Crafting Stories: Picture Books vs. Chapter Books & Writing Lessons with Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen

12/08/2025 32 min
Crafting Stories: Picture Books vs. Chapter Books & Writing Lessons with Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen

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Episode Synopsis

Join Adam Lehrhaupt on Picture This as he sits down with award-winning author Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen to explore the magic and craft behind creating captivating stories for young readers!In this illuminating conversation, Sudipta shares her unique insights from years of writing and connecting with students. We dive into:* **Picture Books vs. Chapter Books:** The fundamental differences in approach, world-building, and emotional exploration for each format.* **Leveraging Non-Fiction Research:** How a science background informs even fictional stories, ensuring believability and depth.* **Teaching Writing to All Ages:** Sudipta's powerful techniques for guiding elementary, high school, and adult writers, including her popular "Character & Plot" graphic organizer exercise.* **The Power of Revision:** Why authors (yes, even professionals!) embrace the challenging but essential editing process.* **Tips for Educators:** How to use Sudipta's books—like 'Duck Duck Moose,' 'Chickens Run Wild,' 'Chicks Rule,' and 'Cats in Construction Hats'—for engaging classroom lessons on literacy, language, and self-understanding.* **The Art of Collaboration:** Insights into the dynamic partnership between authors and illustrators, and how it enriches the storytelling.**Adam's Book Bag:** Sudipta shares her love for "We Love Fishing" by Ariel Bernstein and how it perfectly illustrates friendship and embracing differences. Discover a fun writing assignment based on this gem!**Story Spark:** Sudipta reveals a surprisingly effective source of creative ideas for aspiring writers (and teachers seeking prompts!).**Chapters**00:00 Welcome Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen!01:08 Picture Books vs. Chapter Books for Authors & School Visits03:52 How Science & Research Inform Writing (Fiction & Non-Fiction)08:55 Teaching Writing to All Ages: Adults to Elementary10:04 Graphic Organizer: Character & Plot Exercise13:17 The Importance & Pain of Revision16:47 Sudipta's Tips for Educators & Using Her Books19:07 The Power of One Word & Rhyme20:00 Illustrator Collaboration & Art Details24:34 Adam's Book Bag: "We Love Fishing" by Ariel Bernstein28:18 Story Spark: The Rule of Threes in Writing31:43 Story Spark: Graphic T-Shirt Puns for Ideas**Connect with Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen:**Website: https://www.sudipta.com/**Connect with Adam Lehrhaupt & Picture This:**Download the FREE "teaching activity pack": https://adamlehrhaupt.com/teachers-guides-2/* Check out Adam's books: https://adamlehrhaupt.com/adam-lehrhaupt-books/* Sign up for our newsletter for more teaching tips and podcast updates: https://adamlehrhaupt.com/newsletter-signup* Listen to other episodes of the Picture This Podcast: https://adamlehrhaupt.com/podcast/Don't forget to **Like, Comment, and Subscribe** for more strategies that turn stories into classroom success! What's your favorite tip for teaching writing? Share below using #PictureThisPodcast!#SudiptaBardhanQuallen #AdamLehrhaupt #PictureBooks #ChapterBooks #WritingProcess #AuthorVisits #Literacy #EducationPodcast #TeachersOfYouTube #WritingCommunity #KidsLit #BookRecommendations #SEL #Storytelling #ChicksRule #CatsInConstructionHats

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