Blamo! Good Books and Tour Fits with Mac Barnett and Shawn Harris
Jan 5, 2026
Join children's book author Mac Barnett, the ninth National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, and award-winning illustrator Shawn Harris as they share their creative journey from childhood friends to collaborators. They discuss the importance of humor in crafting books for both kids and adults, the innovative live cartoons they created during the pandemic, and how storytelling can engage families. Plus, insights on their evolving style, the reality of school visits, and their plans for the First Cat in Space series add to the fun!
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Lifelong Creative Partnership
- Mac Barnett and Shawn Harris have been friends since childhood and reconnected through high school, which shaped their creative partnership.
- They discovered early photos showing they played on the same soccer team at age seven, proving their lifelong bond.
Why Publishers Separate Creators
- Publishers often separate authors and illustrators to retain editorial control and avoid author-driven visuals.
- Mac says this practice prevents authors from directing illustrators and preserves the publisher's pairing role.
Write For Kids And Adults
- When writing for children, craft stories that engage both kids and adults to encourage shared reading.
- Aim for jokes and references that teach kids context while still rewarding adult listeners.
