Go behind the scenes with a true creative master! In this episode of Picture This, host Adam Lehrhaupt interviews Gene Barretta, the acclaimed author and illustrator who brings history, science, and art to life for young readers. With a unique background in animation and film, Gene shares how he crafts stories that are not only factual but also deeply engaging and cinematic.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- How a career in animation and film influences a new approach to storytelling in picture books.
- The secret to simplifying complex historical and scientific concepts for young readers.
- How to balance creative storytelling with factual accuracy to create authentic and fun narratives.
- Practical ideas for connecting books to classroom activities, from observation exercises to writing from a new perspective.
- The importance of finding your artistic voice and inspiration in everyday life.
Featured Book:
- The Apprenticeship of Andrew Wyeth by Gene Barretta (pre-order now!)
Creative Prompts & Activities:
- Observation Game: Encourage students to observe the world around them and turn their observations into stories, inspired by Gene's approach to character and setting.
- The "What If" Story: Take a historical figure and write a narrative from the perspective of their friend, pet, or a surprising object in their life.
- Music & Story: Use musical scores from animated shorts or silent films to inspire students to write or draw a story.
Don't just read about history—experience it! Like, share, and subscribe to Picture This for more innovative ways to use picture books in the classroom.
Chapters
- 0:00 - Introduction & Welcome Gene Barretta
- 2:39 - Animation, Film, and the Creative Process
- 4:50 - Presenting Stories in a Cinematic Way
- 9:40 - Simplifying Complex History & Science
- 15:20 - Connecting Stories to Classroom Activities
- 19:16 - Balancing Research & Creative Storytelling
- 24:45 - The Apprenticeship of Andrew Wyeth
- 29:59 - Finding Your Artistic Voice
- 31:14 - Adam's Book Bag: Creative Inspirations from Film
- 33:48 - Observation & Character Development
- 36:20 - Using Music to Tell a Story
- 39:13 - Upcoming Projects & Where to Find Gene
- 40:32 - Outro
