distinctive illustrations have earned him two Caldecott Medals and status of icon in children's literature. This interview is from 2013.

    Show More Show Less
    9 mins
  • Will I ever be a confident artist? 🎙️ Origin Stories with JJK Solo Episode
    Jun 28 2025

    💬 Submit questions: https://StudioJJK.com/podcasts🛒 Support the show: https://StudioJJK.com/shop

    Answering listener questions about being an author, illustrator, and a creative professional.

    Show More Show Less
    4 mins
  • 🦸🏿 Jamar Nicholas's Origin Story
    Jun 21 2025

    💬 Submit questions: https://StudioJJK.com/podcasts

    🛒 Support the show: https://StudioJJK.com/shop

    📕 Support Jamar: https://bookshop.org/lists/jamar-nicholas


    In this episode of the Origin Stories podcast, graphic novelist Jamar Nicholas shares his journey from a vibrant childhood in Philadelphia to his aspirations of becoming a cartoonist. He reflects on the influences of his family, particularly his mother, and the challenges he faced in high school and art school. Jamar discusses the importance of resilience, the impact of his peers, and the reality of dropping out of college while still pursuing his passion for art. His story is one of determination, creativity, and the pursuit of dreams against the odds. Jamar and Jarrett explore the complexities of the creative journey, discussing the importance of overcoming doubt, the role of self-motivation, and the significance of mentorship.

    Show More Show Less
    59 mins
  • The Perils of Professional Jealousy 🎙️ JJK Solo Episode
    May 7 2025

    Trying out a new thing -- solo episodes in-between eps with guests. Let me know what you think? What would you like to know? Submit your questions to me via StudioJJK.com/podcasts

    Show More Show Less
    9 mins
  • 💬📚 Scholastic Graphix: Raina Telgemeier, Scott McCloud, Gale Galligan, and Jamar Nicholas!
    Nov 10 2024

    📚 Use code PODCAST to receive 10% off at StudioJJK.com/shop


    As I gear up for new interviews, enjoy the audio from this panel that I moderated for Scholastic Graphix featuring Raina Telgemeier, Scott McCloud, Gale Galligan, and Jamar Nicholas!


    📚 Use code PODCAST to receive 10% off at StudioJJK.com/shop

    Show More Show Less
    31 mins