First Draft Episode #314: Ben Zhu

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Ben Zhu, author, illustrator, and founder of Gallery Nucleus, talks about his debut picture book, Dessert Island.

Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode:

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
Dan Krall, illustrator for Samurai Jack
Chris Appelhans, writer and director of Netflix animated movie Wish Dragon, and illustrator of picture books Sparky! (written by Jenny Offill) and A Greyhound, a Groundhog (written by Emily Jenkins).
Dan Santat, Caldecott Award-winning author and illustrator of The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend, as well as After the Fall, Are We There Yet?, and The Guild of Geniuses, among many more.
How to Draw the Marvel Way by John Buscema and Stan Lee
Astro Boy (movie)
Dave Masters, who taught animation at Rowland High School before leaving to become head animation trainer at Warner Bros.
Chuck Jones, animator, filmmaker and voice actor, best known for his work with Warner Bros. Cartoons on the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies Shorts.
Kevin Chen, founder of Concept Design Academy
Call of Duty
Medal of Honor
Jon Klassen, Caldecott Award-winning and New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of the I Want My Hat Back series, who is back with a book he wrote and illustrated: The Rock From the Sky. Hear his First Draft interviews here and here.
Wish Dragon, written and directed by Chris Appelhans (hear his First Draft interview here)
Du Iz Tak? a Caldecott Honor book written and illustrated by Carson Ellis, who also wrote and illustrated Home and In the Half Room. Hear her First Draft interview here.
Drawing on Walls: A Keith Haring Story written by Matthew Burgess and illustrated by Josh Cochran. Matthew is a poet, picture book author, and Assistant Professor at Brooklyn College who wrote The Bear and the Moon, illustrated by Cátia Chien. Hear their First Draft interview here.
Arree Chung, award winning author and illustrator of Mixed: A Colorful Story, Ninja!, and Out!, as well as founder of Storyteller Academy.

🎙️ Enjoy this episode? Check out…

Matt de la Peña, author of seven critically acclaimed young adult novels including Mexican Whiteboy and Newbery Medal–winning author of Last Stop on Market Street talks about his newest collaboration with illustrator Christian Robinson, Milo Imagines the World.
Oliver Jeffers, visual artist, illustrator of The Day the Crayons Quit, and author and illustrator of How to Catch a Star, The Fate of Fausto, and Here We Are talks about his newest picture book, What We’ll Build.
Jill Twiss, #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo and Emmy winning comedy writer on Last Week Tonight, talks about her latest picture book, Everyone Gets a Say, with illustrator EG Keller.

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