Kids books are serious, fun business for Mac Barnett

When Mac Barnett finds time to write these days, it’s often from wherever he is, like the hotel room he answers this phone call from. 

According to Mac, his writing process would look like “absolutely nothing” to us. Pacing, snacking, jotting down notes. 

His bibliography would suggest he’s pretty good at turning nothing into some well-known books and characters. 

The author of the “Shapes” series, “The First Cat in Space” graphic novels, and “Sam & Dave Dig a Hole,” among dozens of other titles, is busy traveling these days. It’s part of his role as the Library of Congress’s National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. 

Mac is coming to Elkhart on Oct. 13 and 14 to visit Concord Community Schools and to host “Behold, the Picture Book” at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 14 at Concord Junior High. 

< < Get free tickets to “Behold, The Picture Book” here.  > >

Interrupting his hotel room writing session for a talk about children’s literature, Mac launches into a state animated enough to be one of the characters in his own works. 

“Juvenile fiction sounds like an insult,” he jokes when asked about the types of books he writes. “Middle grade sounds like a bad type of gasoline. Children’s books get so sliced and dissected into these subsets. They’re so far from the actual way kids read and talk about books.”  

He prefers to say he writes picture books and chapter books. 

“That’s what kids call them, that’s what I call them,” he says.  

Of the other labels, he says: 

“Kids don’t know what it means, neither do the families coming in (to the library).” 

Mac was appointed the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature last summer, a term lasting two years, ending in 2026.  

When the appointment came from the Librarian of Congress, it came as a total surprise to him. 

 “It was totally surreal. They said they needed to talk to me about a timely manner. It seemed very urgent,” Mac says. “For children’s books, we don’t have a ton of emergencies. I figured it would be really good news or really bad news.” 

Of his qualifications, he undersells his credentials. 

“I just spent the last 22 years of my life writing books for children,” he says. 

Mac says the ambassadorship keeps him busier and involves more travel. His visit to Elkhart is one of just five he’s making this year to communities. 

His chosen focus, the picture book, is one he is deeply passionate about. 

< < Get free tickets to “Behold, The Picture Book” here.  > >

“I think the picture book is one of our great art forms. I think it deserves a place next to the novel, poetry, plays. We should be so proud of this medium. It’s unlike any other,” he says. “Culturally, we kind of dismiss the picture book. We kind of get it wrong. I don’t think adults understand them. I don’t think they know why they’re different from other kinds of books.” 

He’s using his public visits to explain more about picture books and why they’re great for all ages, but especially for kids.  

“When I get to talk about children’s books, I get to talk about how deeply perceptive children are about their feelings and the world around them,” Mac says.  

Those coming to his Oct. 14 event can expect stories to be read, of course, but also to ask questions and hopefully leave with a better understanding of books for children, he says. 

“(Picture books) are made to be read to large groups of people,” he says. “It’s one of the most satisfying things humans can do. I hope adults leave with a deeper appreciation of this art form.” 

Story books are so important for kids in how they learn, grow and use their imagination, he says. And no matter how funny they are, the results have a serious impact. 

“Kids rely on adults to get these stories, not just buy them but to read them aloud,” Mac says. “They need us to take them seriously. And how important the work (parents) do at home, at work, at school is to getting kids these stories.” 

< < Get free tickets to “Behold, The Picture Book” here.  > >

For more information about Mac Barnett and picture books, check out his newsletter, Looking at Picture Books on Substack.